UK trial modified cameras to end noisy vehicles

An EFL and ESL English Lesson

Lesson Collection
A photo of a car exhaust pipe.

Date: 21st August 2023

Level: C1 Advanced

Grammar: Past participle adjectives

Topics: Politics & Law, Travel & Transport, Health & Wellbeing

Printables: 10-Page Lesson, Single-Page Lesson

Worksheets: Reading, Grammar, Vocabulary, Writing, Listening

Lesson

Text

UK trial modified cameras to end noisy vehicles

A new type of traffic camera that detects noisy vehicles has been trialled in the UK. The “noise cameras” catch illegally-loud sounds coming from modified exhausts or supercars and motorbikes revving their engines. The acoustic cameras have microphones specially fitted and capture the numberplate and sound level of the vehicle. If the sound detected exceeds the legal limit of 74 decibels, then a fine is automatically sent to the driver.

Alongside the trial was a survey commissioned by the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) to gather drivers’ thoughts on the cameras. Of those polled, almost 60% were in favour of them, but around 20% were against the new detection cameras, while the last 20% were undecided. Those who fail to comply with the legal noise limit face a £50 fine, which around 40% of drivers felt was in proportion to the offence committed. Others felt that motorists should face a steeper fine and a temporary ban if they breach the rules.

The survey revealed that around a third of the UK regularly hear unnecessarily loud vehicle noises. According to the government up to £10 billion a year is lost in productivity at work due to disturbed sleep and other resulting health problems. The RAC said they want the trialled cameras in the worst areas affected, and “the sooner effective camera enforcement can be put in place the better”.

Information sources (external links): independent.co.uk, rac.co.uk

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Warm-up activities and vocabulary

Activities:

How many parts of a car can you name?

Make a list of the top 3, 5, or 10 most annoying sounds.

Which famous person would you like in the passenger seat alongside you on a trip?

Vocabulary:

1. Scan the text and find a word or phrase that means:

  • A. tested (paragraph 1)t...
  • B. changed (paragraph 1)m...
  • C. vehicle ID (paragraph 1)n...
  • D. charge (paragraph 1)f...
  • E. quiz (paragraph 2)s...
  • F. respect (paragraph 2)c...
  • G. drivers (paragraph 2)m...
  • H. pointlessly (paragraph 3)u...
  • I. effort (paragraph 3)p...
  • J. application (paragraph 3)e...
Answers
  • A. trialled, B. modified, C. numberplate, D. fine, E. survey, F. comply, G. motorists, H. unnecessarily, I. productivity, J. enforcement

2. What does the italicised word below mean — frees, fixes, or breaks?

  • if the sound detected exceeds the legal limit
Answer
  • breaks

3. Which word below doesn’t belong?

  • exceed — modify — acoustic — breach
Answer
  • acoustic (the others describe changing something)

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Phrases, synonyms, and antonyms match-up

Match the words on the left to their endings to make phrases from the text.

  1. temporary
  2. disturbed
  3. modified
  4. specially
  5. 74
  6. legal
  7. the survey
  8. illegally-
  9. detection
  10. revving
  1. limit
  2. revealed
  3. their engines
  4. ban
  5. fitted
  6. cameras
  7. sleep
  8. decibels
  9. exhausts
  10. loud
Answers
  • 1D, 2G, 3I, 4E, 5H, 6A, 7B, 8J, 9F, 10C

Match the words on the left from the text to their synonyms.

  1. detect
  2. disturb
  3. survey
  4. acoustic
  5. undecided
  1. study
  2. catch
  3. sound
  4. not sure
  5. trouble
Answers
  • 1B, 2E, 3A, 4C, 5D

Match the words on the left from the text to their antonyms.

  1. motorist
  2. comply
  3. disturb
  1. passenger
  2. comfort
  3. disobey
Answers
  • 1A, 2C, 3B

interactive  |   top

Reading comprehension questions

  1. Has the UK fully adopted noise cameras?
  2. What kinds of sounds do noise cameras catch?
  3. What sound level must vehicles not pass?
  4. What did the RAC do?
  5. How did the majority of those asked feel about the cameras?
  6. What do drivers get if they exceed the noise limit?
  7. Some people felt the punishment should be more what?
  8. What do companies lose because of the problem?
  9. What do people lose because of noisy vehicles?
  10. What do the RAC want to see from the trial?
  1. The legal 74 decibel limit.
  2. Good sleep.
  3. A £50 fine.
  4. Those from exhausts and engines.
  5. Severe, including a temporary ban.
  6. Not yet, they are still being trialled.
  7. Surveyed drivers.
  8. They approved of the cameras.
  9. Effective sound camera enforcement.
  10. Productivity.
Answers
  • 1F, 2D, 3A, 4G, 5H, 6C, 7E, 8J, 9B, 10I

reading worksheet  |  interactive  |  top

Grammar gap-fill cloze: past participle adjectives

Change the verbs into their correct forms before putting them in the correct spaces.

  1. detect
  2. decide
  3. fit
  4. affect
  5. commission
  1. modify
  2. commit
  3. disturb
  4. poll
  5. trial

A new type of traffic camera that detects noisy vehicles has been trialled in the UK. The “noise cameras” catch illegally-loud sounds coming from 1._______________ exhausts or supercars and motorbikes revving their engines. The acoustic cameras have microphones specially 2._______________ and capture the numberplate and sound level of the vehicle. If the sound 3._______________ exceeds the legal limit of 74 decibels, then a fine is automatically sent to the driver.

Alongside the trial was a survey 4._______________ by the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) to gather drivers’ thoughts on the cameras. Of those 5._______________, almost 60% were in favour of them, but around 20% were against the new detection cameras, while the last 20% were 6._______________. Those who fail to comply with the legal noise limit face a £50 fine, which around 40% of drivers felt was in proportion to the offence 7._______________. Others felt that motorists should face a steeper fine and a temporary ban if they breach the rules.

The survey revealed that around a third of the UK regularly hear unnecessarily loud vehicle noises. According to the government up to £10 billion a year is lost in productivity at work due to 8._______________ sleep and other resulting health problems. The RAC said they want the 9._______________ cameras in the worst areas 10._______________, and “the sooner effective camera enforcement can be put in place the better”.

Answers
  1. 1F modified, 2C fitted, 3A detected, 4E commissioned, 5I polled, 6B undecided, 7G committed, 8H disturbed, 9J trialled, 10D affected

grammar worksheet  |   interactive  |   top

Vocabulary multiple-choice cloze

A new type of traffic camera that 1._______________ noisy vehicles has been trialled in the UK. The “noise cameras” catch illegally-loud sounds coming from modified 2._______________ or supercars and motorbikes revving their engines. The acoustic cameras have microphones specially fitted and capture the 3._______________ and sound level of the vehicle. If the sound detected exceeds the legal limit of 74 decibels, then a 4._______________ is automatically sent to the driver.

Alongside the trial was a 5._______________ commissioned by the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) to gather drivers’ thoughts on the cameras. Of those 6._______________, almost 60% were in favour of them, but around 20% were against the new detection cameras, while the last 20% were undecided. Those who fail to 7._______________ with the legal noise limit face a £50 fine, which around 40% of drivers felt was in proportion to the offence committed. Others felt that 8._______________ should face a steeper fine and a temporary ban if they breach the rules.

The survey revealed that around a third of the UK regularly hear unnecessarily loud vehicle noises. According to the government up to £10 billion a year is lost in 9._______________ at work due to disturbed sleep and other resulting health problems. The RAC said they want the trialled cameras in the worst areas affected, and “the sooner effective camera 10._______________ can be put in place the better”.

1.
A. rejects
B. inspects
C. detects
D. ejects
2.
A. exhausts
B. accelerators
C. brakes
D. satnavs
3.
A. numeral
B. volume
C. settings
D. numberplate
4.
A. good
B. nice
C. fine
D. sure
5.
A. speciality
B. survey
C. sully
D. storey
6.
A. tolled
B. prompts
C. stamps
D. polled
7.
A. comply
B. imply
C. opt in
D. opt out
8.
A. chauffeurs
B. motorists
C. couriers
D. motorcades
9.
A. productivity
B. photography
C. perception
D. priceless
10.
A. force
B. contribution
C. enforcement
D. tribute
Answers
  1. 1C, 2A, 3D, 4C, 5B, 6D, 7A, 8B, 9A, 10C

vocabulary worksheet  |   interactive  |   top

Writing cloze

Spell the missing words correctly.

  1. c e d t s e t
  2. x u a h s t s e
  3. o u a t c i c s
  4. a r l m e t p e b n u
  5. c e s x e d e
  1. i n f e
  2. i d m o e s m s c o i n
  3. l d l o p e
  4. y c p m o l
  5. r o t n p o i p r o
  1. s m o s t r i t o
  2. h e a c b r
  3. u y s r v e
  4. t v r p i t i u o y d c
  5. m e r e o c t n e f n

A new type of traffic camera that 1._______________ noisy vehicles has been trialled in the UK. The “noise cameras” catch illegally-loud sounds coming from modified 2._______________ or supercars and motorbikes revving their engines. The 3._______________ cameras have microphones specially fitted and capture the 4._______________ and sound level of the vehicle. If the sound detected 5._______________ the legal limit of 74 decibels, then a 6._______________ is automatically sent to the driver.

Alongside the trial was a survey 7._______________ by the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) to gather drivers’ thoughts on the cameras. Of those 8._______________, almost 60% were in favour of them, but around 20% were against the new detection cameras, while the last 20% were undecided. Those who fail to 9._______________ with the legal noise limit face a £50 fine, which around 40% of drivers felt was in 10._______________ to the offence committed. Others felt that 11._______________ should face a steeper fine and a temporary ban if they 12._______________ the rules.

The 13._______________ revealed that around a third of the UK regularly hear unnecessarily loud vehicle noises. According to the government up to £10 billion a year is lost in 14._______________ at work due to disturbed sleep and other resulting health problems. The RAC said they want the trialled cameras in the worst areas affected, and “the sooner effective camera 15._______________ can be put in place the better”.

Answers
  • 1. detects, 2. exhausts, 3. acoustic, 4. numberplate, 5. exceeds, 6. fine, 7. commissioned, 8. polled, 9. comply, 10. proportion, 11. motorists, 12. breach, 13. survey, 14. productivity, 15. enforcement

writing worksheet  |   interactive  |   top

Fill in missing letters

Fill in the text with these five missing letters: b f g v y

A new t_pe o_ tra__ic camera that detects nois_ _ehicles has _een trialled in the UK. The “noise cameras” catch ille_all_-loud sounds comin_ _rom modi_ied exhausts or supercars and motor_ikes re__in_ their en_ines. The acoustic cameras ha_e microphones speciall_ _itted and capture the num_erplate and sound le_el o_ the _ehicle. I_ the sound detected exceeds the le_al limit o_ 74 deci_els, then a _ine is automaticall_ sent to the dri_er.

Alon_side the trial was a sur_e_ commissioned __ the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) to _ather dri_ers’ thou_hts on the cameras. O_ those polled, almost 60% were in _a_our o_ them, _ut around 20% were a_ainst the new detection cameras, while the last 20% were undecided. Those who _ail to compl_ with the le_al noise limit _ace a £50 _ine, which around 40% o_ dri_ers _elt was in proportion to the o__ence committed. Others _elt that motorists should _ace a steeper _ine and a temporar_ _an i_ the_ _reach the rules.

The sur_e_ re_ealed that around a third o_ the UK re_ularl_ hear unnecessaril_ loud _ehicle noises. Accordin_ to the _o_ernment up to £10 _illion a _ear is lost in producti_it_ at work due to distur_ed sleep and other resultin_ health pro_lems. The RAC said the_ want the trialled cameras in the worst areas a__ected, and “the sooner e__ecti_e camera en_orcement can _e put in place the _etter”.

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Cool-down discussion, game, and keywords

Discussion questions:

  • What is the loudest thing you’ve ever heard or listened to?
  • What are some examples of noise pollution?
  • Could you teach someone how to drive? What would you teach first?
  • Why is sleep important?
  • Do you like surveys?

Language game:

In the table below, add one word to each box that matches both the category and the beginning letter, e.g. a sound beginning with C is click.

C A R S
A sound
Something you can drive
Something you can sleep on
Part of a car
Something on a road

CEFR C1 10 lesson keywords:

(adj = adjective / adv = adverb / n = noun / v = verb)

  • comply (v)
  • detect (v)
  • enforcement (n)
  • exhaust (n/v)
  • fine (adj/adv/n/v)
  • motorist (n)
  • numberplate (n)
  • poll (n/v)
  • productivity (n)
  • survey (n/v)

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Interactive exercises

UK trial modified cameras to end noisy vehicles

Phrases, synonyms, and antonyms interactive match-up

Phrases
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Synonyms
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Antonyms
16.
17.
18.

lesson  |   top

Reading comprehension interactive questions

A new type of traffic camera that detects noisy vehicles has been trialled in the UK. The “noise cameras” catch illegally-loud sounds coming from modified exhausts or supercars and motorbikes revving their engines. The acoustic cameras have microphones specially fitted and capture the numberplate and sound level of the vehicle. If the sound detected exceeds the legal limit of 74 decibels, then a fine is automatically sent to the driver.

Alongside the trial was a survey commissioned by the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) to gather drivers’ thoughts on the cameras. Of those polled, almost 60% were in favour of them, but around 20% were against the new detection cameras, while the last 20% were undecided. Those who fail to comply with the legal noise limit face a £50 fine, which around 40% of drivers felt was in proportion to the offence committed. Others felt that motorists should face a steeper fine and a temporary ban if they breach the rules.

The survey revealed that around a third of the UK regularly hear unnecessarily loud vehicle noises. According to the government up to £10 billion a year is lost in productivity at work due to disturbed sleep and other resulting health problems. The RAC said they want the trialled cameras in the worst areas affected, and “the sooner effective camera enforcement can be put in place the better”.

Has the UK fully adopted noise cameras?
What kinds of sounds do noise cameras catch?
What sound level must vehicles not pass?
What did the RAC do?
How did the majority of those asked feel about the cameras?
What do drivers get if the exceed the noise limit?
Some people felt the punishment should be more what?
What do companies lose because of the problem?
What do people lose because of noisy vehicles?
What do the RAC want to see from the trial?
  1. The legal 74 decibel limit.
  2. Good sleep.
  3. A £50 fine.
  4. Those from exhausts and engines.
  5. Severe, including a temporary ban.
  6. Not yet, they are still being trialled.
  7. Surveyed drivers.
  8. They approved of the cameras.
  9. Effective sound camera enforcement.
  10. Productivity.

reading worksheet  |  lesson  |  top

Grammar gap-fill interactive cloze: past participle adjectives

A new type of traffic camera that detects noisy vehicles has been trialled in the UK. The “noise cameras” catch illegally-loud sounds coming from
1.
exhausts or supercars and motorbikes revving their engines. The acoustic cameras have microphones specially
2.
and capture the numberplate and sound level of the vehicle. If the sound
3.
exceeds the legal limit of 74 decibels, then a fine is automatically sent to the driver.
Alongside the trial was a survey
4.
by the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) to gather drivers’ thoughts on the cameras. Of those
5.
,
almost 60% were in favour of them, but around 20% were against the new detection cameras, while the last 20% were
6.
.
Those who fail to comply with the legal noise limit face a £50 fine, which around 40% of drivers felt was in proportion to the offence
7.
.
Others felt that motorists should face a steeper fine and a temporary ban if they breach the rules.
The survey revealed that around a third of the UK regularly hear unnecessarily loud vehicle noises. According to the government up to £10 billion a year is lost in productivity at work due to
8.
sleep and other resulting health problems. The RAC said they want the
9.
cameras in the worst areas
10.
,
and “the sooner effective camera enforcement can be put in place the better”.

grammar worksheet  |   lesson  |   top

Vocabulary multiple-choice interactive cloze

A new type of traffic camera that
1.
noisy vehicles has been trialled in the UK. The “noise cameras” catch illegally-loud sounds coming from modified
2.
or supercars and motorbikes revving their engines. The acoustic cameras have microphones specially fitted and capture the
3.
and sound level of the vehicle. If the sound detected exceeds the legal limit of 74 decibels, then a
4.
is automatically sent to the driver.
Alongside the trial was a
5.
commissioned by the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) to gather drivers’ thoughts on the cameras. Of those
6.
,
almost 60% were in favour of them, but around 20% were against the new detection cameras, while the last 20% were undecided. Those who fail to
7.
with the legal noise limit face a £50 fine, which around 40% of drivers felt was in proportion to the offence committed. Others felt that
8.
should face a steeper fine and a temporary ban if they breach the rules.
The survey revealed that around a third of the UK regularly hear unnecessarily loud vehicle noises. According to the government up to £10 billion a year is lost in
9.
at work due to disturbed sleep and other resulting health problems. The RAC said they want the trialled cameras in the worst areas affected, and “the sooner effective camera
10.
can be put in place the better”.

vocabulary worksheet  |   lesson  |   top

Writing interactive cloze

Spell the missing words correctly.

A new type of traffic camera that
(c e d t s e t)
1.
noisy vehicles has been trialled in the UK. The “noise cameras” catch illegally-loud sounds coming from modified
(x u a h s t s e)
2.
or supercars and motorbikes revving their engines. The
(o u a t c i c s)
3.
cameras have microphones specially fitted and capture the
(a r l m e t p e b n u)
4.
and sound level of the vehicle. If the sound detected
(c e s x e d e)
5.
the legal limit of 74 decibels, then a
(i n f e)
6.
is automatically sent to the driver.
Alongside the trial was a survey
(i d m o e s m s c o i n)
7.
by the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) to gather drivers’ thoughts on the cameras. Of those
(l d l o p e)
8.
,
almost 60% were in favour of them, but around 20% were against the new detection cameras, while the last 20% were undecided. Those who fail to
(y c p m o l)
9.
with the legal noise limit face a £50 fine, which around 40% of drivers felt was in
(r o t n p o i p r o)
10.
to the offence committed. Others felt that
(s m o s t r i t o)
11.
should face a steeper fine and a temporary ban if they
(h e a c b r)
12.
the rules.
The
(u y s r v e)
13.
revealed that around a third of the UK regularly hear unnecessarily loud vehicle noises. According to the government up to £10 billion a year is lost in
(t v r p i t i u o y d c)
14.
at work due to disturbed sleep and other resulting health problems. The RAC said they want the trialled cameras in the worst areas affected, and “the sooner effective camera
(m e r e o c t n e f n)
15.
can be put in place the better”.

writing worksheet  |   lesson  |   top

Listening exercises

UK trial modified cameras to end noisy vehicles

Listening comprehension reordering

Put the summary sentences A-J in the order you hear them 1-10 in the story.

Full text audio:

The legal limit for vehicle noises is 74 decibels.
People lose a good night's sleep.
Drivers get a £50 fine if they exceed the limit.
The cameras catch sounds from exhausts and engines.
Some felt the punishment should be more severe.
The UK is trialling “noise cameras”.
The RAC surveyed drivers.
The majority of drivers approved of the cameras.
The RAC want effective enforcement from the new cameras.
Companies lose productivity because of this problem.

lesson  |   interactive  |   top

Pronunciation check

How many words in the clip start with the following letters.

Paragraph clip audio:

1.
The letter E
2.
The letter P
3.
The letter W

lesson  |   interactive  |   top

Dictation

Type the words you hear.

Keywords list audio:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

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