Topic: Crowded Places
1. (What kind of places are often crowded?)
(Answer) Most often, crowded places are public venues that attract a great number of people. Megacities like New York, Beijing, and Tokyo are known for being exceptionally crowded. Photos of massive crowds of people depict these cities’ residents doing everything from walking down the street to marching in parades and even sitting in traffic.
2. (Do you like going to crowded places?)
(Answer) Yes, sometimes. (Give a reason for your answer) I’m an extrovert in nature, so I like to go out and socialize with others. I like big crowds at sporting events and concerts, for example, but I can be intimidated when entering a big social gathering and facing the prospect of mingling. I think it depends on whether the event is me spectating or something where I’m expected to interact with the crowd.
3. (Why do people like to go to crowded places?)
(Answer) Well, there are many reasons for this tendency. (Give a reason for your answer) After all, it boils down to the way humans conduct their lives. While some prefer to live the life of a community, others are individualistic. Cheerful people prefer sharing their activities with the crowd and take it as collective enjoyment. As a matter of fact, while young people like adventure and loudness, older people value their privacy and time with themselves.
Vocabulary:
1. megacity [n]: a megacity is a very large city, typically with a population in excess of 10 million people
Eg: Currently, there are 37 megacities in the world.
2. exceptionally [adv]: far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree
Eg: The weather was exceptionally mild for the time of the year
3. massive [adj]: very large in size, amount, or number
Eg: If the drought continues, deaths will occur on a massive scale.
4. extrovert [n]: an energetic happy person who enjoys being with other people:
Eg: Most sales people are extroverts.
15. intimidate [v]: to frighten or threaten someone, usually in order to persuade them to do something that you want them to do
Eg: They were intimidated into accepting a pay cut by the threat of losing their jobs.
16. prospect [n]: the possibility that something good might happen in the future
Eg: Is there any prospect of the weather improving?
17. boil down to [expression]: if a situation or problem boils down to something, that is the main reason for it
Eg: The problem boils down to one thing – lack of money.
18. individualistic [adj]: characterized by individualism; independent and selfreliant
Eg: Her approach is highly individualistic and may not be suitable for everyone.
19. collective [adj]: of or shared by every member of a group of people
Eg: It was a collective decision/effort.
20. privacy [n]: the state of being alone
Eg: I hate sharing a bedroom – I never get any privacy.