📖 Key Vocabulary — Pre-teach Before Class
Introduce or review these words with students before starting the lesson so they can use them during speaking practice.
1infrastructurethe basic physical systems of a place, such as roads, bridges, and utilities
2urbanizationthe increasing movement of people from rural to urban areas
3a skylinethe outline of buildings against the sky in a city
4gentrificationthe process of an area becoming wealthier, often displacing original residents
5congestionovercrowding, especially of traffic
6public transitbuses, trains, and other shared transportation systems
7a commutersomeone who travels regularly between home and work
8accessibilitythe quality of being easy to reach or use, especially for those with disabilities
9a residential areaa part of a city where people live
10a landmarka recognizable feature or building that identifies a location
11renewable energypower from sources that naturally replenish, like solar or wind
12green spaceareas of grass, trees, or parks within a city
13affordable housinghomes priced within reach of low- or middle-income residents
14urban renewalthe redevelopment of areas within a city
15pedestrian-friendlydesigned to be safe and convenient for people walking
16a metropolisa very large, busy city
17displacementthe forced removal of people from their homes or communities
18smart citya city that uses technology to improve services and efficiency
19to modernizeto update something to current standards
20livabilitythe quality of an area being pleasant and suitable to live in
✍️ Vocabulary Practice — Fill in the Blank
Complete each sentence below with the correct word or phrase from the 20 vocabulary words above. Use each word only once.
▼
a commuter
a landmark
a metropolis
a residential area
a skyline
accessibility
affordable housing
congestion
displacement
gentrification
green space
infrastructure
livability
pedestrian-friendly
public transit
renewable energy
smart city
to modernize
urban renewal
urbanization
- The abandoned docklands were transformed through a major project into a lively arts district.
- The city council approved a project to build more for low-income families.
- The factory was built far from to avoid disturbing local families with noise.
- Over the past fifty years, the small port town grew into of nearly ten million people.
- Rising rents caused by have forced many long-time residents to move to cheaper areas.
- Critics warn that the redevelopment plan could cause of families who have lived there for generations.
- Sensors that monitor traffic and energy use are central to the idea of a .
- Rapid has led millions of people to move from villages into fast-growing cities.
- As , she spends nearly two hours on the train every day getting to work.
- Traffic during rush hour can add an extra hour to a commuter's journey.
- Rankings of the world's most livable cities often consider factors like safety, healthcare, and green space.
- The old clock tower has become that visitors use to find their way around downtown.
- The new subway stations were redesigned to improve for people using wheelchairs.
- Several cities have committed to powering all public buildings with by 2030.
- Expanding is often seen as the most effective way to reduce the number of cars on the road.
- The government plans to invest heavily in , including new roads, bridges, and water systems.
- Tourists often photograph the city's at sunset, when the buildings glow orange.
- Urban planners argue that every neighborhood should have access to such as parks or gardens.
- The city center was redesigned to be more , with wider sidewalks and fewer cars.
- The old airport needs significant investment its facilities and keep up with growing passenger numbers.
1.urban renewal
2.affordable housing
3.a residential area
4.a metropolis
5.gentrification
6.displacement
7.smart city
8.urbanization
9.a commuter
10.congestion
11.livability
12.a landmark
13.accessibility
14.renewable energy
15.public transit
16.infrastructure
17.a skyline
18.green space
19.pedestrian-friendly
20.to modernize
🕐 0'–10': Warm-up & Opening Question
Purpose
Help everyone relax, get comfortable speaking, and activate ideas.
Teacher asks👉 "Has the city or town you live in changed a lot over the years?"
Follow-up questions- What changes have you noticed?
- Do you think these changes have been positive?
➡ Each student answers briefly (about 1 minute); the teacher asks 1–2 short follow-ups to keep it natural.
🗣️ 10'–45': IELTS Speaking – Part 2 Practice
Format: 1 minute preparation · 2 minutes speaking per student. Students choose or are assigned ONE of the topics below:
Topic 1
Describe a new building or piece of infrastructure built in your city.
You should say:
- What it is
- When it was built
- What purpose it serves
- And explain how it has affected the local area
Topic 2
Describe an area in your city that you think needs improvement.
You should say:
- Where it is
- What the current problems are
- What could be done to improve it
- And explain why this improvement matters
Topic 3
Describe a city you visited that impressed you with its planning or design.
You should say:
- What city it was
- What impressed you about it
- How it compared to your hometown
- And explain what other cities could learn from it
➡ Timing suggestion: 1 minute for preparation, then start speaking.
💬 45'–55': Follow-up Discussion (Part 3 style)
The teacher chooses questions related to the topics above, for example:
City Planning
- What makes a city well-planned?
- What problems arise when cities grow too quickly?
- Should historic buildings be preserved even if it slows development?
Infrastructure & Quality of Life
- How does good infrastructure affect people's everyday lives?
- Should governments prioritize infrastructure over other public spending?
- What role should citizens play in urban planning decisions?
urban sprawl – the uncontrolled expansion of a city into surrounding areas
to revitalize a neighborhood – to bring new life and investment to an area
sustainable development – growth that meets present needs without harming the future
a bottleneck – a point where progress is slowed or blocked
➡ Students discuss briefly; the teacher adds ideas, vocabulary, and useful structures.
🌟 55'–60': Wrap-up & Closing
- Quick recap of interesting or strong answers.
- One student summarizes what they learned today.
- Thank the teacher for joining.