A
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens makes up a folk art center, gallery space, and a nonprofit organization showcasing the works of mosaicist (镶嵌设计师) Isaiah Zagar.
Zagar devoted himself to beautifying the South Street neighborhood in the late 1960s, when he moved to the area with his wife Julia.The couple helped the area by purchasing and repairing some old buildings, often adding colorful mosaics on both their private and public walls.The first such project was Julia's folk art store, the Eye's Gallery at 402 South Street.
Zagar started working on the Magic Gardens in 1998 in the deserted parking lot near his studio.He spent the next fourteen years sculpting multilayered walls and decorating the 3，000 square foot space.The installation (现代雕塑装置), primarily consisting of found objects and contributions from the community, finally covers half a city block with countless patterns and colors.It shows Zagar's many artistic influences, as well as the events and experiences of his life.
In 2012, the owner of the parking lot decided to sell the land in response to rising South Street property values.Unwilling to witness the destruction of Zagar's neighborhood art environment, the community rushed to support the artist.His creation, newly titled Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, turned into a nonprofit organization with the intention of preserving and promoting Zagar's works at the site of the Magic Gardens and throughout the South Street region.
The Magic Gardens is now a permanent art institution that is open to visitors throughout the year.Trained guides are available to lead tours of the Magic Gardens and Zagar's surrounding public wall paintings.In addition, it offers monthly mosaic workshops led by Zagar himself, and regularly hosts concerts, dance performances, and other public events.
语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了美国费城的魔法花园的初创、成形、对它的保护等。
1．How did Zagar help the South Street neighborhood?
A．He moved to the area with his family.
B．He worked to improve its surroundings.
C．He opened a folk art store with his wife.
D．He managed to buy all the old buildings.
解析：选B 细节理解题。根据第二段中的Zagar devoted himself to beautifying the South Street neighborhood及The couple helped the area by purchasing ...and public walls.可知，他努力改善它的环境。
2．What does Paragraph 3 intend to tell us?
A．Great achievements of Zagar.
B．Special skills of the installation.
C．Location of the Magic Gardens.
D．Early history of the Magic Gardens.
解析：选D 段落大意题。通读第三段可知，本段主要讲述了Zagar最初创办魔法花园的经历，即魔法花园早期的历史。故选D。
3．What do the local residents think of Zagar's works?
A．They harm environment.
B．They can bring in profits.
C．They should be removed.
D．They are precious treasures.
解析：选D 推理判断题。根据第四段中的Unwilling to witness the destruction ...the community rushed to support the artist.以及preserving and promoting Zagar's works可知，社区居民将Zagar的作品视作珍宝，他们都在尽力支持他以及他的艺术创作。故选D。
4．What can tourists do in Philadelphia's Magic Gardens?
A．Paint the walls on the spot.
B．Put on music performances.
C．Enjoy some Zagar's works.
D．Attend some dance courses.
解析：选C 细节理解题。根据最后一段中的lead tours of the Magic Gardens and Zagar's surrounding public wall paintings以及it offers monthly mosaic workshops led by Zagar himself可知，经过培训的导游可带领游客参观魔法花园和 Zagar周围的公共围墙绘画，游客也可参加Zagar本人每月主持的镶嵌图案讲习班。
