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Conversation Advance · Module 5 · Unit 21

Pros and Cons of City Life

C1 Advanced

Learning Objectives

In today’s lesson, you will discuss the pros and cons of rural life and learn practical vocabulary for daily communication.

Discussion

Direction: Answer these questions.
  1. What do you imagine when you think of rural life?
  2. Do you think it is harder to find a community in the country than the city?
  3. What is one thing you would miss if you moved to a rural area?

New Words & Expressions

Direction: Listen and repeat these words with your teacher.

  • Tranquility

    noun

    /træŋˈkwɪləti/

    Meaning:The quality or state of being calm and peaceful.

    I moved to the countryside to find more tranquility.

    Real Life Tip:

    Often associated with rural living as a remedy for stress.

  • Isolation

    noun

    /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən/

    Meaning:The state of being separated from others.

    Some people fear the isolation of living too far from town.

    Real Life Tip:

    A major concern for those moving from the city to the country.

  • Slow down

    phrasal verb

    /sloʊ daʊn/

    Meaning:To reduce one’s speed or the pace of one’s life.

    Moving to the country helped me slow down and enjoy life.

    Real Life Tip:

    Represents a lifestyle shift away from high pressure.

  • Off the beaten path

    idiom

    /ɒf ðə ˈbiːtən pæθ/

    Meaning:A place that is far away from main roads and popular areas.

    We love finding cabins that are truly off the beaten path.

    Real Life Tip:

    Describes places of seclusion and adventure.

  • Country bumpkin

    slang

    /ˈkʌntri ˈbʌmpkɪn/

    Meaning:An insulting term for someone from the country, viewed as unsophisticated.

    People in the city sometimes think I am a country bumpkin, but I love my life.

    Real Life Tip:

    Usually derogatory, though sometimes used playfully by rural residents.

Conversation

Direction:

  • Listen carefully as your teacher reads the conversation aloud.
  • Role-play the conversation with your teacher
Daniel and Rachel are visiting a rural town to see if they might enjoy living there.
  • Daniel
    Wow, look at all this nature. The tranquility is incredible.
  • Rachel
    It is. It is so different from our life in the city.
  • Daniel
    I feel like I can finally slow down here and just breathe.

Q&A

Direction: Answer the questions based on the conversation.
  1. What does Daniel love about the rural location?
  2. What is Rachel’s main concern about living in the country?
  3. How does Daniel respond to Rachel’s worry?

Exercise

Direction: Choose the correct answer to complete each sentence, then read it aloud. Each question gives you 5 Points.

  1. What is tranquility?

  2. What does off the beaten path mean?

  3. Life in the country helped me ____ down.

  4. Living alone can sometimes lead to ____.

  5. country / life / is / peaceful / very

  6. the / path / off / beaten

Ask Your Teacher

Direction: Ask your teacher these questions.
  1. Why is tranquility often more valued in the countryside?
  2. How can one maintain connections to avoid isolation in rural areas?
  3. Do you think the term country bumpkin is still relevant today?

Your Time To Speak

Direction: Answer using the language you have learned in this lesson. Talk about yourself!
  1. How do I adapt to rural life if I am used to the city?
  2. Is it possible to work remotely from somewhere off the beaten path?
  3. What are the best ways to find tranquility without living far away?
  4. How do I avoid social isolation in the country?
  5. Does living in the country really help you slow down?
  6. What are the biggest challenges of rural life?
  7. How do people in rural areas stay entertained?
  8. Is it safe to live off the beaten path?
  9. Can I have a fulfilling career in the countryside?
  10. What should I look for when buying property in a rural area?
Rachel
True, but do you worry about the isolation? It is very quiet.
  • Daniel
    I think I would like it. We would be off the beaten path.
  • Rachel
    I just do not want to end up feeling like a country bumpkin.
  • Daniel
    That will not happen. We can still visit the city whenever.
  • Rachel
    Fair point. Let us explore the town a bit more.