A
“We're stopping here? At this shabby old building?” Then I was told that the Sanhe Tile Kiln（三和瓦窑） was a national treasure. Seriously? My heart sank as we walked toward what appeared to be a mass of dirt. The place looked like no national treasure I'd ever seen. My disappointment soon melted into expectation as we walked into the Sanhe Tile Kiln. I soon realized that this wasn't just any old building. This place, hidden in the heart of Kaohsiung, revolutionized the production of bricks in Taiwan. The piles I had mistaken for dirt were actually clay: a key ingredient in bricks.
Long ago, many buildings around Taiwan were made from bricks sourced from Fujian Province. But this all changed when hundreds of brick of kilns popped up all over the island. Of the 130-plus brick-making kilns that once operated in Kaohsiung, the Sanhe Tile Kiln is the last one standing. This traditional brick and tile factory has been in operation for over 100 years. Considered a national treasure, the factory is part of the cultural heritage of the island.
At the Sanhe Tile Kiln, making quality bricks is serious business. Good clay and water are essential, and fortunately, the Dashu District of Kaohsiung has exceptional clay and water. Workers dig clay out of the ground and put it through a machine to break it up. Water is then added, and the mixture is put into another machine to form clay blocks. When the blocks are the desired shape, they are set aside to dry. Then the bricks are stacked in the kiln. Next, workers start a fire with straw and slowly raise the kiln's temperature until it reaches 1, 000 degrees Celsius. Throughout this process, the temperature must rise steadily or else the bricks will break.
Making bricks is a long process, taking three to four months. It requires a lot of hard work, patience and dedication. But in the end, it's worth it. I left the Sanhe Tile Kiln with a greater appreciation for the art of brick making.
1. What made the author disappointed at first?
A. The value of the kiln. B. The appearance of the kiln.
C. The location of the kiln. D. The history of the kiln.
2. What can be inferred from Paragraph 2?
A. Sanhe Tile Kiln is still functioning now.
B. Bricks used to come from Shandong Province.
C. Thousands of brick of kilns were set up all over the island.
D. Making bricks requires a lot of hard work.
3. How is Paragraph 3 mainly developed?
A. By listing figures. B. By presenting causes.
C. By describing process. D. By following time order.
4. What is the best title for the text?
A. A Place Worth Rebuilding B. Treasure or Clay?
C. A Cultural Tour D. Welcome to the Factory!
