Ru Ling loves spending time in skywells. To her, these courtyards of old houses are the perfect place to be in on a hot and humid day. From 2014 to 2021, Ru lived in a century-old wood-framed home in the village of eastern China’s Anhui province. She moved there for a change of life after living and working in air-conditioned buildings for many years.
A skywell, or “tian jing”, is a typical feature of a traditional home in southern and eastern China. They are relatively common in historic residences in Sichuan, Jiangsu, Anhui and Jiangxi. In today’s rapidly urbanizing (城市化) China, fewer and fewer people live in skywell dwellings—air-conditioned flats in multi-storeyed buildings and tower blocks are the main forms of homes.
But a revival (复苏) of interest in traditional Chinese architecture is leading some of historic buildings with skywells to be restored for modern times. Meanwhile, as a government push has made low-carbon innovations in the building sector a trend, some architects are drawing inspiration from skywells and other traditional Chinese architectural features to help keep new buildings cooler.
Ancient “green wisdom” such as skywells continues to inspire today’s climate adaptive design and innovations in passive cooling, according to Wang Zhengfeng, a researcher at the Institute for Area Studies at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Passive cooling is a method that incorporates design and technology to cool a building without the use of power.
However, Wang points out some challenges for bringing skywells into modern designs. The mechanisms of courtyards facilitating natural lighting, ventilation and rain collection are well known, but applying these principles needs to be site-specific. Because traditional skywells had different shapes, sizes and features, adding skywells into modern buildings requires designers to be sensitive to their project’s context (环境) and situation, she explains. When asked about why skywells have appealed to modern Chinese people, Wang says that the courtyard is also designed to serve as a gathering space for families or communities. “Perhaps changes in the lifestyle could also lead to nostalgia among people living in concrete and glass forests.”
1. What is the purpose of the first paragragh?| A．To introduce Ru Ling’s love for skywells. |
| B．To inform readers of the benefits of skywells. |
| C．To lead in the topic of popularity of skywells. |
| D．To support the idea of living in skywells. |
| A．Features and importance of the historic residences. |
| B．Appreciation for traditional Chinese architecture. |
| C．Reasons for the comeback of traditional skywells. |
| D．Great efforts to restore the past glory of skywells. |
| A．combine | B．collect | C．invent | D．replace |
| A．Lack of enough money and experience. | B．Dependence on natural surroundings. |
| C．People’s specific requirements. | D．The fast speed of urbanization. |
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【推荐1】The Polish take great pride in their culture. Our culture has many different customs and traditions. I will discuss three of these traditions and customs.
The Polish will say “Dziekuje” (“thank you”) only after receiving their change. What I mean by this is that when you are in Poland, you should wait to say “thank you” until after you have been given your change back. If you do not, you are telling cashiers (收银员) that they can “keep the change.” Often, people visiting Poland will feel that things are very expensive, until they learn that they are giving the store clerk permission to keep the money that would have been given back.
Polish people break “bread” with their families during their Christmas Eve meal. The Christmas Eve celebration starts with the breaking of the Oplatek, which is a thin piece of “bread”. In my family, the eldest in the family (my grandfather) takes the big Oplatek and breaks it into large pieces that he then hands down to each of his four children (my aunt, uncles, and father). Then, these family members break their pieces into smaller sizes and pass them out to their own children. Once the last piece is passed down to the youngest, we say a prayer (做祷告) and eat the piece of thin bread.
Polish people celebrate “Imieniny”, or Name’s Day. This day is more important than one’s birthday. They often name their children after a saint (圣徒) whose day is closest to the date that they were born on. Then their saint’s day that they were named after becomes their “new” birthday. On Name’s Day, families and friends gather together and enjoy a variety of food, drinking, and dancing.
As you can see, Poland has a few very unique (独特的) traditions and customs. I honor my Polish culture and will pass it on to my own children because it is important to know one’s own culture.
1. A Polish person’s Imieniny is ________.| A．a day to visit families and friends |
| B．more important than Name’s Day |
| C．near to his or her birthday |
| D．a day to honor a saint |
| A．the store clerk will keep it |
| B．the product will be changed |
| C．the store clerk will check the money |
| D．the product will be returned to the store |
| A．his grandfather | B．his uncle |
| C．his aunt | D．his father |
【推荐2】A recent scientific report said the chemical pollutants are supersizing the global obesity epidemic.
The idea that the chemical pollutants called “obesogens” can affect how the body controls weight is not yet part of mainstream treatments. But scientists behind the report argue that the evidence is now so strong that it should be. The most disturbing aspect of the evidence is that some chemical impacts that increase weight can be passed down through generations by changing how genes work.
Obesogens can disturb the body’s metabolism (新陈代谢), making gaining weight easier and losing weight harder. The body’s balance of energy intake and consumption through activity relies on the interplay of various hormones from fat tissue, the gut, etc. The pollutants can directly affect the number and size of fat cells and alter the signals that make people feel full. They can also cause weight gain by making the uptake of calories from the gut more efficient.
“It turns out chemicals in the environment have these side effects,” said Prof Robert Luis at the University of New York, “This research is vital because the current clinical management of obese patients is clearly insufficient.”
“The focus of the clinical people is on calories — if you eat more calories, you’re going to be fatter,” says Dr Heindel, “So they wait until you get obese, and then they’ll look at giving you diets, drugs, or surgery. If that really worked, we should see a decline in the rates of obesity,” he said. “But we don’t — obesity continues to rise, especially in children. The real question is, why do people eat more? The research focuses on it and provides data indicating that these chemicals are the real reason.”
Furthermore, the approach offers the potential to prevent obesity by avoiding exposure to pollutants, especially in pregnant (怀孕) women and babies. Prevention saves lives while costing far less than any treatment.
1. What harm do obesogens do to human’s health?| A．Affecting the brain’s work. | B．Causing deadly diseases. |
| C．Making food polluted. | D．Damaging weight control. |
| A．To list a dissatisfying way to treat obesity. | B．To present the side effects of obesogens. |
| C．To prove more calories leading to obesity. | D．To show the achievement made nowadays. |
| A．Getting obese. | B．Giving treatments. |
| C．Changing fat cells. | D．Reducing obesity. |
| A．Inspiring more doctors to study obesity. |
| B．Raising a public concern for the babies’ birth. |
| C．Making the treatment for obesity medicine-free. |
| D．Improving the clinical management of obese patients. |
【推荐3】The next time San Franciscans take a cab, they may step into a driverless car. Last week, the CaliforniaPublic Utilities Commission gave a permit to Cruise, the self-driving vehicle subsidiary(附带的)of General Motors (GM), which allows Cruise to charge for rides in its autonomous cars.
Though Cruise sees the permit as a big win, its self-driving cars aren’t free to meander(蜿蜒前行)the streets as they please. It can operate just 30 autonomous vehicles without a safety driver and can only charge for rides between 10 p. m. and 6 a. m. outside of the busy downtown. No autonomous taxi rides are allowed when there’s heavy rain, fog or snow. And shared rides aren’t allowed.
Cruise’s technology is made up of a series of sensors and cameras built into an electric car made by GM. Cruise has also announced plans for a car of their own, the Cruise Origin. The Origin lacks pedals, mirrors, a steering wheel and consists mostly of a sitting space where passengers can face each other.
Supporters of self-driving vehicles say the technology has the potential to reduce traffic deaths and injuries, save money and lower the environmental impact of cars. But not everyone is convinced that autonomous cars are ready. Many remain concerned about safety.
It remains to be seen how the driverless taxi will play out in San Francisco. But based on the vast number of companies racing to develop autonomous vehicles and the tens of thousands of people on waitlists for robotaxi rides, the Cruise pilot program is sure to be popular.
1. What can we learn about Cruise’s self-driving cars?| A．They can go wherever they like. |
| B．They can be shared by customers. |
| C．They can only go on street in fine weather. |
| D．They can charge for rides anytime. |
| A．Cost. | B．Safety. | C．Pollution. | D．Traffic jam. |
| A．Positive. | B．Negative. | C．Confused. | D．Disappointed. |
| A．Cruise’s driverless cars are getting popularity. |
| B．Cruise was allowed to sell its driverless cars. |
| C．Cruise’s driverless cars were allowed to go on streets. |
| D．Cruise was qualified to charge for rides in its driverless cars. |
【推荐1】Switzerland is set to become home to the world’s tallest wooden residential (住宅的) building.
The project, named Rocket & Tigerli, will consist of four buildings including one that takes pride in a 100-meter-tall (328-foot) tower.
The design will offer modern, high-quality housing with a maximum inflow of daylight, according to its designers, the Danish firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects (SHL). It will also seek to create an active neighborhood that will be “rooted in the area’s historical context,” according to a press release from the firm. The surface, for example, will be covered in dark red and yellow bricks combined with dusty green-colored details — in keeping with the red roofs and yellow bricks of the older buildings in the surrounding area.
“It is a big project that will have a significant influence on the community, socially as well as aesthetically. Because of the strong special knowledge Switzerland has, when it comes to building in wood, we are particularly proud to be working on this ground-breaking project.”
The four buildings will consist of housing facilities as well as spaces for shopping, a sky bar and a hotel. It is expected to be completed and ready for residents to move into by 2026. The striking architecture projects set to shape the world in 2022.
SHL competed with eight other architecture companies around the world to design the building. Earlier this year, its design proposal was chosen as the winner — in part because of its open block structure.
The jury (评审团) said in its assessment: “By dissolving the original block structure and integrating (整合) the separate buildings a larger surface area is achieved and thus more daylight, as well as a stronger connection to the surrounding environment.”
1. What can be a highlight of Rocket & Tigerli?| A．Its residents | B．Its designers. |
| C．Its tall tower. | D．Its different surface. |
| A．Stores. | B．Hospitals. |
| C．Museums. | D．Playgrounds. |
| A．Its low construction cost. |
| B．Its short construction period. |
| C．Its advanced firm management. |
| D．Its creative construction concept. |
| A．World Architectural Styles Need Changing |
| B．World Architectural Competition Came to an End |
| C．World’s Tallest Built Residential Tower in Switzerland |
| D．World’s Tallest Wooden Residential Building to Be Built |
【推荐2】Unusual Libraries Around the World
There are 2.7 million libraries spreading across the globe, and while there are many beautiful ones, there are also a number of unique ones.
Haskell Free Library and Opera House, Quebec, Canada and Vermont, US
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House, a special library spanning two countries, is stationed on the border between Canada and the United States and serves people from both countries. The main entrance is on the American side, but the majority of collection of the books are in Canada. There’s even an official American-Canada borderline running right across the library’s floor.
Deichman Bjørvika, Oslo, Norway
Praised by many as a library of the future, the Deichman Bjørvika, city of Oslo’s new main library, has one hundred unread and unpublished texts. They are stored in a specially designed room lined with wood from the forest, making the library the world’s most secretive one. It witnesses different authors add their works to the collection that will not be available for reading until 2114.
Seashore Library, Qinhuangdao, China
Quietly sitting on an isolated (孤零零的) stretch of beach of Qinhuangdao in northern China, the Seashore Library has been called the world’s loneliest library. People have to walk across the sand to reach the doors. The building is designed to promote people’s connection with ocean, so the main reading room features a layered design to ensure that everyone has a good view of the sea.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria, Egypt
Bíbliotheca Alexandrina is considered as a revival (复兴) of an ancient library in the Alex-andria 2,300 years ago or so. Characterized by its circular, tilting form, the building spans 160 meters in diameter (直径) and reaches up to 32 meters in height, while also diving some 12 meters into the ground.
1. What highlights the Haskell Free Library and Opera House?| A．It crosses two countries. |
| B．It is accessible only by boat. |
| C．It has the largest collection of books. |
| D．It is modeled after an ancient library. |
| A．To promote the stretching beach. |
| B．To help visitors get rid of loneliness. |
| C．To involve visitors in the natural world. |
| D．To make it the world’s loneliest library. |
| A．Haskell Free Library and Opera House. |
| B．Deichman Bjørvika. |
| C．Seashore Library. |
| D．Bibliotheca Alexandrina. |
【推荐3】In 1994, a violent earthquake struck Los Angeles. Despite the loss, earthquake scientists had some good news to report: The damage and death toll (死亡人数) could have been much worse.
In this earthquake, over 60 people were killed. By contrast, an earthquake of similar intensity that shook America in 1988 claimed 25,000 victims.
There were relatively less injuries and deaths in Los Angeles because although it took place in the downtown, the quake occurred at 4:31 a.m. on a holiday, when traffic was light on the city’s highways. Moreover, changes made to the construction codes (规范) in Los Angeles during the last 20 years have strengthened the city's buildings and highways, making them more resistant to quakes.
Instead of bragging about the good news, civil engineers are making further effort. Pinned to their drawing boards are blueprints (蓝图) for improved quake-resistant (抵御地震) buildings. The new designs should offer even greater security to cities where earthquakes often take place.
In the past, making structures quake-resistant meant firm yet flexible materials, such as steel and wood, that bend without breaking. Later, people tried to lift a building off its foundation, and insert (插入) rubber and steel between the building and its foundation to reduce the impact of ground vibrations (震动). The most recent designs give buildings brains as well as concrete and steel supports. Called smart buildings, the structures respond like living organisms to an earthquake's vibrations. When the ground shakes and the building tips forward, the computer would force the building to shift in the opposite direction.
To the new smart structures, a lot of people have voiced their view, and Tom, a director from a building company is one of them. He posted his view on his blog, "They could be very expensive to build. However, they would save many lives and would be less likely to be damaged during earthquakes."
1. What's the reason why the loss of lives in Los Angeles earthquakes was relatively low?| A．New computers had been installed in the buildings. |
| B．It happened in the remote country areas. |
| C．The earthquake in Los Angeles was not as strong as the one that shook America in 1988. |
| D．Improvements had been made in the constructions of buildings and highways. |
| A．laying aside | B．showing off |
| C．putting forward | D．linking to |
| A．It would cause serious financial problems. |
| B．It would prevent some slight earthquakes for good. |
| C．It would be worthwhile though costly. |
| D．It would turn into living organism. |
| A．to encourage civil engineers to make wider use of computers |
| B．to compare the consequences of the earthquakes that happened in the U.S. |
| C．to introduce the history of quake-resistant building materials |
| D．to report the developments in constructing quake-resistant buildings |
【推荐1】“It is the honor of a lifetime to repair precious ancient works, “says Hou Xue, a representative inheritor (继承人) of the state-level intangible cultural heritage of producing gold-inlaid lacquerware (金漆镶嵌).
Hou majored in art and design at the North China University of Technology. At that time, he hoped to find a job in a newspaper as an art editor. But, as chance would have it, he met Bai Qun, the inheritor of the craft of gold-inlaid lacquerware, who invited him to visit an exhibition of palace arts. Elegant works there appealed to Hou, and more importantly, he was surprised and deeply impressed by the extremely beautiful craftsmanship. Hou was so impressed, that when Bai asked whether Hou would like to learn this craft and start a career, he nodded without hesitation.
At Bai’s recommendation, Hou formally joined Beijing Gold Lacquer Inlaid Co. Ltd. in 2009. Every day, he got up at 4 a. m. in order to be at work by 8 a. m. , and took a bus to go back to his dormitory in the evening. In summer, it was very hot in the workshop, while in winter, it was freezing. From 2014 to 2016, he worked in the Palace Museum, focusing on protective restoration (修复) and replication (复制) work. Through several years of devoted study and practice, Hou has won many honors and titles.
In early 2022, the company joined hands with other local museums to launch handcrafted watches. The highlight of these watches lies in their appearance, which combines Po-phase flowers, highly favored in the Tang Dynasty, and the artistic concept of Maurits Cornelis Escher, a famous Dutch printmaker. The watch was soon sold out after being put on the market. Hou was thus inspired by this experience. “Excellent intangible cultural heritage works are not those thrown into museums for exhibition, but those that live up to modern aesthetic (审美的) level and modern life, “he said .
Hou said that he gauges an intangible cultural heritage item by the value it produces and the profits it brings. “If consumers are not interested in such works and inheritors can’t earn a living by doing the job, then these works have no value and the inheritance is worthless,” he added.
1. What changed Hou’s career choice?| A．Bai Qun’s suggestion. |
| B．His parents’ expectations. |
| C．A visit to an exhibition of palace arts. |
| D．His desire to spread Chinese traditional culture. |
| A．The efforts bear fruit. | B．Well begun, half done. |
| C．A miss is as good as a mile. | D．Failure is the mother of success. |
| A．The handcrafted works will enjoy broad market prospects. |
| B．The aesthetic level of the Tang Dynasty has been outdated. |
| C．The value of these watches depends on the profits they create. |
| D．Good intangible cultural heritage works are combined with modern life. |
| A．protects. | B．designs. | C．measures. | D．displays. |
【推荐2】During my trip to Europe, I had the opportunity to visit Stonehenge, which is considered one of the most famous prehistoric sites in the world. As I approached the area, it became clear to me that it was a circle of huge stones.
The stones were huge. Our tour guide said that the square stones weigh nearly five tons each, stand eighteen feet high, and are three feet thick. It was amazing to see them up close. Something that I really asked myself was how the ancient people could have been wise enough to arrange the stones as upright pillars(柱子), then connect the stones overhead, and place them altogether to form a circle. It was a great feeling to admire the magnificent stones up close.
I tried to imagine the figures of the ancient people moving the heavy stones, but it was hard to imagine how they could achieve such incredible work. As I admired the stones up close, I almost imagined myself back in time, standing there, watching the people move the stones.
It was really strange. As I walked around the stones, I noticed how segregated they were: there was nothing else standing around them, no community or anything. Were they also disconnected in ancient times? If so, why had the ancient people constructed them that way? And why did they place them far away from any community? If only I could really travel back in time and find out!
My thoughts were interrupted by our tour guide’s voice. He was explaining that nobody knew about the exact origin of the stones, but most scientists agreed that it dates from the time of the Druids, the first people in England. He said that there were many different theories about why Stonehenge was created. Some people believe that Stonehenge was an astronomical calendar because it was built in a circular design; they think it might represent the passing of time.
I left that awesome place with the feeling that many people had been here before me, each with a different understanding of the place, each wondering about something great and unknown that took place there a long time ago in the past. It was an unforgettable experience.
1. What did the author want to know when he looked at the stone?| A．How the ancient people lifted the stones. |
| B．How much each stone weighed. |
| C．Why the stones were arranged in that way. |
| D．Why the ancient people used such huge stones. |
| A．special | B．separated |
| C．creative | D．ancient |
| A．These stones originated from the time of the Druids. |
| B．Stonehenge may have been built as some kind of religious structure. |
| C．The arrangement of these stones is naturally formed. |
| D．The circular design of these stones may be a symbol of time passing. |
| A．An official report. |
| B．A history paper. |
| C．A geography textbook. |
| D．A cultural journal. |
【推荐3】Liverpool, my hometown, is a unique city. It is so unique that in 2004 it became a World Heritage Site.
I recently returned to my home city and my first stop was a museum on the River Mersey. Blanketed in mist(薄雾), Victorian architecture rose from the banks of the river, responded to the sounds of seabirds, and appeared unbelievably charming. When I headed toward the centre, I found myself surrounded by buildings that mirror the best palaces of Europe. It is not hard to imagine why, on first seeing the city, most visitors would be overpowered by the beauty of the noble buildings, which are solid signs of Liverpool’s history.
As if to stress its cultural role, Liverpool has more museums and galleries than most cities in Britain. At the Walker Art Gallery, I was told that it has best collections of Victorian paintings in the world, and is the home of modern art in the north of England. However, culture is more than galleries. Liverpool offers many music events. As Britain’s No.1 music city, it has the biggest city music festival in Europe, and its musicians are famous all over the world. Liverpool is also well-known for its football and other sports events. Every year, the River Festival Liverpool attracts thousands of visitors, making the city a place of wonder.
As you would expect from such a city, there are restaurants serving food from around the world. When my trip was about to end, I chose to rest my legs in Liverpool’s famous Philharmonic pub. It is a monument(纪念碑) to perfection, and a heritage attraction itself.
Being a World Heritage Site, my home city is certainly a place of Outstanding Universal Value. It is a treasure house with plenty of secrets for the world to explore.
1. What can first catch visitors’ attention in Liverpool?| A．Charming banks. |
| B．Famous museums. |
| C．Wonderful palaces. |
| D．Attractive buildings. |
| A．By analyzing causes. |
| B．By making comparisons. |
| C．By following the order of time. |
| D．By providing different examples. |
| A．To show Liverpool is a well-known city for its restaurants. |
| B．To prove Liverpool is an impressive place full of attractions. |
| C．To explain a pub is a wonderful place for visitors to relax themselves. |
| D．To stress a pub is a perfect choice for visitors to end their journey. |
| A．The universal value of Liverpool. |
| B．The beautiful historic sites of Liverpool. |
| C．The special cultural atmosphere of Liverpool. |
| D．The author’s exciting experience in Liverpool. |
