Làm thử Đề thi thử tốt nghiệp THPT · Tiếng Anh · Đề 110

Question 15. a. Soon afterwards, other users begin to comment, share and add their own opinions to the original post.
b. A single post about an unusual event can attract public attention within minutes of being shared online.
c. As the number of shares grows, news websites often notice the trend and publish a full article about it.
d. Eventually, the story reaches an audience far larger than the original poster ever expected.
e. Traditional television channels may then pick up the story once it has already become widely known online.

Question 16. a. "Hi Mr. Pham, I'm afraid I won't be able to come in today, I've caught a bad cold."
b. "Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that. Please take the day off and rest."
c. "Thank you, I really appreciate it. I'll try to finish the report from home if I feel well enough."
d. "That's fine, just focus on getting better first, the report can wait."

Question 17. a. As a result, more universities and community centres now offer flexible evening and online courses.
b. In recent years, growing numbers of adults have chosen to return to education after starting their careers.
c. These courses allow working adults to gain new qualifications without giving up their jobs.
d. Many say they returned to study in order to change careers or simply to keep learning new skills.

A new study from an agricultural research centre has examined how urban farming, the practice of growing food within city limits, is changing the way some city residents eat and live. Researchers surveyed more than three hundred community gardens and rooftop farms across a dozen major cities over the course of two years. The report is the most comprehensive study of urban farming carried out in the region so far, and it has already influenced planning decisions in several city councils.

The study found that urban farms now supply a small but growing share of fresh vegetables to nearby neighbourhoods, particularly in areas where access to a full supermarket is limited. Residents who took part in the project reported eating more vegetables overall and said that harvesting their own produce made healthy eating feel far less like a chore. Beyond nutrition, researchers also noted a clear social benefit: community gardens brought together neighbours who had previously never spoken, creating informal support networks that outlasted the growing season itself.

However, the researchers also identified several obstacles standing in the way of wider adoption. Suitable land in cities is expensive and often difficult to secure for long-term use, so many projects operate on short leases and risk losing their site with little warning. Soil in urban areas can also be contaminated by decades of industrial use, meaning that some gardens must import clean soil before planting can even begin, adding significantly to start-up costs. In addition, most urban farms produce far too little food to meaningfully reduce a city's dependence on food transported from rural areas.

The report concludes that urban farming is unlikely to replace conventional agriculture as a major food source, but that its real value lies elsewhere: in bringing communities closer together, improving diets in under-served neighbourhoods and reconnecting city residents with where their food actually comes from. The researchers recommend that city governments offer longer land leases and basic funding for soil testing, changes that could allow many more of these small projects to survive beyond their first few seasons.

A new study from an agricultural research centre has examined how urban farming, the practice of growing food within city limits, is changing the way some city residents eat and live. Researchers surveyed more than three hundred community gardens and rooftop farms across a dozen major cities over the course of two years. The report is the most comprehensive study of urban farming carried out in the region so far, and it has already influenced planning decisions in several city councils.

The study found that urban farms now supply a small but growing share of fresh vegetables to nearby neighbourhoods, particularly in areas where access to a full supermarket is limited. Residents who took part in the project reported eating more vegetables overall and said that harvesting their own produce made healthy eating feel far less like a chore. Beyond nutrition, researchers also noted a clear social benefit: community gardens brought together neighbours who had previously never spoken, creating informal support networks that outlasted the growing season itself.

However, the researchers also identified several obstacles standing in the way of wider adoption. Suitable land in cities is expensive and often difficult to secure for long-term use, so many projects operate on short leases and risk losing their site with little warning. Soil in urban areas can also be contaminated by decades of industrial use, meaning that some gardens must import clean soil before planting can even begin, adding significantly to start-up costs. In addition, most urban farms produce far too little food to meaningfully reduce a city's dependence on food transported from rural areas.

The report concludes that urban farming is unlikely to replace conventional agriculture as a major food source, but that its real value lies elsewhere: in bringing communities closer together, improving diets in under-served neighbourhoods and reconnecting city residents with where their food actually comes from. The researchers recommend that city governments offer longer land leases and basic funding for soil testing, changes that could allow many more of these small projects to survive beyond their first few seasons.

A new study from an agricultural research centre has examined how urban farming, the practice of growing food within city limits, is changing the way some city residents eat and live. Researchers surveyed more than three hundred community gardens and rooftop farms across a dozen major cities over the course of two years. The report is the most comprehensive study of urban farming carried out in the region so far, and it has already influenced planning decisions in several city councils.

The study found that urban farms now supply a small but growing share of fresh vegetables to nearby neighbourhoods, particularly in areas where access to a full supermarket is limited. Residents who took part in the project reported eating more vegetables overall and said that harvesting their own produce made healthy eating feel far less like a chore. Beyond nutrition, researchers also noted a clear social benefit: community gardens brought together neighbours who had previously never spoken, creating informal support networks that outlasted the growing season itself.

However, the researchers also identified several obstacles standing in the way of wider adoption. Suitable land in cities is expensive and often difficult to secure for long-term use, so many projects operate on short leases and risk losing their site with little warning. Soil in urban areas can also be contaminated by decades of industrial use, meaning that some gardens must import clean soil before planting can even begin, adding significantly to start-up costs. In addition, most urban farms produce far too little food to meaningfully reduce a city's dependence on food transported from rural areas.

The report concludes that urban farming is unlikely to replace conventional agriculture as a major food source, but that its real value lies elsewhere: in bringing communities closer together, improving diets in under-served neighbourhoods and reconnecting city residents with where their food actually comes from. The researchers recommend that city governments offer longer land leases and basic funding for soil testing, changes that could allow many more of these small projects to survive beyond their first few seasons.

A new study from an agricultural research centre has examined how urban farming, the practice of growing food within city limits, is changing the way some city residents eat and live. Researchers surveyed more than three hundred community gardens and rooftop farms across a dozen major cities over the course of two years. The report is the most comprehensive study of urban farming carried out in the region so far, and it has already influenced planning decisions in several city councils.

The study found that urban farms now supply a small but growing share of fresh vegetables to nearby neighbourhoods, particularly in areas where access to a full supermarket is limited. Residents who took part in the project reported eating more vegetables overall and said that harvesting their own produce made healthy eating feel far less like a chore. Beyond nutrition, researchers also noted a clear social benefit: community gardens brought together neighbours who had previously never spoken, creating informal support networks that outlasted the growing season itself.

However, the researchers also identified several obstacles standing in the way of wider adoption. Suitable land in cities is expensive and often difficult to secure for long-term use, so many projects operate on short leases and risk losing their site with little warning. Soil in urban areas can also be contaminated by decades of industrial use, meaning that some gardens must import clean soil before planting can even begin, adding significantly to start-up costs. In addition, most urban farms produce far too little food to meaningfully reduce a city's dependence on food transported from rural areas.

The report concludes that urban farming is unlikely to replace conventional agriculture as a major food source, but that its real value lies elsewhere: in bringing communities closer together, improving diets in under-served neighbourhoods and reconnecting city residents with where their food actually comes from. The researchers recommend that city governments offer longer land leases and basic funding for soil testing, changes that could allow many more of these small projects to survive beyond their first few seasons.

A new study from an agricultural research centre has examined how urban farming, the practice of growing food within city limits, is changing the way some city residents eat and live. Researchers surveyed more than three hundred community gardens and rooftop farms across a dozen major cities over the course of two years. The report is the most comprehensive study of urban farming carried out in the region so far, and it has already influenced planning decisions in several city councils.

The study found that urban farms now supply a small but growing share of fresh vegetables to nearby neighbourhoods, particularly in areas where access to a full supermarket is limited. Residents who took part in the project reported eating more vegetables overall and said that harvesting their own produce made healthy eating feel far less like a chore. Beyond nutrition, researchers also noted a clear social benefit: community gardens brought together neighbours who had previously never spoken, creating informal support networks that outlasted the growing season itself.

However, the researchers also identified several obstacles standing in the way of wider adoption. Suitable land in cities is expensive and often difficult to secure for long-term use, so many projects operate on short leases and risk losing their site with little warning. Soil in urban areas can also be contaminated by decades of industrial use, meaning that some gardens must import clean soil before planting can even begin, adding significantly to start-up costs. In addition, most urban farms produce far too little food to meaningfully reduce a city's dependence on food transported from rural areas.

The report concludes that urban farming is unlikely to replace conventional agriculture as a major food source, but that its real value lies elsewhere: in bringing communities closer together, improving diets in under-served neighbourhoods and reconnecting city residents with where their food actually comes from. The researchers recommend that city governments offer longer land leases and basic funding for soil testing, changes that could allow many more of these small projects to survive beyond their first few seasons.

A new study from an agricultural research centre has examined how urban farming, the practice of growing food within city limits, is changing the way some city residents eat and live. Researchers surveyed more than three hundred community gardens and rooftop farms across a dozen major cities over the course of two years. The report is the most comprehensive study of urban farming carried out in the region so far, and it has already influenced planning decisions in several city councils.

The study found that urban farms now supply a small but growing share of fresh vegetables to nearby neighbourhoods, particularly in areas where access to a full supermarket is limited. Residents who took part in the project reported eating more vegetables overall and said that harvesting their own produce made healthy eating feel far less like a chore. Beyond nutrition, researchers also noted a clear social benefit: community gardens brought together neighbours who had previously never spoken, creating informal support networks that outlasted the growing season itself.

However, the researchers also identified several obstacles standing in the way of wider adoption. Suitable land in cities is expensive and often difficult to secure for long-term use, so many projects operate on short leases and risk losing their site with little warning. Soil in urban areas can also be contaminated by decades of industrial use, meaning that some gardens must import clean soil before planting can even begin, adding significantly to start-up costs. In addition, most urban farms produce far too little food to meaningfully reduce a city's dependence on food transported from rural areas.

The report concludes that urban farming is unlikely to replace conventional agriculture as a major food source, but that its real value lies elsewhere: in bringing communities closer together, improving diets in under-served neighbourhoods and reconnecting city residents with where their food actually comes from. The researchers recommend that city governments offer longer land leases and basic funding for soil testing, changes that could allow many more of these small projects to survive beyond their first few seasons.

A new study from an agricultural research centre has examined how urban farming, the practice of growing food within city limits, is changing the way some city residents eat and live. Researchers surveyed more than three hundred community gardens and rooftop farms across a dozen major cities over the course of two years. The report is the most comprehensive study of urban farming carried out in the region so far, and it has already influenced planning decisions in several city councils.

The study found that urban farms now supply a small but growing share of fresh vegetables to nearby neighbourhoods, particularly in areas where access to a full supermarket is limited. Residents who took part in the project reported eating more vegetables overall and said that harvesting their own produce made healthy eating feel far less like a chore. Beyond nutrition, researchers also noted a clear social benefit: community gardens brought together neighbours who had previously never spoken, creating informal support networks that outlasted the growing season itself.

However, the researchers also identified several obstacles standing in the way of wider adoption. Suitable land in cities is expensive and often difficult to secure for long-term use, so many projects operate on short leases and risk losing their site with little warning. Soil in urban areas can also be contaminated by decades of industrial use, meaning that some gardens must import clean soil before planting can even begin, adding significantly to start-up costs. In addition, most urban farms produce far too little food to meaningfully reduce a city's dependence on food transported from rural areas.

The report concludes that urban farming is unlikely to replace conventional agriculture as a major food source, but that its real value lies elsewhere: in bringing communities closer together, improving diets in under-served neighbourhoods and reconnecting city residents with where their food actually comes from. The researchers recommend that city governments offer longer land leases and basic funding for soil testing, changes that could allow many more of these small projects to survive beyond their first few seasons.

A new study from an agricultural research centre has examined how urban farming, the practice of growing food within city limits, is changing the way some city residents eat and live. Researchers surveyed more than three hundred community gardens and rooftop farms across a dozen major cities over the course of two years. The report is the most comprehensive study of urban farming carried out in the region so far, and it has already influenced planning decisions in several city councils.

The study found that urban farms now supply a small but growing share of fresh vegetables to nearby neighbourhoods, particularly in areas where access to a full supermarket is limited. Residents who took part in the project reported eating more vegetables overall and said that harvesting their own produce made healthy eating feel far less like a chore. Beyond nutrition, researchers also noted a clear social benefit: community gardens brought together neighbours who had previously never spoken, creating informal support networks that outlasted the growing season itself.

However, the researchers also identified several obstacles standing in the way of wider adoption. Suitable land in cities is expensive and often difficult to secure for long-term use, so many projects operate on short leases and risk losing their site with little warning. Soil in urban areas can also be contaminated by decades of industrial use, meaning that some gardens must import clean soil before planting can even begin, adding significantly to start-up costs. In addition, most urban farms produce far too little food to meaningfully reduce a city's dependence on food transported from rural areas.

The report concludes that urban farming is unlikely to replace conventional agriculture as a major food source, but that its real value lies elsewhere: in bringing communities closer together, improving diets in under-served neighbourhoods and reconnecting city residents with where their food actually comes from. The researchers recommend that city governments offer longer land leases and basic funding for soil testing, changes that could allow many more of these small projects to survive beyond their first few seasons.

For the first time in human history, more than half of the world's population now lives in cities, and that share is expected to keep rising for decades to come. Every year, tens of millions of people leave villages and small towns for the promise of a bigger city, reshaping both the places they leave behind and the places they arrive in. This shift, often called urbanisation, is one of the most significant social changes of the past century, and understanding why people move helps explain how cities are likely to change in the future.

Researchers who study migration point to a mix of forces that push people out of rural areas and pull them toward cities. In many regions, small farms simply cannot generate enough income to support a growing family, especially as extreme weather makes harvests less predictable from year to year. [I] Cities, by contrast, offer a far wider range of jobs, from factory work to service industries, along with the possibility of significantly higher wages. [II] Better access to schools, hospitals and entertainment adds to the appeal, particularly for young people who feel that opportunities in their hometown have run out. [III] Together, these push and pull factors explain why rural-to-urban migration shows almost no sign of slowing down. [IV]

Yet the move to the city rarely goes as smoothly as migrants hope. Housing in fast-growing cities is often scarce and expensive, pushing many new arrivals into informal settlements that lack reliable water, electricity or sanitation. Even migrants who eventually find stable work often spend years living in cramped, low-quality housing simply because it is the only option they can afford close to their jobs. Public transport, hospitals and schools frequently struggle to keep pace with the sudden growth in population, leaving both new arrivals and long-term residents competing for the same limited services.

Urban planners increasingly argue that cities cannot simply keep expanding outward without a clear strategy. Investment in affordable housing, public transport and basic services, they say, is essential if cities are to absorb new arrivals without the social and environmental strain becoming unmanageable. Some cities have already begun experimenting with faster, cheaper public housing and expanded bus networks, with encouraging early results. Handled well, they argue, migration to cities can still be a genuine engine of opportunity rather than a source of hardship.

For the first time in human history, more than half of the world's population now lives in cities, and that share is expected to keep rising for decades to come. Every year, tens of millions of people leave villages and small towns for the promise of a bigger city, reshaping both the places they leave behind and the places they arrive in. This shift, often called urbanisation, is one of the most significant social changes of the past century, and understanding why people move helps explain how cities are likely to change in the future.

Researchers who study migration point to a mix of forces that push people out of rural areas and pull them toward cities. In many regions, small farms simply cannot generate enough income to support a growing family, especially as extreme weather makes harvests less predictable from year to year. [I] Cities, by contrast, offer a far wider range of jobs, from factory work to service industries, along with the possibility of significantly higher wages. [II] Better access to schools, hospitals and entertainment adds to the appeal, particularly for young people who feel that opportunities in their hometown have run out. [III] Together, these push and pull factors explain why rural-to-urban migration shows almost no sign of slowing down. [IV]

Yet the move to the city rarely goes as smoothly as migrants hope. Housing in fast-growing cities is often scarce and expensive, pushing many new arrivals into informal settlements that lack reliable water, electricity or sanitation. Even migrants who eventually find stable work often spend years living in cramped, low-quality housing simply because it is the only option they can afford close to their jobs. Public transport, hospitals and schools frequently struggle to keep pace with the sudden growth in population, leaving both new arrivals and long-term residents competing for the same limited services.

Urban planners increasingly argue that cities cannot simply keep expanding outward without a clear strategy. Investment in affordable housing, public transport and basic services, they say, is essential if cities are to absorb new arrivals without the social and environmental strain becoming unmanageable. Some cities have already begun experimenting with faster, cheaper public housing and expanded bus networks, with encouraging early results. Handled well, they argue, migration to cities can still be a genuine engine of opportunity rather than a source of hardship.

For the first time in human history, more than half of the world's population now lives in cities, and that share is expected to keep rising for decades to come. Every year, tens of millions of people leave villages and small towns for the promise of a bigger city, reshaping both the places they leave behind and the places they arrive in. This shift, often called urbanisation, is one of the most significant social changes of the past century, and understanding why people move helps explain how cities are likely to change in the future.

Researchers who study migration point to a mix of forces that push people out of rural areas and pull them toward cities. In many regions, small farms simply cannot generate enough income to support a growing family, especially as extreme weather makes harvests less predictable from year to year. [I] Cities, by contrast, offer a far wider range of jobs, from factory work to service industries, along with the possibility of significantly higher wages. [II] Better access to schools, hospitals and entertainment adds to the appeal, particularly for young people who feel that opportunities in their hometown have run out. [III] Together, these push and pull factors explain why rural-to-urban migration shows almost no sign of slowing down. [IV]

Yet the move to the city rarely goes as smoothly as migrants hope. Housing in fast-growing cities is often scarce and expensive, pushing many new arrivals into informal settlements that lack reliable water, electricity or sanitation. Even migrants who eventually find stable work often spend years living in cramped, low-quality housing simply because it is the only option they can afford close to their jobs. Public transport, hospitals and schools frequently struggle to keep pace with the sudden growth in population, leaving both new arrivals and long-term residents competing for the same limited services.

Urban planners increasingly argue that cities cannot simply keep expanding outward without a clear strategy. Investment in affordable housing, public transport and basic services, they say, is essential if cities are to absorb new arrivals without the social and environmental strain becoming unmanageable. Some cities have already begun experimenting with faster, cheaper public housing and expanded bus networks, with encouraging early results. Handled well, they argue, migration to cities can still be a genuine engine of opportunity rather than a source of hardship.

For the first time in human history, more than half of the world's population now lives in cities, and that share is expected to keep rising for decades to come. Every year, tens of millions of people leave villages and small towns for the promise of a bigger city, reshaping both the places they leave behind and the places they arrive in. This shift, often called urbanisation, is one of the most significant social changes of the past century, and understanding why people move helps explain how cities are likely to change in the future.

Researchers who study migration point to a mix of forces that push people out of rural areas and pull them toward cities. In many regions, small farms simply cannot generate enough income to support a growing family, especially as extreme weather makes harvests less predictable from year to year. [I] Cities, by contrast, offer a far wider range of jobs, from factory work to service industries, along with the possibility of significantly higher wages. [II] Better access to schools, hospitals and entertainment adds to the appeal, particularly for young people who feel that opportunities in their hometown have run out. [III] Together, these push and pull factors explain why rural-to-urban migration shows almost no sign of slowing down. [IV]

Yet the move to the city rarely goes as smoothly as migrants hope. Housing in fast-growing cities is often scarce and expensive, pushing many new arrivals into informal settlements that lack reliable water, electricity or sanitation. Even migrants who eventually find stable work often spend years living in cramped, low-quality housing simply because it is the only option they can afford close to their jobs. Public transport, hospitals and schools frequently struggle to keep pace with the sudden growth in population, leaving both new arrivals and long-term residents competing for the same limited services.

Urban planners increasingly argue that cities cannot simply keep expanding outward without a clear strategy. Investment in affordable housing, public transport and basic services, they say, is essential if cities are to absorb new arrivals without the social and environmental strain becoming unmanageable. Some cities have already begun experimenting with faster, cheaper public housing and expanded bus networks, with encouraging early results. Handled well, they argue, migration to cities can still be a genuine engine of opportunity rather than a source of hardship.

For the first time in human history, more than half of the world's population now lives in cities, and that share is expected to keep rising for decades to come. Every year, tens of millions of people leave villages and small towns for the promise of a bigger city, reshaping both the places they leave behind and the places they arrive in. This shift, often called urbanisation, is one of the most significant social changes of the past century, and understanding why people move helps explain how cities are likely to change in the future.

Researchers who study migration point to a mix of forces that push people out of rural areas and pull them toward cities. In many regions, small farms simply cannot generate enough income to support a growing family, especially as extreme weather makes harvests less predictable from year to year. [I] Cities, by contrast, offer a far wider range of jobs, from factory work to service industries, along with the possibility of significantly higher wages. [II] Better access to schools, hospitals and entertainment adds to the appeal, particularly for young people who feel that opportunities in their hometown have run out. [III] Together, these push and pull factors explain why rural-to-urban migration shows almost no sign of slowing down. [IV]

Yet the move to the city rarely goes as smoothly as migrants hope. Housing in fast-growing cities is often scarce and expensive, pushing many new arrivals into informal settlements that lack reliable water, electricity or sanitation. Even migrants who eventually find stable work often spend years living in cramped, low-quality housing simply because it is the only option they can afford close to their jobs. Public transport, hospitals and schools frequently struggle to keep pace with the sudden growth in population, leaving both new arrivals and long-term residents competing for the same limited services.

Urban planners increasingly argue that cities cannot simply keep expanding outward without a clear strategy. Investment in affordable housing, public transport and basic services, they say, is essential if cities are to absorb new arrivals without the social and environmental strain becoming unmanageable. Some cities have already begun experimenting with faster, cheaper public housing and expanded bus networks, with encouraging early results. Handled well, they argue, migration to cities can still be a genuine engine of opportunity rather than a source of hardship.

For the first time in human history, more than half of the world's population now lives in cities, and that share is expected to keep rising for decades to come. Every year, tens of millions of people leave villages and small towns for the promise of a bigger city, reshaping both the places they leave behind and the places they arrive in. This shift, often called urbanisation, is one of the most significant social changes of the past century, and understanding why people move helps explain how cities are likely to change in the future.

Researchers who study migration point to a mix of forces that push people out of rural areas and pull them toward cities. In many regions, small farms simply cannot generate enough income to support a growing family, especially as extreme weather makes harvests less predictable from year to year. [I] Cities, by contrast, offer a far wider range of jobs, from factory work to service industries, along with the possibility of significantly higher wages. [II] Better access to schools, hospitals and entertainment adds to the appeal, particularly for young people who feel that opportunities in their hometown have run out. [III] Together, these push and pull factors explain why rural-to-urban migration shows almost no sign of slowing down. [IV]

Yet the move to the city rarely goes as smoothly as migrants hope. Housing in fast-growing cities is often scarce and expensive, pushing many new arrivals into informal settlements that lack reliable water, electricity or sanitation. Even migrants who eventually find stable work often spend years living in cramped, low-quality housing simply because it is the only option they can afford close to their jobs. Public transport, hospitals and schools frequently struggle to keep pace with the sudden growth in population, leaving both new arrivals and long-term residents competing for the same limited services.

Urban planners increasingly argue that cities cannot simply keep expanding outward without a clear strategy. Investment in affordable housing, public transport and basic services, they say, is essential if cities are to absorb new arrivals without the social and environmental strain becoming unmanageable. Some cities have already begun experimenting with faster, cheaper public housing and expanded bus networks, with encouraging early results. Handled well, they argue, migration to cities can still be a genuine engine of opportunity rather than a source of hardship.

For the first time in human history, more than half of the world's population now lives in cities, and that share is expected to keep rising for decades to come. Every year, tens of millions of people leave villages and small towns for the promise of a bigger city, reshaping both the places they leave behind and the places they arrive in. This shift, often called urbanisation, is one of the most significant social changes of the past century, and understanding why people move helps explain how cities are likely to change in the future.

Researchers who study migration point to a mix of forces that push people out of rural areas and pull them toward cities. In many regions, small farms simply cannot generate enough income to support a growing family, especially as extreme weather makes harvests less predictable from year to year. [I] Cities, by contrast, offer a far wider range of jobs, from factory work to service industries, along with the possibility of significantly higher wages. [II] Better access to schools, hospitals and entertainment adds to the appeal, particularly for young people who feel that opportunities in their hometown have run out. [III] Together, these push and pull factors explain why rural-to-urban migration shows almost no sign of slowing down. [IV]

Yet the move to the city rarely goes as smoothly as migrants hope. Housing in fast-growing cities is often scarce and expensive, pushing many new arrivals into informal settlements that lack reliable water, electricity or sanitation. Even migrants who eventually find stable work often spend years living in cramped, low-quality housing simply because it is the only option they can afford close to their jobs. Public transport, hospitals and schools frequently struggle to keep pace with the sudden growth in population, leaving both new arrivals and long-term residents competing for the same limited services.

Urban planners increasingly argue that cities cannot simply keep expanding outward without a clear strategy. Investment in affordable housing, public transport and basic services, they say, is essential if cities are to absorb new arrivals without the social and environmental strain becoming unmanageable. Some cities have already begun experimenting with faster, cheaper public housing and expanded bus networks, with encouraging early results. Handled well, they argue, migration to cities can still be a genuine engine of opportunity rather than a source of hardship.

For the first time in human history, more than half of the world's population now lives in cities, and that share is expected to keep rising for decades to come. Every year, tens of millions of people leave villages and small towns for the promise of a bigger city, reshaping both the places they leave behind and the places they arrive in. This shift, often called urbanisation, is one of the most significant social changes of the past century, and understanding why people move helps explain how cities are likely to change in the future.

Researchers who study migration point to a mix of forces that push people out of rural areas and pull them toward cities. In many regions, small farms simply cannot generate enough income to support a growing family, especially as extreme weather makes harvests less predictable from year to year. [I] Cities, by contrast, offer a far wider range of jobs, from factory work to service industries, along with the possibility of significantly higher wages. [II] Better access to schools, hospitals and entertainment adds to the appeal, particularly for young people who feel that opportunities in their hometown have run out. [III] Together, these push and pull factors explain why rural-to-urban migration shows almost no sign of slowing down. [IV]

Yet the move to the city rarely goes as smoothly as migrants hope. Housing in fast-growing cities is often scarce and expensive, pushing many new arrivals into informal settlements that lack reliable water, electricity or sanitation. Even migrants who eventually find stable work often spend years living in cramped, low-quality housing simply because it is the only option they can afford close to their jobs. Public transport, hospitals and schools frequently struggle to keep pace with the sudden growth in population, leaving both new arrivals and long-term residents competing for the same limited services.

Urban planners increasingly argue that cities cannot simply keep expanding outward without a clear strategy. Investment in affordable housing, public transport and basic services, they say, is essential if cities are to absorb new arrivals without the social and environmental strain becoming unmanageable. Some cities have already begun experimenting with faster, cheaper public housing and expanded bus networks, with encouraging early results. Handled well, they argue, migration to cities can still be a genuine engine of opportunity rather than a source of hardship.

For the first time in human history, more than half of the world's population now lives in cities, and that share is expected to keep rising for decades to come. Every year, tens of millions of people leave villages and small towns for the promise of a bigger city, reshaping both the places they leave behind and the places they arrive in. This shift, often called urbanisation, is one of the most significant social changes of the past century, and understanding why people move helps explain how cities are likely to change in the future.

Researchers who study migration point to a mix of forces that push people out of rural areas and pull them toward cities. In many regions, small farms simply cannot generate enough income to support a growing family, especially as extreme weather makes harvests less predictable from year to year. [I] Cities, by contrast, offer a far wider range of jobs, from factory work to service industries, along with the possibility of significantly higher wages. [II] Better access to schools, hospitals and entertainment adds to the appeal, particularly for young people who feel that opportunities in their hometown have run out. [III] Together, these push and pull factors explain why rural-to-urban migration shows almost no sign of slowing down. [IV]

Yet the move to the city rarely goes as smoothly as migrants hope. Housing in fast-growing cities is often scarce and expensive, pushing many new arrivals into informal settlements that lack reliable water, electricity or sanitation. Even migrants who eventually find stable work often spend years living in cramped, low-quality housing simply because it is the only option they can afford close to their jobs. Public transport, hospitals and schools frequently struggle to keep pace with the sudden growth in population, leaving both new arrivals and long-term residents competing for the same limited services.

Urban planners increasingly argue that cities cannot simply keep expanding outward without a clear strategy. Investment in affordable housing, public transport and basic services, they say, is essential if cities are to absorb new arrivals without the social and environmental strain becoming unmanageable. Some cities have already begun experimenting with faster, cheaper public housing and expanded bus networks, with encouraging early results. Handled well, they argue, migration to cities can still be a genuine engine of opportunity rather than a source of hardship.

For the first time in human history, more than half of the world's population now lives in cities, and that share is expected to keep rising for decades to come. Every year, tens of millions of people leave villages and small towns for the promise of a bigger city, reshaping both the places they leave behind and the places they arrive in. This shift, often called urbanisation, is one of the most significant social changes of the past century, and understanding why people move helps explain how cities are likely to change in the future.

Researchers who study migration point to a mix of forces that push people out of rural areas and pull them toward cities. In many regions, small farms simply cannot generate enough income to support a growing family, especially as extreme weather makes harvests less predictable from year to year. [I] Cities, by contrast, offer a far wider range of jobs, from factory work to service industries, along with the possibility of significantly higher wages. [II] Better access to schools, hospitals and entertainment adds to the appeal, particularly for young people who feel that opportunities in their hometown have run out. [III] Together, these push and pull factors explain why rural-to-urban migration shows almost no sign of slowing down. [IV]

Yet the move to the city rarely goes as smoothly as migrants hope. Housing in fast-growing cities is often scarce and expensive, pushing many new arrivals into informal settlements that lack reliable water, electricity or sanitation. Even migrants who eventually find stable work often spend years living in cramped, low-quality housing simply because it is the only option they can afford close to their jobs. Public transport, hospitals and schools frequently struggle to keep pace with the sudden growth in population, leaving both new arrivals and long-term residents competing for the same limited services.

Urban planners increasingly argue that cities cannot simply keep expanding outward without a clear strategy. Investment in affordable housing, public transport and basic services, they say, is essential if cities are to absorb new arrivals without the social and environmental strain becoming unmanageable. Some cities have already begun experimenting with faster, cheaper public housing and expanded bus networks, with encouraging early results. Handled well, they argue, migration to cities can still be a genuine engine of opportunity rather than a source of hardship.