10 . In the ancient walled city of Sana’a, mud skyscrapers rise high into the sky. The towering structures are built entirely out of earth and decorated with striking geometric patterns. The local mud architecture is so unique that the city has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
“As an outstanding example of architecture reflecting the spatial characteristics of the early years, the city in its landscape has an extraordinary artistic and pictorial quality,” UNESCO writes in its description of Sana’a. “The buildings also demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship in the use of local materials and techniques.”
Even though the buildings in Sana’a are thousands of years old, they remain “terribly contemporary”, says Salma Samar Damliyi, co-founder of the Mud Brick Architecture Foundation. The ancient structures are still inhabited today and most remain private residences. Damliyi says it is easy to see why these mud buildings have not lost their appeal — they are well-insulated(绝缘的)，sustainable and extremely adaptable for modern use. “It is the architecture of the future,” says Damliyi.
Architects around the world are reviving (复兴) raw-earth construction as they seek to construct sustainable buildings that can resist extreme weather events such as flash floods and intense heat. Could this ancient form of architecture influence the design of our future homes?
The construction industry accounts for 38% of global carbon dioxide emissions. The building sector has an important role to play if the world is to meet the goal of reaching net zero by 2050. Concrete, a common modern construction material, has a huge carbon footprint. Replacing concrete with less polluting materials is critical to achieving our climate goals, scientists warn.
The ancient material, mud, could be the perfect sustainable alternative to concrete, according to Damliyi. Constructing with mud has a very low impact on the environment and the material itself is fully recyclable, she says. “If you want to pull down a wall or change the design, you can recycle all the materials.” An added bonus is that mud buildings are warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This reduces the need for air conditioning units, which consume large amounts of electricity and contain refrigerants that comprise greenhouse gas emissions. Mud structures are also incredibly strong and resistant to extreme weather, such as heatwaves, floods and droughts, which scientists say will become more frequent and intense as temperatures continue to rise.
Therefore, people who wish to live in a modern, comfortable home should consider one made of mud. Overall, it makes for highly advanced as well as sustainable design.
1. According to the first two paragraphs, buildings in Sana’a are “unique” because ________ .
| A．they are tall and tower over the entire city |
| B．their geometric patterns create artistic feelings |
| C．they are beautifully crafted with local resources |
| D．their fascinating history has attracted many tourists |
2. Which of the following is TRUE about mud materials according to the passage?
| A．They can reduce the chance of extreme weather events. |
| B．They can be ideal for sustainable future construction. |
| C．They might produce lots of greenhouse gas emissions. |
| D．They might cause substantial temperature changes. |
3. It can be inferred from the passage that
.
| A．mud might be an important solution to the climate crisis |
| B．the mud buildings in Sana’a are no longer suitable to live |
| C．rebuilding mud construction would take great efforts |
| D．mud becomes the favourite material of architects |
4. What do you think might be the best title of the passage?
| A．The Historic Cities that Mark Human Civilization |
| B．The Construction Industry that Threatens Climate Goals |
| C．The Modern Architecture that Survives Extreme Weather |
| D．The Ancient Material that Makes for Future House Designs |
