Vocabulary
A word meaning extremely rich, luxurious and extravagant.
Opulence
What does "turn a blind eye" mean?
Deliberately ignore something wrong
What is the name of the world's tallest building that the narrator visits?
Burj Khalifa
A word describing something that is not natural, but made by humans.
Artificial
Why does the narrator contrast luxury hotels with workers' accommodation?
To highlight the contrast between luxury and workers' living conditions
A person who moves to another country to find employment.
Migrant worker
Explain the expression "come at a cost".
Something has a negative consequence or sacrifice
What unusual type of accommodation does the narrator choose instead of a luxury hotel?
A capsule hotel
The basic systems a city needs to function, such as roads, transport and electricity.
Infrastructure
Why might someone accept a job abroad even if the working conditions are uncertain?
To earn money, support family or access opportunities
The unfair use of someone's work or situation for another person's benefit.
Exploitation
What does it mean to "peel back the curtain" on something?
Reveal something hidden or less visible
Which country does Ben mention as an example of where companies recruit migrant workers?
India
A situation in which a person has very little freedom to leave or change their employment.
Being trapped / restricted in employment
According to the narrator, why is it important not to assume that every migrant worker is being exploited?
Because workers have different experiences; the narrator himself acknowledges this
The unequal distribution of wealth, opportunities or resources in society.
Inequality
Complete the expression: "to take ______ of someone".
Advantage
What were the World Islands originally supposed to represent?
The countries of the world
A word describing something that is extremely large or ambitious in scale.
Massive
What is the difference between a difficult job and forced labour?
A difficult job may still allow someone to leave freely; forced labour involves coercion or restrictions on freedom.
A situation in which someone is forced to keep working because of a debt they cannot realistically repay.
Debt bondage
Explain the difference between "being held accountable" and "being blamed".
Accountability means responsibility and an expectation to explain actions; blame is assigning fault.
What does the narrator notice about the streets and houses on Palm Jumeirah? Give two details.
He describes large houses, empty streets and few pedestrians.
A word meaning to present something in a way that creates a particular impression, often hiding other aspects of reality
Portray
Can a city be considered successful if its wealth is not shared equally among the people who help create it? Defend your answer with an argument.
No single correct answer. Look for a clear position, reasoning and an example.