City versus countryside is a live issue in Uzbekistan: every year many young people move from the regions to Tashkent. Those real examples make your answer convincing. In the conclusion, splitting by stage of life gives you a strong position.
The task
Statement: Living in a city is better than living in the countryside.
| For | Against |
|---|---|
| More jobs and higher salaries | Cleaner air and less noise |
| Better hospitals, universities and services | A lower cost of living |
| More entertainment and opportunities | A stronger community and less stress |
You need to present both sides and argue your own position: one minute to prepare, two minutes to speak. This is a practice task in the exam's format.
Model answer (about 2 minutes)
Living in a city is better than living in the countryside.
Every year more people move from villages to big cities like Tashkent, so many seem to believe city life is better. I think the truth is more balanced.
The arguments for cities are mostly practical. There are far more jobs, and salaries are usually higher, which is the main reason young people leave the regions. Cities also have better hospitals, universities and public services, so if you need a specialist doctor or a good school for your children, you often have no choice but to live there. And of course, there's more to do: cinemas, cafés, concerts and events every weekend.
However, the countryside has advantages that money can't easily buy. The air is cleaner, it's quieter, and life moves at a slower, less stressful pace. Housing and food are much cheaper, so a modest salary goes a lot further. People in villages also tend to know their neighbours and help each other, whereas in a city of millions you can feel surprisingly lonely.
Taking everything into account, I'd say the city is better at certain stages of life, for example when you're studying or starting a career, while the countryside can be better for raising children or for retirement. Ideally, the government should invest in the regions, so that people don't have to choose between a good job and a good quality of life.
Useful words and phrases
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| the regions | the regions |
| public services | public services |
| have no choice but to | have no choice but to |
| at a slower pace | at a slower pace |
| a modest salary goes further | a modest salary goes further |
| surprisingly lonely | surprisingly lonely |
| stages of life | stages of life |
| quality of life | quality of life |
How to answer
- Open with a real trend: "Every year more people move from villages to big cities".
- "Advantages that money can't easily buy" makes an elegant switch to the other side.
- Build contrast inside a sentence with "whereas".
- Split the conclusion by stage of life and end with a proposal for the government.
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The answer shape and C1 phrases: the part 3 guide. The overall format: Multilevel Speaking.
Practise this topic now
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