UNIT 2.

CITY LIFE
A. LANGUAGE FOCUS
PRONUNCIATION
I. Circle the word having the underlined part pronounced differently in each line. Then listen and
repeat. (TRACK 4)
1. A. spouse B. mouse C. house D. hour
2. A. hare B. space C. declare D. spare
3. A. local B. whole C. clock D. cold
4. A. abroad B. loan C. float D. coast
5. A. earn B. earth C. pear D. early

II. Read the sentences. Pay attention to the underlined words. Then listen, check, and repeat.
(TRACK 5)
1. We could see some airbags floating on the sea.
2. Dark clouds were gathering over the bay.
3. There is still snow on the mountain tops.
4. Although the fair was crowded, we enjoyed the atmosphere.
5. Could you show me the way to Times Sguare?

VOCABULARY & GRAMMAR

III. Circle the word which describes the picture.
A. dense highway
B. coastal path
C. heavy road traffic
D. busy bus station
1.
A. construction site
B. battle site
C. festival site
D. archeological site
2.
A. shopping mall
B. supermarket
C. congested street
D. traditional festival
3.
A. air pollution
B. land pollution
C. water pollution
D. noise pollution
4.
A. a nursing school
B. a public amenity
C. school children
D. a community service
5.
A. sky train
B. underground train
C. steam train
D. camel train
6.

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IV. Use the words in the box to complete the sentences.
firefighters suburb amenities services
street food attractions entertainment
1. I believe that every city has its own tourist ____________________.
2. Park areas, public transport, hygiene services are examples of city ____________________.
3. ____________________ in Ho Chi Minh City are world-famous. They are so delicious.
4. A city offers many kinds of ____________________, such as cinemas, live theatres, and art galleries.
5. ____________________ are so important for every community since they help save people’s lives,
property and the environment.
6. A big population of city dwellers live in the _________________. They take commuter trains to work.
7. Participating in community ____________________ are not only volunteering but also compulsory.

V. Choose the correct answer A, B, C, or D to complete the sentences.

1. People who make products like pottery or cloth with their hands are called _________.
A. firefighters B. producers C. delivers D. artisans
2. I don’t like _________ roads in big cities. They are usually full of traffic.
A. congested B. modem C. winding D. smooth
3. We need more _________ for this city, where people can spend their free time in a green and fresh
environment.
A. entertainment centres B. parks C. squares D. shopping malls
4. - How do you describe your city? - _________. You rarely hear about accidents and crimes in this city.
A. Crowded B. Boring C. Safe D. Bustling
5. - What do you see as the best public _________ in your city? - Health services.
A. transport B. awareness C. safety D. amenity
6. People sometimes call a city a ‘_________’ because there are so many tall buildings standing close to
one another in it.
A. modern city B. concrete jungle C. building site D. housing area
7. Tomorrow, we’ll go _________ to watch the Victory Day March. It’s right in the city centre.
A. downtown B. to the suburb C. uphill D. out

VI. Write C if the sentence is grammatically correct and I if the sentence is incorrect. Then
underline the mistake and correct it.
Correction (if
C or I
needed)
1. The older a city is, the more I like it.
2. The best the public transport system in a city is, the less people get
stuck in traffic jam.
3. The farther you live from the streets, quieter it is.
4. The many public amenities a city offers, the more convenient it is for
the city’s dwellers.
5. The higher the place you live in is, the less risk of flooding you face.
6. The more polluted a city is, the fewer attractive it becomes.
7. The less money you earn, the more hard your life gets in the city.

VII. Complete the sentences with the correct answer A, B, C, or D.

1. - What is the best way to __________ the city in just one day? - Take a hop on hop off.
A. hang out B. get around C. look after D. get on
2. The city council is __________ a big project to improve its traffic light system.
A. holding on B. watching out C. carrying out D. cutting down
3. The new policy of low public transport fare will help __________ the number of car users.
A. cut down on B. come down with C. look forward to D. take care of
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4. In the city, teenagers often choose a shopping mall to __________ with friends.
A. get around B. come down with C. look on D. hang out
5. The more crowded my neighbourhood gets, the less I like __________.
A. living on B. staying out C. hanging out D. get away
6. The more you __________ your smoking, the healthier you get.
A. come down with B. look forward to C. carry out D. cut down on
7. The more convenient the public transport is, the easier it is for people to __________.
A. get around B. get away C. hang out D. put up with

B. SKILLS
READING
VIII. Read and complete each numbered blank in the passage with the correct answer A, B, C, or
D.
What is better: living in a horizontal or a vertical city?
Vertical cities are the ones that are built up with tall buildings for housing and offices. These
buildings certainly take up (1) _________ space, so there is more land for parks and playgrounds. Many
people, especially those with low or middle income, choose to live in high-rise buildings because it costs
less than houses. They would also enjoy more (2) _________ that those residential buildings offer, such
as supermarkets, fitness clubs, restaurants, and many other convenient amenities.
(3) _________ cities are built out. They have much shorter buildings and more cottages or houses
with wide lanes and private gardens. Horizontal cities are, therefore, less crowded and polluted. Living
and working there is a pleasure. People who live in a horizontal city could have larger garages and
gardens. As a result, they would be able to devote more time to outdoor (4) _________ such as gardening
or car washing. Children have more space to play. This is good for their mental health. It is also safer to
live in horizontal cities. In emergency situations such as a fire or a(n) (5) _________, the evacuation of
people in low-rise buildings and houses would be faster and the damage would be lower.
1. A. more B. little C. less D. fewer
2. A. facilities B. places C. activities D. experiences
3. A. Large B. Flat C. Other D. Horizontal
4. A. leisure B. hobbies C. benefits D. time
5. A. accident B. flood C. home breaking D. earthquake

IX. Read the passage and answer the questions.

What makes a city a good place to live?
A good place to live should provide happiness and quality of life to its residents and visitors. Here
are some main characteristics of a city which is considered a good place to live.
Location
The location of a good place to live should allow its residents short-distance trips to essential
daily-life services such as schools, supermarkets, laundries, public transport, beauty salons, and gyms. In
recent years, a city that allows people to live, work, study and have fun within walking distance has
become the trend for the “new living”.
People-friendly infrastructure
A good place to live should design inviting public spaces that make neighbourhoods active. The
combination of offices, commerce, leisure, and education is a strategic way to promote diversity in the
use of urban space, providing an intelligent use of the location.
Smart and sustainable architecture
Smart and sustainable architecture is another characteristic of a city considered a good place to
live. It allows better use of natural resources such as sunlight and rainwater, in addition to ensuring
efficient management of the location.
(Adapted from: https://www.cidadepedrabranca.com.br)

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1. How many main characteristics are mentioned?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Which phrase in ‘Location’ part means the same as ‘short-distance trips’?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
3. Why should a good place to live have inviting public spaces?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
4. Name ONE advantage of ‘sustainable architecture’.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
5. Which word in ‘People-friendly infrastructure’ part has the same meaning as ‘people-friendly’?
_____________________________________________________________________________________

X. Read the passage and choose the correct answer A, B, C, or D.

There are many ways you can do to improve your urban neighbourhood and make it a livable place. Here
are some of them.
Go Litter-picking
Litter picking is one of the easiest ways to improve your city. All you need is a rubbish bag and a litter
picker. These can be bought cheaply, and you can use them for a long time. Going to pick up the trash can
make your local park or streets a much more pleasant place to live. It also helps to reduce water pollution.
Volunteer
You can help the community in your city through volunteering. There are a range of volunteer activities,
so you could always find something that suits you. The most common activities are visiting elderly
people, working in a food bank or community library, taking care of homeless animals, and supporting
local charities. These activities help reduce vulnerable people’s suffering and bring them happiness.
Take Public Transport or Cycle
Most cities face the problem of air pollution. Thus, reducing air pollution is an effective way to improve
your city. It will increase the health of its residents. One great source of pollution is vehicles. So, walking,
cycling, or taking public transport whenever you can. This means the streets will be less congested and
there will be less air pollution.

1. Litter picking requires _________.

A. lots of effort B. big investment C. small investment D. nothing
2. The writer mentions _________ benefits that litter pickers can do for their city.
A. one B. two C. three D. four
3. _________ is not mentioned as a volunteer activity in the passage.
A. Visiting old people B. Working in a community library
C. Caring for homeless animals D. Picking litter
4. Walking, cycling, or taking public transport help reduce street _________.
A. congestion B. noise C. safety D. construction
5. This passage is concerned with _________.
A. how we volunteer B. what we do to help our community
C. why we should take public transport D. why litter picking is a ‘should do’

SPEAKING
XI. Choose the best option A, B, C, or D to indicate the most suitable response to complete each of
the following exchanges.
1. Phong: This morning, my street was under water because of the heavy rain last night. - Tom: ________
A. Is it going to rain? B. Mine too, so I wasn’t late for school.
C. Traffic was terrible this morning. D. I’m sorry to hear that.
2. Mai: I live in a concrete jungle and I hate it. - Sue: _________
A. I love the countryside very much. B. A concrete jungle is a place full of tall buildings.
C. We are moving to the city tomorrow. D. That’s why I never fancy living in the city.
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3. Bill: Where can I get the monthly bus ticket, Nam? - Nam: _________ I never travel by bus.
A. Sorry I don’t know. B. It’s very cheap.
C. Sure. D. It’s the most common public transport here.
4. Cathy: _________ - Lan: Great. Could you name some?
A. What can I help you, Lan?
B. I don’t remember the name of any streets in my neighbourhood.
C. Your building is close to all local amenities.
D. There’s a supermarket near your place.
5. Lyn: _________ - Hoa: Street foods. They are cheap and delicious.
A. Is there a restaurant near here, Hoa?
B. Can you name one attraction of your city, Hoa?
C. I’m hungry, Hoa.
D. Is it expensive to live here?

LISTENING
XII. Listen and choose the correct answer A, B, C, or D. (TRACK 6)
1. How did the writer feel when he first came to live in the city?
A. Excited B. Lonely C. Safe D. Surprised
2. What took the writer a long time to learn?
A. Taking a bus B. Greeting neighbours
C. Crossing the streets D. Making friends at school
3. _________ students at the school come from the countryside.
A. Some B. All C. No D. A few
4. At the club he has joined, the writer learns to daily products.
A. remake B. paint C. save D. recycle
5. The phrase “how to read street signs and notices” is an example of _________ skills the writer has
acquired when living in the city.
A. easy B. difficult C. necessary D. interesting

WRITING
XIII. Circle the underlined part (A, B, C, or D) in each sentence that needs correction.
1. We are developing a project which design lively learning spaces for teens at the city library.
A B C D
2. Discuss and make a list of some problems in your neighbourhood and suggest some solution.
A B C D
3. A city is packed with tall buildings and there is little space for parks and playing grounds.
A B C D
4. Sky trains doesn’t get stuck in traffic jams, and they are always on time.
A B C D
5. The city council are planning cutting down on traffic noise in the next three years.
A B C D

XIV. Circle the correct answer A, B, C, or D which is closest in meaning to the original one.
1. Personally speaking, living in a big city is quite annoying.
A. It’s annoying to state personal opinions.
B. I don’t like living in a big city because it’s annoying.
C. I feel annoyed with my city.
D. It’s hard to have privacy when you live in a big city.
2. Most students in big cities are dependent on public transport.
A. Living in a big city makes people dependent on public transport.
B. Public transport is for students who are independent.
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 C. Public transport is for dependent students.
D. Most students in big cities use public transport.
3. Most big cities have areas with a lively nightlife.
A. There are places in most big cities where life at night is lively.
B. You can find a lively life in most big cities.
C. Every big city offers a lively life at night.
D. It’s not hard to find a lively life in big cities.
4. Rome offers visitors stunning architecture and cultural attractions.
A. People visit Rome to learn about its architecture.
B. The only attraction Rome has is architecture and culture.
C. Rome attracts visitors for its architecture and culture.
D. Rome is proud of its architecture and culture.
5. There is always something to do in a big city to keep people from getting bored.
A. People in a big city are always busy.
B. Most people can’t get bored in a big city because there are a lot of things to do.
C. City life is busy, and no one has free time to get bored.
D. The city always tries to keep its people from getting bored.