Multiple-choice cloze
For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap.
For years, city leaders have to the idea of “greening” our streets, yet the moment budgets tighten, tree planting is the first thing to be quietly . That is shortsighted: a mature canopy doesn’t just prettify a neighbourhood; it pollution, heatwaves and, by nudging people outdoors, can even help . Still, the politics are awkward. Residents clamour for shade but when roots buckle pavements or leaves clog gutters, and councillors, wary of being , retreat into vague pledges. Meanwhile, developers talk up sustainability while with token planters and glossy renderings that bear little relation to what gets built. If we are serious, we need more than a one-off initiative that fizzles out after a photo opportunity: we need long-term maintenance budgets, clear accountability and the nerve to follow through when the headlines move on.
Tip: click a gap number to jump to its question.