READING

Passage 1

The best cities in the world

In a recent internet survey, tourists and business travellers were asked to rate 50 cities
around the world, from the best to the worst. Of the top three cities, two were in
Europe and one was in Australia.

In third place was London, scoring highly mainly because it was the most famous city
on the list of 50 surveyed. It was also seen as a very good place to do business, and
was an important cultural centre. However, it lost points because people believed it
was an extremely expensive place to live.

Sydney was also a very popular destination, achieving second place on the list because
people believed it had the friendliest inhabitants, as well as the best standard of living
and the nicest climate. It failed to make the top spot, however, because people thought
there were very few things to see there, and many also thought it was too far away
from other business and cultural centres.

At the top of the list was Paris. Despite problems such as the large amount of traffic, it
beat other cities to first place because people considered it to be the most interesting
city, with more museums, art galleries and places of interest than anywhere else.
People also thought it was the best city to take a holiday in.
1. Read the passage quickly and answer these questions.

a. Which of the cities above are mentioned?

b. How many advantages are given for each city?

2. Find words or phrases in the passage which have a similar meaning to the
words and phrases below.

well-known – famous (example)

excellent -

very -

residents -

quality of life -

most pleasant -

not many -

a lot –
3. Now complete the table. Choose ONE word from the passage for each answer.

City Overall Perceived advantages Perceived

position in disadvantages
survey

London 1 …………… • Is more well-known than the other Is very 3

cities. ……………

• Has excellent 2 ………………

opportunities.

Sydney Second • Residents are the 4 ……………… Not many

things to see.
• Has the best quality of life.

• Has the most pleasant 5 …………

Paris 6 …………… • Is more 7 ……………… than Has a lot of 8

other cities ………………
Passage 2

A city survey with a difference

There are many websites on the Internet which provide lists of the world's best cities to
visit, live or work in. These lists usually grade the cities in order, from 'best' to 'worst',
and are based on facts and figures provided by local or national organisations.

The City Brands Index (CBI) also provides a list of best and worst cities. However,
unlike other surveys, it is based on the idea that cities are similar to products in shops.
It asks ordinary people in other countries to grade cities in the same way that they
would grade a product, like a soft drink or a car. What is particularly different about
the CBI is that the people who take part in the survey may not have ever visited the
cities. Instead, they are asked to say what they think the cities are like, basing their
opinions on things like news stories, magazine articles or television programmes they
have heard or seen.

Each year, about 10,000 people in 20 countries take part in the CBI survey, and they
grade a total of 50 cities. They do this by filling in an online questionnaire. There are
several categories in the survey. These include things like the economy, education, the
environment, local culture, climate and what the city's residents are like.

The CBI list is useful because it helps people choose a good place to live, find work or
take a holiday. It also helps regional governments to understand why people and
businesses are, or are not coming to their cities, and so shows them areas which they
could develop or improve.
4. Read the passage quickly and answer these questions.

a. What do 'best city' websites usually show?

b. What does the CBI ask people to do?

5. Match the words or phrases (1-7), which are in the passage, with the words or
phrases (a-g) which have a similar meaning.

a. a number of b. every c. get a job d. helpful e. like f. local g.

maximum

1. similar to

2. each

3. total

4. several

5. useful

6. find work

7. regional
6. Now complete the notes below. Choose ONE WORD OR A NUMBER from the
passage for each answer.

The City Brands Index

The CBI believes that cities are like 1 …………….. which people can buy when
they go shopping.

Surveys take place every 2 ……………..

A maximum of 3 …………….. cities are included in the survey.

A number of different 4 …………….. are included in the survey.

The CBI list is helpful for:

• people who are trying to decide where to 5 …………….. or get a job.
• people who are looking for a good 6 …………….. destination.
• local 7 …………….. who want to make their city a better place.
LISTENING

1.. Listen to four short conversations, and complete these sentences by choosing
the correct word and/ or number.

1. The man is moving house on Friday 3rd / 13th / 30th.

2. The man has come from Crawford / Crauford / Crawsord.

3. The man's mobile number is 0780 29227 / 0872 92702 / 0870 292720.

4. Sue lives at 70 Sydney / 70 Sidney / 17 Sydney Avenue.

2. Now listen to these short conversations, and complete the sentences with no
more than TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER.

1. The woman's name is ……………….

2. The woman's mobile number is ……………….

3. The man's address is ………………., Fenton.

4. The woman arrived on ………………. April.

3. You are going to hear a woman calling an accommodation agency about an
apartment she wants to rent. Before you listen, look at the form and answer the
following questions.

In which gaps do you think you will need to write:

a. a word (or words) only? …………………
b. a number only? …………………
c. a word (or words) and a number? …………………

Listen and complete the form. Write no more than TWO WORDS AND/OR A
NUMBER for each answer.

Good Moves Accommodation Agency

Call taken by: Ben

Name: 1 …………………

Telephone: 2 …………………

Heard about us from: 3 …………………

Type of accommodation preferred: 4 …………………

Number of people: 5 …………………

Preferred location: Wants to be close to 6 …………………

Price: maximum 7 £ ………………… per person (including 8 …………………)

Additional notes:
I suggested Flat 3 at 9 ………………… Road in Bampton.
I will send further details to customer by 10 …………………