Page 11 - Complete IELTS 4_SB (Cambridge)

A team of social psychologists from California has spent six years
studying the reactions of people in cities around the world to different
situations. The results show that cities where people have less money
generally have friendlier populations. Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, which is
often known for its crime, comes out top, and the capital of Malawi,
Lilongwe, comes third.
But what makes one city friendlier than another? The psychologists
from California State University say it has got more to do with
environment than culture or nationality.
They carried out a study into the way locals treated strangers in 23 cities
around the world. The team conducted their research through a series of tests, where they dropped
pens or pretended they were blind and needed help crossing the street.
The study concludes that people are more helpful in cities with a more relaxed way of life such as Rio.
While they were there, researchers received help in 93 percent of cases, and the percentage in Lilongwe
was only a little lower. However, richer cities such as Amsterdam and New York are considered the least
friendly. Inhabitants of Amsterdam helped the researchers in 53 percent of cases and in New York just
44 percent. The psychologists found that, in these cities, people tend to be short of time, so they hurry
and often ignore strangers.
adapted from an article by Victoria Harrison, BBC News

0 Read the passage quickly again. Which of the good and bad aspects
in Exercise 1 are mentioned?

0 Match the words and phrases in italics in this table with the words
and phrases in italics in the passage.

Exam advice Table
city positive aspects negative aspects 0/o of help received
completion
• Quickly look for words and
Rio de • friendly • People don't have so 93% phrases in the passage
Janeiro inhabitants much2 ................. . which mean the same as

• more 1 ...... .......... • Has reputation for words and phrases in the
lifestyle 3. ....... ······· • table (for example: not
. many - few; well-known -

Amsterdam • richer People ... Amsterdam: 53 % famous), then read around
and New • have little 4 ................ New York: 44% those words carefully.
York • don't pay attention • Copy the words from the
to S .................. passage into the table
exactly as you see them.
0 Now complete the table. Choose ONE word from the passage for each
answer.

G Work in small groups.
1 Are you surprised that people in cities with less money are
friendlier? Why? / Why not?
2 What is the friendliest place you have ever visited?
3 How friendly are people in your town or city to visitors?
Give examples.
Great places to be G)