Question

Since is was built during the Ming Dynasty, it’s said that the Forbidden City has survived more than 200 earthquakes. For an old building made from wood and stone, that’s really impressive. But what’s even more impressive is the intelligent(智能) design feature(特點(diǎn)) that’s kept it standing for all these years.

According to experts, the answer to the Forbidden City’s strength(牢固), as well as other ancient Chinese buildings’, lies in dougong — a centuries-old building method invented in China. This is the name for special brackets(構(gòu)件) on building. Although being held together without any nails(釘子) or glue, the brackets are perfect at keeping structures together when the weather gets bad.

“Dougong design is an important earthquake resistant(抗震的) feature of classical Chinese structures, because the framework(框架) changes in shape when under pressure, much like the shock absorbers(減震器) of a car,” according to Chinese National Geography. “Ancient Chinese craftsmen(工匠) created structures that were both lasting and aesthetically(在美學(xué)方面) pleasing, showing their advanced understanding of architecture, materials, and structural science.”

A recent television documentary by UK broadcaster Channel 4 put the skills of the ancient building’s designers to the test. A group of Chinese craftsmen and engineers were shown building a scale model(按比例制作的模型) of one of the Forbidden City’s places, at one fifth of the size.

To show how strong ancient Chinese architecture really is, the model went through a simulated(模擬的) earthquake of 9.5 on the Richter scale—equivalent(等同于) to the largest ever recorded quake — and survived. Instead of falling apart, the model was just moved gently during the test.

The Forbidden City draws visitors because of its rich history and cultural importance, but perhaps it should add one more thing to its list of attractions: earthquake shelter.

1.What is the article mainly about?

A.What has made the Forbidden City a popular tourist destination.

B.What has helped the Forbidden City survive so many earthquakes.

C.The characteristics(特點(diǎn)) of Chinese architecture during the Ming Dynasty.

D.Different building methods used in ancient Chinese structures.

2.The aim of the test in the UK documentary was to __________.

A.recreate a real earthquake from the Ming Dynasty

B.discover a long-lost Chinese building method

C.explain the impact(影響) of earthquakes on ancient buildings

D.prove the strength of ancient Chinese architecture

3.According to the article, “dougong” is __________.

A.a paint that gives Chinese buildings an attractive look

B.a tool used by ancient people to measure earthquakes

C.a special building part that keeps a traditional Chinese building together

D.a building piece located in the center of a traditional Chinese house

4.The underlined word architecture in the third paragraph means __________.

A.方法 B.建筑 C.設(shè)計 D.應(yīng)用

5.The Forbidden City is not attractive because of tis__________.

A.earthquake shelter B.rich history

C.ancient Chinese craftsmen D.cultural importance

Answer 1