Practice Tests
IELTS Reading (AC) Task 1 #198

A. A smart city is an urban area that uses various types of electronic methods and sensors to collect data. Insights gained from that data are used to manage assets, resources, and services efficiently. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life for its residents by making the city more sustainable, functional, and responsive. This concept integrates information and communication technology (ICT) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to manage a city''s infrastructure and public services.

B. The applications of smart city technology are broad and varied. A smart transportation system might use a network of sensors and cameras to monitor traffic flow in real-time, adjusting traffic light timings to reduce congestion and providing commuters with up-to-date information on the best routes. Smart grids can optimise energy distribution, reducing waste and better integrating renewable energy sources. Smart waste management systems can use sensors in public bins to signal when they are full, optimising collection routes and saving fuel.

C. Data is the lifeblood of a smart city. The vast amounts of data collected from sensors, citizens, and devices are analysed to understand urban patterns and make better-informed decisions. This can improve public safety through smart surveillance and emergency response systems, enhance environmental monitoring by tracking air and water quality, and make public services more efficient and tailored to citizen needs.

D. While the vision of a seamlessly efficient and sustainable city is compelling, the implementation of smart city technologies also raises significant challenges. A primary concern is data privacy and security, as the collection of so much data on citizens'' movements and behaviours creates risks of surveillance and misuse. There is also the danger of creating a "digital divide," where those without access to technology or the skills to use it are left behind. Ensuring that smart cities are developed in an equitable, transparent, and secure manner is crucial to realising their potential to create better places to live.