TEST 2 – COMMUNITY

Lesson Brief
Students are preparing for an English-speaking competition.
There are two main parts of the competition.
In part 1, students will be given a topic and present for 3 minutes.
In part 2, the examiners will ask follow-up questions about the topic in
part 1.

Part 1

Context: Some people argue that high-rise buildings are essential in

cities to accommodate growing populations.

Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Students will have 3 minutes to prepare, and they can present within 3
minutes.

IDEAS FOR ANSWERING THE QUESTION:

Opening

 Introduce the topic: Highlight the debate about whether high-rise

buildings are essential in cities to accommodate growing
populations.
 Thesis statement: State a partial agreement. While high-rise
buildings provide significant advantages in urban areas, they also
have limitations that cannot be ignored.

Body 1: Reasons High-Rise Buildings Are Essential

 Topic Sentence: High-rise buildings play a critical role in

addressing urban population challenges.
 Supporting Point 1: Efficient use of limited urban land.
 o Example: Cities like New York and Hong Kong rely heavily on
skyscrapers to house millions of residents.
 Supporting Point 2: Convenience and integration of spaces.
o Explanation: High-rises can combine residential, commercial,
and recreational spaces, improving urban living efficiency.

Body 2: Drawbacks of High-Rise Buildings

 Topic Sentence: Despite their advantages, high-rise buildings

present several challenges.
 Supporting Point 1: Reduced social interaction and isolation.
o Explanation: Vertical living often limits opportunities for
community engagement compared to low-rise neighborhoods.
 Supporting Point 2: Cost and sustainability issues.
o Example: Older high-rise structures can be costly to maintain
and are less energy-efficient.
 Alternative Solution: Planned suburban developments or mixed
urban planning could provide more balanced growth.

Conclusion

 Restate the thesis: High-rise buildings are important for managing

urban population growth but should not be the sole focus.
 Summary: Emphasize the need for a balanced approach, combining
high-rise and low-rise developments with effective urban planning.

Part 2: Discussion

The examiner will ask the following questions, and the students can
answer each question within one or two minutes.
General Urban Development

1. Why do you think more people are moving to cities rather than
staying in rural areas?
2. How do you think cities will change in the next 20 years?
3. What challenges do growing cities face, and how can they be
solved?
4. Do you think urban planning plays an important role in developing
cities? Why?

Quality of Life in Cities

5. What makes a city a good place to live?

6. Do you think people living in cities have better access to facilities
and services than those in rural areas?
7. What can governments do to improve the quality of life in cities?
8. Do you think cities are becoming more stressful to live in? Why or
why not?

Environmental Issues

9. How does urbanization affect the environment?

10. What can be done to make cities more environmentally
friendly?
11. Do you think cities should prioritize public transportation over
private vehicles? Why?

Social Aspects

12. How does living in a city affect people’s relationships and

sense of community?
13. Do you think cities are losing their cultural identities due to
globalization?
14. What role do cities play in promoting diversity and inclusion?
15. How important are cultural and historical landmarks in a city?
IDEAS FOR ANSWERING FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

General Urban Development

1. Why do you think more people are moving to cities rather

than staying in rural areas?
o Cities offer diverse employment opportunities in industries
like technology, finance, and services, unlike rural areas that
depend on agriculture.
o Access to better education and healthcare facilities,
including specialized hospitals and renowned schools.
o Social and cultural attractions, such as shopping malls,
cinemas, and festivals, appeal to younger generations.
o Rural areas often lack infrastructure like reliable public
transportation and modern utilities, pushing people to urban
areas.

2. How do you think cities will change in the next 20 years?

o Smart cities will emerge, using IoT for efficient traffic
management, waste disposal, and energy conservation.
o Green energy sources, such as solar and wind power, will
become widespread in urban developments.
o Urban sprawl will increase, leading to megacities, but new
architectural designs will maximize space in smaller areas.
o Autonomous vehicles and AI-integrated systems will
revolutionize transport and public services.

3. What challenges do growing cities face, and how can they be

solved?
o Housing shortages lead to slums and inflated property
prices. Solutions: Build affordable housing and promote co-
living spaces.
o Traffic congestion is a significant issue; governments should
invest in metro systems and encourage cycling.
 o Environmental issues like pollution and flooding can be
tackled with renewable energy, better drainage, and green
roofs.

4. Do you think urban planning plays an important role in

developing cities? Why?
o Urban planning ensures efficient land use by designating
areas for residential, industrial, and recreational
purposes.
o Helps manage population growth and avoid overcrowding in
specific neighborhoods.
o Ensures infrastructure like roads, sewage systems, and public
transport is in place to sustain urban lifestyles.

Quality of Life in Cities

5. What makes a city a good place to live?

o A balanced mix of modern facilities (like high-speed
internet) and green spaces (like parks and gardens).
o Access to reliable public services such as garbage
collection, clean water, and 24/7 electricity.
o Low crime rates, vibrant cultural life, and affordable living
options contribute to high quality of life.

6. Do you think people living in cities have better access to

facilities and services than those in rural areas?
o Yes: Cities have specialized healthcare, advanced schools,
and diversified entertainment options.
o No: While cities offer facilities, high demand and
overpopulation can make access difficult, such as long
hospital queues or crowded schools.
 7. What can governments do to improve the quality of life in
cities?
o Develop public parks and community spaces to foster
mental well-being.
o Reduce commute times by enhancing public transportation
and building expressways.
o Enforce stricter laws on pollution and waste management to
create cleaner environments.

8. Do you think cities are becoming more stressful to live in?

Why or why not?
o Yes: Rising cost of living, heavy traffic, and the competitive
job market create immense pressure.
o No: Technological advancements, such as online services,
have simplified daily life and reduced stress in some ways.

Environmental Issues

9. How does urbanization affect the environment?

o Increases deforestation, leading to habitat loss and lower
biodiversity.
o Produces more air, water, and noise pollution from
factories, vehicles, and construction.
o Overuse of resources like water and energy strains natural
reserves.

10. What can be done to make cities more environmentally

friendly?
o Increase green spaces like parks and urban forests to
absorb CO2 and improve air quality.
o Promote renewable energy sources, such as installing solar
panels on city buildings.
 o Encourage people to use public transportation, cycling, or
carpooling to reduce emissions.

11. Do you think cities should prioritize public

transportation over private vehicles? Why?
o Public transportation reduces traffic congestion and lowers
carbon emissions.
o It is a more cost-effective and inclusive option, especially for
low-income residents.

Social Aspects

12. How does living in a city affect people’s relationships

and sense of community?
o People in cities often prioritize work and personal goals,
leading to weaker social ties.
o However, cities provide diverse social groups, enabling people
to connect through shared interests or activities like clubs
or fitness groups.

13. Do you think cities are losing their cultural identities

due to globalization?
o Cultural landmarks and traditions may be overshadowed by
international brands and generic architecture.
o However, many cities preserve identity through local
festivals, unique cuisines, and heritage sites.

14. What role do cities play in promoting diversity and

inclusion?
o Cities attract people from various cultural, ethnic, and
religious backgrounds, creating a melting pot of diversity.
 o Urban policies often focus on inclusivity, such as anti-
discrimination laws and accessible facilities for people with
disabilities.

15. How important are cultural and historical landmarks in

a city?
o Landmarks preserve the city’s heritage and provide a sense of
pride and identity for locals.
o They attract tourism, boosting the economy and funding city
development.