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If you’ve heard about Italy’s “one-euro homes” but thought they were all gone, think again! The charming town of Penne in central Italy is offering a new chance to own a piece of history — for the price of a coffee. But there’s a catch: you must promise to restore it.

Located in the Abruzzo region, Penne sits between the Adriatic Sea and the Gran Sasso mountains. Once bustling with life, its historic center now faces a silent crisis. Decades of emigration (外迁) have left over 40 ancient homes abandoned. Mayor Gilberto Petrucci, a Penne native, launched the program in 2022 to revive the town’s heart. “It just hurts me so much to see these houses just lying there abandoned. It’s like a wound.” he says.

Unlike other “one-euro home” programs that require a deposit (押金) of €2,000–€5,000, Penne asks only for a commitment of renovation. Buyers must complete repairs within three years. To help, the town provides free architectural advice, connects buyers with builders, and even offers design blueprints. The cost? A basic renovation starts at around €20,000.

The homes in Penne for sale range from medieval stone houses to early 20th-century buildings. Some date back to the Renaissance, with arched doorways and stone staircases. They’re up to three stories tall, with 750 - 1,300 square feet of space. For those not ready for major work, “turnkey” homes (already renovated) start at €40,000.

Petrucci’s program focuses on flexibility and support. “We want to welcome people who love history,” he explains. If multiple buyers are interested, the home goes to the one with the fastest and most creative renovation plan. Already, six homes have been sold, mostly to Italians, with more batches coming soon.

While Penne’s program is unique, it’s part of a broader movement. Sicily leads the way, with towns like Mussomeli and Sambuca offering similar deals. Even Sardinia now has one-euro homes. But Penne’s mix of history, natural beauty, and hands-on support makes it a standout choice.

So, could you imagine restoring a medieval home in Italy? Penne might just be the perfect place to start.

1.1. Why did Gilberto Petrucci launch the program of “one-euro homes”?

A To make profit by selling houses.

B To make the town prosperous again.

C To provide low-cost housing for the homeless.

D To offer people who like history new chance.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Mayor Gilberto Petrucci, a Penne native, launched the program in 2022 to revive the town’s heart.”可知，彭内本地人、镇长吉尔伯托·佩特鲁奇于2022年启动了这个项目，以重振该镇的心脏，即让本镇重新恢复繁荣。故选B。

2.2. What does the underlined word “renovation” mean in the context?

A Purchasing property.

B Long-term renting.

C Knocking down old buildings.

D Improving existing structures.

解析：选D。D 词义猜测题。根据第三段划线单词后文的“Buyers must complete repairs within three years”和“basic renovation starts at around €20,000”，可知“renovation”指的是对现有房屋的修复或改造。故选D。

3.3. What is a distinctive feature of the houses for sale in Penne?

A All of them have a history dating back to the Renaissance.

B Their prices are uniformly set at one euro regardless of the type.

C They vary in architectural styles and historical periods.

D Each house has an area of exactly 1,300 square feet.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第四段中的“The homes in Penne for sale range from medieval stone houses to early 20th-century buildings. Some date back to the Renaissance”可知，待售房屋建筑风格涵盖中世纪石屋到20世纪早期建筑，历史时期不同，风格多样。故选C。

4.4. What is the most likely purpose of writing this passage?

A Criticizing Penne’s emigration trend.

B Promoting Penne’s “one-euro home” program.

C Comparing Penne with other regions.

D Showing home-restoration difficulties.

解析：选B。 B 推理判断题。文章详细介绍了意大利城镇彭内“一欧元房产”项目的各方面情况，从房屋状况、购买要求到相关支持措施等，并结合文章最后一句“So, could you imagine restoring a medieval home in Italy? Penne might just be the perfect place to start.”那么，你能想象在意大利修复一座中世纪的房子吗？彭内也许是一个完美的开始。由此可知，本文旨在宣传该项目，吸引潜在买家。故选B。