UrbanizationUntil relatively recently, the vast majority of human beings lived and died without ever seeing a city. The first city was probably founded no more than 5,500 years ago. 1 In fact, nearly everyone lived on farms or in tiny rural (乡村的) villages. It was not until the 20th century that Great Britain became the first urban society in history--- a society in which the majority of people live in cities and do not farm for a living.Britain was only the beginning. 2 .The process of urbanization--- the migration (迁移) of people from the countryside to the city--- was the result of modernization, which has rapidly transformed how people live and where they live.In 1990, fewer than 40% of Americans lived in urban areas. Today, over 82% of Americans live in cities. Only about 2% live on farms. 3 Large cities were impossible until agriculture became industrialized. Even in advanced agricultural societies. It took about ninety-five people on farms to feed five people in cities. 4 Until modern times, those living in cities were mainly the ruling elite(精英) and the servants, laborers and professionals who served them. Cities survived by taxing farmers and were limited in size by the amount of surplus food that the rural population produced and by the ability to move this surplus from farm to city.Over the past two centuries, the Industrial Revolution has broken this balance between the city and the country. 5 Today, instead of needing ninety-five farmers to feed five city people, one American farmer is able to feed more than a hundred non-farmers.A. That kept cities very small.B. The rest live in small towns.C. The effects of urban living on people should be considered.D. Soon many other industrial nations become urban societies.E. But even 200 years ago, only a few people could live in cities.F. Modernization drew people to the cities and made farmers more productive.G. Modern cities have destroyed social relations and the health of human beings.
Urbanization
Until relatively recently, the vast majority of human beings lived and died without ever seeing a city. The first city was probably founded no more than 5,500 years ago. 1 In fact, nearly everyone lived on farms or in tiny rural (乡村的) villages. It was not until the 20th century that Great Britain became the first urban society in history--- a society in which the majority of people live in cities and do not farm for a living.
Britain was only the beginning. 2 .The process of urbanization--- the migration (迁移) of people from the countryside to the city--- was the result of modernization, which has rapidly transformed how people live and where they live.
In 1990, fewer than 40% of Americans lived in urban areas. Today, over 82% of Americans live in cities. Only about 2% live on farms. 3
Large cities were impossible until agriculture became industrialized. Even in advanced agricultural societies. It took about ninety-five people on farms to feed five people in cities. 4 Until modern times, those living in cities were mainly the ruling elite(精英) and the servants, laborers and professionals who served them. Cities survived by taxing farmers and were limited in size by the amount of surplus food that the rural population produced and by the ability to move this surplus from farm to city.
Over the past two centuries, the Industrial Revolution has broken this balance between the city and the country. 5 Today, instead of needing ninety-five farmers to feed five city people, one American farmer is able to feed more than a hundred non-farmers.
A. That kept cities very small.
B. The rest live in small towns.
C. The effects of urban living on people should be considered.
D. Soon many other industrial nations become urban societies.
E. But even 200 years ago, only a few people could live in cities.
F. Modernization drew people to the cities and made farmers more productive.
G. Modern cities have destroyed social relations and the health of human beings.
题目解答
答案
1．E
2．D
3．B
4．A
5．F
解析
文章讨论了城市化的过程，从人类历史上的第一次城市建立到现代城市化的发展。文章还提到了城市化与农业现代化的关系，以及工业革命对城市化的影响。
步骤 2：分析选项
A. That kept cities very small.（这使城市非常小。）
B. The rest live in small towns.（其余的人住在小镇上。）
C. The effects of urban living on people should be considered.（应该考虑城市生活对人们的影响。）
D. Soon many other industrial nations become urban societies.（很快，许多其他工业国家也成为了城市社会。）
E. But even 200 years ago, only a few people could live in cities.（但即使在200年前，也只有少数人能住在城市里。）
F. Modernization drew people to the cities and made farmers more productive.（现代化吸引了人们到城市，并使农民更富有生产力。）
G. Modern cities have destroyed social relations and the health of human beings.（现代城市破坏了社会关系和人类的健康。）
步骤 3：选择合适的选项
1. 根据上下文，第一空应填入一个描述城市化早期情况的句子，E选项符合。
2. 第二空应填入一个描述英国之后其他工业国家城市化情况的句子，D选项符合。
3. 第三空应填入一个描述美国城市化情况的句子，B选项符合。
4. 第四空应填入一个描述农业社会城市规模的句子，A选项符合。
5. 第五空应填入一个描述工业革命对城市化影响的句子，F选项符合。