Driverless Cars - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Reading Test 1 · Part 2 · Questions 14–26
Reading Passage
Driverless cars
A
The automotive sector is well used to adapting to automation in manufacturing. The implementation of robotic car manufacture from the 1970s onwards led to significant cost savings and improvements in the reliability and flexibility of vehicle mass production. A new challenge to vehicle production is now on the horizon and, again, it comes from automation. However, this time it is not to do with the manufacturing process, but with the vehicles themselves.
Research projects on vehicle automation are not new. Vehicles with limited self-driving capabilities have been around for more than 50 years, resulting in significant contributions towards driver assistance systems. But since Google announced in 2010 that it had been trialling self-driving cars on the streets of California, progress in this field has quickly gathered pace.
B
There are many reasons why technology is advancing so fast. One frequently cited motive is safety; indeed, research at the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory has demonstrated that more than 90 percent of road collisions involve human error as a contributory factor, and it is the primary cause in the vast majority. Automation may help to reduce the incidence of this.
Another aim is to free the time people spend driving for other purposes. If the vehicle can do some or all of the driving, it may be possible to be productive, to socialise or simply to relax while automation systems have responsibility for safe control of the vehicle. If the vehicle can do the driving, those who are challenged by existing mobility models – such as older or disabled travellers – may be able to enjoy significantly greater travel autonomy.
C
Beyond these direct benefits, we can consider the wider implications for transport and society, and how manufacturing processes might need to respond as a result. At present, the average car spends more than 90 percent of its life parked. Automation means that initiatives for car-sharing become much more viable, particularly in urban areas with significant travel demand. If a significant proportion of the population choose to use shared automated vehicles, mobility demand can be met by far fewer vehicles.
D
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology investigated automated mobility in Singapore, finding that fewer than 30 percent of the vehicles currently used would be required if fully automated car sharing could be implemented. If this is the case, it might mean that we need to manufacture far fewer vehicles to meet demand. However, the number of trips being taken would probably increase, partly because empty vehicles would have to be moved from one customer to the next.
Modelling work by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute suggests automated vehicles might reduce vehicle ownership by 43 percent, but that vehicles’ average annual mileage double as a result. As a consequence, each vehicle would be used more intensively, and might need replacing sooner. This faster rate of turnover may mean that vehicle production will not necessarily decrease.
E
Automation may prompt other changes in vehicle manufacture. If we move to a model where consumers are tending not to own a single vehicle but to purchase access to a range of vehicle through a mobility provider, drivers will have the freedom to select one that best suits their needs for a particular journey, rather than making a compromise across all their requirements.
Since, for most of the time, most of the seats in most cars are unoccupied, this may boost production of a smaller, more efficient range of vehicles that suit the needs of individuals. Specialised vehicles may then be available for exceptional journeys, such as going on a family camping trip or helping a son or daughter move to university.
F
There are a number of hurdles to overcome in delivering automated vehicles to our roads. These include the technical difficulties in ensuring that the vehicle works reliably in the infinite range of traffic, weather and road situations it might encounter; the regulatory challenges in understanding how liability and enforcement might change when drivers are no longer essential for vehicle operation; and the societal changes that may be required for communities to trust and accept automated vehicles as being a valuable part of the mobility landscape.
G
It’s clear that there are many challenges that need to be addressed but, through robust and targeted research, these can most probably be conquered within the next 10 years. Mobility will change in such potentially significant ways and in association with so many other technological developments, such as telepresence and virtual reality, that it is hard to make concrete predictions about the future. However, one thing is certain: change is coming, and the need to be flexible in response to this will be vital for those involved in manufacturing the vehicles that will deliver future mobility.
Questions
Questions 14–18 Matching Information
The Reading Passage has seven paragraphs, A-G.
Which section contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-G, in boxes on your answer sheet.
Questions 19–22 Summary Completion
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes on your answer sheet.
The impact of driverless cars
Figures from the Transport Research Laboratory indicate that most motor accidents are partly due to 19, so the introduction of driverless vehicles will result in greater safety. In addition to the direct benefits of automation, it may bring other advantages. For example, schemes for 20 will be more workable, especially in towns and cities, resulting in fewer cars on the road.
According to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, there could be a 43 percent drop in 21 of cars. However, this would mean that the yearly 22 of each car would, on average, be twice as high as it currently is. this would lead to a higher turnover of vehicles, and therefore no reduction in automotive manufacturing.
Questions 23–24 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Write the correct letters in boxes on your answer sheet.
Questions 25–26 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Write the correct letters in boxes on your answer sheet.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q14 | C | At present, the average car spends more than 90 percent of its life parked | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage mentions that currently, the average car is parked most of the time, more than 90 percent of its life. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the discussion about how much time a car is not being used. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because it aligns with the information provided in the passage that the majority of a car's life is spent parked, indicating that it is not in use for a significant amount of time. |
| Q15 | B | Another aim is to free the time people spend driving for other purposes | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage aims to allow people to use their time doing other things instead of driving. Answer Explanation: The answer choice B likely discusses the advantages that driverless vehicles offer to individual road-users. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the excerpt suggests that one of the aims is to free up time for people, which implies an advantage of driverless vehicles in allowing users to engage in other activities while commuting. |
| Q16 | E | drivers will have the freedom to select one that best suits their needs for a particular journey | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage talks about how drivers can choose the vehicle that fits their needs for a specific trip. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates the section that discusses the possibility of selecting the right vehicle for each journey. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'E' because the excerpt mentions that drivers have the freedom to choose the most suitable vehicle for their trips. |
| Q17 | G | It’s clear that there are many challenges that need to be addressed but, through robust and targeted research, these can most probably be conquered within the next 10 years | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage mentions that there are challenges that need to be solved, but based on research, it is likely that these challenges can be overcome in the next 10 years. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the information about estimating the time to solve problems is found in section G. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is G because the excerpt explicitly mentions solving challenges within the next 10 years, aligning with the description of estimating how long it will take to overcome problems. |
| Q18 | D | This faster rate of turnover may mean that vehicle production will not necessarily decrease | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage suggests that because vehicles are replaced more quickly, there may not be a decrease in the production of vehicles. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the information about the potential lack of impact on vehicle manufacturing due to the use of driverless cars is found in section D. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the statement given matches the idea presented in the passage, where it is implied that the turnover rate of vehicles may be such that there won't necessarily be a reduction in vehicle production with the introduction of driverless cars. |
| Q19 | human error | research at the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory has demonstrated that more than 90 percent of road collisions involve human error as a contributory factor | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that in many car accidents, mistakes made by people are a significant reason. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the fact that mistakes made by people, known as human error, contribute to accidents. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer matches the information from the passage, which highlights that human error plays a role in over 90 percent of road collisions. Therefore, the introduction of driverless cars, which could eliminate human error, is expected to improve safety on the roads. |
| Q20 | car sharing / car-sharing | Automation means that initiatives for car-sharing become much more viable, particularly in urban areas with significant travel demand | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage talks about how automation, such as driverless cars, makes the idea of car-sharing more feasible in cities where there is a high demand for transportation. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the concept of car-sharing, where multiple individuals can use the same vehicle at different times, reducing the total number of cars on the road. Reason For Correctness: The answer is correct because it directly matches the concept of car-sharing discussed in the passage. The passage mentions that automation will make car-sharing more viable, particularly in urban areas with high travel demand, which aligns with the idea of schemes for car-sharing being more workable. |
| Q21 | ownership | Modelling work by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute suggests automated vehicles might reduce vehicle ownership by 43 percent | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage is saying that automated vehicles could reduce the number of cars that people own by 43 percent. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the concept of people having cars they own, meaning they are responsible for them. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'ownership' because it directly relates to the idea of people owning cars, which is the focus of the passage mentioning a potential 43 percent reduction in vehicle ownership due to automated vehicles. |
| Q22 | mileage | but that vehicles’ average annual mileage double as a result | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage mentions that the average distance a vehicle travels each year would double. Answer Explanation: The answer 'mileage' refers to the total distance traveled by a vehicle over a certain period. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'mileage' because it directly relates to the concept of vehicles' annual distance traveled, as indicated in the excerpt where it mentions the average annual mileage of vehicles doubling. |
| Q23 | The Massachusetts Institute of Technology investigated automated mobility in Singapore, finding that fewer than 30 percent of the vehicles currently used would be required if fully automated car sharing could be implemented | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that a study found that if there were self-driving shared cars, we wouldn't need as many cars as we have now. This shows how driverless cars can change the number of cars on the road. Answer Explanation: The answer includes two letters that represent sections of the passage related to a topic about driverless cars. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer contains information about the advances in driverless car technology and the societal implications of these changes. Sections like A provide history about automation in cars, while D discusses the potential reduction in vehicles needed if automated car sharing is widely adopted. |
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| Q24 | C / D | If the vehicle can do some or all of the driving, it may be possible to be productive, to socialise or simply to relax while automation systems have responsibility for safe control of the vehicle those who are challenged by existing mobility models – such as older or disabled travellers – may be able to enjoy significantly greater travel autonomy. |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage talks about how if a vehicle is automated and can drive itself, people can be productive, socialize, or relax during the journey instead of focusing on driving. It also mentions that individuals like older or disabled travelers who have difficulty with current transportation options could have more independence when traveling. Answer Explanation: The answer states that two benefits of automated vehicles are that travelers could spend their journeys doing something other than driving (option C) and that people who find driving physically difficult could travel independently (option D). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is indeed C and D because the excerpt clearly highlights these benefits. It mentions how automation systems taking over driving responsibilities can allow travelers to be productive or relaxed during the journey (option C). It also states that individuals who struggle with current transportation options, like older or disabled travelers, could have more autonomy while traveling (option D). |
| Q25 | At present, the average car spends more than 90 percent of its life parked. Automation means that initiatives for car-sharing become much more viable, particularly in urban areas with significant travel demand | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that most cars are not used most of the time and that using technology can make sharing cars easier, especially in cities where many people need to travel. Answer Explanation: The answer means to pick two letters from A to E based on the information in the passage. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer requires identifying key points or sections in the passage that relate to specific aspects of driverless cars and their impacts, which are covered in letters A through E. Each letter contains important information about automation, safety, and the future of car manufacturing that completes the understanding of driverless cars. |
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| Q26 | A / E | the societal changes that may be required for communities to trust and accept automated vehicles as being a valuable part of the mobility landscape These include the technical difficulties in ensuring that the vehicle works reliably in the infinite range of traffic, weather and road situations it might encounter |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage talks about how communities need to trust and accept automated vehicles as an important part of transportation. It mentions the technical difficulties in making sure the vehicles can work well in all different kinds of traffic, weather, and road situations. Answer Explanation: The answer A and E refer to challenges related to making sure the general public has confidence in automated vehicles and getting automated vehicles to adapt to various driving conditions. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A and E because in the excerpt, it is discussed how communities need to trust and accept automated vehicles as valuable. This relates to the challenge of making sure the general public has confidence in automated vehicles. Additionally, the technical difficulties mentioned align with the challenge of getting automated vehicles to adapt to different driving conditions. |