阅读训练：现代人为何憧憬乡村生活？

Rolling hills and endless green pastures – those images are easy to conjure when thinking of the idyllic country lifestyle. When lockdowns descended upon many countries across the world during the pandemic, social media seemed to be dominated by pictures of cottages and village life – people getting away from it all. So, why is living in the countryside becoming a modern fantasy – and are there benefits to considering a slower pace of life?

 

It makes sense that some people would want to give up the crowded and noisy city streets for the perceived tranquillity of the traditional country life – especially during an event like a pandemic. The lockdowns and extensive periods of working from home have given people time to think about what they want from life. But it’s not just about having a greener place to look at out your window.

 

There is more evidence that relates to the benefits of rural living. Villages aren’t normally subject to the stop-go traffic we see in city centres, the buses fighting with taxis for dominance, or metro systems with trains that scream from one station to the next. In short, there’s less air pollution in your country retreat – a thing which increases the chances of developing respiratory conditions or heart disease. You also get more opportunities to take long walks and see the sights, meaning you can get more exercise. Less noise, more walks and better air can also lead to less stress and an increased life expectancy, according to studies such as one conducted by the British government in 2012.

 

However, there are some things that need to be considered. Living far from the hustle and bustle of the city means that some people may feel isolated or even lonely. And as people get older, life far from doctors or public transport could become a bit of a challenge. So, if you’re considering a change of pace and moving to a picturesque village, there is a range of pros and cons to consider before taking the plunge.

词汇表

 

rolling hills  绵延起伏的山丘

pastures  牧场草地

idyllic  田园风光的

cottage  乡村小屋

village  乡村

get away from it all  抛开烦恼去休息、放松

pace of life  生活节奏

tranquillity  宁静

rural  农村的，乡村的

air pollution  空气污染

retreat  退隐静养的地方

life expectancy  预期寿命

hustle and bustle  喧嚣繁忙

isolated  与世隔绝的

picturesque  风景如画的

take the plunge  冒然决定尝试

1、阅读课文并回答问题。

2、选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

We’ve decided to _______ and move to the country.

I live in a peaceful little _______ far from the city.

I used to hate the _______ so packed up and moved to a rural area.

Your cottage is so beautiful – it’s _______.

The area that I live in is really quiet – it has a slower _______.