B2 First Speaking Part 2: Comparing Life in a City and a Village

Speaking Test Practice: Comparing Urban and Rural Lifestyles

Part 1: Comparing Pictures

1. Similarities:

   The pictures have some things in common because you can see people in the street of different places, such as in a city and in a village.

However, we can see several differences:

• Picture A: We can see a housewife who is sweeping the street and the stairs. I think she is sweeping her neighbourhood, and I can see the laundry hanging out. Also, a boy appears in the background.
• Picture B: There seems to be a modern European city with many people and buildings. In addition, I can see a lot of bicycles, trees, a canal, and a red motorbike.

Part 2: Follow-up Questions and Discussion

1. What do you think life is like in these places?

I believe that life in picture B is less peaceful and quiet than in picture A because, in a city, life is much more stressful. In contrast, in a village, people share a distinct sense of community, and they support and help each other.

You can live much more calmly in a rural setting, and it is traditional to see laundry hung out in the street.

2. How do you think people get around?

In picture A—that is to say, in a village—it can be harder to get around. Residents often have to get around on foot; however, depending on the specific village, they can also use cars, bicycles, and local buses.

In picture B, it is not difficult to get around because people can conveniently use bicycles, motorbikes, and scooters to navigate the city.

3. Why might people choose to live in a place like this?

People may choose to live in a city like the one in picture B because they can find more job opportunities to develop as young professionals in a modern European city. Moreover, in an urban area, you have access to numerous shops, theatres, and amenities that are not available in a village.

On the other hand, people might choose to live in a village like in photo A because daily life is more peaceful and traditional than in a city. People enjoy a stronger sense of community where neighbours look out for one another. Nonetheless, some villages are rather isolated, making it difficult to find steady employment and build an independent living.

4. Which lifestyle would you prefer?

Although I know that living in a city offers many clear advantages, the high cost of living and the fast pace of urban life represent major drawbacks for me. For this reason, I would prefer to live in a peaceful and quiet village.