They Won't Stop Long
They Won't Stop Long
They Won't Stop Long
Approximately one-sixth of the world’s (1) now live in shanty towns, which
are seen as “breeding grounds” for social problems such as crime, drug addition, alcoholism,
(2) and unemployment.
The (3) of megacities brings enormous challenges to governments, social and
environmental planners, architects, engineers and the inhabitants of the megacities. Just one
example: the London population grew from one million to eight million in 150 years, while
the population of Mexico City grew from one million to over 15 million people in only 50
years.
No wonder that the (4) number of people living in cities more
demands, in areas such as housing and services. The destruction of our environment and
poverty are two other concerns, which city (5) have to take care of.
Megacities influence a variety of living (6) for citizens. Although traffic
jams, poor air quality and increasing health risks, make life in (7) more
difficult, people continue to choose to live there. Therefore it is essential, that more
government programmes are carried out in (8) to help improve living conditions
for the inhabitants of metropolitan areas.
However, megacities also offer great chances: they offer opportunities to look for jobs,
especially for young people. According to the authority, Mexico City and São Paulo produce
around 50% of the income of their countries. Bangkok (9) more than 40% to
the GDP, (10) it is home only to 10% of the population of Thailand.
VII. Read the following passage and answer the questions below.
The Philippines has one of the fastest growing populations in Southeast Asia. From
having fifty million inhabitants in 1980, the Philippines today is home to around ninety-eight
million people with 12 million living in Manila only.
Manila, the Philippine capital, is one of the most overpopulated places on earth. There are
few other areas where so many people live so closely together: On average there are 66,140
people per square kilometer, but in some slum regions there are as many as 90,000 people
living per square kilometer.
The world overpopulation is a growing and complex problem. But for the residents of
Manila the result is quite simple. They are running out of space. Families live in home-made
shacks built in cemeteries, of between railroad tracks or under bridges. They live wherever
they can find some space. Even the city’s toxic garbage dumps are home to people who eat,
sleep and live surrounded by rotting trash. With so many residents, the city’s resources are
strained to the limit. Large parts of Manila’s 12 million residents lack clean drinking water,
work, and access to healthcare and education.
1. What is the average density in manila?