On March 31, the Eiffel Tower celebrated its 130th anniversary since it opened.
The tower was created by the French engineer Gustave Eiffel and was first intended as the main entrance
Visitors today can choose to climb 1,665 steps or take one of the original elevator cars
Today, the Eiffel Tower is a symbol of France, representing a feeling of pride and thankfulness. It is a global icon that can bring together people from different
2 . In valleys with thick plants, different-sized round and square buildings with faded yellow clay walls and wooden roofs, tulou lie in mountainous villages in Longyan, Fujian Province. There are more than 23,000 tulou in Yongding, which became well-known after 46 were given World Heritage status by UNESCO in 2008. “The structures were awarded because they are exceptional examples of a building of tradition and function demonstrating a particular type of communal living and defensive organization, and, in terms of their harmonious relationship with their environment, an outstanding example of human settlement,” UNESCO said.
The giant multi-storied tulou were built with wood and mud walls. Constructed from the 15th to 20th centuries, these massive communal homes were sited based on feng shui principles, which claim to use energy forces to harmonize individuals with their environment. Tulou are also purposefully resting amid tea, tobacco, rice plantations and abundant forests of pine and bamboo.
Throughout history, tulou residents have mostly been Hakka — migrants in southern China. Population pressures created conflict between the Hakka and their neighbors, so they built their homes to double as defending. The buildings are mainly four or five stories high. The first floor serves as the kitchen, the second is used for grain storage and the upper floors act as living areas. The structures are mainly symmetrical, and their defensive features include ironclad gates, escape tunnels, narrow openings for weapons under the dark-tiled roofs, and a water well. For their defensive function, only rooms on the third floor and higher have windows, which are very small. With sufficient food, the residents could survive in the event of a lengthy conflict.
Communal living is integrity to these villages, where the closed wall design boosts social interaction. Residents gather in the courtyard for ceremonies such as ancestor worship and weddings. Tulou is such an extraordinary piece of architecture, living up to the title given by UNESCO.
1. What do we know about tulou?A.Over 23,000 tulou were given World Heritage status. |
B.Among 23,000 tulou, only 46 became famous globally. |
C.They’re exceptional buildings of tradition and function. |
D.Tulou is the most outstanding Chinese human settlement. |
A.Escape tunnels. | B.Enough food. | C.Small windows. | D.Defensive weapons. |
A.Favorable. | B.Unclear. | C.Negative. | D.Unconcerned. |
A.Tulou: in Harmony with Their Environments |
B.Tulou: Different-Sized Round and Square Buildings |
C.Tulou: Given the World Heritage Status by UNESCO in 2008 |
D.Tulou: a Special Chinese Structure Combining Living and Defending |
3 . 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. |
4 . For people who are planning a trip, a visit to a museum might not be the first thing they think of. After all, there are plenty of ways to appreciate the world’s civilization, gain exciting experiences and spend quality time with family and friends.
Museums are where people learn something new, at every age! Are you interested in something specific?
Museums support tourism. They are tourism promoters in small towns and large cities. Museums aren’t a burden on tax revenue (税收) or a separate concern from other city projects.
Museums shape communities. They have activities and exhibitions through which visitors can learn about local history. Museums are places where a shared heritage is celebrated and a collective identity is formed. They provide an interesting public space where people meet and talk to each other.
A.Museums bring out the best qualities in children. |
B.Museums often deliver kids-centered exhibitions. |
C.Instead, they generate funding and fuel employment. |
D.Then, visit a local museum to learn about that subject. |
E.Even shopping at the gift shop there is an opportunity for connection. |
F.On the contrary, they consume a small percentage of city funds annually. |
G.The fact, however, is that museums offer magical benefits in many ways. |
5 . The Great Wall in China is one of the greatest wonders of the world and also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Different sections of the Great Wall have distinctive landscapes, and in this flower-blooming season, which one would you prefer to take a tour of?
Badaling Great Wall
The Badaling Great Wall is located in the northwest suburb of Beijing. It extends in all directions and therefore got its name as Badaling. Due to the strategic importance of Badaling, it was the place where the military fought in the past.
Mutianyu Great Wall
The Mutianyu Great Wall, 70 kilometers from urban Beijing, is known as the best part of the Great Wall. With a unique architectural style, it expresses the essence of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty(1368-1644). The ancient architecture and the beauty of nature is blended into one harmonious whole, giving rise to Mutianyu’s reputation as having the most unique beauty anywhere along the ten-thousand-mile-long Great Wall.
Simatai Great Wall
For anyone intent on experiencing a section of the Great Wall that keeps a more antiquated air, the Great Wall at Simatai remains one of the best options. It is also the only section of the Great Wall that provides a night tour for tourists. It is said that since the Ming Dynasty, there has been a tradition that people holding palace lanterns visit this section.
Jiankou Great Wall
The Jiankou section is one of the most dangerous parts and mountain hikers usually call it “the wild Great Wall”. With a total length of 7,952 meters, the Jiankou Great Wall was built during the Ming Dynasty and was neglected, becoming damaged over time. It is much preferred by photographers due to its primitive appearance.
1. Which section of the Great Wall is the best option for architecture lovers?A.Badaling Great Wall. | B.Mutianyu Great Wall. |
C.Simatai Great Wall. | D.Jiankou Great Wall. |
A.The Badaling got its name due to its strategic importance. |
B.The Mutianyu Great Wall covers a distance of 70 kilometers. |
C.Tourists must hold palace lanterns to visit the Simatai Great Wall. |
D.The Jiankou Great Wall’s original features have attracted photographers. |
A.A history textbook. | B.A research paper. |
C.A travel brochure. | D.An architecture magazine. |
6 . Considered a symbol( 象征) of ancient Chinese
No one can tell for sure when the building of the Great Wall was
Today the Great Wall has become a
A.organization | B.civilization | C.destinations | D.graduation |
A.wonders | B.sources | C.paths | D.honors |
A.wall | B.cock | C.dragon | D.panda |
A.under | B.before | C.about | D.through |
A.height | B.width | C.length | D.depth |
A.registered | B.designed | C.applied | D.started |
A.protect | B.debate | C.frighten | D.compete |
A.city | B.empire | C.castle | D.system |
A.cleaned | B.signed | C.made | D.joined |
A.goal | B.type | C.role | D.power |
A.challenging | B.amazing | C.confusing | D.outgoing |
A.heart | B.mistake | C.hand | D.foot |
A.transported | B.buried | C.attracted | D.delivered |
A.traps | B.shelters | C.failure | D.ruins |
A.must-see | B.must-do | C.must- have | D.must-read |