American cities are similar to other cities around the world. In every country, cities reflect the values of the culture. American cities are changing, 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 Angeles 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（居民）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（郊区）。
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.
小题1:What does the author think of cities all over the world?
A．They are alive.
B．They are hopeless.
C．They are similar.
D．They are different.小题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 cities contained the worst parts of society.
D．Because they could hardly afford to live in the city.小题3:According to the 4th paragraph, a great many poor people in American cities .
A．are faced with housing problems.
B．are forced to move to the suburbs.
C．want to sell their buildings.
D．need more money for daily expenses.小题4:We can conclude from the text that .
A．American cities are changing for the worse.
B．people have different views on American cities.
C．many people are now moving from American cities.
D．the population is decreasing in older American cities.
小题1:C
小题2:B
小题3:A
小题4:B
题目分析：本文介绍了美国的城市发展的不同阶段的不同的特点，以及人们对于美国城市发展的不同的观点。
小题1:C 细节题。根据第一段American cities are similar to other cities around the world. In every country, cities reflect the values of the culture.说明全世界的城市都是类似的，都能反应出文化的影响。故C正确。
小题2:B 细节题。根据第二段3,4行In the late 1940s and early 1950s, city residents（居民）became wealthier. They had more children so they needed more space.说明B正确。
小题3:A 细节题。根据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.说明在不同的时期他们都面临这房子的话题，故A正确。
小题4:B 总结归纳题。根据文章最后一段 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.可知人们对于美国的城市的发展有自己不同的观点，故B正确。
点评：本文介绍了美国的城市发展的不同阶段的不同的特点，以及人们对于美国城市发展的不同的观点。本文考查细节题为主，细节题可以在文章中直接找到与答案有关的信息或是其变体。搜查信息在阅读中非常重要它包括理解作者在叙述某事时使用的具体事实、数据、图表等细节信息。在一篇短文里大部分篇幅都属于这类围绕主体展开的细节。做这类题一般采用寻读法即先读题，然后带着问题快速阅读短文，找出与问题有关的词语或句子，再对相关部分进行分析对比，找出答案。