题目

The city of Los Angeles is finally getting serious about retrofitting(翻修) the soft wood frame apartment buildings and the weak concrete ones that are at risk of collapsing during a substantial earthquake. A concrete building without adequate steel reinforcement can crumble to the ground, as some did in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake, killing dozens. The first step is to take a list of the 29,000 apartment buildings that were built before 1978, when the building code was changed to require stronger wood frame and concrete buildings. The second step will be the analysis of those buildings by structural experts to see if they should be  retrofitted, which needs essential professionalism. Then comes the stage to decide who pays for the work that needs to be done, Landlords? Renters? Taxpayers?  The step posed the biggest obstacle to all parties involved.  Actually Under L.A.'s rent control law, property owners can pass on 100% of the cost of ‘essential’ retrofitting work to renters. Some favor this pass-through move, arguing that many mom-and-pop landlords of small buildings are as cash-strapped as one can imagine, if not more so. However, the reality is that, like many landlords, the insolvency of most renters will finally make the retrofitting an empty talk. Besides, the cost of retrofitting should not fall on any one group as this work is done to prevent people from being killed in earthquakes. Protecting buildings serves the interests of renters, property owners and the city as a whole, which qualifies it as a matter of public safety issue so that L.A. government needs to find ways to shoulder some burden of the cost. It has been decided by the city government that the government will get involved, trying to find ways to reduce costs for landlords for the retrofitting projects, and the government is establishing a law to create a tax reduction for retrofitting for landlords. It's not clear at this point how much tax the state could afford to give up, or how much tax cut owners can get.  Some even say that the actual financial assistance landlords can get is far less than is expected.  However, what it’s known definitely now is that Los Angeles must not allow retrofitting to be put off although the money issue poses a big problem. The bottom line is the human life rather than money. 74. According to the passage, which issue is the most essential in deciding the future of the city’s retrofitting project?    A. Having all the parties involved aware of the importance of retrofitting.    B. Making a list of all the buildings that were built before a certain date.    C. Deciding professionally on whether the listed buildings need retrofitting.    D. Working out adequate ways to provide financial support for retrofitting. 75. According to the passage, the underlined word insolvency is closest in meaning to ______.    A. not having enough money to pay debts    B. poor relationship with landlords    C. unwillingness to participate    D. unfair treatment received 76. Which of the following is implied about the retrofitting project?    A. Most L.A. apartments are of Soft wood frame or of weak concrete.    B. According to L.A. rent law, landlords and renters share the cost for retrofit work.     C. According to government decision, owners will mainly be responsible for the retrofit.    D. Government will pay mainly for the retrofitting work as it relates with people’s life. 77. What is the main idea of the passage?    A. The likelihood of weak apartment falling in big earthquakes.    B. The background of LA apartment retrofit and its financial solution.    C. The argument between landlords, renters and governments over money issues.     D. The importance of LA government’s involvement in life-saving projects. 答案：DACB

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