CELPIP Reading Part 4 Practice Test: Cycling to Work vs. Carpooling

As urban areas grapple with traffic and pollution, commuters weigh cycling to work against carpooling. Maria, a graphic designer, loves cycling’s freedom. “It’s eco-friendly, saves money on gas, and keeps me active,” she says, noting she spends nothing on her commute beyond occasional bike repairs. However, she admits rainy days are tough without proper gear. Conversely, Jamal, an accountant, prefers carpooling for its reliability. “We split fuel costs, and it’s cheaper than driving alone. Plus, I can relax or work during the ride,” he explains, though he dislikes coordinating schedules. Environmental advocate Priya argues cycling has a smaller carbon footprint. “Bikes emit zero emissions, while even shared cars contribute to pollution,” she states, citing studies showing cycling reduces urban smog. Meanwhile, Tom, a logistics manager, finds carpooling more practical. “Cycling’s great, but I live 15 miles away. Carpooling lets me share costs and still get door-to-door service,” he says, though he wishes more colleagues joined to make it greener. Both options have trade-offs: cycling offers health benefits and minimal environmental impact but demands physical effort, while carpooling balances convenience and cost but relies on coordination and still uses fuel.

I’ve tried both cycling and carpooling, and I lean toward cycling for its simplicity, though it’s not perfect. Unlike carpooling, where I spent time syncing schedules with coworkers, cycling lets me leave whenever I want, making it 7. Choose…more expensive than carpoolingsimpler and more flexiblebetter for long distances,less healthy than carpooling . I save about 8. Choose…$50$20$150$100 a month compared to splitting gas costs, and I feel healthier. Still, I agree with Tom that distance matters—my 5-mile commute is manageable, but 15 miles would be daunting. I also agree with 9. Choose…TomJamalMariaPriya about the environmental benefits of cycling; I checked local data, and cycling cuts my carbon footprint by 90% compared to carpooling. That said, carpooling’s appeal lies in 10. Choose…reducing physical activitybonding with colleaguesbeing the cheapest optionrequiring less planning] . My solution? I cycle most days but carpool when 11. Choose…cycling becomes too expensivethe weather is poor or they are tiredcolleagues insist on socializingthe commute is too short . Flexibility is key!