Rural vs Urban Life

Complete the passage: One of the main disadvantages of rural life in developed countries is the sense of isolation many people can feel. There isn't a developed public transport system so people are very dependent on their cars to get around. It is often difficult for city dwellers to appreciate the benefits of the rural lifestyle, so it can be difficult to persuade doctors and teachers to come and work in the countryside. However, people born and raised in rural areas enjoy the peacefulness of life and often feel overwhelmed by the frantic pace of the city.

Which statement best reflects the theme of the passage regarding rural and urban living?

Original ancestors were able to live in permanent villages.

The Industrial Revolution led to food shortages in urban areas.

Match the following words or phrases with their similar meaning in the passage:

Rural Life

Rural life in developed countries has a sense of isolation, which can lead to feelings of loneliness.
There is often no developed public transport system, making people dependent on cars.
It can be difficult to persuade doctors and teachers to work in rural areas.
People born and raised in rural areas enjoy the simple and peaceful pace of life.
They often feel overwhelmed by the frantic pace of city life.

Urbanisation

The human species evolved in the savannah, where they made a living by hunting and gathering.
Permanent settlement became the rule in Europe after the Agrarian Revolution, around 10,000 years ago.
Most people lived in farmhouses, often grouped in villages, with only a small percentage living in urban settings.
The Industrial Revolution led to massive urbanisation, with around 90% of the population moving to cities.
Despite this, people began to cherish rural life more and focus on the hazards of urban life.

Rural vs Urban Living

There is no advantage to living in a rural setting in terms of life satisfaction, according to various studies.
In developed countries, rural people tend to be just as satisfied with life as city people.
In developing countries, rural dwellers are markedly less happy than city dwellers.
A survey showed that people in the most urbanised parts of the world prefer rural living, while those in the least urbanised parts prefer urban living.