1 . On 15^th June 1996, a huge bomb in Manchester, in the north-west of England, destroyed the city centre, causing nearly a billion pounds’ worth of damage. The bomb, which had been planted by a terrorist group called the IRA, injured over 200 people but remarkably killed no one as police had evacuated the area following a warning from the IRA.

Manchester had already undergone some changes as it recovered from the economic depression of the early 1990s that had destroyed much of its industry and created large-scale unemployment. It had won the right to host the Commonwealth Games (a large sporting event) and redeveloped some deserted areas through the building of the National Velodrome, an exhibition centre and an award-winning concert hall. However, at the time of the bombing, the city centre was still badly neglected — dominated by the Arndale Shopping Centre (once described as looking like an enormous public toilet) and squares that were run-down and affected by drug addiction. So, dreadful though the bombing was, it actually provided an opportunity to start again that might not have happened otherwise.

Within weeks of the explosion, the government had set up a public-private company to manage the recovery and launched an international competition to design the redevelopment. The winning plan involved restoring the historic buildings that had been damaged, tearing down and rebuilding some of the ugly buildings, creating new public spaces and improving life for pedestrians. Alongside this, the government reduced traffic in the centre by changing the direction of some main roads and developed an integrated public transport system, making access to the centre easier. Since these improvements, the city has attempted to boost tourism by using some of the city’s historical sites for major public events and by creating the Urbis building, which now houses the National Museum of Football. In turn, these changes have been key in attracting new investors, such as the Qatari royal family who own Manchester City Football Club.

Since 1996, the Manchester economy has grown in all areas. However, there are some concerns that inequality has also increased. Nor are all the new spaces appreciated. One new garden square designed by an international architect was rated as the worst attraction in the city. Others argue that in changing market stalls and industry for luxury consumption and glass buildings, the city has lost some of its soul.

1. What does the word “evacuate” (paragraph 1)most probably mean?

A．Looking for something in a place.	B．Estimate the losses in a ruined place.
C．Remove people from a place of danger.	D．Determine a numerical value of a place.

2. What does the writer say about the 1996 IRA bombing?

A．It presented an unexpected opportunity for Manchester.

B．It destroyed the city centre that used to be busy and crowded.

C．It resulted in a lot of people getting hurt or killed in Manchester.

D．It cost Manchester its chance to host the Commonwealth Games.

3. What did Manchester do for its recovery?

A．It set up Manchester City Football Club.

B．It organised an international competition to attract new investors.

C．It tore down some historical sites to make room for public events.

D．It developed a public traffic system to make the city center more accessible.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．Damage Manchester suffered due to the IRA bombing.

B．The IRA bombing in Manchester and its consequences.

C．Challenges related to the redevelopment of Manchester.

D．The long-term effects of the changes made in Manchester.