Exercise 7: Read the text carefully, then do the tasks.
Large cities often have problems that small towns and rural areas do not have. Two of the
biggest problems are heavy traffic and the pollution that cars create. Of course. Traffic problems
and pollution are not only found in big cities. However, the higher populations and larger number
of cars on the roads in cities can make the problems happen more often and with more noticeable
effects.
One of the most common traffic problems the large cities have is congestion. As the
population of a city increases, so does the number of cars on the road. Cities cannot always
improve the number and size of their roads and highways to keep up with the number of cars.
The result is traffic congestion, or traffic jams.
When traffic jams happen, cars that are stuck in the congestion continue to run their
engines. This creates pollution and is a big problems. Pollution causes health problems for the
people in cities and also hurts the environment.
A. Match the words with their meanings.

1. rural                            A. being too crowded or too full
2. noticeable                   B. unable to move
3. congestion                  C. easy to see or recognize
4. traffic jam                    D. in the countryside, not in the city
5. stuck                           E. too many vehicles in one place prevents

ANSWER: 1. ________ 2. ________ 3. ________ 4. ________ 5. ________
B. Choose the correct answers.
1. Where do traffic problems and pollution frequently happen?
A. small towns B. rural areas C. big cities D. remote villages
2. According to the passage, what causes traffic congestion in big cities?
A. A lot of city dwellers B. Too many cars on the roads
C. Careless drivers D. Less traffic signs on the streets
3. The high number of cars is caused by_________
A. urban planning B. traffic congestion
C. environmental pollution D. the population
4. The highway and road network is ________ of meeting the requirement of increasing number
of vehicles.
A. full B. aware C. incapable D. uncertain
5. Which of the followings is NOT true?
A. Only big cities have the problem of pollution.
B. Traffic jams cause pollution
C. Pollution is a major problem in big cities.
D. Pollution causes health and environmental problems.