CAE Reading and Use of English Part 8
You are going to read four opinions about cycling. For questions 47-56, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once. When more than one answer is required, these may be given in any order.
Which person …
47 admits to having reservations about the financial aspect of getting into cycling?
48 believes cycling has made them more aware of their local environment?
49 mentions a specific physical benefit unrelated to fitness or weight?
50 feels that cycling has improved their ability to manage daily pressures?
51 states that cycling requires a significant initial period of adaptation?
52 expresses frustration with the behaviour of some traffic participants?
53 sees cycling as a practical solution to certain daily problems?
54 suggests that the activity has had a positive impact on their personal finances?
55 acknowledges that safety concerns could understandably deter people?
56 found that cycling helped them rediscover a forgotten sensation?
A. Ben
I took up cycling primarily as a rational response to two major headaches: the soul-crushing traffic and the ridiculous, ever-rising cost of fuel and public transport. This decision has done wonders for my daily routine! That’s not to say it was without its upfront costs. The initial outlay for a reliable, well-made bike, a sturdy lock, a helmet, and high-visibility gear was pretty steep. However, I’ve recouped that cost many times over by slashing my monthly transport expenditure. My commute is now the most predictable and often the most enjoyable part of my day; I arrive at work feeling energised and clear-headed rathen than stressed from gridlock. Admittedly, you have to develop a thick skin and a defensive riding style. An aggressive minority of drivers seem to view cyclists as a personal inconvenience, and their deliberate close passes are genuinely frightening moments that cast a shadow over the experience. It’s a real shame, because on a quiet country road early in the morning, there’s no feeling quite like it—the efficiency, the quiet, the self-reliance.
B. Clara
For me, cycling was never primarily about transport; it was a conscious decision to reclaim my fitness and wellbeing after nearly a decade of sedentary desk work. The first few weeks were brutal, to say the least! My leg muscles ached so bad I considered seeing a doctor, and I would run out of breath in no time at all. But I persevered, and the physical and mental payoff has been nothing short of incredible. Time on the bike has become my essential moving meditation. Focusing on the rhythm of my pedalling and the road ahead allows me to process the day’s stresses and decompress fully. I’m now convinced that this mental reset is the primary reason I now sleep so well and wake up feeling properly refreshed. It’s an improvement to my life that I never expected when I first wobbled away from my house on two wheels.
C. David
What cycling offers me, above all else, is a sense of liberation—a feeling I hadn’t really experienced since the endless summers of my childhood. It’s not just a form of exercise; it’s a tool for pure, spontaneous exploration. Since I started, I’ve discovered countless small parks, winding canals, and hidden historical alleyways in my own city that I had blindly passed for years. You become attuned to your surroundings, noticing the subtle changes in the seasons, all the small details you are completely sealed off from inside the climate-controlled bubble of a car. You feel connected to the world you’re moving through. Of course, this wonderful sense of freedom comes with a fair deal of risk. I’ve had my fair sharee of near misses with both cars and people, and I completely understand why the danger factor puts so many people off. The infrastructure in most cities, with its painted lines that offer no real protection, simply isn’t designed with a cyclist’s safety as a priority, and that’s a terrifying reality for a new rider.
D. Sarah
My relationship with the bicycle is complicated. I absolutely love the idea on paper: it’s eco-friendly, wonderfully healthy, and efficient. In practice, however, it demands a state of constant, unrelenting vigilance. You cannot afford to switch off. You must learn to anticipate every possible hazard—from a car door swinging open in your path to a pedestrian stepping off the kerb while staring at their phone, or a driver suddenly deciding to turn into you. It’s a complex skill set that one slowly builds over time, combining spatial awareness, risk assessment, and predictive thinking. Once you do achieve that competence, the feeling of zipping through congested streets is priceless. However, even with all the experience under the belt, I still find sharing road space with much larger, faster vehicles to be stressful. While the health benefits are definitely there, the mental load of having to actively fight for your life on every single journey is exhausting, and it’s why many of my friends refuse to even consider cycling seriously. It’s a real shame, because for me cycling has become a lifesaver – it helped me get rid of the chronic backpain that has been plaguing me for years.
For this task: Answers with explanations :: Vocabulary
