The London Eye, formerly known as the Millennium Wheel, is on the South Bank of the River Thames. At an overall height of 135 meters, the London Eye was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel from 1999, when it was built, until 2006, when it was surpassed (超过) by the Star of Nanchang, in Nanchang, China. It is one of London’s most popular tourist attractions.
What is now called the London Eye originated as a work sent by David Marks and Julia Barfield of Marks Barfield Architects in 1993 to a competition. The competition is supported by The Sunday Times and Great Britain’s Architecture Foundation, for a new landmark in memory of the millennium (千禧年) in London. Although no winner was declared, Marks and Barfield carried out the development of the project themselves and found the site where the wheel now stands. Most of the money was provided by British Airways.
Construction began in 1998, and the wheel was put together over the river before being pulled up.The London Eye was ceremonially “opened” by Prime Minister Tony Blair on December 31, 1999, but didn’t admit its first paying passenger until March 9,2000. Originally scheduled to be taken apart after five years, it was kept in place because of continued popularity. In 2006 an LED lighting system was installed in order to make the wheel more noticeable after dark.
The wheel rests on two supports, which are fixed firmly to a foundation on the riverbank and lean (倾斜) out over the river at an angle of 65°. The power to turn the wheel is sent through rubber tires that are placed on the base of the structure. Placed on the wheel are 32 eggshaped “capsules”, as the cabins that carry the passengers are called. Their number agrees with the 32 boroughs (自治市) that (together with the City of London) make up Greater London. Each capsule can hold as many as 25 passengers. The wheel moves so slowly — two circles per hour — that it needn’t stop for passengers to get on or off, except for those with disabilities.
1. When was the London Eye the tallest Ferris wheel in the world?| A．In 1993. | B．In 1998. |
| C．In 2004. | D．In 2016. |
| A．To compete for a prize. |
| B．To memorialize the start of their business. |
| C．To attract more visitors to the River Thames. |
| D．To realize their dream of riding on a Ferris wheel. |
| A．It leant out more than 65°. |
| B．It was officially open to the public. |
| C．It was decorated with brighter lighting. |
| D．It faced the threat of being taken apart. |
| A．Greater London consists of 32 cities. |
| B．The London Eye spends an hour spinning around once. |
| C．Disabled people are forbidden to get on the London Eye. |
| D．The London Eye can hold eight hundred passengers at most. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Architectural Wonders Inspired by Nature
Atomium: Brussels
Originally constructed for the 1958 World’s Fair, or Expo 58, this weird (古怪的) building features nine interconnected spheres (球体) measuring 335-feet high. Engineer Andre Waterkeyn and architects Andre and Jean Polak modeled it after an iron crystal enlarged 165 billion times to represent faith in scientific progress. Today the interior is home to a museum and several temporary exhibits.
The Cube Houses: Rotterdam
Despite all the hard angles and straight lines, architect Piet Blom actually took inspiration from a forest of trees when designing these Dutch houses back in 1977. Each bright yellow cube is tilted (倾斜的) on its side by 45 degrees and anchored to a hexagon-shaped pylon (六边形塔架), representing a tree. The entrance to each three-level house lies inside the concrete “trunk” that contains a staircase.
Taipei 101: Taipei
Standing at 1,671 feet tall, this 101-story skyscraper was the tallest building in the world when it opened in Taipei’s modern Xinyi District in 2004. Renowned architect C. Y. Lee modeled it after a bamboo stalk, and its repetitive sections are full of symbolism. There are a total of eight parts comprised of eight floors each -a lucky number in Chinese culture.
Helix Bridge: Singapore
An international team, assembled from Architects 61 in Singapore, designed this footbridge stretching over Marina Bay, linking the famous hotel and shopping center with the ArtScience Museum and Gardens by the Bay. The inspiration comes from the double helix (螺旋的) structure of a DNA molecule. Opened in 2010, the 919-foot long curved structure has five viewing platforms, giving pedestrians spectacular views of the skyline from across the waterfront.
1. What was the original purpose of building Atomium?| A．Preparing for Expo 58. |
| B．Preparing for a museum. |
| C．Preparing for some exhibits. |
| D．Preparing for an iron crystal. |
| A．They are very straight like big trees. |
| B．Each cube is tilted about 45 degrees. |
| C．They are the oldest of the 4 buildings. |
| D．They are designed by a famous architect. |
| A．To Atomium. | B．To the Cube Houses. |
| C．To Taipei 101. | D．To Helix Bridge. |
【推荐2】A
Personalized Day Tour in the Netherlands
Gain close insight (洞察力) into the Netherlands’ artistic works on this private walk tour from Amsterdam, led by a professional art historian. Benefit from your guide’s insider knowledge to create a fully personalized journey. Choose from a vast range of museums, galleries, and attractions across the region, such as the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery in The Hague, or Keukenhof Gardens.
Countryside Bike Tour
Cycle away from the urban noise and disappear into the countryside on this guided bike tour, which lasts about 5 hours. Visit a historical windmill, a farmhouse and a factory of Dutch styles. This enjoyable ride takes your small group along the Amstel River, past country villages and green fields dotted with cows. Learn about rural Dutch traditions and history, and finish your tour exploring Amsterdam’s parks including Vondelpark, Amsterdamse Bos and Beatrixpark.
Guided Canoe (轻舟) Adventure
Paddle through Holland’s Waterland area on a canoe from Amsterdam. With an expert guide, travel north to Waterland. Then, board a canoe and paddle around the dreamlike waterways. Enjoy the sound of birdsong and scents of wild plants, and hear about the region’s traditional way of life. Stop for a swim if the weather allows, and visit an island for a picnic of local produce. Numbers are limited to 10 for a small-group experience.
Day Trip to Bruges
Discover the charms of Bruges on this 12-hour trip from Amsterdam. As you travel by bus, learn about the history of Belgium. Explore the city of Bruges, visiting the Market Square, Town Hall, and other historic sights. Experience and learn about the amazing culture of this city, especially about the Church of Our Lady and enjoy a bit of free time before your return to the Netherlands.
1. Which trip is best for an art student?| A．Personalized Day Tour in the Netherlands. |
| B．Countryside Bike Tour. |
| C．Guided Canoe Adventure. |
| D．Day Trip to Bruges. |
| A．Length of time. | B．Means of transport. |
| C．Place of departure. | D．Size of group. |
| A．A travel diary. | B．A guide to Bruges. |
| C．A history textbook. | D．A travel website. |
【推荐3】Celebrating the Yorkshire Dialect (方言)
The Yorkshire Dialect Society (YDS) is kicking off a weekend of activities for Yorkshire Day in Keighley Library with what might be described as an important warm-up event and something unique and special about Yorkshire people—how they talk.
Keynote speakers will include Ian Stevenson on the story behind the Yorkshire dialect, such as the point from which it starts and its gradual development; Rod Dimbleby, Chairman of the YDS, on the 19th-century dialect poet and storyteller John Hartley; and Eric Scaife on readings and recitation s of dialect poems and prose (散文). There will also be an exhibition of books and booklets by the Keighley historian, writer and dialect poet, the late Ian Dewhirst.
The Schedule:10:30 Registration and coffee.
11:00 The welcome speech by Rod Dimbleby.
11:10 The story behind the Yorkshire dialect by Ian Stevenson.
12:15 The lunch break. You may bring sandwiches or go to local cafes in Keighley. During the lunch break, there will be time to see the exhibition in the library to remember Ian Dewhirst who sadly died in 2019.
13:30 A talk on John Hartley’s Clock Almanack, a gold mine of the Yorkshire dialect, by Rod Dimbleby.
14:30-14:45 The tea break.
14:45 “Tyke Talk”——a celebration of the Yorkshire dialect through humorous poems and amusing stories—by Eric Scaife.
16:00 Questions and discussion about the future of the Yorkshire dialect.
16:30 Close.
Tickets:
The admission price is £5 for members and £8 for non-members, both of which include the morning coffee and afternoon tea.
1. Who will give the talk on the origins of the dialect?| A．Eric Scaife. | B．Ian Stevenson. | C．John Hartley. | D．Rod Dimbleby. |
| A．Join in a question-and-answer session. | B．Go into a recitation of poems and prose. |
| C．Make sandwiches in Keighley’s local cafes. | D．Attend an exhibition in memory of a poet. |
| A．It lasts for two days in total. | B．It looks into the dialect’s future. |
| C．It offers a discount to members. | D．It focuses on dialect poets’ life and work. |
【推荐1】Little remains of the original Potala Palace built in the seventh century, as a place of meditation by King Songtsen Gampo on the occasion of his marriage to Princess Wencheng of the Tang Court. Standing atop the Red Hill in Lhasa, the current structure dates from the 17th century; it was rebuilt by the 5th Dalai Lama and became the Winter Palace for Dalai Lamas from that time. The 13-storey building of 1,000 rooms can be seen from many miles away.
The Potala is divided into two sections—an outer section, the White Palace, and an inner section, the Red Palace, the latter containing the temples and reliquary (遗骨) tombs of the Dalai Lamas. The entire building is a structure of stone and timber. At a height of 117 metres, the Potala was the world’s tallest building until 20th-century architects designed cityscapes of new buildings that far surpassed the Potala in height—but not in its architectural majesty (威严).
There are small palaces within grand palaces. The Potala stands so high that it looks like a magnificent castle in the heavens. The statues of King Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng are the worship. Among the eight tomb pagodas (塔) of the Dalai Lamas, the tomb of the fifth Dalai Lama is the most extravagant (奢侈的), standing 14 metres high. Eleven thousand ounces of gold were used in the gold plating, and the designs and decorations are all inlaid with diamonds and pearls as well as turquoise (绿宝石), agate (玛瑙), and coral stones.
1. The best title for this passage is “________”.| A．The Potala Palace—a Treasure House | B．The Highest Architecture in the World |
| C．The Red Hill of Lhasa | D．The Most Expensive Palace in the World |
| A．has been well protected for visitors |
| B．can be seen by visitors nowadays |
| C．doesn't exist today |
| D．was well conserved by Princess Wencheng of the Tang Court |
| A．mud and stone | B．concrete and timber |
| C．stone and timber | D．steel and concrete |
| A．King Songtsen Gampo was buried in it |
| B．Princess Wencheng of the Tang Court was buried in it |
| C．the Potala was rebuilt by him |
| D．he collected the most treasure during his rule |
【推荐2】The Burj Khalifa, Dubai
The Burj Khalifa is the tallest man-made structure in the world. It is located in Dubai, which is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Burj khalifa is a skyscraper that has hotels, apartments, restaurants, and office space inside it.
The skyscraper is 828 meters tall, and it has more than 160 floors. There is an observation deck on the 124th floor and another one on the 148th floor. From the observation decks, visitors have an incredible view of the city and the Persian Gulf.
An architect from the US, named Adrian Smith, designed the building. Smith has designed many famous buildings around the world in places like China, Korea, the UK, Saudi Arabia, and the US. Workers from more than 100 countries helped to build the structure. They included people from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
It took six years to build the skyscraper. Construction workers began their work in January 2004. First, they had to dig a huge hole in the ground to create the building’s foundation. It took just over a year to get the ground ready. The workers started to build the tower in March 2005. More than a year later, in June 2006, the workers reached the 50th level. Seven months after that, they reached the 100th level. By July 2007, the skyscraper had 141 floors and passed the previous tallest building in the world to become the new tallest building. At the time, the tallest building was Taipei 101. However, the Burj Khalifa did not officially become the world’s tallest building until after it opened two and a half years later. There was a big launch ceremony to celebrate the opening of the building in January 2010.
The Burj Khalifa is just one of Dubai’s famous sights. The city has become a popular place for tourists in recent years, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Middle East. Millions of tourists from around the world visit it every year.
1. What can we find inside the Burj Khalifa according to the passage?| A．Hotels and skyscrapers. | B．The Persian Gulf and hotels. |
| C．Restaurants and cinemas. | D．Apartments and office space. |
| A．About 141 floors. | B．Less than 124 floors. | C．Over 160 floors. | D．Around 148 floors. |
| A．In January 2004. | B．In June 2006. | C．In March 2005. | D．In July 2007. |
| A．the Burj Khalifa is the most famous sight in Dubai |
| B．the opening ceremony of the Burj Khalifa was in January 2010 |
| C．only workers from the Philippines helped to build the Burj Khalifa |
| D．the Burj Khalifa is the second tallest man-made structure in the world |
【推荐3】Suspension bridges, with their high towers and elegant spans (跨度), are achievements of engineering. This list covers the longest main spans of suspension bridges around the world, not longest total lengths, as those main central spans are where the real engineering magic happens.
Osman Gazi Bridge, TürkiyeThe Osman Gazi Bridge is a splendid suspension bridge. The bridge was finished on July 1, 2016, and at the time, it was the longest suspension bridge in Türkiye and the fourth longest in the world by the length of its main central span, which measures 1,550 meters. It reduced travel time between Istanbul and Izmir from six hours to around five.
Great Belt Bridge, DenmarkThe Great Belt Bridge connects the Danish islands Zealandand Funen. The suspension bridge has a total length of 6,790 meters and a main central span of 1,624meters, making it the world’s sixth longest main span — for now. It enabled a direct driving route from mainland Europe to Sweden through Denmark.
1915 Çanakkale Bridge, TürkiyeThe bridge’s construction, which began in March 2017 and concluded in March 2022, was ambitious from the get-go. Spanning the historic Dardanelles Strait in northwestern Türkiye, the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge is a symbol of national pride. Officially the world’s longest suspension bridge, it stretches a remarkable 2,023 meters in its main central span.
Yangsigang Yangtze River Bridge, ChinaOpened to traffic in October 2019, the Yangsigang Yangtze River Bridge in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, is the longest suspension bridge in China and the third longest suspension in the world. It spans 1,700 meters across the famous Yangtze River. The bridge notably has the world’s longest double-level bridge span, accommodating various forms of transportation on its two levels.
1. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?| A．To praise the engineers of suspension bridges. |
| B．To introduce some suspension bridges fit for tourism. |
| C．To present the challenge of building suspension bridges. |
| D．To show suspension bridges with the longest main spans. |
| A．Osman Gazi Bridge. | B．Great Belt Bridge. |
| C．1915 Çanakkale Bridge. | D．Yangsigang Yangtze River Bridge. |
| A．Its name’s origin. | B．Its double-level design. |
| C．Its splendid views. | D．Its construction difficulties. |
