Part C：Answer questions 71 -80 by referring to the following cities.
Note: Answer each question by choosing A, B, C or D and mark it on ANSWER SHEET 1. Some choices may be required more than once.
A = Rotherhithe
B = Barnes
C = Willesden
D = King' s Cross Which city...
used to have lot of problems such as drugs, street crime, etc. ?
71. _________
has the unpopular style of architecture?
72. _________
has the most expensive properties?
73. _________
offers big out-fashioned houses at lower price?
74. _________
is located in a quiet residential area?
75. _________
saw a big increase in price last year?
76. _________
will build a lot of new facilities?
77. _________
is estimated to be a good investment?
78. _________
encourages night-life culture for young people?.
79. _________
creates energetic multi-cultural atmosphere?
80. _________
A. Rotherhithe
Rotherhithe may be most famous for its congested tunnel but many young buyers are warming to its riverside charms.
It is still much cheaper than its waterside neighbors. The housing stock is predominately 1980s flats, many arranged in cul-de-sacs(死胡同)and closes around Surrey Quays Road.
The unpopular architecture has led to the area being called the Milton Keynes of London but properties are spacious and unfashionable style has kept prices down.
Paul Mitchell, of estate agents Alex Nell, says, "There is precious little period property, but you will get far more for your money here than a Victorian house with lots of original features down the road in Bermondsey. "
Surry Quays shopping center provides all the amenities of a high street but the area is lacking in fun. However, Southwark Council is in talks to develop the "night time economy" which could well lead to an increase in bars and restaurants to cater for the growing number of young professional residents.
"It is possible to get a good three-bedroom house in Rotherhithe for 280, 000, " says Sumine Jordaan-Rob-inson, of agents Burwood Marsh , "About eight minutes; walk from the Jubilee line which will have you in Bond street in 15 minutes. There are not that many areas in London where that is possible. "
B. Barues
Barnes sits just across the river from Hammersmith in southwest London, but it could not be more different from the noise and bustle of the opposite bank.
It has been called one of the last true London "villages" with happy residents keeping its old school charms quiet from nosey outsiders and potential developers.
Being by the river and predominately residential gives Barnes an attractively lazy vibe. It has a traditional village green complete with idyllic duck pond and quaint pub. The high street is about as far from the Pound Shop and Primark ambience of its neighbors as is possible.
But buying into Barnes is not cheap. "Family houses are snapped up incredibly quickly, " claims Chris Carney, sales negotiator at Boileaus estate agents. "It is very hard to get properties of this size, with outside space so close to London, which is why they are expensive. "
Large detached Victorian houses on the two main roads, Castlenau and Lonsdale, normally have between five and seven bedrooms, gardens of 120 ft and off street parking. These sell for anything between ￡ 2 million and ￡ 5 million.
By the village green there are rows of immaculate terraced house on a number of streets that run off Church and Station roads, and four bedroom houses of this kind sell for around ￡,1 million.
C.Willesden Green
Willesden Green has both suffered and benefited from its famous neighbors. Despite its growing popularity, the area remains interesting and multicultural, injecting a little bit of soul into what could otherwise become just another yuppie backwater.
"Willesden Green has a diverse range of properties from 1930s semi-detached houses to large Victorian properties and new-builds which attract all kinds of buyers, " says Richard Chiti, sales manager at estate agents Ellis and Co.
"The roads bordering West Hampstead are popular, as they are wide, tree lined streets with sizeable family houses. Properties in and around Dobree Road, which lead-down to Kensal Rise, are also in high demand. "
Estate agents and residents agree that the area used to be regarded as dangerous and undesirable, but this has changed over the last decade. It' s popular because it is still affordable, although prices have rocketed over the last year.
D.King' s Cross
King ' s Cross used to be renowned for problems including drugs, prostitution and street crime but a ~ 2 billion regeneration programme should help the area lose its seedy reputation.
The project includes a new Eurostar terminal opening this year and a spruced-up tube station, alongside hundreds of new homes, offices and leisure facilities set to be completed in 2015. Such development has had a predictable effect on house prices.
"There are a lot more amenities now, such as supermarkets, cafes and bars and the issue people used to have with safety a few years ago has disappeared. " By the canal basin, new build flats and luxury ware house conversions form the bulk of property, and at the top end of the market there are stunning penthouses available with views across London.
Much of the new development is centered on the back of the station, off York way, and flats are being sold to eager buyers off plan.
The older properties are mainly mid-Victorian terraces around Caledonian Road and the streets heading towards Angel, and ex-local authority blocks where it is possible to pick up a two-bedroom refurbished flat for under ￡ 250,000.
Smith adds, "Investment-wise, King' s Cross is a good bet. There is a big rental market here and prices will go up. There are still cheaper properties available, one to two bedroom flats in Victorian conversions, or ex-council properties. But people ar holding on to them for dear life in the hope they will go up in value. If you find one, it is worth investing in. "
Section IV Writing
(40 minutes)
For many university students there are two alternatives: one is to find a job, the other is to pursue further study. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and it is difficult to say which is better. Which choice is more suitable for you?
You should write no less than 250 words. Write your article on ANSWER SHEET 2.
THE END OF THE TEST
