Reading test

Read the text and decide if sentences 1–10 are True, False or Doesn't say

THE HOTTEST CITY IN THE WORLD

In July and August, the temperature in Kuwait City regularly reaches 50oC. The record for the city, set in 2014, is over 52oC. In the summer, the usual daytime high is 44oC. In the hot summer months, most Kuwaitis escape the heat by staying indoors. They live in air-conditioned houses, work in air-conditioned offices, drive there in air-conditioned cars and shop in air-conditioned shopping centres. The shopping centre is the only public space in the city that people go to walk around. Outside, it’s just too hot. On average, summer is hotter than in desert city Timbuktu, which sits on the edge of the Sahara.

Fortunately, Kuwait City is one of the richest cities in the world as well as being the hottest, so paying for the air conditioning is not a problem for most Kuwaitis. Modern Kuwait City is built on oil money so the majority of residents can stay out of the heat. Only those on lower incomes walk on the streets or use buses instead of a car.

Kuwait City started when a few fishermen set up their homes there in 1613. For the first one hundred years, it was primarily a fishing village. However, in the 1700s it grew quickly, becoming the main business centre for the movement of goods between India, Oman, Iraq and Arabia. Kuwait City was also the centre of boat building in the region.

From 1946, Kuwait City became even richer, thanks to the discovery of oil in the area. By 1952, the country became the largest oil producer in the area (it’s Saudi Arabia these days). Residents of the city describe it as an exciting place to live, with people of numerous cultures and from many countries now calling it their home. So despite the heat, the city is alive and well!

1 The hottest temperature in Kuwait city is more than 52C.

2 The temperature in Kuwait City is 44C most of the time.

3 There are no parks in Kuwait City.

4 Kuwait City is close to the city of Timbuktu.

5 Not everyone in Kuwait City can afford air-conditioning.

6 There are many forms of public transport in Kuwait City.

7 Kuwait City is a modern city.

8 Kuwait City got a lot bigger in the 18th century.

9 More boats came from Kuwait City than any other city.

10 Kuwait has produced oil since 1946.

11 Kuwait is the biggest producer of oil in the area.

12 Many foreign people live in Kuwait City.