BBC 英语学习 新型两轮交通工具

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BBC, learning English. Hello, and welcome to Six Minute English.

I'm thin, and I'm Neil. Hello.

Today, we're talking about one of the latest forms of transport on two wheels.

Yes, we're not talking

about bicycles here. No, we are talking about her self balancing transport device.

What a complicated name. Now, a device is an object which has been created for a particular purpose, but yes, you need to balance on this device, which means you need to stand on it and not fall over.

Well, this device has other names as well.

It's called a ridable because you ride on it like you ride on a bicycle.

Or you can call it a self balancing scooter.

Or others call it a hoover board.

That's perhaps because it looks like a skateboard, but it's a bit different in it it is.

It is a bit different. And we'll be finding out more about Hoover boards in a moment.

But 1st, it's time for our quiz question.

I'm going to make a statement, and I want you to tell me thin if it's true or false.

Okay? OK Here in the UK, it's illegal to ride a hoover board on the pavement.

Is that true or false? FIN What do you think?

Well, I've actually seen someone riding a hoover board on the pavement, so I'll say it's false.

I think it's legal to ride one on the pavement.

OK, then we'll see if you're right at the end of the program.

OK, so Neil, have you ever tried riding on a hoover board?

No, I haven't, but I would like to give it a go.

Yeah, it looks like a skateboard, but it is different.

It moves differently, and it goes in a different direction.

It goes sideways. Yes. And, you know, the other big difference is that it is motorized, and when you change your balance, the wheels turn.

So when you lean forwards, you move forwards, and when you lean back, you slow down and stop.

And if you lean even further back, then you actually move backwards.

Yeah, so it's hard to keep your balance like a skateboard.

You need to practice to get good at this.

And I'm no good at skateboards, and I think, you know, if you, if you don't practice, you'll fall off the hoover board.

Lots of times. BBC reporter Emma Ales has tried a hoover board.

Who else has tried one of these ridables?

Listen to her report. So you may have seen, in recent weeks, celebrities like Justin Bieber and Lily Allen riding one of these.

It's a self balancing transportation device, or some people call them ridables.

I've never had to go, but I'm going to integrate one into my life for the next couple of days and see how I get on.

And that was the BBC reporter Emma Ales.

She said that she's going to integrate riding a hoover board into her everyday life.

And so perhaps she'll travel to the BBC on a hoverboard now, to integrate means to combine things to make them more efficient.

Or maybe she'll go shopping on a hover board.

Now, she talks about celebrities, famous people who are using Hoover boards.

Yes, she mentioned two celebrities, singers Lily Allen, whose British, and Justin Bieber, he's from Canada.

So people are using hoover boards all over the world.

Neil, you were telling me about a guy you saw last weekend?

Yes, I was at a shopping center, and there were all these kids, teenagers, watching this guy using a hove aboard.

Of course, they all wanted to try it.

You could hear them shouting, can I have a go?

Can I have a go? Can I have a go?

Now? To have a go means to try something.

Yes. Now, what was our reporter's experience of using a hoover board?

How did she get on? Did she learn how to use it?

Did she enjoy using it? So overall, this is really good fun, and I definitely recommend giving it a go.

But there are some downsides. It's really heavy.

It's illegal to use it on the pavement, and it's quite embarrassing being stared at.

So are two wheels better than two legs?

For me? Probably not. So that was the BBC reporter Emma once again, and she tried to use the two wheels of the hoverboard to move around, but she said she prefers moving with her two legs.

But she did say this about using a hoverboard.

It's good fun, and she definitely recommends that people try it.

They should give it a go.

Hmm. But she said there are also some downsides, some bad things.

1st, it's heavy. Yes, it's not very easy carrying a heavy hoverboard.

Also, when she uses it, everyone looks at her, and they don't stop looking, they stare at her, and she says, that's embarrassing.

And there is one more downside about using a self balancing scooter.

And this is also the answer to our quiz question.

I asked if it's true or false that it's illegal to ride a half aboard on the pavement in the UK.

And I said, that it's false, and you are wrong, right?

Yes, it's illegal. There is a law about that.

Yes, I realize I guess the wrong answer when I heard that clip from EMMA s report there.

Yes, their use is illegal Undersection 72 of the Highway Act of 1835, for use on the public

pavements and roads in the UK.

A very impressive meal. Now, you can use a hoverboard, I've heard, on private property if you have permission from the owner, but not on public

pavements and roads. OK, well, next time you see your friend justin Bieber, then tell him that I will.

Now, that's that's offered today. Please do join us again soon.

Please do. And let's hear the words before we go.

OK? We heard device balance, pavement, scooter, skateboard, celebrities to get on to have a go.

Illegal and private property. That is it.

Now, we will see you next time.

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