American cities are similar to other cities around the world. In every country, cities reflect the values of the culture. American cities are changig, just as American society is changing.

After World War Ⅱ, the population of most large American cities decreased; however, the population in many Sun Belt cities increased. Los Angles and Houston are cities where population shifts (转移) to and from the city reflect the changing values of American society. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, city residents became wealthier. They had more children so they needed more space. They moved out of their apartments in the city to buy their own homes. They bought houses in the suburbs.

Now things are changing. The children of the people who left the cities in the 1950s are now adults. Many, unlike their parents, want to live in the cities. They continue to move to Sun Belt cities and older ones of the Northeast and Midwest. Many young professionals are moving back into the city. They prefer the city to the suburbs because their jobs are there; or they just enjoy the excitement and possibilities that the city offers.

This population shift is bringing problems as well as benefits. Countless poor people must leave their apartments in the city because the owners want to sell the buildings or make apartments for sale instead of for rent. In the 1950s, many poor people did not have enough money to move to the suburbs; now many of these same people do not have enough money to stay in the cities.

Only a few years ago, people thought that the older American cities were dying. Some city residents now see a bright, new future. Others see only problems and conflicts. One thing is sure: many dying cities are alive again.

1..

 What does the author think of cities all over the world?

A. They are similar.                          B. They are hopeless.

C. They are alive.                        D. They are different.

 

2..

 Why did American city residents want to live in the suburbs after World War Ⅱ?

A. Because older American cities were dying.

B. Because they were richer and needed more space.

C. Because they could hardly afford to live in the city.

D. Because cities contained the worst parts of society.

3..

 According to the 4th paragraph, a great many poor people in American cities __________.

A. are forced to move to the suburbs          B. are faced with housing problems

C. want to sell their buildings                D. need more money for daily expenses

4..

 We can conclude from the text that __________.

A. American cities are changing for the worse

B. the population is decreasing in older American citiesC. many people are now moving from American cities

D. people have different views on American cities

 

完形填空

阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从以下各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。

　　American cities are 1 other cities around the world. In every country, cities reflect the 2 of the culture. Cities contain the very 3 side of a society: opportunities for education, employment and so on. They also 4 the very worst parts of a society: violent crime, racial discrimination and poverty. American cities are changing, just 5 American society.

　　After World War Ⅱ, the population of 6 large American cities decreased; 7 , the population in many Sun Belt cities, increased. Los Angeles and Houston are cities 8 population increased. These population moving to and from the city reflect the changing values of American society.

　　During this time, in the 9 1940s and early 1950s, city people became wealthier. They had more children. They needed more 10 . They moved out their flats in the city to buy their own houses. They bought houses in the 11 , areas near a city where people live. These are areas without many offices or factories. During the 1950s the American “dream” was to have a house on the outskirts.

　　Now things are changing. The children of the people who 12 the cities in the 1950s are now adults. They, 13 their parents, want to live in the cities. 14 continue to move to cities in the Sun Belt. Cities are 15 and the population is increasing in 16 states as Texas, Florida and California. Others are moving to more 17 cities of the Northeast and Midwest, such as Boston, Baltimore and Chicago.

　　Many young professionals, doctors and lawyers are moving back into the city. They prefer the city 18 the suburbs because their jobs are there; they are afraid of the fuel shortage; or they just 19 the excitement and opportunities which the city offers. A new class is moving into the citiesa wealthier, 20 mobile class.

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完形填空

　　American cities are 1 other cities around the world. In every country, cities reflect the 2 of the culture. Cities contain the very 3 side of a society: opportunities for education, employment and so on. They also 4 the very worst parts of a society: violent crime, racial discrimination and poverty. American cities are changing, just 5 American society.

　　After World War Ⅱ, the population of 6 large American cities decreased; 7 , the population in many Sun Belt cities increased. Los Angeles and Houston are cities 8 population increased. These population moving to and from the city reflect the changing values of American society.

　　During this time, in the 9 1940s and early 1950s, city people became wealthier. They had more children. They needed more 10 . They moved out of their flats in the city to buy their own houses. They bought houses in the 11 , areas near a city where people live. These are areas without many offices or factories. During the 1950s the American “dream” was to have a house on the outskirts.

　　Now things are changing. The children of the people who 12 the cities in the 1950s are now adults. They, 13 their parents, want to live in the cities. 14 continue to move to cities in the Sun Belt. Cities are 15 and the population is increasing in 16 states as Texas, Florida and California. Others are moving to more 17 cities of the Northeast and Midwest, such as Boston, Baltimore and Chicago. Many young professionals, doctors and lawyers are moving back into the city. They prefer the city 18 the suburbs because their jobs are there; they are afraid of the fuel shortage or they just 19 the excitement and opportunities which the city offers. A new class is moving into the cities－a wealthier, 20 mobile class.

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（河南省驻马店高中2010届高三摸底考试）

American cities are    36    other cities around the world． In every country, cities show the  37   of the culture. Cities contain the very   38   aspect(方面) of a society: opportunities for education, employment and so on. They also   39   the very worst parts of a society. Now American cities are changing, just   40   American society.  After World War Ⅱ, the population of   41   large American cities became smaller;   42   , the population in many Sun Belt cities increased. Los Angeles and Huston are cities   43   population increased. That people come into and out of the city shows the changing value of American society. During this time, in the   44   1940s, the people of the city became wealthier and they had more children. They need more   45 . They moved out to buy their own homes. They bought houses  46   the city, areas near a city where people live and there are not many offices or factories. During 1950s the American "dream" was to have a house outside the city. Now things are changing. The children of the people who   47   the cities in the 1950s are now adults. They   48   their parents want to live in the cities.  49   continue to move to cities in the Sun Belt. Cities are becoming   50   and the population is increasing in   51   states as Texas, Florida and Californian.  52    are moving to more established cities, such as Boston and Chicago. Many young doctors, lawyers and bosses are moving back into the city. They prefer the city   53   the outside of it, because their jobs are there; they are afraid of the oil shortage; or they just   54   the excitement and opportunities which the city offers. A new class is moving into the cities—a wealthier and  55  mobile class.

36．A．different from     B．similar to       C．better than           D．worse than

37．A．value            B．worth                  C．importance          D．expense

38．A．well             B．good                   C．better                  D．best

39．A．content        B．get                      C．contain                D．include

40．A．likely            B．as                       C．while                  D．when

41．A．all              B．most                   C．few                    D．much

42．A．but             B．and                     C．however              D．although

43．A．its              B．which                 C．where                 D．that

44．A．late             B．later                    C．lately                   D．latter

45．A．space           B．spots                   C．time                    D．food

46．A．beside          B．downtown           C．countryside         D．outside

47．A．arrived         B．left                      C．reached               D．entered

48．A．as              B．like                     C．dislike                 D．unlike

49．A．Some           B．All                      C．Several                D．Both

50．A．big              B．noisy                   C．larger                  D．wonderful

51．A．such            B．these                   C．those                  D．many

52．A．The others    B．The ones             C．Peoples               D．Others

53．A．than             B．better than           C．rather than           D．to

54．A．win             B．enjoy                   C．earn                    D．own

55．A．very             B．and                     C．more                   D．or