FOREIGN LANGUAGE SPECIALISED SCHOOL

Name: _______________________
Class: ______

MINI VIDEO LESSON: GROUP 2 - HANDOUT

Unit 1: Urban challenges

SKILLS: LISTEN FOR MAIN IDEAS.

Choose the appropriate letter A, B, C, or D for each question.
1. Which phrase best summarises the central idea of the video?
A. The future of megacities
B. Urbanisation and its economic impact
C. Major problems in megacities
D. The history of megacities
2. Which of the following issues is not mentioned in the video?
A. Traffic congestion
B. Unemployment
C. Waste problem
D. Urban sprawl
3. According to the video, what are the approaches to the problems in
megacities?
A. Implementing smart urban strategies, efficient transportation systems, and
innovative waste management techniques
B. Improving transportation systems and healthcare facilities
C. Implementing large-scale recycling and composting schemes
D. Revitalising unused spaces, developing sustainable energy sources and improving
transportation systems

SKILLS: LISTEN FOR DETAILS.

SECTION 1:
Choose the appropriate letter A, B, C, or D for each question.
1. What is the main concern associated with the rapid growth of megacities?
A. Increased productivity and wealth
B. Overcrowding, pollution, filth, and slums
C. Enhanced freedom for the residents
D. Lack of planning in the city centres
2. How has the speed of city growth changed over the years?
A. Cities have always grown at a consistent pace.
B. Cities now grow at an unprecedented speed compared to the past.
C. Growth rates have decreased over time.
D. The growth speed of cities is unpredictable.
3. In 1950, what was the global urban-rural population distribution?
A. 30% urban, 70% rural
B. 70% urban, 30% rural
C. 50% urban, 50% rural
D. 80% urban, 20% rural
4. Where is the majority of urban growth expected to occur in the coming years?
A. North America and Europe
B. Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia
C. South America and Oceania
D. Middle East and Central Asia
5. What does the speaker suggest is a key factor in the problems faced by
megacities today?
A. Lack of financial resources
B. Rapid technological advancements
C. Planning issues, especially at the city edges
D. Overpopulation in urban areas
6. What is a common issue in megacities like Mumbai, according to the video?
A. Excessive wealth inequality
B. Lack of green spaces
C. Inadequate living conditions
D. Overemphasis on rural development
7. What is mentioned as a consequence of poor planning in megacities?
A. Enhanced public water supply
B. Disorganised settlements lacking basic services
C. Improved sewage systems
D. Efficient electricity distribution

SECTION 2:
Ex 1: Decide if each statement is true, false or not given. Write:
TRUE: if the statement agrees with the information.
FALSE: if the statement contradicts the information.
NOT GIVEN: if there is no information on this.
01. The area of land utilised to build the new suburbs was donated voluntarily by
Ahmedabad farmers.
02. The new plot of land returned to Ahmedabad farmers was more valuable than their
original one.
03. By integrating more schools, housing… into the system from the beginning,
Ahmedabad’s growth is more cost-efficient than other urban areas.
04. Despite having numerous problems within the system itself, Ahmedabad planning
is performing efficiently.

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05. According to a study in 2017, Los Angeles incurred a loss of 20 billion dollars due
to road accidents.
06. LA’s measures to tackle traffic congestion have begun to take effect.

Ex 2: Choose TWO letters A-E. Which two statements about WHIM are correct?
A. Whim advocates the use of private cars.
B. Weekly subscriptions cover all types of transportations.
C. Whim is an interesting model for mega cities in Asia and Africa.
D. Whim concentrates both on using existing modes of transport and developing new
ones.
E. Whim is predicted to work efficiently in even poorer, larger, more chaotic cities
thanks to the availability of smartphones.

SECTION 3:
Fill in each gap with ONE WORD ONLY from the video.
01. As rubbish decomposes, it releases chemicals that ______________ water
supplies.
02. Recycling in mega cities needs to be conducted with an enormous scale and high
degree of ______________.
03. Recycle Central at Pier 96 is a recycling superstructure with conveyor belts and
______________.
04. San Francisco is collecting food scraps on a city-wide basis, turning them into
______________.
05. Careful adjustments to airflow and water help control the natural ______________
of waste.
06. Discarded branches from almond trees act as a natural ______________,
absorbing greenhouse gases.
07. The end product of composting is another ______________ stream, sold to farms
and vineyards.
08. But it's the mega cities' very size that might just prove their greatest
______________.
09. Mega cities have ______________ problems, but they assemble clever people.
10. Mega cities cope with challenges through ______________ and innovation.