Living in the city and in the country

Life in the city
It’s common knowledge that tastes differ. Nowadays there are a lot of people who prefer to live in big cities and at the same time there others, who dream of living in the country. It goes without saying that life in a big city has a lot of disadvantages.

On the contrary, many adults consider such a lifestyle quite dangerous for their children. Who is right? Is the life in the city really as harmful as it may seem?
Life in a big city is much more stressful and expensive than that in the country or in a small town.

City life has lots of advantages. For example, it is often easier to get prestigious education and to find a well-paid job. Besides, there is a wider choice of shops, sports facilities and health centres. What is more, if you live in the city, you can eat in good restaurants, visit museums, and go to theatres or con­certs. All in all, city lifestyle is full of variety so you will never feel bored.

There are too many people living together in one city, and the streets are crowded. It also takes people a lot of time to get to work by metro, as the are long distances between the stations. In big cities drivers suffer from traffic jams, accidents and car crashes.

We must admit that city life is rather un­safe as there is a lot of crime and violence. What is more, transport and industry are the main reasons for all kinds of pollution there­fore city dwellers often have more problems with their health. Last of all, young people living in cities are likely to acquire such bad habits as smoking, drinking alcohol or even taking drugs.
City life has its pros and cons. However, if we try and solve the problems of crime and pollution, then living in the city will be really enjoyable.

Big cities are beautiful.
They look modern with their tall buildings, interesting architecture and design.
Bolshaya Pokrovka, Nizhniy Novgorod
Arbat, Moscow
Malaya Sadovaya, Saint Petersburg

Life in the country
Air in the country is clean, there are many forests and fields in the country. People can spend much time in the open air. It’s very good for health. They work outside and spend their free time outdoors.

That’s why country people are stronger and healthier, than people in towns and cities. They are kinder and friendlier too. People in the country know who lives the next door and can always help each other.

But there are not many places to work in the country. There is only one school in a village. There are no buses or trams and you have to walk a lot. Sometimes it’s not very good, when the weather is rainy or cold. The roads are dirty and you can’t wear nice shoes. There are not many things to do in the country in rainy weather. It can be boring.

Nowadays lots of young people tend to move to cities in search of better life, because they have not to get prestigious education and to find a well-paid job in their native place.

Now, let’s speak about our settlement.
What is it? What do you know about it?

What do you think?
Discuss these questions in groups or with a partner.
What do you like about living in your native place?
What do you hate about living in your native place?
What do you think about people who leave the country for a better life in a city?
What could be done to improve living conditions in your native place?
Would you live in the city? Why?

FIND THE WORD IN THE WORDSEARCH

MATCH THE SENTENCES WITH THE WORDS
1- YOU GO TO THIS PLACE TO CHOOSE A BOOK. CHEMIST’S
2- DOCTORS AND NURSES WORK HERE. BANK
3- IF YOU NEED MONEY, YOU GO HERE. HOSPITAL
4- IF YOU WANT TO BE FIT YOU GO HERE. LIBRARY
5- CHILDREN LOVE THIS PLACE. BUTCHER’S
6- YOU BUY MEAT AND SAUSAGES HERE. TOY SHOP
7- YOU GO TO THIS PLACE TO SEND LETTERS. GYM
8- YOU GO TO THIS PLACE TO BUY MEDICINE. POST OFFICE