Ben: Commuters might take electric air taxis to work every morning.

Clara: __________; it sounds convenient, but air safety regulations are extremely strict.

Lucas: Architects want to cover every residential tower with green plants.

Emma: __________ because maintaining plants on high floors requires a huge amount of water.

Paul: Are delivery drones going to replace traditional motorbike deliveries anytime soon?

Anna: __________ that small packages will be delivered by air, but heavy goods will probably stay on the road.

Elena: Will everyone travel in flying cars twenty years from now?

Marcus: __________, but we may see automated drones for medical emergencies.

Nam: Do you think robots will replace doctors in local health centers?

Lan: __________, but machines could perhaps assist with basic health checks.

Alex: Do you think robots will clean entire city streets by 2040?

Mia: __________ that cleaning bots will take over street-cleaning work, as many airports already use them.

Many holidaymakers rely on this convenient mobile service to reach famous historic sites without hiring an expensive car.

Modern glass buildings with solar panels look very impressively in the bright morning sunlight across the city.

The local council has invested in more walkable facilities, including shaded benches, pedestrian crossings, and drinking fountains along busy streets.

In dangerous mountain weather, an automated search drone continuously monitors changing wind directions without needing direct instructions from base.

This hot cup of Earl Grey tea tastes slightly bitterly because you have left the leaves inside for too long.

Excuse me, but these grey woollen trousers are feeling far too tight around the waist while I am sitting down.

Hi Oliver,

How are you doing?

a. I think you would love visiting this modern city because of your interest in technology.

b. Many systems in this city are connected to the internet to make life easier for residents.

c. For example, sensors monitor road traffic to help prevent traffic jams, and household rubbish is transported through underground pipes instead of being collected by traditional rubbish trucks.

d. I have just read a fascinating article about Songdo, a smart city in South Korea, and I immediately thought of you.

e. There are also green parks where people can relax at the weekend.

Have you heard about it before? Let me know!

Best wishes,

Jane

a. Underground transportation can provide more reliable journeys because it is less affected by surface weather conditions.

b. In contrast, underground trains run on protected tracks inside tunnels, so they are less exposed to adverse weather conditions.

c. For this reason, underground transit can be a dependable commuting option for people in busy urban areas.

d. This sheltered infrastructure allows subway systems to maintain relatively consistent schedules and provide reliable services during many types of severe weather.

e. Heavy rain, dense fog, and severe storms can disrupt road traffic and increase the risk of accidents.

a. For example, a cyberattack on a city's connected systems could disrupt traffic lights, emergency communications, or access to digital hospital records.

b. Smart cities can benefit from advanced technology, but their growing dependence on digital systems also creates security risks.

c. Municipal authorities should therefore invest in strong cybersecurity, backup systems, and reliable emergency plans to keep essential services running.

d. If essential services such as water treatment and electricity supply depend heavily on networked technology, technical failures or cyberattacks can interrupt their operation.

e. These interruptions can affect daily life, increase repair costs, and reduce public confidence in local services.

a. As a result, urban residents can breathe cleaner air and face a lower risk of respiratory problems.

b. Therefore, switching to electric transport can be an effective way to support better public health in modern metropolitan areas.

c. Replacing petrol cars with electric vehicles can significantly improve urban air quality.

d. In contrast, electric cars produce no direct tailpipe emissions while operating on city streets.

e. Traditional petrol engines release harmful pollutants, including nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere every day.

a. For example, local residents can jog, cycle, or simply meet friends in public gardens every weekend.

b. Consequently, city leaders should create more green spaces to improve the quality of life for everyone.

c. Developing more green spaces in cities brings great benefits to people's health.

d. First of all, spending time outdoors encourages people to exercise and stay in good shape.

e. In addition, nature helps reduce stress after work and provides a quiet place to relax.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to suggest a few practical ideas to prepare our city for future challenges.

a. This could help reduce household waste.

b. Lastly, providing free public Wi-Fi in community centres would help elderly residents access online services more easily.

c. In addition, we could introduce an efficient recycling programme with smart bins across the neighbourhood.

d. If cycling is made safer, fewer people will drive petrol cars.

e. To begin with, the local council could build separate cycle lanes.

I hope you will take these suggestions into account when planning future projects for our city. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Ngo Van Phong

a. These conditions can contribute to stress and reduce people's overall satisfaction with their living environment.

b. However, living in densely populated buildings may reduce residents' sense of personal space and privacy.

c. Therefore, urban planners should balance the need for efficient land use with the need to provide adequate private and shared spaces for residents.

d. High-density apartment complexes can provide a cost-effective way to address limited land availability in rapidly expanding metropolitan areas.

e. When large numbers of people live in close proximity, they may experience greater noise, less privacy, and feelings of confinement.

a. As a result, heavy rainfall can cause severe flooding on major roads and in nearby commercial areas.

b. Cities should therefore protect wetlands and forests to help manage rainwater and reduce future flood damage.

c. When urban leaders allow wetlands and forests to be cleared for commercial development, cities lose natural areas that can absorb and store rainwater.

d. Repeated floods can force local businesses to close, damage homes and other properties, and lead to high costs for emergency repairs.

e. Choosing short-term commercial development over environmental protection can leave cities less prepared for heavy rainfall.

I / stand / right outside / the smart door, / but / I / not / remember / my digital security code.

The idea / living / floating islands / sound / fantastic / fun / many teenagers.

The streets / be / extremely crowded / today, / so / I / prefer / take / the quiet electric tram / take / taxi.

Water / air-harvesting machines / provide / drinking water, / but / it / may / contain / very few minerals.

The city's power network / largely / depend / offshore turbines / supply / electricity / throughout the year.