After successfully selling his software company for millions, Canadian entrepreneur (企业家) Marcel Lebrun has started a mission to address homelessness in New Brunswick.

Lebrun’s latest project, “12Neighbours” is a tiny home village providing affordable and secure housing for formerly homeless residents in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. Marcel Lebrun, the founder of this project, became a multi-millionaire after selling his social media company to a tech giant. Now, he’s using his wealth to make a significant difference in the lives of the estimated 600 homeless people in New Brunswick.

12Neighbours comprises about 75 tiny homes custom-made under LeBrun’s supervision (监督). Despite their small size, these homes are fully equipped with essential spaces, including a kitchen, bathroom, and dining/living area, ensuring that residents have a comfortable living space. “They’re all fairly small tiny homes, but they have everything in them,” Lebrun explained in an interview. What sets 12Neighbours apart is its commitment to affordable housing. Residents are only required to pay 30% of their income to live in the village, allowing them to work towards a brighter future. Furthermore, the 12Neighbours community offers on-site job opportunities, creating employment options for its residents. To enhance safety and security, the village is equipped with gates that close at night and a network of security cameras.

The village is situated on a previously unused strip (狭长地带) of land near a shopping mall in Fredericton. LeBrun has plans to expand the village, with a goal of accommodating up to 99 homes on the site. Currently, Lebrun’s factory is producing one new tiny home per week to fulfill (实现) this vision.

Marcel Lebrun and his wife have personally invested $4 million into the 12Neighbours project. Additionally, provincial and federal contributions have added another $8 million in funding, bringing the total investment to $12 million.

1.Why did Lebrun sell his software company?

A To offer help to the homeless.

B To build many houses for sale.

C To lend money to his friends.

D To invest a tech giant.

解析：选A。A细节理解题。根据第一段最后一句的“Marcel Lebrun has started a mission to address homelessness in New Brunswick.”和第二段最后一句“Now, he’s using his wealth to make a significant difference in the lives of the estimated 600 homeless people in New Brunswick.”可知，Marcel Lebrun成功地以数百万美元的价格出售了他的软件公司，为以前无家可归的居民提供负担得起的安全住房。故选A。

2.What can we know about 12Neighbours?

A It comprises about 99 tiny homes.

B It only provides a bare room.

C It costs nothing for homeless people.

D The employment can be met there.

解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据第三段的“Furthermore, the 12Neighbours community offers on-site job opportunities, creating employment options for its residents.”可知，此外，12Neighbours提供现场就业岗位，为居民创造就业机会。故选D。

3.What does the underlined word “enhance” mean?

A Investigate.

B Forgive.

C Improve.

D Reserve.

解析：选C。C词义猜测题。根据划线部分后面的“the village is equipped with gates that close at night and a network of security cameras”可知，该社区配备了夜间关闭的大门和安全摄像头网络，这样做是为了加强安全保障。故选C。

4.What kind of person is Lebrun?

A Romantic.

B Helpful.

C Effective.

D Careful.

解析：选B。B推理判断题。这位企业家卖掉公司，自掏腰包建造一个由小型屋舍组成的社区，为无家可归者提供栖身之所，并创造就业机会，由此可知他是乐于助人的。故选B。