1 . When architects Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal were invited to redesign a small, triangular plaza in a residential district in Bordeaux, France in the mid-1990s, they decided that the best design would be no design at all. After studying the site and interviewing its residents, the architects informed the city that the best plan would be to leave the park alone. “Embellishment (装饰) has no place here,” they wrote in their project statement. “There was no need to rebuild,” they noted. “Quality, charm, and life already exist.”

The pair runs a firm named Lacaton & Vassal. Most of their built projects lie in locations around France, within a train ride of their Paris studio. They are as focused on preserving existing buildings as they are on building. In the words of London-based architect Dieter Kleiner, their work is almost anti-architecture. Now their anti-architecture is receiving institutional attention: In March 2021, Lacaton and Vassal were awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize. The jury (评判委员会) noted their “democratic spirit” as well as “a commitment to a restorative architecture that is at once technological, innovative and ecologically responsive”.

In 2017, when tasked with the redesign of some 1960s apartment blocks in Bordeaux, Lacaton and Vassal chose not to tear down the structures. Instead, they upgraded the existing 530 units with garden terraces (露台) that expanded the size of the dwellings and increased access to fresh air and sunlight — all without asking a single tenant (居住者) to move out while the work was done. They used materials common to greenhouse construction, such as silver solar curtains, which allowed them to create cost-effective indoor and outdoor spaces that could be adjusted according to the weather: admitting light and air on pleasant days, or blocking the sun when summer heat is at its peak.

For the architects, this is part of their motto: “Never demolish, never remove or replace, always add, transform and reuse!” The selection of Lacaton and Vassal by the Pritzker jury marks a socially minded turn for the prize, which — with a few exceptions — has generally awarded form-making above everything else.

1. What can we learn about Lacaton and Vassal from the text?

A．Their projects are mostly located in Paris.

B．They are devoted to maintaining old buildings.

C．They started an architecture firm in the mid-1990s.

D．Their architecture style is similar to Dieter Kleiner’s.

2. What did Lacaton and Vassal do with the 1960s apartment blocks in Bordeaux?

A．They built a solar-powered greenhouse for the tenants.

B．They adopted a cost-effective way to create adjustable spaces.

C．They pulled down part of the structures and added garden terraces.

D．They expanded the size of the apartments by building more rooms.

3. Which is a major feature of the majority of buildings redesigned by Lacaton and Vassal?

A．They use quality materials.

B．They are upgraded in a sustainable way.

C．They usually involve little embellishment.

D．They are made to be modern by using new technologies.

4. What is the significance of the two architects’ winning the Pritzker Prize?

A．It promotes the idea of innovation.

B．It shows the trend of future architecture.

C．It signals an important shift in architectural values.

D．It proves the importance of the form of architecture.

2 . Sometimes the best family vacations are those spur-of-the-moment trips that require just a little bit of planning and a short drive in the car. These last-minute ideas will get you out of the city and into the fun.

Boston to Fitchburg, Mass.

TIME IN CAR: 1 HOUR

Drive northwest out of Boston to this city with a small-town feel. The nearby Leominster State Forest has plenty of options for exploring the outdoors. Then head indoors and cool down as you browse the artwork at downtown Fitchburg Art Museum.

Pit stop: Historic Concord, Mass., is the perfect place to stop for lunch and visit the Orchard House.

Dallas to Grapevine, Texas

TIME IN CAR: 30 MINUTES

Kids will love the Grapevine Vintage Railroad in this historic town. Climb aboard trains pulled by an 1896 steam locomotive (蒸汽机车) or a 1953 diesel engine (柴油机车) for a short ride to and from the Fort Worth Stockyards.

Pit stop: Not so much a pit stop as a side trip, the 5.2-acre Nash Farm in Grapevine gives visitors a quick look at life in 19th-century Texas.

Philadelphia to the Pocono Mountains

TIME IN CAR: 2 HOURS

Make a break from the City of Brotherly Love and head for the hills. Miles of trails are perfect for hiking and biking, and sandy lakeside beaches are a great place to relax. After a day spent out in the sun, use the evening to explore the region’s charming rural towns.

Pit stop: Stop at the Crossing Premium Outlets in Tannersville, Pa., and browse more than 100 stores for take-home gifts.

Washington to Williamsburg, Va.

TIME IN CAR: 3 HOURS

Pack up the family and head southeast to see Revolutionary War history come to life at Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown Victory Center, England’s first permanent colony at Jamestown. The kids will be amazed at the way people used to make everyday items such as shoes and baskets – and they might just learn something, too.

Pit stop: Go to Bowling Green, Va., an “All-American City” with historic ties. Old Victorian and colonial homes line the streets.

1. What does the underlined word “spur-of-the-moment” in Paragraph mean?

A．Newly-planned.	B．Well-prepared.
C．Carefully-made.	D．Long-expected.

2. If you want to go hiking, the trip will take you ________ by car.

A．3 hours	B．2 hours
C．1 hour	D．30 minutes

3. What can we know about the passage?

A．The Pocono Mountains have sandy beaches only for kids to explore.

B．A simple meal at downtown Fitchburg Art Museum can be wonderful.

C．A visit to Scotland’s first permanent colony at Jamestown provides new experiences.

D．Historic trains are a fun way to introduce kids to the way the world worked before cars.

7 . Discover all the great Sydney attractions. You’ll find many memorable things to do and fascinating museums to visit in Sydney, Australia.

Australian Museum

The Australian Museum (AM) was founded in 1827 and is well-known as the nation’s first museum. The AM has been transformed and visitors can now enjoy transformed spaces and updated facilities. Free general admission includes entry to all permanent exhibitions and Prehistoric Playground, which is open daily on Level 2 and features a variety of activities for children of all ages including a fossil lab and interactive dinosaur design station.

Art Gallery of New South Wales

Explore five levels of art at one of Australia's most popular art museums, located within beautiful parklands overlooking Sydney Harbour, just 10 minutes’ walk from the city.

See an extensive collection of Australian art，including one of the largest galleries of aboriginal (土著的) art in the country, alongside Asian treasures and leading local and international contemporary art.

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia - MCA

The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia is Australia’s leading museum dedicated to exhibiting, interpreting and collecting contemporary art from across Australia.

Located at Circular Quay, the MCA is housed in the former Maritime Services building, a fine example of late Art Deco architecture.

Australian National Maritime Museum

Located at the waterfront of Darling Harbour, the Maritime Museum is an indoor/outdoor attraction and great entertainment for the whole family. The museum has one of the largest and most diverse in-water fleets (舰队) in the world. The museum hosts six permanent galleries, an ever-changing program of temporary exhibitions, and a 3D cinema, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

1. What is Australian Museum famous for?

A．The lowest price.	B．Contemporary art.
C．Outdoor attractions.	D．The longest history.

2. Where should you go if you want to appreciate treasures from Asia?

A．Australian Museum.

B．Art Gallery of New South Wales.

C．Australian National Maritime Museum.

D．Museum of Contemporary Art Australia — MCA.

3. Which of the following can be seen in Australian National Maritime Museum?

A．A 3D cinema.	B．A design station.
C．Local contemporary art.	D．Late Art Deco architecture.

9 . If you’re traveling to South America in summer, you should have Patagonia (at the southern end of South America) high up on your list of things to do. With this list, I show you the best places to visit in Patagonia. The climate down there is pretty rough, especially in the very south - if you plan to do hiking or camping, the best time for a trip is between the end of November and the beginning of March.

1. Bariloche, Argentina

The fact that Bariloche is well connected (airport, direct bus to and from Buenos Aires) makes it the perfect starting point of a round trip through Patagonia. But more than that: the combination of mountains, lakes and green forests results in its beautiful scenery.

2. Futaleufú, Chile

Further down south and a bit harder to access is the small Chilean village Futaleufú which is located at the border to Argentina. The reason which makes it worth it: the Futaleufú River is often referred to as one of the best white water spots for rafting in the world. The landscape along the river is unique and, due to its location, still pretty much untouched.

3. Puerto Rio Tranquilo, Chile

If you want to get there quickly, you should travel through Argentina and cross over to Chile Chico as this place is also very remote. The reason to do so: the marble caves in the General Carrera lake.

4. Torres del Paine, Chile

Personally the national park Torres del Paine is my number 1 attraction in Patagonia - you should take some time and do a multi-day trek to experience as much of it as possible: glaciers, forests, impressive mountain ranges, lagoons and rivers.

1. What is the best time for hiking in Patagonia?

A．October 1—November 1	B．December 25—January 15
C．March 5—April 1	D．November 5—June 7

2. Which of the following about the Futaleufú River is true?

A．It lies in an easily accessible village.	B．It is ignored due to rafting sports.
C．It is the best rafting river in the world.	D．It still has untouched landscapes.

3. Which place attracts the author most in Patagonia?

A．Bariloche.	B．Futaleufú.
C．Puerto Rio Tranquilo.	D．Torres del Paine.