Question

Four of the Oldest Buildings in the World

Knap of Howar

One of the oldest buildings in the world is the Knap of Howar, which dates back to 3700-3500 BCE.The farmhouse is one of the oldest, still-standing stone houses in Europe. It includes two stone homes linked through a hidden passage and joint walls. Archaeologists say Irish or Scottish monks could be the first builders and residents of the Knap of Howar. Although the house is still standing, these abandoned places around the world are better candidates for restoration.

Ġgantija Temples

The Megalithic Temples of Malta, or the Ġgantija Temples, date back to 3600 to 3200 BCE. The two temples on the island of Malta are UNESCO World Heritage sites. It’s one of the oldest free-standing monuments in the world. Archaeologists think the temple was used for ritual animal sacrifices.

Shunet el-Zebib

Shunet el-Zebib is partially standing, but mostly in ruins. It’s still, however, one of the oldest buildings in the world. The Egyptian temple built in 2750 BCE is of mud and brick. It has an underground tomb as well as an above-ground complex. Architecturally, it’s a nod to the Egyptian pyramids soon to come.

Tomb of Cyrus

Built in 530 BCE, the Tomb of Cyrus is one of Iran’s World Heritage Sites and one of the oldest buildings on the planet. It’s also believed to be one of the first earthquake-protected structures in the world, according to Atlas Obscura. The base isolating used on the tomb protects the main structure from moving apart from the foundation.

1.What do the four buildings have in common?

A.All of them are located in Europe.

B.All of them are made of stone and mud.

C.All of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

D.All of them were built before the birth of Christ.

2.Which of the four buildings may be the strongest?

A.Knap of Howar. B.Ġgantija Temples.

C.Shunet el-Zebib. D.Tomb of Cyrus.

3.Which of the following is True according to the passage?

A.Shunet el-Zebib is earthquake protected.

B.Tomb of Cyrus has an underground tomb.

C.Ġgantija Temples are built by Irish monks.

D.Knap of Howar may be the oldest building among the four.

Answer

1.D

2.D

3.D

【解析】

这是篇说明文。短文介绍了世界上最古老的四座建筑。

1.细节理解题。由Knap of Howar中的“ One of the oldest buildings in the world is the Knap of Howar, which dates back to 3700-3500 BCE”. Ġgantija Temples中的“

The Megalithic Temples of Malta, or the Ġgantija Temples, date back to 3600 to 3200 BCE”.

Shunet el-Zebib中的“The Egyptian temple built in 2750 BCE is of mud and brick”. Tomb of Cyrus中的“Built in 530 BCE, the Tomb of Cyrus is one of Iran’s World Heritage Sites and one of the oldest buildings on the planet”可知，世界上最古老的建筑之一是 霍沃尔小山，它可以追溯到公元前3700-3500年。马耳他的巨石神庙，或称“甘蒂亚神庙”，可追溯到公元前3600年至3200年。埃及神庙建于公元前2750年，由泥土和砖块建成。塞勒斯墓建于公元前530年，是伊朗的世界遗产之一，也是地球上最古老的建筑之一。所以这四座建筑共同之处是所有这些建筑都是在基督诞出生之前建造的。故选D项。

2.推理判断题。由 Tomb of Cyrus中的“ It’s also believed to be one of the first earthquake-protected structures in the world, according to Atlas Obscura. The base isolating used on the tomb protects the main structure from moving apart from the foundation”可知，据阿特拉斯·蒙斯卡（Atlas Obsura）称，它也被认为是世界上最早的抗震建筑之一。坟墓上使用的地基隔离层保护主体结构不会从地基上移动。由此推断出，赛勒斯墓是四个建筑中最结实的建筑。故选D项。

3.细节理解题。由Knap of Howar中的“ One of the oldest buildings in the world is the Knap of Howar, which dates back to 3700-3500 BCE”可知，世界上最古老的建筑之一是霍沃尔小山，它可以追溯到公元前3700-3500年。所以霍沃尔小山是这四幢建筑中最古老的。故选D项。