IELTS Open General Training · 4.5 → 8.5 5.5
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City or Country?

城市还是乡村

学完能做到

词汇 core 13 · expansion 16 · chunks 4

核心词 core

urbanadj.B1
城市的
urban areas · urban life
Many people enjoy the convenience of urban living.
很多人喜欢城市生活的便利。
ruraladj.B1
乡村的
rural areas · rural life
Rural areas often have a stronger sense of community.
乡村地区通常有更强的社区感。
conveniencen.B1
便利
the convenience of · for convenience
The convenience of having everything nearby is a big advantage of city life.
一切都在附近所带来的便利是城市生活的一大好处。
pollutionn.B1
污染
air pollution · noise pollution
Air pollution is one of the biggest problems in big cities.
空气污染是大城市最大的问题之一。
pace of lifen.B2
生活节奏
fast pace of life · slower pace of life
Some people find the fast pace of life in the city very stressful.
有些人觉得城市快节奏的生活压力很大。
affordableadj.B1
负担得起的、便宜的
affordable housing · affordable prices
Housing in the countryside is often more affordable than in the city.
乡村的住房通常比城市更便宜。
overcrowdingn.B2
过度拥挤
problem of overcrowding · overcrowding in cities
Overcrowding can make public transport very uncomfortable.
过度拥挤会让公共交通非常不舒服。
public transportn.B1
公共交通
use public transport · public transport system
A good public transport system can reduce traffic jams.
良好的公共交通系统可以减少交通堵塞。
communityn.B1
社区、团体
sense of community · local community
There is often a stronger sense of community in smaller towns.
在小城镇通常有更强的社区感。
cost of livingn.B2
生活成本
high cost of living · cost of living index
The cost of living in the city centre is extremely high.
市中心的生活成本极高。
commutev./n.B2
通勤;上下班路程
commute to work · a daily commute
Many people commute long distances to work every day.
很多人每天通勤很远去上班。
greeneryn.B2
绿色植物、绿地
surrounded by greenery · lack of greenery
The countryside offers fresh air and lots of greenery.
乡村提供新鲜空气和大量的绿地。
facilitiesn.pluralB1
设施
leisure facilities · sports facilities
Cities have better facilities for education and entertainment.
城市有更好的教育和娱乐设施。

扩展词库 expansion

hustle and bustlen.B2
熙熙攘攘、喧嚣
the hustle and bustle of city life
close to naturephr.B1
亲近自然
living close to nature
amenitiesn.pluralB2
便利设施
local amenities
remoteadj.B2
偏远的
remote area
spaciousadj.B1
宽敞的
spacious house
congestedadj.B2
拥挤的
congested roads
vibrantadj.B2
充满活力的
vibrant nightlife
leasen.B2
租约
sign a lease
relocatev.B2
搬迁
relocate to
suburbn.B1
郊区
live in the suburbs
stress-freeadj.B2
无压力的
a stress-free lifestyle
nightlifen.B1
夜生活
enjoy the nightlife
scenicadj.B2
风景优美的
scenic views
varietyn.B1
多样性
a variety of
employment opportunitiesn.phr.B1
就业机会
more employment opportunities
pros and consphr.B1
利弊、正反两面
the pros and cons of

词块 / 生存短语 chunks

on the one hand一方面
On the one hand, living in a city is exciting.
一方面,住在城市里很令人兴奋。
on the other hand另一方面
On the other hand, it can be very noisy.
另一方面,它可能会很吵。
in terms of就……而言
In terms of cost, the countryside is cheaper.
就成本而言,乡村更便宜。
the best of both worlds两全其美
Living in the suburbs gives you the best of both worlds.
住在郊区可让你两全其美。

语法 语言升级点

Comparative structures (more...than, as...as)B1
比较两个事物或人之间的差异或相似之处
形容词比较级 + than; as + 形容词原级 + as
在比较城市和乡村时非常有用。比如 'Cities are more crowded than villages.' 或 'The countryside is not as convenient as the city.' 注意多音节形容词用 more 构成比较级。

例句

Living in the city is more expensive than living in the countryside.
住在城市比住在乡村贵。
The air in the countryside is not as polluted as the air in the city.
乡村的空气不像城市那样污染严重。

常见错误

✗ The countryside is more quiet than the city.✓ The countryside is quieter than the city.
单音节形容词 quiet 直接加 -er,不用 more。
↑ 提分:再高一档可用 'the + 比较级..., the + 比较级...' 结构,如 'The bigger the city, the more stressful life can be.'
Linking ideas: 'on the other hand'B1
引出对比或矛盾的观点
句子A。On the other hand, 句子B。
用来表示与之前陈述相反或不同的另一面。常与 'on the one hand' 配合使用,但不必须。在写作和口语中都能体现逻辑性。

例句

Cities offer more job opportunities. On the other hand, the cost of living is higher.
城市提供更多工作机会。另一方面,生活成本更高。

常见错误

✗ Cities are noisy. On the other hand, I like the countryside.✓ Cities are noisy. On the other hand, the countryside is peaceful.
'on the other hand' 连接的是同一主题下的对比点,不能是无关话题。
↑ 提分:再高一档可替换为 'however', 'in contrast', 'conversely' 等更高级的衔接词。

阅读 Reading opinion note

Choosing Between City and Country Life
Many people face the decision of where to live: in a busy city or a quiet countryside area. Each choice has its own advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, cities are exciting. There are always restaurants, shops and cultural events. Public transport is convenient, so you do not need a car. Also, there are more jobs available, and salaries are often higher. However, cities can be noisy and crowded. The cost of living, especially rent, is usually very high. Air pollution is another serious problem. On the other hand, the countryside offers a peaceful lifestyle. The air is clean, and there is plenty of green space. Houses are larger and more affordable. People often know their neighbours, which creates a strong sense of community. But rural areas also have disadvantages. There are fewer entertainment options, and you may need to travel long distances to reach a supermarket or hospital. Job opportunities are also limited. In the end, the best choice depends on what you value most in life.
cultural events文化活动green space绿地sense of community社区意识
TFNG1.Cities usually provide a wider range of job opportunities.
✅ TRUE — 文中提到 'there are more jobs available'。
TFNG2.People in rural areas can walk to a supermarket in a few minutes.
✅ FALSE — 文中说乡村可能需要走很远才能到超市,不是几分钟。
MCQ3.What is one advantage of rural life mentioned in the text?
  • A lively nightlife
  • B affordable housing
  • C excellent public transport
✅ B — 文中提到 'Houses are larger and more affordable',对应 affordable housing。
gap_fill4.According to the text, air pollution is a serious problem in ___ .
✅ cities — 第三段最后一句 'Air pollution is another serious problem' 指的是城市。
💡 技巧:阅读这种观点对比文章时,注意转折词(however, on the other hand)和列举类词汇(also, another),它们常是出题点。先读题再扫读找关键词。

听力 Listening Section 2 · UK

情景:一对夫妇讨论搬家的利弊,妻子想搬到乡村,丈夫有些疑虑(Section 2 生活类讨论)

Wife
I've been thinking about our next move. The city is getting too crowded, and everything is so expensive.
Husband
I know what you mean. But if we move to the countryside, my daily commute will be over an hour each way.
Wife
True, but imagine the space we could have. We could get a house with a garden, and the children would have cleaner air to breathe.
Husband
That does sound nice. But what about shops and hospitals? In a rural area, they are often far away.
Wife
There is a small town about ten minutes' drive away. It has a doctor's surgery and a supermarket. It's not as convenient as here, but we could manage.
Husband
I suppose so. And the houses are certainly more affordable. But will I be able to find a new job easily?
Wife
You could look for something closer to the new home, or maybe work from home a few days a week. Many people do that now.
Husband
Alright, let's look at some properties online this weekend.
gap_fill1.The husband is worried that his commute would be over ___ hour each way.
✅ an / 1 — 他说 'over an hour each way'。
gap_fill2.The small town has a doctor's surgery and a ___
✅ supermarket — 妻子说 'It has a doctor's surgery and a supermarket.'
MCQ3.What does the husband say about houses in the countryside?
  • A They are more expensive
  • B They are less modern
  • C They are more affordable
✅ C — 他说 'the houses are certainly more affordable'。
MCQ4.What solution does the wife suggest for the husband's job?
  • A He should retire early
  • B He could work from home sometimes
  • C He should change his career
✅ B — 她说 'work from home a few days a week'。
💡 技巧:Section 2 常讨论生活决定,注意说话人的担忧和建议。转折词(but, however)后的内容往往是答案。数字(如时间、距离)要听准。

写作 Writing Task 2 (essay) · 目标 250 词

Some people prefer to live in a city, while others choose to live in the countryside. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Choosing where to live is a very personal decision. Some people love the excitement of the city, while others prefer the peace of the countryside. In this essay, I will look at both sides before giving my own view. On the one hand, living in a city has many advantages. Firstly, there are more employment opportunities, and salaries are often higher. Secondly, cities offer a wide range of entertainment such as cinemas, restaurants and museums. Public transport is usually good, which makes it easy to get around without a car. However, city life also has downsides. The cost of living is high, and many people have to live in small flats because housing is expensive. Traffic and pollution can also be stressful. On the other hand, the countryside provides a quieter lifestyle. The air is cleaner, and there is more green space. Houses are larger and more affordable, so families can have a garden. Moreover, there is often a stronger sense of community, as people know their neighbours well. But rural areas are not perfect. There are fewer facilities, and people may have to travel long distances to work or school. Job opportunities are also limited. In my opinion, both places have their own benefits. However, I personally prefer city life because I enjoy the convenience and the variety of things to do. I also like being able to use public transport late at night. Although I sometimes dream of a peaceful house in the countryside, I think the city suits my lifestyle better. To sum up, whether you choose the city or the countryside depends on your priorities. But it is clear that each has something different to offer.

逐句标注

任务“Choosing where to live is a very personal decision.”开头引入话题,清晰表达文章要讨论两种选择。
衔接“On the one hand, living in a city has many advantages.”使用 'on the one hand' 引出第一个观点,结构清晰。
词汇“there are more employment opportunities, and salaries are often higher.”用词准确,'employment opportunities'、'salaries' 是话题词。
语法“Public transport is usually good, which makes it easy to get around without a car.”本课语法:比较级 'better' 隐含,关系从句 'which' 使用正确。
语法“The cost of living is high, and many people have to live in small flats because housing is expensive.”复合句使用 'because' 连接原因,结构多样。
衔接“On the other hand, the countryside provides a quieter lifestyle.”'On the other hand' 转折,对比第二个观点。
语法“Houses are larger and more affordable, so families can have a garden.”比较级 'larger, more affordable' 和结果连接 'so'。
任务“In my opinion, both places have their own benefits.”明确给出自己观点,但先承认双方优点。
词汇“I personally prefer city life because I enjoy the convenience and the variety of things to do.”词汇 'convenience', 'variety' 准确表达喜好。
任务“To sum up, whether you choose the city or the countryside depends on your priorities.”结论概括全文,重申个人选择的重要性。
🎯 本档语言特征:任务完成度好,讨论双方观点并给出自己看法。结构清晰,使用 'on the one hand / on the other hand' 组织段落。词汇基本准确,有话题词。语法有比较级、简单句和复合句交替使用,错误较少。整体约为 band 6。
↑ 再上一档:再往上一档:可用更多样的衔接词(in contrast, conversely),加强长难句(如非限定关系从句、条件句),并增加话题词深度(如 infrastructure, metropolitan)。

口语 Speaking

Part 1

Q: Do you live in a city or a village?
I currently live in a city, but I grew up in a small town. So I have experienced both types of life.
💡 简单回答后补充背景,展示比较能力。
Q: What do you like about your hometown?
In my hometown, I really liked the peace and quiet. It was much less crowded than here, and the air was fresher. But it was sometimes a bit boring because there weren't many things to do.
💡 使用比较级(less crowded, fresher)和转折词 but。
Q: Would you prefer to live in a big city or a small town in the future?
I think I would prefer a small town. I like the slower pace of life, and houses are more affordable. However, I would want it to be close to a city so I could go there when I need to.
💡 用 I think 开头,理由加比较级和条件。

Part 2 · 提示卡

Describe a place where you would like to live in the future. You should say: where it is; what kind of place it is; why you would like to live there; and explain what you would do there.
I'd like to talk about a small coastal town in the south of England. I visited it last year and fell in love with it. It's not a big city, but it has all the basic facilities you need, like a supermarket, a few good restaurants and a hospital. The sea is very close, so the air is fresh and you can go for walks on the beach. I would like to live there because I'm tired of the noise and pollution in the city where I live now. The pace of life there is much slower, and people seem friendlier. If I lived there, I would probably work from home most of the time, and in my free time I would go swimming or sailing. I think it would be the perfect place for a stress-free life.
💡 描述地点按卡片提示展开,使用比较级(slower, friendlier),现在完成(I have visited),条件句(If I lived...)。

Part 3

Q: Why do some people prefer to live in the city rather than the countryside?
I think the main reason is convenience. In cities, you have everything close by, and there are more jobs. Also, young people often prefer the vibrant nightlife and the variety of entertainment options.
💡 给出多个理由,用 also 连接。
Q: Do you think city life will become more or less popular in the future?
On the one hand, cities are growing, so they might become even more popular. But on the other hand, with more people working from home, some may move to the countryside for a better quality of life. It's hard to say for sure.
💡 用 on the one hand/on the other hand 展示对立观点,适合 Part 3 讨论。

高频短语

I would prefer...表达偏好,可用于 Part 1 和 Part 3
on the one hand... on the other hand...对比两种观点,适合 Part 3 和写作
the pace of life描述生活节奏,可用于城乡对比

应试策略

5.5档在 Task 2 写作中要确保文章结构完整:有开头段、两个主体段(分别讨论双方观点)、自己观点段和结论段。使用 'on the one hand / on the other hand' 清晰对比。口语中主动使用比较级和本课词块。听力注意对话中的建议和担忧,常是考点。

本档提分建议

从5.5到6.5:①作文尝试用更多样的衔接词(however, in contrast, moreover);②口语每个回答尽量给出2-3个原因并举例;③主动使用本课学的比较结构和词块,避免重复简单词(good/bad)。