Housing prices have been growing less and less affordable across the U. S.
Paragon Real Estate, a San Francisco real estate(房地产)company, has calculated that the median housing price in the city has risen $205, 000 since the end of 2017, the highest six - month gain in at least a quarter century.
Home-buyers who can’t afford such inflationary(通货膨胀引起的)housing prices might consider buying an apartment.
Paragon said that a sudden increase in both the asking prices for homes and the bids being placed by buyers, coupled with a multi - year decline in the number of homes listed for sale, have contributed to the sudden increase in prices. Housing activists in the Bay Area have grown more outspoken in calling for more available housing in the region.
There are signs that the affordable - housing problems that many residents in San Francisco struggle with are recurring in other cities, even if at a smaller scale. Home prices across the U. S. are by some measures at their least affordable levels since the financial crisis.
| A．The median price for San Francisco apartments rose by $71,000 in the first half of 2018, a comparative bargain. |
| B．On a percentage basis, the median home price in San Francisco rose 14.5% over the past year to $1.6 million. |
| C．No city is a more fitting poster child for that trend than San Francisco. |
| D．The current housing construction pick-up supported overall GDP growth in first quarter and should do so in second quarter. |
| E．San Francisco may offer an extreme example of rising home prices. |
| F．In part, house prices have risen because interest have fallen and incomes have risen. |
Gerner manages school facilities （设施） for Clark County, Nevada, a district roughly the size of Massachusetts. By 2018, 143,000 additional students will enter the already crowded public-education system. Gerner needs 73 new schools to house them. Four architecture teams have nearly finished designing primary school prototypes （样品）; they plan to construct their schools starting in 2009. The district will then assess how well the schools perform, and three winners will copy those designs in 50 to 70 new buildings.
Green schools are appearing all over, but in Clark County, which stands out for its vastness, such aggressive targets are difficult because design requirements like more natural light for students go against the realities of a desert climate. “One of the biggest challenges is getting the right site orientation （朝向）,”Mark McGinty, a director at SH Architecture, says. His firm recently completed a high school in Las Vegas. “You have the same building, same set of windows, but if its orientation is incorrect and it faces the sun, it will be really expensive to cool.”
Surprisingly, the man responsible for one of the most progressive green-design competitions has doubts about ideas of eco-friendly buildings. “I don’t believe in the new green religion,” Gerner says. “Some of the building technologies that you get are impractical. I’m interested in those that work.” But he wouldn’t mind if some green features inspire students. He says he hopes to set up green energy systems that allow them to learn about the process of harvesting wind and solar power. “You never know what’s going to start the interest of a child to study math and science,” he says.
【小题1】How did the architects react to Gerner’s design requirements?
| A．They lost balance in excitement. | B．They showed strong disbelief. |
| C．They expressed little interest. | D．They burst into cheers. |
| A．Assessment — Prototype — Design — Construction. |
| B．Assessment — Design — Prototype — Construction. |
| C．Design — Assessment — Prototype — Construction. |
| D．Design — Prototype — Assessment — Construction. |
| A．The large size. | B．Limited facilities. |
| C．The desert climate. | D．Poor natural resources. |
| A．They are questionable. | B．They are out of date. |
| C．They are advanced. | D．They are practical. |
There are various kinds of apartments for university students to choose from. And here are some recommendations.
Brandon Oaks
Located on the Milledge Road Extension, Brandon Oaks is composed of two-bedroom, two-bath apartments with decks or patios. Each apartment also features an energy-efficient heat pump, air conditioning, an electric range, a full-size refrigerator, a dishwasher, washer and dryer and carpeting throughout.
Floors: Varies Elevators: No Capacity: 180 Gender: Coed
Brown Hall
Brown Hall features spacious single and suite-style rooms on the Health Sciences Campus. Students choosing to live in Brown Hall can take advantage of living in Athens’ trendy Normaltown neighborhood while still enjoying an on-campus, community lifestyle free from the trouble of monthly bills. Rooms feature 17-position adjustable beds. Brown Hall is open for mid-year breaks, as well as winter break and spring break.
Floors: 4 Elevators: Yes Capacity: 130 Gender: Coed
Boggs Hall
Constructed in 1961, Boggs Hall houses first-year residents only. The rooms in Boggs Hall are traditional doubles, home to two students per room. Each room is equipped with a sink and community bathrooms are located on every floor. Rooms feature 17-position adjustable beds.
Floors: 3 Elevators: No Capacity: 160 Gender: Coed
Soule Hall
Soule Hall is the oldest residence hall at the university and is the only hall reserved for non-freshman women. Soule Hall’s residents live in double or single rooms with private or shared bathrooms. Rooms feature 17-position adjustable beds.
Floors: 3 Elevators: No Capacity: 90 Gender: Female
【小题1】Which place is suitable for students to stay during their vacations?
| A．Brandon Oaks. | B．Brown Hall. | C．Boggs Hall. | D．Soule Hall. |
| A．They are both equipped with sinks. |
| B．They were constructed at the same year. |
| C．They can house both men and women. |
| D．They share the same number of floors. |
| A．A university textbook. | B．A travel brochure. |
| C．An accommodation guide. | D．A hotel advertisement. |
Wonderful holiday cottages across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are available. When you choose your next holiday cottage, the following may strike your eyes.
Large holiday cottages for special occasions
We have over 30 cottages for eight or more people. These are great for celebrations with friends and family. You could head to Devon and stay in one of the county’s most important houses, Shute Barton, where we can even provide details of the local cook that can come to the cottage and cook a delicious meal to make your stay even more special. One of our newest cottages is Thorington Hall in Suffolk, and it’s the largest in our collection. If you fancy something a little bit different, you can visit the Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage.
Dog friendly cottages In Cornwall
Cornwall is a great place for dog walking with miles of coastline and beaches waiting to be explored and our dog friendly holiday cottages are on the doorstep on some of these places. We share just a selection of our dog friendly cottages across Cornwall. Click here 
to see the full range of dog friendly cottages in Cornwall.
Easter bank holiday cottage
We have cottages perfect for a gathering with family or friends if you’re looking for some peaceful time away. You could spend the Easter bank holiday weekend in a holiday cottage on the beautiful coast around Cornwall or Pembrokeshire.
Songbird Hideaway
This cosy heart-warming cottage is the perfect romantic retreat, situated near the hamlet of Penrhos and close to the town of Pwllheli, featuring appealing views towards Cardigan Bay. Couples can escape the busyness of their everyday lifestyle and enjoy the delights of this compact yet beautifully presented accommodation.
【小题1】Where can you enjoy the door-to-door service by a local cook?| A．Shute Barton. | B．Thorington Hall in Suffolk. |
| C．Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage. | D．Easter bank holiday cottage. |
| A．By fax. | B．By phone. |
| C．By post. | D．By Internet. |
| A．Songbird Hideaway. |
| B．Pembrokeshire holiday cottage. |
| C．Dog friendly cottage in Cornwall. |
| D．Large holiday cottage for special occasions. |
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