Lesson 1 | City Life vs. Country Life
In this lesson you will read an article comparing city and country life, learn useful B1 vocabulary for expressing opinions, practise comparative and superlative adjectives, and test your understanding with a quiz.
Many people have strong opinions about where they prefer to live. Some people think that cities are exciting and full of opportunity, while others argue that the countryside offers a much better quality of life. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on what you value most.
Cities are generally convenient places to live. Public transport is more frequent, shops and restaurants are closer, and there are more job opportunities. However, cities can also be crowded and stressful. The cost of living is usually higher, and many residents commute long distances every day.
The countryside, on the other hand, is often peaceful and less polluted. People who live in rural areas tend to have more space and a stronger sense of community. In my opinion, this makes country life appealing for families with young children. That said, access to schools, hospitals and cultural facilities is more limited than in urban areas.
I believe the most important thing is to find the environment that suits your lifestyle. If you ask me, neither option is perfect — the ideal solution would be a small town that combines the best of both worlds.
Hover over the highlighted words to see their meanings.
| Adjective type | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| Short (1 syllable) fast, cheap, large |
+ -er faster, cheaper, larger |
the + -est the fastest, cheapest |
| Long (2+ syllables) crowded, stressful |
more + adj. more crowded, more stressful |
the most + adj. the most crowded |
| Irregular good, bad, far |
better, worse, further | the best, the worst, the furthest |
These phrases help you share your views politely and structure an argument — essential skills at B1 level and above.
Tip: Always use more / the most with long adjectives (2+ syllables),
and -er / -est with short adjectives (1 syllable).
Never mix them: more faster is incorrect.
Choose the best answer for each question. Click Check Answers when you are ready.