Listening Exercise: The Best City in America

1. I want to live in a city that’s affordable, so I can rent an apartment, buy groceries, and still save money each month.

a) very expensive
b) not too expensive
c) costs nothing at all

2. The town used to be small, but now there’s sprawl–shopping malls and housing developments are spreading in all directions.

a) a crowded downtown area
b) a messy expansion over a wide area
c) a quiet farming community

3. It was so hot and noisy in the city that we decided to take a trip to the mountains to escape the crowds and relax.

a) avoid or get away from something unpleasant
b) pay a lot for something fun
c) wait for something to happen

4. The hotel offers recreational activities like tennis, swimming, and yoga classes.

a) school-related programs
b) jobs that pay well
c) fun things to do

5. Air pollution is a serious problem in large cities because of all the traffic and industrial smoke.

a) clean air and water
b) harmful things that make air or water dirty
c) people moving from place to place

6. Owning your own business can be a double-edged sword; you get freedom, but also a lot of stress and responsibility.

a) something that has both good and bad results
b) something sharp and dangerous
c) something that protects you

7. During the long train ride, I stared out the window and started to drift off, thinking about my weekend plans.

a) lose focus or become distracted
b) leave the train
c) write everything down

8. Our school needs to expand because there aren’t enough classrooms for all the new students.

a) stay the same
b) grow larger or spread out
c) get smaller

1. What is one reason Charlottesville was chosen as the best place to live?

a) It is exactly like New York City and Seattle
b) It has the cheapest houses in the US
c) It has a beautiful natural environment
d) The weather is the same all year long

2. What does college student Kenny Flint say about nature in Charlottesville?

a) It is hard to find
b) It is more real than in New York
c) It looks just like Central Park
d) It is too far from where he lives

3. What sometimes distracts Kenny during class?

a) Noise from the streets
b) Text messages
c) Nature outside the window
d) People talking

4. What happened in Ann Arbor after it was named best city?

a) Many people left because it was too quiet
b) The city closed its parks
c) It became more polluted and crowded
d) The weather became too cold to live there

5. What happened to house prices in Ann Arbor?

a) They stayed the same
b) They became lower
c) They went up
d) They were free for students

6. What is Fiona Maxwell’s job?

a) A news reporter
b) A college professor
c) A student
d) A city planner

7. What does Fiona think about Charlottesville’s ability to handle more people?

a) It’s impossible
b) There is no space
c) It can expand carefully
d) Everyone must move out

8. What concern does Fiona mention about Charlottesville growing?

a) Not enough public schools
b) Prices may get too high for some people
c) The weather may change
d) It will become too quiet

9. Why does he call this news report a “double-edged sword”?

a) It’s an affordable city, but now people might leave because it’s too quiet
b) It’s a great city to live in, but news reports like this could cause more people to come
c) The weather is warm in the summer, but cold in the winter
d) The city has a history of violence involving swords

10. What is the main topic of the news report?

a) Charlottesville being named the best place to live
b) New York City is too crowded and polluted
c) A comparison between Charlottesville and Atlanta
d) The history of Charlottesville