Use of English

Growing Cities

Cities around the world are (0) EXPANDING at a remarkable pace, and this rapid growth brings both opportunities and problems. When new housing is built on the edge of a city, it can (1) .......... pressure on roads, schools and hospitals that were designed for smaller populations. Local councils often promise quick solutions, but in (2) .......... reality, planning and construction take time. Another challenge is that green spaces may be (3) .......... out to make room for new developments. This can affect air quality and make summers feel even hotter. At the same time, many long-term residents worry that they will be (4) .......... out of their neighbourhoods as rents rise and small shops disappear. Transport is also a key issue. If public transport doesn’t (5) .......... up with demand, more people rely on cars, which leads to traffic jams and noise. Some cities try to (6) .......... down on pollution by introducing low-emission zones, but these measures can be unpopular at first. In the end, the best results usually come when governments, businesses and citizens work (7) .......... and focus on long-term goals rather than short-term fixes. Otherwise, rapid expansion may (8) .......... up creating a city that is bigger, but not better.