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London-A morning's train rides away, across the Channel, English kids about Liverpool's soccer team in
a Paris pub.
Some Parisians have even started to go to work in London.
In the 19th century, Charles Dickens compared the two great rival cities, London and Paris, in "A Tale of
Two Cities." These days, it might be A Tale of One City.
Parisians are these days likely to smile in sympathy at a visitor's broken French and respond in polite English.
As jobs grew lack at home over recent years, perhaps 250,000 Frenchmen moved across the Channel. With
an undersea tunnel, they could travel between cities in three hours. The European Union has freed them from
immigration and customs.
Paris, rich in beauty, is more attractive. But London feels more full of life, and more fun until the pubs
close up. "For me, difference is that London is real, alive," said Trevor Wheeler, a banker. Chantal Jaouen,
a professional designer, agrees. "I am French, but I'll stay in London."She said. There is, of course, the other
view. Julie Lenoux is a student who moved to London two years ago."I think people laugh more in Paris," she
said.
In fact, London and Paris, with their obvious new similarities, are past the old descriptions. As the European
Union gradually loosened controls, Londoners flocked into Paris to shop, eat and buy property.
"Both cities have changed out of recognition." said Larry Collins, a writer and sometimes a Londoner. Like
most people who know both well, he finds the two now fit together comfortably. "I first fell in love with Paris
in the 1950s,and it is still a wonderful place,"Collins said."But if I had to choose, it would be London. Things
are so much more ordered, and life is better."
But certainly not cheaper. In fancy parts of London, rents can be twice those on Avenue Foch in Paris.
Deciding between London and Paris requires a lifestyle choice.
Like Daphne Benoit, a French journalism student with perfect English, many young people are happy to be
close enough so they don't have to choose. "I love Paris, my little neighborhood, the way I can walk around
a center, but life is so structured," she said. "In London, you can be who you want. No one cares."
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1. The best title for this passage is _____. [ ]
A. Londoner and Parisians
B. Fancy London and Fashionable Paris
C. The Similarity of Two cities
D. A modern Tale of Two Cities
2. We can infer from the text _____. [ ]
A. Paris and London have become perfect partners
B. London feels more full of life
C. life in Paris is structured
D. Paris and London have become fierce competitors
3. The underlined word "flocked"in 7th paragraph probably means _____. [ ]
A. came in large numbers
B. flew a long way
C. rushed hurriedly
D. drove long distance
4. Living in Paris, you may find _____. [ ]
A. life is better
B. things are cheaper
C. more attractive people
D. a job easily
5. From the passage we can know _____. [ ]
A. the two cities have developed very fast
B. London is better than Paris
C. Paris is a favorite place for all journalism students
D. people in both London and Paris now lead a regular life
