A
The Leaning Tower of Pisa was not leaning when it was built in 1173 and it was straight like a pole.It started to shift direction soon after construction because of the poor foundation in addition to the loose layer of subsoil(底土).At the beginning,it leaned to the southeast before the shaky foundation started to shift leaning towards the southwest.After the period of structural strengthening in the beginning of 21st century,now the Leaning Tower of Pisa leans at an angle of 3.97 degrees.
In 1178,the shift in direction was observed for the first time when the construction had progressed further to the third floor.The tower was very heavy for the three-meter foundation that was built on a weak area of land.
For compensating(补偿) the leaning position,the builders started to construct the upper floors with one side higher than the other one.This caused the tower to lean in the other direction.This unusual structure led to the tower being actually curved.In spite of these efforts,the tower kept on leaning.
The government of Italy started to plan a prevention of the complete collapse of the tower in 1964.However,a request was put forward by the authorities to keep the leaning position because of the tourism industry of the region.
After nearly two decades of careful planning by engineers,historians and mathematicians,the stabilization efforts for the Leaning Tower of Pisa started in 1990.The tower was closed for the general public and the people living nearby moved away.For reducing the total weight of the tower,its seven bells which represented the seven musical notes were removed.The tower was reopened for the general public on December 15,2001.
In May 2008,after removing another 70 metric tons of earth,the engineers announced that the tower had been finally stabilized and it would remain stable for at least 200 years.
1.Why did the Leaning Tower of Pisa begin to lean?
A.It was too high like a pole. B.Its foundation was far from strong.
C.The work of repair was delayed. D.Its foundation shook badly.
2.When did people notice the Leaning Tower of Pisa shift its direction?
A.As soon as it was constructed. B.At the end of the construction.
C.Soon after the construction. D.In the course of the construction.
3.Why did the authorities prefer to keep the leaning position of the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
A.They wanted to attract more tourists.
B.They lacked funds then.
C.It was an impossible mission to make the Tower up-straight.
D.They were short of engineers,historians and mathematicians.
4.Which of the following is the right order according to this passage?
a.People noticed the tower began to shift its direction.
b.The repair work was carried out last time.
c.The Leaning Tower of Pisa was repaired for the first time.
d.The Leaning Tower of Pisa was built.
e.The tower was opened to the visitors again.
f.The government started to make a plan for the tower.
A.c,d,a,f,b,e B.f,e,a,d,c,b C.d,e,b,f,c,a D.d,a,f,c,e,b
语篇解读:本文是记叙文。主要介绍了比萨斜塔倾斜的原因以及目前的状况。
答案及剖析:
1.B 细节理解题。根据文章第一段中because of the poor foundation in addition to the loose layer of subsoil可知,塔开始倾斜的原因之一是地基不牢固,故选B项。
2.D 细节理解题。根据第二段第一句In 1178,the shift in direction was observed for the first time when the construction had progressed further to the third floor.可知,人们是在建设中发现比萨斜塔倾斜的,故选D项。
3.A 细节理解题。根据第四段中第二句However,a request was put forward by the authorities to keep the leaning position because of the tourism industry of the region.可知,考虑到当地的旅游业,也就是为了吸引更多的游客,当权者希望保持斜塔的倾斜。故选A项。
4.D 细节排序题。根据题目中所列举的事实发生的时间可知,D项的顺序和文章的内容保持一致,故选D项。
