As China bees increasingly urbanized (城市化), it has to find space for its urban and
rural citizens as both groups bee increasingly integrated. Experts suggest a possible model
way may be “re-inventing” a “garden city”.
China’s mega-cities are bursting at the borders and the country is now undergoing the quickest and biggest urbanization in the history of mankind. It is estimated that by 2025, China will have 400 million more people living in its cities, raising its urban population to 900 million. Besides, new satellite towns are mushrooming on the urban fringes while city ring roads are rippling outwards into the countryside at amazing speed. Satellite maps collected by Professor Joshua Bolchover at the University of Hong Kong bring the problem sharply into focus. They track the changing rural-urban framework in the past 30 years, and suggest that cities are cruelly destroying surrounding rural land and rapidly reducing the amount of arable（可耕种的）land, which gives way to new residential blocks, new industrial zones, new financial centers and the other inevitable signs and signatures of economic growth.
This, however, is not sustainable growth pattern, especially when China has the world’s largest population to feed. So concerned urban planners are starting to note the social and physical effects of diaspora（大移居）when replaced rural munities are forced into the cities.
On the other hand, a trend of thought is gradually taking shape and this is the concept of the “garden city”, a bination of country and city that is being proposed by architects and city planners. Hua Li, from Tao Architects, is among the many professionals with such a voice. His argument is supported by a long-term study on this subject. As Hua says, the answer is to preserve patches of productive farmland within urban boundaries. Less transportation means we have fresh agricultural products at lower costs and less carbon emission in the city. And urban farmland can also be showcased for agricultural tourism and education.
The concept is already practiced at the grassroot level. Agriculture has gone into the air, up to roof and balcony in some munities in the cities. It’s mon to see organic “hanging garden” on the roof of some traditional courtyard home. According to some people, the rooftop project translate to tangible (= practical) benefits, such as safe, nutritious vegetables, a cooler home in summer. Some say thanks to the tomatoes they plant that are natural insect killers, there’re fewer mosquitoes. Apart from these, it also contributes to better bonding with neighbors. Zhang, a doctor in Beijing, began creating his hanging garden five years ago. Since his garden became home to 30 kinds of vegetables and fruit --- all enough to feed his family, neighbors have enjoyed dropping by for a relaxing chat or just to see how well the lovely vegetables and fruit are doing.
Although people like Zhang are still rare and the greening of roof space with vegetables and fruit takes skill and energy, with more positive media exposure and advanced technology there is the prospect that garden city will bee mon practice in the near future. By then, cities will no longer look so gray when seen from the satellites.
【小题1】What is the purpose of paragraph 2?A．To show the experts’ concern about the increase of population.B．To persuade people into supporting economic growth in cities.C．To explain the reasons for the change of rural-urban framework.D．To inform the readers of the consequences of quick urbanization.【小题2】In Hua Li’s opinion, a bination of country and city will .A．benefit the environment and lower living costs B．bee a project that needs a long-term studyC．lead to more rural munities being replacedD．attract more farmers to take tours in cities【小题3】 Zhang is mentioned (Paragraph 5) to show that .A．he achieves his dream to own a hanging garden B．hanging gardens are being more popularC．the garden contributes to a better neighborhoodD．he is a pioneer to practise the gardening concept【小题4】As for the concept of the “garden city”, the writer feels .A．desperateB．hopefulC．disappointedD．concernedD
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(答案→)D
解析：
【小题1】D 选项A意为“表明专家对人口增长的关心”；选项B意为“劝说人们支持城市的经济增长”；选项C意为“解释城乡框架改变的原因”；选项D意为“告诉读者快速发展城市化的后果”。根据第二段的“…cities are cruelly destroying surrounding rural land and rapidly reducing the amount of arable(可耕种的) land, which gives way to new residential blocks, new industrial zones, new financial centers and the other inevitable signs and signatures of economic growth.”可知D为最佳选项。
【小题2】A 选项A意为“有益于环境和降低生活成本”；选项B意为“成为一项需要长期研究的工程”；选项C意为“导致更多的城市社区被取代”；选项D意为“吸引更多的农民到城市旅游”。根据短文第四段“As Hua says, the answer is to preserve patches of productive farmland within urban boundaries. Less transportation means we have fresh agricultural products at lower costs and less carbon emission in the city.”可知A为最佳选项。
【小题3】C 根据短文第五段中的“Apart from these, it also contributes to better bonding with neighbors.”(除了这些以外，也有助于建立更好的邻里关系。)故C正确。
【小题4】B 选项A意为“绝望的”；选项B意为“有希望的”；选项C意为“感到失望的”；选项D意为“担心的”。根据短文最后一段可知B为最佳选项。