1 . Shikumen Residence

Typical Shikumen Residence, literally meaning “Stone Warehouse Gate”, is regarded as the most representative house style of Shanghai. This sort of residence combines the _________ styles of southern China and western countries.

These residences can date back to the 1870s, when the Taiping Rebellion against the_________ of the Qing Dynasty broke out. Due to the warfare, the businessmen, ministers and wealthy people moved to the concession (租界) for protection. As a result, many foreign_________businessmen had many residences built to earn money. Those residences were, therefore, inspired by western style.

Construction Features of Shikumen Residence

A Shikumen Residence is usually a two-floor building constructed with bricks and wood. As the residences are usually linked, a lane naturally comes into being. Two copper door-knockers_________ in the whole lane when they are struck. _________ the stone gate, you enter a patio (天井), from which the sunshine lights the whole yard. Right in front of the patio, there is a living room where the hosts meet or treat their _________. Passing through the living room, another patio appears where the cooking bench is set.

Under the influence of western architecture, the doors and outside walls were gradually_________ with the arc-shaped or rectangular carvings and paintings. So, from the outside, the block of residences looks like western-style townhouses. _________, the lintel(过梁)was usually constructed with Chinese traditional bricks and black tiles.

_________ of Shikumen Residence

It’s said that before the 1950s, these residences __________ 60% of all the Shanghai dwellings and sheltered 60% of the local population. They almost monopolized (垄断) the city’s estate market due to their comfortable, practical and convenient advantages. __________ these, they were popular because of their good locations and convenient transportation. As time passed by, they gradually __________ with the pace of the reconstruction of the old areas. Later, when some influential architects put forward that these residences should be __________ as a symbol of the typical Shanghai culture, great attention started to be paid to them.

Shikumen Culture

The appearance of these residences broke through the Chinese traditional lifestyle, under which a large __________ family lived in a big courtyard. The new smaller-sized courtyard came into being to lay a foundation for the later Lane Culture. This local culture had a great influence on Shanghai’s politics, economy, literature, arts and lifestyle. For example, the literature__________ of “Ting Zi Jian” was born at the same time. Later, the scholars continued to create many masterpieces.

2 . There is fierce debate about the best city and the most desirable county to settle down in Texas. No doubt Montgomery County is one of the state’s top competitors.     1    

There are several thriving (蓬勃发展的) industries. Employment opportunities matter and Montgomery County has some thriving industries that are always looking for some new employees.     2     Besides, Prist Aerospace is one of the area’s biggest employers. You can also work in the aerospace industry.

    3     Many point to the Cozy Grape Wine Bar and Bistro as being one of the best places to try some local dishes. The Walden Yacht Club has its admirers, but perhaps The Big Sombrero is the best-loved restaurant in the entire county.

You’ll find nearby wildlife. You’re close to the Highlands, where you can see animal species,     4     You can visit John Burge Park at Shadow Lake. You’ll find towering, shady trees, pleasant hiking trails and picnic areas.

It has the feel of a small town. When you move to Montgomery County, you’re very close to Houston. You can go shopping there or catch a Rockets or Astros game any time you like. At the same time, there’s a decidedly small- town feel to the place.     5     So your kids can get lots of individual attention.

Li Daiyu and Liu Qian decided to travel across the whole Canada to visit their cousins by rail, which excited them a lot. Before starting out, they stayed in Vancouver to enjoy the views. Despite the rainy season, they took a boat ride into the bay, had a     1    view of the city on the mountains and took a     2    hike in a forest. It took them a     3    of four days to travel from Vancouver to Toronto.

Firstly, the girls headed for Lake Louise. Along the way, while they were impressed with the     4    mountains and forests, the blue lake water was breathtaking.

One     5    of their awesome journey was seeing a variety of creatures. On the way to Toronto, they passed Edmonton, the centre of Canada’s heavy industry and a shopping paradise as well.

7 . What is the 15-minute city? It’s the urban planning concept that everything city residents need should be a short walk or bike ride away—about 15 minutes from home to work, shopping, entertainment, restaurants, schools, parks and health care. Supporters argue that 15-minute cities are healthier for residents and the environment, creating united mini-communities, boosting local businesses, and encouraging people to get outside,walk, and cycle.

Many cities across Europe offer similar ideas, but Paris has become its poster child. Mayor Anne Hidalgo has sought to fight climate change by decreasing choking traffic in the streets and fuel emissions. In 2015, Paris was 17th on the list of bike-friendly cities; by 2019, it was 8th. Car ownership, meanwhile, dropped from 60 percent of house holds in 2001 to 35 percent in 2019. The 15-minute city figured largely in Hidalgo’s successful 2020 re-election campaign. The idea has also gained support in the U.S.

It clearly won’t work everywhere: Not every city is as centralized and walkable as Paris. Some car-dominated cities like Los Angeles and Phoenix would be hard-pressed to provide everything people need within walking distance. In addition, some urban planners argue that the 15-minute city could increase the separation of neighborhoods by income. Neighborhoods equipped with all the conveniences required by the 15-minute city also tend to have high housing costs and wealthier residents.

Despite some resistance, the basic principles behind the 15-minute city are influencing planning in cities around the world, including Melbourne, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Singapore, and Shanghai. Urban designer and thinker Jay Pitter says cities where basic needs are within walking distance create more individual freedom than needing to drive every where. “In a city where services are always close by,” he says, “mobility is a choice: You go where you want because you want to, not because you have to. My fight is not against the car. My fight is how we could improve the quality of life.”

10 . The huge high rises, loud noises, and masses of people make up a symbolic United States destination and the city millions of people call home. Winding your way through the streets of New York City is an overwhelming and humbling (令人谦卑的) experience.     1     With so much to offer, there is never a boring moment in this energetic city but an appreciation for this urban (城市的) culture.

Walking down these busy streets you are sure to see several different coffee shops where writers with dreams are typing away or perhaps old friends catch up as they drink. Next, there are the classic pizzerias where many love to go to get a slice of New York style pizza. Another city classic are the popular delis, a favorite quick and easy lunch hot spot.     2    

A valued aspect (方面) of the city streets is the artistic attraction they hold. Brushes of color brighten up the modern buildings. The buildings become an artist’s studio where creativity comes to life, beautifying the city and showing social and political expressions.     3     Whether an artist is trying to get discovered, make a living, or simply just sharing their feelings, the air is filled with joy to lift the spirits of the people.

    4     On any given street you can take a taxi with the wave of an arm. You can sit on a subway, feeling the shakes of the starts and stops and hearing the loud sound of the tracks. Yet the most common form of transportation is your own two feet, allowing you to get where you want to go, fast or slow.

There is nothing more American than a street in New York City.     5     They are enjoyed by all those who are there to experience it.