Week 1 - Writing

Question 1

booming
“Business is booming”
“The world’s population is booming”

Answer 1

[of business/economy]
[intransitive]
=> to have a period of rapid growth; to become bigger, more successful, etc.

Question 2

staggering

“The growth in traffic was staggering”

“The paintings on the wall were evidence of a staggering lack of talent.”

Answer 2

=> so great, shocking or surprising that it is difficult to believe

Question 3

strain
pressure
tension

[LOOK FOR DETAILS]

Answer 3

“But hopes for a better life are often dashed as overpopulation puts an enormous strain on the infrastructure of the cities”

“She was unable to attend because of the pressures of work.”

“Family tensions and conflicts may lead to violence.”

Question 4

pressing

“There is a pressing need for more specialist nurses.”

Answer 4

=> needing to be dealt with immediately

Question 5

SYN

pressing

Answer 5

urgent
imperative
emergent

Question 6

SYN

staggering

Answer 6

astounding

astonishing

Question 7

SYN

problem

Answer 7

difficulty
dilemma
challenge
obstacle

Question 8

SYN

solution

Answer 8

answer
key
remedy
resolution

Question 9

SYN

compound

Answer 9

worsen
deteriorate
exacerbate

Question 10

SYN

reform

Answer 10

improve
advance
flourish
progress

Question 11

SYN

transform

Answer 11

change
acclimatise
acclimate
adapt
adjust
amend
modify

Question 12

SYN

linger

Answer 12

drag one’s feet/heel
fall behind
drop behind

Question 13

cosmopolitan

“London is truly a cosmopolitan city. It’s a melting pot for people from all parts of the world.”

Answer 13

international
multicultural
universial

Question 14

metropolis

“A modern metropolis needs a well-integrated transport system. Unfortunately, this is something that most large capital cities lack.”

Answer 14

municipality (munipal)

Question 15

congestion

“London suffers a lot from traffic congestion. It is especially bad during the rush hour when thousands of commuters try to enter or leave the city”

Answer 15

jam

overcrowding

Question 16

Poverty

“Poverty in the inner-city areas can breed crime. Drug abuse is also a big problem”

Answer 16

beggar [person]
impecunious - penniless - poor

impoverishment

Question 17

dweller

“Cities around the world have seen a huge population explosion. Nowadays there are more city dwellers than ever before”

Answer 17

dwell (v) - reside

inhabitant
resident

Question 18

amenity

“Birmingham has plenty of amenities. Shops, libraries, hospitals and entertainment complexes are just a few of them”

Answer 18

facility
service

[other meaning]

• amiability
• politeness
• refinement
• gentility

Question 19

infrastructures

“Cities in poorer countries often lack basic infrastructures. Without them, they are unable to function properly as cities”

Answer 19

architecture

configuration

framework

Question 20

exorbitant

“The cost of living in some places are very high. Prices in London are particularly exorbitant”

Answer 20

costly
high-priced
lavish
extravagant
steep
pricey
overpriced

Question 21

anonymity

“11. A lot of people appreciate the anonymity of living in a large city. They like to feel that they can do something without everybody knowing about it”

Answer 21

anonymous

• inconspicuous
• unidentified
• nameless

Question 22

urban sprawl

“Urban sprawl is prevalent in most cities. Everywhere you go there building sites, pedestrian precincts, blocks of flats and housing estates spreading into the countryside”

Answer 22

sprawling suburbs

sprawling narrative

[to spread or develop irregularly or without restraint]

Question 23

peak period

“In Singapore, private cars are banned from Central Business District at peak periods. Most people use buses and the underground to get to the banks and offices where they work”

Answer 23

peak hour
rush hour
gridlock

traffic jam

• heavy traffic
• [traffic] bottleneck
• [five-mile] tailback
• road rage [attack]