Today, people all over the world are moving out of small villages in the country to go and live in big, noisy cities. They are moving from the peaceful hills, mountains, fields, rivers and streams of the countryside to the busy world of streets, buildings, traffic and crowds. This movement from rural areas to urban areas has been going on for over two hundred years.
In many countries, the main reason people come to live in towns and cities is work. After one or two large factories have been built in or near a town, people come to find work, and soon an industrial area begins to grow. There is usually a residential area nearby, too. The families of these workers need schools, hospitals and shops, so many people come to live in the area to provide these services and a city grows.
In every major city in the world, there is a business district where the big companies have their main offices. In the United States, this area is usually in the city center downtown. It is here that you can see many huge skyscrapers and office blocks. The people who work here often travel a long way to work each day. Many of them live in the suburbs of the city, far away from the industrial area and the city center. Some suburbs are very pleasant, with nice houses and big gardens. There are usually parks for children to play in and large department stores where you can buy all you need.
But what is the future of the big cities? Will they continue to get bigger and bigger? Perhaps not. Some major cities have actually become smaller in the last ten years, and it is quite possible that one day we will see people moving out of the major cities and back into smaller towns and villages.
【小题1】The underlined phrase “a residential area” means an area________.

A．where people can buy things

B．which is suitable for living in

C．where people can do business

D．which is near a city center

【小题2】Why do people move to live in cities or towns?

A．Because they like noisy life better than peaceful life.

B．Because they can live more comfortably there.

C．Because they mainly want to find work there.

D．Because they are sure of having a better life there.

【小题3】Which of the following statement is NOT true about the business district?

A．Big companies usually have their main offices in the business district.

B．A business district usually lies in the city center downtown.

C．People usually work and live in the business district.

D．Nearly every major city has its own business district.

【小题4】In the United States, many people work in the center of a big city________.

A．and live there

B．but live in the suburbs of the city

C．and live in another city

D．but live in rural areas

【小题5】We can infer that this movement from rural to urban areas ________.

A．has been going on for more than 2,000 years

B．will surely continue in the future

C．may not continue in the future

D．has now stopped already

Today, people all over the world are moving out of small villages in the country to go and live in big, noisy cities. They are moving from the peaceful hills, mountains, fields, rivers and streams of the countryside to the busy world of streets, buildings, traffic and crowds. This movement from rural areas to urban areas has been going on for over two hundred years.

In many countries, the main reason people come to live in towns and cities is work. After one or two large factories have been built in or near a town, people come to find work, and soon an industrial area begins to grow. There is usually a residential area nearby, too. The families of these workers need schools, hospitals and shops, so many people come to live in the area to provide these services and a city grows.

In every major city in the world, there is a business district where the big companies have their main offices. In the United States, this area is usually in the city center downtown. It is here that you can see many huge skyscrapers and office blocks. The people who work here often travel a long way to work each day. Many of them live in the suburbs of the city, far away from the industrial area and the city center. Some suburbs are very pleasant, with nice houses and big gardens. There are usually parks for children to play in and large department stores where you can buy all you need.

But what is the future of the big cities? Will they continue to get bigger and bigger? Perhaps not. Some major cities have actually become smaller in the last ten years, and it is quite possible that one day we will see people moving out of the major cities and back into smaller towns and villages.

1.The underlined phrase “a residential area” means an area________.

A．where people can buy things

B．which is suitable for living in

C．where people can do business

D．which is near a city center

2.Why do people move to live in cities or towns?

A．Because they like noisy life better than peaceful life.

B．Because they can live more comfortably there.

C．Because they mainly want to find work there.

D．Because they are sure of having a better life there.

3.Which of the following statement is NOT true about the business district?

A．Big companies usually have their main offices in the business district.

B．A business district usually lies in the city center downtown.

C．People usually work and live in the business district.

D．Nearly every major city has its own business district.

4.In the United States, many people work in the center of a big city________.

A．and live there

B．but live in the suburbs of the city

C．and live in another city

D．but live in rural areas

5.We can infer that this movement from rural to urban areas ________.

A．has been going on for more than 2,000 years

B．will surely continue in the future

C．may not continue in the future

D．has now stopped already

 

Raising pets is not a new thing in China , but recently it has taken on a new meaning .

As a famous Chinese saying goes, pursuit of petty (小的，不重要的) pleasures weakens one’s will to make progress . The saying has been so popular that even today many people still consider raising pets as a hobby of the idle .

Things have changed much recently and now raising pets has become a popular pastime , resulting in a successful pet care industry .

Pet food is sold in almost all supermarkets and many special stores for pet needs have been set up .

Animal hospitals provide various medical services for sick dogs and cats , and pet exchange fairs are held regularly .

At the China International Pet Show which took place recently in Beijing , more than 100 factories from across the country exhibited their products . Thousands of dealers and pet owners went to the show.

“People’s swollen pockets make it possible for many to raise pets , a hobby that used to be enjoyed only by the wealthy ,” said Wang Wei , who works with the National Kennel Association of China .

Wang Yuyan , vice president of the Small Animals Protection Association , agreed , “ In many films and novels , having a pet is used as a symbol of wealth . That’s not a complete picture . ” Wang added that pets are friends in a real sense of the word , not just playthings . “ Anyone with a loving nature can raise pets . ”

Still the high cost of keeping a pet is something many people have to think about .

“I like dogs and cats , but I have neither time nor money to raise them , ”said Li Jun , in her 40’s , a civil servant from Beijing .

The cost of raising a dog is high in Beijing , where registration (登记) is a must for all dogs and costs 5,000 yuan for each animal . In addition , pet owners must pay for regular injection of vaccines (疫苗). Most of all , dog food is quite expensive .

Unlike his mother , Li Jun’s 10-year-old son, Li Qiyu, dreams of the day he will have his own pet . “I hope I can have a dog in my house , ” he said .

1.Things have changed much recently , because ___________ .

A．people have all become kind-hearted	B．small animals have no places to live in
C．people’s living conditions are improving	D．more and more people are out of work

2. In big cities in China today , raising pets ________ .

A．has changed people’s life	B．has destroyed some families
C．has met much difficulty	D．has brought much business for some people

3.According to Wang Yuyan’s opinion , raising pets _________ .

A．is a necessary job for us all	B．is harmless for most people
C．should be a hobby of the rich	D．will make the poor happy