UNIT 3.

Cities of the future - KEY

3A. Pronunciation
• Linking final consonants to initial vowels
Read the following sentences aloud, and mark (∪) the consonant sounds that link with the vowel
sounds.
1. All∪of∪us∪are spending lots∪of time∪in front∪of screens.
2. It uses∪a range∪of technologies to provide services.
3. Cities will∪include∪a lot∪of green space∪and become∪even greener.
4. What∪are the qualities∪of∪a smart city?
5. These∪are modes∪of transportation∪in∪a big city.
6. Smart street∪infrastructure will provide∪information for better decision-making.
7. In Toronto, you can book∪an∪appointment∪and see a doctor∪online from your∪own home.
8. Smart cities∪are built∪on new technologies,∪and we consider their∪advantages.

3B. Vocabulary
• Words and phrases related to cities and smart living
I. Complete the sentences with the words given.
skyscrapers city dwellers roof garden high-rise urban centres
public transport traffic jam infrastructure smart city private vehicles
1. ___High-rise_______ apartment buildings now stood where his childhood home had been.
2. Most transport investment has gone on road construction and not on _____public transport_____ .
3. Some people think that in order to deal with the problem of congestion in cities, ____private
vehicles______ should be banned in city centres while others consider this to be an unrealistic solution.
4. The war has badly damaged the country’s ____infrastructure______ .
5. A(n) __smart city___ uses information and communication technology to improve operational
efficiency, share information with the public and provide a better quality of government service and
citizen welfare.
6. The restaurant is at the top of one of the big downtown ____skyscrapers______ .
7. In 2021, nearly three in four Canadians lived in one of Canada’s large ____urban centres______ .
8. The design of this _____roof garden_____ is like an outdoor living room with cushy furniture, wall art,
lighting and enough green cover to turn it into a cosy spot.
9. ____City dwellers______ have a higher death rate than that of country people.
10. I was stuck in a(n) ___traffic jam_______ for an hour yesterday.

II. Fill in each blank in the following sentences with the correct word / phrase below.
sustainable optimistic infrastructure quality of life city dwellers
detects renewable urban overcrowded inhabitants
1. Most of the ____urban______ population we will see in 2050 will be in cities that don’t even exist yet
in Africa, Southeast Asia, China, Central and South America.
2. In fact, India is projected to add 404 million ____city dwellers______ to its population by 2050.
3. London has recently started a new traffic light system that ___detects_______ when a lot of cyclists are
approaching and stays green longer to aid traffic flow.
4. The city of the future should have the ____infrastructure______ and transportation which link the
needs of citizens of all generations.
5. Songdo is unique, offering city ____inhabitants______ something they have never had access to
before.
6. The city officials are ___optimistic__ that the downtown will continue to be a green population center.

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7. This rapid growth of the population has caused daunting problems for city planners, such as
__overcrowded____ roads.
8. It comes as no surprise that Seattle is the gold standard of ____sustainable______ city living.
9. New York City is expected to increase its ____renewable______ energy capacity by 50% by 2050.
10. Our communities will be cleaner and more sustainable, so our ___quality of life_____ will be better.

III. Fill in each blank in the passage with the correct word / phrase below.
classes dustbins qualities developers display
appliances infrastructure tutors technologies underground
Songdo, which means “Island of pine trees” in Korean, is called “The City of the Future” by many 1
___developers_____ . Up to now, Songdo has completed about 60 percent of its planned
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___infrastructure___ and buildings, developers say, and reached a population of about 70,000 - a third of
the number expected by 2028, when the city may be finished.
One morning, we found ourselves at Songdo’s waste-management center where we watched a video
about the city’s garbage-removal system. Narrated like a Hollywood film, it explained that all of
Songdo’s trash is sucked into 3 ___underground____ pipes, and is automatically sorted and recycled,
buried, or burned for fuel. These pipes connect all apartment buildings and offices; consequently, there
are no street-comer 4 ____dustbins______ or garbage trucks.
Next, at a nearby office building, we learned about Songdo’s so-called “telepresence” system, which
is currently being tested by 100 of the city’s residents. The system allows Songdo residents to sit in front
of custom television screens and chat with English 5 ___tutors_______ in Hawaii or take fitness
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_____classes_____ from instructors elsewhere in Korea.
Finally, we visited Cisco’s Global Innovation Lab, where more technologies-in- development were
on __display____ , including mobile phone-controlled home 8___appliances____ and even micro-chip
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tracking of Songdo’s children so they don’t get lost. These and other 9 ___technologies____ were being
pitched to the Songdo government by Cisco, but had not been adopted yet, meaning that for the time
being at least, the city’s children were free to sneak over to friend’s houses without fear of surveillance.
Tourists often seek out history and natural beauty, but here is a history-less and especially unnatural
city. These 10 ____qualities____ , in many ways, actually make Songdo appealing.

IV. Complete the sentences, using the correct form of the words in brackets.
1. The information will be collected through the ____detectors ____ . (detect)
2. Cities need to make full use of land in order to achieve urban ____sustainability ___ . (sustain)
3. Some of the other problems predicted for the near future include limited and diminishing arable land,
deforestation, ____urbanization ______ , and degradation of land and water. (urban)
4. For South Korea, Songdo is more than a hi-tech business district, but a template for future
_____developments_____. (develop)
5. Songdo is the prototype for the green ____investment ____ the Korean government wants to build the
economy on in the future. (invest)
6. The pace of ___innovation ____ is happening fast in the United States. (innovate)
7. I think the cities of tomorrow also need to consider the ___availability ___ of open space. (available)
8. Cities at their best are social environments where ___ creativity ____ and human ____development
____ go hand in hand. (create - develop)

• Prepositions
V. Complete each sentence with the correct preposition.
1. There is a roof garden ____on______ top of the hotel.
2. There are no simple solutions ____to______ the problem of overpopulation.
3. The boy has impressed his doctors ____with______ his courage and determination.
4. Unemployment _____in_____ urban areas is a big problem.
5. Customers under 25 are important, making _____up_____ a quarter of the total.
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6. What are the qualities that are needed ____for______ the job?
7. Industry has a huge impact ____on______ the environment we live in.
8. The forest is home _____to_____ a wealth of wildlife.
9. Unworthy buildings should be demolished to make room ____for______ modern construction.
10. Are there any tickets available ____for______ Saturday?
11. We’re just weighing up the pros and cons ____of______ moving to a bigger house.
12. The government provides financial support ____to______ low-income families.

3C. Grammar
• Stative verbs in the continuous form & Linking verbs
I. Choose the correct verb form.
1. Jane wants / is wanting to be a nurse when she grows up.
2. David is thinking / thinks about holding a party next weekend.
3. This soup is tasting / tastes delicious.
4. The chef always tastes / is tasting the food before it is served.
5. Why are you smelling / do you smell the flowers?
6. Phong is having / has a great time at the party.
7. Susan is having / has some great fancy dress costumes.
8. My brother believes / is believing in UFOs.
9. I think / am thinking they are tired.
10. We go / are going to a concert tonight.

II. Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple or the present continuous.
1 a The sun ______feels ______ (feel) hot.
b He ______is feeling __________ (feel) the jumper to see if it’s soft.
2 a He _______has _________ (have) three boxes of sweets.
b He ______is having ________ (have) a party tomorrow.
3 a This soup _____tastes ________ (taste) awful.
b He ______is tasting________ (taste) the soup to see if it has enough salt.
4 a She ______thinks _________ (think) the party sounds good.
b She _____is thinking ______ (think) of going away at the weekend.
5 a Nam _____looks __________ (look) happy.
b Nam _____is looking _________ (look) for his costume.

III. Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple or the present continuous.
1 a I must stay in because I _____am expecting _________ (expect) a parcel.
b I ______expect __________ (expect) you are tired after your walk.
2 a They may not accept my plan but at least they ____are considering _______ (consider) it.
b Most people ______consider ______ (consider) him to be the best guitarist in Viet Nam.
3 a I _________see _______ (see) the price of petrol has gone up again.
b When ______are ________ you ________seeing_______ (see) Nam again?
4 a This jug __________holds _______ (hold) one litre exactly.
b They ______are holding __________ (hold) a meeting to discuss the matter.
5 a He _______is tasting __________ (taste) the wine to see if it is all right.
b This soup _______tastes _________ (taste) funny. What is it made of?
6 a Don’t let me down: I ________am depending _____ (depend) on you.
b Love? It _____depends________ (depend) what you mean by ‘love’.
7 a There’s something wrong with my eyes: I ______am seeing __________ (see) double!
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 b I _________see ___________ (see) much better with glasses than without.
8 a I _____think ___________ (think) it is going to rain.
b I _____am thinking __________ (think) of going to Hoi An next spring.
9 a He _______appears ________ (appear) to be very ill.
b She ______is appearing__________ (appear) in cosplay at the festival.
10 a ‘I’ve lost my handbag.’ - ‘What _____does ______ it ____look _____ (look) like?’
b He ________is looking _________ (look) for a job because he needs a promotion.

IV. Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple or the present continuous.
1. She ___is going ____ (go) to the doctor. She _____has _____ (have) a headache.
2. He ___is having ____ (have) dinner now. He ____has ______ (have) a very good appetite.
3. They ____are living ____ (live) in a rented house at the moment. They ___like___ (like) to live in one.
4. He __is mowing ____ (mow) his lawn whenever I _____see _____ (see) him.
5. He __is touching ____ (touch) the kettle. It ____feels ____ (feel) hot.
6. They ___are smelling ___ (smell) the coffee now. It ____smells______ (smell) good.
7. The sun ___is rising ___ (rise) now. It __appears ___ (appear) over the horizon.
8. ‘What ___is ____ he ___doing ____ (do) there now?’ - ‘He ___ is thinking ____ (think) of his children.
He ____loves ____ (love) them very much.’
9. We ____are looking ______ (look) at the streets in the sun. They ___appear___ (appear) very hot.
10. I ____believe ______ (believe) you ___are enjoying _______ (enjoy) your holiday now.

V. Use either the simple present or the present continuous of the verbs in brackets.
1. Peter ___has _____ (have) a car. He ____is having ____ (have) trouble with his car, so he has to take
the bus to work these days.
2. This box ____weighs ___ (weigh) a lot. It’s too heavy for me to lift.
3. I’ve just handed the box to the postal worker. Right now she ___ is weighing ____ (weigh) it to see how
much postage it ___needs_______ (need).
4. I _____am doing _____ (do) this practice at the moment. It ____ consists ______ (consist) of both
nonprogressive and progressive verbs.
5. I ____am thinking ____ (think) about the verbs in this practice right now. I ___ think ____ (think) all of
my answers are correct, but I’ll compare my answers with my next partner’s when I finish to make sure.
6. Ms Hoa is at the market. Right now she ____is looking______ (look) at the apples.
7. Right now Mai is in the science lab. She ____ doesn’t want ______ (not want) to spill any of the acid.
She ____is always ______ (always / be) careful when she does a chemistry experiment.

• Use of English
VI. Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each
gap.
The City That Never Sleeps
With a population of over 8 million spread over 790 km 2, New York has 1 ____more______ residents per
square kilometre than any other city in the US. The five boroughs that make up the city, Manhattan,
Queens, The Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island joined to become one city 2 ____in______ 1898. But
New York 3 _____is_____ not always the name given to this part of the US. The first people to settle
these lands were Dutch colonists. In 1624, they set up a trading post here and gave it the name New
Amsterdam. The name changed, however, in 1664 4 ____when______ the English king took control of
the lands and gave them to his brother the Duke of York as a gift. This led 5 ____to______ its name being
changed in honour of the Duke. The name New York has been used ever 6 ____since______ . The Statue
of Liberty, 7 ___which____ is one of the many symbols of the city, arrived towards the end of the 19 th
century and the beginning of the 20th century. But long before the Statue of Liberty arrived, the city
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___had_____ enjoyed a long history. Today the city is the biggest city in the US, but it also
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____used___ to be the capital. For five short years from 1785-1790, New Yorkers 10 ___were___
inhabitants of the country’s centre of administration. Nowadays, it is a popular tourist destination and
every year thousands of people from all over the world flock to the City that Never Sleeps to visit famous
places like Times Square, Broadway theatres and Central Park. Whatever they come here to see, they
aren’t disappointed. One thing is for sure, New York will continue to be a major attraction for many years
to come.

3D. Reading
I. Match a subheading with its definition, writing the answer in each blank.
2050 Vision: 8 Pioneer US Cities Prove the Future is Now
1. Urban biking
2. Education
3. The destination for night owls
4. Sustainable city living
5. Technological accessibility
6. Active living
7. Responsible eating
8. Natural/Urban balance
__1-F__ A. With over 6,000 acres of parks, 300 athletic fields,
and 300 sunny days a year, Denver leads the way for
__2-D__ this.
B. With compost, recycling, and landfill standard,
Seattle is serious about commitment to recycle 60% of
all waste. The city’s government and residents all
follow eco- friendly practices strictly.
__3-H__ C. You’ll find the center of local and organic food
deep in the heart of Texas: Austin. This ensures that
the money residents spend in Austin stays in Austin,
supporting the economy of local farmers.
__4-B__ D. Over 50 colleges and universities spread the
landscape of Boston, and 44% of Boston residents
hold at least a Bachelor’s degree.
__5-G__ E. With its dedicated urban forestry programme,
Portland has embraced its natural roots in attractive
ways with backyard chicken, ducks, or even goats.
F. With over 200 miles of bike-friendly streets, it's
__6-A__ time to start the search for a cycling outfit in Chicago.
The bike lanes are busy with 3,000 bicycles around
the city.
__7-C__ G. In an ultra-connected world, Minneapolis is setting
a new standard with free, city-wide Wi-Fi.
__8-E__ H. New York is the city that never sleeps. Limitless
nightlife never quits and public transit is open 24/7.

II. Match the qualities of cities of the future with their descriptions. Write the quality in each blank.
A. Energy independent homes
B. Efficient water use
C. Smart grids
D. Solar surfaces
E. Solar energy from space
F. High-speed long-distance travel
G. Innovative wind turbines
H. Living buildings

1. _____G. Innovative wind turbines__________

Cities will generate electricity from a host of new wind power innovations - turbines that float on the
ocean, bladeless wind turbines, and turbines that hover in the atmosphere.
2. ______D. Solar surfaces_______________

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Solar panels will begin to appear in unlikely places. They will cover sidewalks, line the outside of
buildings, and double as fully functional windows.
3. ______E. Solar energy from space___________
Solar energy will be harvested from space and beamed down to Earth, providing clean, cheap and
efficient electricity to power our cities.
4. _______H. Living buildings_____________
Homes and buildings will operate as living organisms, monitoring performance and adapting to our needs
in real time, saving us energy and money.
5. ______A. Energy independent homes_________
Homes will be equipped with solar panels, small-scale wind turbines and other sources of electrical
generation, allowing them to operate independently from the grid, when necessary.
6. _______C. Smart grids__________________
Consumers and power sources will communicate in real time through fiber optic smart grids that will
reduce blackouts, maximize energy efficiency, and save money.
7. _______F. High-speed long-distance travel__________
People will travel hundreds of miles in just minutes through solar-powered pods that travel through
elevated, depressurized tubes.
8. ________B. Efficient water use_____________
Buildings will be equipped with comprehensive water management systems, allowing them to collect
rainwater, monitor water use, and efficiently recycle dirty water.

III. Read the passage, and then decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F).
The cities of the future will see a large number of intelligent homes that can interact with their
owners. In fact, things that were earlier considered science fiction are already coming to life in smart
cities such as Masdar in the United Arab Emirates, where an automated underground transport network
fully fuelled by solar power is already running circuits.
With smart technology, the possibility of having huge savings on electricity and power is within
our reach. Sensors are being developed so that street lights of the future will switch on only when you are
close by. The smart technology in self-driven cars will enable you to save on gas and other non-renewable
energy sources. In fact, smart cities will aim to neutralize the use of fossil fuels completely.
The cities of the future will have to adapt quickly to rapid technological advancements in IT and
engineering. The gap between technological leaps is going to decrease over time. Technology will help
bridge the current gap between the government and public in the cities of the future, given that IT and
digitization will make these cities more open and social.
Another thing that we can all agree on is that the cost of building in these smart cities is going to
be considerable. An estimate can be derived based on the latest smart city developments in India. With
the booming population, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is pushing to attract investments to
fuel rapid development projects in the country.
1. Intelligent homes can have effect on their owners. ___T____
2. Some predictions made about smart cities have been put in practice. ___T____
3. The transport network in Masdar has run on a renewable source of energy. ___T____
4. Street lights will switch on after sensors are developed. ___F____
5. We will save energy with driverless cars. ___F____
6. Smart cities in the future will aim to make fossil fuels completely neutral. ___F____
7. New technological advancements make the cities in the future change so rapidly in order to become
more open and social. ___T____
8. Building a smart city costs a lot of money, so a country like India has to call for investment to supply
fuel for the project of smart cities. ___F____

IV. Read the passage about green cities, and then answer the questions.

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 What makes a city green? Factors such as recycling, renewable energy, transportation options,
building construction, air quality and emissions make green cities great. Here are some cities that are
doing their part to lead us on the global path to a greener future.
Working towards the goal of being the first carbon- neutral capital before 2025, Copenhagen has
made a lot of necessary changes. Lots of electric and manual bikes, organic food, clean water, sustainable
buildings and hotels, lots of green space and fewer cars are just a few of the ways that help Copenhagen
stand at the top of the green cities list.
As the UK’s 8th biggest city, and with a steadily growing economy, Bristol is set on making its mark,
not only in the UK, but in Europe as well. The next five years will see a huge focus on transportation and
renewable energy in the city, as well as a goal of doubling the number of cyclists in that time as well.
Bristol is becoming a hub for jobs in low carbon sectors.
Vancouver is pleasant for so many reasons - it’s mild and it leads the way for forward thinking and
environmental awareness in North America. Residents are very fond of walking and cycling, and
government laws have been designed with greenness in mind. It’s often considered to be one of the most
liveable cities in the world, and that isn’t enough, it’s working towards being powered entirely by
renewable energy by the year 2050.
1. What makes a city green?
1. They are recycling, renewable energy, transportation options, building construction, air quality
and emissions.
2. Why does Copenhagen stand at the top of the green cities list?
2. Because there are lots of electric and manual bikes, organic food, clean water, sustainable
buildings and hotels, lots of green space and fewer cars.
3. What will Bristol focus on in the next five years?
3. It will focus on transportation and renewable energy.
4. Which economic sector will Bristol concentrate on?
4. Bristol will concentrate on low carbon sectors.
5. Why is Vancouver becoming attractive in North America?
5. Because it’s mild and it leads the way for forward thinking and environmental awareness.
6. What purpose will Vancouver try to achieve by the year 2050?
6. It’ll try to be powered entirely by renewable energy by the year 2050.

V. Read the text, and then do the tasks that follow.

What Life Will Be Like In 2050
I find it absolutely fascinating thinking about the future, as technology is rapidly advancing and in
40 years’ time, who knows what we’ll be able to do with it. Scientists have recently predicted that by
2050 the population of the world will be over ten billion and technology will have advanced so greatly
that we will have far more information about all known diseases (and possibly cures), we will all be living
in eco houses and will no longer face high electricity bills and we may even be able to take a holiday to
Mars.
Our daily lives will definitely be filled with all kinds of new technologies that help us do the
things we hate nowadays. House Robo’s will be a likely feature in all homes and will help run the family
home, take out the rubbish, prepare food and hoover the house from top to bottom. Our kitchen gadgets
(such as your fridge, cooker, microwave and dishwasher) will also be ‘robotic’ and will email or text us,
the users, when a food item has gone out of date or has been used up. Similarly, the fridge has a built-in
camera so that when you are at the supermarket, you can log in to your fridge and check what you need to
stock up on.
It is predicted that by 2050 we will all have ‘weekly digital health checks’ in our homes, which
run sensors over our bodies to check for signs of ill health and any abnormalities. Conditions can instantly
be recognised by the ‘virtual doctor’ inside the health machine and treated immediately, and if you need a
prescription - it will be ordered and sent out automatically. If the digital health check picks up on a person
being overweight, they will send a signal to the domestic house computer to modify their diet and book in
for gym sessions. Because of all this immediate treatment, people will live far longer and won’t be wiped

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out by disease or forms of cancer. Medical conditions that are considered rare today will be far more
known about and will be able to be cured quickly and efficiently.

Task 1. Answer the following questions.

1. What will the world’s population be by 2050?
1. It will be over ten billion.
2. How will our kitchen gadgets help us?
2. They will help us by emailing or texting us when a food item has gone out of date or has been
used up.
3. What can you do with the fridge with a built-in camera?
3. We can log in to our fridge and check what we need to stock up on.
4. How can our bodies be checked for signs of ill health and any abnormalities?
4. They can be done by sensors over our bodies.
5. What are the benefits of the immediate treatment?
5. People will live far longer and won’t be wiped out by disease or forms of cancer.

Task 2. Match the underlined words in the text with the definitions.
1. hoover __1-D__ A. finished and there is none left
2. used up __2-A__ B. change something in order to improve it
3. stock up on __3-E__ C. being made extremely tired
4. modify __4-B__ D. clean a carpet, floor with a vacuum cleaner
5. wiped out __5-C__ E. buy a lot of something

VI. Read the text, and do the tasks that follow.

2040 VISION
Smartphones are museum pieces and cable TV - what was that? The world will be very different in the
future but what will everyday life in 2040?
06.45
You’re gently woken up in your sleep pod - you don’t sleep in a bed; they’ve developed dramatically into
sleep pods. 1 ___e. You control what happens in the whole house from here, so you remotely switch on
the lights and the shower and tell the kitchen you’ll be ready for breakfast for 20 minutes.____
Meanwhile, your artificially intelligent personal assistant (AIPA) has started work monitoring your body
functions and making sure you’re fit and well for the day ahead.
07.50
You’re ready for work but you don’t need to go anywhere. 2 ____a. Work comes to you.____ You enter
your virtual office and greet co-workers from around the world in your virtual work environment. You
and your colleague in Singapore look at the Live data feeds and make real-time decisions about your
work. Then a workmate nearby asks for a face-to-face meeting over lunch. You decide what to wear and
an army of nanobots make the clothes for you.
12.30
Your journey is still by car - but you don’t drive it. It drives. 3 ___f. Computers inside your car take away
the need for manual driving.___ They talk to the smart road which is regulating the flow of traffic so that
cars are travelling at maximum speed and efficiency. You know there won’t be a delay because of a car
accident - there hasn’t been a car crash for ten years now.
12.45
You arrive for your meal. Your car has already suggested a menu - beef goulash. 4 ___b. Bow the
restaurant’s bioprinter starts to produce the raw ingredients for the restaurant AIPA to cook and bring to
the table.____ During the meal, your workmate mentions her new smart glasses and this reminds you that
a drone will deliver yours later today.
15.30

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Work’s finished. You have a lot more leisure time now because AIPAs can do a lot of the work for us and
a lot quicker. 5 ____c. Some do accounting, some write letters.______ Not all AIPA’s have human form,
some are simply computer programmes with human-like intelligence and understanding. Right on time
the drone arrives with your smart glasses.
19.00
In the evening, you see what your new smart glasses can do. Smart glasses have replaced the smartphone
because they are a lot easier to use and have a lot more functions. 6 _____d. You have instant video chat,
internet browsing and can do many other things you needed a smartphone previously._____ Even better,
they record every minute of your day for you so that you can watch your day again - speeded up this time.
22.00
As you sleep, the smart electricity grid and your smart electrical appliances are saving electricity and
sending it to where it is needed most. In fact, it has been doing this 24/7, but at night it becomes very
noticeable as your fridge powers down and the street lights dim. We can finally see stars from our cities
again.

Task 1. Which of the following topics are not mentioned in the text? Circle them.
work transport clothes food relationships
shopping energy social networking newspapers radio and TV

Task 2. Six sentences have been removed from the text. Complete the text with sentences a-f.
a. Work comes to you.
b. Bow the restaurant’s bioprinter starts to produce the raw ingredients for the restaurant AIPA to cook
and bring to the table.
c. Some do accounting, some write letters.
d. You have instant video chat, internet browsing and can do many other things you needed a
smartphone previously.
e. You control what happens in the whole house from here, so you remotely switch on the lights and
the shower and tell the kitchen you’ll be ready for breakfast for 20 minutes.
f. Computers inside your car take away the need for manual driving.
1. e 2. a 3. f 4. b 5. c 6. d

Task 3. Read the text again. Are the statements true (T), false (F) or not given (NG)?
1. You are woken up early because of an important news bulletin. ____F____
2. Your artificially intelligent personal assistant has checked your health. ___NG____
3. Your clothes are newly made as soon as you have decided what to wear. ____F____
4. Cars are designed to be energy efficient. ___NG___
5. The ingredients for your food are produced at the restaurant by a bioprinter. ____T____
6. Flying machines make deliveries to your home. ___T_____
7. Smart glasses save everything you do during the day so that you can play it back later. ____T____
8. Your own home contributes fifteen per cent of the electricity you use. ___NG____

VII. Read an article about a new town. For questions 1-10, choose the sections (A-D). the
paragraphs may be chosen more than once.
Sherford: A Green City of the Future
A Ranked amongst the top five green cities of the future, Sherford in England has got to be one of the
most exciting urban projects in the 21st century. With construction due to commence in 2030, the
thinking behind the new town is to provide a solution to urban sprawl slum areas and the ecological
problems that come with them. In other words, it will be a shining example of sustainable urbanism.
The proposed location for the new town is in one of the greenest parts of the English countryside:
Devon. Although it will be a modern town with all the necessary facilities for modern-day living, the
town will have a traditional feel to it. Local architectural designs will be used to make sure the town
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 has a distinctive Devon character. Developers, Red Tree, claim that their aim is for Sherford to take
‘the best from the past and move it forward’. They have a vision of a town where social, economic
and environmental sustainability will prosper.
B But just how will they achieve this? Sustainable towns and cities must meet the strictest criteria. In
order to be socially sustainable, they must be organized into self-contained neighbourhoods, which
combine living, working and shopping. Sherford, which will be organised into four neighbourhoods,
will take this one step further. All its communities will be accessible to people from all income
bracket and all ethnic groups. A wide range of homes will be available for rent or purchase, with the
cheaper homes being built alongside with the most expensive ones to avoid any discrimination that
may arise. However, it won’t be obvious just by looking at the homes which ones are the most
affordable ones. By avoiding creating rich neighbourhoods and poor neighbourhoods, it is hoped that
residents will feel a greater sense of equality.
In terms of economic sustainability, eco towns must be able to support the livelihoods of the local
residents. For the first time in a century, a British town will be built along a high street with a lively
market. As a market town, Sherford promises to be a bustling commercial centre with shops, local
businesses and services. This will ensure that people will live locally, can work and earn their living
locally. As a result, the town will be financially sustainable.
C Most importantly of all, however, Sherford - like all eco towns - will be environmentally sustainable.
Green cities must reduce or eliminate the use of fossil fuels, adopt sustainable building practice,
create green spaces and ensure good air quality. It is hoped that this attractive town will discourage
people from writing graffiti on the buildings and so not allowing the gritty side of a town to emerge.
It will also be a safe place for people to live. One of the developers commented, ‘No one will get
mugged in Sherford.’ Sherford will be a walkable city. Local schools, shops, parks and other
facilities will be within walking distances of housing.
There will also be an energy-efficient transport system that residents will be encouraged to use to
travel within the town and cars will be banned from parts of the town centre. But one of the biggest
bonuses for all future residents is that they will be provided with their own free bicycle so that they
will have another alternative to private cars for getting from A to B. Furthermore, 50% of the town’s
energy will be supplied using clean, renewable sources such as solar and wind power. 170 acres of
woodland and 500 acres of parkland will also help to improve the quality of air in the town and
surrounding area. They will also create recreational areas for residents and be home to local species
of plants and animals.
D So when can you move in? If all goes according to plan, building will begin on Sherford in 2030.
During the first phase, 2,750 homes will be constructed within five years. The completed project,
which will include 5,500 homes divided between the four neighbourhoods and the town centre, will
take between 12-15 years to complete. For the majority of the locals, it will have been a long time in
coming, but well worth waiting for.
Which section says:
1. the proposed location for the new town is Devon? _____A______
2. building will begin in 2030? ____A_______
3. cheaper homes will be alongside more expensive ones? ____B_______
4. local architectural designs will be used to keep the Devon character? _____A______
5. facilities in the town will be within walking distance of housing? ____C_______
6. future residents will be provided with their own free bicycle? ____C_______
7. 50% of the town’s energy will be supplied by renewable sources? ____C_______
8. Sherford will be organized into four neighbourhoods? ____B_______
9. it will take 12-15 years to complete? ____D_______
10. people will live locally and can work and earn their living locally? _____B______

3E. Speaking
• Everyday English
I. Choose the correct response. Then practise the short exchanges in pairs.

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 1. A: What’s life in cities in the future like?
2. A: Tokyo is a big city. What’s it like in 2050?
3. A: Have you heard of the plan for the future
transportation in our city?
4. A: How can we make our city green?
5. A: With the metro railway in big cities, there
are no longer traffic jams.
6. A: What’s the purpose of the project?
7. A: How can we save energy with street
lighting?
8. A: Can you imagine working hours in the
future?
9. A: We won’t have to pay for health care, will
we?
10. A: What’s the prediction from pessimists?
B: a/ We can enjoy the highest quality of life.
b/ We used to deal with climate change.
B: a/ We can see overcrowded trains there.
b/ I think it’s the most livable city.
B: a/ It tries to make our city an eco-city.
b/ It promotes self-driving cars and public
transport.
B: a/ We try to use wind and sun energy more.
b/ We make an effort to provide more jobs.
B: a/ Sounds great. Is it unbelievable?
b/ I hope it can come true.
B: a/ It tries to supply enough drinking water.
b/ It fails to reduce global climate change.
B: a/ We’ll turn off lights in our houses at high
peak hours.
b/ We’ll install the smart lighting system.
B: a/ They’re flexible with fewer hours.
b/ To be green, we ride to our offices.
B: a/ Yes, health care will be free.
b/ No, health care will cost lower.
B: a/ City dwellers will use renewable energy
free of charge.
b/ Cities will be overpopulated and traffic will be
heavy.

• Discussing cities of the future

II. Complete the dialogue about what smart cities will look like in the future with the phrases
below. There is one extra that you do not need.
A. where high traffic zones are located
B. to check the routes they take to work, when the bus is arriving
C. It will allow users to comfortably get where they are going and slowly start replacing cars.
D. Environmentally friendly vehicles, such as e-kick scooters, e-motorcycles and e-bikes will
dominate the streets.
E. and it will become a more crucial component of urban planning in the future
F. Self-driving cars are going to be a huge part of our future.
G. Car data can help analyze road damages, traffic fluctuations and charging stations for electric
vehicles.

A What is the future for transport in smart cities?

B I think cars powered by gas are coming to an end. 1____D. Environmentally friendly vehicles, such
as e-kick scooters, e-motorcycles and e-bikes will dominate the streets.____. Cars will also be getting
some upgrades with connected car data. 2_________G. Car data can help analyze road damages,
traffic fluctuations and charging stations for electric vehicles.__________ .
A Can the data be used for more useful purposes?
B The use of data and data mapping can help control space management. Data analysis can help
determine how many commuters travel by car, bike, scooter or shared car to work as well as the
routes they take,3______A. where high traffic zones are located__________
A I think it is also the best way for government officials to get an understanding of how citizens move
around the city, 4______E. and it will become a more crucial component of urban planning in the
future______
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B Besides that, commuters in smart cities will use an app in advance 5_______B. to check the routes
they take to work, when the bus is arriving_______, if an e-scooter is available for rent in the area, or
if a shuttle service is driving around the neighbourhood.
A How about micromobility with e-scooter and e-bikes?
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B ____C. It will allow users to comfortably get where they are going and slowly start replacing
cars._______.

III. Complete the conversation about the world’s first carbon-neutral city, using the responses (A-
F) given. There is one extra response. Then practise the dialogue with your partner.
A. either walk or travel in electric ‘podcars’
B. and the Sultan of Abu Dhabi is providing the money for the project
C. to make our city liveable, and eco cities will be the new trend in the near future
D. live in comfortable apartments
E. the first carbon-neutral city in the world
F. will provide the city with its energy
Phong: I think pollution is a big problem for cities of the future. The emission of carbon dioxide from
industries makes the problem worse.
Chi: I agree with you. The government needs to solve the pollution problems 1 ____C. to make our
city liveable, and eco cities will be the new trend in the near future_______.
Phong: But we don’t have any eco cities in the world, do we?
Chi: Oh, no. Masdar City in the United Arab Emirates is special. It plans to be 2______E. the first
carbon-neutral city in the world_______.
Phong: Really? But traditional cars emit a lot of pollution. Are there any solutions to this?
Chi: In fact, there are no traditional cars; instead, people 3_______A. either walk or travel in electric
‘podcars’_________.
Phong: Sounds great. Alternative energy is widely used in that city, isn’t it?
Chi: Right. Many big solar farms, using power from the sun, 4_________F. will provide the city with
its energy___________.
Phong: Awesome. How about the accommodation? It’s also a source of pollution in the city.
Chi: There are no high-rise buildings, and people 5_____________D. live in comfortable
apartments___________.
And the streets are narrow so that the buildings provide shade for each other.
Phong: I think the people there are happy and healthy because the air in Masdar is the best in the world.

IV. Complete the conversation about the topic “What urban life will be like in 2050”, using the
responses (A-F) given. There is one extra response.
A. charge cars faster than they currently do
B. eat up carbon dioxide in the atmosphere or produce their own light using energy created by
photosynthesis
C. self-healing concrete, be powered by their solar paint and even have flying robots
D. to share information such as water flow and distribution
E. produce their own energy, be linked together by suspended green walkways
F. in future the light sequencing might change automatically
Ha: I’m thinking about our assignment “What urban life will be like in 2050”. In my opinion, many
elements will make up our smart cities, and the building is one of them.
Chi: Well, buildings of the future will be made from 1 _____C. self-healing concrete, be powered by
their solar paint and even have flying robots_____
Ha: By 2050, between 70 and 80 per cent of the world’s population will live in cities, and how people
consume energy will be very important.

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Chi: It’s all about energy efficiency with low energy prices in offices. Our office blocks will contain
working farms which 2 ____E. produce their own energy, be linked together by suspended green
walkways_____
Ha: Sounds great. We’ll have to improve the infrastructure for travellers and travelling.
Chi: The future promises instant phone chargers and petrol stations with plugs that can
3
____A. charge cars faster than they currently do______
Ha: But traffic emits a lot of pollution, doesn’t it?
Chi: A French biochemist, Pierre Calleja, is making algae street lamps that 4 ______B. eat up carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere or produce their own light using energy created by
photosynthesis______
Ha: And both types will help us get self-powered, anti-pollution street lamps, won’t they?
Chi: You’re right. Smarter cities mean ones that process data. We’ll have to create space on the cloud 5
_____D. to share information such as water flow and distribution______
Ha: We believe in the positive impact that technology can support in building smart cities in the
future.

• Expressing certainty and uncertainty

V. Choose the correct option to complete the sentences.
1. I’m sure / Maybe / I wonder your mum will like your present. She always prefers yours.
2. Perhaps / No doubt / Maybe this is the Mona Lisa painting. You can see the name of the painter,
Leonardo de Vinci, on it.
3. Perhaps / I’m sure / I’m certain the teacher will punish you for the drawings you have done on the
walls or she’ll like them.
4. I wonder / I’m sure / No doubt that is the jacket that the captain wore when he arrived in the South
Pole.
5. I’m not sure / I’m certain / I’m sure that is the right place for the picture. What about the bedroom?
6. Maybe / I’m not sure / I’m certain he will be ill. He has been sitting in the sun for three hours.
7. Maybe / I’m not sure / I’m certain that you can help protect the environment by collecting the
garbage.
8. I’m sure / Maybe / I wonder which story Grandma is going to tell us.
9. The weather is lovely. I’m sure / Maybe / I wonder they are enjoying the picnic in the woods.
10. I’m sure / Maybe / I wonder she has a lot of work to do, and she will have to surf the net until a late
hour of the day.
11. No doubt / I’m not sure / I wonder he won’t be able to escape from that scary shark.

VI. Complete the sentences with the words given.

may must probably think guess
certainly (x2) likely hopeful can
1. When he leaves school, he _____may_____ go to a university of science, or he ___can_______ even
get a job at a laboratory.
2. This ___must_______ be a laboratory - there are instruments and products of scientific research.
3. I’ll ____probably______ come back to see the grandfather if I am free.
4. I ____think/ guess______ they’ll offer me the job as I have the ideal profile.
5. They will ____certainly ______ interview him about his past experience as they usually do.
6. I ____guess/ think______ their salaries are high as they have very good skills and qualifications.
7. She will ____certainly ____ enjoy herself working in that company of export. She likes foreign
trading.
8. Computers are ____likely______ to replace teachers in a few years’ time.
9. It’s ___hopeful__ that the problem of pollution will be solved if everyone tries to protect the
environment.

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3F. Writing
• An article about the advantages and disadvantages of living in a smart city Write an article about
the advantages and disadvantages of living in a smart city, using the words given.
There are some advantages of living in a smart city.
1. first / we / regulate lighting / reduce energy costs
1. First, we regulate lighting to reduce energy costs.
2. next / we / use smart cards / citizens / such as / health IDs, transportation cards, etc.
2. Next, we use smart cards for citizens such as health IDs, transportation cards, etc.
3. mobility systems / based / bicycle sharing / and / better traffic control
3. Mobility systems will be based on bicycle sharing, and better traffic control.
4. then / intelligent water supply, intelligent energy management, such as public lighting, / more efficient
waste management / available
4. Then, intelligent water supply, intelligent energy management, such as public lighting, and
more efficient waste management are available.
However, there are some disadvantages we have to overcome when we live in a smart city.
5. to be more efficient / authorities / observe / what habits / the consumer / in all aspects and levels / so /
there / be / reduction of privacy
5. To be more efficient, the authorities must observe what habits the consumer has in all aspects
and levels, so there will be a reduction of privacy.
6. smart cities / require / significant investment / technology / so / not all cities afford / a cost
6. Smart cities require a significant investment in technology, so not all cities can afford such a
cost.
7. smart cities / depend / companies / offer / services / a high degree of technology
7. Smart cities depend on companies that offer the services of a high degree of technology.

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