Ford has launched new technology that will allow drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel while driving on motorways. The technology will be available on the new electric Mustang Mach-E SUV and will control steering, acceleration, and braking. However, a camera will monitor the driver’s eyes to ensure that they remain alert. Though the car can keep a safe distance from other cars and can stop in traffic jams, it is not a self-driving car. Drivers must keep their eyes on the road, and they will be responsible in case of accidents. The BlueCruise technology represents a “Level 2” driver assistance system, which means that it still requires a human driver to take control if something goes wrong. The system will work on certain “blue zones” on pre-mapped motorways in England, Scotland, and Wales. The technology has been approved for use in the UK, and deliveries of the new model started last month.
Original news source: Ford launches hands-free driving on UK motorways (BBC)
Listen
Slow
Normal
Fast
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Picture Prompt
Instructions:
Show a picture of the new electric Mustang Mach-E SUV on the whiteboard. Ask students to describe what they see in the picture. Encourage them to use adjectives and complete sentences.
– Debate
Instructions:
Ask the students to debate whether this kind of technology should be introduced. They should include points like safety, comfort and convenience. One team should be in favor of the new technology, and one should be against it.
– Sentence Completion
Instructions:
Write incomplete sentences related to the article on the whiteboard, such as “BlueCruise technology requires a human driver to take control if…” or “The new electric Mustang Mach-E SUV can control steering, acceleration, and…”. Ask students to complete the sentences using their own words. Encourage them to share their answers with the class.
Comprehension Questions:
1. What new technology has Ford launched for drivers to use on motorways?
2. Will drivers be able to take their hands off the steering wheel while using the new technology?
3. What will the camera in the car monitor?
4. Is the car able to drive itself without a driver?
5. What must drivers do while using the BlueCruise technology?
6. What type of driver assistance system is BlueCruise?
7. Where will the system work on motorways in the UK?
8. Has the technology been approved for use in the UK?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Ford has launched new technology that will allow drivers to take their (1)________ off the steering wheel while driving on motorways. The technology will be available on the new electric Mustang Mach-E SUV and will control steering, (2)_________, and braking. However, a camera will monitor the driver’s eyes to ensure that they remain (3)________. Though the car can keep a safe distance from other cars and can stop in traffic (4)________, it is not a self-driving car. Drivers must keep their eyes on the road, and they will be responsible in case of accidents. The BlueCruise technology represents a “Level 2” driver assistance system, which means that it still requires a human driver to take control if something goes wrong. The system will work on certain “blue zones” on pre-mapped motorways in England, Scotland, and Wales. The technology has been (5)________ for use in the UK, and deliveries of the new model started last month.
Go to answers ⇩
Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. Do you like driving?
2. Have you ever driven a car before?
3. What do you think about a car that can drive itself on the motorway?
4. Would you feel safe in a car that drives itself?
5. Do you think it’s a good idea to have a camera watching the driver’s eyes?
6. Do you think it’s important to pay attention while driving?
7. Have you ever been in a traffic jam?
8. What do you do when you’re bored in the car?
9. Have you ever seen a Mustang before?
10. Do you think electric cars are better for the environment?
11. What’s your favourite colour for a car?
12. Do you think cars will be able to fly one day?
13. How long have you had your driver’s license?
14. Do you think cars will be able to talk one day?
15. What’s the furthest you’ve ever driven in a car?
Individual Activities
Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. launched
2. technology
3. steering
4. acceleration
5. camera
6. alert
7. accidents
8. motorways
Meanings:
A) The roads that cars drive on, like a highway
B) When something goes wrong and something bad happens
C) Something that helps you do a task, like a machine
D) The word that means “going faster”
E) When something new is introduced to the public
F) A device that takes pictures or videos
G) When you are paying attention to what is happening around you
H) When a car turns left or right
Go to answers ⇩
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What new technology has Ford launched for drivers?
(a) A car that can fly
(b) A car that can cook food
(c) A car that can drive on its own
(d) A car that can swim
2. What kind of SUV has the new technology available?
(a) Electric Mustang Mach-E
(b) Gasoline-powered Mustang Mach-E
(c) Electric Ford F-150
(d) Gasoline-powered Ford F-150
3. What will the technology control while driving on motorways?
(a) The radio
(b) The air conditioning
(c) Steering, acceleration, and braking
(d) The windshield wipers
4. What will monitor the driver’s alertness?
(a) A camera
(b) A microphone
(c) A touch screen
(d) A keyboard
5. Is the car a self-driving car?
(a) Yes
(b) No
6. What level of driver assistance system is the BlueCruise technology?
(a) Level 3
(b) Level 4
(c) Level 1
(d) Level 2
7. Where will the technology work on motorways in the UK?
(a) All motorways in the UK
(b) Only blue zones on pre-mapped motorways in England, Scotland, and Wales
(c) Only red zones on pre-mapped motorways in England and Scotland
(d) Only green zones on pre-mapped motorways in Wales
8. Who is responsible in case of accidents with the BlueCruise technology?
(a) The car manufacturer
(b) The driver
(c) The government
(d) The passengers
Go to answers ⇩
True or False Questions:
1. Ford has created new technology that lets drivers take their eyes off the road on motorways.
2. The new technology is only available on a gas-powered sports car.
3. The technology controls steering, acceleration, and braking.
4. The car can drive itself and the driver doesn’t have to pay attention.
5. The technology will monitor the driver’s eyes to make sure they stay alert.
6. The car can stop itself in traffic jams and drive at a safe distance from other cars.
7. The BlueCruise technology is a self-driving car.
8. The technology will work on certain pre-mapped motorways in England, Scotland, and Wales.
Go to answers ⇩
Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
1. What is the new technology that Ford has launched?
2. Will the new technology let drivers take their hands off the steering wheel all the time?
3. What will the camera inside the car do?
4. Is the new Mustang Mach-E SUV a self-driving car?
5. Do drivers need to take responsibility if there is an accident?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. What new technology has Ford launched for drivers to use on motorways?
– Ford has launched new technology that will allow drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel while driving on motorways.
2. Will drivers be able to take their hands off the steering wheel while using the new technology?
– Yes, drivers will be able to take their hands off the steering wheel while using the new technology.
3. What will the camera in the car monitor?
– The camera in the car will monitor the driver’s eyes to ensure that they remain alert.
4. Is the car able to drive itself without a driver?
– No, the car is not able to drive itself without a driver.
5. What must drivers do while using the BlueCruise technology?
– Drivers must keep their eyes on the road while using the BlueCruise technology.
6. What type of driver assistance system is BlueCruise?
– BlueCruise is a “Level 2” driver assistance system.
7. Where will the system work on motorways in the UK?
– The system will work on certain “blue zones” on pre-mapped motorways in England, Scotland, and Wales.
8. Has the technology been approved for use in the UK?
– Yes, the technology has been approved for use in the UK, and deliveries of the new model started last month.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
1. hands
2. acceleration
3. alert
4. jams
5. approved
Go back to questions ⇧
Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. launched
Answer: E) When something new is introduced to the public
2. technology
Answer: C) Something that helps you do a task, like a machine
3. steering
Answer: H) When a car turns left or right
4. acceleration
Answer: D) The word that means “going faster”
5. camera
Answer: F) A device that takes pictures or videos
6. alert
Answer: G) When you are paying attention to what is happening around you
7. accidents
Answer: B) When something goes wrong and something bad happens
8. motorways
Answer: A) The roads that cars drive on, like a highway
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What new technology has Ford launched for drivers?
Answer: (c) A car that can drive on its own
2. What kind of SUV has the new technology available?
Answer: (a) Electric Mustang Mach-E
3. What will the technology control while driving on motorways?
Answer: (c) Steering, acceleration, and braking
4. What will monitor the driver’s alertness?
Answer: (a) A camera
5. Is the car a self-driving car?
Answer: (b) No
6. What level of driver assistance system is the BlueCruise technology?
Answer: (d) Level 2
7. Where will the technology work on motorways in the UK?
Answer: (b) Only blue zones on pre-mapped motorways in England, Scotland, and Wales
8. Who is responsible in case of accidents with the BlueCruise technology?
Answer: (b) The driver
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. Ford has created new technology that lets drivers take their eyes off the road on motorways.
Answer: False
2. The new technology is only available on a gas-powered sports car.
Answer: False
3. The technology controls steering, acceleration, and braking.
Answer: True
4. The car can drive itself and the driver doesn’t have to pay attention.
Answer: False
5. The technology will monitor the driver’s eyes to make sure they stay alert.
Answer: True
6. The car can stop itself in traffic jams and drive at a safe distance from other cars.
Answer: True
7. The BlueCruise technology is a self-driving car.
Answer: False
8. The technology will work on certain pre-mapped motorways in England, Scotland, and Wales.
Answer: True
Go back to questions ⇧
