Over many years, there has been an increase in the population of towns in many countries, as millions of people have moved from the villages in search of better jobs and facilities (设施), in the hope of getting a higher standard of living. This development has led to huge expansions of towns both upwards into the sky and outwards into the surrounding countryside. In spite of all the efforts of governments and private businesses, many areas still suffer from a serious shortage of housing.
Now, a new idea has been put forward which will utilize (利用 vt.) areas which have no other obvious commercial potential (商业潜能). These are the ponds, small lakes, disused docks (码头), and other areas of water, many of which can be found near, or even in the suburbs (郊区) of big towns.
A new style of construction has been designed which will provide a house for less than half the cost of the normal building. The main saving is, of course, the land, because the new houses will float on water. There will be no need for foundations; instead the house will be built on a frame (框架) made of steel which is expected to cost about ￡5,000. Above this the builders will make a house with two, three, or four bedrooms and all the usual modern conveniences, as well as a roof garden. Each house will be joined to the main services supplying water, g
as, and electricity and they will have a vacuum sewage disposal (真空污水处理) system. All the servic
e links will have enough flexibility (灵活性) to allow for small differences in the water level caused by wet a
nd dry periods of weather.
The first houses to be built are expected to cost between ￡20,000 and ￡30,000 according to size and it is already clear that there is a very good potential market for the new system. As the cost is comparatively low, young people and common citizens would like to buy.
小题1:So many people have moved into towns because _______．
A．they enjoy the facilities
B．they expect to live a better life
C．they expect to get better jobs
D．there is a shortage of jobs in villages小题2:What is the main advantage of the new idea?
A．It will help relieve（缓解）the housing shortage.
B．It will utilize disused areas of water.
C．It will provide jobs.
D．It will help the suburbs.小题3:The new houses will be built on_______．
A．waterside areas
B．a stone foundation
C．lakes and rivers
D．a steel frame小题4:The price of the new houses will _______．
A．encourage private and government builders
B．attract ordinary people in the towns to buy
C．vary in different areas according to the policy
D．help the housing market in the countryside
