Ⅰ.阅读理解
You may know the Eiffel Tower as one of the most famous manmade monuments(纪念塔) in the world, and you'd be absolutely right! Read on to learn about the history of the great Eiffel Tower.
Travelers from around the world flock (蜂拥)to Paris, France, to visit the Eiffel Tower, making it the most visited paid monument in the entire world! In fact, in 2010, the Eiffel Tower welcomed its 250 millionth visitor!
The history of the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower was named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the famous monument.Construction began in January of 1887 and was completed in about two years.Their plan was to finish the tower in time to be the entrance arch for the World's Fair in 1889.This fair celebrated the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, which took place from 1789 to 1799.
The height competition
Located on the Champs de Mars, the tower is the tallest structure in Paris.It was the tallest manmade structure in the world for 41 years until the Chrysler Building in New York was built.Then the spire (尖顶) on the top of the tower was added, raising its height to 17 feet taller than the Chrysler Building.It is now 1,063 feet tall! There are various copies of the Eiffel Tower in the world including a halfscale model at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.
Three shades of the wonder
Some pictures make the Eiffel Tower look like a dark iron color.But it is, in fact, bronze.Not only that, but the tower is actually painted three different shades to make it appear even taller: darkest on the bottom and lightest on the top.
本文是一篇说明文，主要介绍了埃菲尔铁塔的历史及其相关信息。
1．Why was the Eiffel Tower constructed?
A．To show great respect for Gustave Eiffel.
B．To make Paris the most visited city in the world.
C．To be the sign of French people's construction skill.
D．To be the entrance arch for the World's Fair in 1889.
答案：D
解析：细节理解题。根据第三段中的“Their plan was to finish the tower in time to be the entrance arch for the World's Fair in 1889.”可知，埃菲尔铁塔是为了作为当时的世博会的入口拱门而修建的。故选D。
2．Which of the following does the author mention in the passage?
A．The political meaning of the Eiffel Tower.
B．The disadvantages of the Eiffel Tower.
C．The location of the Eiffel Tower.
D．The cost of the Eiffel Tower.
答案：C
解析：细节理解题。根据第四段中的“Located on the Champs de Mars，the tower is the tallest structure in Paris.”可知，文中提到了埃菲尔铁塔的位置。故选C。其他三项文中均未涉及。
3．What can we know about the Eiffel Tower according to the passage?
A．It is the most famous manmade monument.
B．It has a halfscale model at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.
C．It was finished in exactly two years.
D．It is made of iron.
答案：B
解析：细节理解题。根据第四段最后一句可知，埃菲尔铁塔在世界各地有多个复制品，其中一处位于Paris Hotel in Las Vegas，故选B。
4．What's the main purpose of the passage?
A．To introduce the historical meaning of the Eiffel Tower.
B．To raise people's awareness of protecting the Eiffel Tower.
C．To offer people some information about the Eiffel Tower.
D．To call on people to visit the Eiffel Tower.
答案：C
解析：写作意图题。根据文章第一段以及后面各个小标题可知，文章主要介绍了埃菲尔铁塔的历史及其相关信息，故选C。
