Traffic Ticket - Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab

Level	Topic	Speakers	Length
Intermediate	Traffic Tickets	Man – Man	01:27

Pre-Listening Exercise

What are common traffic violations and how do they threaten public safety (for example, following cars too closely, or tailgating, can result in rear end collisions if the car in front of you stops suddenly)?

Agree or Disagree? Let’s Spark Some Conversation!

These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, moving, and talking! The goal is to explore ideas, share opinions, and get ready for the next part of the lesson.

In a face-to-face classroom: Read each statement aloud. If you agree, move to one side of the room; if you disagree, move to the other. Talk with your group—why do you feel that way? Then, pair students with members of the other group and have students explain their reasons. Rotate partners for more practice.
In an online classroom: Use polls, emojis, or the chat box in your online platform to show your opinion. Then, join the conversation as a group or in breakout rooms. What do others think? Do you agree or disagree with them?
For independent learners: Read each statement and think about your opinion. Then say your answer out loud and explain your reason, as if you’re talking to a classmate. This helps you get ready to speak and join real conversations in English. Consider recording your ideas and check your progress.

Traffic tickets are an effective way to improve road safety.
People should pay higher fines for repeated traffic violations.
Traffic tickets are more about raising money than preventing accidents.
Minor traffic offenses shouldn’t require tickets.
Automated traffic cameras are unfair and unnecessary.
First-time offenders should get warnings instead of tickets.
Traffic tickets should be higher for dangerous driving than for minor infractions.
People who receive traffic tickets are usually careless drivers.
Traffic tickets reduce reckless driving more than education does.
Paying a traffic ticket should not affect insurance rates.

Idioms

“pull over” = drive to the side of the road and stop
“The police pulled him over and gave him a ticket for speeding.”

“make waves” = cause problems
“Stop making waves and admit you ran the red light. It is useless to argue with the police officer.”

Listening Exercise

A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.

Vocabulary Practice

Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:

Mixed-Up Sentence | Sentence and Vocabulary Matching

Post-Listening Exercise

In your own words, give a summary of the traffic violations the driver in this conversation committed. What steps can law enforcement (police officers) take to protect the public and roads in such cases? Is it better to try to talk your way out of a traffic ticket or just accept the consequences if you have broken a traffic law?

Online Investigation

Getting a traffic ticket for different violations can happen if you aren’t aware of the laws or code where you live or visit. Choose a country you want to visit and find out about three specific traffic laws and the penalties for violating those laws. How do these rules compare to those in your own area?

Keep in mind that the traffic code can vary widely from area to area within the same country. Learning about the criminal justice system before you travel to a new place can help you avoid legal problems.

See Listening Script

Back to Intermediate Quizzes

General Listening Quiz