High 3 · Reading series
Lesson 30 · Who Pays for the New Trees?
Audio track 30
Listen first
Listen once before opening the English passage.
Open the English passage and hover for word help
Our town planned to plant trees along the road to the station. Students welcomed the future shade, but the first budget covered planting and not long-term care. A resident asked who would water the young trees, repair the pavement if roots caused problems, and replace any trees that failed to grow.
The questions sounded negative until the planner explained that maintenance would determine whether the project lasted. We compared two designs: many trees planted at once, or fewer trees with a clear care plan. We also heard from people who needed enough pavement width for wheelchairs and deliveries.
The council chose a smaller first stage and promised to review the route with users after one summer. Some students were disappointed by the number of trees. They understood, however, why the plan included watering, access, and future costs rather than only a picture of a green street.
The shade might benefit many people. Its cost and care would fall on particular people and budgets. Naming both made the proposal more likely to survive beyond its opening day.
Check your understanding
After reading, state the main idea in one sentence and find a line that supports it.
Chinese translation
镇上计划沿通往车站的路种树。学生欢迎未来的树荫，但第一版预算只涵盖种植，没有长期养护。一位居民问：谁给小树浇水？树根若顶坏人行道，谁来修？没长活的树又由谁替换？
这些问题起初听着有些扫兴，直到规划人员解释：养护决定项目能否长久。我们比较两个方案：一次种很多树，或少种一些但有清楚的照料计划。我们也听取需要足够宽的人行道供轮椅与送货通行者的意见。
议会选了规模较小的第一阶段，并承诺过一个夏天后，与使用这条路的人一起复查。有些学生对树的数量失望，却也理解为什么方案除了绿色街道的图片，还得包括浇水、通行和未来费用。
树荫也许让很多人受益；费用和养护责任则会落在具体的人和预算上。把两者说清，提案才更可能在启动日之后继续运转。
Key words and expressions
Key terms have Chinese explanations. Hover over dotted words in the English passage for word help and pronunciation when available.
- budget
- 预算；起初只算种植。
- long-term care
- 长期养护；树苗需要持续照料。
- maintenance
- 维护；决定项目能否长久。
- determine
- 决定；规划人员强调关键因素。
- designs
- 方案；比较数量与养护。
- pavement
- 人行道；还须保证通行宽度。
- deliveries
- 送货；使用道路的人之一。
- stage
- 阶段；先实施较小的一期。
- access
- 通行；轮椅使用者也有需求。
- proposal
- 提案；应列明费用与责任。
Background notes (Chinese)
植树的价值取决于后续浇水、维护和通行安排；项目因此先缩小规模并约定复查。