英语四级考试仔细阅读练习40含36

　　2011年英语四级考试仔细阅读练习

Hugo 10 years ago. In September 1989, Hugo struck South Carolina, killing 18 people and damaging or destroying 36,000 homes in the state.

　　Before Hugo, many new houses built along South Carolinas shoreline were poorly constructed, and enforcement of building codes wasnt strict, according to architect Ray Huff, who created the cleverly-designed beach house. In Hugos wake, all new shoreline houses are required to meet stricter, better-enforced codes. The new beach house on Sullivans Island should be able to withstand a Category 3 hurricane with peak winds of 179 to 209 kilometers per hour.

　　At first sight, the house on Sullivans Island looks anything but hurricane-proof. Its redwood shell makes it resemble a large party lantern at night, according to one observer. But looks can be deceiving. The houses wooden frame is reinforced with long

　　steel rods to give it extra strength.

　　To further protect the house from hurricane damage, Huff raised it 2.7 meters off the ground on timber pilingslong, slender columns of wood anchored deep in the sand. Pilings might appear insecure, but they are strong enough to support the weight of the house. They also elevate the house above storm surges. The pilings allow the surges to run under the house instead of running into it. These swells of water come ashore at tremendous speeds and cause most of the damage done to beach-front buildings, said Huff.

　　Huff designed the timber pilings to be partially concealed by the houses ground-to-roof shell. The shell masks the pilings so that the house doesnt look like its standing with its pant legs pulled up, said Huff. In the event of a storm surge, the shell should break apart and let the waves rush under the house, the architect explained.

　　36. After the tragedy caused by Hurricane Hugo, new houses built along South Carolinas shore line are required ________.

　　A) to be easily reinforced

　　B) to look smarter in design

　　C) to meet stricter building standards

　　D) to be designed in the shape of cubes

　　37. The award-winning beach house is quite strong because ________.

　　A) it is strengthened by steel rods

　　B) it is made of redwood

　　C) it is in the shape of a shell

　　D) it is built with timber and concrete

　　38. Huff raised the house 2.7 meters off the ground on timber pilings in order to ________.

　　A) withstand peak winds of about 200 km/hr

　　B) anchor stronger pilings deep in the sand

　　C) break huge sea waves into smaller ones

　　D) prevent water from rushing into the house

　　39. The main function of the shell is ________.

　　A) to strengthen the pilings of the house

　　B) to give the house a better appearance

　　C) to protect the wooden frame of the house

　　D) to slow down the speed of the swelling water

　　40. It can be inferred from the passage that the shell should be ________.

　　A) fancy-looking

　　B) waterproofwww.

　　C) easily breakable

　　D) extremely strong

　　Unit 10

　　21. D 22. B 23. C 24.C 25. A

　　26. D 27. B 28. A 29.D 30. C

　　31. B 32. B 33. D 34.C 35. A

　　36. C 37. A 38. D 39.B 40. C