[Reading level: B2 – Upper Intermediate]
Lily Jameson, a 34-year-old marketing manager from Melbourne, starts her day the same way many Australians do—by taking a stroll through her local park. “It’s my moment of peace,” she says, watching the sunrise over the trees. “Living in Melbourne, I feel like I have the best of both worlds—a vibrant city life and nature right on my doorstep.”
Australia’s love of the outdoors is central to its lifestyle. Lily isn’t alone in this sentiment; nearly 80% of Australians live within 50 kilometers of the coast. With over 10,000 beaches, there’s no shortage of beautiful places to unwind after a busy week. For Lily, a quick drive to the Mornington Peninsula for a weekend of wine tasting and coastal walks is just one of the many perks of living in Victoria’s capital. “I feel so lucky,” she says. “The natural beauty here makes it easy to live a balanced life.”
But it’s not just nature that makes Australia one of the most livable countries in the world. Sam and Emma Henderson, a couple in their early 40s living in Brisbane, point to the healthcare system as a key factor. With two young kids, they appreciate the peace of mind that Australia’s Medicare system provides. “I had to take Ben, our youngest, to the hospital last year,” says Sam, a teacher. “The care was top-notch, and it didn’t cost us a thing.”
Medicare offers free or low-cost access to essential healthcare services, including doctor visits and hospital stays. In 2023, nearly 30 million Australians are covered under Medicare, a vital component of the country’s livability. While public hospitals offer excellent care, private healthcare options are available too, adding another layer of security.
For Emma, a university lecturer, Australia’s education system has been a huge draw. “We moved to Brisbane because of the schools,” she says. “The quality of education here is world-class.” Both of their children are attending local primary schools ranked in the top 10% in Queensland. With a literacy rate of 99% and a thriving university sector, including prestigious institutions like the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne, Australia attracts students from all over the world. In 2022 alone, over 480,000 international students were enrolled in Australian universities.
For individuals like David Nguyen, a 27-year-old IT specialist living in Sydney, career opportunities have played a major role in his decision to call Australia home. “I moved from Vietnam to pursue my degree,” he explains. “But the job market here is so strong, I decided to stay.” David now works for a tech startup in the city’s bustling financial district. He mentions that Australia’s unemployment rate has hovered between 3-4% in recent years, a sign of the country’s economic resilience. With thriving industries like IT, finance, healthcare, and education, Australia consistently ranks in the top 10 for GDP per capita worldwide, giving its citizens a stable economic foundation.
Beyond work and school, Australia’s cultural diversity adds another layer to its appeal. Nearly one-third of the population was born overseas, making cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth melting pots of cultural influences. “I love that I can walk down the street and find food from all over the world,” says David. Whether it’s Vietnamese pho, Italian pizza, or Indian curries, the variety of international cuisine reflects Australia’s multicultural identity. The country also celebrates a range of festivals, from Lunar New Year to Diwali, which brings people together from different cultural backgrounds.
Safety is another reason Australians feel content and secure in their day-to-day lives. Angela and Tom Harris, both in their late 60s, moved to Perth after retirement to enjoy the city’s slower pace and safe neighborhoods. “We feel really safe here,” says Angela. “Crime rates are low, and the legal system is strong.” Australia’s homicide rate is one of the lowest in the world, standing at just 1 per 100,000 people, a fact that contributes to the country’s consistently high safety ratings.
Environmental consciousness is growing too. “Perth is leading the way with solar energy,” Tom points out. Australia’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its increasing use of renewable energy. In 2023, about 35% of Australia’s electricity came from renewable sources like solar and wind power, a figure that continues to rise as the country pushes for greener solutions.
And then there’s the matter of work-life balance, something Australians hold dear. Lily, the marketing manager from Melbourne, sums it up best. “I work hard, but I also play hard,” she laughs. With a standard workweek of 38 hours and at least four weeks of paid vacation annually, Australians prioritize time with family and friends. The nation’s approach to work-life balance is reflected in surveys showing that 87% of Australians report a high level of life satisfaction.
WORD BANK:
take a stroll (v): đi dạo
vibrant (adj): sôi động
sentiment (n): suy nghĩ, cảm nhận
unwind (v): thư giãn
perk (n): đặc quyền
peace of mind (n): sự an tâm
top-notch (adj): tuyệt vời
livability (n): tính đáng sống
a huge draw (n): một yếu tố lớn (thu hút ai làm gì)
world-class (adj): hàng đầu thế giới
thriving (adj): phát triển mạnh mẽ
enroll in (v): ghi tên nhập học
bustling (adj): sầm uất
hover (v): treo lơ lửng, duy trì (ở một mức nào đó)
resilience (n): sự đàn hồi, khả năng phục hồi
consistently (adv): luôn, một cách ổn định
appeal (n): sức hấp dẫn
melting pot (n): điểm tập trung nhiều thứ khác nhau
curry (n): món cà ri
content (adj): hài lòng
homicide (n): giết người
environmental consciousness (n): ý thức bảo vệ môi trường
commitment to sth (n): sự cam kết với điều gì
sustainability (n): tính bền vững
evident (adj): rõ ràng
push for sth (v): thúc đẩy điều gì
sums sth up best (v): hiểu rõ điều gì đó
ỦNG HỘ READ TO LEAD!
Chào bạn! Có thể bạn chưa biết, Read to Lead là một trang giáo dục phi lợi nhuận với mục đích góp phần phát triển cộng đồng người học tiếng Anh tại Việt Nam. Chúng tôi không yêu cầu người đọc phải trả bất kỳ chi phí nào để sử dụng các sản phẩm của mình để mọi người đều có cơ hội học tập tốt hơn. Tuy nhiên, nếu bạn có thể, chúng tôi mong nhận được sự hỗ trợ tài chính từ bạn để duy trì hoạt động của trang và phát triển các sản phẩm mới.
Bạn có thể ủng hộ chúng tôi qua 1 trong 2 cách dưới đây.
– Cách 1: Chuyển tiền qua tài khoản Momo.
Số điện thoại 0947.886.865 (Chủ tài khoản: Nguyễn Tiến Trung)
Nội dung chuyển tiền: Ủng hộ Read to Lead
hoặc
– Cách 2: Chuyển tiền qua tài khoản ngân hàng.
Ngân hàng VIB chi nhánh Hải Phòng
Số tài khoản: 012704060048394 (Chủ tài khoản: Nguyễn Tiến Trung)
Nội dung chuyển tiền: Ủng hộ Read to Lead
Lớp luyện thi IELTS online
Bạn đang có nhu cầu thi chứng chỉ IELTS cho đầu vào đại học, đi du học, xin việc hay xin cư trú và đang phân vân chưa biết học ở đâu?
Nếu bạn đang tìm kiếm dịch vụ luyện thi IELTS online với giáo viên uy tín và chất lượng, cũng như học phí phải chăng, thì thầy Trung và Cô Thủy (Admin và dịch giả chính của Read to Lead) có thể là một lựa chọn phù hợp dành cho bạn.
Hãy liên hệ (nhắn tin) tới trang Facebook cá nhân của mình (https://www.facebook.com/nguyen.trung.509) để tìm hiểu về lớp học và được tư vấn cũng như được học thử nha!
