Question

As China becomes increasingly urbanized (城市化), it has to find space for its urban and
rural citizens as both groups become 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（可耕種的）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 communities 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 combination 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 communities in the cities. It’s common 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 become common practice in the near future. By then, cities will no longer look so gray when seen from the satellites.
【小題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.

【小題2】In Hua Li’s opinion, a combination of country and city will __________.

A．benefit the environment and lower living costs

B．become a project that needs a long-term study

C．lead to more rural communities being replaced

D．attract more farmers to take tours in cities

【小題3】 Zhang is mentioned (Paragraph 5) to show that __________.

A．he achieves his dream to own a hanging garden

B．hanging gardens are becoming more popular

C．the garden contributes to a better neighborhood

D．he is a pioneer to practise the gardening concept

【小題4】As for the concept of the “garden city”, the writer feels_________.

A．desperate

B．hopeful

C．disappointed

D．concerned

Answer 1

【小題1】D
【小題2】A
【小題3】C
【小題4】B

解析【小題1】D 選項A意為“表明專家對人口增長的關心”；選項B意為“勸說人們支持城市的經濟增長”；選項C意為“解釋城鄉框架改變的原因”；選項D意為“告訴讀者快速發展城市化的后果”。根據第二段的“…cities are cruelly destroying surrounding rural land and rapidly reducing the amount of arable(可耕種的) 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為最佳選項。
【小題2】A 選項A意為“有益于環境和降低生活成本”；選項B意為“成為一項需要長期研究的工程”；選項C意為“導致更多的城市社區被取代”；選項D意為“吸引更多的農民到城市旅游”。根據短文第四段“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為最佳選項。
【小題3】C 根據短文第五段中的“Apart from these, it also contributes to better bonding with neighbors.”(除了這些以外，也有助于建立更好的鄰里關系。)故C正確。
【小題4】B 選項A意為“絕望的”；選項B意為“有希望的”；選項C意為“感到失望的”；選項D意為“擔心的”。根據短文最后一段可知B為最佳選項。