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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.
【小题1】London’s newest skyscraper is called the Shard because of ._____
A.its cost
B.its size
C.its shape
D.its height
【小题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
【小题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
【小题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?
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   The people of Reykjavik are used to lying down for the winter, when each day brings with it only a few hours of sunlight. February coming, they’re more than ready to wake up from hibernation(冬眠)and welcome the first signs of spring. The local authorities decided this was a good time of a year to try to raise people’s spirits, and in 2002 they set up the Winter Lights Festival(February 7 to 10). Starting out as Museum Night, when museums waived their fees and stayed open until midnight, the festival has grown to an event that marks the coming return of daylight. For a few days, the city comes alive with bright lights, street performances, theater, dances, and live music. Shops, cafés, outdoor hot pools and the museums stay open until 12:00 pm and they’re all free of charge, with free bus services provided. Here are another two things about Reykjavik that will help you celebrate the coming end of winter.

The Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s most famous tourist attraction. Being an amazing place at any time of day, it is magical at dusk, when the steamy, ice blue waters shine in color. Little wooden bridges and walkways connect smaller pools with a larger pool, which contains geothermal(地热的)seawater heated from 37℃ to 39℃. The Lava Restaurant has great views over the waters. Basic entrance to the lagoon costs $ 44.

The Imagine Peace Tower, Yoko Ono’s memorial to John Lennon, was first lit by Ono on October 9, 2007, Lennon’s birthday, and shone until December 8, the date he was killed in 1980. It’s lit on the same date every year, as well as New Year’s Eve and spring equinox, which in 2013 is on March 20. The tower contains 15 searchlights that send a column of lights 4,000m up into the night sky. Guided tours are available(可获得的)with pick-up from your hotel for $ 39.

【小题1】The Winter Lights Festival was set up to _______________.
A.attract touristsB.light the city up
C.cheer people upD.wake people up
【小题2】The underlined word “waived” in the first paragraph probably means “_________________”.
A.keptB.gave up
C.raisedD.cut off
【小题3】According to the Paragraph 2, what can we know?
A.You can only visit the Blue Lagoon at dusk.
B.The water of the Blue Lagoon is beautiful.
C.The Lava Restaurant is Iceland’s most famous restaurant.
D.$ 44 can cover all the costs when you visit the Blue Lagoon.
【小题4】When did John Lennon pass away?
A.On October 9, 2007.B.On March 20, 2013.
C.On December 8, 1980.D.On New Year’s Eve in 1980.