题目

阅读理解 Years of unbalanced investment in public parks has left 100 million Americans without access to decent nearby green spaces during the coronavirus lockdown, a new report reveals. Local parks have been a godsend to many people during the disease as schools, gyms and walking trails have closed to minimize physical contact and check the spread of the virus. But the annual parks score index by the Trust for Public Land (TPL) has revealed wide gap in access. For instance, 98% of residents in Washington and Minnesota are within a ten-minute walk of a park, compared to less than 50% of those in cities like Arizona and Oklahoma City. Even within cities, access to green spaces – like access to healthy food, healthcare and good schools – is also unfair, with low-income households and people of colour least likely to live close to parks with basic facilities like toilets, playgrounds and basketball courts. As summer edges closer, it's clear that public parks will play a crucial role in providing safe, affordable leisure spaces for millions of people unable to work or travel. Yet, evidence detailed in the report suggests park services could face dramatic cutbacks as local governments face unprecedented economic challenges as a result of the shutdowns. A survey of 300 park officials in mid-April by the National Recreation and Park Association found that about half had already been instructed to cut budgets by 10% to 20% for the current financial year. Nationwide, the parks system took years to recover from budget cuts after the Great Recession that upset planned improvements and expansions. The economic consequences of the coronavirus disease are expected to be both deeper and longer. For environmental justice activists, there is some hope. The unprecedented crisis could enhance appreciation for parks – and encourage a wave of local activism to fight for fair access. Rue Mapp, the founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro, said, "This is an opportunity for us to rethink public lands and to get people out of the mindset that nature is somewhere that you have to drive to." (1) Why are local parks described as a "godsend"? A . Because they are a treat for the eyes. B . Because they can limit the spread of the coronavirus. C . Because residents in most cities in the US have access to a park. D . Because schools, gyms and walking trails are not accessible during the lockdown. (2) Access to green spaces is often problematic for low-income households and people of colour in that ______. A . they are unlikely to live close to parks B . those green spaces often lack basic facilities C . they are more likely to come down with the coronavirus D . they have less access to healthy food, healthcare and good schools (3) What effect could coronavirus have on US parks? A . Parks would be forced to charge visitors to enter. B . People are discouraged from playing and exercising in the parks. C . Parks became safe leisure places for people to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. D . Their budget could be sharply reduced, and this will affect improvements and expansions. (4) What possible benefit might the coronavirus crisis have? A . It might encourage local activism. B . It might encourage people to drive to parks. C . It might make people recognize the worth of parks better. D . It might increase the budget for improvements and expansions. 答案: D A D C
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