The Reading / Listening - Speed Limiters - Level 3

All new cars sold in Europe from 2022 will have technology to limit their speed. New safety rules from the European Union will require new cars to have "intelligent speed assistance" systems. These will be standard equipment on cars, just like seatbelts and airbags. There are other things that cars will be fitted with. All cars will have breathalyzers that won't allow driving if the driver has drunk too much alcohol. Cars must also have advanced emergency braking, a built-in data recorder, drowsiness and distraction monitoring, and sensors to help when reversing. The EU said 25,000 people are killed each year on Europe's roads. Most accidents are caused by human error. The new safety systems will reduce road deaths.

There has been mixed reaction to the new safety features. Some people agree with them, while others disagree. The EU said the features would make driving a lot safer. It said: "With the new advanced safety features...we can have the same kind of impact as when safety belts were first introduced." It added that the new safety features could save up to 10,500 lives and avoid up to 60,000 serious injuries by the year 2030. Many drivers are unhappy with the technology. They say it could make roads more dangerous because driving requires human judgment. One British driver said he didn't want data recorders in his car because that was like Big Brother was watching him.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Speed Limiters - Level 0 Speed Limiters - Level 1   or  Speed Limiters - Level 2

Sources
  • https://mashable.com/article/eu-cars-speed-limiter-breathalyzer/#9AcBqFuFlPq8
  • http://fortune.com/2019/03/27/speed-limiters-breathalyzers-eu-cars/
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2019/03/27/tech/europe-speed-limits-scli/index.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. SPEED: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about speed. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       new cars / technology / speed / safety / intelligent / assistance / alcohol / reversing /
       road deaths / mixed reaction / advanced / impact / unhappy / technology / data
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. SPEED LIMITERS: Students A strongly believe speed limiters on cars are a great idea; Students B strongly believe they are not.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. LIMITS: what do you think about putting limits on these things? What limits? What are the good and bad things about the limits? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What?

Good?

Bad?

Driving speed

 

 

 

Eating

 

 

 

Credit card limit

 

 

 

Age

 

 

 

Weight

 

 

 

Salary

 

 

 

MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. SEATBELTS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "seatbelts". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. ROAD SAFETY: Rank these with your partner. Put the best important aspects of road safety at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • age of cars
  • seatbelts
  • airbags
  • driver helmets
  • speed
  • overtaking
  • police
  • radar

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. limit a. The things you need to do something.
      2. rule b. Need.
      3. require c. Something that people must follow and do or not do something.
      4. assistance d. Mistake.
      5. equipment e. A point or level beyond which something does not go over.
      6. drowsiness f. The action of helping someone with a job or task.
      7. error g. Feeling sleepy.

    Paragraph 2

      8. reaction h. Have the same opinion about something; think the same as someone else.
      9. agree i. Stop or prevent from happening.
      10. feature j. The ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions.
      11. impact k. A special part or aspect of something.
      12. avoid l. An instance of being hurt or harmed.
      13. injury m. The effect or influence of one person, thing, or action, on another.
      14. judgment n. An action taken as a reply to something happening.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. Europe's cars will have speed-limiting technology by 2022.     T / F
  2. Cars in Europe will also have a breathalyzer to check alcohol in drivers.   T / F
  3. Technology in cars will check to see if the driver is sleepy.     T / F
  4. Road accidents kill around 25,000 people a year in Europe.     T / F
  5. Most people hate the idea of the speed limiters in cars.     T / F
  6. The EU said the safety features will have a similar effect to seatbelts.     T / F
  7. There could be up to 60,000 fewer injuries by 2030.     T / F
  8. A British motorist said data recorders were like Big Brother is watching.   T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. limit
  2. standard
  3. allow
  4. drowsiness
  5. error
  6. reduce
  7. impact
  8. avoid
  9. judgment
  10. driver
  1. permit
  2. stay away from
  3. mistake
  4. effect
  5. normal
  6. motorist
  7. restrict
  8. reasoning
  9. sleepiness
  10. lower

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. New safety rules from
  2. These will be standard
  3. if the driver has drunk
  4. a built-in
  5. sensors to help when
  6. There has been mixed
  7. have the same kind
  8. avoid up to
  9. driving requires human
  10. like Big Brother was
  1. too much alcohol
  2. judgment
  3. reversing
  4. 60,000 serious injuries
  5. watching him
  6. equipment on cars
  7. data recorder
  8. reaction
  9. the European Union
  10. of impact

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
rules
sensors
fitted
reduce
sold
each
standard
drunk

All new cars (1) ____________ in Europe from 2022 will have technology to limit their speed. New safety (2) ____________ from the European Union will require new cars to have "intelligent speed assistance" systems. These will be (3) ____________ equipment on cars, just like seatbelts and airbags. There are other things that cars will be (4) ____________ with. All cars will have breathalyzers that won't allow driving if the driver has (5) ____________ too much alcohol. Cars must also have advanced emergency braking, a built-in data recorder, drowsiness and distraction monitoring, and (6) ____________ to help when reversing. The EU said 25,000 people are killed (7) ____________ year on Europe's roads. Most accidents are caused by human error. The new safety systems will (8) ____________ road deaths.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
unhappy
him
mixed
first
human
disagree
save
lot

There has been (9) ____________ reaction to the new safety features. Some people agree with them, while others (10) ____________. The EU said the features would make driving a (11) ____________ safer. It said: "With the new advanced safety features...we can have the same kind of impact as when safety belts were (12) ____________ introduced." It added that the new safety features could (13) ____________ up to 10,500 lives and avoid up to 60,000 serious injuries by the year 2030. Many drivers are (14) ____________ with the technology. They say it could make roads more dangerous because driving requires (15) ____________ judgment. One British driver said he didn't want data recorders in his car because that was like Big Brother was watching (16) ____________.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  All new cars sold in Europe from 2022 will have technology to ______
     a.  limits their speed
     b.  limited their speed
     c.  limit their speed
     d.  limiter their speed
2)  will require new cars to have "intelligent speed ______
     a.  assistance" system
     b.  assistance" systemize
     c.  assistance" systemic
     d.  assistance" systems
3)  These will be standard equipment on cars, just like seatbelts ______
     a.  and aired bags
     b.  and hairy bags
     c.  and airbags
     d.  and hair bags
4)  breathalyzers that won't allow driving if the driver has ______ alcohol
     a.  drunk too much
     b.  drank too much
     c.  drink too much
     d.  drunkard too much
5)  drowsiness and distraction monitoring, and sensors to help ______
     a.  when revising
     b.  when reversal
     c.  when reserving
     d.  when reversing

6)  The new safety systems will reduce road deaths. There has been ______
     a.  mixed reaction
     b.  mix reaction
     c.  mixed reactions
     d.  mix reactions
7)  Some people agree with them, while ______
     a.  other disagree
     b.  others disagree
     c.  another disagree
     d.  other disagreed
8)  With the new advanced safety features...we can have the same ______
     a.  kind off impact
     b.  kind doff impact
     c.  kin doff impact
     d.  kind of impact
9)  It added that the new safety features could ______ 10,500 lives
     a.  save up two
     b.  save up too
     c.  save up to
     d.  save up thru
10)  he didn't want data recorders in his car because that was like Big Brother was ______
     a.  watching he
     b.  watched him
     c.  washing he
     d.  watching him

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

All new (1) ___________________ Europe from 2022 will have technology to limit their speed. New (2) ___________________ the European Union will require new cars to have "intelligent speed assistance" systems. These will be standard equipment on cars, just (3) ___________________ airbags. There are other things that cars will be fitted with. All cars will have breathalyzers that won't allow driving if the (4) ___________________ too much alcohol. Cars must also have advanced emergency braking, a built-in data recorder, drowsiness and distraction (5) ___________________ to help when reversing. The EU said 25,000 people are killed each year on Europe's roads. Most accidents are caused (6) ___________________. The new safety systems will reduce road deaths.

There has been (7) ___________________ the new safety features. Some people agree with them, (8) ___________________. The EU said the features would make driving a lot safer. It said: "With the new advanced safety features...we can have the same (9) ___________________ as when safety belts were first introduced." It added that the new safety features could save up to 10,500 lives and (10) ___________________ 60,000 serious injuries by the year 2030. Many drivers are unhappy with the technology. They say it could make roads more dangerous (11) ___________________ human judgment. One British driver said he didn't (12) ___________________ in his car because that was like Big Brother was watching him.

Comprehension questions

  1. Where are the new safety rules from?
  2. What will the new safety measures be like?
  3. What will sensors help motorists do?
  4. How many people are killed each year on Europe's roads?
  5. What are most accidents caused by?
  6. What kind of reaction has there been?
  7. How many lives could be saved by the new safety measures?
  8. What are many drivers unhappy with?
  9. What did the article say driving requires?
  10. What did a British motorist say was watching him?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  Where are the new safety rules from?
a) an automobile association
b) the European Union
c) Toyota
d) the UN
2) What will the new safety measures be like?
a) a five-star hotel
b) a parachute
c) a bright light
d) seatbelts and airbags
3) What will sensors help motorists do?
a) reverse
b) change gear
c) stop
d) speed up
4) How many people are killed each year on Europe's roads?
a) 22,500
b) 20,000
c) 25,000
d) 30,000
5) What are most accidents caused by?
a) the weather
b) human error
c) drunk drivers
d) fast cars

6) What kind of reaction has there been?
a) an enthusiastic one
b) a good one
c) a mixed reaction
d) no reaction
7) How many lives could be saved by the new safety measures?
a) up to 15,000
b) up to 100,000
c) up to 50,000
d) up to 10,500
8) What are many drivers unhappy with?
a) the technology
b) their car
c) gasoline prices
d) insurance prices
9) What did the article say driving requires?
a) human judgment
b) gasoline
c) an accelerator
d) know-how
10) What did a British motorist say was watching him?
a) radar
b) big brother
c) the police
d) the Internet

Role play

Role  A – Speed
You think speed is the most important aspect of road safety. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): traffic police, wearing a seatbelt or drivers wearing a helmet.

Role  B – Traffic Police
You think more traffic police is the most important aspect of road safety. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): speed, wearing a seatbelt or drivers wearing a helmet.

Role  C – Wearing a Seatbelt
You think wearing a seatbelt is the most important aspect of road safety. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): traffic police, speed or drivers wearing a helmet.

Role  D – Drivers Wearing a Helmet
You think drivers wearing a helmet is the most important aspect of road safety. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): traffic police, wearing a seatbelt or speed.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'speed'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'limit'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • mixed
    • agree
    • lot
    • impact
    • 2030
    • brother
    • sold
    • intelligent
    • allow
    • built
    • killed
    • reduce

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Europe's cars to have speed limiters

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'speed'?
    3. What are speed limits like in your country?
    4. How safe is driving?
    5. What do you think of a speed limiter in cars?
    6. Do you think these features will make driving safer?
    7. How important are safety belts and airbags?
    8. How useful is a built-in data recorder?
    9. What do you think of driving?
    10. How can we reduce the number of deaths on the roads?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'limit'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of speed limits?
    5. What do you think of breathalyzers in cars?
    6. What other safety features do cars need?
    7. How could a built-in data recorder make driving safer?
    8. Is car technology safer than human judgment?
    9. Do you think the new technology is like Big Brother?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the EU about this technology?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    All new cars (1) ____ in Europe from 2022 will have technology to limit their speed. New safety (2) ____ from the European Union will require new cars to have "intelligent speed assistance" systems. These will be standard equipment on cars, just (3) ____ seatbelts and airbags. There are other things that cars will be fitted with. All cars will have breathalyzers that won't allow driving if the driver has (4) ____ too much alcohol. Cars must also have advanced emergency braking, a built-in data recorder, drowsiness and distraction monitoring, and sensors to help (5) ____ reversing. The EU said 25,000 people are killed each year on Europe's roads. Most accidents are caused (6) ____ human error. The new safety systems will reduce road deaths.

    There has been (7) ____ reaction to the new safety features. Some people agree with them, while others disagree. The EU said the features would make driving a (8) ____ safer. It said: "With the new advanced safety features...we can have the same kind of impact (9) ____ when safety belts were first introduced." It added that the new safety features could save (10) ____ to 10,500 lives and avoid up to 60,000 serious injuries by the year 2030. Many drivers are unhappy with the technology. They say it could make (11) ____ more dangerous because driving requires human judgment. One British driver said he didn't want data recorders in his car because that was like Big Brother was (12) ____ him.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     selling     (b)     sell     (c)     sold     (d)     sale    
    2. (a)     rules     (b)     rulers     (c)     ruling     (d)     rule    
    3. (a)     like     (b)     that     (c)     how     (d)     similar    
    4. (a)     drunk     (b)     drank     (c)     drinking     (d)     drunkard    
    5. (a)     where     (b)     when     (c)     what     (d)     which    
    6. (a)     at     (b)     on     (c)     as     (d)     by    
    7. (a)     linked     (b)     combined     (c)     mixed     (d)     connected    
    8. (a)     much     (b)     lots     (c)     load     (d)     lot    
    9. (a)     as     (b)     has     (c)     was     (d)     that's    
    10. (a)     as     (b)     up     (c)     that     (d)     down    
    11. (a)     safe     (b)     roads     (c)     car     (d)     drive    
    12. (a)     seeing     (b)     looking     (c)     watching     (d)     seeing

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. New afesty rules
    2. speed sitsaascne systems
    3. standard upiqmenet on cars
    4. dvancaed emergency braking
    5. rosdniwess and distraction monitoring
    6. deruce road deaths

    Paragraph 2

    1. There has been mixed ecritaon
    2. while others igasrdee
    3. have the same kind of mpaict
    4. avoid up to 60,000 serious ujirneis
    5. driving requires human ugjemdnt
    6. data crdroeers

    Put the text back together

    1  ) All new cars sold in Europe from 2022 will have technology to limit their speed. New safety rules from
    (...)  injuries by the year 2030. Many drivers are unhappy with the technology. They say it could make roads more
    (...)  equipment on cars, just like seatbelts and airbags. There are other things that cars will be fitted
    (...)  introduced." It added that the new safety features could save up to 10,500 lives and avoid up to 60,000 serious
    (...)  much alcohol. Cars must also have advanced emergency braking, a built-in data recorder, drowsiness and distraction
    (...)  features...we can have the same kind of impact as when safety belts were first
    (...)  monitoring, and sensors to help when reversing. The EU said 25,000 people are killed each year on Europe's
    (...)  disagree. The EU said the features would make driving a lot safer. It said: "With the new advanced safety
    (...)  roads. Most accidents are caused by human error. The new safety systems will reduce road deaths.
    (...)  There has been mixed reaction to the new safety features. Some people agree with them, while others
    (...)  didn't want data recorders in his car because that was like Big Brother was watching him.
    (...)  the European Union will require new cars to have "intelligent speed assistance" systems. These will be standard
    (...)  with. All cars will have breathalyzers that won't allow driving if the driver has drunk too
    (...)  dangerous because driving requires human judgment. One British driver said he

    Put the words in the right order

    1. intelligent   assistance   to   speed   systems   .   Require   cars   have
    2. fitted   that   things   cars   Other   be   with   .   will
    3. alcohol   .   too   the   drunk   driver   If   much   has
    4. human   caused   are   by   Most   error   .   accidents
    5. new   safety   road   deaths   .   The   systems   will   reduce
    6. mixed   features   .   to   safety   the   is   There   reaction
    7. lot   driving   would   features   The   safer   .   a   make
    8. have   the   kind   same   can   impact   .   of   We
    9. dangerous   .   make   They   could   say   roads   more   it
    10. didn't   data   his   want   recorders   in   He   car   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    All new cars sold / sales in Europe from 2022 will have technology to limit their speed. New safety rulers / rules from the European Union will require new cars to have "intelligent speedy / speed assistance" systems. These will be standard equip / equipment on cars, just like seatbelts and airbags. There are other things that cars will be fitted / fits with. All cars will have breathalyzers that won't allow driving if the driver has drank / drunk too much alcohol. Cars must also have advanced emergency braking / broken, a built-in data recorder, drowsiness / browser and distraction monitoring, and sensors to help when reversal / reversing. The EU said 25,000 people are killed each year on Europe's roads. Most accidents are caused by / at human error. The new safety systems will reduce road deaths.

    There has been mixing / mixed reaction to the new safety features. Some people agree with them, while another / others disagree. The EU said the features would make driving a lot / loads safer. It said: "With the new advanced safety futures / features...we can have the same kind of impact / compact as when safety belts were first introduced." It added that the new safety features could save / safety up to 10,500 lives and avoid / evade up to 60,000 serious injuries by the year 2030. Many drivers are unhappily / unhappy with the technology. They say it could make roads more dangerous because driving requires human / humane judgment. One British driver said he didn't want data recorders in his car because that was like Big Brother was watching he / him.

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    A l l n_w c_r s s_l d _n E_r_p_ f r_m 2 0 2 2 w_l l h_v_ t_c h n_l_g y t_ l_m_t t h__ r s p__ d . N_w s_f_t y r_l_s f r_m t h_ E_r_p__ n U n__ n w_l l r_q__ r_ n_w c_r s t_ h_v_ "_n t_l l_g_n t s p__ d _s s_s t_n c_" s y s t_m s . T h_s_ w_l l b_ s t_n d_r d _q__ p m_n t _n c_r s , j_s t l_k_ s__ t b_l t s _n d __ r b_g s . T h_r_ _r_ _t h_r t h_n g s t h_t c_r s w_l l b_ f_t t_d w_t h . A l l c_r s w_l l h_v_ b r__ t h_l y z_r s t h_t w_n ' t _l l_w d r_v_n g _f t h_ d r_v_r h_s d r_n k t__ m_c h _l c_h_l . C_r s m_s t _l s_ h_v_ _d v_n c_d _m_r g_n c y b r_k_n g , _ b__ l t -_n d_t_ r_c_r d_r , d r_w s_n_s s _n d d_s t r_c t__ n m_n_t_r_n g , _n d s_n s_r s t_ h_l p w h_n r_v_r s_n g . T h_ E U s__ d 2 5 , 0 0 0 p__ p l_ _r_ k_l l_d __ c h y__ r _n E_r_p_' s r__ d s . M_s t _c c_d_n t s _r_ c__ s_d b y h_m_n _r r_r . T h_ n_w s_f_t y s y s t_m s w_l l r_d_c_ r__ d d__ t h s .

    T h_r_ h_s b__ n m_x_d r__ c t__ n t_ t h_ n_w s_f_t y f__ t_r_s . S_m_ p__ p l_ _g r__ w_t h t h_m , w h_l_ _t h_r s d_s_g r__ . T h_ E U s__ d t h_ f__ t_r_s w__ l d m_k_ d r_v_n g _ l_t s_f_r . I t s__ d : " W_t h t h_ n_w _d v_n c_d s_f_t y f__ t_r_s . . . w_ c_n h_v_ t h_ s_m_ k_n d _f _m p_c t _s w h_n s_f_t y b_l t s w_r_ f_r s t _n t r_d_c_d . " I t _d d_d t h_t t h_ n_w s_f_t y f__ t_r_s c__ l d s_v_ _p t_ 1 0 , 5 0 0 l_v_s _n d _v__ d _p t_ 6 0 , 0 0 0 s_r___s _n j_r__ s b y t h_ y__ r 2 0 3 0 . M_n y d r_v_r s _r_ _n h_p p y w_t h t h_ t_c h n_l_g y . T h_y s_y _t c__ l d m_k_ r__ d s m_r_ d_n g_r__ s b_c__ s_ d r_v_n g r_q__ r_s h_m_n j_d g m_n t . O n_ B r_t_s h d r_v_r s__ d h_ d_d n ' t w_n t d_t_ r_c_r d_r s _n h_s c_r b_c__ s_ t h_t w_s l_k_ B_g B r_t h_r w_s w_t c h_n g h_m .

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    all new cars sold in europe from 2022 will have technology to limit their speed new safety rules from the european union will require new cars to have intelligent speed assistance systems these will be standard equipment on cars just like seatbelts and airbags there are other things that cars will be fitted with all cars will have breathalyzers that wont allow driving if the driver has drunk too much alcohol cars must also have advanced emergency braking a builtin data recorder drowsiness and distraction monitoring and sensors to help when reversing the eu said 25000 people are killed each year on europes roads most accidents are caused by human error the new safety systems will reduce road deaths

    there has been mixed reaction to the new safety features some people agree with them while others disagree the eu said the features would make driving a lot safer it said with the new advanced safety featureswe can have the same kind of impact as when safety belts were first introduced it added that the new safety features could save up to 10500 lives and avoid up to 60000 serious injuries by the year 2030 many drivers are unhappy with the technology they say it could make roads more dangerous because driving requires human judgment one british driver said he didnt want data recorders in his car because that was like big brother was watching him.

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AllnewcarssoldinEuropefrom2022willhavetechnologytolimittheirsp
    eed.NewsafetyrulesfromtheEuropeanUnionwillrequirenewcarstoha
    ve"intelligentspeedassistance"systems.Thesewillbestandardequip
    mentoncars,justlikeseatbeltsandairbags.Thereareotherthingsthatc
    arswillbefittedwith.Allcarswillhavebreathalyzersthatwon'tallowdrivi
    ngifthedriverhasdrunktoomuchalcohol.Carsmustalsohaveadvanced
    emergencybraking,abuilt-indatarecorder,drowsinessanddistraction
    monitoring,andsensorstohelpwhenreversing.TheEUsaid25,000peo
    plearekilledeachyearonEurope'sroads.Mostaccidentsarecausedbyh
    umanerror.Thenewsafetysystemswillreduceroaddeaths.Therehasb
    eenmixedreactiontothenewsafetyfeatures.Somepeopleagreewithth
    em,whileothersdisagree.TheEUsaidthefeatureswouldmakedrivingal
    otsafer.Itsaid:"Withthenewadvancedsafetyfeatures...wecanhaveth
    esamekindofimpactaswhensafetybeltswerefirstintroduced."Itadde
    dthatthenewsafetyfeaturescouldsaveupto10,500livesandavoidupto
    60,000seriousinjuriesbytheyear2030.Manydriversareunhappywitht
    hetechnology.Theysayitcouldmakeroadsmoredangerousbecausedri
    vingrequireshumanjudgment.OneBritishdriversaidhedidn'twantdat
    arecordersinhiscarbecausethatwaslikeBigBrotherwaswatchinghim.

    Free writing

    Write about speed limiters for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    Cars should be designed so they cannot exceed the speed limit. Discuss.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. SPEED: Make a poster about speed. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. SPEED LIMITERS: Write a magazine article about requiring all cars to be fitted with a speed limiter. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on speed. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make roads safer. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Help Support This Web Site

    • Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

    Sean Banville's Book

    Thank You