NEWS
LOCAL ENVIRONMENT
2.1
17
PRONUNCIATION
4
2.2
Collocations
Underline the main stress in each
collocation in Exercise 3. Then listen and check.
READING
5
Work with a partner and discuss this list of reasons
for choosing an area in which to live. Which are the
most important, do you think?
Can you add any others?
• green spaces
• good schools
• entertainment –
cinemas, theatres etc.
• local shops
• clean air
• friendly people
• transport links – buses,
trains, roads etc.
• cheap prices
6
Read the article and answer the questions.
1
How many people took part in the survey?
2
Why was the survey carried out?
3
According to the survey, how do the needs of
parents with young children differ from those of
elderly people?
4
According to the article, how does the price of a
property affect people’s decision making?
7
a
Match words or phrases in the article with their
meanings 1–8.
1
results (paragraph 1)
2
survey (paragraph 1)
3
convince (paragraph 2)
4
subjects often discussed or argued about (paragraph 3)
5
size/level (paragraph 3) general (paragraph 3)
6
something very important (paragraph 3)
7
restrict (paragraph 4)
8
degree (paragraph 4)
7
b
Match the highlighted phrases in the article with
functions 1–4.
1
introduce who asked for the survey (2 phrases)
2
gives the purpose of the survey (1 phrase)
3
compare two results of the survey (2 phrases)
4
introduce facts from the survey (3 phrases)
8
a
Identifying similarities and differences
Look again
at the facts in the article and make notes on the
similarities and differences between the article and
your country in general, and your local area.
8
b
Work with a partner to summarise your ideas.
SPEAKING AND WRITING
9
Work with a partner to discuss the major benefits of
living in your area.
10
Write a paragraph summarising why would you
recommend that someone move to the area where
you live.
Choosing where to live
BY ELLEN CARTER
Good transport links, green spaces and a
community spirit are among the factors that help
us to decide where to buy or rent a place to live
according to a new survey. The findings come
from a questionnaire completed by more than
2,000 potential house buyers and renters in Leeds,
London and Cardiff.
The estate agent-commissioned survey revealed
that other factors, such as clean streets, and high
performing schools, also help to persuade people
to choose a certain area. Designed to help to
identify future house price trends, the survey also
established that the quality of life offered by an area
is much more important than the condition of the
property itself.
The most important factor, according to the survey,
was the overall atmosphere of the area. Litter free
streets, small, independent shops and cafes and
low levels of traffic were all felt to be important
for a good quality of life. However, the ranking of
issues by importance was also influenced by the
individual’s needs. Those who needed to travel to
work tended to rank public transport higher than
those with young children, for whom green spaces
were a priority. Older people cared about personal
safety but, equally as important were facilities such
as a local health centre and community centre.
The study – carried out for a major UK chain of
estate agents – found that while house prices
obviously limit people’s choices to a certain extent,
prices aren’t a major influence on people’s decision
making. In fact, the survey suggested that, once
people have decided on an upper limit that they can
afford, they generally look for somewhere at that
price rather than choosing somewhere in a cheaper,
less desirable area.
