Question

Should we allow modern buildings to be built next to older buildings in a historic area of a city? In order to answer this question, we must first examine whether people really want to preserve the historic feel of an area. Not all historical buildings are attractive. However, there may be other reasons — for example, economic reasons — why they should be preserved. So, let us assume that historical buildings are both attractive and important to the majority of people. What should we do then if a new building is needed?

In my view, new architectural styles can exist perfectly well alongside an older style. Indeed, there are many examples in my own hometown of Tours where modern designs have been placed very successfully next to old buildings. As long as the building in question is pleasing and does not dominate (影响) its surroundings too much, it often improves the attractiveness of the area.

It is true that there are examples of new buildings which have spoilt (破坏) the area they are in, but the same can be said of some old buildings too. Yet people still speak against new buildings in historic areas. I think this is simply because people are naturally conservative(保守的) and do not like change.

Although we have to respect people’s feelings as fellow users of the buildings, I believe that it is the duty of the architect and planner to move things forward. If we always reproduced what was there before, we would all still be living in caves. Thus, I would argue against copying previous architectural styles and choose something fresh and different, even though that might be the more risky choice.

1.What does the author say about historical buildings in the first paragraph?

A. Most of them are too expensive to preserve.

B. They are more pleasing than modern buildings.

C. They have nothing to do with the historic feel of an area.

D. Some of them are not attractive.

2.Which of the following is TRUE according to the author?

A. Some old buildings have spoilt the area they are in.

B. We should reproduce the same old buildings.

C. Buildings should not dominate their surroundings.

D. No one understands why people speak against new buildings.

3.By “move things forward” in the last paragraph, the author probably means “________”.

A. destroy old buildings

B. put things in a different place

C. choose new architectural style

D. respect people’s feelings for historical buildings

4.What is the main purpose of the passage?

A. To explain why people dislike change.

B. To argue that modern buildings can be built in historic areas.

C. To warn that we could end up living in caves.

D. To admit how new buildings have ruined their surroundings.

Answer

1.D

2.A

3.C

4.B

【解析】

试题分析：文章对于现在人们经常讨论的问题“是否现代的建筑应该和古老的历史建筑在一起”进行了阐述，在作者看来历史建筑应该保存，但是也应该有新的建筑风格，不能因为历史建筑破坏我们的生活。

1.D 细节理解题。根据第一段的句子：not all historical buildings are attractive.可知，一些历史建筑不够有吸引力，故选D。

2.A 推理判断题。根据第三段的第一句It is true that there are examples of new buildings which have spoilt (破坏) the area they are in, but the same can be said of some old buildings too. 可知，作者认为有些新建筑破坏了它们所在的地区，但是相同的也可以说一些旧建筑将它们在的地方破坏了。故选A。

3.C 句意理解题。根据文章第四段的句子：If we always reproduced what was there before,we would all still be living in caves.（如果建筑师不改变建筑风格，我们现在还住在山洞里面），可知“moving things forward”意思是“选择新的建筑风格”，故选C。

4.B 主旨大意题。根据文章第一段第一句Should we allow modern buildings to be built next to older buildings in a historic area of a city?可知，这篇文章是论证现代的建筑可以建在历史遗迹附近，故选B。

考点：考查历史文化类阅读