Ⅰ.阅读理解
London's newest skyscraper (摩天大楼) is called the Shard and it cost about 430 million pounds to build.At a height of almost 310 metres, it is the tallest building in Europe.The Shard has completely changed the appearance of London.However, not everyone thinks that it is a change for the better.
The Shard was designed by the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano.When he began designing the Shard for London, Piano wanted a very tall building that looked like a spire (尖顶)．He wanted the glass surfaces to reflect the sky and the city.The sides of the building aren't regular.So the building has an unusual shape.It looks like a very thin, sharp piece of broken glass.And that is how the building got the name: the Shard.Piano says that the spire shape of the Shard is part of a great London tradition.The shape reminds him of the spires of the churches of London or the tall masts (桅杆) of the ships that were once on the river Thames.
The Shard has 87 floors.At the top, there is an observatory.At the moment the building is empty, but eventually there will be a five－star hotel.There will also be top quality restaurants, apartments and offices.
Before building work began, a lot of people didn't want the Shard though the plans were approved.Now they are still unhappy about the Shard.Some critics say that such a tall skyscraper might be good in a city like New York, but not in London.They say that the best thing about the Shard is its spire shape.But that is the only thing.There is no decoration, only flat surfaces.The Egyptians did that 4,500 years ago.They also think the Shard is too big for London.It destroys the beauty of the city.
Other critics don't like what the Shard seems to represent.They say that the Shard shows how London is becoming more unequal.Only very rich people can afford to buy the expensive private apartments and stay in the hotel.But the people who live near the Shard are among the poorest in London.So the Shard seems a symbol of the division in society between the very rich and the poor.
The Shard now dominates the London skyline.It is not certain, however, that ordinary London citizens will ever accept it as a valuable addition to the city.
本文介绍了伦敦最新的摩天大楼—the Shard。介绍了其设计理念、未来用途以及批评家们对它的批判。
1．London's newest skyscraper is called the Shard because of________.
A．its cost B．its size
C．its shape D．its height
答案：C
解析：细节理解题。由文章第二段信息“So the building has an unusual shape.It looks like a very thin, sharp piece of broken glass.And that is how the building got the name：the Shard.”可知，伦敦最新的摩天大楼因其形状(shape)而得名the Shard，故C项正确。
2．When he designed the Shard, Piano wanted it to________.
A．change London's skyline B．inherit London's tradition
C．imitate the Egyptian style D．attract potential visitors
答案：B
解析：细节理解题。由文章第二段信息“Piano says that the spire shape of the Shard is part of a great London tradition.The shape reminds him of the spires of the churches of London or the tall masts (桅杆) of the ships that were once on the river Thames.”可知，这种尖顶的外形是伦敦伟大传统的一部分，这个形状使他想起伦敦教堂的尖顶，或者是曾经泰晤士河上船的高高的桅杆，即：这样设计的目的是继承伦敦的传统。故B项正确。
3．The critics who refer to social division think the Shard________.
A．is only preferred by the rich
B．is intended for wealthy people
C．is far away from the poor area
D．is popular only with Londoners
答案：B
解析：推理判断题。由文章第三段及倒数第二段内容可知，the Shard 会包含一些五星级宾馆、高等公寓等，而其他的批评家说the Shard表明了伦敦正变得更加不平等，因为只有富人才能买得起昂贵的私人公寓和待在这样的五星级宾馆里。the Shard就是贫富分化的标志，由此推知B项正确。
4．Which would be the best title for the passage?
A．The Shard : Cheers and Claps
B．The Shard: Work of a Great Architect
C．The Shard: New Symbol of London?
D．The Shard: A Change for the Better?
答案：D
解析：主旨大意题。本文主要介绍了伦敦最新的摩天大楼——the Shard，它的设计初衷，以及批评家提出的一些观点。特别是文章第一段的最后一句话“However, not everyone thinks that it is a change for the better.”给了很好的提示，故D项正确。
