Driverless Taxis Are Coming to European Cities

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

C1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Single choice

How to approach this practice

Read the passage for its main idea, then return to the relevant sentence or paragraph for each question. Base answers on the passage.

1. Question 1 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What is the defining feature of a robotaxi according to Stimulus 1?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. It can operate without a human driver by using onboard technology.
   2. It can travel only on specially constructed roads.
   3. It is controlled remotely by Uber throughout every journey.
   4. It is designed exclusively for long-distance travel.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It can operate without a human driver by using onboard technology.

   A robotaxi is distinguished by its ability to operate without a human driver, using onboard technologies to perceive its surroundings and navigate.

   move safely without a human driver

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does the planned introduction of more than 2,000 robotaxis primarily demonstrate about the Uber-Pony.ai partnership?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. It is intended to be a substantial expansion of commercial robotaxi services.
   2. It will be limited to a single Croatian city.
   3. It will replace Uber's conventional taxi services immediately.
   4. It is primarily a research project for European universities.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It is intended to be a substantial expansion of commercial robotaxi services.

   The scale of the planned fleet indicates that the partnership is intended as a substantial European expansion rather than a small experimental project.

   bring more than 2,000 robotaxis to Europe

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Why is Zagreb described as the first concrete stage of the expansion?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. It is the first European location where the planned service will become operational.
   2. It is the only city where Pony.ai currently operates robotaxis worldwide.
   3. It will become the European headquarters of Uber.
   4. It has been selected to manufacture the European robotaxi fleet.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It is the first European location where the planned service will become operational.

   Zagreb is the first European city publicly identified where the robotaxi service will become available through Uber.

   Zagreb, Croatia, will be the first European city to receive the service.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What is implied by the fact that the companies have announced expansion plans without naming the next cities?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The long-term plan exists, but important details of its implementation remain unsettled or undisclosed.
   2. The companies have decided not to expand beyond Zagreb.
   3. The Middle East will definitely be served before Europe.
   4. All European cities have already rejected the proposed service.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The long-term plan exists, but important details of its implementation remain unsettled or undisclosed.

   The direction and ambition of the expansion are established, but the precise rollout remains uncertain or undisclosed.

   announced the scale and direction of their ambitions without providing a complete timetable or list of destinations

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Why does Stimulus 5 mention Pony.ai's paid services in four Chinese cities?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. To establish that Pony.ai has prior commercial experience before entering Europe.
   2. To show that China has banned conventional taxis in those cities.
   3. To identify the European cities that will receive robotaxis next.
   4. To demonstrate that all Chinese cities have adopted robotaxis successfully.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   To establish that Pony.ai has prior commercial experience before entering Europe.

   The examples establish that Pony.ai already has commercial experience operating robotaxis for paying passengers.

   These operations provide evidence that the company has experience deploying driverless vehicles for paying customers

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which statement best describes the operating model outlined in Stimulus 6?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. International platform services are combined with local operational responsibilities.
   2. Uber will manufacture and maintain every vehicle used in Europe.
   3. Local companies will manage bookings while Uber provides technical repairs.
   4. Each city will operate independently without using Uber's platform.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   International platform services are combined with local operational responsibilities.

   Uber manages customer-facing functions, while local companies contribute vehicle maintenance and city-level operations.

   The arrangement therefore combines Uber's platform with local expertise and infrastructure.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does Stimulus 7 suggest about Europe's slower adoption of robotaxis?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The pace of adoption may be shaped by several non-technological factors.
   2. Europeans have universally rejected driverless transport.
   3. European engineers lack the ability to develop autonomous vehicles.
   4. Robotaxis are technically unavailable anywhere outside Europe.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The pace of adoption may be shaped by several non-technological factors.

   The text cautions that slower adoption should not automatically be interpreted as technological or public rejection; regulatory, infrastructural and social factors may also be involved.

   The slower pace does not necessarily mean that Europeans lack interest in the technology.

   It may instead reflect differences in regulation, infrastructure and public acceptance

8. Question 8 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What broader conclusion can be drawn from the reference to Mercedes-Benz in Stimulus 8?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. European manufacturers are also positioning themselves for a future involving automated vehicles.
   2. Mercedes-Benz will operate Pony.ai's robotaxis in Zagreb.
   3. European carmakers have abandoned conventional vehicles entirely.
   4. European manufacturers are responsible for setting all robotaxi regulations.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   European manufacturers are also positioning themselves for a future involving automated vehicles.

   The reference shows that European manufacturers are themselves investing in autonomous driving, so the development is not solely an external technology entering Europe.

   driverless transport is not simply a technology being imported into Europe

9. Question 9 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What shift in perspective does Stimulus 9 encourage the reader to make?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. From wondering about the technology to considering whether people will actually adopt it.
   2. From public transport to private vehicle ownership.
   3. From European technology to Chinese regulation.
   4. From commercial services to purely experimental research.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   From wondering about the technology to considering whether people will actually adopt it.

   The final stimulus moves the focus from hypothetical comfort with the technology to practical readiness to use it as the service becomes available.

   it may be more useful to ask whether they are ready to use one when the service becomes available

10. Question 10 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Which statement best synthesizes the overall message of the nine stimuli?

    Return to the passage, recording or visual
    1. Driverless taxis are moving toward wider European use, but their eventual adoption remains dependent on practical and social factors.
    2. Robotaxis have already replaced conventional taxis throughout Europe.
    3. Europe has rejected driverless technology despite investment by local manufacturers.
    4. Uber and Pony.ai have finalized a complete European network with all destinations confirmed.
    Check answers and explanations

    Answer

    Driverless taxis are moving toward wider European use, but their eventual adoption remains dependent on practical and social factors.

    The text presents robotaxis as an increasingly realistic commercial development in Europe while emphasizing that their wider adoption is not guaranteed and depends on several factors.

    Robotaxis are moving closer to everyday commercial transport, although their widespread adoption in Europe remains uncertain.

    The companies have therefore announced the scale and direction of their ambitions without providing a complete timetable or list of destinations.

What to review next

Find the words that support each answer. For a mistake, compare the question with the evidence and identify the detail or inference you missed.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.

Before you practise: a worked example

Look for evidence in the text. Separate what the writer says from what you already know about the topic.

The library normally closes at six, but on Fridays it stays open until eight. When does it close on Friday?

The answer is eight. But introduces an exception to the normal closing time, so the first time mentioned is not the answer.

This teaching example is separate from the scored questions. After your test, compare any mistakes with the explanation and revisit the topic before trying again.