Question

Cities with high levels of homeownership—in the range of 75%, like Detroit and St. Louis—had on average considerably lower levels of economic activity and much lower wages and incomes. Far too many people in financial problems are trapped in homes they can’t sell, unable to move on to new centers of opportunity.
The cities and regions with the lowest levels of homeownership—in the range of 55% to 60% like Los Angeles and New York—had healthier economies and higher incomes. They also had higher levels of happiness and well-being.
I was shocked to read these interesting points that Richard Florida made in his recent article. Let me try to understand. The people in Detroit and St. Louis are less happy than the people in New York, and Los Angeles. And, the reason is because of homeownership rates?
First, to compare them to New York City (the economic capital of the world), Los Angeles (the entertainment capital of the world) seems unfair. Most people in almost any other city in the world might be less happy!
Next, let’s try a different way of determining whether renters are happier than homeowners. Why don’t we ask them? Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey 2010 reported:
75% of current renters believe owning a home makes more sense.
67% plan to buy a home at some point in the future.
When they asked current renters for the major reason to buy a house, these were their answers (they could pick several answers):
78% said it was a good place to raise children.
75% said because they would feel safe.
70% said because you have control of your own space.
If you believe renters are happier, you would also have to believe the majority enjoy living in a less safe environment, which wouldn’t be a good place to raise children and would be a place where they have less control of their space.
小题1:Which of the following is a fact?

A．People in Los Angeles earn high incomes because of its low homeownership rate.

B．New York’s low homeownership rate increases people’s happiness levels.

C．Detroit’s high level of homeownership causes its economic problems.

D．St. Louis has a higher level of homeownership than Los Angeles.

小题2:In his article, Richard Florida tried to express that _________.

A．people in Los Angeles are happier than those in St. Louis

B．renting a house is better than owning a house

C．Detroit’s economy is healthier than New York’s economy

D．New York and Los Angeles are happiest cities

小题3:The writer believes that New York City and Los Angeles _________.

A．pay employees highest wages in America

B．benefit from low levels of homeownership

C．are leading cities across the globe

D．are best American cities to live in

小题4:From Fannie Mae’s survey report, we can know that _________.

A．paying rent makes more sense

B．most homeowners plan to sell their houses

C．most renters prefer to become homeowners

D．parents need to buy a house for their children

Answer 1

小题1:D
小题2:B
小题3:C
小题4:C

试题分析：文章先是引用Richard Florida 文章里面的话，说明租房子的人比拥有房子的人快乐，但是作者通过Fannie Mae的报告对其进行反驳，说明人们还是愿意自己拥有房子的。
小题1:细节题：从第一段的句子：Cities with high levels of homeownership—in the range of 75%, like Detroit and St. Louis 和第二段的句子：The cities and regions with the lowest levels of homeownership—in the range of 55% to 60% like Los Angeles 可知在圣路易斯比洛杉矶私房屋主多，选D
小题2:推理题：从第三段的句子：The people in Detroit and St. Louis are less happy than the people in New York, and Los Angeles. And, the reason is because of homeownership rates? 可知Richard Florida 在他的文章中想表达的是租房子的人比拥有房子的人更快乐，选B
小题3:细节题：从第四段的句子：First, to compare them to New York City (the economic capital of the world), Los Angeles (the entertainment capital of the world) seems unfair. Most people in almost any other city in the world might be less happy!可知作者认为纽约和洛杉矶是两个主要的城市，选C。
小题4:细节题：从第五段下面的调查结果：75% of current renters believe owning a home makes more sense. 67% plan to buy a home at some point in the future.可知大部分租房子的人还是愿意自己拥有房子的，选C。