Life in the Metropolis: A Tale of Three Cities – Level 1

Hong Kong is a very busy city and a global financial hub. Many people live close together, making it one of the most densely populated places on earth. To fit everyone, the city has many tall buildings called skyscrapers. This makes it the world’s most vertical city.

Because it is so crowded, many people live in very small spaces. Some people can only afford to live in tiny “caged homes,” which are bed spaces no larger than a cupboard. Many domestic workers, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, have only one day off a week. On this day, they gather in public spaces with friends because they don’t have anywhere else to go.

Hong Kong is also a place where old traditions meet modern life. For example, some people practice a ritual called “devil beating” under busy flyovers to get rid of bad luck. This shows how the city packs its culture and its people into every available space, creating a unique commute and way of life for everyone.

New Words:

1. Hub: A central and important place for a particular activity.
Example: The city is a major hub for international trade and finance.

2. Skyscraper: A very tall building with many floors, usually found in cities.
Example: From the top of the skyscraper, you can see the entire city.

3. Ritual: A series of actions that are always performed in the same way, especially as part of a ceremony.
Example: The lighting of candles is a part of the evening ritual.
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