Traffic light

Ex. 1 Read the text and translate into Ukrainian. / Прочитайте та перекладіть текст на українську мову:

The traffic light, also known as traffic signal, stop light, traffic lamp, stop-and-go lights, robot or semaphore, is a signalling device positioned at a road intersection, pedestrian crossing, or other location. Its purpose is to indicate, using a series of colours (Red - Amber - Green), the correct moment to stop, drive, ride or walk, using a universal colour code (and a precise sequence, for those who are colour blind).

Traffic lights for vehicles usually contain three lamps: red, orange or yellow (officially amber), and green. In some systems, a flashing amber means that a motorist may go ahead with care if the road is clear, giving way to pedestrians and to other road vehicles that may have priority. A flashing red is treated as a regular stop sign.

Traffic lights for pedestrians normally have two main lights: a red light that means “stop” and a green light that means “go”.

- 34 -

Traffic lights for special vehicles (such as buses or trams) may use other systems, such as vertical horizontal bars of white light.

On 10 December 1868, the first traffic lights were installed outside the British Houses of Parliament in London, by the railway engineer J. P. Knight. They resembled railway signals of the time, with semaphore arms and red and green gas lamps for night use. The gas lantern was turned with a lever at its base so that the appropriate light faced traffic. Unfortunately, it exploded on 2 January 1869, injuring the policeman who was operating it.

The modern electric traffic light is an American invention. As early as 1912 in Salt Lake City, Utah, policeman Lester Wire invented the first red-green electric traffic lights.

Vocabulary

• traffic light, traffic signal, stop light, traffic lamp, stop-and-go lights, robot, semaphore – світлофор

• road intersection – перехрестя

• to indicate – визначати

• to contain – складатися, містити в собі

• amber – жовтий сигнал світлофора

• to explode – вибухати

• invention – винахід

Ex.2. Answer the following questions. / Дайте відповіді на питання:

1. What is a traffic light?

2. What synonyms of traffic light do you know?

3. What colours of stop light do you know? What do they mean?

4. Are these colours same or different in each country?

5. Is traffic light the same for vehicles?

6. Is electric traffic light an Italian invention?

Ex. 3. Fill in the gaps with the right word and translate into Ukrainian. / Заповніть пропуски вірним словом і перекладіть на українську мову:

1.The traffic _______ is a signalling device positioned at a road ________, pedestrian crossing, or other ________. 2. Traffic lights for vehicles usually _______three _______: red, yellow and _______. 3. Traffic lights for ________ have ______ main lights: a ______ light and a _______ light. 4. The modern electric traffic light is an _________ ___________.

- 35 -

Ex.3. Read and translate the poem. / Прочитайте та перекладіть вірш:

Three Eyes Glowing Bright

Traffic light, Traffic light, I stand up right,

I teach every road user to do what is right.

I am the mighty traffic light

I have three eyes glowing bright.

When I am green I let you go

Keeping cars and buses in different rows.

Blinking my orange light,

I warn you right.

To brake and stop tread

As the light becomes fully red.

Now is the time to stop and wait

Little caution makes no one late.