【四六级考试网 - 大学英语四六级考试(CET)试题】：
Passage Four

 

　　Questions 36 to 40 are based on the following passage:

　　Greenspace facilities are contributing to an important extent to the quality of the urban environment. Fortunately it is no longer necessary that every lecture or every book about this subject has to start with the proof of this idea. At present, it is generally accepted, although more

　　As a self - evident statement than on the base of a closely - reasoned scientific proof. The recognition of the importance of greenspaces in the urban environment is a first step on the right way,

　　this does not mean, however, that sufficient details are known about the functions of greenspace

　　in towns and about the way in which the inhabitants are using these spaces. As to this rather

　　complex subject I shall, within the scope of this lecture, enter into one aspect only, namely the

　　recreative function of greenspace facilities.

　　The theoretical separation of living, working, traffic and recreation which for many years

　　has been used in town - and - country planning, has in my opinion resulted in disproportionate

　　attention for forms of recreation far from home, whereas there was relatively little attention for

　　improvement of recreative possibilities in the direct neighbourhood of the home. We have come

　　to the conclusion that this is not right, because an important part of the time which we do not

　　pass in sleeping or working, is used for activities at and around home. So it is obvious that

　　recreation in the open air has to begin at the street - door of the house. The urban environment has

　　to offer as many recreation activities as possible, and the design of these has to be such that

　　more obligatory activities can alto have a recreative aspect.

　　The very best standard of living is nothing if it is not possible to take a pleasant walk in the

　　district, if the children cannot be allowed
[page][page]to play in the streets, because the risks of traffic are

　　too great, if during shopping you can nowhere find a spot for enjoying for a moment the nice

　　weather, in short, if you only feel yourself at home after the street - door of your house is closed

　　after you.