The 'Walk' Button at Pedestrian Crossings - Test 5

C1 Advanced · Open Cloze · C1 Advanced Trainer 2, Cambridge University Press

For questions 1–8, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning.

Waiting for the green signal to cross the road can be (0) ___ of the most frustrating experiences of urban life. (9) ___ pedestrian crossing buttons are installed at most traffic lights, many people ignore them, believing that pressing them (10) ___ no difference. Are they right? Traffic lights are controlled by computerised systems and vary considerably. (11) ___ a rule, however, at a stand-alone pedestrian crossing away from a junction, pressing the button will turn the traffic lights red. How long you wait is a function of how long (12) ___ the crossing light was last activated and the volume of traffic. On the other hand, at most junctions and intersections, the system is set so the ‘walk’ button only functions between midnight and 7a.m. In (13) ___ words, for most of the day, the timing of the lights is fixed. At all crossings, however, (14) ___ the time of day or night, the button (15) ___ ever needs to be pressed once. Pressing it multiple times will not cause the ‘walk’ signal to appear any sooner – (16) ___ if you think it might.

The ‘walk’ button at pedestrian crossings

Available as a free printable PDF worksheet with an optional answer key.

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