Giant Structures
It is an impossible task to select the most amazing wonders of the modem world since every year more __1__ constructions appear. Here are three giant structures which are worthy of our __2__ although they may have been surpassed by some more recent wonders.
The Petronas Twin Towers
The Petronas Towers were the tallest buildings in the world when they were completed in 1999. With a __3__ of 452 metres, the tall twin towers, like two thin pencils, dominate the city of Kuala Lumpur. At the 41st floor, the towers are linked by a bridge, symbolizing a gateway to the city. The American __4__ Cesar Pelli designed the skyscrapers.
Constructed of high-strength concrete, the building provides around 1，800 square metres of office space __5__ every floor. And it has a shopping centre and a concert hall at the base. Other __6__ of this impressive building include double-decker lifts, and glass and steel sunshades.
The MiUau Bridge
The Millau Bridge was opened in 2004 in the Tam Valley，in southern France. __7__ the time it was built，it was the worlds highest bridge, __8__ over 340m at the highest point. The bridge is described as one of the most amazingly beautiful bridges in the world. It was built to __9__ Millaus congestion problems. The congestion was then caused by traffic passing from Paris to Barcelona in Spain. The bridge was built to withstand the __10__ extreme seismic and climatic conditions. Besides, it is guaranteed for 120 years!
The Itaipu Dam
The Itaipu hydroelectric power plant is one of the largest constructions of its kind in the world. It consists of a series of dams across the River Parana, __11__ forms a natural border between Brazil and Paraguay. Started in 1975 and taking 16 years to complete, the construction was carried out as a joint project between the two __12__. The dam is well-known for both its electricity output and its size. In 1995 it produced 78% of Paraguays and 25% of Brazils __13__ needs. In its construction, the __14__ of iron and steel used was equivalent to over 300 Eiffel Towers. It is a __15__ amazing wonder of engineering.
词汇：
worthy adj.值得的
surpass v.超过，胜过
symbolize v.象征
congestion n.拥挤
withstand v. 经受住
seismic 地震的
dam n. 堤，坝
hydroelectric adj. 水电的
注释：
1. The Petronas Twin Towers: 国油双峰塔，又称吉隆坡双子塔。建于1997年，共有88层，高达452公尺，曾是世界上最高的摩天楼。国油双峰塔由两幢大楼组成，两幢楼的第41层由 58公尺长的天桥连接。这座设计新颖的、大量使用了木锈钢与玻璃等建材的双峰塔是吉隆坡市的象征。不论你在吉隆坡的哪一个角落都可以看到这座十分现代化的建筑物。
2. Kuala Lumpur:吉隆坡
3. The Millau Bridge: 米约高架桥。位于法国西南部的米约市，横跨在塔恩河仙境般的河谷之上，是通住法国南部地中海地区75号高速公路段上的枢纽工程。建造这座斜拉索式桥梁共花费了3年多的时间，总耗资3.94亿欧元。这座大桥全长2.46公里，总重29万吨，大桥距地面270米，大桥斜拉索的最高点距离地面343米，髙出埃菲尔铁塔23米，是当时世界上最高的桥梁。
4. The Itaipu Dam: 伊泰普水电站。伊泰普水电站是目前世界上最大的水电站之一，由巴西和巴拉圭斥资共建，两国电力公司分别拥有水电站的一半产权。整个坝长7 853米，水位落差118.4米。水库面积1 350平方公里，容量290亿立方米。自1991年起，伊泰普水电站每年发电收益约23亿美元。
5. the River Parana: 巴拉那河。南美洲第二大河。
6. Brazil: 巴西
7. Paraguay: 巴拉圭
8. Eiffel Towers: 埃菲尔铁塔。埃菲尔铁塔是法国巴黎著名建筑，也是巴黎的象征。塔高985 英尺，于1889年为世界博览会而建造，其塔身几乎完全由开放晶格的熟铁制成。
练习：
1.A. delightful B. useful C. wonderful D. careful
2.A. admiration B. passion C. expression D. detection
3.A. length B. width C. height D. volume
4.A. inventor B. architect C. scientist D. merchant
5.A. below B. in C. above D. on
6.A. types B. parts C. roles D. features
7.A. A.t B. within C. from D. upon
8.A. developing B. expanding C. stretching D. reaching
9.A. restrict B. reserve C. relieve D. relax
10.A. most B. much C. more D. less
11.A. what B. which C. who D. that
12.A. countries B. provinces C. areas D. regions
13.A. water B. oil C. energy D. food
14.A. amount B. number C. quality D. ratio
15.A. mainly B. totally C. rarely D. truly