E
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 fivestar 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.
18.London's newest skyscraper is called the Shard because of ________.
A.its cost B.its size
C.its shape D.its height
19.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
20.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
21.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?
答案：
【语篇解读】 本文是一篇说明文。介绍了英国伦敦的地标性建筑——约310米高的欧洲第一高楼——“碎片大厦”。有人说这栋摩天大楼使伦敦看起来更漂亮，但更有批评意见一直伴随着大楼的诞生。
18.C 解析：细节理解题。由第二段中的“It looks like a very thin，sharp piece of broken glass.And that is how the building got the name：the Shard.”可知，这栋楼的名字的由来是其外形像一块很薄、很锋利的碎玻璃片，因此选C项“它的形状”，而非它的“花费、尺寸或高度”。
19.B 解析：细节理解题。第二段中的Piano says that the spire shape of the Shard is part of a great London tradition.(Piano说“碎片大厦”的尖顶外形是伦敦伟大传统的一部分。)解释了设计师的想法，与B项“继承伦敦的传统”相吻合。A项“改变伦敦的天际线”是结果而不是设计初衷，C项“模仿埃及风格”及D项“吸引潜在的游客”文中均未涉及。
20.B 解析：细节理解题。由第五段中的“Only very rich people can afford to buy the expensive private apartments and stay in the hotel.”可知，谈到社会分化的批评家认为“碎片大厦”是“专为有钱人设计的(is intended for wealthy people)”。
21.D 解析：主旨大意题。全文介绍了欧洲第一高楼——英国伦敦的“碎片大厦”。由第一段的最后一句“However，not everyone thinks that it is a change for the better.”可知，对于这个改变，毁誉参半，故D项“碎片大厦：更好的改变?”作为标题最为合适。A项“碎片大厦：欢呼与掌声”只关注了支持者，不够全面。
