TOEFL Speaking
urban life
Practice questions
- 1.Describe a challenge you think is most significant in urban areas today and explain why.
- 2.Some people prefer living in the suburbs, while others enjoy the hustle and bustle of city life. Which do you prefer and why?
- 3.What are the advantages and disadvantages of using public transportation in a large city?
- 4.Do you think cities should invest more in green spaces or in public infrastructure? Explain your reasoning.
- 5.How has technology changed the way people live in cities? Provide specific examples.
Model answer
I believe the most significant challenge in urban areas today is housing affordability. As cities grow, demand for housing often outstrips supply, causing prices to skyrocket. This forces many residents, especially young people and low-income families, to live in overcrowded conditions or commute long distances from cheaper suburbs. The issue is compounded by gentrification, which can displace long-standing communities. Consequently, a lack of affordable housing leads to social inequality and diminishes quality of life. To address this, cities could implement inclusionary zoning policies, encourage public-private partnerships for affordable units, and invest in mass transit to make outer districts more accessible. Without decisive action, the problem will only worsen as urbanization continues.
Target vocabulary
affordability
The state of being cheap enough for people to buy or pay for.
gentrification
The process of renovating a district to conform to middle-class taste, often displacing poorer residents.
overcrowding
The condition of containing too many people or things.
inclusionary zoning
A policy that requires or incentivizes a portion of new housing to be affordable for low- or moderate-income households.
displacement
The forced movement of people from their homes, often due to development or rising costs.
urbanization
The process of making an area more urban, involving population shift from rural to urban areas.