1 . At the beginning of the 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci returned to Florence after almost two decades in the employ of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. Nearing 50, Leonardo was already famed for his scientific gift and artistic achievements. Combining practicality and observation, Leonardo applied the principle of sapere vedere (knowing how to see, in Latin) into as many areas of human enquiry as it led him.
Cesare Borgia, the ambitious son of Pope Alexander VI, became Leonardo’s financial supporter in 1502. One of the first tasks given to Leonardo was to create a map of the city of Imola, near Bologna. Borgia had taken control of the city in 1499. It was a key success for the young commander. Controlling the city would require understanding its geography and landmarks, and Borgia wanted the map from the finest mind of Leonardo in order to do that.
In the 16th century city maps tended to be symbolic and often symbolic, enlarging the size of religious buildings. Leonardo’s “Imola Plan” broke with this tradition, aiming to show the reality on the ground, and to provide a map that was of more practical use.
Leonardo applied a mapping technique developed by Florentine humanist Leon Battista Alberti, who suggested that a town should be mapped using polar coordinates (极坐标系). Starting with Alberti’s technique, Leonardo adapted it to record more accurate distances, proportions, and relationships between features.
The city’s public square was fixed in the middle of the grid (坐标方格). Historians believe that Leonardo collected data on the ground by starting at this central point and then using a compass (罗盘) and odometer (计程器) to measure streets and landmarks. Using geometry, he could then fill in the rest of the map.
Leonardo’s techniques gave rise to the first map that used data to accurately show a “flattened city” as it might be seen from above, what is called an ichnographic (平面图的) map today, perhaps the most familiar type of map used today. Leonardo’s measurements still hold up: According to historians, the “Imola Plan” can still be used to navigate the city five centuries later.
1. Why did Cesare Borgia ask Leonardo da Vinci to map Imola?| A．To rebuild it. | B．To rule it better. |
| C．To attack and take it. | D．To push mapping forward. |
| A．They were always of a large size. |
| B．They were often created by religious groups. |
| C．They gave special attention to certain landmarks. |
| D．They continued the tradition of showing reality. |
| A．Cesare Borgia. | B．Ludovico Sforza. |
| C．Leon Battista Alberti. | D．Pope Alexander VI. |
| A．The popularity of ichnographic maps nowadays. |
| B．The expectation of the development of mapping. |
| C．The improvement of measures used to make maps. |
| D．The importance of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Imola Plan”. |
Would you like to deepen your understanding of diversity, equality,and inclusion (DEI) as it relates to the field of English language teaching? You're invited to join online conversations on these topics as part of a new reading club in the Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Community, accessible through my TESOL. Each week there will be a new article used as a basis for the discussion.
In Week 1, August 9-15, we will discuss "Black Teachers of English in South Korea: Constructing Identities as a Native English Speaker and English Language Teaching Professional" with author Quanisha D.Charles. Throughout the week, the author will post questions for discussion for participants to discuss within the discussion group.
In Week 2, August 16-22, we will discuss "On Issues of Discrimination and Prejudice: What Can TESOL Practitioners Do to Support and Advocate for Refugee Students?" with author Chatwara Suwanamai Duran. Suwanamai will post the initial question(s) for discussion and will take part in the discussion.
To participle, join the online community in my TESOL. More details can be found at TESOL International Association website https://www.tesol.org//dei-reading-club
We look forward to having many meaningful and thoughtful exchanges with you.
1. This piece of information is sent by___.| A．DEI | B．TESOL International Association |
| C．Quanisha D. Charles | D．Chatwara Suwannamai Duran |
| A．Asking Dillion to learn how to teach English. |
| B．Asking Dillion to become a TESOL Practitioner. |
| C．Inviting Dillion to take part in online discussions. |
| D．Inviting Dillion to exchange thoughts about my TESOL. |
| A．Becoming a TESOL practitioner. |
| B．Identities as an English teacher. |
| C．Helping refugee students. |
| D．Discrimination in South Korea. |
3 . It's amazing how we grow from careless kids to responsible teens. What happens in the course that makes us responsible now? It’s the seed that we sow in the beginning which grows and becomes a huge tree.
As a kid, I used to read a lot of story books. In one particular book, I read a story of a bird. It described a male bird which takes a lot of pain to build a nest and the female bird takes shelter in it and nourishes the baby. When the bird learns to fly, the whole family flies off to a different place leaving behind the beautiful nest for other birds to grow their family in it. It made me wonder. How could they so easily sacrifice their house built with so much effort?
One night, when I was deep in sleep, I got this particular dream. I was walking miles on the endless road, totally isolated but lined with beautiful trees on either side. I happened to stop upon seeing something. It was a wonderful house with every corner touched artistically and lovingly. I don’t know why I felt that it was done lovingly. Maybe because, things turn out to be beautiful only when we put our love into it - just like the food prepared by mom which tastes more delicious with her love.
I explored the house only to fall more in love with it. There was a sloping roof which matched with the greenery around; the large central open courtyard reminded me of the activities that might have taken place there which felt lively even now when it is completely deserted. The small water body that kept the house cool added to the beauty of the house - of course, it was all dried up now. It's really wonderful how such things add life to the spaces which otherwise just become structures. Such liveliness and happening turns the house into a home.
When I woke up from the dream, I was clear about everything. I realized where that mile of walk was intending me to lead. I realized what message my dream wanted to convey me. And years later, when finally my turn of choosing my destination came, I simply closed my eyes. When I opened my eyes, I was sure what to do. I decided to choose the road - less traveled. Yes, I took up architecture as my profession because this is what I am destined to do. I wanted to do the same thing that the male bird in the story did, to take pain in building a beautiful house and let others stay in it.
1. When the writer read the story of the bird, he probably felt _______.| A．upset | B．confused |
| C．amazed | D．amused |
| A．the story of the bird | B．his mother's food |
| C．the house in his dream | D．his story books |
| A．mom cooks with her love | B．we are so familiar with mom's food |
| C．moms are better cooks than fathers | D．mom is experienced in cooking |
| A．The greenery surrounding the house. |
| B．The body of water that keeps the house cool. |
| C．The liveliness he sensed around the house. |
| D．The fact that the house was very large. |
| A．how the writer finally becomes an honest citizen |
| B．where the true meaning of responsibility lies |
| C．what we need to do when we are seeking fortune |
| D．why the writer takes up architecture as his career |
