The Future Of Cities - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Trainer 2 Academic Reading Test 2 · Part 3 · Questions 27–40
Reading Passage
Read the text below and answer questions 27-40.
The future of cities
Professor of Urban Planning Sarah Holmes looks at the challenges of urban living
The World Health Organisation has produced a report predicting that 9.8 billion of us will be living on this planet by 2050. Of that number, 72% will be living in urban areas – a higher proportion than ever before. Presented with this information, governments have a duty to consider how best to meet the needs of city residents, and not just for the short-term. Certain problems associated with urban living have been highlighted by research company Richmond-Carver in its latest global survey. At the top of the list survey respondents’ concerns is the fact that competition amongst tenants for rental properties has driven the median price up – so much so people need to hold down two or more jobs to meet all their expenses. Another issue the survey highlighted is the difficulty commuters face. Overcrowding means that seats are often not available on long journeys, but more significant is that schedules are unreliable. Many studies have shown the effect that has on a country’s productivity. Interestingly, certain problems seem more common in some cities than others: respondents from increasingly crowded European cities, including Manchester and Barcelona, commented on how their quality of life was affected by loud machinery, other people’s music and car alarms. Something the survey failed to ask about was the value people placed on having access to nature in urban neighborhoods. However, some countries are already moving forward. Singapore is a prime example; its rooftop gardens make the city a far more desirable place to live. It is the Singaporean government that is behind this push for sustainable living.
Perhaps some clearer government direction would benefit other cities. Take New York City, a place where I frequently meet up with other researchers in my field. Luckily for me, I am driven from the airport to the research centre, so do not need to navigate the freeways and constant congestion. Admittedly my experience of the urban lifestyle here is limited to the hotels I stay in, and the blocks within a three-kilometre walk. But whenever I leave my room in search of an outlet providing fruit or anything with nutritional value, none can be found. It seems ridiculous that this should be the case. New York has made great advances in redeveloping its museums and arts centres, but authorities must recognize that people’s basic needs must be met first.
Sometimes these basic needs are misunderstood. In some urban areas, new residential developments are provided with security features such as massive metal fences and multiple gates in the belief that these will make residents safer. There is little evidence such steps make a difference in this way, but we do know they make residents feel reluctant to go outside and walk around their neighbourhood. Instead they are more likely to remain inactive indoors. Grassy areas inside fences developments are hardly used by householders and tenants either. All this adds up to a feeling of being cut off from others.
So where are planners and developers going wrong? Inviting a group of locals to attend a consultation event is the conventional method for discovering what a community might want. The issue here is that it often attracts the same few voices with the same few wishes. But the internet now makes it possible for others to contribute. A community website can be a place where local people propose ideas for making their neighbourhood a better place to live. Developers that pay attention to these ideas can get a clearer picture of the things residents actually want and reduce the risk of throwing away money on things they don’t.
An example of a project that truly meets the needs of residents is Container City – a development in London’s Docklands area. Constructed from metal containers once used to transport cargo on ships, it is a five-storey architectural masterpiece. The containers have been turned into sunny work studios, and despite their limited size, some come with a bed, shower and kitchen unit. Smart planning and skillful construction mean they take up very little room. Furniture and fittings are made from recycled products. Other countries have their own versions Container City – Amsterdam and Copenhagen have created container dormitories to house students – but the Docklands site shows how work and living areas can effectively be combined. The units are ideal for young entrepreneurs hoping to establish a business while keeping costs down.
Successful development is taking place in many urban areas around the world, and city planners have a duty to see for themselves the transforming effect this can have on residents’ lives. There is no better way to do this than to visit these places in person. These might be neighbourhoods constructed for the first time, or developers might have transformed what was already there. In either case, the idea of cars determining urban planning, and indeed the whole concept of private car ownership, is now outdated and must be abandoned. Instead, the layout of an area under development must make it easier for people to meet up in pedestrianized zones and community spaces. At the heart of the development should be a cultural area, providing venues for art, music and street theatre. Such activities bring communities together, and do far more for positive relations than a new mall or shopping precinct. For this reason, these kinds of performance spaces should be prioritized. Finally, planners and developers must be obliged to create, within the same neighbourhood, different types of homes for wealthy professionals, for families, for the elderly and for young people just starting out. This kind of mix is essential to ensure people can buy a home in an area convenient for work, and for a community to stay alive.
Questions
Questions 27–31 Summary Completion
Complete the summary using the list of words, A-H, below.
A. noise pollution | B. recycling facilities | C. green areas
D. employment opportunities | E. population growth | F. affordable housing
G. antisocial behaviour | H. public transport
Survey on problems facing city dwellers
The world Health Organisation has recently published data concerning 27 in cities. This data should indicate the governments that they must think about ways to improve the lives of residents. According to a Richmond-Carver survey, the worst problem facing many city dwellers was 28 . The survey also indicated that in some cities, poor 29 can impact dramatically on the economy. Another issue seems to be 30 , although this is more often mentioned by survey participants in European countries. Questions on people’s views on the need for 31 were unfortunately omitted from the survey, but countries like Singapore already seem to be making progress in this respect.
Questions 32–35 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Questions 36–40 Yes / No / Not Given
Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-F, below.
YES If the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
NO If the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
NOT GIVEN If it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q27 | E | The World Health Organisation has produced a report predicting that 9.8 billion of us will be living on this planet by 2050. Of that number, 72% will be living in urban areas – a higher proportion than ever before | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that a health group (WHO) expects billions more people to live on Earth in the future, and most of them will live in cities. This shows that the number of people is getting bigger. Answer Explanation: The answer is population growth, which refers to the increase in the number of people living in a specific area, like a city, over time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'E' because the passage begins by mentioning a report from the World Health Organisation (WHO). This report gives numbers about the future: it predicts there will be 9.8 billion people on Earth by 2050 and that 72% of them will live in cities. These numbers describe an increase in the total number of people, which is called 'population growth'. |
| Q28 | F | At the top of the list survey respondents’ concerns is the fact that competition amongst tenants for rental properties has driven the median price up – so much so people need to hold down two or more jobs to meet all their expenses | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the number one worry for people living in cities is that rent prices for apartments have become very expensive. This happened because too many people are trying to rent the same homes, making it hard for residents to afford their living costs. Answer Explanation: The answer means houses or apartments that are cheap enough for people to pay for without spending all their money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is affordable housing because the passage says the biggest problem (at the 'top of the list') for people is that the cost to rent a home has gone up. Because the 'median price' (middle price) for rent is so high, people have to work many jobs just to pay for it. This shows that finding a home at a fair price is a major struggle. |
| Q29 | H | Another issue the survey highlighted is the difficulty commuters face. Overcrowding means that seats are often not available on long journeys, but more significant is that schedules are unreliable. Many studies have shown the effect that has on a country’s productivity | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that people traveling for work (commuters) have a hard time because travel systems are too full and do not follow their time plans. This problem makes it harder for a country to produce goods and services, which affects the economy. Answer Explanation: The answer H refers to public transport, which includes systems like buses or trains that people use to travel. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is H because the passage describes problems with travel, specifically mentioning that seats are hard to find and schedules are not reliable. These are issues with public transport. The passage links these travel difficulties to a country's 'productivity,' which matches the idea of impacting the 'economy' mentioned in the summary. |
| Q30 | A | Interestingly, certain problems seem more common in some cities than others: respondents from increasingly crowded European cities, including Manchester and Barcelona, commented on how their quality of life was affected by loud machinery, other people’s music and car alarms | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that in some European cities, people's lives were made worse by loud sounds like machines and car alarms. Answer Explanation: The answer is noise pollution, which refers to loud or annoying sounds that are harmful or upsetting to people living in an area. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the part of the text that mentions European cities like Manchester and Barcelona. In these places, people complained about loud machinery, music, and car alarms. These specific problems are all examples of unwanted sound, which is known as noise pollution. |
| Q31 | C | Something the survey failed to ask about was the value people placed on having access to nature in urban neighborhoods. However, some countries are already moving forward. Singapore is a prime example; its rooftop gardens make the city a far more desirable place to live | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the survey forgot to ask people how much they care about nature near their homes. It then points out that Singapore is already improving this by building gardens on top of buildings. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'green areas', which refers to parks, gardens, and other spaces with plants and nature. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'green areas' (choice C) because the passage mentions that the Richmond-Carver survey did not ask residents about the importance of 'access to nature' in their neighborhoods (omitted from the survey). It then gives Singapore as a positive example because its government has created 'rooftop gardens' to make the city better. 'Green areas' is a synonym for 'nature' and 'gardens' used in this context. |
| Q32 | A | But whenever I leave my room in search of an outlet providing fruit or anything with nutritional value, none can be found. It seems ridiculous that this should be the case | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage shows that every time the writer goes out to look for a shop selling fruit or healthy food, they cannot find one. The writer thinks this situation is very silly or frustrating. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the person writing the text finds it very hard to get food that is good for their body (healthy food) while they are in New York. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the writer describes a specific difficulty they face when walking around New York City. They mention looking for "fruit or anything with nutritional value"—which are synonyms for healthy food—and being unable to find any. The writer expresses their frustration by stating it is "ridiculous" that these basic needs are not being met despite the city's other developments. |
| Q33 | C | we do know they make residents feel reluctant to go outside and walk around their neighbourhood. Instead they are more likely to remain inactive indoors | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage tells us that these security measures make people stay inside and not walk in their neighborhood. Since they stay inside without moving, they are not getting the exercise they usually would from walking. Answer Explanation: The answer means that things like tall fences and gates stop people from going outside to walk or do physical activities. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Choice C because the text says that these security features make residents not want to leave their houses. Instead of walking around their neighborhood, which is a form of exercise, they stay inside and do nothing active. The word 'inactive' describes someone who is not moving or exercising, and 'reluctant' means they do not want to do something. |
| Q34 | D | Inviting a group of locals to attend a consultation event is the conventional method for discovering what a community might want. The issue here is that it often attracts the same few voices with the same few wishes | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the usual way to find out what a neighborhood needs is to invite local people to a meeting. However, it points out a problem: these meetings usually only get the same small group of people to speak up. Answer Explanation: The answer means that planners and developers usually listen to only a small group of people instead of gathering ideas from everyone in the community. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the passage explains a mistake that planners and developers make. When they try to find out what people want, they use a 'conventional method' (a traditional way) which is a meeting. However, the writer says this is a problem because only the 'same few voices' (the same small group of people) go to these meetings. This means the planners do not hear from enough different people with different ideas, which matches the idea of a 'narrow range of people.' |
| Q35 | B | The containers have been turned into sunny work studios, and despite their limited size, some come with a bed, shower and kitchen unit. Smart planning and skillful construction mean they take up very little room | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that although the containers are small, they are designed so well that they can contain a bed and a kitchen while using very little space. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the writer is showing how smart thinking and good planning can make small homes or offices very useful and comfortable. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the fifth paragraph describes "Container City," a project where shipping containers are used as buildings. The writer points out that even though these units have a "limited size" (small space), they still include essential things like a bed, shower, and kitchen. The text highlights that this works because of "Smart planning and skillful construction," which allows the buildings to "take up very little room." This focus on making small areas functional through good design matches the idea of emphasizing clever design in small spaces. |
| Q36 | YES | Successful development is taking place in many urban areas around the world, and city planners have a duty to see for themselves the transforming effect this can have on residents’ lives. There is no better way to do this than to visit these places in person | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that good changes are happening in many cities. It explains that the people who plan cities have a responsibility to see these changes. It also says that going to see these cities yourself is the best way to understand them. Answer Explanation: The answer YES means that the writer agrees with the statement that city planners should travel to see well-designed urban areas. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is YES because the writer explicitly states that city planners should observe the positive changes in successful urban projects for themselves. The text explains that planners have a 'duty' (meaning a responsibility) to see these effects and emphasizes that the best way to learn from them is to 'visit these places in person.' This matches the idea that they should travel to see good examples of city development. |
| Q37 | NOT GIVEN | These might be neighbourhoods constructed for the first time, or developers might have transformed what was already there | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that good planning can happen in two ways: building something brand new or changing something that already exists, but it never says which way is easier. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the article does not tell us if making a new neighborhood is easier or harder than fixing an old one. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because while the writer mentions both "neighbourhoods constructed for the first time" and areas that were "transformed," there is no comparison regarding how easy or difficult either process is. To be a 'YES' or 'NO', the author would need to express a clear opinion on the difficulty of one compared to the other. Since the text only lists them as two possibilities for observation, we cannot know the writer's opinion on this specific comparison. |
| Q38 | NO | In either case, the idea of cars determining urban planning, and indeed the whole concept of private car ownership, is now outdated and must be abandoned | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the idea of allowing cars to decide how cities are built is old-fashioned and should not be done anymore. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'NO' because the statement in the question says the opposite of what the writer believes. The writer disagrees that planners should design cities specifically for the needs of car drivers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'NO' because the passage says that planning cities around cars is 'outdated' (no longer useful or modern) and should be 'abandoned' (given up or stopped). The writer believes that instead of focusing on car drivers, designers should focus on 'pedestrianized zones,' which are areas made for people to walk in rather than drive in. |
| Q39 | NO | At the heart of the development should be a cultural area, providing venues for art, music and street theatre. Such activities bring communities together, and do far more for positive relations than a new mall or shopping precinct. For this reason, these kinds of performance spaces should be prioritized | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that cultural areas (like locations for music and art) should be at the center of any new project. It notes that these places help the community much more than shopping malls do. Because of this, these art and performance spaces are more important and should be built first. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the writer disagrees with the idea that shops should be more important than cultural places like art galleries or theaters when building a neighborhood. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NO because the author explicitly states that cultural venues (like those for art, music, and street theater) are more effective at bringing people together than shopping malls. The author uses the word 'prioritized,' which means these spaces should be given more importance or put first, rather than taking a 'second place' to retail (shopping) areas. |
| Q40 | YES | Finally, planners and developers must be obliged to create, within the same neighbourhood, different types of homes for wealthy professionals, for families, for the elderly and for young people just starting out. This kind of mix is essential to ensure people can buy a home in an area convenient for work, and for a community to stay alive | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that planners must build different types of houses in the same area for rich workers, families, older people, and young people. It says this mix of different people is needed for the neighborhood to stay healthy and active. Answer Explanation: The answer means it is very necessary for new places where people live to include many different kinds of people. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "YES" because the writer explicitly states that planners must be required to build a variety of homes for different groups of people within the same area. The writer lists wealthy workers, families, seniors, and young people as examples. By using the word "essential," the author emphasizes that having this social variety is a requirement for a neighborhood to remain successful and active. |