Barcelona's famous Segrada Familia is finally set to get a building licence, 137 years after work on the still uncompleted church began.
Construction on the UNESCO World Heritage basilica(长方形基督教堂), which is Barcelona's most visited tourist attraction, began in 1882 based on a design by architect Francisco Lozano. However, when he stepped down, architect Antoni Gaudi took over the design in 1883. The building won't be finished until 2026-one hundred years after the architect was killed by a streetcar in the city. His body was buried in a room under the floor of the Sagrada Familia.
To get its paperwork rubber stamped, the church authorities have agreed to finally pay the government a∈36 million fee for a building permit. Gaudi was told to get the paperwork processed, but the architect failed to do so-proceeding with construction regardless. The money from the church's permit will be used to upgrade transport links and beautify the area. Gaudi and his works have become symbols of Barcelona, the capital city of Catalonia, northeast Spain
Gaudi played an active role in directing the construction of the Sagrada Familia until his death in 1926. He would often request that work be modified and adjusted until it was exactly what he had in mind. However, interpretation of the designs by present day architects is particularly challenging because of the nature of the existing designs.
The unfinished building is called a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and it is perhaps the most unique and mysterious building in the style ever constructed. The popularity of the site with tourists has helped fund the push to complete the church and pay for the paperwork.
1.What do we know about the Segrada Familia?
A. It has been completely constructed.
B. It was first designed by Antoni Gaudi.
C. It will get a building permit in 2026.
D. It began to be built 137 years ago.
2.What can we infer about Antoni Gaudi?
A. He wished to be buried in the church
B. He is remembered as a great architect.
C. He didn't know a permit was necessary.
D. He is to blame for the unfinished church.
3.What makes the Segrada Familia so popular?
A. Its unusual design style
B. Its two famous architects.
C. Its special building materials.
D. Its illegal construction paperwork
4.The church managed to pay for the licence .
A. in the support of the government
B. by reducing construction costs
C. with the aid of tourist income
D. through donations from architects
An Arizona mom says none of her son's kindergarten friends showed up to his birthday party after she sent 32 invitations to his classmates.
The boy, Teddy, held a birthday party on Sunday at Peter Piper Pizza in Tucson, where he and his mother, Sil Mazzini, had been expecting dozens of little girls and boys-as well as the children's parents-to join them at the restaurant. Mazzini said a few people told her in advance that they couldn't make it, but she wasn't prepared for everyone to be no-shows.
Mazzini shared a photo of her son sitting alone in front of several pizzas on her Facebook page. That brought dozens and dozens of birthday wishes from around the country, as well as other gifts and offers.
"I live near Tampa, Florida, and heard about you via my local news," one woman wrote on Facebook. "I hope you have a wonderful year and I'm sending you a big hug." The biggest unexpected birthday present for Teddy came from the Phoenix Suns, who invited him to watch Wednesday night's game at the Talking Stick Resort Arena against the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James. The city's professional soccer club, the Phoenix Rising, also invited Teddy to "join 7,000 of his closest friends" at a playoff game on Friday.
But some on social media questioned Mazzini's decision to broadcast her son's humiliating day. "Quick! Someone call the news. Don't embarrass this kid even more than he already is," one woman wrote on Facebook. "Good lord. This is so wrong. "
1.How may Teddy feel about his birthday party?
A. Relaxed B. Disturbed C. Disappointed. D. Bored.
2.What did the Phoenix Suns invite Teddy to do?
A. Play a playoff game on Friday.
B. Watch Wednesday night's game.
C. Join the professional soccer club.
D. Spend a weekend with them
3.What can we infer about Sil Mazzini from the last paragraph?
A. She is not supported by all the people.
B. She cares little about her son's feelings.
C. She regrets having posted her son's images.
D. She has removed the comments on Faceloook.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What does the father think of the speaker?
A. Unlucky. B. Lazy. C. Slow.
2.When did the speaker fail his math test because of a game?
A. In the 8th grade B. In the 9th grade. C. In the 10th grade.
3.Who made the speaker more determined to change?
A. His brother. B. His parents. C. His tutor.
4.What happened to the speaker at the end of high school?
A. He became a private tutor.
B. He got a job in programming.
C. He was admitted to MIT.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What are the speakers mainly talking about?
A. An organization. B. A kind of disease. C. A time-traveling doctor.
2.What is the function of WHO?
A. Curing the sick people. B. Making the hospitals work. C. Setting rules to handle illness.
3.What is special about the mentioned disease?
A. It makes people feel sad all day long.
B. It affects old people and kids easily.
C. It just gives body aches and a fever.
4.How does the man feel about the disease?
A. Puzzled. B. Amazed C. Scared
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.How does the woman like the camp?
A. Interesting. B. Unsatisfactory. C. Exciting.
2.Why does the man bring the woman to the woods?
A. To enjoy nature. B. To observe wildlife. C. To make new friends.
3.What are the speakers going to do tonight?
A. Enjoy some stars. B. Buy hot chocolate C. Go to the beach
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the woman trying to become?
A. A teacher. B. An actress. C. A film maker.
2.Why does the woman refuse to get educated?
A. She is already famous. B. She is experienced. C. She is overconfident.
