Learning English

Covid-19: A new era for cyclists?

The fear of catching coronavirus on public transport is leading to a boom in cycle-to-work schemes, which allow new bicycles to be bought tax-free. Bike shops have reported a surge in sales. Neil and Catherine look at the vocabulary in the news around this story.

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The story

The fear of catching coronavirus on public transport is leading to a boom in cycle-to-work schemes, which allow new bicycles to be bought tax-free. Bike shops have reported a surge in sales.

Key words and phrases

boom time
a period in which there is a large increase in demand for something

• Lockdown is a boom time for online shops.
• While radio was big in the last century, it’s now a boom time for podcasts.

golden age
a period in which a particular activity is popular or successful

• Critics say Hollywood’s golden age ended in the early 1960s.
• The 2000s have been a golden age for social media companies.

at the crossroads
at a point where an important decision needs to be made

• The climate stands at the crossroads. Our decisions now will change the future of the planet.
• With many countries debating their future membership, the EU could be standing at the crossroads.

To do

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