Spotlight 7. Module 1a. Text with exercises

The difference between living in the city and in the country

Somebody prefers living in the city. But some people can`t imagine their life without the countryside. Where is life better? What are the pros and cons of living in these opposite places?

Let`s start with the country. Landscapes are amazing! You can enjoy nature, peace, and quiet for hours. You have a high-quality lifestyle because you don`t eat unhealthy food, and fresh air is very useful.

People are friendly and helpful but sometimes you can feel isolated and bored. If you don`t have a farm, it`s very difficult to find a job. The rate of unemployment is high. If you are a morning hater, the life in the country isn`t for you. In the country people have to wake up early to run the household: work on the farm, milk cows, feed farm animals. Some people can`t stand the smell.

In the city life is much more interesting. You can go shopping, relax in the café, cinema or theatre. You have everything close at hand. Public transport is convenient. Schools have a lot of facilities. The cost of living is high but it isn`t a problem to find a job.

But there are some disadvantages in the city: heavy traffic, crowded streets, constant noise, hustle and bustle, pollution. People eat fast food, sit up late, work a lot … Lead an unhealthy lifestyle.

To sum up, we can say that both living in the country and living in the city have pluses and minuses.

• Fill in the missing words.

1. In the country, you can enjoy nature, ____ and ____ for hours.

2. The ______ of living is high in the city.

3. Sometimes you can feel ______ and bored in the countryside.

4. The rate of _______ is high.

5. People are ____ and _____ in the country.

6. Streets are _______ in the city.

7. Public transport is _______ in the city.

8. People lead _______ lifestyle in the city.

9. You don’t eat _______ food and you have a high _____ lifestyle.

10. Schools have a lot of ________.

• True, False, Not Stated.

1. There is a high-quality lifestyle in the city.____

2. You eat healthy food in the country.____

3. You can feel isolated in the country.____

4. The rate of unemployment is high in the city.____

5. People lead an unhealthy lifestyle in the country.____

• Answer the questions.

1. Why do you have a high-quality lifestyle in the country?

2. What people are there in the country?

3. What people have to do in the country?

4. What activities are there in the city?

5. What disadvantages are there in the city?