AI Technology & Driverless Cars
Vocabulary Workbook
Practice 1: Definitions
Match each word to its definition
1. automation a. the programming of machines and computers to
(uncountable noun) perform or behave with human-like capabilities
2. driverless car b. new ideas, processes, or objects
(countable noun)
c. systems which use machine labour instead of human
3. artificial intelligence labour
(noun phrase)
d. description of someone or something which involves
4. concept positive risk or courage
(countable noun)
5. bold e. to plan around a specific person, idea, or goal
(adjective)
f. the main aim for an idea, plan, or intention
6. innovation
(countable noun)
g. effects that happen unexpectedly after deliberate
7. unintended consequence actions
(noun phrase)
8. (to) build around h. a vehicle that does not rely on humans (either partially
(phrasal verb) or fully) to operate
Practice 2: Test your understanding
1. Which sentence uses the vocabulary word correctly?
a. My sister has won several words for her innovated ideas.
b. Without this innovation, the factory would have had to shut down.
c. The fashion and beauty industries are always innovate.
2. Which sentence uses the vocabulary word correctly?
a. The concept of using a ride-sharing app like Uber was completely foreign to my parents.
b. Briana found the modern art pieces too concept.
c. Our original conceptual has changed so many times that I hardly recognise it.
3. What is NOT an example of an unintended consequence?
a. In order to cut costs, the business began operating four days a week instead of five. There
was in increase in employee happiness as they had more days off.
b. My family had planned a trip to the beach, but decided not to go because it was raining.
c. Nadine’s dentist advised her to stop drinking sugary drinks to prevent tooth decay. She
replaced cola with water and has lost a little weight.
4. What is NOT an example of automation?
a. Lucy set up BillPay which takes money directly out of her bank account every month and
pays her bills for her.
b. When I call my phone company, I have to listen to several machine operated options
before I can talk to a person.
c. When Alicia’s computer broke, a technician came to fix it for her.
Practice 3: Word formation table
Word forms are all part of the same “word family”. We add suffixes to words to change the part of speech.
Fill out the table by changing the words slightly. Answers are provided on the bottom of the page.
Noun Adjective Verb
(1) _____________________
(personal noun)
(2) _____________________ (3) (to) _____________________
innovation
(process)
(4) _____________________ (5) _____________________
(to) automate
(the process of)
(6) _____________________ conceptual n/a
boldness (7) _____________________ (8) (to) _____________________
Practice 4: Gap fill
Use the words below to complete the paragraph. The answers are provided on the last page.
automation, driverless cars, artificial intelligence, concept, bold, innovations, unintended
consequences, built around
What (1) ________________________ in science did you imagine when you were a child? Maybe one of
the most common is the (2) ________________________ of car that can fly! While flying cars are
probably not going to be created any time soon, (3) ________________________ are already in
production. Without (4) ________________________ we certainly would not be able to envision such
(5) ________________________ ideas as driverless cars. But driverless cars are not the only kind of
technology (6) ________________________the idea of (7) ________________________. Replacing
human laborers with machines is nothing new, but are there any (8) ________________________ that we
haven’t thought about?
Practice 5: Write
Answer these questions either in your notebook, or in your study groups. By using the vocabulary on your
own, you will be able to remember the words more easily.
1. When (if ever) do you think driverless cars will be commonplace? Why?
2. Would you ever ride in a self-driving car? Why or why not?
3. What problems will need to be solved before driverless cars replace our current cars?
4. Can you think of any other unintended consequences of self-driving cars?
5. What other innovations in artificial intelligence would you like to see in the future?
Answers
Practice 1: 1. c, 2. h, 3. a, 4. f, 5. d, 6. b, 7. g, 8. e
Practice 2: 1. b, 2. a, 3. b, 4. c
Practice 3: 1. innovator, 2. innovative, 3. innovate,
4. automation, 5. automated, 6. concept, 7. bold, 8.
embolden
Practice 4: 1. innovations, 2. concept, 3. driverless cars,
4. artificial intelligence, 5. bold, 6. built around, 7.
automation, 8. unintended consequences