Prepare for IELTS by Topic
5. Driving & Traffic
Driving and traffic are a part of every day life for most people, and as such, it's a topic that could easily appear in the IELTS test. Transport is something that could appear in a listening or reading passage, and you could be asked to speak or write about this topic too.
LISTENING
Listening Test Part:
1
Questions 1 - 10
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD AND/ OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Excel Driving School
Address of school: 61 East Street, Reigate.
Name of driving instructor: David 1___________.
Phone number: 07588 623001
Best to call in the 2___________.
Doesn’t work on 3___________.
What you will learn
Lots of driving practice.
Learn about traffic laws and regulations.
Understanding traffic 4___________ and their meanings.
Driving in special conditions such as bad 5___________.
Booking process
You can book packages of 10 lessons.
A 10 hour package of lessons costs 6 __________ pounds.
You can choose to learn in a manual or 7___________ car.
You must have a provisional 8___________.
Advantages of using a driving school
There is less chance you will have an 9___________.
You will improve more quickly.
You won’t get into a 10___________ with your family members.
READING
A Better Way to Travel
A
Thanksgiving is a holiday that encourages us to reflect on the aspects of our lives for which we are grateful. It is also a time when many people travel, highlighting a significant problem in the United States that the government has been unwilling to address. The Interstate System, a network of freeways built under the supervision of Dwight Eisenhower, and the proliferation of airports in cities across the country have led to unintended consequences and a heavy reliance on cars and planes. As a result, building a dependable and efficient intercity high-speed rail (HSR) has become an urgent necessity. However, Washington's lack of action on the issue is largely due to misconceptions and exaggerated criticisms.
B
During Thanksgiving, a staggering 43.4 million people will travel more than 50 miles to celebrate the occasion, with approximately 38.9 million choosing to drive, according to AAA. This surge in cars on the road leads to extensive traffic delays and inconveniences. INRIX, a traffic services provider, predicts that in cities with the worst Thanksgiving traffic, the average trip will be delayed by 28.55 percent. Flying, with its expenses and drawbacks, is not always a desirable or feasible alternative. Unfortunately, limited transportation options force American citizens to choose between two undesirable and environmentally harmful alternatives.
C
The transportation problem highlighted during Thanksgiving is not limited to this particular holiday. It exists throughout the year and will only worsen as the U.S. population continues to grow. Simply selling more cars and building more roads will not solve the issue. Andrew Holland, an expert on energy, climate change, and infrastructure policy, points out that while the Interstate Highway System has successfully connected the country, it has also promoted sprawling, car-dependent development, shifting the major cost of fuel onto consumers. To address this, America 2050, an infrastructure planning and policy program, recommends implementing high-speed rail in the Northeast, Midwest, Texas, and California based on criteria such as metropolitan size, distance, transit connections, economic productivity, and congestion.
D
The advantages of faster and more efficient train systems are significant. According to the U.S. High Speed Rail Association, these trains address various problems in the United States. They reduce national oil consumption and emissions, create millions of jobs through infrastructure construction and manufacturing, strengthen national security by reducing dependence on oil, and provide relief from congestion while offering a convenient and comfortable mode of travel without delays. So, why has there been little political movement on the issue?
E
One of the misconceptions surrounding HSR is the belief that passenger trains are exorbitantly expensive and require taxpayer subsidies. Critics argue that spending on HSR is irresponsible given the high national debt. However, they fail to acknowledge the double standard in the debate—the government's significant subsidisation of other transportation modes, such as the construction and maintenance of the interstate highway system, which cost $146 billion in public funds in 2007.
F
Another misconception is that HSR is unsuitable for the United States. Critics claim that interstate highways, suburbanization, and air travel make trains unnecessary. However, they overlook the future implications of population growth, limited fossil fuel resources, and environmental concerns. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) rightly points out that during the decades it will take to construct an extensive HSR network, the U.S. population is projected to grow by at least 100 million, fossil fuel availability will decline, and environmental considerations will demand less-polluting and more energy-efficient transportation modes. Therefore, high-speed rail is a fitting solution.
G
Lastly, some argue that there is no political or public support for HSR, leading supporters to overstate its benefits. However, a poll conducted by Angus Reid found that 49 percent of Americans support HSR, while only 26 percent oppose it. Clearly there is grassroots support for greater investment in high speed trains, and several well-founded rationales for seriously considering it.
Questions 1-5
The reading passage contains 8 paragraphs, A-H.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
1. Issues which the interstate state highway system has created.
2. Government funding of other means of transport.
3. The problems Americans sometimes face when travelling by road.
4. The benefits provided by train networks.
5. Why criticisms of high speed rail are misfounded.
Questions 6-10
Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer?
Write
YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
6. The combination of a large freeway system and extensive airport network has led to unexpected problems.
7. The large number of vehicles on the road during Thanksgiving results in many road accidents.
8. Road Transportation problems will get worse in the future
9. High speed passenger trains are very expensive.
10. As the population in the United States grows trains will become a more attractive transport solution.
Questions 11-14
Which of the following advantages of investing in trains is mentioned in the passage?
Choose three answers from the list below:
A. It would create a more dependable transport system.
B. It would lower the use of oil.
C. It would increase employment.
D. It would reduce the cost of maintaining the interstate highway system.
E. It would reduce congestion problems.
F. It would reduce road deaths.
G. It would make travel more cheaper.
SPEAKING
Speaking Part 1
1. Do you have a driver’s licence?
2. Do you think it’s hard to learn to drive?
3. When was the last time you travelled in a car?
4. At what age are people allowed to drive in your country?
5. Do you think it’s important to be able to drive?
6. What kind of cars are most popular in your country?
7. Is there anything you don’t like about driving?
8. Do you think you will travel by car more in the future?
Speaking Part 2
Describe a time you had a problem while driving.
You should say:
where you were going
what caused the problem
what you did to solve the problem
and explain how you felt about the situation
Speaking Part 3
1. Has transport changed in your country in the last 20 years?
2. What can we do to improve road safety?
3. How could the roads be improved in your country?
4. Why do some people prefer driving a car to taking a train or bus?
5. What measures can be taken to reduce traffic jams in cities?
6. How do you think cars will change in the future?
WRITING
Writing Task 1 Assignment (General Training)
Your city government wants to turn the city centre into a pedestrian only area. You have decided to write a letter to your local newspaper editor.
In your letter you should say:
why you are writing
if you agree or disagree with the government’s decision
why it is a good/ bad idea for the city
Writing Task 2 Assignment
Some people believe that governments should invest more in trains, while others argue that it is more important to improve the roads.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
VOCABULARY
Vocabulary Exercises:
Exercise 1: Gap-fill Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate vocabulary from the list provided below.
1. During ___________, the roads are often filled with cars and it takes longer to get to work.
2. I'll ___________ to the airport so you don't have to take a taxi.
3. The ___________ on the motorway caused a long delay in our journey.
4. The driver caused an accident at the intersection after he ___________.
5. It's important to have a ___________ vehicle to ensure safety on the road.
6. The ___________ on the freeway involved multiple cars and caused a major traffic jam.
7. She was caught ___________ on the highway and received a speeding ticket.
pile-up
roadworks
give you a lift
jumped a red light
rush hour
roadworthy
speeding
Exercise 2: Matching Exercise
Match the vocabulary with its corresponding definition below.
1. behind the wheel
2. collision
3. commute
4. congestion
5. exhaust emissions
6. get around
7. give someone a lift
8. gridlock
9. roadworks
10. roadworthy
a. A vehicle that is safe and suitable for driving on the road.
b. To travel between various locations.
c. Construction or maintenance activities taking place on a road.
d. A situation where two or more vehicles crash into each other.
e. Harmful gases released into the atmosphere from a vehicle.
f. To drive a vehicle, especially a car.
g. A situation where traffic is very heavy and roads are very busy.
h. To travel regularly to and from work.
i. To provide transportation for someone in your vehicle.
j. A complete standstill of traffic caused by congestion or road closures.
Exercise 3: Mistake Correction
One word in each sentence is incorrect or not used in its usual way. Correct the sentences.
1. There was a long roadworks on the motorway due to an accident.
2. I drive to work very early so that I can avoid collisions.
3. He was caught skipping a red light and was given a large fine.
4. It's important to have a reckless vehicle to ensure safety on the road.
5. The best way to get over the city is by using the underground.
6. The driver pressed on the brakes when he saw a person crossing the street in front of him.
Topic Vocabulary:
behind the wheel (idiom):
Definition: Being the driver of a vehicle.
Example: Mum is behind the wheel, driving us to the park.
collision (noun [c]):
Definition: When two or more things crash into each other.
Example: The collision between the two cars caused a lot of damage.
commute (noun [u]):
Definition: The act of travelling from home to work or vice versa on a regular basis.
Example: Many people spend hours each day commuting to and from work.
congestion (noun [u]):
Definition: The state of being overcrowded or blocked, often used to describe traffic or a transport system.
Example: Congestion in the city centre is a major problem during rush hour.
exhaust emissions (noun [pl]):
Definition: The release of gases into the environment by vehicles, factories and other human activities.
Example: The factory's emissions contributed to air pollution in the surrounding area.
get around (phrasal verb):
Definition: Move from place to place, on foot, by car or by any other means.
Example: We use bicycles to get around the neighbourhood quickly.
give someone a lift (idiom):
Definition: To take someone in your car to where they want to go.
Example: Can you give me a lift to the store later?
gridlock (noun [u]):
Definition: A very bad traffic jam, when cars are stuck and can't move.
Example: The traffic was so bad that it led to gridlock on the highway.
heavy traffic (noun phrase):
Definition: When there are a lot of cars on the road, making it slow to move.
Example: We hit heavy traffic on our way to the concert.
jump a red light (idiom):
Definition: Driving through a traffic light when it's red.
Example: Don't ever jump a red light; it's dangerous and against the law.
penalty (noun [c]):
Definition: A punishment for doing something wrong, such as a fine.
Example: If you park in the wrong place, you might get a parking ticket as a penalty.
pile-up (noun [c]):
Definition: Many cars crashing into each other in a bad accident.
Example: Due to the heavy fog, there was a pile-up on the motorway.
reckless (adjective):
Definition: Not being careful or safe while driving.
Example: The reckless driver was going too fast and almost caused an accident.
roadworks (noun [pl]):
Definition: Repair or maintenance work being done on a road, often causing delays or diversions.
Example: The roadworks have been causing significant disruption to traffic in the area.
roadworthy (adjective):
Definition: When a car is safe to be driven on the road.
Example: Before a long trip, make sure your car is roadworthy and you won't have any problems.
rush hour (noun [c]):
Definition: The busiest time for travel, when most people are going to or returning from work.
Example: Avoid driving during rush hour if possible.
slam on the brakes (idiom):
Definition: To make a vehicle stop or slow down quickly by pressing the brake pedal.
Example: I had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the car in front.
speeding (noun [u]):
Definition: Driving faster than the speed limit of the road.
Example: The police officer gave him a ticket for speeding.
stuck in traffic (idiom):
Definition: When your car cannot move or moves very slowly, because there are too many cars on the road.
Example: We were stuck in traffic for an hour because of the accident ahead.
tailback (noun [c]):
Definition: A long line of cars stuck behind each other in a traffic jam.
Example: The tailback on the motorway stretched for miles due to the accident.
Listening Answer Key:
1. Sinfield, 2. afternoon, 3. Tuesday, 4. signs, 5. weather, 6. £300, 7. car, 8. licence, 9. accidents, 10. fight
Reading Answer Key:
1C, 2E, 3B,4D, 5F, 6 Yes, 7 Not Given, 8 Yes, 9 No (It is a misconception), 10 Yes, 11-14 B,C,E (In any order)
Vocabulary Answer Key:
Exercise 1: 1. rush hour, 2. give you a lift, 3. roadworks, 4. jumped a red light, 5. roadworthy, 6. pile-up, 7. speeding
Exercise 2: 1f, 2d, 3h, 4g, 5e, 6b, 7i, 8j, 9c, 10a
Exercise 3: 1. roadworks > tailback, 2. collisions > rush hour , 3. skipping > jumping, 4. reckless > roadworthy, 5. over > around, 6. Stood > slammed
Are these from real IELTS papers?