Learn English with Traffic Lights: Gap-Fill Activity

Traffic lights are an essential part of road traffic, helping to regulate the movement of vehicles and pedestrians. In this article, we will explore the main terms and phrases associated with traffic lights. You will learn how to correctly use expressions such as “cross on green,” “red light,” “keep traffic flowing,” and many others. You will also have the opportunity to test your knowledge with an exercise that will help reinforce the information you’ve learned and expand your English vocabulary.

Traffic Lights Exercise

Fill in the blanks with the correct words from the given options.

1. outside, out, out of, outdoors
2. resembled, looked, showed, seemed
3. However, Therefore, Although, Despite
4. forbade, disappointed, avoided, discouraged
5. New, Recent, Modern, Late
6. methods, ways, systems, means
7. by, with, through, in
8. middle, heart, focus, halfway
9. original, primary, first, early
10. show, appear, happen, become
11. a, in the, in a, the
12. various, particular, rare, special
13. change, alter, vary, move
14. rise, raise, wake, get up
15. reproduced, replaced, removed, remained

Time's up

Key Phrases Related to Traffic Lights

Red Light – indicates that all vehicles must stop. This is the most important signal as it ensures safety at intersections.

• Example: “When the red light is on, vehicles must stop.”

Yellow Light – warns drivers that the light will change to red soon. Drivers should prepare to stop.

• Example: “The yellow light indicates that drivers should slow down and prepare to stop.”

Green Light – allows vehicles to go. This is the signal for unobstructed forward movement.

• Example: “When the green light is on, vehicles are allowed to proceed.”

Pedestrian Crossing – a place where pedestrians can cross the road. Pedestrian traffic lights also have red and green signals.

• Example: “Pedestrians should cross the road at the pedestrian crossing when the green light is on.”

Traffic Light Timer – a device that shows the time until the light changes. This helps drivers and pedestrians orient themselves in time.

• Example: “The traffic light timer shows how many seconds are left until the light changes.”

Flashing Yellow Light – means that drivers should be attentive and proceed with caution.

• Example: “A flashing yellow light means you should proceed with caution.”

Intersection – a place where two or more roads cross. Traffic lights at intersections regulate the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

• Example: “Traffic lights at intersections help manage the flow of vehicles and pedestrians.”

Cross on green

• Example: “Always cross on green to ensure safety.”

Keep traffic flowing

• Example: “Roundabouts help to keep traffic flowing smoothly.”

Wait for the signal

• Example: “Pedestrians should wait for the signal before crossing.”

Expanding Your English Vocabulary

Before doing the exercise, familiarize yourself with the explanations and examples of words that are new to you.

Word Explanations and Examples

• Outside
  • Example: “The park is located outside the city.”
• Out
  • Example: “He went out of the room.”
• Out of
  • Example: “The cat is out of the bag.”
• Outdoors
  • Example: “We enjoyed eating outdoors.”
• Resembled
  • Example: “The new building resembled a castle.”
• Looked
  • Example: “She looked happy at the party.”
• Showed
  • Example: “He showed us his new car.”
• Seemed
  • Example: “It seemed like a good idea.”
• However
  • Example: “He wanted to go to the party. However, he had to work.”
• Therefore
  • Example: “It was raining; therefore, we stayed inside.”
• Although
  • Example: “Although it was cold, we went for a walk.”
• Despite
  • Example: “Despite the rain, we went hiking.”
• Forbade
  • Example: “The teacher forbade talking in class.”
• Disappointed
  • Example: “The movie disappointed me.”
• Avoided
  • Example: “She avoided answering the question.”
• Discouraged
  • Example: “The heavy rain discouraged us from going hiking.”
• New
  • Example: “She bought a new dress.”
• Recent
  • Example: “The recent news surprised everyone.”
• Modern
  • Example: “Modern technology has changed our lives.”
• Late
  • Example: “We had a late dinner.”

• Methods
  • Example: “There are various methods of teaching.”
• Ways
  • Example: “There are many ways to solve this problem.”
• Systems
  • Example: “The new traffic control systems improved safety.”
• Means
  • Example: “We need to find means of transportation.”
• By
  • Example: “The book was written by a famous author.”
• With
  • Example: “She walked with her friend.”
• Through
  • Example: “We walked through the park.”
• In
  • Example: “She is in the room.”
• Middle
  • Example: “She stood in the middle of the room.”
• Heart
  • Example: “He lives in the heart of the city.”
• Focus
  • Example: “The focus of the meeting was on education.”
• Halfway
  • Example: “We are halfway to our destination.”
• Original
  • Example: “This is the original painting.”
• Primary
  • Example: “His primary goal is to succeed.”
• First
  • Example: “He was the first to arrive at the meeting.”
• Early
  • Example: “We caught an early train.”
• Show
  • Example: “He showed us his new car.”
• Appear
  • Example: “Stars begin to appear in the sky at dusk.”
• Happen
  • Example: “Accidents can happen anytime.”
• Become
  • Example: “She became a famous artist.”
• In the
  • Example: “He is in the house.”
• In a
  • Example: “She is in a hurry.”
• The
  • Example: “The sun is shining.”
• Various
  • Example: “We visited various museums during our trip.”
• Particular
  • Example: “He has no particular interest in sports.”
• Rare
  • Example: “This is a rare species of bird.”
• Special
  • Example: “She made a special cake for his birthday.”
• Change
  • Example: “The leaves change color in the fall.”
• Alter
  • Example: “She altered her dress for the party.”
• Vary
  • Example: “Prices vary depending on the season.”
• Move
  • Example: “We decided to move to a new city.”
• Rise
  • Example: “The sun rises in the east.”
• Raise
  • Example: “Please raise your hand if you have a question.”
• Wake
  • Example: “The loud noise woke me up.”
• Get up
  • Example: “I get up at 7 AM every day.”
• Reproduced
  • Example: “The painting was reproduced in many art books.”
• Replaced
  • Example: “The old equipment was replaced with new machines.”
• Removed
  • Example: “The graffiti was removed from the wall.”
• Remained
  • Example: “He remained calm during the meeting.”