Urbanization---migration away from the suburbs to the city center---will be the biggest real estate trend in 2015, according to a new report.The report says America's urbanization will continue to be the most significant issue affecting the industry, as cities across the country imitate the walkability and transit-oriented development making cities New York and San Francisco so successful.As smaller cities copy the model of these "24-hour cities, " more affordable versions of these places will be created. The report refers to this as the coming of the "18-hour city, " and uses the term to refer to cities like Houston, Austin, Charlotte, and Nashville, which are "positioning themselves as highly competitive, in terms of livability, employment offerings, and recreational and cultural facilities."Another trend that looks significant in 2015 is that America's largest population group, Millennials (千禧一代), will continue to put off buying a house. Apartments will retain their appeal for a while for Millennials, haunted by what happened to home-owning parents.This trend will continue into the 2020s, the report projects. After that, survey respondents disagree over whether this generation will follow in their parents' footsteps, moving to the suburbs to raise families, or will choose to remain in the city center.Another issue affecting real estate in the coming year will be America's failing infrastructure. Most roads, bridges, transit, water systems, the electric grid, and communications networks were installed 50 to 100 years ago, and they are largely taken for granted until they fail.The report's writers state that America's failure to invest in infrastructure impacts not only the health of the real-estate market, but also our ability to remain globally competitive.Apart from the specific trends highlighted above, which cause some investors to worry, the report portrays an overall optimism borne by the recent healthy real-estate "upcycle" and improving economy. Seventy-four percent of the respondents surveyed report a "good to excellent" expectation of real-estate profitability in 2015. While excessive optimism can promote bad investment patterns, resulting in a real- estate "bubble, " the report's writers downplay that potential outcome in that it has not yet occurred.According to the new report, real estate development in 2015 will witness .A.an accelerating speedB.a shift to city centersC.a new focus on small citiesD.an ever-increasing demandWhat characterizes "24-hour cities" like New York?A.People can live without private cars.B.People are generally more competitive.C.People can enjoy services around the clock.D.People are in harmony with the environment.Why are Millennials reluctant to buy a house?A.They can only afford small apartments.B.The house prices are currently too high.C.Their parents' bad experience still haunts them.D.They feel attached to the suburban environment.What might hinder real estate development in the U.S. ?A.The continuing economic recession in the country.B.The lack of confidence on the part of investors.C.The fierce global competition.D.The worsening infrastructure.How do most of the respondents in the survey feel about the U.S real-estate market in 2015?A.Pessimistic.B.Hopeful.C.autious.D.Uncertain.
Urbanization---migration away from the suburbs to the city center---will be the biggest real estate trend in 2015, according to a new report.
The report says America's urbanization will continue to be the most significant issue affecting the industry, as cities across the country imitate the walkability and transit-oriented development making cities New York and San Francisco so successful.
As smaller cities copy the model of these "24-hour cities, " more affordable versions of these places will be created. The report refers to this as the coming of the "18-hour city, " and uses the term to refer to cities like Houston, Austin, Charlotte, and Nashville, which are "positioning themselves as highly competitive, in terms of livability, employment offerings, and recreational and cultural facilities."
Another trend that looks significant in 2015 is that America's largest population group, Millennials (千禧一代), will continue to put off buying a house. Apartments will retain their appeal for a while for Millennials, haunted by what happened to home-owning parents.
This trend will continue into the 2020s, the report projects. After that, survey respondents disagree over whether this generation will follow in their parents' footsteps, moving to the suburbs to raise families, or will choose to remain in the city center.
Another issue affecting real estate in the coming year will be America's failing infrastructure. Most roads, bridges, transit, water systems, the electric grid, and communications networks were installed 50 to 100 years ago, and they are largely taken for granted until they fail.
The report's writers state that America's failure to invest in infrastructure impacts not only the health of the real-estate market, but also our ability to remain globally competitive.
Apart from the specific trends highlighted above, which cause some investors to worry, the report portrays an overall optimism borne by the recent healthy real-estate "upcycle" and improving economy. Seventy-four percent of the respondents surveyed report a "good to excellent" expectation of real-estate profitability in 2015. While excessive optimism can promote bad investment patterns, resulting in a real- estate "bubble, " the report's writers downplay that potential outcome in that it has not yet occurred.
According to the new report, real estate development in 2015 will witness .
A.an accelerating speed
B.a shift to city centers
C.a new focus on small cities
D.an ever-increasing demand
What characterizes "24-hour cities" like New York?
A.People can live without private cars.
B.People are generally more competitive.
C.People can enjoy services around the clock.
D.People are in harmony with the environment.
Why are Millennials reluctant to buy a house?
A.They can only afford small apartments.
B.The house prices are currently too high.
C.
Their parents' bad experience still haunts them.
D.They feel attached to the suburban environment.
What might hinder real estate development in the U.S. ?
A.The continuing economic recession in the country.
B.The lack of confidence on the part of investors.
C.The fierce global competition.
D.The worsening infrastructure.
How do most of the respondents in the survey feel about the U.S real-estate market in 2015?
A.Pessimistic.
B.Hopeful.
C.autious.
D.Uncertain.
题目解答
答案
- (1)B
- (2)A
- (3)C
- (4)D
- (5)B
解析
- 考查要点:本题为英语阅读理解题,主要考查学生对文章主旨、细节信息、逻辑关系的理解能力。需结合上下文,准确提取关键信息,排除干扰项。
- 解题思路:
- 定位关键句:根据问题关键词(如“Urbanization”“Millennials”)快速定位相关段落。
- 对比选项:重点关注选项中与原文表述高度一致或隐含逻辑关系的内容。
- 排除干扰项:注意区分“部分正确”与“完全正确”的选项,避免过度推断。
第(1)题
问题:2015年房地产发展的趋势是什么?
关键句:首段明确指出“Urbanization(城市化)——从郊区迁移到城市中心——将是2015年最大的房地产趋势”。
选项分析:
- B选项“转向城市中心”直接对应“migration away from the suburbs to the city center”。
- 其余选项(如“加速”“关注小城市”“需求增加”)未在原文中提及。
第(2)题
问题:“24小时城市”的特点是什么?
关键句:第二段提到“24-hour cities”成功的原因是“walkability and transit-oriented development”(可步行性和交通导向发展)。
选项分析:
- A选项“人们可以没有私家车生活”符合“交通便利、依赖公共交通”的隐含逻辑。
- C选项“服务全天候”虽字面相关,但原文强调的是城市规划而非服务时间。
第(3)题
问题:千禧一代为何不愿买房?
关键句:第四段指出“Millennials... haunted by what happened to home-owning parents”(被父母购房的噩梦困扰)。
选项分析:
- C选项“父母的不良经历”直接对应原文。
- B选项“房价太高”未被提及,属于过度推断。
第(4)题
问题:什么会阻碍房地产发展?
关键句:第五段明确指出“America's failing infrastructure”(老化的基础设施)是关键问题。
选项分析:
- D选项“恶化的基础设施”与原文完全一致。
第(5)题
问题:调查者对2015年房地产市场的看法如何?
关键句:最后一段提到“74% of respondents report a 'good to excellent' expectation”(74%持积极态度)。
选项分析:
- B选项“充满希望”符合“good to excellent”预期。