Topic 1: Does increasing travels between countries enable people to learn different cultures or to

Topic 66: Some findings have revealed that cities around the world are growing large. 
Could you outline the possible causes and predict consequences?
 
(an unprecedented population growth and migration ) (devoid of basic amenities), ( urban decay),
(strong economy and increasing household incomes), (strong preference for lower-density 
housing},(able to afford the automobile),
(bad city planning)(construction of roads and the provision of infrastructure) (unplanned 
development),
(environmental impact) (monotonous suburban landscapes); (ill-health due to air pollution generated 
by traffic);
(social impact) (high mobility ) (a surge in the crime rate), (sense of community), (abbreviated),
(loss of community spirit and values);
(economic impact) (adverse fiscal impacts), (unmet demand on infrastructure) ( traffic congestion) 
(delay the delivery of goods and services)
Of those issues that have concerned the government, academics and the public throughout the 
world, urban sprawl is one of the most prominent. There are conflicting views toward this 
growing trend. While it has been taken as a positive development in many newly emerging cities, 
it is increasingly perceived as a threat to rural environment and considered as a trigger for 
numerous urban problems. The objective of this essay is to evaluate the forces behind this trend 
and its consequences. 
Population growth is widely recognized as the primary reason. The room in the city centre is 
so limited that it fails to provide enough housing to accommodate an ever-growing population. 
Another problem that has intensified in the inner city is infrastructure shortage and poor 
conditions of buildings. Lack of amenities, such as water and electricity supply, waste disposal, 
sewage treatment, to name but a few, has left no choice to urban dwellers but to resettle in the 
suburbs, where they have easier access to new facilities.
City dwellers are not always moving outward unwillingly. The continued increase in household 
incomes gives renewed impetus to urban development. People nowadays have higher expectations 
or quality of life and a growing appetite for lower-density housing with a larger open space. It is 
possibly the main reason why the real estate market has its focus now on the outskirts of the city, 
but not on the centre. In the meantime, the affordability and ubiquity of car ownership has made 
transport a less serious concern for those living in suburbs. They can commute daily between the 
place of work and the place of residence with ease. 
The sustained expansion of cities will make a marked impact on the society in several dimensions.
The high traffic volume between suburbs and urban areas would cause severe air pollution and 
reduce the lands suitable for farming. Urban sprawl requires large developments, causing areas to 
lose some of their unique qualities and characteristics. From the economic perspective, the 
relocation of a high population in suburbs will pose adverse fiscal impacts on the local 
government in infrastructure construction. To those who used to live in suburbs, the inflow of new 
inhabitants would damage the community spirit and make relations between neighbors fragile.
Urban sprawl is, therefore, a trend which has a strong effect on the environment, communities 
and government budgeting. When urban decay and citizens' desire for higher standard of living 
make this trend irreversible, the emphasis should be placed on planned and sustainable 
development.
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1. Amenity=facility=service
2. Disposal=clearance
3. Treatment=handling=dealing
4. To name but a few=to mention but a few=and so on=and so forth
5. Renewed=new
6. Impetus=momentum=thrust=drive=force
7. Quality of life=living standard=the level of comfort and wealth
8. Real estate=property=housing
9. Outskirt=suburb=the periphery of a city
10. In the meantime=meanwhile
11. Ubiquity=prevalence=popularity
12. Commute=go back and forth
13. With ease=easily=effortlessly=without much effort=without difficulty
14. Marked=noticeable=distinct=manifest
15. Inflow=influx=arrival
16. Inhabitant=dweller=citizen=resident
17. Damage=injure
18. Irreversible=unalterable
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