ADV.15. UNIT 4. URBAN ISSUES

ADV15. UNIT 4. URBAN  ISSUES 

1. DESCRIBING BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS

1) ASPECTS OF CITY LIVING 

business opportunities
quality of the local schools 
house prices
cost of living
architecture and design
high-rise skyscrapers - небоскребы 
pollution
crime
public transport system
local amenities - местная инфраструктура 

The city is known for its unique architecture and design. 
House prices are an integral part of the costs of living.
House prices are a big part of the cost of living.
Pollution and crime can seriously affect the quality of life. 
Pollution and crime are common urban issues.
Shanghai is famous for its high-rise buildings.
High-rise buildings are going up everywhere.
The new public pool is a great local amenity.
The quality of the local schools is important for our family.
We're curious about the quality of local schools.
It's a dynamic city with many business opportunities.
The public transport system is a local amenity.

Positives 

green high-rise buildings
decreasing crime rate
high quality of the local schools
stable costs of living
revitalized local amenities (imbue (something) with new life) 

Negatives

unaffordable housing prices 
lack of business opportunities 
crumbling public transport system (break or fall apart into small fragments)
uncontrolled pollution 
outdated architecture and design (out of date) - устаревший 


2) MODIFIERS

Modifiers are words, phrases or clauses that add detail or description to a sentence. It is by far the largest city in my country. The train is without doubt the fastest way to go. Tokyo is easily one of the most expensive cities in the world. I'm not going to pay that. It's way overpriced! Downtown is definitely a great place to live in the city. There are unquestionably pros and cons to living in a city. There are unquestionably some cons to the city.
I think everything there is way overpriced. It's unquestionably the most boring place. This must be unquestionably the most boring place on earth.  You're without doubts the nicest boyfriend. That's definitely not a problem. Apparently they have by far the best weather there.  Hawaii is also easily one of the most expensive places to live.

3)  DESCRIBING BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS

Benefits and drawbacks
Look at these examples of describing benefits: And a huge benefit is that I'll be able to work when I want. A huge benefit is my schedule will be flexible.  It sounds like working offsite is without doubt far more suitable for you than the office. One advantage will be that they'll really be able to experience nature. What's more, I could put them in private school if need be. Another advantage would surely be a much lower crime rate. Another advantage is a lower cost of living. This does sound like the best choice for you, but we'll miss you! Without doubt, that's the best choice for you.
Look at these examples of describing drawback: Keeping myself motivated would be a difficult challenge. Making the change could be a difficult challenge. Think of all the disadvantages. No restaurants, theaters, nightlife or public transportation. Think of all the disadvantages. It's a no-brainer!  Wouldn't taking them out of the great school they're in now be a big drawback?  Wouldn't that be an obvious drawback? You can also compare benefits and drawbacks: For me, the pros unquestionably outweigh the cons. On the one hand, I'll have to be very self-disciplined. On the other hand, it is so difficult for me to get my work done in that busy office. Benefits a huge benefit another advantage would surely be without doubt far more suitable the best choice for you Drawbacks that's one of the big negatives think of all the disadvantages would be a difficult challenge wouldn't _________be a big  drawback? Comparing weighing the pluses and minuses the drawbacks are greater than the benefits the pros outweigh the cons on the one hand_____ on the other hand  2. COMPARING AND CONTRASTING 1) TYPES OF SETTLEMENTS  village suburb metropolis neighborhood district  A metropolis is a very large city. The city is divided into five districts. Many families choose to live in the suburbs. I can find everything I need in my neighborhood. They live in a quaint (attractively unusual or old-fashioned) village in the countryside. 2) COMPARING AND CONTRASTING  Prepositions for comparing Specific prepositions are used with words and phrases to compare and contrast. Sometimes more than one preposition can be used with the same meaning. In the two sentences below, compared to and compared with are both correct and mean the same thing. Compared to the city, living in a suburb is like living in a village. Compared with the city, living in a suburb is like living in a village. The adjective different can be followed by the prepositions from, than, and to with roughly the same meaning.  Different from is common in both British and American English. Different than is used mainly in American English.  Different to is more often used in British English. Living in a suburb is very different from living in the city. Expressions for comparing There are many different ways to compare and contrast: There's a clear difference between the city and the burbs. There are a number of similarities. We need two bedrooms. Likewise, two bathrooms would be great. Can we agree that there are pros and cons to both? Despite everything you say, I'm not convinced. Nevertheless, I agree. We'll look both inside and outside the city. I think you're wrong. Nevertheless, I'll go along with you. We both work downtown. Likewise, we're both lawyers. You've got to admit, there are a number of similarities. There are a clear difference between the city and the burbs. The suburbs are very different from the city. Compared with the city. the suburbs are boring. There are definitely pros and cons to both. I disagree. Nevertheless, I'll go along with you. You've got to admit, there are many similarities.  The suburbs are very different from the city. There's a clear difference between the two. Compared with the city, the suburbs are boring. 3) PLAYING DEVIL'S ADVOCATE For the sake of argument The idiom play devil's advocate refers to when someone takes a position they don't necessarily agree with, for the sake of debate or argument. And just to play devil's advocate here, aren't most apartments in the city very small and expensive? The flipside of that is we'd be in the burbs. For the sake of argument, can we agree that there are pros and cons to both? An opposing viewpoint of that would be the city isn't much more expensive. I'd like to turn that argument on its head. You get what you pay for! The absolute antithesis of that is you can't put a price on quality of life. To play devil's advocate here, it's too pricey.  For the sake of argument, why not the suburbs?  An opposing viewpoint would be it's cheaper.  The antithesis of that is the city's awesome!  For the sake of argument, aren't we flexible?  3. DESCRIBING WHERE YOU LIVE 1) HYPERBOLE Exaggerated statements Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement or claim. Most of the time hyperbole is not meant to be taken literally. It is used for emphasizing a point. For example, you could say, I love where I live. Or you could use hyperbole: For me, my hometown is the best place in the world. I wouldn't have wanted to be born anywhere else. You can also use parallel structures to add emphasis. The more I live here, the more I find things to love. The more I live here, the more I love it. This is my home, and this is where I'll stay. You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy. I was born here, and I'll die here. For me, my hometown is the best place in the world. Maybe it's not as exciting as the city, but honestly, I wouldn't have wanted to be bornanywhere else . The more I live here, the more I find things to love. The thing I like most about it is being so close to the ocean. That's something I could never live without. Another aspect I love is that most of our food comes from local farms. We know most of the people that produce our food. And the most extraordinary thing is the people. I am surrounded by family and friends. You can't find that in the big city! So, as you can probably tell, I'm not going anywhere. This is my home, and this is where I'll stay. As people like to say, you cantake the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy. I was born here, and I'll die here. 2) ADDING EMPHASIS Fronting for emphasis Remember you can add emphasis by using phrases like these at the beginning of sentences: The thing I like most about it is being so close to the ocean. The thing I like most about him is his laugh.  The thing I like most about it is the location.  Another aspect I love is that most of our food comes from local farms. Another aspect I love is the cultural scene.  The most extraordinary thing is the people. The most extraordinary thing is the weather.  One thing that has always bugged me is the lack of business opportunities. One thing that's always bugged me is the bathroom.  3) TALKING HYPOTHETICALLY  Hypothetical situations Look at these two sentences. Which one is more likely to happen? If I find a bigger apartment, I will have more parties. If I had more money, I would get a bigger apartment. If you chose the first one, you were right. The use of find and will in the first example tells us that the situation is possible. The use of had and would in the second suggests the situation is not likely. In the next two examples, notice how the verbs tell us that what the speaker is saying is more a wish than a reality: If I were to change anything about where I live, I'd have a more dynamic economy and more opportunities for young people. If I could do anything before I die, that would be it. You can also use verbs like wish, hope, imagine and dream to talk about hypothetical situations. One thing I wish I could do is help kids realize their potential more. One day, I hope I'll be able to open a business of my own and offer good jobs to talented young people. I can also imagine myself when I'm older as being wealthy enough to help the brightest kids in our community go to the best colleges and universities in the country. If I had a bigger apartment, I'd get a roommate. If I were to change anything, I'd increase opportunities. If I were to change anything, I'd lower prices. I can also imagine myself when I'm one hundred years old. 4. WRITING A COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY 1) COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAYS Palm Springs and Los Angeles, California My hometown is Palm Springs, California, in the United States. It's only about two hours east of Los Angeles by car, but there are a number of differences between these two southern California cities. Palm Springs is a small city with a population of around 40,000. It's a desert city famous for its hot springs, spas, golf courses, stylish hotels and laid back lifestyle. It is also considered the epicenter of midcentury-modern architecture in the US. The downtown area is filled with tourists visiting hip boutiques and trendy restaurants. The surrounding Coachella Valley offers everything from rock climbing to horseback riding. Los Angeles is a bustling city of approximately 4 million people located on the Pacific Ocean. It is probably best known for its beautiful beaches and as the home to Hollywood, the center of the country's film industry. The city has a diverse economy beyond entertainment, including education, technology and medicine. Like Palm Springs, LA, as it is known, hosts large numbers of tourists every year. So, if you're ever in LA, you might want to consider a side trip to the desert. A two-hour car ride can show you a whole different side of southern California. Comparison-contrast writing Later in the lesson you are going to compare and contrast your favorite city and another place. You have the choice of two structures. Your first option, after an introduction, is to write the first section just on your favorite city. The next section would then focus only on the other place, touching on the same points you discussed about your favorite city. The final section is your conclusion, where you summarize the relevant points. This structure is better for short texts. In longer texts, it might be hard to remember what was said earlier. Let's call this structure, X then Y. We recommend that you follow this structure when you write later. The second option is called aspect by aspect. In this structure you compare and contrast the two places at the same time, aspect by aspect. This structure would also have an introduction and conclusion. Aspect by aspect is better for longer texts. Regardless of the structure you're using, be clear in your introduction about what your purpose is. Are you trying to persuade? Explain? Focus on similarities? Differences? And make sure to establish the basis on which you are making the comparison. (1) aspect by aspect  In terms of physical size, Canada and the United States are fairly similar.  However, in terms of population, the US is larger. (2) X then Y Mexico is located between Central America and the US.  It has beautiful beaches on both its east and west coasts. Its capital is Mexico City. (3) X then Y Canada shares a long southern border with the US. It has two national languages:  English and French. Its capital city is Ottawa. (4) aspect by aspect  While both Mexico and Canada are members of NAFTA,  the Canadian economy is significantly more prosperous. 2) POLISHING YOUR WORK Once you've finished writing After you've finished writing your comparison-contrast essay, it's very important to read and check your work carefully. If possible, it's also a good idea to have someone else read it. Remember to check the structure of what you've written. Is it a good example of either X then Y or aspect by aspect? Try not to mix the two structures. Check for spelling and grammar mistakes. Automated spellcheck can be a big help in this area, but grammar can be trickier. If you are unsure whether something is correct or not, simplify the sentence. Simpler sentences are easier on your reader as well. It's important to write with a purpose in mind. Was your purpose made clear in the introductory paragraph? Also ask yourself what your goal was in this writing. Does your conclusion illustrate that you achieved that goal?