Man builds motorcycle that runs on beer

Nick's ESL News Lessons

A printable worksheet for news-based English conversation classes.

Date: 2023/05/08

Difficulty: Upper Intermediate B2

PDF: Man builds motorcycle that runs on beer
YouTube: Man builds motorcycle that runs on beer

Vocabulary Match

1 gallon -   - very hot
keg -   - barrel
thrust -   - race track
superheated -   - invention
drag strip -   - 3.78 liters
creation -   - force

Article

Ky Michaelson, a man from Bloomington, Indiana, has built a motorcycle that runs on beer. Instead of a gas engine, the bike has a 14-gallon keg with a heating coil inside. When beer is poured into the keg, the liquid heats up to 300 degrees and turns into superheated steam, which provides enough thrust to move the bike forward. Michaelson believes his motorcycle could reach speeds up to 150 miles per hour. He plans to test it on a drag strip soon.

Michaelson has entered his beer-powered motorcycle into a few local car shows where it has won first place. He believes his unusual creation has raised the bar. Michaelson says he likes to be creative and do things that other people have never done before. He has made everything from a rocket-powered toilet to a jet-powered coffee pot in the past.

While Michaelson is not a drinker himself, he thinks using beer as fuel is a good idea since the price of gas is getting expensive. His son Buddy says the bike could run on any kind of liquid.

Quiz

  1. What did Ky Michaelson build?
  2. How does the bike move forward?
  3. What other unusual inventions has Michaelson made in the past?

Conversation

A: Wow, that's a really cool motorcycle you have there.
B: Thanks, it runs on beer.
A: Beer? Really? How does that work?
B: The beer heats up and turns into steam, which powers the bike.
A: That's amazing. I hope you don't run out of beer on a long ride.
B: Don't worry, I always carry a spare keg.

Discussion

  1. Would you ride a motorcycle that runs on beer?
  2. What other types of alternative fuel could be used for vehicles?
  3. Do you drive? What do you carry in your car in case of emergencies?
  4. Have you ever entered a competition or won a prize?

Vocabulary Answers

1 gallon → 3.78 liters
keg → barrel
thrust → force
superheated → very hot
drag strip → race track
creation → invention

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. Ky Michaelson built a motorcycle that runs on beer.
  2. The beer heats up to 300 degrees and turns into superheated steam, which provides enough thrust to move the bike forward.
  3. He has made everything from a rocket-powered toilet to a jet-powered coffee pot in the past.

Source Material

https://www.fox9.com/news/bloomington-man-makes-beer-powered-motorcycle


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