People live in different places: settlements, villages, towns and cities. Some people spend their whole life in the same place. Others prefer to move from one place to another.

There are a lot of advantages that attract people to towns and cities. In the city you have a lot of opportunities to find a well-paid, interesting job, because there are many factories, plants, companies. In the city there are many places where you can get a good education or training for a career: schools, high schools, colleges, universities.

Besides, people prefer to live in houses with all modern conveniences such as central heating, gas, cold and hot water. They make our life easier and more comfortable.

In the сity you can find many places to have a good time: museums, theatres, restaurants, cafés, dancing halls. People are more open-minded. They like to go out, make friends and never be cut off from them by bad weather. Life is never dull in the city, people always have something to do.

But cities are often overcrowded and noisy. The streets are full of traffic at any time of the day. It is impossible to enjoy peace and privacy. The ecological situation in many cities is rather dangerous. There are many crimes in cities, that’s why city life is stressful and dangerous.

Some people prefer to live in the country because there one can enjoy fresh air, beautiful nature and natural home grown farm products. Country life isn’t so noisy and stressful and much cheaper than in towns. People are friendly and helpful. Besides nowadays if you have money you can have all modern conveniences in your country house.

As for me I prefer to live in the city, but I like to rest in the country-side.

advantage [əd′va:ntiʤ]                                             преимущество

to attract [ə′trækt]                                                       привлекать

opportunity [ֽopə′tju:niti]                                            возможность

plant [pla:nt]                                                                завод

convenience [kən′vi:njəns]                                        удобство

dull [d∧l]                                                                       скучный

overcrowded [ֽouvə′kraudid]                                    здесь: перенаселённый

privacy [′praivəsi]                                                       здесь: уединение

stressful [′stresful]                                                       напряжённый

1. What are the advantages of living in a modern city?

2. Do you think the disadvantages of living in the city are very serious?

3. What opportunities does living in the city offer?

4. What kinds of entertainment do cities offer?

5. Why do some people prefer the countryside to the city?

6. Is the countryside the best place to rest in?

7. Do you like being close to nature?

8. Where would you prefer to live?