Most people in the world live in cities. But city life isn’t always great – it’s often too hot to spend time outside in the summer; there’s pollution from traffic and there are signs everywhere saying that people can’t ride skateboards or bikes. However, green spaces bring the countryside into city centers and really make people’s lives better.
I played in my local park as a child, but I never thought about how important it was to me. Then, at sixteen, my uncle invited me to stay with him in Vietnam during the school holidays and took me to Lung An under Tri. This amazing park is famous for its large lake and wild areas, and you can see buffaloes there! Oh yes, if you know someone who knows someone, they might let you into a private area that includes a zoo, gardens, and amazing views over the city. The city government was worried it would be expensive to build and no one would use it. However, it was popular from day one. As well as New Yorkers, it attracts thousands of tourists, and the money they spend in the shops nearby pays for it. Local people work with city gardeners to keep it tidy.
The Underpass Park in Toronto is on land under road bridges, which was covered in rubbish before. You don’t see it as you drive past, so it’s a special, secret place. It’s also peaceful, as you can’t hear the traffic above. Because there’s a big roof, people can use it in all weather, and it’s not too cold in the summer. It doesn’t have much natural light, but mirrors on the walls solve this problem. Mainly teenagers use it, and because they feel it’s theirs, they know they must keep it clean and they mustn’t leave rubbish.
Exercise 1: Choose the best answer A, B, C, or D.
1. What is the writer doing in the first paragraph?
A. Explaining how his work as an architect helps to make cities better.
B. Telling people the dangers of pollution in cities.
C. Explaining the need for green spaces in cities.
D. Giving advice to people on how to build new parks in their city.
2. Alan first became interested in parks while he was …
A. visiting a relative.
B. playing in his local park.
C. studying at school.
D. working with his uncle.
3. What do we learn about the High Line in New York?
A. Not many people used it at first.
B. There are sometimes too many tourists.
C. It is quite expensive for the city.
D. People who live nearby help to look after it.
4. How does Alan feel about the Underpass Park?
A. He is disappointed that it doesn’t get much natural light.
B. He is glad that people of different ages use it.
C. He is pleased that people can’t see it from the main roads.
D. He is worried that people don’t keep it rubbish-free.
5. Which best describes Alan’s opinion about green spaces in cities?
A. They are nice, but they aren’t as good as the real countryside.
B. They are good ways to use empty land and can bring lots of benefits to people.
C. They are expensive to build, and they can cause problems.
D. They make cities look more attractive, but people don’t always use them.