Characteristics of future cities

(Những đặc điểm của các thành phố tương lai)

1. Work in groups. Discuss the questions.

(Làm việc nhóm. Thảo luận các câu hỏi.)

1. What will future cities look like?

(Các thành phố trong tương lai sẽ như thế nào?)

2. Do you think they will be ‘smarter’ and more sustainable? Why/Why not?

(Bạn có nghĩ rằng chúng sẽ 'thông minh hơn' và bền vững hơn không? Tại sao/Tại sao không?)

2. Read the article. Circle the correct meanings of the highlighted words and phrases.

(Đọc bài báo. Khoanh tròn nghĩa đúng của các từ và cụm từ được làm nổi bật.)

By 2050 the world’s population is expected to reach 10 billion, and nearly 70 per cent of these people will live in cities. The cities of the future will be ‘smarter’ and more sustainable to cope with a growing population and improve people’s lives.

A smart city is a modern urban area that uses a range of technologies to provide services, solve problems, and support people better. The new technologies can help save time by predicting changes in the traffic and warning people of possible traffic jams. They will also help cities operate more efficiently. For example, street lights can turn off when the streets are empty, and sensors can inform waste collection teams when the bins are full. These smart technologies will help save energy, reduce air pollution, and fight climate change.

Cities in the future will also be sustainable. They will include a lot of green space and become home to more plants and animals. Making room for biodiversity and nature can be done in various ways including underground and rooftop farming, green roofs, and roof gardens. As people will care more about the environment, most cities will use renewable and clean energy. Modern infrastructure will also be more eco-friendly. Computer-controlled transport systems like electric buses and trains will produce less greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, more pedestrian zones for walking and cycle paths will be made available for people in all neighbourhoods.

These features will make future cities more liveable and will provide a high quality of life to city dwellers.

1. operate more efficiently

A. to work better without wasting time, money, or energy

B. to control a machine without wasting resources

C. to cut a body open for medical reasons in a more careful way

2. sensors

A. devices that can react to light, heat, or pressure

B. instruments that can be played by people

C. devices for discovering rubbish

3. pedestrian zones

A. areas for cars only

B. areas for electric buses

C. areas for walking only

4. liveable

A. suitable for farming

B. nice to live in

C. good for the environment

3. Read the article again and decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F).

(Đọc bài báo một lần nữa và quyết định xem những câu phát biểu là đúng (T) hay sai (F).)

4. Read the article again and complete the diagram with information from the text. Use no more than TWO words for each answer.

(Đọc bài viết một lần nữa và hoàn thành sơ đồ với thông tin từ văn bản. Sử dụng không quá HAI từ cho mỗi câu trả lời.)

Cities of the future

Smart

* Modern technologies are used to (1) ____________ people better.

* Smart devices help cities (2) ____________ more efficiently.

Sustainable

* Cities will include a lot of (3) ___________ and become home to more plants and animals.

* Eco-friendly (4) ___________ will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

5. Work in groups. Discuss the following questions.

(Làm việc nhóm. Thảo luận các câu hỏi sau.)

Would you like to live in a smart and sustainable city? Why/Why not?

(Bạn có muốn sống trong một thành phố thông minh và bền vững? Tại sao có? / Tại sao không?)