2 . In its best times on the nineteenth century, thatch (茅草屋顶) played an important role in protecting British homes from the weather. But new technologies since have led to a rapid decline in thatching and many of the thatched cottages that remain have been changed beyond all recognition by developers or have run into disrepair, a rather upsetting reminder of a bygone age.
A Welsh company, however, is trying to breathe new life into some of the last traditional thatched cottages in western Wales by repairing them and letting them out as holiday homes. Called “Under the Thatch”, the company is run by Greg Stevenson, who lives in his own thatched cottage in Ceredigion. An architectural historians by training, he repairs old buildings in old-fashioned ways.
All the cottages are in attractive locations around southwest Wales. Unlike most holiday homes, the cottages are let all year round---chiefly because Greg prices them lower than many holiday properties( 房屋) and he’d prefer that properties are rented just above cost price than not used at all. And with that comes a bargain or two: it’s common for a property to go for as little as£35 a night. Consequently occupancy for properties with “ Under the Thatch” is at 95 percent( the average in Wales is 35 percent)
Its success has meant that Greg has been able to buy up more old cottages and bring them back into the community. Greg has also diversified from offering only thatched cottages: he now lets out a variety of rare accommodations dotted around western styles , including a renovated(修复的) train carriage and two gypsy caravans which were used by Romanies.
Most of his thirty properties are run using environmentally friendly technologies. Including solar panels and recycled furnishings. But most importantly, what the cottages all have in common is that they bring back life to local communities. Spend a weekend “Under the Thatch” rather than in a holiday home, buy local food and visit nearby restaurants, and you will be contributing to the local economy.
1. How does the author sound when talking about thatched cottages in Paragraph 1?
| A．Excited | B．Afraid |
| C．Sorry | D．Humorous |
2. What is the main reason for the success of “Under the Thatch”?
| A．The properties’ low prices. |
| B．The company’s excellent services. |
| C．The company’s creative designers. |
| D．The properties’ beautiful locations. |
3. Beside thatched cottages, what does Greg’s company provide?
| A．Design plans for modern cottages. |
| B．Other uncommon styles of holiday homes. |
| C．Environmentally friendly technologies. |
| D．Advice on developing the local economy. |
4. What can be the best title for the text?
| A．Buy Up Traditional Thatched Cottages. |
| B．Protect British Homes from the weather. |
| C．Spend a Weekend Under the Thatch. |
| D．Bring Properties Back into the Community. |
