When we think of how cities will look in the future,we probably picture tall gray buildings and skies filled with flying cars.
One city in Australia,however,is trying to change that image.
Earlier this month,it was reported that the city of Melbourne plans to build a pair of tall towers,which look more like massive (巨大的) tree houses than skyscrapers (摩天大楼).
The project,known as the Green Spine,will turn Melbourne’s skyline from gray to green once the two towers are completed,with one of the buildings becoming the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere,at 356.2 meters tall.
Both towers will have balconies running down one side,filled with plants and trees.
Meanwhile,on the top of each tower,a botanical garden will offer a relaxing space where visitors can enjoy nature,away from the noise of the city.
“Our green spaces are our city’s lungs,its shade from the sun,”building architect Phil Rowe said in a news release.
In spite of their proposed (计划的) size,these buildings are just a small part of a wider trend for greener and more eco-friendly structures.
Plans are already underway in several cities around the world to build entire skyscrapers from wood,with an 18-story building made from pine already existing in Minneapolis,US.
Indeed,in this modern age of technology and tall buildings,it seems that people just want a touch of nature in their lives.
“The 20th century was the concrete (混凝土的) age;it was all about the dominion(统治) of man over nature,”British architect Anthony Thistleton told the BBC.
“Now,we’re transitioning (转变) toward a different attitude,a more nurturing (滋养的) one.”
The move toward making cities greener places isn’t a new concept.
One just needs to look at places such as New York’s Central Park to see that natural spaces and sprawling (伸展的) cities have been partners for hundreds of years.
And,of course,wooden buildings themselves have been around far longer than concrete and steel ones.
In fact,China’s wooden Fogong Temple Pagoda,located in Shanxi province,is still standing almost 1,000 years after it was built.
So,like many other trends from fashion to technology,it seems that humankind is taking a step backwards to a simpler time.
Our future may not be as we pictured it,but it’ll certainly be a lot greener.
1.According to the text,Melbourne’s Green Spine will be .
A.the highest buildings in the world B.made entirely from wood
C.skyscrapers to solve pollution problems D.filled with green plants and trees
2.Why did the author mention New York’s Central Park and China’s wooden Fogong Temple Pagoda?
A.To compare their design concepts.
B.To show the idea of green cities has a long history.
C.To point out where the Green Spine drew inspiration from.
D.To stress concrete and steel buildings will be out of date soon.
3.What will the trend of future buildings probably be,according to the author?
A.They will be taller and brighter. B.They will be filled with high-tech concepts.
C.They will be more eco-friendly. D.They will no longer use concrete and steel.
语篇解读:本文主要介绍了墨尔本市将要建造两座巨塔,而这两座巨塔的设计融入了绿色、环保的理念。
答案及剖析:
1.D 细节理解题。根据第五段“Both towers will have balconies running down one side,filled with plants and trees.”可知,D项符合题意。
2.B 细节理解题。根据倒数第六段“The move toward making cities greener places isn’t a new concept.”可知,B项符合题意。
3.C 推理判断题。根据最后一段“Our future may not be as we pictured it,but it’ll certainly be a lot greener.”可知,C项符合题意。
