九、(2026·泰州市泰兴期末)任务型阅读。(10分)
When some people try to buy a house, more people in the UK are ready to live on boats. According to The Economist, there are about 35,000 boats on rivers in England and Wales now,
but there were only 25,000 boats five years ago. Many people like using boats as their homes.
Liam Quinn, 37, has lived on a boat for a few years. “I love waking up to the water and swans(天鹅). The view is so beautiful. And I enjoy living freely. I can travel around my country. One month, I may be in the centre of the city, and the next, I may stop my boat next to cows in the countryside,” he said.
Besides(除了) the beauty and freedom, living on a boat is also cheaper than living in a flat. A boat is usually between 50,000 pounds(about 456,000 yuan) and 100,000 pounds, according to Narrowboats. UK. That's cheaper than buying a flat in London. In some areas, the price of a flat is up to 600,000 pounds.
However, boat life isn't always easy. There are many things to deal with. “It is hard work to take care of the boat all day. According to the rules, people living on boats must move their boats every half a month. People have to empty the toilet and make the boat full of water every day. I have to wash my clothes by hand, because we can't fix a washing machine on a boat,” said Quinn.
Even with problems, Quinn enjoyed his time owning a boat. “People become very independent(独立的), learning to take care of the boat themselves. Everyone is friendly and helpful, with a feeling of teamwork,” said Quinn.

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popular
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beautiful
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around/across
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whole
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weeks
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empty
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