(vocab list, definitions, sample sentences, and review worksheet)
VOCAB LIST: Driving and Traffic
passenger (n.) – a person who is not driving; the side of a car opposite the driver
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- Luckily there were no passengers on the bus when it got into an accident.
seatbelt (n.) – a safety belt in cars that protects drivers and passengers
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- I always ask passengers in my car to wear their seatbelts.
carpool (n.) – a group of people who ride (to work, etc.) in the same car to save money
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- We started a carpool at my company so we can protect the environment while saving money.
lane (n.) – a single “path” in the road (large highways often have several lanes on each side)
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- In the US, the right lane is for slower drivers, and the left lane is for passing.
- Some highways have a special “carpool lane” for cars with 2 or more people.
speed limit (n.) – the fastest speed that you are allowed to drive on a road
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- The speed limit on this highway is 65 miles per hour.
residential area (n.) – an area with many houses where many people live
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- In residential areas, the speed limit is 25 miles per hour.
fine (n.) – money that you have to pay if you are caught breaking a law
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- I have to pay a $100 fine because I was caught speeding in a residential area.
parking space (n.) – a place where you can park a single car
parking lot (n.) – an area with many parking spaces
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- When you go to the grocery store, you can park in their parking lot. There are usually many parking spaces available.
traffic jam (n.) – when too many cars are on the road and the traffic stops moving
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- I was late to work because there was a traffic jam on the highway.
pedestrian (n.) – a person who is walking (on a sidewalk, or across a street, for example)
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- You must be careful when you’re driving in the city because there are many pedestrians.
intersection (n.) – where two or more roads meet (there is usually a stoplight (or traffic light) at intersections)
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- You must be careful when you’re driving in the city because there are many pedestrians.
crosswalk (US) / zebra crossing (UK) – the white stripes at intersections where pedestrians cross the road
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- Pedestrians must use the crosswalk when crossing the street. Otherwise, they may get a fine.
VOCAB REVIEW: Driving and Traffic
Fill in the blanks with the words below:
passenger / seatbelt / carpool / lane
speed limit / residential / fine / parking lot
traffic jam / pedestrian / intersection / crosswalk
1. Slow down! The _______________ on this road is only 40 miles per hour!
2. Pedestrians should always use the ____________ when crossing the street.
3. I had to park on the street because the restaurant’s ____________ was full.
4. Because there are often children playing in _____________ areas, the speed limit is usually very slow.
5. Every morning there is a ____________ on the way to work, so I often have to wait in my car for a long time, and sometimes I’m even late to work.
6. I don’t want you to ride in my car because the seatbelt on the __________ side is broken.
7. If you ride in my car, we can take the __________ lane, and then we won’t get stuck in a traffic jam.
8. I saw a terrible accident last night. A car hit a _______________ at a crosswalk.
9. A police officer pulled me over for driving over the speed limit. I have to pay a __________ of $50.
10. There is no traffic light at this ____________, so there are often accidents here.
11. This highway has four _________ on each side because many people use it to go to work.
12. I always wear my __________ when I am driving, because it can save my life if I get into an accident.