UNIVERSIDAD DEL VALLE

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND GENERAL PURPOSES – LEVEL II

FIRST SESSION
UNDERSTANDING TOPICS:
✔ Vocabulary in context.
✔ Describing megacities and local issues.
✔ Comparatives/superlatives: Big cities and Countryside.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCouGORTIjs&feature=emb_logo

LESSON OVERVIEW
This lesson touches upon the topic of megacities and some local problems connected with urban
sprawl. At the end, you will able to manage some vocabulary related to cities, read about urban
development statistics and discuss some local issues of modern and big cities.

TASK 1: PRE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES

Create a mind map presenting words and phrases with the word urban. Look them up in your
dictionary and make sure you understand all of them. Then, you will use some words in context.
Next, you will listen to some urban development statistics.

The vocabulary activity includes words such as: 

dweller, metropolis, inhabitants, urbanization, forecast, expansion, migration, congested areas,

crowded, resources, education, healthcare, policies, entertainment, sprawling, business,
employment, chaotic, infrastructure, transport, housing, services, urban problems.

Match the above underlined words with these definitions and example sentences.

: (of a space) full of people, leaving little or no room for movement; packed.
"a very crowded room" _____ crowded ______________.
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: the capital or chief city of a country or region.
"he preferred the peaceful life of the countryside to the bustle of the metropolis"__ metropolis
_________.

: spreading out over a large area in an untidy or irregular way.

"the sprawling suburbs"_________ sprawling __________.

: a person or animal that lives in or at a specified place.

"city dwellers" _____ dweller ___________.

: a person who predicts or estimates a future event or trend.

"economic forecasters are predicting a downturn" ______ forecast _________.

TASK 2: IN- CLASS ACTIVITIES (SPEAKING)

In the in‐class, you first have to discuss some questions that pertain to living in a metropolis (large
cities). These questions include the previous vocabulary.

A. What are some good points of living in big cities? The good points of living in big
cities are the entertainment, the hospitals are close, there are universities,
malls, job opportunities
B. What are some bad points of living in big cities? the bad points of living in big
cities are pollution, traffic, insecurity, stress, and anxiety
C. What are some good points of living in the countryside? some good points of living
in the countryside are Solidarity, contact with nature, quiet and peaceful, there
is not insecurity, there is not pollution, low prices
D. What are some bad points of living in the countryside? The bad points of living in
the countryside are: There aren’t nearby hospitals , no signal, there aren’t job
opportunities, and boredom .
E. Do you live in the city, the suburbs, or the countryside?
Ana and Natalia live in Cali, Tania lives in Pasto. Cali is bigger than Pasto
F. Do you like where you live? Why? Are there any local issues?
Yes I like living there because I have lived there since I was a child, but there
are local issues such as the bad management of solid waste like garbage in
the street, the insecurity, and drug addiction
G. Have you ever faced any problems in your community? If so, which ones?
Yes, the problems that have arisen are insecurity, pollution, road in bad
conditions and homeless dogs.

TASK 3: LISTENING COMPREHENSION (VIDEO) AND SPEAKING

In the next task, you listen to, look at the list of cities and rank them in order of population. After
that, you should check and compare the answers. Finally, you discuss whether they’re surprised
with how many people live in particular cities.

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 ⮚ What are the Asian megacities mentioned in the video? Tokyo, Jakarta, Beijing… among
others.

⮚ Rank them in order of population.

1. Tokyo
2. Jakarta
3. Delhi
4. Manila
5. Seoul
6. Shanghai
7. Karachi
8. Beijing

⮚ What are the main urban issues these megacities deal with?

The main problems are pollution, insecurity and crime.

⮚ What about Colombia cities? Do we have the same urban issues? Explain.

Yes, Colombia cities suffer from the same problems but at a lower level.

⮚ What are the most common urban issues in our big cities?

The most common problems are unemployment, pollution, discrimination, drug

addiction, crime and insecurity.

TASK 4: LISTENING, SPEAKING AND DISCUSSING.

Listen to the video again. Then, work with a classmate and answer these comprehension activities
and questions:

⮚ What are the most common urban issues that modern and big cities deal with today?

⮚ What are the 3 most serious ones?

⮚ Talk to your classmate, think and suggest some possible solutions to them. Support your
ideas.

⮚ Share your ideas to the class. Support your ideas.

SECOND SESSION
UNDERSTANDING MIXED TOPICS:

✔ Connective words
✔ There is / there are / countable and uncountable nouns.

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 ✔ Comparative and superlative sentences.
✔ Describing places.

TASK 1: PREREADING QUESTIONS. Answer these questions.

1. What are some advantages of living in big cities?

2. What are some disadvantages of living in big cities?
3. Would you rather live in a big city or in the countryside? Why?
4. How do people face some urban issues of living in big cities today?

ADVANTAGES OF LIVING IN A BIG CITY

TASK 2: READING: Read the following passage carefully and then look at the words below and complete
each blank. Check your answers with a classmate.

Do you live in a big city? It is said that living in big cities is expensive because of the high living cost. There
are also pollution and traffic problems that make living in big cities unpleasant. (1)____however________,
many people enjoy living in big cities because they offer convenience and countless options for
entertainment.
Many big cities already have good public transportation systems, which make it easy for the citizens to go
anywhere around the city. This also reduces and helps overcome the problem of traffic jams that often occur
at peak times. With the convenience of public transportation, the citizens do not have to drive everywhere
and can save money (2)_____also_______ they do not have to pay for parking charges.

Staying healthy is everybody’s concern and in big cities you can find the best possible medical care for any
diseases, especially the severe ones. (3)______moreover_______, compared to rural areas, access to medical
treatment is(4) __easier________ because(5) ______there are_____ always clinics or medical centers that
open 24 hours in many parts of the city so you can get medical help anytime, as soon as you need it.
Reaching hospitals is also easier as public transport is usually available 24 hours a day.

(6)_______there is____ a saying that big cities never sleep. This is true for some cities in which the nightlife
begins just when people in other cities are ready to go to bed. Big cities like New York, Madrid, London and
Paris have vibrant nightlife. People can still find entertainment, dine out or go shopping into the early hours. 
City dwellers are usually more diverse and there are many communities that hold social events or parties,
which provide interesting opportunities for social interactions and social networking. The social interactions
allow you to learn about other cultures and share interests with people from different backgrounds, which
makes you more open minded and able to understand individuals. (7) __on the other hand______________,
the social networking helps you to broaden not only personal but also professional relationships.

All in all, living in big cities is (8)______more convenient________because of the complete facilities
provided. The advanced transportation system enables the citizens to access public facilities easier, cheaper
and faster. Big cities also provide better education and health service. In addition, city life is more fun and
exciting because there is a wide range of entertainment to enjoy and a lot of social events to attend.

1. (A). besides (B). moreover (C). however D. therefore

2. (A). unlike (B). as (C). also D. possibly
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3. (A). moreover (B). despite of (C). such as D. like
4. (A). less easy (B). more easy (C). the easiest D. easier
5. (A). there is (B). there are (C). many D. several
6. (A). there are (B) very few (C). there is D. much
7. (A). on the other hand (B). therefore (C). but D. in addition to
8. (A). less convenient (B). more convenient (C). the most convenient D. convenient.

TASK 3: READING PASSAGE: ADVANTAGES OF LIVING IN A BIG CITY

Do you live in a big city? It is said that living in big cities is expensive because of the high living
cost. There are also pollution and traffic problems that make living in big cities unpleasant.
However, many people enjoy living in big cities because they offer convenience and countless
options for entertainment.

Many big cities already have good public transportation systems, which make it easy for the
citizens to go anywhere around the city. This also reduces and helps overcome the problem of
traffic jams that often occur at peak times. With the convenience of public transportation, the
citizens do not have to drive everywhere and can save money as they do not have to pay for
parking charges.

Staying healthy is everybody’s concern and in big cities you can find the best possible medical
care for any diseases, especially the severe ones. Moreover, compared to rural areas, access to
medical treatment is easier because there are always clinics or medical centers that open 24
hours in many parts of the city so you can get medical help anytime, as soon as you need it.
Reaching hospitals is also easier as public transport is usually available 24 hours a day.

There is a saying that big cities never sleep. This is true for some cities in which the nightlife
begins just when people in other cities are ready to go to bed. Big cities like New York, Madrid,
London and Paris have vibrant nightlife. People can still find entertainment, dine out or go
shopping into the early hours. 

City dwellers are usually more diverse and there are many communities that hold social events or
parties, which provide interesting opportunities for social interactions and social networking. The
social interactions allow you to learn about other cultures and share interests with people from
different backgrounds, which makes you more open minded and able to understand individuals.
On the other hand, the social networking helps you to broaden not only personal but also
professional relationships.

All in all, living in big cities is more convenient because of the complete facilities provided. The
advanced transportation system enables the citizens to access public facilities easier, cheaper
and faster. Big cities also provide better education and health service. In addition, city life is
more fun and exciting because there is a wide range of entertainment to enjoy and a lot of social
events to attend. 

TASK 4: READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS. Read and answer each of the following
questions. Justify each answer. Work with a partner.

1) Why do many people like living in big cities?

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 A) It is more expensive.
B) It is more modern.
C) It is more crowded.
D) It offers more entertainment.

2) What is the advantage of a good public transportation system?

A) People do not need to buy bus tickets.
B) People do not need to drive their car everywhere.
C) People can use public transport for free.
D) People have to pay for parking charges.

3) Why is it easier to get medical treatment in big cities?

A) Because medical treatment is more affordable.
B) Because hospital facilities are more complete.
C) Because ambulances are provided for free.
D) Because medical centers open 24 hours.

4) What can people in big cities do in the early hours but people in rural areas cannot?
A) Dine out
B) Sleep
C) Go jogging
D) Travel

5) What is the benefit of attending social events?

A) You can treat your friends.
B) You can be a social person.
C) You can learn about cultural diversity.
D) You can learn a new language

TASK 5: POST-READING: WRITING / SPEAKING ACTIVITY. Go back to the above text and pay
special attention to the underlined words or expressions. Then;

A. Write 3 sentences with connective words you find in the text. Explain them. Write other
meaningful sentences by your own.
● Living in the city is difficult because many bad things can happen to you.
can: means to be able to do something. is a modal verb

● In the city there are positives things like good education

like: is a preposition, is similar to “such as”

● The countryside is peaceful and quiet

And: is a coordinating conjunction. We use and to connect two words, phrases,
clauses or prefixes together:

● Good public transport systems make it easier for citizens to go anywhere in the city, it also
reduces and helps to overcome the problem of traffic jams.
●

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 B. Write 5 comparative / superlative sentences using some key words from the reading
passage.

COMPARATIVE
● Finding a hospital in the city is easier than in the countryside.
● In a big city there is more diversity than in a town.
● Public transport in the city is cheaper than in the countryside.
● City life is more stressful because there is traffic.
● the kids that live in the city are less active than the countryside
SUPERLATIVE
● The towns are the quietest
● the people who live in the city is the funniest
● the best education is in the city
● the houses in the tonws are the biggest
● in the city the roads are the best

C. Write 2 sentences using there is and 2 with there are. See examples in the reading
passage.

THERE IS
● In the city there is a lot of garbage.
● In the field there is clean air.
THERE ARE
● In the parks there aren’t many trees.
● There are dogs all over town.

D. Write a 5-6-line paragraph in which you escribe briefly a problem you face in your city, town
or local community. Use proper vocabulary seen in class (spell words correctly), use some
connective words, check your grammar and punctuation.

The pollution that occurs in the city of Cali due to the accumulation of garbage is a local
problem that affects Cali negatively; among its consequences we find the damage to animal
and plant biodiversity, to the different ecosystems and tourist sites that his metropolis has,
besides that it can have a negative impact on the citizens of Cali through diseases. This is a
problem that if not addressed at this time could cause much more damage than it has
already produced.

MEMBERS:
Ana Gabriela Cardona 202041209
Tania Melissa Chachinoy 202043257
Liseth Natalia Mañunga 202040836

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