Book review: Triumph of the City
Read Book review: Triumph of the City and check the IELTS Reading answers. *Triumph of the City*, by Edward Glaeser, is a thrilling and very readable hymn of praise to an invention so vast and so effective that it is generally taken for granted. More than half the global population already live in…
Passage preview
*Triumph of the City*, by Edward Glaeser, is a thrilling and very readable hymn of praise to an invention so vast and so effective that it is generally taken for granted. More than half the global population already live in urban areas and, every month, five million more flood into the cities of the developed and developing worlds. The crowds and poverty of some of these modern cities may horrify us. They shouldn’t, says Glaeser; they are signs of growth, energy and aspiration. Cities are our best and brightest hope.
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- aspiration noun
A strong desire, hope, or ambition to achieve something significant or reach a higher status.
The educational program matches the career aspirations of young professionals entering the workforce.
- carbon footprint noun
The total amount of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, released into the atmosphere by human activities.
Individuals can reduce their carbon footprint by utilizing public transportation instead of personal vehicles.
- commercial incentives noun
Financial rewards or motivations designed to encourage specific economic activities, business investments, or market behaviors.
Governments often provide commercial incentives to companies developing renewable energy technologies.
- folly noun
A lack of good sense, wisdom, or foresight; a foolish action, practice, or public policy choice.
It would be complete folly to ignore the long-term environmental consequences of rapid industrial development.
- municipal authorities noun
Local government bodies or administrative agencies responsible for managing public services and regulations within a specific city.
The municipal authorities implemented strict restrictions to manage traffic congestion in the downtown area.
- planning regulations noun
Legal rules and restrictions established by authorities to control the development, zoning, and usage of land.
Strict planning regulations often prevent the construction of high-rise buildings in historical city centers.
- reinvigorate verb
To give new energy, vitality, or strength to an institution, system, economy, or urban area.
The infrastructure project aimed to reinvigorate the struggling local economy by creating thousands of jobs.
- solitary adjective
Existing, living, or performing an activity alone; characterized by isolation or the absence of companions.
Certain species lead a solitary existence, interacting with others only during the breeding season.
- suburbanite noun
A person who resides in a residential district located on the outskirts of a major city.
Many suburbanites commute daily to the city center for employment and cultural activities.
- thereby adverb
By that specific means, or as a direct result of the action just mentioned in a statement.
The company invested in automated systems, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and improving efficiency.
Answers with explanations
- 1. disease
The text discusses early industrial cities lacking waste-disposal systems which led to poor hygiene. The table asks for another problem alongside 'dirt'. The text states that **disease** spread rapidly, making it the correct missing noun.
- 2. political
The notes look for another type of reason alongside 'commercial' that improved early cities. The text states there were commercial incentives as well as **political** ones, making it the perfect grammatical and logical fit.
- 2-3: A
2: The notes look for another type of reason alongside 'commercial' that improved early cities. The text states there were commercial incentives as well as **political** ones, making it the perfect grammatical and logical fit.
3: The summary needs a word that describes what poor people generally get or become in cities. The text explicitly says they flock there to become **richer**, aligning flawlessly with the question's phrasing.
- 3. richer
The summary needs a word that describes what poor people generally get or become in cities. The text explicitly says they flock there to become **richer**, aligning flawlessly with the question's phrasing.
- 3-4: NO
3: The summary needs a word that describes what poor people generally get or become in cities. The text explicitly says they flock there to become **richer**, aligning flawlessly with the question's phrasing.
4: The notes state poor people help develop the 'urban [blank]'. The passage says they reinvigorate (which means to help develop or refresh) the **economy** of the city, supplying the exact missing noun.
- 4. economy
The notes state poor people help develop the 'urban [blank]'. The passage says they reinvigorate (which means to help develop or refresh) the **economy** of the city, supplying the exact missing noun.
- 5. museum
The question asks what the centre of Paris is becoming as an example of a problem. The text matches 'the centre of Paris' with 'The heart of Paris' and states it is turning into a **museum** due to preservation efforts.
- 6. property
The notes say the middle classes moved to suburbs because of 'high [blank] prices'. The passage states that tight planning restrictions drove up the cost (price) of **property**, fitting the single-word requirement.
- 7. contact
The question looks for what is lost or 'less personal' in the suburbs. The text points out that suburbanites lose 'face-to-face **contact**'. Here, 'face-to-face' acts as a synonym for 'personal'.
- 8. consumption
The notes refer to 'increased [blank] of resources'. The text explains that houses use more energy and driving increases, concluding that every aspect of suburban life involves more **consumption**.
- 9. FALSE
The statement claims Glaeser sees congestion and poverty as serious problems. The text directly contradicts this, stating he believes they are not a reason to be horrified, but rather positive signs of **growth, energy and aspiration**. Therefore, the statement is **FALSE**.
- 10. NOT GIVEN
While Thoreau and Romantic poets are both mentioned in the passage as preferring nature to cities, the text does not state that Thoreau actually **discussed the ideas of the Romantic poets in his work**. Since this specific claim is missing, the answer is **NOT GIVEN**.
- 11. NOT GIVEN
The passage confirms Napoleon III transformed Paris, which was 'slum-infested'. However, it does not provide any information about whether he was **influenced by the complaints of poor people**. We simply cannot know this from the text, making it **NOT GIVEN**.
- 12. FALSE
The statement suggests strict planning regulations may be beneficial. The writer, however, describes them as **'unreasonable'** and a **'folly'** (foolishness) that drive up property prices and force people out. This contradicts the statement, so it is **FALSE**.
- 13. TRUE
The statement says Glaeser argues La Défense was a bad idea. The text directly supports this by stating he believes the French **made a mistake** in establishing this commercial development on the outskirts. This makes it **TRUE**.