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CBT Reading Comprehension Lab • Empower B1 Unit 5
10 Diagnostic Questions • CEFR B1 Calibrated • Smart Cities & Future Careers Focus
Score: 0 / 10 (0%)

Cities of Tomorrow: Living in the Age of Smart Innovation

مدن الغد: العيش في عصر الابتكار والمدن الذكية
📖 448 Words • Est. Reading Time: 5–6 minutes • CEFR B1
💡 Tip: Hover over underlined words to see their definitions. Notice how the text employs will, are going to, and Present Continuous.

Paragraph 1By the middle of the twenty-first century, more than two-thirds of the world's population will live in urban metropolitan areas. This massive growth presents profound challenges for energy consumption, traffic congestion, and environmental protection. To solve these urgent problems, forward-thinking urban planners and engineers are designing cognitive smart cities from the ground up. These futuristic communities will integrate artificial intelligence, clean public transit, and automated resource grids to create unprecedented standards of livability.

Paragraph 2One of the most ambitious examples of this urban revolution is taking shape in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The cognitive mega-city of NEOM is designed to run on one hundred percent renewable energy generated by vast solar farms and coastal wind turbines. There will be no traditional roads or carbon-emitting cars; instead, autonomous electric vehicles and high-speed underground trains will transport residents anywhere in the city within twenty minutes. As soon as construction completes, NEOM will serve as a living global laboratory for sustainable living.

Paragraph 3This rapid technological shift is also transforming the global job market. Many repetitive manual tasks are being automated, but new fields are expanding exponentially. Industry experts forecast enormous employment prospects in cybersecurity, robotics engineering, renewable power maintenance, and data science. To succeed in this evolving landscape, young professionals are going to need continuous learning, flexibility, and creative problem-solving skills.

Paragraph 4In addition to technological efficiency, future cities will prioritize human wellbeing and community connection. Urban designs will feature vertical gardens, shaded pedestrian plazas, and cultural hubs where residents can participate in community arts and sports. Next month, international delegates are meeting at a global urbanism summit in Riyadh to finalize international standards for zero-carbon architecture and smart public services.

Paragraph 5Ultimately, the cities of tomorrow will not just be faster and cleaner; they will redefine how human beings live, work, and collaborate. If we invest wisely in education, green technology, and ethical leadership, our shared future will be brighter, healthier, and full of limitless potential for generations to come.

Question 1 of 10 • Gist / Main Idea
1. What is the primary theme of the entire reading passage?
Question 2 of 10 • Detail Comprehension
2. According to paragraph 2, how will transportation operate in NEOM?
Question 3 of 10 • Grammar Awareness
3. In the sentence 'As soon as construction completes, NEOM will serve...' (paragraph 2), why is 'completes' in the Present Simple?
Question 4 of 10 • Vocabulary in Context
4. What does the word 'forecast' in paragraph 3 most closely mean?
Question 5 of 10 • Detail Comprehension
5. According to paragraph 3, which skills will young professionals need to thrive in the future economy?
Question 6 of 10 • Grammar Awareness
6. In paragraph 4, what grammar form is used in 'international delegates are meeting'?
Question 7 of 10 • Inference
7. What can be inferred from paragraph 4 about the design of future cities?
Question 8 of 10 • Tone / Attitude
8. What is the author's overall attitude toward the future of smart urbanism?
Question 9 of 10 • Detail Comprehension
9. According to paragraph 5, what condition must be met for humanity's shared future to be brighter?
Question 10 of 10 • Evaluation / Synthesis
10. Which of the following would be the most suitable alternative title for this text?