Question

    Should we allow modern buildings to be built next to older buildings ina 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 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 (建筑上的)styles can exist perfectly well alongside an older style. Indeed, there are many examples in my own hometown 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 influence 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.Some of them are not attractive.

B.Most of them are too expensive to preserve.

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.Some old buildings have spoilt the area they are in.

D.No one understands why people speak against new buildings.

3.By "move things for ward" in the last paragraph, the author probably means "________".

A.put things in a different place

B.choose new architectural style

C.rebuild old buildings in a new style

D.respect people's feelings for historical buildings

4.What is the main purpose of the passage?

A.To explain why people dislike change.

B.To warn that we could end up living in caves.

C.To admit how new buildings have ruined their surroundings.

D.To argue that modern buildings can be built in historic areas.

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.B

4.D

【解析】

这是一篇议论文。这篇文章论述的是“现代建筑是否可以和古代建筑被建造在一起。”作者认为，新的建筑风格可以与古代建筑建筑风格完美地共存，应该在有历史意义的地区建造更多的具有现代建筑风格的建筑。

1.

推理判断题。根据第一段中Not all historical buildings are attractive.“并不是所有的历史建筑都有吸引力。”由此判断出，关于历史建筑，作者在第一段说“有些历史建筑并不吸引人。”故选A。

2.

细节理解题。根据第三段第一句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. “确实有一些新建筑破坏了它们所在地区的例子，但同样的情况也发生在一些老建筑上，”由此可知，一些老建筑破坏了它们所在的地区。故选C。

3.

推理判断题。根据最后一段中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.“如果我们总是复制以前的东西，我们还会生活在洞穴里。因此，我反对复制以前的建筑风格，选择一些新的和不同的，即使这可能是更冒险的选择。”由此推知，最后一段的“move things for ward”可能是指“选择新的建筑风格”。故选B。

4.

推理判断题。根据第一段Should we allow modern buildings to be built next to older buildings ina historic area of a city?我们是否应该允许在一个城市的历史区域中，老建筑旁边建造现代建筑？根据最后一段中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.“如果我们总是复制以前的东西，我们还会生活在洞穴里。因此，我反对复制以前的建筑风格，选择一些新的和不同的，即使这可能是更冒险的选择。”由此可知，这篇文章的目的是主张现代建筑可以建在有历史意义的地区。”故选D。