Read the text. What is the main topic?
Around the world, life in big cities is getting faster and more stressful, but one thing is slowing down: the traffic. Millions of cars, buses and lorries are using the roads and there just isn't enough space for them. The result is congestion. Congestion causes pollution, and it also causes damage to the economy. Governments realise that it's a big problem and they are looking for answers.
Some Italian cities like Rome and Milan ban cars from the centre during certain hours of the day. In other cities, like Athens, each car can only drive on certain days. London decided on a different method: cars have to pay to enter the city. This 'congestion charge' became law in 2003. Drivers today have to pay £10 a day to enter London between certain hours of the day.
At the start, people were unhappy about the congestion charge for several reasons. Some people thought it was their right to drive in London without paying. Others said that it was causing damage to the local economy because people stopped coming into London to visit shops and restaurants. But today, most people are in favour of the charge and think there is no better alternative.
Ways to reduce pollution.
Ways to reduce traffic in cities.
Ways to make cities smaller.
Choose the best answers.
1Congested roads in cities are bad for
the environment, but good for business.
the environment and business.
cars, lorries and buses.
children and adults.
2In Rome, car drivers
can only enter the city centre at certain times.
cannot enter the city at all.
can enter the city centre at any time.
can only enter the city on certain days.
3In Athens, each car can enter the city
at the weekend only.
only at certain times of the day.
on certain days only.
at any time, day or night.
4The London congestion charge means that drivers
cannot enter the city between certain times.
have to buy a licence every year.
can only enter the city at night.
have to pay to enter the city between certain times.
5Some people thought the congestion charge was bad for the local economy because it means
shops and restaurants are more crowded.
people sometimes leave restaurants without paying.
shops and restaurants are quieter.
people spend all their money just getting into London.
6Today, most people's attitude to the London congestion charge is that
it's probably the best thing to do.
it doesn't work very well.
it's really a bad idea.
there are better ways to deal with congestion.
1.
Ways to reduce traffic in cities.
2.
1. The environment and business.
2. Can only enter the city centre at certain times.
3. On certain days only.
4. Have to pay to enter the city between certain times.
5. Shops and restaurants are quieter.
6. It's probably the best thing to do.