Unlikely Boomtowns the World’s Hottest Cities Reading Answers

Jan 16, 2023

Unlikely Boomtowns the World’s Hottest Cities Reading Answers is an academic reading topic which discusses about some unknown facts of worl’s largest megacities. The given IELTS topic has originated from the book named “IELTS Masterclass Student's book Volume 1”. The topic named Unlikely Boomtowns the World’s Hottest Cities Reading Answers comes with 13 wide range of questions in total. There are two different sorts of questions included in this topic, like, choose the correct letters, and compete the summary. The candidates should thoroughly read the IELTS reading passage to recognize the synonyms and identify the keywords and answer the questions below. IELTS reading practice papers can be taken into consideration by the candidates in order to score a good score in the reading section in which similar topics like Unlikely Boomtowns the World’s Hottest Cities Reading Answers has been included.

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Section 1

Read the passage to answer the following questions

Unlikely Boomtowns the World’s Hottest Cities Reading Answers

Unlikely Boomtowns The World’s Hottest Cities

Megacities like London, New York, and Tokyo loom large in our imaginations. They are still

associated with fortune, fame, and the future. They can dominate national economies and politics. The last fifty years have been their era, as the number of cities with more than ten million people grew from two to twenty.

But with all respect to the science fiction novelists who have envisioned a future of urban giants, their day is over. The typical growth rate of the population within a megacity has slowed from more than eight percent in the 1980s to less than half that over the last five years, and numbers are expected to be static in the next quarter-century. Instead, the coming years will belong to a smaller, humbler relation - the Second City.

Within a few years, more people will live in cities than in the countryside for the first time in human history. But increasingly, the urban core itself is downsizing. Already, half the city dwellers in the world live in metropolises with fewer than half-a-million residents. Second Cities from exurbs, residential areas outside the suburbs of a town, to regional centers are booming.

Between 2000 and 2015, the world's smallest cities (with under 500,000 people) will grow by 23 percent, while the next smallest (One million to five million people) will grow by 27 percent. This trend is the result of dramatic shifts including the global real estate bubble; increasing international migration; cheaper transport; new technologies, and the fact that the baby-boom generation is reaching retirement age.

The emergence of Second Cities has flowed naturally (if unexpectedly) from the earlier success of the megacities. In the 1990s, megacities boomed as global markets did. This was particularly true in areas with high tech or 'knowledge-based' industries like finance. Bonuses got bigger, bankers got richer and real estate prices in the world's most sought-after cities soared. The result has been the creation of what demographer William Frey of Washington-based Brookings Institute calls 'gated regions' in which both the city and many of the surrounding suburbs have become unaffordable for all but the very wealthy.

Economically, after a city reaches a certain size its productivity starts to fall,' notes Mario Pezzini, head of the regional competitiveness division of the OECD. He puts the tipping point at about six million people, after which costs, travel times, and the occasional chaos create which the center of the city may be a great place, but only for the rich, and the outlying areas become harder to live and work in.

One reaction to this phenomenon is further sprawl - high prices in the urban core and traditional suburbs drive people to distant exurbs with extreme commutes into big cities. As Frey notes, in the major US metropolitan areas, average commuting times have doubled over the last fifteen years.

Why does one town become a booming Second City, while another fails? The answer hinges on whether a community has the wherewithal to exploit the forces pushing people and businesses out of the megacities. One key is excellent transport links, especially to the biggest commercial centers. Though barely a decade old, Goyang is South Korea's fastest-growing city in part because it is 30 minutes by subway from Seoul.

Another growth driver for Second Cities is the decentralization of work, driven in large part by new technologies. While more financial deals are done now in big capitals like New York and London than ever before, it is also clear that plenty of booming services industries are leaving for 'Rising Urban stars' like Dubai, Montpellier and Cape Town. These places have not only improved their Internet backbones but often have technical institutes and universities that turn out the kinds of talent that populate growth industries.

Consider Montpellier, France, a case study in urban decentralisation. Until the 1980s, it was like a big Mediterranean village. Once the high-speed train lines were built, Parisians began pouring in for weekend breaks. Some bought houses, creating a critical mass of middle-class professionals who began taking advantage of flexible working systems to do three days in Paris, and two down South, where things seemed less pressured.

Soon big companies began looking at the area, a number of medical technology and electronic firms came to town, and IBM put more investment into service businesses there. To cater to the incoming professionals, the city began building amenities: an opera house, a tram line to discourage cars in the city centre. The result, says French urban- planning expert Nacima Baron, is that the city is now full of cosmopolitan business people. It's a new society'.

All this means that Second Cities won't stay small. Indeed countries are actively promoting their growth. Italy, for example, is trying to create tourist hubs of towns close to each other with distinctive buildings and offering different yet complementary cultural activities. Devolution of policy-making power is leaving many lesser cities freer than ever to shape their destinies. To them all: This is your era. Don't blow it.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 1-3

Choose three letters A-G. Which THREE of the following statements is true of megacities according to the text

They tend to lead the way in terms of fashion.
Their population has ceased to expand.
They reached their peak in the second half of the twentieth century.
50 percent of the world’s inhabitants now live In them,
They grew rich in profits from the manufacturing industry.
Their success begins to work against them at a certain stage.
It is no longer automatically advantageous to base a company there

Question 1:

Answer: B
Supporting sentence: The typical growth rate of the population within a megacity has slowed from more than eight percent in the 1980s to less than half that over the last five years, and numbers are expected to be static in the next quarter-century.
Keyword : typical growth rate, population, megacity
Keyword location: Paragraph 2
Explanation: Megacities were described in paragraph second. The normal growth rate of the population within a megacity has decreased. It has reduced from more than eight percent in the 1980s to less than half that during the previous five years. Also, the numbers are predicted to stay static in the next quarter-century, according to the second paragraph's fifth sentence. These lines show that over the previous five years, the population growth in megacities has been slowing down. It is clear from this that megacities' population growth has stopped growing. The solution is B, thus.

Question 2:

Answer: F
Supporting sentence: In the 1990s, megacities boomed as global markets did.
Keyword : 1990s, megacities, as global markets did
Keyword location: Paragraph 5
Explanation: According to the first few sentences of the fifth paragraph, the creation of Second Cities resulted naturally from the prior success of megacities. Megacities expanded in the 1990s along with the world markets. These lines demonstrate that the emergence of second cities has been a natural outgrowth of the earlier success of megacities. These megacities previously experienced a boom as global markets in 1990. It is evident that their success eventually turns against them because of this. So, F is another correct response.

Question 3:

Answer: G
Supporting sentence: Bonuses got bigger, bankers got richer and real estate prices in the world's most sought-after cities soared.
Keyword : Bonuses, bankers got richer, world's most sought
Keyword location: Paragraph 5, line 2
Explanation: In the 1990s, megacities expanded alongside global markets, according to the second sentence of the fifth paragraph. This was especially true in regions with "knowledge-based" or high-tech businesses, including finance. Bonuses increased, bankers became wealthier, and the cost of real estate in some of the most coveted locations in the world rose sharply. From these lines, we can infer that as megacities expanded as global markets, bonuses increased, bankers became wealthier. Also, real estate prices rose sharply, indicating that megacities were no longer automatically favorable as locations for businesses. So, G is the third correct response.

Questions 4 – 6

Choose three letters A-G

The list below gives some possible reasons why small towns can turn into successful Second Cities. Which THREE of these reasons are mentioned by the writer of the text

the existence of support services for foreign workers
the provision of cheap housing for older people
the creation of efficient access routes
the ability to attract financial companies
the expertise to keep up with electronic development
the maintenance of a special local atmosphere
the willingness to imitate international style architecture

Question 4:

Answer: C
Supporting sentence: One key is excellent transport links, especially to the biggest commercial centers.
Keyword : One key, excellent transport links, biggest commercial centers.
Keyword location: paragraph 8, line 3
Explanation: The passage says that the excellent transportation connections, particularly to the largest commercial cities. They are cited in the third line of the eighth paragraph as one of the keys. These lines indicate that there were very good transportation connections to the largest business cities. The author has therefore recommended the development of effective access ways. So, C is the one of the correct answers.

Question 5:

Answer: E
Supporting sentence: Soon big companies began looking at the area, a number of medical technology and electronic firms came to town, and IBM put more investment into service businesses there.
Keyword : big companies, medical technology, electronic firms, service businesses
Keyword location: paragraph 11, lines 1-2
Explanation: The answer lies in the lines 1-2 of paragraph 11. The significant enterprises soon started taking an interest in the region, and various medical technology and electronic companies moved in. Also, IBM increased its investment in local service businesses. These lines demonstrate that the small town had the know-how to keep up with the advancement of electronics. The other correct approach is therefore E.

Question 6:

Answer: F
Supporting sentence: Italy, for example, is trying to create tourist hubs of towns close to each other with distinctive buildings and offering different yet complementary cultural activities.
Keyword : create tourist hubs, distinctive buildings, different yet complementary cultural activities
Keyword location: paragraph 12, lines 1-3
Explanation: The first three lines of the concluding paragraph states that the second cities won't remain little. It is noted in paragraph 12. In fact, nations actively support their rise. For instance, Italy is attempting to develop tourist centers made up of nearby towns with distinctive architecture. Also they are made up of a range of complementary but separate cultural activities. These lines indicate that the second cities won't stay tiny because the nations actively encourage their expansion. Consider Italy. It is obvious that tiny towns can develop into prosperous second cities by maintaining a unique local atmosphere. The third right response is therefore F.

Questions 7 – 13

Complete the summary by using the list A-R below.

Urban Decentralisation

It is becoming increasingly obvious that large numbers of 7……are giving up their expensive premises in the megacities and relocating to smaller cities like Montpellier. One of the attractions of Montpellier is the presence of a good 8…… that can provide them with the necessary skilled workforce.

Another Important factor for Montpellier was the arrival of visitors from the 9……………… The introduction of the 10………meant that increasing numbers were able to come for short stays. Of these, a significant proportion decided to get a base in the city. The city council soon realized that they needed to provide an appropriate 11……….for their new inhabitants. In fact, the 12…………… among them liked the more relaxed lifestyle so much that they took advantage of any 13……….arrangements offered by their firms to spend more of the week in Montpellier.

urban centers
finance companies
flexible
tram line
cosmopolitan
service industries
capital
high-speed train
infrastructure
unskilled workers
jobs
medical technology
professionals
European Union
amenities
middle age
overtime
University

Question 7:

Answer: F
Supporting sentence: While more financial deals are done now in big capitals like New York and London than ever before, it is also clear that plenty of booming services industries are leaving for 'Rising Urban stars' like Dubai, Montpellier and Cape Town.
Keyword : financial deals, plenty of booming services, 'Rising Urban stars'
Keyword location: paragraph 9, lines 2-3
Explanation: According to paragraph 6, even while major cities like New York and London are now the locations of more financial transactions than ever before. It is also obvious that many flourishing services businesses are moving to "rising urban stars" like Dubai, Montpellier, and Cape Town. These lines show that it is becoming more and more clear that many service sectors are leaving their pricey locations in megacities. Those are moving to smaller cities like Montpellier. The answer is therefore F.

Question 8:

Answer: R
Supporting sentence: These places have not only improved their Internet backbones but often have technical institutes and universities that turn out the kinds of talent that populate growth industries.
Keyword : places, Internet backbones, technical institutes, universities
Keyword location: paragraph 9, last line
Explanation: The final sentence of paragraph 9 states the answer. It notes that the cities Dubai, Montpellier, and Cape Town improved their Internet infrastructures. Also, they frequently have technical colleges and universities that produce the types of workers who work in emerging industries. These words suggest that technical institutes and colleges. It can offer the required industrial exposure and a competent staff, are one of Montpelier's attractions. So, R is another correct response.

Question 9:

Answer: G
Supporting sentence: Until the 1980s, it was like a big Mediterranean village.
Keyword : 1980s, big Mediterranean, village
Keyword location: paragraph 10, lines 1-2
Explanation: Taking into account Montpellier, France, a case study in urban decentralisation, the lines 1-2 of the tenth paragraph begins. It resembled a sizable Mediterranean village up to the 1980s. Parisians started traveling here for weekend getaways as soon as the high-speed train links were established. These lines suggest that one of Montpellier's major drivers was the influx of tourists from the city, namely Parisians traveling there over the weekends. The correct approach is therefore G.

Question 10:

Answer: H
Supporting sentence: Once the high-speed train lines were built, Parisians began pouring in for weekend breaks.
Keyword : high-speed train, Parisians, weekend breaks
Keyword location: paragraph 10, lines 2-3
Explanation: As per lines 2-3 of paragraph 10 is an example of urban decentralisation, think of Montpellier, France. It resembled a sizable Mediterranean village up to the 1980s. After the high-speed train lines were constructed, Parisians flocked there for weekend getaways in droves. A critical mass of middle-class professionals took advantage of flexible work schedules. They took advantage of it to spend three days in Paris and two in the South, where there appeared to be less pressure, after some of them bought homes.

Question 11:

Answer: O
Supporting sentence: To cater to the incoming professionals, the city began building amenities: an opera house, a tram line to discourage cars in the city centre.
Keyword : cater, incoming professionals, amenities, discourage cars in the city centre
Keyword location: paragraph 11, lines 2-4
Explanation: The city started constructing amenities, such an opera theatre and a tram line to discourage cars in the city centre. It does so to cater to the arriving professionals, as is shown in the lines 2-4 of paragraph 11. These lines show that the city began constructing amenities to accommodate the newcomers' professional needs. So, O will be right choice here.

Question 12:

Answer: M
Supporting sentence: Some bought houses, creating a critical mass of middle-class professionals who began taking advantage of flexible working systems to do three days in Paris, and two down South, where things seemed less pressured.
Keyword : bought houses, critical mass of middle-class professionals,
Keyword location: paragraph 10, lines 3-6
Explanation: Lines 3-6 of paragraph 10 says the answer. Several middle-class professionals who had purchased homes started to take advantage of flexible work schedules to spend three days in Paris. These words imply that some professionals preferred the more laid-back way of life. Weekend visitors from Paris started to arrive in droves. A critical mass of middle-class professionals took advantage of flexible work schedules to spend three days in Paris and two in the South. It is where there appeared to be less pressure, after some of them bought homes. So, M will be the correct answer.

Question 13:

Answer: C
Supporting sentence: Some bought houses, creating a critical mass of middle-class professionals who began taking advantage of flexible working systems
Keyword : houses, middle-class, advantage, flexible
Keyword location: paragraph 10, last line
Explanation: It is stated in the last line of paragraph 10. Some acquired properties, producing a critical mass of middle-class professionals. It is those professionals, who started taking advantage of flexible working schedules to do three days in Paris. From these lines, we may infer that the professionals like a more laid-back lifestyle. They like those lifestyles so much that they utilised the flexible working schedules provided by their employers to spend more time in Montpellier. Thus, the correct answer is is therefore option C