规定情景式作文：规定情景式短文写作，可有两种方式：一是全部用英文命题，二是规定情景部分用中文命题。

Directions: Write an essay in which you are required to state the causes of the housing problem and the demands of city-dwellers for spacious living, and give your possible suggestions to solve the problem. Your essay must be written neatly on ANSWER SHEET 2. (20 words)

The housing problem is closely related to population growth. Some of the big cities in China are now crowded with an ever increasing population. Naturally, one of the most serious problems incurred is that of housing.

As far as the causes of the housing problem are concerned, many factors are involved. In the first place, with the rapid increase in population, the lack of housing is becoming more evident than ever before. Many old houses have been knocked down to make room for new apartment buildings, which complicates the housing problem for the time being. In the second place, despite the ever-increasing high-rise buildings, the provision of living space still falls far short of demands. Because the society is advancing, city-dwellers long for spacious living. They look forward to decent dwelling places, which can protect human dignity. All these factors result in housing shortage.

Various solutions have been suggested to deal with the problem. To begin with, we should build more apartment buildings to meet the increasing needs of people. In addition, the government may provide bank loans to the residents who want to purchase dwellings of their own. Thirdly, the moving of urban residents to the suburbs may ease the housing problem in the inner city. The best solution I think is to put the birth rate under control. But, as you know, we still have a long way to go.