The Reading / Listening - Level 6

A major road-safety campaign is under way in Britain to get hands-free mobile phones banned. The charity Brake is also calling for motorists to switch off their phones while driving. The group said the fines for calling or texting while behind the wheel should also be increased by up to tenfold, to around $1,600. This is to provide a greater deterrent than the current penalty of $160. Brake's suggestions follow a revelation that more than 575,000 British drivers had points on their driving licence for using their phone. A spokeswoman for Brake said: "We're living in an age when being constantly connected is the norm. More and more of us have smartphones, and find it hard to switch off, even for a minute."

Britain's Department for Transport said that although road safety was a "top priority", it had "no plans to change the law around the use of hands-free devices". It added that all penalties were being "kept under review to ensure they are appropriate". Brake said: "While there are enormous benefits to this new technology, it's also posing dangerous temptations to drivers to divert their concentration away from the critical task at hand, often putting our most vulnerable road users in danger." It added: "Many people who wouldn't dream of drink-driving are succumbing to using their phone and other distractions while driving, oblivious that the effect can be similar and the consequences just as horrific."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24982173
  • http://news.sky.com/story/1170006/mobile-phones-in-cars-call-for-total-ban
  • http://www.brake.org.uk/news/1147-rsw13-nat


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 :-)



The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. CAR PHONES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about car phones. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

 

major / road safety / campaign / motorist / deterrent / penalty / revelation / connected / transport / top priority / change the law / enormous benefits / concentration / horrific

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. DISTRACTIONS: How dangerous are these while driving? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How dangerous?

Why?

How to stop people doing them?

Texting

 

 

 

Eating

 

 

 

Smoking

 

 

 

Looking at a GPS

 

 

 

Talking

 

 

 

Looking at scenery

 

 

 

4. BANNED: Students A strongly believe mobile phones in cars should be banned; Students B strongly believe not.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.



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5. ROAD SAFETY: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the most important things at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • low speed limits

  • zero alcohol

  • no texting

  • seatbelts

  • stopping at red lights

  • keeping distance from car ahead

  • more police and radar

  • bicycle lanes

6. MOTORISTS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "motorists". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.

A charity wants car-phone makers to stop manufacturing the devices.

T / F

b.

The charity wants penalties for texting while driving increased tenfold.

T / F

c.

Over half a million U.K. drivers have been caught using phones in cars.

T / F

d.

The charity said everyone can switch off their phone for a few hours.

T / F

e.

The U.K. government said it would change the law for mobile phones.

T / F

f.

The U.K. government said it always checked mobile phone laws.

T / F

g.

The charity said drink-drivers always text while driving.

T / F

h.

The charity said drink-driving and texting while driving are similar.

T / F

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

1.

major

a.

continually

2.

banned

b.

attention

3.

behind the wheel

c.

prohibited

4.

revelation

d.

prime concern

5.

constantly

e.

at risk

6.

priority

f.

important

7.

devices

g.

disclosure

8.

concentration

h.

results

9.

vulnerable

i.

driving

10.

consequences

j.

gadgets

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

1.

A major road-safety campaign

a.

of drink-driving

2.

switch off their phones

b.

the current penalty

3.

texting while

c.

be similar

4.

a greater deterrent than

d.

while driving

5.

being constantly

e.

a "top priority"

6.

road safety was

f.

is under way

7.

enormous

g.

at hand

8.

the critical task

h.

behind the wheel

9.

people who wouldn't dream

i.

connected is the norm

10.

the effect can

j.

benefits

 

GAP FILL

A (1) ____________ road-safety campaign is under way in Britain to get hands-free mobile phones banned. The charity Brake is also (2) ____________ for motorists to switch off their phones while driving. The group said the fines for calling or texting while behind the (3) ____________ should also be increased by up to (4) ____________, to around $1,600. This is to provide a greater deterrent than the current penalty of $160. Brake's suggestions follow a (5) ____________ that more than 575,000 British drivers had (6) ____________ on their driving licence for using their phone. A spokeswoman for Brake said: "We're living in an (7) ____________ when being constantly (8) ____________ is the norm. More and more of us have smartphones, and find it hard to switch off, even for a minute."

 

 

points
tenfold
calling
connected
major
age
wheel
revelation

Britain's Department for Transport said that although road safety was a "top (9) ____________ ", it had "no plans to change the law around the use of hands-free (10) ____________ ". It added that all penalties were being "kept under (11) ____________ to ensure they are appropriate". Brake said: "While there are enormous benefits to this new technology, it's also posing dangerous (12) ____________ to drivers to divert their concentration away from the critical (13) ____________ at hand, often putting our most vulnerable road users in danger." It added: "Many people who wouldn't (14) ____________ of drink-driving are succumbing to using their phone and other (15) ____________ while driving, oblivious that the effect can be similar and the consequences just as (16) ____________."

 

dream
temptations
devices
horrific
distractions
priority
task
review

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

A major road-safety campaign is under way in Britain to get hands-free ______

 

a.  mobile phones binned
b.  mobile phones banned
c.  mobile phones burned
d.  mobile phones band

2)

fines for calling or texting while behind the wheel should also be increased ______

 

a.  by up two tenfold
b.  by up to tenfold
c.  by up too tenfold
d.  by up through tenfold

3)

a revelation that more than 575,000 British drivers had points on ______

 

a.  their driving licence
b.  their drives licence
c.  their driven licence
d.  their driver licence

4)

We're living in an age when being constantly connected ______

 

a.  is the normal
b.  is the normality
c.  is the normalcy
d.  is the norm

5)

More and more of us have smartphones, and find it hard to switch off, ______

 

a.  ever for a minute
b.  evenly for a minute
c.  even for a minute
d.  event for a minute

6)

Britain's Department for Transport said that although road safety was ______

 

a.  a "top priory tea"
b.  a "top prioritise"
c.  a "top priorities"
d.  a "top priority"

7)

it had "no plans to change the law around the use of ______

 

a.  hands-freed devices
b.  hands-free devices
c.  hands-freer devices
d.  hands-freeing devices

8)

all penalties were being kept under review to ensure ______

 

a.  they are appropriately
b.  they are appropriateness
c.  they are appropriacy
d.  they are appropriate

9)

divert their concentration away from the ______

 

a.  critical task at foot
b.  critical task at eye
c.  critical task at hand
d.  critical task at pedal

10)

he effect can be similar and the consequences ______

 

a.  just as horrifying
b.  just as horrifically
c.  just as horrific
d.  just as honorific

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A major road-safety campaign (1) ___________________ Britain to get hands-free mobile phones banned. The charity Brake is also calling for      (2) ___________________ their phones while driving. The group said the fines for calling or texting while (3) ___________________ should also be increased by up to tenfold, to around $1,600. This is to provide a greater deterrent than (4) ___________________ of $160. Brake's suggestions follow a revelation that more than 575,000 British drivers had points on their driving licence for using their phone. A spokeswoman for Brake said: "We're (5) ___________________ when being constantly connected is the norm. More and more of us have smartphones, and (6) ___________________ off, even for a minute."

Britain's Department for Transport said that (7) ___________________ was a "top priority", it had " (8) ___________________ the law around the use of hands-free devices". It added that all penalties were being "kept under review to ensure (9) ___________________ ". Brake said: "While there are enormous benefits to this new technology, it's also posing dangerous temptations (10) ___________________ their concentration away from the critical task at hand, often putting our most vulnerable road users in danger." It added: "Many people who (11) ___________________ drink-driving are succumbing to using their phone and other distractions while driving, (12) ___________________ effect can be similar and the consequences just as horrific."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

What kind of campaign has started in the UK?

2.

What is the name of the charity?

3.

What kind of increase does the charity want in fines?

4.

How many U.K. drivers have been penalized for phone use?

5.

What did the charity say was the norm nowadays?

6.

What did the U.K. say was a top priority?

7.

What does the U.K. government keep under review?

8.

What do the temptations do to drivers?

9.

What would many people not dream of doing?

10.

What can have similar effects to drink driving?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

What kind of campaign has started in the UK?

6.

What did the U.K. say was a top priority?

 

a) a hands-free phones campaign
b) a get-behind-the-wheel campaign
c) a road-safety campaign
d) to increase-traffic-penalties

 

a) helping phone companies
b) road safety
c) bicycle lanes
d) hands-free devices

2.

What is the name of the charity?

7.

What does the U.K. government keep under review?

 

a) Brake
b) Break
c) Broke
d) Broken

 

a) penalties
b) free kicks
c) speed limits
d) texting

3.

What kind of increase does the charity want in fines?

8.

What do the temptations do to drivers?

 

a) a tenfold increase
b) a 100% increase
c) double the current fine
d) a $1,000 rise

 

a) stop them driving
b) make them change direction
c) divert their attention
d) text them

4.

How many U.K. drivers have been penalised for phone use?

9.

What would many people not dream of doing?

 

a) 757,000
b) 575,000
c) 555,000
d) 755,000

 

a) sleep in their car
b) leave their phone at home
c) pay fines
d) drink and drive

5.

What did the charity say was the norm nowadays?

10.

What can have similar effects to drink driving?

 

a) speeding
b) texting
c) living in an age
d) being connected

 

a) using a phone while driving
b) not checking tyre pressure
c) consequences
d) oblivious distractions

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Zero Alcohol

You think zero alcohol is the best solution for road safety. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their solutions. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): wearing seatbelts, having lower speed limits or having more traffic police.

Role  B – Wearing Seatbelts

You think wearing seatbelts is the best solution for road safety. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their solutions. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): zero alcohol, having lower speed limits or having more traffic police.

Role  C – Lower Speed Limits

You think having lower speed limits is the best solution for road safety. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their solutions. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): wearing seatbelts, zero alcohol or having more traffic police.

Role  D – More Traffic Police

You think more traffic police is the best solution for road safety. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their solutions. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): wearing seatbelts, having lower speed limits or zero alcohol.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

road

 

safety

 

 

  • 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:

  • under
  • fines
  • greater
  • follow
  • age
  • even
  • top
  • under
  • benefits
  • away
  • dream
  • just

CAR PHONES SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about mobile phones 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.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

CAR PHONES DISCUSSION

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

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'texting'?

c)

What do you think of people who text and drive?

d)

Do road-safety campaigns like this work?

e)

How safe or dangerous are the roads in your country?

f)

Would a $1,600 fine be an effective deterrent?

g)

Why do people text and call while driving when they know it's dangerous?

h)

Should cars be fitted with technology to block mobile phone reception?

i)

Is it important for you to be constantly connected?

j)

Can you switch off from smartphones, computers, etc. for a long time?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

Do you think road safety is really a "top priority" for governments?

c)

Are hands-free car phones a good idea?

d)

What can we do to reduce temptations that divert drivers' attention?

e)

How irresponsible are drivers who text or read texts while driving?

f)

Is texting while driving as bad as drink-driving?

g)

Should phone companies ban people who text while driving?

h)

How important is a mobile phone to you?

i)

Was driving safer before mobile phones came along?

j)

What questions would you like to ask the charity Brake?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

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

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

A (1) ____ road-safety campaign is under way in Britain to get hands-free mobile phones banned. The charity Brake is also calling for motorists to switch off their phones while driving. The group said the fines for calling or texting while behind the (2) ____ should also be increased by up to (3) ____, to around $1,600. This is to provide a greater (4) ____ than the current penalty of $160. Brake's suggestions follow a revelation that more than 575,000 British drivers had points on their driving licence for using their phone. A spokeswoman for Brake said: "We're living in an (5) ____ when being constantly connected is the (6) ____. More and more of us have smartphones, and find it hard to switch off, even for a minute."

Britain's Department for Transport said that although road safety was a "top       (7) ____ ", it had "no plans to change the law around the use of hands-free (8) ____". It added that all penalties were being "kept under review to ensure they are appropriate". Brake said: "While there are enormous benefits to this new technology, it's also (9) ____ dangerous temptations to drivers to divert their concentration away from the critical task at (10) ____, often putting our most vulnerable road users in danger." It added: "Many people who wouldn't (11) ____ of drink-driving are succumbing to using their phone and other distractions while driving, (12) ____ that the effect can be similar and the consequences just as horrific."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

majored

(b)

majority

(c)

majorly

(d)

major

2.

(a)

accelerator

(b)

driver

(c)

car

(d)

wheel

3.

(a)

tenth

(b)

tenfold

(c)

ten to one

(d)

ten-pin

4.

(a)

deterred

(b)

determined

(c)

deterrent

(d)

deter

5.

(a)

epoch

(b)

aeon

(c)

age

(d)

oldness

6.

(a)

norm

(b)

normal

(c)

normed

(d)

norms

7.

(a)

priory

(b)

priority

(c)

pressing

(d)

primacy

8.

(a)

devices

(b)

vices

(c)

indices

(d)

dice

9.

(a)

pruning

(b)

posing

(c)

planting

(d)

posturing

10.

(a)

brake

(b)

foot

(c)

hand

(d)

accelerator

11.

(a)

nightmare

(b)

daydream

(c)

dream

(d)

fantasy

12.

(a)

reversal

(b)

revivalist

(c)

convivial

(d)

oblivious

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

A major road-safety gcnamaip

2.

calling for sotirosmt to switch off their phones

3.

increased by up to fontlde

4.

provide a greater dtereetrn

5.

drivers had points on their driving cenclie

6.

being nlonctatys connected is the norm

Paragraph 2

7.

road safety was a top iotrypir

8.

the use of hands-free svdiece

9.

ensure they are peitpopaarr

10.

divert their ccnatnitroneo

11.

other dinitosscrat while driving

12.

the neccsuseeonq just as horrific

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

using their phone. A spokeswoman for Brake said: "We're living in an age when being constantly

(    )

review to ensure they are appropriate". Brake said: "While there are enormous benefits to this

(    )

oblivious that the effect can be similar and the consequences just as horrific."

(    )

for calling or texting while behind the wheel should also be increased by up to

(    )

tenfold, to around $1,600. This is to provide a greater deterrent than the current penalty of $160. Brake's suggestions follow

(    )

Britain's Department for Transport said that although road safety was a "top priority", it had "no plans to

(    )

change the law around the use of hands-free devices". It added that all penalties were being "kept under

(    )

dream of drink-driving are succumbing to using their phone and other distractions while driving,

(    )

task at hand, often putting our most vulnerable road users in danger." It added: "Many people who wouldn't

(    )

a revelation that more than 575,000 British drivers had points on their driving licence for

1  )

A major road-safety campaign is under way in Britain to get hands-free mobile phones

(    )

connected is the norm. More and more of us have smartphones, and find it hard to switch off, even for a minute."

(    )

banned. The charity Brake is also calling for motorists to switch off their phones while driving. The group said the fines

(    )

new technology, it's also posing dangerous temptations to drivers to divert their concentration away from the critical

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

in    way    under    is   campaign   safety    -  road    major  A   Britain.    

2.

to     switch     Calling     off     for     their     motorists     phones.    

3.

the     a     current     greater     penalty     deterrent     than    Provide.    

4.

when     connected     norm    age    constantly    the    An    being    is.    

5.

even    ,     off     switch     to     hard     it     Find     minute     a     for.    

6.

the    Change    devices    free   -   hands    of    use   the   around  law.

7.

penalties     All     review     under     kept     being     were.    

8.

away     to     divert    Temptations    their   to   concentration   drivers.    

9.

who     of     driving     people    dream    -    Many    wouldn't    drink.    

10.

distractions     their     phone    Succumbing    and    to    other    using.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A major road-safety campaign is over / under way in Britain to get hands-free mobile phones banned. The charity Brake is also phoning / calling for motorists to switch off their phones while driving. The group said the fines for calling or texting while behind the accelerator / wheel should also be increased by up to tenfold / tenth, to around $1,600. This is to provide a greater / greatest deterrent than the currently / current penalty of $160. Brake's suggestions follow a revelation / revealed that more than 575,000 British drivers had points on their driving licence for using their phone. A spokeswoman for Brake said: "We're living in an age / aeon when being constantly connected is the normal / norm. More and more of us have smartphones, and find / search it hard to switch off, even for a minute."

Britain's Department for Transport said that although / however road safety was a "top priority", it had "no plans to change the law around the use of hands-free devises / devices". It added that all penalties were being "kept under reviewed / review to ensure they are appropriate". Brake said: "While there are enormous / enormously benefits to this new technology, it's also posing / posting dangerous temptations to drivers to revert / divert their concentration away from the critical task at foot / hand, often putting our most vulnerable road users on / in danger." It added: "Many people who wouldn't dream / dreamer of drink-driving are succumbing to using their phone and other distractions while driving, oblivious / obviously that the effect can be similar and the consequences just as horrific."

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)

_ m_j_r r__d-s_f_ty c_mp__gn _s _nd_r w_y _n Br_t__n t_ g_t h_nds-fr__ m_b_l_ ph_n_s b_nn_d. Th_ ch_r_ty Br_k_ _s _ls_ c_ll_ng f_r m_t_r_sts t_ sw_tch _ff th__r ph_n_s wh_l_ dr_v_ng. Th_ gr__p s__d th_ f_n_s f_r c_ll_ng _r t_xt_ng wh_l_ b_h_nd th_ wh__l sh__ld _ls_ b_ _ncr__s_d by _p t_ t_nf_ld, t_ _r__nd $1,600. Th_s _s t_ pr_v_d_ _ gr__t_r d_t_rr_nt th_n th_ c_rr_nt p_n_lty _f $160. Br_k_'s s_gg_st__ns f_ll_w _ r_v_l_t__n th_t m_r_ th_n 575,000 Br_t_sh dr_v_rs h_d p__nts _n th__r dr_v_ng l_c_nc_ f_r _s_ng th__r ph_n_. _ sp_k_sw_m_n f_r Br_k_ s__d: "W_'r_ l_v_ng _n _n _g_ wh_n b__ng c_nst_ntly c_nn_ct_d _s th_ n_rm. M_r_ _nd m_r_ _f _s h_v_ sm_rtph_n_s, _nd f_nd _t h_rd t_ sw_tch _ff, _v_n f_r _ m_n_t_."

Br_t__n's D_p_rtm_nt f_r Tr_nsp_rt s__d th_t _lth__gh r__d s_f_ty w_s _ "t_p pr__r_ty", _t h_d "n_ pl_ns t_ ch_ng_ th_ l_w _r__nd th_ _s_ _f h_nds-fr__ d_v_c_s". _t _dd_d th_t _ll p_n_lt__s w_r_ b__ng "k_pt _nd_r r_v__w t_ _ns_r_ th_y _r_ _ppr_pr__t_". Br_k_ s__d: "Wh_l_ th_r_ _r_ _n_rm__s b_n_f_ts t_ th_s n_w t_chn_l_gy, _t's _ls_ p_s_ng d_ng_r__s t_mpt_t__ns t_ dr_v_rs t_ d_v_rt th__r c_nc_ntr_t__n _w_y fr_m th_ cr_t_c_l t_sk _t h_nd, _ft_n p_tt_ng __r m_st v_ln_r_bl_ r__d _s_rs _n d_ng_r." _t _dd_d: "M_ny p__pl_ wh_ w__ldn't dr__m _f dr_nk-dr_v_ng _r_ s_cc_mb_ng t_ _s_ng th__r ph_n_ _nd _th_r d_str_ct__ns wh_l_ dr_v_ng, _bl_v___s th_t th_ _ff_ct c_n b_ s_m_l_r _nd th_ c_ns_q__nc_s j_st _s h_rr_f_c."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a major road-safety campaign is under way in britain to get hands-free mobile phones banned the charity brake is also calling for motorists to switch off their phones while driving the group said the fines for calling or texting while behind the wheel should also be increased by up to tenfold to around $1600 this is to provide a greater deterrent than the current penalty of $160 brake's suggestions follow a revelation that more than 575000 british drivers had points on their driving licence for using their phone a spokeswoman for brake said "we're living in an age when being constantly connected is the norm more and more of us have smartphones and find it hard to switch off even for a minute"

britain's department for transport said that although road safety was a "top priority" it had "no plans to change the law around the use of hands-free devices" it added that all penalties were being "kept under review to ensure they are appropriate" brake said "while there are enormous benefits to this new technology it's also posing dangerous temptations to drivers to divert their concentration away from the critical task at hand often putting our most vulnerable road users in danger" it added "many people who wouldn't dream of drink-driving are succumbing to using their phone and other distractions while driving oblivious that the effect can be similar and the consequences just as horrific"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Amajorroad-safetycampaignisunderwayinBritaintogethands-freemob
ilephonesbanned.ThecharityBrakeisalsocallingformotoriststoswitchofftheirp
honeswhiledriving.Thegroupsaidthefinesforcallingortextingwhilebehindthew
heelshouldalsobeincreasedbyuptotenfold,toaround$1,600.Thisistoprovidea
greaterdeterrentthanthecurrentpenaltyof$160.Brake'ssuggestionsfolloware
velationthatmorethan575,000Britishdrivershadpointsontheirdrivinglicencef
orusingtheirphone.AspokeswomanforBrakesaid:"We'relivinginanagewhenb
eingconstantlyconnectedisthenorm.Moreandmoreofushavesmartphones,an
dfindithardtoswitchoff,evenforaminute."Britain'sDepartmentforTransportsai
dthatalthoughroadsafetywasa"toppriority",ithad"noplanstochangethelawar
oundtheuseofhands-freedevices".Itaddedthatallpenaltieswerebeing"keptun
derreviewtoensuretheyareappropriate".Brakesaid:"Whilethereareenormous
benefitstothisnewtechnology,it'salsoposingdangeroustemptationstodriverst
odiverttheirconcentrationawayfromthecriticaltaskathand,oftenputtingourm
ostvulnerableroadusersindanger."Itadded:"Manypeoplewhowouldn'tdream
ofdrink-drivingaresuccumbingtousingtheirphoneandotherdistractionsw
hiledriving,obliviousthattheeffectcanbesimilarandtheconsequencesjustasho
rrific."

FREE WRITING

Write about mobile phones for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

There should be a $10,000 for people who use their mobile phone while driving.   Discuss.

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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 mobile phones for cars. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. CAR PHONES: Make a poster about mobile phones. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. DANGERS: Write a magazine article about the dangers of calling or texting while driving. Include imaginary interviews with road safety experts and people who want to use their phone in the car.

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 a road safety expert. Ask him/her three questions about mobile phones in cars. Give him/her three of your opinions. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

F

e

F

f

T

g

F

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

major

a.

important

2.

banned

b.

prohibited

3.

behind the wheel

c.

driving

4.

revelation

d.

disclosure

5.

constantly

e.

continually

6.

priority

f.

prime concern

7.

devices

g.

gadgets

8.

concentration

h.

attention

9.

vulnerable

i.

at risk

10.

consequences

j.

results

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

A major road-safety campaign

2.

Brake

3.

A tenfold increase

4.

575,000

5.

Being connected

6.

Road safety

7.

Penalties for calling/texting while driving

8.

Divert their attention

9.

Drinking and driving

10.

Using a phone while driving

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

a

4.

b

5.

d

6.

b

7.

a

8.

c

9.

d

10.

a

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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