2015年综合类阅读理解职称英语专项练习(五)

　　Architecture

　　Architecture is to building as literature is to the printed word. The best buildings are often so well constructed that they outlast their original use. They then survive not only as beautiful objects, but as documents of the history of cultures. These achievements are never wholly the work of individuals. Architecture is a social art.

　　The renaissance brought about an entirely new age, not only in philosophy and literature but in the visual arts as well. In architecture, the principles and styles of ancient Greece and Rome were bought back to life and reinterpreted. They remain dominant until the 20th century.

　　Many kinds of stone are used as building materials. Stone and marble were chosen for important monuments because they are not burnable and can be expected to endure. Stone architecture was often blended with stone sculpture. The use of stone has declined, however, because a number of other materials are more adaptable to industrial use.

　　The complexity of modern life calls for a variety of buildings. More people live in mass housing and go to work in large office buildings; they spend their income in large shopping centers, send their children to many different kinds of schools, and when they are sick they go to specialized hospitals and clinics. All these different types of buildings accumulated experiences needed by their designers.

　　By the middle of the 20th century, modern architecture, which was influenced by new technology and mass production, was dealing with increasingly complex social needs. Important characteristics of modern architectural works are expanses of glass and the use of reinforced concrete. Advanced in elevator technology, air conditioning, and electric lighting have all had important effects.

　　练习：

　　1. Architecture can be regarded as

　　A) an original document.

　　B) A literary works.

　　C) A social art.

　　D) An individuals creation.

　　2. Paragraph 3 is mainly about

　　A) why marble is better than stone in building monuments.

　　B) Why stone and marble were used as building materials in the past.

　　C) Why marble is unburnable and endurable.

　　D) Why marble adds artistic value to ancient buildings.

　　3. Which of the following statements is true according to paragraph 4?

　　A) New technologies make modern life possible.

　　B) Modern architecture makes modern life more comfortable.

　　C) Beautiful buildings are the symbol of modern life.

　　D) Diversified needs of modern life requires different types of buildings.

　　4. Several elements influenced modern architectural works by the middle of the 20th century. Which of the following element is not mentioned in the passage?

　　A) Reinforced steel.

　　B) Electric lighting.

　　C) Reinforced concrete

　　D) Air conditioning.

　　5. Which of the following is the most suitable title for this passage?

　　A) Architecture as monuments.

　　B) Development of architecture.

　　C) Architecture and literature.

　　D) The Renaissance and architecture

　　答案: CBDAB