Listening 1 — City traffic (two tracks)

Two parts — listen to both

This listening has two separate audio tracks in your book. Listen to both Part 1 and Part 2 (Track 3.3 and Track 3.4) before you start the discussion and questions below. The quiz and exercises use information from the whole conversation.

Before You Listen

Listen to both tracks first, then continue

Listen to the audio in your Listening and Speaking book.

Unlock 3 – Unit 3 - Listening 1

Part 1 — Track 3.3: traffic in cities, causes of congestion, old traffic lights.
Part 2 — Track 3.4: solutions (smart signals, drones), driver behaviour, side streets.

Discussion Questions

Discuss with a partner or group. Use both parts of the listening (3.3 and 3.4).

🚗 Part 1 — problems (Track 3.3)

•What does the UN prediction say about city populations by 2050?
•Why does Mark say private vehicles are a primary cause of traffic, and why are buses “the most efficient option”?
•What examples does he give besides “too many cars” (crashes, parking, old signals)?

💡 Part 2 — solutions & behaviour (Track 3.4)

•How can modern traffic signals and a control centre help compared with fixed timers?
•How might drones reduce vans on the road (electricity lines, parcels)?
•What does Mark say about turning into side streets and being a “helpful” driver?

💭 Your experience

•Do traffic problems often make you late? Which idea from the podcast would help most where you live?

Multiple Choice Quiz

Choose the best answer. Questions use both Track 3.3 and Track 3.4.

1. Who is the expert on transport and traffic management in the podcast?

Mark Knowling Jack Sullivan Emma Martinez The United Nations Secretary-General

2. According to Mark, the primary cause of extreme traffic in many cities is ______.

Too many private vehicles on the roads carrying only one or two people Too many bicycles A lack of drones Too many buses

3. Mark says which option is “by far the most efficient” for reducing traffic?

Buses, because they can transport huge numbers of passengers at the same time Walking only Delivery vans Single-person helicopters

4. The United Nations predicts that by 2050, what percentage of the world’s population will be living in cities?

70% 7% 100% 30%

5. Mark says traditional traffic signals are a problem partly because they ______.

Always change colour after a certain number of seconds (fixed timing) Never use the colour red Are only used in villages Turn off at night

6. Modern traffic signals can send information back to ______.

A control centre Only the nearest bus stop Every driver’s phone automatically The United Nations only

7. Mark gives checking ______ as an example of a task that might not need a worker in a big vehicle.

Electricity lines (using a drone with a camera) Cooking in restaurants Teaching at schools Hosting podcasts

8. In some cities, businesses can use drones to deliver ______.

Small parcels Only letters to the United Nations Buses Traffic lights

9. When someone is turning into a side street, what problem does Mark describe if other drivers don’t cooperate?

The traffic gets worse and worse behind the turning driver if no one slows to let them in The side street always closes forever Buses stop working Drones replace all cars immediately

10. Mark says installing modern signals across a whole city is expensive, but ______.

It’s far better than doing nothing It is always free Cities should never try it It only works in small villages

Quiz Results

Fill in the Blanks

Use words from the list (order shuffled). Answers come from both tracks.

private • buses • junction • drones • 70 • control
parcels • side • expensive • Knowling

1. The expert’s name is Mark ______.

2. A primary cause of traffic is many ______ vehicles carrying only one or two people.

3. ______ are by far the most efficient option for reducing traffic in the talk.

4. The UN predicts ______% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050.

5. Drivers may get stuck across a busy ______ when the lights turn red.

6. Modern signals send information back to a ______ centre.

7. A ______ with a camera can help check electricity lines instead of always sending a big vehicle.

8. In some cities, businesses can use drones to deliver small ______.

9. Turning into a ______ street may mean driving across the other lane.

10. Putting modern signals across a whole city is ______, but better than doing nothing.

Results

True or False

Based on the listening (both parts).

1. A crash on a busy city centre road can have a huge impact on other roads close by.

True False

2. Modern traffic signals must follow the same fixed timings for the lights all day long.

True False

3. Mark says people should try to avoid driving as much as possible, but if they can’t, they should be more responsible as drivers.

True False

4. Mark says parking a vehicle so that it blocks traffic, even for a short time, cannot cause problems for others.

True False

5. Traffic controllers can be either human or computer.

True False