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Should we allow modern buildings to be built next to older buildings in historic area of a city? In order to answer this question, we must first examine whether people really want to preserve the historic feel of an area. Not all historical buildings are attractive. However, there may be other reasons—for example, economic(经济的) reasons—why they should be preserved. So, let us assume that historical buildings are both attractive and important to the majority of people. What should we do then if a new building is needed?
In my view, new architectural styles can exist perfectly well alongside an older style. Indeed, there are many examples in my own home town of Tours where modern designs have been placed very successfully next to old buildings. As long as the building in question is pleasing and does not dominate(影响)its surroundings too much, it often improves the attractiveness of the area.
It is true that there are examples of new buildings which have spoilt(破坏)the area they are in, but the same can be said of some old buildings too. Yet people still speak against new buildings in historic areas. I think this is simply because people are naturally conservative (保守的)and do not like change.
Although we have to respect people's feelings as fellow users of the buildings, I believe that it is the duty of the architect and planner to move_things_forward. If we always reproduced what was there before, we would all still be living in caves. Thus, I would argue against copying previous architectural styles and choose something fresh and different, even though that might be the more risky choice.
1.What does the author say about historical buildings in the first paragraph?
A．Most of them are too expensive to preserve.
B．Some of them are not attractive.
C．They are more pleasing than modern buildings.
D．They have nothing to do with the historic feel of an area.
2.Which of the following is true according to the author?
A．We should reproduce the same old buildings.
B．Buildings should not dominate their surroundings.
C．No one understands why people speak against new buildings.j-y
D．Some old buildings have spoilt the area they are in.
3.By “move things forward” in the last paragraph, the author probably means “________.”
A．destroy old buildings
B．respect people's feelings for historical buildings21
C．put things in a different place
D．choose new architectural styles
4.What is the main purpose of the passage?
A．To argue that modern buildings can be built in historic areas.
B．To explain why people dislike change.
C．To warn that we should end up living in caves.
D．To admit how new buildings have ruined their surroundings.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
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Today, roller skating is easy and fun. But a long time ago, it wasn't easy at all. Before 1750, the idea of skating didn't exist. That changed because of a man named Joseph Merlin. Merlin's work was making musical instruments. In his spare time he liked
to play the violin. Joseph Merlin was a man of ideas and dreams. People called him a dreamer.
One day Merlin received an invitation to attend a fancy dress ball. He was very pleased and a little excited. As the day of the party came near, Merlin began to think how to make a grand entrance at the party. He had an idea. He thought he
would get a lot of attention if he could skate into the room.
Merlin tried different ways to make himself roll. Finally, he decided to put two wheels under each shoe. These were the first roller skates. Merlin was very proud of his invention and dreamed of arriving at the party on wheels while playing the violin.
On the night of the party Merlin rolled into the room playing his violin. Everyone was astonished to see him. There was just one problem. Merlin had no way to stop his roller skates. He rolled on and on. Suddenly, he ran into a huge mirror
that was hanging on the wall. Down fell the mirror, breaking to pieces. Nobody forgot Merlin's grand entrance for a long time!
1. The text is mainly about_________.
A. a strange man
B. how people enjoyed themselves in the 18th century
C. an unusual party
D. how roller skating began
2. People thought Merlin was a dreamer because he________.
A. often gave others surprises B. was full of imagination
C. was a gifted musician D. invented the roller skates
3.Merlin put wheels under his shoes in order to_______.
A. arrive at the party sooner
B. impress the party guests
C. test his invention
D. show his skill in walking on wheels
4.What is the main point the writer is trying to make in the last paragraph?
A. The roller skates needed further improvement.
B. Merlin got himself into trouble.
C. The party guests took Merlin for a fool.
D. Merlin succeeded beyond expectation.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
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This March is a busy month in Shanghai. There’s a lot to do. Here are the highlights.
Live Music—Late Night Jazz
Enjoy real American jazz from Herbie Davis, the famous trumpet player. He’s coming with his new 7-piece band, Herbie’s Heroes. Herbie is known to play well into the early hours, so don’t expect to get much sleep. This is Herbie’s third visit to Shanghai. The first two were sold out, so get your tickets quickly.
Scottish Dancing
Take your partners and get ready to dance till you are tired. Scottish dancing is fun and easy to learn.
Instructors will demonstrate the dances. The live band, Gordon Stroppie and the Weefrees, are also excellent.
Exhibitions—Shanghai Museum
There are 120,000 pieces on show here. Your can see the whole of Chinese history under one roof. It’s always interesting to visit, but doubly so at the moment with the Egyptian Tombs exhibition. There are lots of mummies and more gold than you’ve ever seen before. Let us know if you see a mummy move!
Dining –Sushi chef in town
Sushi(寿司) is getting really big in Shanghai. In Japan, it’s become an art form. The most famous Sushi ‘artist’ is Yuki Kamura. She’s also one of the few female chefs in Japan. She’ll be at Sushi Scene all of this month.
For a full listing of events, see our website.
1.Suppose you are going to attend an activity at 8:00p.m. on Saturday, which one can you choose?
A. Exhibitions –Shanghai Museum
B. Scottish dancing
C. Live Music—Late Night Jazz
D. Dining—Sushi chef in town
2.Which of the following is true according to the advertisements?
A. Scottish dancing is so interesting and easy that it never tires you out .
B. The performance given by the American jazz band won’t last long .
C. Sushi is not popular in Shanghai as it is a kind of Japanese traditional food.
D. It is more interesting to visit Shanghai Museum for the exhibits from Egypt.
3.From the text we may learn that Kamura is _________.
A. a cook B. a waitress
C. an musician D. an artist
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
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Americans plan parties for many reasons. As in other cultures, many Americans attend parties for weddings and religious or national holidays. But some parties are especially American. For example, a group of neighbors may gather on their street to eat food, play music and visit with one another. This is called a block party. A woman might invite a group of women to a party called a baby shower for a friend who is about to give birth. Guests bring presents for the new baby.
Americans also attend tailgate parties. A tailgate is the back end of a truck or other vehicle that opens down. The tailgate parties are a big part of sports culture in the United States. Friends bring food and drink to a sports event. They eat together in the parking area of the sports stadium.
Birthday parties are also very popular. Many parents organize a party for their child around a theme. Birthday parties usually include gifts and a birthday cake with candles. In many parts of the United States, cupcakes have become a popular replacement for cakes.
Birthday parties can be low cost or very costly. Some parents take their children’s birthday parties very seriously, even when the child is too young to fully understand the celebration.
One group of parents started a website called Birthdays Without Pressure. They decided that some parents were under too much social pressure to plan costly parties for their children. The group sees this movement as an example of America’s culture of “too much stuff”. The group’s website gives suggestions on how to keep birthday celebrations simple, meaningful and fun without spending a lot of money. Their advice may be very helpful during this period of economic recession (萧条)．
1.What can be the best title for the passage?
A. Reasons for parties B. Birthdays without pressure
C. Different parties in the world D. American parties
2.How many kinds of parties does the passage mention?
A. 5. B. 7. C. 6. D. 8.
3.Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Birthday parties are the most popular in America.
B. Some parties in America are the same as in other countries.
C. There’s a party for the mother before her new baby is born.
D. Block party is especially American
4.The purpose of Birthdays Without Pressure is to advise people to _________.
A. relieve people’s pressure
B. make birthday parties meaningful and costly
C. have meaningful birthday parties with low cost
D. spread America’s culture
难度: 中等查看答案及解析