Use of English

The Sharing Economy

The sharing economy has (0) GROWN rapidly over the last decade, changing the way people travel, work and even borrow everyday items. Instead of buying everything new, many users now (1) .......... on apps to rent a room, share a car, or hire tools for a weekend project. Supporters say this model makes life cheaper and more flexible, and it can also (2) .......... waste by encouraging people to use what already exists. For example, a car that would normally sit unused for most of the day can be booked by several drivers, which seems like a sensible (3) .......... of resources. However, the rise of these platforms has not been without controversy. Traditional businesses sometimes complain that new companies are not playing by the same rules, while local authorities struggle to (4) .......... up with fast-changing technology. In some cities, residents have also (5) .......... concerns about rising rents, arguing that short-term rentals reduce the number of homes available for locals. Even so, it is hard to (6) .......... the fact that millions of people enjoy the convenience. As long as platforms are transparent and users behave responsibly, the sharing economy may (7) .......... to expand—though it will probably need clearer regulations to (8) .......... future conflicts.