The night-walkers of Uganda

particularly hard. 
Developing countries are at a great disadvantage 
when they start to urbanize. They will require 
houses, power, water, sanitation and roads, and will 
have to build faster than any rich country has ever 
done. As Ms Obaid said: “This problem concerns 
everyone, not just developing countries. If we plan 
ahead we will create conditions for a stable world. 
If we do not, and do not find adequate education, 
jobs, and houses for people in cities, then these 
populations will become destructive, to themselves 
and others.
”
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Growing cities face catastrophe
Level 1
Elementary
179

---

Vocabulary: Words for describing trends
3
Choose the correct word from 3 to complete the sentences. Try to do it without looking at the article. Then 
go back and check your answers in the article.
1. The urban population of Africa and Asia will _____________ in one generation.
2. Each week the number of people living in cities _____________ by nearly a million.
3. Large-scale population _____________ will take place in the cities of Asia, Africa and Latin America.
4. In Asia the number of people living in cities will almost _____________ to 2.6 billion in 2030.
5. Rural populations are expected to _____________ worldwide.
6. There could be a _____________ in migration away from poor regions.
7. Extra greenhouse gas emissions could _____________ temperatures in urban areas by 2-6°C.
8. The climate changes will _____________ agricultural production and _____________ health risks.
Put the trend words in the correct columns.
grow fall decrease more double less growth
fewer halve increase rise sink raise reduce