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Reading Passage One The road is a big part of Orchard’s…
Reading Passage One
The road is a big part of Orchard’s appeal, given its prime location. Not surprisingly, much attention has been given to street improvements, the latest being a proposal to fully pedestrianise the shopping belt. That idea has several selling points. It allows people to reclaim physical and emotional space and to savour the ambience, without fearing the insistent rush of cars, motorcycles and buses. There are local ecological benefits as well in freeing crowded city areas from the competing needs of motor vehicles. More spaces for walking and compatible forms of urban mobility would enhance the overall liveability of the city.
However, a key question is whether expanding the remit of car-lite Singapore would help to rejuvenate the shopping district. Mobility plays a part in attracting shoppers, of course. Those who are active and tourists might prefer to walk, while others might want comfort and convenience. Thus, Orchard Road will have to cater to different travel needs in order to keep drawing the crowds. Connectivity is another consideration. Links between buildings and across the road need to be enhanced to develop a smooth, navigable flow. People still complain about a confusing maze of paths and obstacles that can make movement arduous. If the private sector is unable to make significant improvements to overall connectivity, the authorities might have to lead the effort and find equitable means of funding the infrastructure.
As much as Orchard Road is synonymous with top-drawer shopping, it is also an important component of the road network in the central area. Hence, any moves to reduce or close lanes have to take account of how traffic might be diverted so spillovers on nearby roads do not lead to congestion there. Periodic road closures, as seen in the Car-Free Sunday initiative for the Central Business District and Civic District areas, are less of a problem. However, a permanently pedestrianised Orchard Road would demand a higher order of traffic planning and execution.
Looking beyond the street, one must also recognise that a reinvented Orchard Road would need much more than the reduction or absence of motor vehicles to revive its former shopping glory. Access matters but there are streets elsewhere that keep drawing crowds despite cluttered pavements, minimal shopfronts and chaotic scenes. That’s because the heady mix of wares and services offered is enticing. Orchard Road’s challenge is to startup a buzz of its own in its gleaming surroundings. Its iconic brands – global and home-grown – and its tailored shopping experiences must stand out from what is found in other places. Essentially, it’s all about fulfilling the desires of today’s shoppers with tangible offerings that are tempting enough to make people stop in their tracks. Street life and commerce will both thrive when consumers outnumber strollers.
Question 1
The writer suggests all of the following for Orchard Road, EXCEPT
Group of answer choices
– catering to the different mobility needs of people visiting Orchard Road
– creating a smooth connectivity between buildings and across roads
– Car-Free Sundays instead of a permanently pedestrainised Orchard Road
Question 2
Based on paragraph 1 to 3, it can be inferred that
– the writer is appealing to enhance the overall liveability of the city, instead of focusing only on the Orchard area
– the writer is sceptical about the effectiveness of the plan to fully pedestrianise Orchard Road
– the writer finds the planning done by the private sector and authorities problematic
Question 3
In paragraph 3, the writer uses the word “synonymous” to suggest that
– Orchard Road means the prime location in the road network of Singapore
– Orchard Road means the top shopping place in Singapore
– Orchard Road is associated with shopping of high quality goods
Question 4
The underlined word “others” in paragraph 2 refers to
– other tourists
– other drivers to Orchard Road
– other visitors to Orchard Road
Question 5
The main message in this reading passage is about
– introducing Orchard Road as an iconic place in Singapore
– advantages and disadvantages of a fully pedestrainised Orchard Road
– what should be done to rejuvenate Orchard Road as a shopping district
Question 6
It can be inferred from paragraph 2 that
– connectivity in Orchard has made significant improvements
– authorities will lead the effort to improve connectivity in Orchard
– current connectivity in Orchard is unsatisfactory to many
Question 7
According to the writer, similar traffic planning and execution as the temporary road closures for the Car-Free Sunday initiatives would be required in order to fully pedestrianise Orchard Road.
– true
– false
– no information
Question 8
According to the writer, streets should have cluttered pavements, minimal shopfronts and chaotic scenes to attract more shoppers.
– true
– false
– no information
Question 9
In Paragraph 1, the writer mentions all of the following benefits of fully pedestrainising Orchard Road, EXCEPT
– several sales profits
– physical space for pedestrians
– ecological rewards
Question 10
The underlined word ‘there’ in paragraph 3 refers to
– Orchard Road
– the central area
– nearby roads
