B2 Lesson: Housing Crisis មេរៀន B2: វិបត្តិលំនៅដ្ឋាន บทเรียน B2: วิกฤตการณ์ที่อยู่อาศัย Bài học B2: Khủng hoảng nhà ở B2课程：住房危机 B2レッスン：住宅危機 B2 레슨: 주택 위기 Leçon B2 : Crise du logement Lección B2: Crisis de vivienda الدرس B2: أزمة الإسكان B2 पाठ: आवास संकट Урок B2: Жилищный кризис
Welcome to Kep, a beautiful coastal town famous for its crab market. However, locals like Kimsan the fisherman and Sreymom the market vendor are facing a severe housing crisis. Today, we will explore this complex issue and learn how to use the advanced passive voice to discuss societal changes. សូមស្វាគមន៍មកកាន់ខេត្តកែប... ថ្ងៃនេះយើងនឹងស្វែងយល់ពីបញ្ហានេះ និងរៀនប្រើ advanced passive voice។ ยินดีต้อนรับสู่แกบ... วันนี้เราจะสำรวจปัญหานี้และเรียนรู้การใช้ advanced passive voice Chào mừng đến với Kep... Hôm nay chúng ta sẽ tìm hiểu vấn đề này và học cách sử dụng advanced passive voice. 欢迎来到白马市...今天我们将探讨这个问题并学习使用高级被动语态。 ケップへようこそ...今日はこの問題を掘り下げ、高度な受動態の使い方を学びます。 켑에 오신 것을 환영합니다... 오늘은 이 문제를 살펴보고 고급 수동태 사용법을 배울 것입니다. Bienvenue à Kep... Aujourd'hui, nous explorerons ce problème et apprendrons à utiliser la voix passive avancée. Bienvenidos a Kep... Hoy exploraremos este problema y aprenderemos a usar la voz pasiva avanzada. مرحبًا بكم في كيب... سنستكشف اليوم هذه المشكلة ونتعلم كيفية استخدام المبني للمجهول المتقدم. केप में आपका स्वागत है... आज हम इस मुद्दे का पता लगाएंगे और उन्नत निष्क्रिय स्वर (advanced passive voice) का उपयोग करना सीखेंगे। Добро пожаловать в Кеп... Сегодня мы изучим эту проблему и научимся использовать продвинутый пассивный залог.
1. Vocabulary: Housing Crisis
Listen and repeat the words. Then, drag them to the correct box below.
gentrification
/ˌdʒentrɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/The process where a poor area is changed by wealthier people moving in. ដំណើរការដែលតំបន់ក្រីក្រត្រូវបានផ្លាស់ប្តូរដោយអ្នកមាន។ กระบวนการที่พื้นที่ยากจนถูกเปลี่ยนแปลงโดยคนรวยที่ย้ายเข้ามา Quá trình thay đổi một khu vực nghèo khi những người giàu có chuyển đến. 中产阶级化；士绅化。 高級化、ジェントリフィケーション。 고급 주택화, 젠트리피케이션. Gentrification, embourgeoisement. Gentrificación. التحسين أو الاستطباق. उच्चवर्गीकरण (Gentrification). Джентрификация.
outpriced
/aʊtˈpraɪst/Unable to afford something because the price has become too high. មិនអាចទិញបានដោយសារតម្លៃឡើងខ្ពស់ពេក។ ไม่สามารถจ่ายได้เพราะราคาสูงเกินไป Không thể mua được vì giá đã quá cao. 因价格过高而买不起的。 値段が高すぎて手が出ない。 가격이 너무 비싸서 살 수 없는. Exclu par les prix. Fuera del alcance por el precio. عاجز عن الشراء بسبب غلاء السعر. कीमत बहुत अधिक होने के कारण खरीदने में असमर्थ। Не по карману из-за высоких цен.
evicted
/ɪˈvɪktɪd/Legally forced to leave a property or home. ត្រូវបណ្តេញចេញពីផ្ទះដោយច្បាប់។ ถูกบังคับให้ออกจากบ้านตามกฎหมาย Bị buộc phải rời khỏi tài sản hoặc nhà ở. 被驱逐出去了。 立ち退きを命じられた。 퇴거당한. Expulsé. Desalojado. مطرود أو مخلى. बेदखल किया गया। Выселенный.
speculation
/ˌspekjəˈleɪʃn/Buying property hoping its value will increase, despite risks. ការទិញលក់អចលនទ្រព្យដើម្បីចំណេញ។ การเก็งกำไร Sự đầu cơ. 投机（房地产）。 投機。 투기. Spéculation. Especulación. مضاربة (عقارية). सट्टा (संपत्ति में)। Спекуляция.
displacement
/dɪsˈpleɪsmənt/The forced removal of people from their original homes. ការបន្លាស់ទីដោយបង្ខំ។ การถูกบังคับให้ย้ายถิ่นฐาน Sự di dời (bắt buộc). 被迫迁移。 強制的な移動、立ち退き。 강제 이주. Déplacement (forcé). Desplazamiento. التهجير أو النزوح. विस्थापन। Перемещение (вынужденное).
skyrocketing
/ˈskaɪrɒkɪtɪŋ/Increasing rapidly and significantly in price or amount. ការកើនឡើងយ៉ាងឆាប់រហ័ស។ เพิ่มขึ้นอย่างรวดเร็ว (ราคา) Tăng vọt. 猛涨的；暴涨的。 急騰する。 치솟는. Montée en flèche. Disparado (precios). ارتفاع صاروخي. आसमान छूती (कीमतें)। Стремительный рост.
affordable
/əˈfɔːdəbl/Reasonably priced and within one's financial means. ដែលមានតម្លៃសមរម្យ។ ราคาจับต้องได้ Có thể chi trả được. 负担得起的。 手頃な価格の。 감당할 수 있는 가격의. Abordable. Asequible. بأسعار معقولة. किफायती। Доступный (по цене).
marginalized
/ˈmɑːdʒɪnəlaɪzd/Pushed to the edge of society and treated as insignificant. ដែលត្រូវបានរុញច្រានចេញពីសង្គម។ ถูกผลักไสชายขอบ Bị gạt ra ngoài lề xã hội. 被边缘化的。 社会的に疎外された。 소외된. Marginalisé. Marginado. مهمش. हाशिए पर। Маргинализованный.
bear the brunt
/beə(r) ðə brʌnt/To endure the worst part or consequence of a bad situation. រងគ្រោះធ្ងន់ធ្ងរជាងគេ។ รับภาระหนักที่สุด Chịu hậu quả nặng nề nhất. 首当其冲。 矢面に立つ。 가장 큰 타격을 입다. Faire les frais de. Llevarse la peor parte. يتحمل وطأة. खामियाजा भुगतना। Принять на себя главный удар.
urbanization
/ˌɜːbənaɪˈzeɪʃn/The process by which towns and cities are formed and become larger. នគរូបនីយកម្ម។ การขยายตัวของเมือง Sự đô thị hóa. 城市化。 都市化。 도시화. Urbanisation. Urbanización. التحضر. शहरीकरण। Урбанизация.
Match the Definitions
2. Grammar: Advanced Passive Voice
At the B2 level, we move beyond simple passive voice (e.g., "The house was built") to more complex structures used in formal discussions, journalism, and academic writing. We focus on Impersonal Passives and Passive Gerunds/Infinitives.
| Grammar Structure | Form | Example in Context |
|---|---|---|
| Impersonal Passive (Reporting verbs) | It is + past participle (say, think, believe, report) + that... | It is estimated that property prices in Kep have doubled. |
| Personal Passive (Reporting verbs) | Subject + passive reporting verb + to + infinitive | Local fishermen are reported to be struggling with rent. |
| Passive Infinitive (After modals or certain verbs) | Modal / Verb + to be + past participle | This housing crisis needs to be tackled immediately. |
| Passive Gerund (After prepositions or certain verbs) | Preposition / Verb + being + past participle | Sreymom is terrified of being evicted from her stall. |
Grammar Practice (Part 1: Impersonal & Reporting Passives)
Grammar Practice (Part 2: Passive Gerunds & Infinitives)
3. Reading: Context in Kep
The Changing Tide of Kep: A Housing Crisis in the Crab Capital
For decades, the coastal town of Kep has been celebrated for its tranquil beaches, French colonial ruins, and its bustling crab market. However, a less visible issue is currently unfolding beneath the surface of this picturesque destination. It is widely acknowledged that rapid urbanization is transforming the province, bringing both economic growth and severe challenges for the local community.
At the center of this transformation is the phenomenon of gentrification. As foreign investments pour in and luxury resorts are constructed along the coastline, the demand for prime real estate has surged. This has led to widespread real estate speculation, with wealthy developers purchasing land with the hope of future profits. Consequently, property values are experiencing skyrocketing growth.
It is reported that local workers, such as Kimsan, a third-generation fisherman, and Sreymom, a long-time crab market vendor, are being outpriced from the very neighborhoods their families helped build. "Our traditional wooden houses are expected to be torn down to make way for boutique hotels," Kimsan explained. Last month, several fishing families were formally evicted after their land was sold without their consultation.
The displacement of these communities means they are forced to move further inland, far away from the ocean they rely on for their livelihood. Affordable housing near the market has become virtually nonexistent. As a result, the working class continues to bear the brunt of this economic shift, finding themselves increasingly marginalized in a town that depends on their labor to attract tourists.
Experts argue that this housing crisis needs to be addressed urgently by the provincial government. It has been suggested that zoning laws should be implemented and low-income housing projects must be subsidized. Without these interventions, the cultural heart of Kep risks being lost forever.
Reading Comprehension
4. Listening: Conversation
Listen to Kimsan and Sreymom talking near the crab market early in the morning. They are discussing a recent notice given to vendors.
Listening Quiz
5. Speaking: Roleplay Practice
Practice this negotiation out loud. You are representing the local vendors at a town hall meeting. Use the passive voice constructs in the right bubbles.
6. Writing: Your Turn
Look at the model text below. Notice how the writer uses Advanced Passive Voice to sound formal and objective in an email to a government official.
I am writing on behalf of the local crab market vendors. It has been observed that skyrocketing rent is forcing many families out of their homes. We fear being permanently displaced by gentrification.
It is strongly urged that a new zone for affordable housing be established immediately to protect our marginalized workers. They should not be made to bear the brunt of this economic shift.
Your Turn to Write (Opinion Essay Template)
Fill in the blanks to complete this short opinion essay on urbanization.
To prevent further (displace), affordable housing must be (build / provide) by the government.
