Directions: Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own wors as far as possible.
Pedestrians only
The concept of traffic-free shopping areas goes back a long time. During the Middle Ages, traffic-free shopping areas were built to allow people to shop in comfort and, more importantly, safety. The modern, traffic-free shopping street was born in Europe in the 1960s, when both city populations and car ownership increased rapidly. Dirty exhaust fumes from cars and the risks involved in crossing the road were beginning to make shopping an unpleasant and dangerous experience. Many believed the time was right for experimenting with car-free streets, and shopping areas seemed the best place to start.
At first, there was resistance from shopkeepers. They believed that such a move would be bad for business. They argued that people would avoid streets if they were unable to get to them in their cars. When the first streets in Europe were closed to traffic, there were even noisy demonstrations, as many shopkeepers predicted they would lose customers.
However, research carried out afterwards in several European cities revealed some unexpected statistics. In Munich, Cologne and Hamburg, visitors to shopping areas increased by 50 percent. On Copenhagen’s main shopping street, shopkeepers reported sales increases of 25-40 percent. Shopkeepers in Minneapolis, USA, were so impressed when they learnt this that they even offered to pay for the construction and maintenance costs of their own traffic-free streets.
With the arrival of the traffic-free shopping street, many shops, especially those selling things like clothes, food and smaller luxury items, prospered. Unfortunately, it wasn’t good news for everyone, as shops selling furniture and larger electrical appliances actually saw their sales drop. Many of these were forced to move elsewhere, away from the city centre. Today they are a common feature on the outskirts of towns and cities, often situated in out-of-town retail zones with their own car parks and other local facilities.
【答案】The idea of traffic-free shopping areas appeared long ago. In the 1960s, the modern, pedestrian shopping street came into existence for a cleaner and safer shopping environment. At first, shopkeepers objected that it would affect business. Actually, the idea resulted in better sales and gained support later. However, shops selling large products lost customers and had to move to outskirts.
【分析】
本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍说，无交通的购物区在很久以前就出现了，步行街的出现追溯到20世纪60年代。起初步行街的概念遭到了很多店主的反对，认为会影响生意，但后来销售量的增长让他们改变了看法。但是售卖大型商品的商店不得不搬到了郊区。
【详解】
1.要点摘录
①The concept of traffic-free shopping areas goes back a long time.
②The modern, traffic-free shopping street was born in Europe in the 1960s, when both city populations and car ownership increased rapidly.
③Dirty exhaust fumes from cars and the risks involved in crossing the road were beginning to make shopping an unpleasant and dangerous experience.
④At first, there was resistance from shopkeepers.
⑤They believed that such a move would be bad for business.
⑥In Munich, Cologne and Hamburg, visitors to shopping areas increased by 50 percent.
⑦On Copenhagen’s main shopping street, shopkeepers reported sales increases of 25-40 percent.
⑧Unfortunately, it wasn’t good news for everyone, as shops selling furniture and larger electrical appliances actually saw their sales drop.
⑨Many of these were forced to move elsewhere, away from the city centre.
⑩Today they are a common feature on the outskirts of towns and cities, often situated in out-of-town retail zones with their own car parks and other local facilities.
2.缜密构思
将第1个要点进行重组，将第2、3个要点进行整合，将第4、5个要点进行整合，将6、7个要点进行整合，将第8、9、10个要点进行整合。
3.遣词造句
The modern, traffic-free shopping street for a pleased and safe shopping environment.
At the beginning, shopkeepers resisted it with the reason that it will influence their business.
Shops selling furniture and larger electrical appliances actually saw their sales drop, which were forced to move to outskirts of towns and cities for it is convenient to park cars.
【点睛】
[高分句型1] In the 1960s, the modern, pedestrian shopping street came into existence for a cleaner and safer shopping environment.（用for加两个名词短语的形式概括了第2、3个要点，简洁明了且概括准确）
[高分句型2] At first, shopkeepers objected that it would affect business.（用that引导的宾语从句概括了起初店主们反对步行街的理由）
[高分句型3] However, shops selling large products lost customers and had to move to outskirts.（用however转折句表明此处与前文的对比关系）
