2. Speaking

Discuss what goes wrong when you are using a computer, and why you might have to phone a call centre for technical support.

TOWN AND COUNTRY

1. Reading

Task 1.

Read Alis’ essay. Match the paragraphs A-I with these topics.

…Conclusion

…Crime and People’s Attitude

…Environmental Problems

…Introduction

…Leisure Choices

…Multicultural London

…The Cost of Living

…Famous Sights

…Transport

My home – love it or hate it!

By Ali Kazan

1. I live in Blackheath in South London. London’s one of the largest and most exiting cities in the world, and there are advantages and disadvantages to living here.

2. The main advantage is that there is a lot to do and see. In the centre of London there are tourist attractions like Madame Tussaud’s and the Science Museum, and there are all kinds of parks and historic buildings. I suppose that we don’t always make the most of it*.

3. Secondly, London is a great place for entertainment. All the new films come here first, and if we want to go to a pop concert or a big sports event, there’s always something right on our doorstep*. And of course the shopping is great – there’s everything from department stores like Harrods to Camden Market.

4. Another advantage of living in London is that you can travel easily and quickly across the city on the underground. And we’ve got railway stations and airports to take you anywhere in the world.

5. Lastly, London is truly cosmopolitan. Kids at my school are from lots of different cultures, but that doesn’t stop us being friends. It’s good to mix with people from different backgrounds*. It stops you from becoming narrow-minded*.

6. But there are some major problems if you live in London. Like most other capital cities, it is noisy, polluted and congested with traffic. The traffic problem is so bad that they have recently introduced a congestion charge* for central London. Drivers now have to pay if they want to take their cars to the city centre. Hopefully that will improve the situation.

7. Secondly, things are very expensive here – apparently it’s more expensive to live here than to live in any American city. For example, if you go to the cinema in the centre of London it can cost you £12. And to go just one stop on the underground can cost you nearly £1.

8. But the worst problem about living in London is that, in general, people aren’t very friendly. Nobody will talk to strangers or help people in the street if they are in trouble. They don’t trust each other, and I think that’s because they are scared of becoming victims of crime. London has the largest crime rate in the country.

9. But in spite of these negative points, I still wouldn’t want to live outside of London. It’s my home – love it or hate it!

WORDBANK

Background – the type of home and family that someone has

Charge – demand for money

In spite of – ignoring

Make the most of something – use something for your benefit

Narrow-mined – conservative and prejudiced

On your doorstep - very near to your home

Task 2.

Complete the summary of the essay. Use these words:

Activities, expense, home, multicultural, principal, shops, unfriendliness, variety

For Ali, the … (1) advantage of living in London is the … (2) of things that there are to see and do. He thinks that the … (3), the choice of leisure … (4) and the transport are good, and he likes the fact that London is a …(5) city. The disadvantages for him are the traffic, the … (6), people’s … (7) and the crime, but he doesn’t want to leave his … (8).