A
In many countries around the world, more and more people live in cities. Cities share many similar things, but are also different from country to country.
MEXICO
Mexico s cities are modem but have many traditional Indian and Spanish things. The most important buildings are around a central square, which is also a place to meet with friends. There are outdoor marketplaces, where people can find almost anything they need. On Sundays, parks are popular places for families. Many people move to Mexico City from the countryside. It has a lot of excitements, but also lots of traffic and air pollution.
JAPAN
Japan s cities also have a mix of traditional and modern things. There are tall office and apartment buildings as well as traditional wooden houses. Many people would like to live near the center of cities, but because houses there are too expensive, they have to take public buses or trains from faraway places. Traffic, pollution, and crowds are problems. However, there is little crime, and even very crowded cities have many parks and gardens.
AUSTRALIA
Although 80% of Australians live near cities, the cities are not as large as those in some other countries. Most people live in houses in the outer area of the cities—not in apartment. The areas also have their own churches, schools, and shopping centers. In large cities, like Sydney, the areas are often far from the center town. Though many people take public buses and trains to work, traffic is slow and there are many traffic jams.
1. People in Mexico can go to ________ to get what they need.
A. outdoor marketplaces B. the central square
C. the park D. the countryside
2. Many Japanese people prefer to live in the center of the cities but they can’t because ________.
A. it is too crowded to live there B. houses there are too expensive
C. they like taking buses or trains D. it’s too noisy to live there
3. What makes the cities in Australia different from other cities in the world?
A. Many people like to live in apartment in city areas.
B. Many people like to live in outer areas around cities.
C. Lots of people like to live in the center of large cities.
D. The traffic is very slow and there are always traffic jams.
【答案】1. A 2. B 3. B
【解析】
这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了墨西哥、日本和澳大利亚三个国家的城市特点。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段的“There are outdoor marketplaces, where people can find almost anything they need. ”可知，墨西哥人可以在outdoor marketplaces找到他们所需要的几乎任何东西。故选A项。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据第三段的“ Many people would like to live near the center of cities, but because houses there are too expensive, they have to take public buses or trains from faraway places. ”可知，在日本，虽然很多人想要居住在靠近城中心的地方，但是那里的房子很贵导致他们没办法实现愿望。故选B项。
【3题详解】
细节理解题。根据第四段的“Although 80% of Australians live near cities, the cities are not as large as those in some other countries. Most people live in houses in the outer area of the cities—not in apartment. ”可知，在澳大利亚，虽然80%的人住在城市附近，但大部分人住在城市的外围地区。故选B项。
