Giai%20de%20thi%20ielts%20writing%20thang%209 10 2017 ielts%20ngoc%20bach

Hi các bạn, Mình là Ngọc Bách. Mình mới viết xong phần bài viết tham khảo cho các đề thi IELTS Writing mới ra ở Vietnam 2017 (FULL ĐỀ bao gồm cả task 1 lẫn task 2) trong các tháng gần đây Có mấy ưu điểm khi các bạn tham khảo các bài mẫu của mình: Thứ nhất, tất cả các bài viết của mình (bao gồm cả task 1, task 2) đều viết theo một phong cách giống hệt nhau. Cách tiếp cận, cách triển khai ý cho các bài cũng có cấu trúc giống nhau -> các bạn học theo bắt chiếc sẽ rất dễ.

Thứ hai, về cách hướng dẫn các bạn tiếp cận bài viết. Mọi người thây mỗi bài viết bao giờ mình cũng kèm phần plan lên ý tưởng (đây chính là phần hướng dẫn cách các bạn tư duy, định hướng bài viết). Đọc phần này các bạn sẽ hiểu cách mình tư duy viết bài -> từ đó áp dụng cho chính bài viết các bạn sau này Thứ ba, với các bạn đang học theo bộ từ vựng IELTS Topic Vocabulary do mình soạn thì trong các bài viết task 2 của mình, các bạn có thể tham khảo cách mình áp dụng các collocations vào trong bài viết thực tế như thế nào ( Thường một bài mình phải dùng đến hơn 20 collocations tốt trong bộ từ vựng và khi gửi chấm thường đạt band 9.0 cho tiêu chí tư vựng)

Hy vọng các bạn sẽ tận dụng nguồn tài liệu này một cách hiệu quả.

Chúc các bạn học tốt !

-Ngọc Bách-

Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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Nếu các bạn cảm thấy phù hợp với phong cách hướng dẫn và viết của mình. Có thể follow các kênh chính thức sau của mình.

1) Page Tuhocielts 8.0 (342k thành viên): https://www.facebook.com/tuhocIelts8.0 2) Group IELTS Ngoc Bach (116k thành viên) https://www.facebook.com/groups/ieltsngocbach 3) Facebook cá nhân: https://www.facebook.com/nguyenngoc.bach.77 4) Đăng ký mua sách từ mình. Có rất nhiều trường hợp các bạn mua sách từ các trang giả mạo hay nick facebook ảo nhắn mình là sách nhiều bài còn lỗi sai và cập nhật không chính xác. Các bạn lưu ý chỉ mua từ địa chỉ DUY NHẤT sau đây: http://ngocbach.com/chuyen_muc/view/70001902/Sach-IELTSSpeaking%20Writing_Ngoc-Bach.html

Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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Đề thi IELTS ngày 09-09-2017 Task 1 The plans below show a school library five years ago and the same library now.

‘booking shelves’ is incorrect. ‘Bookshelves’ is correct. This is taken from a ‘read-only file’, so I was unable to change the words in the plans.

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Report Plan: • Paragraph 1: paraphrase: diagrams=plans; compare=show; present=now.

• Paragraph 2: overview: (1) desks for laptops; (2) private studying tables • Paragraph 3: compare (1) studying tables (2) bookshelves (3) studying tables • Paragraph 4: compare (1) office>conference room (2) classroom>recording studio (3) borrowing and returning now separated (4) meeting room the same.

Report: The diagrams compare a school library five years ago with its present layout.

Overall, it is clear that today there are desks provided for students to use their laptops. In addition, tables for private study have now replaced shared studying tables.

Five years ago, four large studying tables occupied the centre of the library, but now 36 individual study tables, arranged in 6 groups, now take up this space. The bookshelves shown at the top of the old plan still remain today.

However, the bookshelves at the bottom of the library plan five years ago have been replaced by desks for students’ laptops. There are also extra desks for students’ laptops today, in the place formerly occupied by computer desks.

The library office of five years ago is now a conference room. There have also been changes on the left side of the plans. Today, a recording studio has replaced a classroom and, while the borrowing and returning areas have been retained, they are now separated. The meeting room between these areas, however, is still in the same place.

179 words

Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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Task 2

The mobile phone is used both for work and personal phone calls at all times of the day, every day of the week. Do you think this has more positive or negative effects both for individuals and society?

Essay Plan: • Introduction: agree that mobile phones are used all the time for business and social calls. The positive effects outweigh the negative effects.

• Paragraph 2: negative effects. (1) inconsiderate use disturbs others – examples: train journeys, concerts • Paragraph 3: positive effects. (1) business – improved efficiency in production, transportation and sales, because of rapid transactions – boosts the whole economy – society benefits. (2) personal calls – keep in touch with family and friends anytime, for important things or just for a chat – individuals benefit.

• Conclusion: there are negative aspects, but there are more positive ones.

Essay: It is true that mobile phones are now used all the time for business and social purposes. While there are some negative impacts on both individuals and society as a whole, I would argue that these are outweighed by the positive effects.

There is one major negative aspect of the way in which mobile phones are often used. In order to live in harmony with one another in society, people must show consideration for others, especially in public places.

Personally, for example, I do not consider that using a mobile phone to make small talk in a loud voice is socially acceptable. While some people may have a laid-backattitudeto such discourteous behaviour, I have frequently argued with fellow passengers on buses or trains who chat Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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endlessly at the top of their voices on their phones, oblivious to all around them. Fortunately, codes of conduct are strictly enforced in cinemas, theatres and concert halls, where mobile phones must be switched off.

However, most people would say that their mobile phone enables them to do so many things which improve their lifestyle. Entrepreneurs argue that it is easier to conduct their business outside the office if customers or employees can contact them instantly, for example to place an order or to arrive at a quick decision. With the rapid transactions made possible by mobile phones, the improved efficiency of production, transportation and sales boosts the whole economy. Fewer firms go out of business and everyone is able to earn a living. Individuals also benefit, taking into accountthe ease with which they can contact friends and family, whether for important matters or just for a chat.

In conclusion, I believe that mobile phones have had huge positive impacts on society, despite their inconsiderate use by a minority.

297 words

Vocabulary: Communication and Personality • to live in harmony with one another Meaning: to live with others in a way which avoids conflict or disagreement Example: The students who share the house are all good friends and they are able to live in harmony with one another.

• to make small talk Meaning: to talk in a polite way about unimportant matters such as the weather Example: I enjoy a serious discussion and I don’t like to make small talk or exchange pleasantries with others simply in order to be polite.

• to have a laid-back attitude Meaning: to be relaxed, not worrying about anything Example: Our teacher had a laid-back attitude in the classroom, but she was always well-prepared and committed to her students.

• codes of conduct Meaning: voluntary rules which people accept in a situation Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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Example: The codes of conductare voluntary but they are seen as a sign of best practice.

Society: • to be socially acceptable Meaning: agreed or approved of by most people in a society Example: Smoking in public places is no longer socially acceptable in many countries.

Business and Money • to conduct a business Meaning: to operate a business in a particular way Example: It is important to conduct a business with honesty in order to gain the confidence of customers.

• to go out of business Meaning: if a company goes out of business, it stops doing business permanently, especially because it has failed Example: If we sold food at those prices we’d soon go out of business.

• to earn a living Meaning: to earn money Example: I used to earn a living as a teacher, but now I sell used cars.

• to take (sth) into account Meaning: to consider or remember something when judging a situation Example: No business will succeed if it fails to take the needs of customers into account.

Other vocabulary: • discourteous (adjective): having bad manners and showing no respect for other people Example: It is discourteous to interrupt other people when they are speaking.

• oblivious (adjective):not aware of something Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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Example: I used to live near an airport, but after a short time I became oblivious to the noise of the aircraft.

• entrepreneur (noun): a person who makes money by running a business Example: I dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur like Bill Gates.

Đề thi IELTS ngày 16-09-2017 Task 1 The diagram below shows the development of a particular area between 1965 and the present day.

Report Plan: Paraphrase: diagram=maps; development=growth; between=from…to…

Overview paragraph: (1) more housing (2) a road bridge has replaced the ferry.

Paragraph 3: growth of housing.

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Paragraph 4: changes to roads; car parks.

Paragraph 5: future changes.

Report: The maps illustrate the growth of an area from 1965 to the present.

Overall, it is clear that more housing has been built and a road bridge now links the area to the city, replacing a ferry to cross the river.

In 1965, there were only a few houses to the east of the river. Today, however, many more houses and apartments have been constructed, expanding the original housing site along the riverside. To the south of the new road bridge, some more houses have been added.

Replacing the winding road and ferry, a straight road bridge now crosses the river. To the west of the river, trees have been cut down to make way for a large riverside car park. To the east, a smaller car park is now sited at the end of the old road in the middle of the housing.

Further developments are planned for 2018, providing a footbridge just south of the road bridge, and another car parking area next to a yacht marina, both to be sited south –east of the footbridge.

178 words

Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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Task 2 High school students are usually not good at managing money. What are the reasons? What are the solutions?

Essay Plan: • Introduction: agree with the statement. Two main reasons, but solutions are possible.

• Paragraph 2: reason (1) adolescents rebel and ignore parental advice (2) the media encourages consumption by this age group • Paragraph 3: parents should teach children from an early age to manage money; governments must control advertising aimed at this age group.

• Conclusion: these two major factors can be controlled by parents and the government.

Essay: It is true that high school students are not renowned for their skills in managing their own finances. Two factors stand out as being responsible for this failing, but there are steps which can be taken to remedy the problem.

High school students are often incapable of managing money for two main reasons. The first is family background. During their formative years, children of high school age are often rebellious, asserting their independence as they prepare to enter adult life. They may say that parents are being overprotective when giving advice about money matters. Secondly, adolescents are very impressionable. They are easily swayed by advertisements, and the media skilfully employs market research to persuade teenage consumers to buy particular goods Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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impulsively. So, regardless of the cost, high school students sometimes borrow on credit to spend on ‘must have’ items, such as designer label clothes or the latest i-Pod. There are measures which parents and the authoritiesshould take to deal with this issue. From an early age, parents ought to bring up their children to make the most of their pocket money. Parents must encourage patterns of behaviourin which youngsters learn to use money wisely and not to squander their savingsin order to keep up with their peers in school. Government, as well as parental involvement, also has a role to play. Controls must be placed on how the media operates, particularly in the booming field of online advertising.Celebrity endorsement should be banned, as young people of high school age are vulnerable to the association of certain products with glamour and success.

In conclusion, persuading high school students to manage their money wisely is not an easy task for the reasons explained, but parents and government can implement some common-sense solutions.

293 words.

Vocabulary Family and children: • family background Meaning: the details of a person’s family Example: Criminals sometimes have a bad family background, neglected or abused by their parents.

• formative years Meaning: a period of a person’s life, usually childhood, that has a big influence on the person they become later in life Example: UNICEF states that the early childhood years from birth through age 8 are formative years in terms of intelligence, personality and social behavior.

• to enter adult life Meaning: the stage when adolescents are almost old enough to be legally independent of their parents Example: Parents who have devoted time and thought to raising and educating their children have given them a good prepartion to enter adult life.

• to be overprotective

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Meaning: to be too worried about the safety of someone, especially a child Example: If parents are overprotective of their children, there is a danger that the children will become too dependent on their parents.

• patterns of behaviour Meaning: ways of acting and doing things (either positive or negative) Example: Patterns of behaviour copied from parents often influence the way that children grow up.

• parental involvement Meaning: the act or process of parents when taking part in their children’s activities.

Example: Without parental involvement in their schooling, children may lose the motivation to study.

Media and advertising: • to be swayed by advertisements Meaning: to be influenced to buy things as a result of advertising Example: If consumers were not easily swayed by advertisements, the advertising industry would not exist.

• market research Meaning: the action of collecting information about what people buy Example: In deciding how to promote their products or services, businesses should first conduct market research.

• to buy goods impulsively Meaning: to buy things suddenly without any planning and without considering the effects they may have Example: Advertising motivates consumers to buy goods impulsively.

• online advertising Meaning: advertising a product or service on the internet Example: The growing popularity of online advertising has resulted in a loss of revenue for the printed media in general.

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• celebrity endorsement Meaning: A form of brand or advertising campaign that involves a well known person using their fame to help promote a product or service Example: Celebrity endorsement by famous TV stars is commonly used by companies to encourage consumers to trust and buy their products.

Business and money: • to make the most of something Meaning: to make something appear as good as possible; to exploit something; to get as much out of something as is possible.

Example: They designed the advertisements to make the most of the product's features.

• to squander savings Meaning: to waste moneyby not using it to your advantage Example: James squandered all his savings in an unsuccessful business venture to sell ice cream in Alaska.

Other vocabulary: • renowned (adjective):famous or well-known Example: Restaurants in France are renowned for the quality of their meals.

• failing (noun): a weakness or fault in somebody or something Example: He has many failings, including addiction to alcohol and gambling.

• rebellious (adjective): unwilling to obey rules or expected forms of behaviour Example: My class is full of rebellious teenagers who are not interested in learning.

• impressionable (adjective): easily influenced by somebody or something Example: The thief was a bad influence on the child, who was at an impressionable age.

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• common-sense (noun): a practical and sensibleapproach to things Example: The government has adopted common-sense policies to control inflation.

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Đề Thi IELTS ngày 30-09-2017 Task 1 The tables below show results of a survey of urban residents’ opinions related to various aspects of life in 1980 and 2010.

1980 Good

Neither good or bad

Bad

Education

82

17

6

Shops

75

11

14

Environment

72

20

8

Healthcare

64

24

12

Transport system

54

31

14

Accommodation

56

34

10

Good

Neither good or bad

Bad

Education

76

13

11

Shops

81

9

10

Environment

64

16

20

Healthcare

83

10

7

Transport system

67

22

11

Accommodation

65

17

18

2010

Report Plan: • Paraphrase: show=provide information on; results=findings; opinions=views Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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• Overview paragraph: education and the environment figures worse in 2010. Numbers who thought that healthcare, the transport system and shops were good increased in 2010.

• Paragraph 3: education – compare figures for good and bad, 1980 and 2010. Greater fall in number over the period who thought that the environment was good – give figures. Accommodation (give figures for ‘good’) – fewer people hold a middle view in 2010.

• Paragraph 4:shops, the transport system and healthcare – numbers who thought these were good increased. Healthcare the most dramatic rise – give figures.

Report: The tables provide information on the findings of a survey of residents’ views on six different aspects of life in 1980 and 2010.

Overall, it is clear that residents considered that education and the environment were worse in 2010 than in 1980. In contrast, they thought that healthcare, the transport system and shops had all improved over the period.

In 1980, 82 people thought that education was good, compared with 76 in 2010. There was an increase in the number who considered education bad, from 6 in 1980 to 11 in 2010. The figures for the environment saw an even greater decline in approval, falling from 72 who thought it good in 1980 to 64 in 2010. While 65 residents believed accommodation to be good in 2010, compared with 56 in 1980, more residents also said that accommodation was bad in 2010, with fewer people holding a middle view.

Shops, healthcare and the transport system all witnessed an increase in approval from 1980 to 2010. The most dramatic rise was in the number of those who thought that healthcare was good, with the 2010 figure of 83 showing an increase of 19 over the number 30 years earlier.

198 words.

Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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Task 2 The best way to reduce youth crime is to educate their parents with parental skills. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Essay Plan: • Introduction: parents play an important role in bringing up their children to be good citizens. Educating parents on raising children is not the best way to reduce youth crime.

• Paragraph 2: education in parental skills would reduce youth crime. Not practical to extend this education to every family – need to target problem families. If parents have a social conscience, they will not allow antisocial behaviour by their children.

• Paragraph 3: strict law enforcement is the best way to reduce youth crime: prison sentences, probation, community service: example of the UK. • Conclusion: teaching parental skills is a good way to reduce youth crime, but strict law enforcement is the best way.

Essay: It is true that parents should play a significant role in reducing youth crime by bringing up their children to be law-abidingcitizens. However, I disagree that educating parents on how to raise their children is the most effective way to reduce juvenile crime.

Counselling in parental skills would reduce youth crime. Family background is an important influence in shaping a child’s personality, and parental involvement is essential in teaching children the right moral values. While advice on parenting skills should be given to parents, it is not practical to extend this to every family. Local authorities which provide social services must provide some form of counselling to single parent households, dysfunctional families or to parentsin homes where there is domestic violence. Parenting advice should be incorporated into a package of assistance to such families in all countries where a welfare state exists. If parents are educated to have a social conscience, then they will be more aware of the dangers of allowing their adolescent children to turn to crime or drugs.

Strict law enforement is, however, the most effective means to reduce youth crime. Judges and magistrates must be tough on crime and should apply the letter of the law when juvenile offenders come before the courts. The punishments imposed on youths who break the law must act as a deterrent against re-offending. Youths should serveprison sentences when they commit serious offences, and there are other effective non-custodial sentences which Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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could be imposed. In the UK, for example, youngsters are sometimes put on probation or given a chance of reintegrating back into society through performing some community service.

In conclusion, though teaching parental skills would help to reduce youth crime, a policy of harsh sentencing is the most effective measure.

293 words

Vocabulary: Crime: • law-abiding citizens Meaning: people who respect and obey the law Example: The government could put more police officers on the streets to protect law-abiding citizens.

• to turn to crime or drugs Meaning: : to start committing crimes or using drugs.

Example: During periods of high youth unemployment, some youngsters turn to crime to obtain money.

• to enforce the law Meaning: to make sure that the law is obeyed Example: The role of the police and the courts is to enforce the law.

• to be tough on crime Meaning: to punish crime severely Example: The crime rate is likely to fall if governments take strong measures to be tough on crime.

• the letter of the law Meaning: the exact wording of the law, without considering any excuses Example: I believe that the courts must apply the strict letter of the law and impose the harshest possible sentences on criminals.

• to act as a deterrent Meaning: a measure which makes somebody less likely to do something Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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Example: Longer prison sentences would act as a deterrent and would be one useful measure to tackle rising crime.

• to serve a prison sentence Meaning: to carry out confinement in prison as a punishment Example: They are serving long prison sentences for their part in the assassination.

• a non-custodial sentence Meaning: a sentence which is not served in prison Example: There is a wide range of non-custodial sentences which a court may give to offenders, including fines, probation orders or community service orders.

• to put on probation Meaning: to make a convicted person see an official at regular intervals to check on their good behavior, as an alternative to going to prison Example: The young offender was put on probation, as his crime was not serious enough to send him to prison.

• to reintegrate back into society Meaning: to restore someone through education or therapy Example: There is an increasing focus among policy-makers and practitioners on identifying programs and strategies that will help prisoners successfully reintegrate back into their communities without re-offending.

Family and children: • family background Meaning: the details of a person’s family Example: Criminals sometimes have a bad family background, neglected or abused by parents.

• to shape a child’s personality Meaning: to decide or influence the form of a child’s personality Example: Parents are very influential in shaping their children’s personality through the example that they set.

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• parental involvement Meaning: the act or process of parents when taking part in their children’s activities.

Example: Without parental involvement, children will grow up without guidance about the right way to behave.

• a single parent household Meaning: a family in which one person takes care of their child or children without a husband, wife or partner Example: As a result of changes in society, single parent households are no longer considered unusual.

• a dysfunctional family Meaning: a family in which the relationships are bad or unhealthy Example: Children who come from a dysfunctional family often exhibit behavioral problems at school.

Government: • local authorities Meaning: government organizations acting within a local area Example: Tackling crime is a responsibility of both national and local authorities.

• a welfare state Meaning: a taxation system which allows governments to provide for the economic and social well-being of its citizens Example: In order to eradicate poverty, I believe that a welfare state should be established in all developing countries.

Society: • social services Meaning: a system that is organized by the government to help people who have financial or family problems; the department or the people who provide this help Example: Governments should assist poor families through the provision of adequate social services.

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• domestic violence Meaning: violence among family members in the home Example: Children who witness domestic violence between parents often develop problems. • a social conscience Meaning: the state of being aware of the problems that affect a lot of people in society, such as being poor or having no home, and wanting to do something to help these people Example: Charities depend on the social conscience of the public in order to obtain donations and recruit volunteer helpers.

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05/10/2017 Task 1 The table and chart below give information about the domestic water use and cost in 5 countries.

Cost of water (US dollars/m3) US

0.01

Canada

0.31

Italy

0.7

France

2.1

Germany

1.35

Report Plan: • Paraphrase: domestic water use=water used in households; give information about=show Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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• Overview: highest domestic water use>US; highest cost of water>France.

• Paragraph 3: Compare figures for water use in each country.

• Paragraph 4: Contrast high water consumption and low cost in US and Canada. Compare cost of water in Italy, Germany, France – give figures.

Report: The chart shows how many litres of water were consumed in households in 5 different countries, while the table compares the cost of water.

Overall, it is clear that domestic water use was highest in the US, while the cost of water was highest in France.

Domestic consumers used about 360 litres of water in the US, whereas households in Canada used slightly less at approximately 330 litres. Water use in the other countries was lower, with domestic users in Italy, France and Germany consuming 300, 250 and 210 litres of water respectively.

It is notable that water was cheapest in the US, where water consumption was the highest. Water cost just $0.01 per m3 in the US, and it was also cheap in Canada, at only $0.31 per m3. While the cost of water in Italy was still relatively low at $0.7 per m3, in Germany the cost was almost double that figure at $1.35 per m3.

However, in France the cost of water was significantly higher at $2.1 per m3.

172 words.

Task 2

More and more people in the city live in homes with small spaces or no outdoor areas. Do you think it is a negative or positive development?

Essay Plan: • Agree with the statement. Opinion – a negative development • Paragraph 2: positive aspect – people can afford to buy or rent these small homes. In the cities, there is no option for many – except to be homeless.

• Paragraph 3: negative aspects – no privacy (UK example – multiple occupancy); no garden or yard for children to play or to dry washing.

• Conclusion: it is mainly a negative trend.

Essay: Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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It is true that increasing numbers of people now live in cities in housing which is cramped or where there is no outdoor area. While living in small flats or houses may be more affordable, I would argue that this is largely a negative development.

Smaller housing units are cheaper to rent or to buy, and therefore many urban dwellers choose to live in them as the best available option. In the developing world, the mass exodus to the cities has resulted in a high population density, and the available housing stock has been inadequate to cope with growing demands. High-rise buildings, comprising small flats, have been constructed as a response to public housing needs or as the best means for property developers to make money. Yet they are in popular demand, as many people are prepared to put up with living in a confined space or toendure squalid living conditions, because they cannot affordexorbitant rents. It is a much better alternative than living on the streets.

However, this trend in the property market has significant negative aspects.

Firstly, with lack of space comes lack of privacy. Even in a developed country like the UK, many traditional houses which used to occupy the inner city areas, have now been divided into multiple occupancy, with all the inconvenience of sharing bathrooms and kitchens. Secondly, a feature of contemporary urban living is the lack of a garden, or even a yard, in which children can play or laundry can be dried. If children cannot play outside in the sunshine, then their physical development will suffer and, of course, they will be unhappy.

In conclusion, while some welcome a small living space as their only financial option, this trend must be regarded as largely negative.

294 words

Vocabulary: Cities: • urban dwellers Meaning: people who live in a city or a townExample: The main reason that prevents urban dwellers from building relationships with their neighbours is fear of strangers.

• a mass exodus Meaning: the movement of a lot of people from a placeExample: Recently, there has been a mass exodus of workers from the villages to the towns.

• population density Meaning: the number of people in a place when compared with the size of the placeExample: Tokyo is a city which has one of the highest population densities in the world.

• to be inadequate to cope with Meaning: not good enough to deal with a problemExample: The rapid growth of cities has meant that urban infrastructure, such as housing, water and waste Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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disposal services have been inadequate to cope with the demands of an increasing population.

• to endure squalid living conditions Meaning: very dirty and unpleasant conditions in which to liveExample: Newcomers to a city are often forced to endure squalid living conditions.

• exorbitant rents Meaning: rents that are much too high and which people can only afford to pay with difficultyExample: One factor of city life which migrants first experience are the exorbitant rents which they have to pay for a roof over their heads.

• to be living on the streets Meaning: to be without a place in which to liveExample: On my first visit to a big city in the UK – London – I was shocked to see the number of young people living on the streets.

• inner city areas Meaning: the parts near the centre of a city, which often have social problemsExample: Recent immigrants to cities often have to live in crowded inner city areas, which have huge problems of crime and poverty.

• the housing stock Meaning: all the houses available for living inExample: The inadequate housing stock in most cities has resulted in high rents, overcrowded living conditions and the growth of slum areas.

• multiple occupancy Meaning: The occupation of a house or flat by more than one person or family, with shared facilities such as a bathroom or kitchenExample: Multiple occupancy is a common feature of city life, forcing people to live in overcrowded conditions.

• a feature of urban living Meaning: a typical quality of city life Example: Having access to a well organised and qualified educational system is a positive feature of urban living.

Housing and architecture: • high rise buildings Meaning: tall modern buildings (not as tall as skyscrapers) Example: The centre of my city is now full of high-rise buildings, mainly offices and apartments, and the city has lost its old charm.

Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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• public housing Meaning: a system of public housing, offering low-cost rental housing to residents on low to moderate incomesExample: Public housing is priced well below the market rate, allowing people to live in more convenient locations rather than move away from the city in search of lower rents.

• a property developer Meaning: a person who buys land or buildings, and then makes improvements in order to sell them for more moneyExample: City planning cannot be left in the hands of property developers, who are only interested in making money.

• the property market Meaning: the buying, selling or renting of land or buildingsExample: The price of houses fell dramatically during the recent crisis in the property market.

Vocabulary: • cramped (adjective): not having enough space Example: He lived for 6 months in a tiny, cramped room with no space even for a table.

• affordable (adjective): cheap enough that people can buy it or pay it Example: They decided to live in a small flat because the rent was affordable.

• laundry (noun): clothes, sheets, towels or other things that need to be washed, or which have been washed recently Example: I wish that I had a garden, so that I could hang my laundry there to dry.

Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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Written by Ngoc Bach (Website: www.ngocbach.com)

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