1 . Jaw-dropping architecture isn’t new. We’re still fascinated by the Great Pyramid built 4,500 years ago! Read for more recent examples of innovative buildings constructed using modern technology.
Crooked House (Poland)
COMPLETED: 2004
With its curved (弯曲的) walls and roof, it is popular with photographers. However, staring at it for too long might make you dizzy! Inside is a typical mall and office building. A favorite feature is the Wall of Fame, with signatures from Polish celebrities (名人). It’s modeled after the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Cube Houses (Netherlands)
COMPLETED: 1984
The Cube Houses are a popular attraction, but they are also real houses that people live in! The furniture is tailor-made to fit the strange angles where the walls meet. Architect Piet Blom designed the homes based on the idea of “living as an urban roof,” with the housing above and the courtyards, shops, and even a chess museum below.
Wonder Works (US)
COMPLETED: 2006
Looking at the cracks in this building, you might think, is it about to collapse? But it’s all an illusion (幻觉). This indoor amusement park is actually pretty normal. The upside-down features are just for show. Inside are more than hands-on science exhibits and activities, including a laser-tag zone and a hurricane-force wind tunnel!
Guangzhou Opera House (China)
COMPLETED: 2010
It was designed by Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid. She said she let natural places inspire her buildings, such as this opera house on the Pearl River. She used latest construction and design methods to make her design a reality. GPS positioning and laser techniques helped shape the structure, which includes tons of steel and glass.
1. What makes Cube Houses different from the others in the list?| A．Its latest techniques. | B．Its residents inside. |
| C．Its famous signatures. | D．Its upside-down features. |
| A．Crooked House | B．Cube Houses | C．Wonder Works | D．Guangzhou Opera House |
| A．To introduce amazing architecture. | B．To advertise specifically-designed programs. |
| C．To inspire students to make innovations. | D．To urge people to protect historical buildings. |
1. What is the man going to do this afternoon?
| A．Call at the woman’s house. | B．Show the woman some photos. | C．Take some pictures of the woman. |
| A．Business | B．Accommodation. | C．Traffic. |
3 . In the more than 6,000 years of living in cities, humans have always had to find solutions to problems concerning how they live and work, such as sanitation, transportation, crime and environmental protection. Today, using cutting-edge technologies, smart cities can cover them all. We are now in the era of being “smart”.
According to the European Commission, a smart city is “a place where traditional networks and services are made more efficient with the use of digital solutions for the benefit of its inhabitants and businesses”. It means smarter urban transport networks, upgraded water supplies and waste disposal facilities and more efficient ways to light and heat buildings. It also means a more interactive and responsive city administration, safer public spaces and meeting the needs of an aging population.
The origin of the concept of smart cities can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s, when the US Community Analysis Bureau began using databases, aerial photography and other digital methods to collect data and do analysis so that the cities could direct services, relieve the influence of disasters and reduce poverty.
Smart cities rely heavily on automation, connectivity to the Internet , and the Internet of things (IoT). According to TWI, a global organization dedicated to technology engineering, a smart city operates according to four basic steps: collection, analysis, communication, and action. In this approach, a set of smart sensors will collect real-time data about people and infrastructure. After the data collected is analyzed, the result will be communicated to the decision-makers, who will take action to improve the quality of city life for its residents.
Smart city technologies have already been applied in some countries and cities around the world. Singapore, for example, has introduced a wide range of smart technologies in both its public and private sectors since launching its Smart Nation initiative in 2014. To help with the aging population, it introduced a digital health system allowing video consultations as well as wearable devices to monitor patients.
1. What is the main feature of a smart city?| A．It can meet the needs of the elderly. | B．It is fully evolved and multi-functional. |
| C．It highly depends on modern technologies. | D．It is a place where one can live a carefree life. |
| A．Decision-makers are supposed to analyze the real-time data. |
| B．Joint efforts are required to ensure the operation of a smart city. |
| C．The quality of city life has improved due to the government initiative. |
| D．Problems still exist in the smart city despite great convenience it brings. |
| A．To praise its contribution to the world. |
| B．To show its advantage over other countries. |
| C．To gain widespread support for a smart city. |
| D．To illustrate the application of smart city technologies. |
| A．Smart City: A Brief History | B．Smart City: Live the Smart Way |
| C．Smart City: Say Goodbye to the Past | D．Smart City: Both Chances and Challenges |
4 . From sweeping landscapes to amazing buildings, Taiwan is an island that many tourists visit frequently. That’s why it can seem odd that one of its most famous landmarks is two humble mailboxes. Located in the Zhongshan District in the city of Taipei, these unique mailboxes have caught the public’s imagination thanks to their appearance. Unlike most mailboxes, these two are severely bent.
Due to its location, Taiwan tends to be struck by typhoons, as it is usually hit by three or four windstorms a year. In 2015, a particularly bad one known as Typhoon Soudelor struck the island. During the storm, a billboard got loose due to the heavy winds and hit the mailboxes. While it bent their posts, it didn’t tear them down. After the storm was over, people came across the newly leaning mailboxes and fell in love with them. Not only did they look adorable, but they were also a symbol of resilience(坚韧) and survival.
Social media quickly caught wind of these new landmarks and people began visiting them. It wasn’t long before they started staging fun photos with the new landmarks, using forced perspective—similar to the way tourists pose in Italy with the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This led authorities to accept the symbolism of the mailboxes willingly, and instead of repairing them, they added a board telling their story in Chinese, English, and Japanese.
The board reads: “On August 8th, 2015, Typhoon Soudelor struck Taiwan. We were hit in the heads by a signboard as a result and couldn’t help but lean over from the pain. It was so painful in fact—we can’t stand up straight anymore. But we persevered: we didn’t fall over after all. We have to take life as it comes and in a way, I think we look more artsy and sophisticated this way! Do we inspire you? Take a picture with us to remind yourselves that we are all survivors and can persevere no matter what.”
The best part of this Taipei attraction is that the mailboxes are still operational. The letters in the boxes are even marked with a special stamp that shows the famous mailboxes.
1. Why are the mailboxes bent?| A．They were struck by a billboard. |
| B．They were squeezed by a huge stone. |
| C．They were blown over by the strong wind. |
| D．They were remodeled on purpose by their designer. |
| A．They were difficult to fix. | B．They had become very commercialized. |
| C．They were gaining popularity among tourists. | D．They were a comfort to the Typhoon sufferers. |
| A．Having experienced a lot. | B．With delicate decorations. |
| C．Of first-class quality. | D．Being windproof. |
| A．They present very high artistic value. |
| B．They indicate focus on beauty appreciation. |
| C．They warn people of damaging effects of typhoons. |
| D．They symbolize great courage in the face of adversity. |
1. What does the speaker say about Castle Howard?
| A．It took its name from a film. |
| B．It has been home to a family. |
| C．It was once used for defence. |
| A．It’s open every day of the year. |
| B．It’s the largest garden in England. |
| C．It’s planted with many kinds of roses. |
| A．A tour guide. | B．A gardener. | C．A news reporter. |
6 . Going on vacation every week might sound like the very unattainable dream.
Decision scientist Nika Kabiri recommends doing something totally new so you can disconnect from the same old routines governing your life. Among her favorite ideas: Drive to a part of town you’ve never been to before, go for a city walk, and grab lunch at the first cute café you see. Or take a bike or boat tour of your city.
Treating your weekend like a vacation doesn’t mean it needs to be a delicate affair. If your “vacation” encounters a few unexpected affairs or lasts for only a few hours, don’t be annoyed.
| A．Act like a tourist. |
| B．Go for a city walk. |
| C．It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. |
| D．Just ignore the work and continue to have fun. |
| E．All the experiences make you feel the weekend vacation-like. |
| F．But a simple mindset shift can make it happen with no travel involved. |
| G．Not everyone has Saturday and Sunday or any two continuous days off work. |
1. When did the students get to school?
| A．At 4:30. | B．At 5:00. | C．At 5:30. |
| A．Excited. | B．Tired. | C．Sad. |
| A．A dress. | B．A bag. | C．A T-shirt. |
| A．The boat trip. | B．The comfortable hotel. | C．The shopping experience. |
This year’s winter has proven
International Ice and Snow Sculpture (雕塑) Festival is considered to be the
The city started
This year, its careful and considerate details make sure that tourists feel warmly welcomed, cared for and
1. What will take place in the main theater next week?
| A．Some professors will give lectures. |
| B．A student film festival will be held. |
| C．There will be an art exhibition. |
| A．Life of local artists. | B．History of the university. | C．Students’ social activities. |
| A．A museum. | B．An art gallery. | C．The entertainment building. |
| A．In half an hour. | B．In an hour. | C．In an hour and a half. |
1. Where will the man go first?
| A．To England. | B．To Denmark. | C．To Germany. |
| A．Guitar. | B．Drums. | C．Bass guitar. |
| A．He lives in Berlin. |
| B．He will fly to Cairo later. |
| C．He will ride a bus with the man. |
