The Autumn Symphony

To the Editor of the Seattle Gazette:

It is with profound indignation that I feel compelled to voice my concerns regarding the relentless orchestration of noise that plagues our neighbourhood every autumn. For weeks on end, peaceful suburban mornings are brutally shattered by the deafening roar of petrol-powered leaf blowers. It would appear that certain residents believe civic duty consists solely of achieving a sterile, manicured lawn at the expense of everyone else's sanity. (Paragraph 1)

We live in a leafy suburb, not a tarmac runway. Such excessive decibel levels clearly infringe upon the public interest, yet local authorities continue to turn a blind eye. Surely, standard rakes existed for centuries before these roaring mechanical monsters were invented. It is high time we banned them entirely, or at least restricted their use to a brief midday window. (Paragraph 2)

Signed, Allison Vance, Concerned Resident of Magnolia Bluff.

*

Dear Editor,

I read Allison Vance's letter with a mixture of amusement and mild alarm. As a professional landscaper operating in Magnolia Bluff, I must take issue with her colourful description of my equipment. The machines we utilise are modern, electric-powered models designed to minimise noise while maintaining public spaces efficiently. (Paragraph 3)

Ms Vance suggests that a simple rake is sufficient for modern landscaping. Had she ever attempted to clear five acres of damp maple leaves by hand before the morning frost sets in, she would undoubtedly understand why mechanisation is necessary. Furthermore, mature trees drop thousands of leaves, and failing to clear them promptly gives rise to slippery, hazardous pathways for pedestrians. (Paragraph 4)

That said, I appreciate her well-argued plea for tranquillity. It is vital that our readership engages in these debates with passion. Should Ms Vance wish to experience the meditative art of manual raking firsthand, my crew and I cordially invite her to join us this Saturday morning at seven sharp. We shall supply the wooden rakes, and I promise to provide the coffee. (Paragraph 5)

Signed, Jason Miller, Head Gardener, Green Thumb Services.

Read again and choose the right answer

What is Allison Vance's main grievance in her letter?

• The high cost of municipal taxes
• The deafening noise of leaf blowers
• The lack of parking spaces on her street

How does Jason Miller describe the equipment his team uses?

• Old petrol-powered monsters
• Loud industrial machinery
• Modern electric-powered models

What does Jason invite Allison to do at the end of his reply?

• Join him and his crew to rake leaves manually on Saturday
• Attend a city council meeting on noise pollution
• Inspect his landscaping business office

What tone does Jason adopt in his response?

• Furious and defensive
• Witty and diplomatic
• Dismissive and rude

Sources: photo by Valentin Angel Fernandez on Pexels