阅读下列短文, 从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。
A
(2020·北京自主招生)
Four of the Oldest Buildings in the World
Knap of Howar
One of the oldest buildings in the world is the Knap of Howar, which dates back to 3700—3500 BCE. The farmhouse is one of the oldest, still standing stone houses in Europe. It includes two stone homes linked through a hidden passage and joint walls. Archaeologists say Irish or Scottish monks could be the first builders and residents of the Knap of Howar. Although the house is still standing, these abandoned places around the world are better candidates for restoration.
Ggantija Temples
The Megalithic Temples of Malta, or the Ggantija Temples, date back to 3600 to 3200 BCE. The two temples on the island of Malta are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It’s one of the oldest free-standing monuments in the world. Archaeologists think the temple was used for ritual animal sacrifices.
Shunet el-Zebib
Shunet el-Zebib is partially standing, but mostly in ruins. It’s still, however, one of the oldest buildings in the world. The Egyptian temple built in 2750 BCE is of mud and brick. It has an underground tomb as well as an above-ground complex. Architecturally, it’s a nod to the Egyptian pyramids soon to come.
Tomb of Cyrus
Built in 530 BCE, the Tomb of Cyrus is one of Iran’s World Heritage Sites and one of the oldest buildings on the planet. It’s also believed to be one of the first earthquake-protected structures in the world, according to Atlas. The base isolation used on the tomb protects the main structure from moving apart from the foundation.
【文章大意】这是一篇说明文。短文介绍了世界上最古老的四座建筑。
21. What do the four buildings have in common?
A. All of them are located in Europe.
B. All of them are made of stone and mud.
C. All of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
D. All of them were built before the birth of Christ.
【解析】选D。细节理解题。由Knap of Howar中的第一句, Ggantija Temples中的第一句, Shunet el-Zebib中的第三句, 以及Tomb of Cyrus中的第一句可知这四个建筑物都建于公元前, 耶稣的诞辰为公元的划分, 即耶稣诞生前为公元前。所以这四座建筑共同之处是都是在基督出生之前建造的。故选D项。
22. Which of the four buildings may be the strongest?
A. Knap of Howar. B. Ggantija Temples.
C. Shunet el-Zebib. D. Tomb of Cyrus.
【解析】选D。推理判断题。由 Tomb of Cyrus中的描述可知, 据阿特拉斯(Atlas)称, 它也被认为是世界上最早的抗震建筑之一。坟墓上使用的地基隔离层保护主体结构不会从地基上移动。由此推断出, 居鲁士墓是四个建筑中最结实的建筑。故选D项。
23. Which of the following is True according to the passage?
A. Shunet el-Zebib is earthquake-protected.
B. Tomb of Cyrus has an underground tomb.
C. Ggantija Temples are built by Irish monks.
D. Knap of Howar may be the oldest building among the four.
【解析】选D。细节理解题。由Knap of Howar中的“ One of the oldest buildings in the world is the Knap of Howar, which dates back to 3700—3500 BCE”可知, 世界上最古老的建筑之一是霍沃尔小山, 它可以追溯到公元前3700—3500年。所以霍沃尔小山是这四幢建筑中最古老的。故选D项。
