Unit 3 GWTW B2 Reading

Copenhagen, where health and happiness come first

Having spent a few days in Denmark’s capital city, Copenhagen, it came as no surprise to discover that the Danish are among the happiest people in the world and the city, one of the greenest. I was convinced it must be something to do with the way people live, work and travel. For example, less than 30% of households own a car and 55% of city residents cycle to work or school every day. But also, I felt it must have something to do with ‘hygge’ (pronounced hoo-ga), a uniquely Danish word that refers to the friendly, warm and cosy atmosphere that Danes like to create at home, and their enjoyment of the good things in life. And they’ve certainly succeeded in creating that atmosphere in Copenhagen.

For visitors wanting to find their own ‘hygge’, you can start each morning with a delicious sweet Danish pastry, such as a boss snail, in one of the many colourful cafés in Nyhavn, the waterfront district. Then why not take a boat ride around the harbour and along the quiet canals to see the city from a whole new perspective?

If you prefer solid ground beneath your feet, getting around the city is both easy, healthy and carbon neutral if you follow the locals and use a bike. You can hire one from one of the city’s many cycle shops or borrow one of the new electric ‘smart’ bikes that you’ll find all over the city. And with over 350 km of safe cycle paths, it’s no surprise that it has been voted the best city in the world for cycling.

A visit to Copenhagen isn’t complete with a trip to Tivoli Gardens, and it’s the perfect place for either a quiet walk or something more exciting. There are the beautiful gardens filled with exotic plants and unusual architecture to see, as well as one of the world’s oldest theme parks with rollercoasters both old and new. And if you go in the evening, thousands of coloured lights create an amazing atmosphere that will make you think you’re dreaming.

After a day’s sightseeing, you’ll probably be thinking about dinner and there’s no better place to experience traditional Danish hospitality and ‘hygge’ than at home with a Danish family. But don’t worry if you haven’t got any Danish friends as there’s now a website that will introduce you to local people who would love to share their dinner, their home and their ‘hygge’ with you.

But what makes Copenhagen one of the greenest cities in the world is what is happening away from the canals, the cafés and the gardens. For a city that gets very cold in winter, it’s important to keep warm, and it has invested in one of the most efficient central heating systems in the world. In fact, over 98% of homes are connected to the city’s heating system which uses large amounts of renewable, clean energy.

Keeping cool in the summer is also important and recently the city has developed a unique, central air conditioning system that uses the cold water from the canals and harbour to help do that.

So if you’re looking for a green, healthy and happy place to visit where you’re sure to find your ‘hygge’, you’re going to love Copenhagen. I’ll see you there!

Read the article about Copenhagen. Are the sentences True, False or Not Mentioned?

The writer visited Copenhagen after hearing that it was one of the greenest and happiest cities in the world.

Copenhagen, where health and happiness come first

Having spent a few days in Denmark’s capital city, Copenhagen, it came as no surprise to discover that the Danish are among the happiest people in the world and the city, one of the greenest. I was convinced it must be something to do with the way people live, work and travel. For example, less than 30% of households own a car and 55% of city residents cycle to work or school every day. But also, I felt it must have something to do with ‘hygge’ (pronounced hoo-ga), a uniquely Danish word that refers to the friendly, warm and cosy atmosphere that Danes like to create at home, and their enjoyment of the good things in life. And they’ve certainly succeeded in creating that atmosphere in Copenhagen.

For visitors wanting to find their own ‘hygge’, you can start each morning with a delicious sweet Danish pastry, such as a boss snail, in one of the many colourful cafés in Nyhavn, the waterfront district. Then why not take a boat ride around the harbour and along the quiet canals to see the city from a whole new perspective?

If you prefer solid ground beneath your feet, getting around the city is both easy, healthy and carbon neutral if you follow the locals and use a bike. You can hire one from one of the city’s many cycle shops or borrow one of the new electric ‘smart’ bikes that you’ll find all over the city. And with over 350 km of safe cycle paths, it’s no surprise that it has been voted the best city in the world for cycling.

A visit to Copenhagen isn’t complete with a trip to Tivoli Gardens, and it’s the perfect place for either a quiet walk or something more exciting. There are the beautiful gardens filled with exotic plants and unusual architecture to see, as well as one of the world’s oldest theme parks with rollercoasters both old and new. And if you go in the evening, thousands of coloured lights create an amazing atmosphere that will make you think you’re dreaming.

After a day’s sightseeing, you’ll probably be thinking about dinner and there’s no better place to experience traditional Danish hospitality and ‘hygge’ than at home with a Danish family. But don’t worry if you haven’t got any Danish friends as there’s now a website that will introduce you to local people who would love to share their dinner, their home and their ‘hygge’ with you.

But what makes Copenhagen one of the greenest cities in the world is what is happening away from the canals, the cafés and the gardens. For a city that gets very cold in winter, it’s important to keep warm, and it has invested in one of the most efficient central heating systems in the world. In fact, over 98% of homes are connected to the city’s heating system which uses large amounts of renewable, clean energy.

Keeping cool in the summer is also important and recently the city has developed a unique, central air conditioning system that uses the cold water from the canals and harbour to help do that.

So if you’re looking for a green, healthy and happy place to visit where you’re sure to find your ‘hygge’, you’re going to love Copenhagen. I’ll see you there!

A boss snail is something that you eat.

Copenhagen, where health and happiness come first

Having spent a few days in Denmark’s capital city, Copenhagen, it came as no surprise to discover that the Danish are among the happiest people in the world and the city, one of the greenest. I was convinced it must be something to do with the way people live, work and travel. For example, less than 30% of households own a car and 55% of city residents cycle to work or school every day. But also, I felt it must have something to do with ‘hygge’ (pronounced hoo-ga), a uniquely Danish word that refers to the friendly, warm and cosy atmosphere that Danes like to create at home, and their enjoyment of the good things in life. And they’ve certainly succeeded in creating that atmosphere in Copenhagen.

For visitors wanting to find their own ‘hygge’, you can start each morning with a delicious sweet Danish pastry, such as a boss snail, in one of the many colourful cafés in Nyhavn, the waterfront district. Then why not take a boat ride around the harbour and along the quiet canals to see the city from a whole new perspective?

If you prefer solid ground beneath your feet, getting around the city is both easy, healthy and carbon neutral if you follow the locals and use a bike. You can hire one from one of the city’s many cycle shops or borrow one of the new electric ‘smart’ bikes that you’ll find all over the city. And with over 350 km of safe cycle paths, it’s no surprise that it has been voted the best city in the world for cycling.

A visit to Copenhagen isn’t complete with a trip to Tivoli Gardens, and it’s the perfect place for either a quiet walk or something more exciting. There are the beautiful gardens filled with exotic plants and unusual architecture to see, as well as one of the world’s oldest theme parks with rollercoasters both old and new. And if you go in the evening, thousands of coloured lights create an amazing atmosphere that will make you think you’re dreaming.

After a day’s sightseeing, you’ll probably be thinking about dinner and there’s no better place to experience traditional Danish hospitality and ‘hygge’ than at home with a Danish family. But don’t worry if you haven’t got any Danish friends as there’s now a website that will introduce you to local people who would love to share their dinner, their home and their ‘hygge’ with you.

But what makes Copenhagen one of the greenest cities in the world is what is happening away from the canals, the cafés and the gardens. For a city that gets very cold in winter, it’s important to keep warm, and it has invested in one of the most efficient central heating systems in the world. In fact, over 98% of homes are connected to the city’s heating system which uses large amounts of renewable, clean energy.

Keeping cool in the summer is also important and recently the city has developed a unique, central air conditioning system that uses the cold water from the canals and harbour to help do that.

So if you’re looking for a green, healthy and happy place to visit where you’re sure to find your ‘hygge’, you’re going to love Copenhagen. I’ll see you there!

Copenhagen has been voted the safest city in the world for cycling.