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Phần 1
(9 câu)Listen to a conversation between a woman and a sales agent about a new housing development. Complete the form below. Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD OR A NUMBER for each answer.
RIVERSIDE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Property Enquiry Form
Property Preferences:
- Property type: Terraced house
- Minimum deposit required: (1) __________ %
- Key home feature: underfloor (2) __________
Community & Local Area:
- Currently open shared facility: a(n) (3) __________
- Amenities: within walking distance of a(n) (4) __________
- Environment: designed to have very little (5) __________ around the houses
Fees:
- Monthly maintenance fee: £ (6) __________
Listen to a conversation between an urban planner, Mr. Evans, and a radio host, Sarah, about the changes in a local town. For each question, choose the correct answer.
According to Mr. Evans, what is the main reason for the town's recent population growth?
How has the high street changed over the last decade?
What is the biggest challenge the town currently faces due to urbanisation?
What does Mr. Evans say about the old cotton mill by the river?
How does Mr. Evans feel about the future of the town?
⚡CITY METRO UPDATE: A NEW ERA FOR OUR CITY!
The City Council is thrilled to announce that the new underground metro system (1) __________ its doors to the public next Monday. (2) __________ the city's population is growing rapidly, upgrading our urban infrastructure has become an absolute necessity.
The new Green Line will run directly (3) __________ the historic city centre, connecting the northern residential areas to the southern business district. This modern public transport solution aims to significantly reduce traffic (4) __________ on our main roads during the morning and evening rush hours.
By choosing the metro instead of private cars, daily commuters can (5) __________ travel time by up to fifty percent. After years of dealing with severe smog and constant noise, this eco-friendly project is truly (6) __________ for all local residents.
a. Chloe: Tell me about it! I haven't had a decent night's sleep since they started building those flats.
b. Liam: Same here; I really can't wait for this whole neighbourhood upgrade to be finished.
c. Liam: That construction site next door is driving me up the wall with all the drilling!
a. Mia: Exactly. It seems like all our favourite local spots are being priced out by these big chains.
b. Mia: Did you see that the old family bakery on the high street is shutting down next week?
c. Noah: What a shame! I suppose they just couldn't afford the rent now that the area is getting so trendy.
a. Jake: I used to, but to be honest, I'm just desperately craving some peace and quiet nowadays.
b. Lily: Fair enough, but won't you find the daily commute to work a bit of a nightmare?
c. Jake: I've finally decided to pack my bags and move out to the suburbs next month.
d. Jake: Probably, but it's a price I'm willing to pay for a bigger garden and less traffic!
e. Lily: Really? I thought you absolutely loved the hustle and bustle of living right in the city centre.
a. Sam: I know, right? But fingers crossed it'll actually make getting across town much faster now.
b. Sam: Have you heard that the council is finally opening the new underground line this Friday?
c. Sam: Well, if the trains run on time, it'll be a total game changer for everyone in the neighbourhood.
d. Maya: It's about time! We've been putting up with those awful roadworks for absolutely ages.
e. Maya: Let's hope so, because the buses have been so packed lately that I can barely breathe on them.
a. Ben: Tell me about it; if prices keep skyrocketing like this, I'll definitely have to move out.
b. Ben: Exactly, it's just so frustrating trying to make ends meet when the cost of living is out of control.
c. Jess: You've got to be kidding me! It already costs an arm and a leg to live in this part of town.
d. Jess: I completely understand; everyone I know around here is really feeling the pinch at the moment.
e. Ben: My landlord just told me he's putting the rent up again by another twenty percent!
THE 15-MINUTE CITY CONCEPT
1. Imagine living in a neighbourhood where workplaces, schools, clinics and grocery stores are all within a short walk or cycle ride. This is the idea behind the 15-minute city, an urban planning concept popularised by Carlos Moreno. Its main aim is to ensure residents can access essential services within 15 minutes of their homes. By reducing long-distance travel, this model seeks to lower carbon emissions, alleviate traffic congestion and promote sustainable transport.
2. The advantages of this model extend well beyond environmental protection. Choosing to walk or cycle instead of driving encourages an active lifestyle and improves overall health. Moreover, living in close proximity to local facilities encourages residents to spend more time in their neighbourhoods, helping to foster stronger community ties. By regularly visiting the same parks, shops and cafés, residents have more opportunities to interact with one another. Over time, these everyday encounters can strengthen a sense of belonging, which is often lacking in large, rapidly expanding cities.
3. However, transforming existing urban areas into 15-minute cities is far from straightforward. While densely populated centres may be relatively easy to adapt, sprawling suburban areas, where essential services are widely scattered, require substantial investment in infrastructure. Another concern is gentrification. As neighbourhoods become more attractive, property prices and rents may rise significantly. Consequently, lower-income residents may face residential displacement because they can no longer afford to live there.
4. Despite these challenges, cities such as Paris have adopted measures inspired by this model. Urban planners recognise that the 15-minute city is not a one-size-fits-all solution but a flexible framework that must reflect local conditions. Ultimately, whether it replaces traditional city structures or simply inspires better neighbourhood designs, the concept has brought an important issue to the forefront: how to create cities that are not only more sustainable but also more inclusive and pleasant places to live.
In paragraph 1, the writer is __________.
The word alleviate in paragraph 1 mostly means __________.
The word straightforward in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to __________.
Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?
The word they in paragraph 3 refers to __________.
Which of the following statements would the writer NOT agree with?
In which paragraph does the writer mention an indirect psychological benefit?
In which paragraph does the writer provide a real-world example of the concept being put into practice?
