the two travel options, / ride / motorbike / small alleys / be / fast / option.

quiet bookstore café / be / comfortable / two places / study / exams.

The driver / navigate / the busy roundabout / skillfully / as / experienced local courier.

Commuters / feel / little and little / comfortable / when / catch / heavy traffic jams / pouring rain.

popular / electric scooters / become, / little / noise / pedestrians / hear / downtown avenues.

a. Base rents in downtown districts remain considerably higher than those in quieter suburban areas.

b. Beyond the monthly rent, tenants must cover mandatory service charges for building security, elevators, and shared amenities.

c. The total expense of maintaining a central high-rise studio frequently exceeds initial expectations.

d. These combined financial demands make it difficult for young professionals to build long-term personal savings.

e. High electricity costs for continuous air conditioning also place extra pressure on a tenant's monthly budget.

a. Over time, this repeated inflammation can damage lung tissue and increase the risk of chronic respiratory diseases, especially among children and older adults.

b. When people breathe in these fine particles, the particles can enter the respiratory system and irritate the lining of the airways.

c. If exposure continues, the irritation can become persistent, causing coughing and inflammation in the airways.

d. Heavy traffic and factory emissions continually release fine particulate matter into the air in metropolitan areas.

e. Repeated exposure to these particles can therefore keep the airways inflamed and prevent them from recovering fully.

a. Over time, these shorter commutes give working people more valuable personal time for family and proper rest.

b. To solve this, many cities give road priority to public buses and modern trams, which quickly clears morning congestion.

c. Together, these transport options significantly shorten daily commutes and make them more reliable.

d. For the final leg of their journey, commuters can also use shared bicycles to bypass local traffic gridlock.

e. The heavy reliance on private cars causes severe delays during the daily commute in central urban districts.

a. Beyond the gate lies a shaded courtyard, where green trees and cool air naturally lower the midday heat.

b. Walking through this narrow entrance instantly blocks out the noise of street traffic and car horns outside.

c. This sudden silence encourages visitors to lower their voices as they stroll along the stone pathway.

d. Tucked between two modern office towers, a small brick archway offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling city.

e. Such a tranquil atmosphere makes the shaded courtyard a perfect refuge from daily urban stress.

a. Walking into the bustling central station, I was immediately overwhelmed by the crowded concourse and announcements in an unfamiliar language.

b. Last month, I took my very first solo subway trip while traveling abroad.

c. Navigating the unfamiliar transit system on my own gave me a real boost of confidence for the rest of my journey.

d. With clear instructions on the screen, I managed to buy my travel card and tap it at the ticket barrier.

e. Seeing long rows of ticket machines near the entrance, I nervously stepped up to one and selected English on the screen.

a. In their place, modern commercial towers are built, changing the traditional streetscape of the area.

b. Furthermore, this commercial redevelopment often forces traditional family-run businesses to give way to corporate retail chains.

c. Beyond their architectural value, these heritage buildings preserve the shared history and cultural identity of the area.

d. Historic urban buildings are rapidly disappearing from downtown areas to make way for modern high-rises.

e. Ultimately, these changes can make historic districts look increasingly similar to generic modern cities worldwide.

Dear Members of the City Council,

I am writing to report a serious noise issue on Tran Thai Tong Street in Cau Giay District.

a. Living with this constant disturbance makes it impossible for my family to rest after long working hours.

b. My elderly parents cannot get restful sleep, which has made their health visibly worse this week.

c. Concrete mixers and metal drills create loud vibrations that shake our windows through the night.

d. Please instruct local ward officers to inspect this site and enforce municipal quiet hours immediately.

e. A large apartment project next to my building operates heavy machinery until three o'clock every morning.

Sincerely,

Nguyen Van Minh

Dear Mr. Mayor,

a. Setting up a clearly marked path separated by low kerbstones would give leisure cyclists a safer space away from motorized traffic.

b. In turn, this improvement would encourage more eco-friendly sightseeing while reducing noise and vehicle emissions across our coastal city.

c. Bach Dang Street along the western bank of the Han River is a scenic promenade that attracts thousands of runners and tourists every day.

d. To address this safety risk, I wish to propose establishing a dedicated cycling lane along this busy riverbank.

e. However, fast-moving delivery motorbikes frequently drive along the curb, making casual cycling increasingly stressful and hazardous.

We look forward to your positive decision regarding our city's future mobility plans.

Sincerely,

Tran Duc Anh

Dear Lucas,

Are you free next weekend to come up to Hanoi for a food trip?

a. Sunday evening belongs to hot grilled pork patties and cold local drinks along Ta Hien Street.

b. You can stay in my guest room so we can wake up early and beat the heavy breakfast crowds.

c. I want to spend two full days showing you my favorite street food alleys around the Old Quarter.

d. In the afternoon, we can walk through the narrow lanes of Dong Xuan Market and enjoy crispy bánh gối and sweet dessert soup.

e. We can start Saturday morning with warm bowls of phở bò on Bat Dan Street before grabbing iced egg coffee near Hoan Kiem Lake.

Let me know by Thursday so I can plan our exact tasting route.

Warmly,

Nam

Dear Dr. Le Van Tuan,

I am writing on behalf of the Green Future Club at Chu Van An High School.

a. Our school is organizing a sustainable city design competition for senior students next month.

b. Given your extensive research in green architecture and urban water management, we would be deeply honored to have you as our chief guest judge.

c. Your professional feedback would offer invaluable guidance to these young innovators as they consider university pathways in engineering.

d. The evaluation session takes place on Saturday morning, October 24th, inside our main campus hall.

e. The participating teams have spent weeks drafting creative models to reduce flood risks across Hanoi.

We sincerely hope your schedule permits you to join our judging panel for this meaningful event.

Respectfully yours,

Nguyen Minh Trang

Student President, Green Future Club

Hi Linh,

a. Your studio loft near Trang Tien Street served as the absolutely perfect base for my trade meetings.

b. I finally finished my presentation and wanted to express my deepest thanks for your wonderful hospitality this week.

c. Returning to your quiet, plant-filled space each evening felt like stepping into an oasis away from the noisy streets.

d. Walking to the conference hall in just ten minutes spared me the headache of finding taxis in the rain.

e. You really treated me like family, especially by preparing that warm pot of lotus tea when I arrived thoroughly exhausted.

Please let me return the favor whenever your office sends you down to Da Nang. Take care, and let us catch up properly soon.

Warmly,

Huong

Dear Mark,

I am terribly sorry to tell you this, but I cannot host you at my place this coming weekend.

a. The landlord called an emergency plumbing crew to tear up the ceramic tiles over the next few days.

b. Let me pay for your first night there to make up for this messy situation. We can still meet up for dinner along the canal once you settle in.

c. Living here right now means enduring constant drilling noises and going without clean running water until Monday.

d. Yesterday afternoon, a hidden water pipe burst behind my bathroom wall, causing dirty water to flood the entire studio floor.

e. My building manager offered to help me book a quiet, affordable boutique hotel just two blocks away on Dien Bien Phu Street.

Warmly,

Tuan

Read the information below.

The annual city light festival is coming to your city next weekend. The city centre will be decorated with colourful lights, and visitors can enjoy street performances, music shows and evening food stalls. You live in a flat downtown, so your cousin can stay with you and easily visit the festival.

Write an informal letter to a cousin living in the countryside inviting them to stay at your downtown flat during an annual city light festival in 100–120 words.

Tell him/her:

- when the festival is and what she/he can see or do there;

- why you think she/he would enjoy visiting the festival;

- invite her/him to stay at your flat and suggest some activities you can do together;

- ask her/him to tell you whether she/he can come.

Read the article below. Write a 130–150-word summary of the article.

Although rural life has its unique appeal, living in a major city offers several significant advantages. Urban centers provide individuals with an energetic and well-connected lifestyle, distinguished by better career prospects, comprehensive public transit systems, and extensive cultural activities.

To begin with, urban areas offer a far wider range of professional opportunities than rural villages. Whatever field a person specializes in, finding a suitable position that matches their qualifications is much simpler in a metropolitan area. In prominent economic hubs like Toronto, employment rates have expanded steadily due to consistent growth in business, technology, and education. For instance, specialized industries such as software development require urban infrastructure and rarely exist in small settlements. While meeting the high cost of housing presents a notable challenge, the large concentration of commercial enterprises ensures that dedicated workers can secure rewarding and sustainable careers.

In addition, the availability of well-developed public transportation networks is an essential benefit of urban residency. Commuters can navigate the city conveniently using buses, subways, and passenger trains rather than relying solely on personal vehicles. Traveling by public transit also enables passengers to use their journey productively; they can read, study, or listen to educational materials instead of concentrating on traffic congestion. Although transit quality varies across different regions, an efficient transport system allows many residents to eliminate the expenses associated with vehicle ownership entirely.

Finally, large cities provide varied recreational activities to satisfy diverse personal interests. Major urban centers feature rich social environments, including international culinary options, live music performances, historic landmarks, and athletic events. For creative professionals, such as visual artists and musicians, urban areas supply the necessary venues and networks to showcase their talents effectively. Furthermore, participating in city life does not always require large expenses. With adequate planning, residents can discover numerous free activities. They can visit municipal parks, admire local architecture, and explore educational museums during open-access hours. From tranquil libraries to lively community spaces, cities cater to every lifestyle preference. Consequently, relocating to an urban area provides a fulfilling, convenient, and dynamic standard of living.

Write a 130–150-word summary of the article.

You can start with:

Living in a major city provides significant benefits that make urban life dynamic and fulfilling. First, …

Some people prefer living in vibrant, noisy downtown apartments, while others prefer quiet residential outskirts despite longer commutes. Write an essay (200-250 words) discussing both views and giving your own opinion.