听力教程3unit4NEWS 文本.docVIP

1.When Astroland opened in 1962 it represented the future of amusement theme parks, boasting state-of-the-art rides and attractions operating with an outer-space theme. The park is a fixture on the Coney Island boardwalk, best known for the Cyclone, its wooded roller and the Wonder Wheel, a seaside landmark. Astroland’s 22 rides and three game arcades provided jobs for up to 300 people. Astroland has been the biggest amusement center on Coney Island, which is a favorite holiday destination for Americans in New York since the 19th century. It is the birthplace of the hot dog and is known for its kitschy rides, street performers, sand beaches and family-friendly atmosphere. But Astroland’s final chapter may be still to come. A few days after the park’s announced closure, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said hope is not yet lost, and that city officials are trying to step in and get a one-year renewal of Astroland’s lease. 2. After 15 years of planning and political battles, the first section of the Highline was inaugurated in May. The first two sections of the Highline cost $152 million. Of that,$44 million was raised by the public. It’s a newly renovated and elevated promenade that was once a railway line for delivering cattle and other food stock In 1980, the train made its last delivery, bringing frozen turkeys to lower Manhattan. It’s an oasis in a sea of concrete. The walkway includes more than 100 species of plants. New construction is everywhere. Apartments, office towers, restaurants and even a museum have sprouted alongside the promenade. In a densely populated city, the Highline now provides open space for relaxation as it winds through neighborhoods once noted for slaughter-houses. 2.It’s called the “Highline”. It’s a newly renovated and elevated promenade that was once a railway line for delivering cattle and other food stock. In 1980, the train made it’s last delivery, bring frozen turkeys to lower Manhattan. In a densely populated city, the Hi