Megacities and the Future of Urbanisation

In which year did the world's urban population first exceed its rural population, according to the passage?

195020072000The middle of this century

Correct answer: 2007

Most of the world's megacities are located in Europe and North America.

TrueFalseNot Given

Correct answer: False

According to the passage, what mainly drives the rapid growth of cities such as Lagos and Dhaka?

Migration of people from rural areasHigh birth rates among existing city residentsGovernment programmes that relocate rural populationsImmigration from other countries

Correct answer: Migration of people from rural areas

Economists argue that large, densely populated cities tend to make workers more productive.

TrueFalseNot Given

Correct answer: True

How does the writer respond to economists' arguments about the benefits of urban concentration?

The writer fully endorses them without qualificationThe writer dismisses them as entirely mistakenThe writer claims they apply only to wealthy nationsThe writer accepts they contain truth but argues the reality is often less positive

Correct answer: The writer accepts they contain truth but argues the reality is often less positive

Informal settlements are growing faster than any other type of housing in the world's megacities.

TrueFalseNot Given

Correct answer: Not Given

What does the word "formidable" mean in paragraph 5 ("Urbanisation also poses a formidable environmental challenge")?

Easily overcomeUnexpected and surprisingSerious and difficult to deal withRelatively minor

Correct answer: Serious and difficult to deal with

Cities account for a large share of the world's greenhouse-gas emissions.

TrueFalseNot Given

Correct answer: True

Which statement best captures the writer's overall conclusion about megacities?

Megacities are certain to fail and trap their inhabitants in povertyWhether megacities succeed depends largely on how well they are governed and managedMegacities benefit only the wealthiest nations of the worldUrban growth can be reversed if rural migration is controlled

Correct answer: Whether megacities succeed depends largely on how well they are governed and managed

The passage concludes that urban growth can be stopped if cities are well governed.

TrueFalseNot Given

Correct answer: False

In which year did the world's urban population first exceed its rural population, according to the passage?

195020072000The middle of this century

Correct answer: 2007

Most of the world's megacities are located in Europe and North America.

TrueFalseNot Given

Correct answer: False

According to the passage, what mainly drives the rapid growth of cities such as Lagos and Dhaka?

Migration of people from rural areasHigh birth rates among existing city residentsGovernment programmes that relocate rural populationsImmigration from other countries

Correct answer: Migration of people from rural areas

Economists argue that large, densely populated cities tend to make workers more productive.

TrueFalseNot Given

Correct answer: True

How does the writer respond to economists' arguments about the benefits of urban concentration?

Correct answer: The writer accepts they contain truth but argues the reality is often less positive

Informal settlements are growing faster than any other type of housing in the world's megacities.

TrueFalseNot Given

Correct answer: Not Given

What does the word "formidable" mean in paragraph 5 ("Urbanisation also poses a formidable environmental challenge")?

Easily overcomeUnexpected and surprisingSerious and difficult to deal withRelatively minor

Correct answer: Serious and difficult to deal with

Cities account for a large share of the world's greenhouse-gas emissions.

TrueFalseNot Given

Correct answer: True

Which statement best captures the writer's overall conclusion about megacities?

Correct answer: Whether megacities succeed depends largely on how well they are governed and managed

The passage concludes that urban growth can be stopped if cities are well governed.

TrueFalseNot Given

Correct answer: False