Transportation
Reliable public transport can make a city easier to get around.
The trains are efficient and punctual.Do You Know Where It Is?
Compare places, describe neighborhoods, and ask for local information.
Quality of lifeComparisonsIndirect questionsPlaces and communities
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1. Quality of Life in Different Places
What makes a city or neighborhood a good place to live? Consider transport, safety, green areas, culture, and everyday services.
Landmarks
Recognizable places can give a city a strong identity.
The fountain is one of the city's best-known landmarks.
Green areas
Parks and public spaces give residents places to relax and exercise.
This neighborhood has more green areas than the city center.
Recreation
Places to walk, meet friends, and enjoy free time contribute to quality of life.
Families walk along the waterfront in the evening.2. Vocabulary: Describing Places
Use these words to describe a community and compare daily life there.
Community features
Cost of living, crime rate, housing, clean air, and recreation are features people consider when choosing where to live.
The cost of living is lower in the suburbs.Transportation
A commuter travels regularly to work or school. A fare is the price of a trip. A suburb is a residential area outside a city center.
Many commuters take the train from the suburbs.Adjectives and adverbs
Efficient, punctual, polluted, narrow, and cozy describe places and services. Roughly means approximately.
The bus service is roughly as frequent as the train service.Useful verbs
Commute, cycle, renovate, park, and move out describe actions connected with living in a place.
They renovated the apartment before moving in.3. Grammar Focus: Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
Use comparatives to compare two things and superlatives to identify the highest or lowest in a group.
Short adjectives
Add -er for the comparative and the -est for the superlative.
Trains are faster than buses. Planes are the fastest.Long adjectives
Use more or less + adjective; use the most or the least for a superlative.
The subway is less expensive than a taxi.Irregular forms
good → better → the best
bad → worse → the worst
Form
Use than after a comparative. Use the before a superlative.
The north side is quieter than downtown. It is the quietest area in town.4. Comparisons with As...As
Use as + adjective + as to show that two things are equal. Use not as...as to show they are different.
Equal features
Use as...as when two things share a quality to the same degree.
The bus is as comfortable as the train.Different features
Use not as...as to say the first thing has less of a quality.
The suburbs aren't as noisy as the city center.Add emphasis
Use just before as...as to emphasize that two things are equal.
This park is just as popular as the beach.5. Grammar Focus: Indirect Questions
Use an indirect question to ask for information politely. After the question word, use statement word order: subject before verb.
Questions with be
Move the subject before the verb in the indirect question.
Where is the station? → Do you know where the station is?Questions with do
Remove do/does and use the correct verb form in the embedded question.
When does the store open? → Could you tell me when the store opens?Polite openers
Try Do you know...? or Could you tell me...?
Could you tell me how I can get to the museum?6. Grammar Focus: The Definite Article The
Use the when the listener knows which person, place, or thing you mean.
Specific places
Use the for a particular place or landmark already identified.
The fountain is near the waterfront.Unique features
Use the with unique things and geographic features such as seas.
Jeddah is on the Red Sea.Superlatives
Use the before a superlative adjective.
It is the safest neighborhood in the city.7. Language in Context: Find a Place to Live
Compare the housing options. Which place fits a student who wants a quiet area, uses public transportation, and has a limited budget?
Room near campus
Furnished room close to the university. No parking. $350 per month.
A low fare bus stops outside.One-bedroom apartment
Near public transportation and a park. Third floor, no elevator. $700 per month.
The location is more convenient than the first option.Quiet studio
Safe neighborhood near a train station and shopping center. Parking below the building. $450 per month.
It is just as close to transit as the apartment.House with a garden
Downtown, near restaurants and a sports center. $900 per month.
It is the most spacious option, but also the most expensive.8. Listening and Pronunciation
Listen to a short report about recycling in cities.
Many cities are trying to reduce waste. Residents can sort paper, glass, and cans for recycling. In some communities, collection points make recycling easier to reach. Cleaner public spaces and better recycling programs can improve the quality of life for everyone.
Question intonation
Indirect questions often rise slightly at the end. A direct information question often falls.
Do you know where the bus stop is? ↑ Where is the museum? ↓9. Real Talk: What Is Your Neighborhood Like?
Talk about where you live, what you like, and what could be better.
Describe your area
Use specific features and comparisons.
It's quiet and safe. There are more parks than in my old neighborhood.Explain a drawback
Use these expressions to agree or introduce a problem.
Definitely! The only thing is that my commute is long. You can't have it all.Ask politely
Use an indirect question to ask where a place is.
Do you know where the nearest supermarket is?Useful expressions
A bit means a little. Run-down means in need of repair. Get used to means become familiar with something.
The apartment was a bit run-down, so we renovated it.10. Reading Practice: Jeddah, the Bride of the Red Sea
Read about the features that make Jeddah an important place to live and visit.
Jeddah is a coastal city with a rich history and a lively modern life. Students come to study at its universities, and travelers pass through on their way to Makkah. The city is known for landmarks such as King Fahd's Fountain and for the historic district of Al-Balad. Along the Corniche, people walk by the Red Sea, visit restaurants, and enjoy the sea breeze. Public art, museums, cultural events, and recreation areas add to the city's character. For many residents, Jeddah's mix of history, education, and seaside activities makes it one of the most distinctive cities in the region.
coastallandmarkhistoric districtCornichepublic artrecreation
11. Writing Lab: Make Your City Better
Write an essay about your city or neighborhood. Describe its strengths, set a goal, and explain how residents can help.
Essay structure
Begin with the main idea. Develop one point in each body paragraph. Finish with a conclusion that restates your goal.
Our neighborhood has clean air. It is quieter than downtown. The main goal is to create more green areas.12. Check Your Understanding
Choose True or False, or select the best answer.
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