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New York City is home to some of the tallest buildings on Earth. Recently, a new skyscraper joined them. This time it’s the thinnest in the world.
After years of development, Steinway Tower is now complete (完成的). The height of the building is 435 meters. But it’s just 18 meters wide. The width-to-height ratio (比例) is 1 : 24. That makes the building look very thin, like a chopstick sticking up (竖起) from the ground. For context (供参考), CITIC Tower, known as China Zun Tower in Beijing, stands at 528 meters, but is 84 meters wide.
※Secret superpower
You don’t need to worry that the building may break in half during a storm, because it was made with the world’s strongest concrete (混凝土). However, the building may still move in strong winds. That would cause loud noises, and people inside may feel dizzy (眩晕的).
Many modern tall buildings have a secret tool inside to help them stand still. It’s called
a damper (风阻尼器), usually a huge steel (钢的) ball that weighs hundreds of tons. For example, the Steinway Tower has a damper of 800 tons. It swings back and forth inside the building to balance (使平衡) the force of the wind.
※Why is taller better?
Land in New York City is very expensive. Skyscrapers are a great choice for saving land. Designers also wanted to make the Steinway Tower a landmark (地标). Part of the building is the 96-year-old historic site of Steinway Hall. It was famous for concerts in the 20th century. The special design of the skyscraper may help people remember the past glory (辉煌) of Steinway Hall.
1. What do we know about the Steinway Tower?
A. It is the world’s tallest building.
B. It is a little wider than China Zun Tower.
C. The building work started this year.
D. No other building is as thin as it.
2. What would make people feel dizzy?
A. The breaking of the building.
B. The swinging of the building.
C. The sounds of strong wind.
D. The falling of the strongest concrete.
3. What helps the Steinway Tower protect itself from wind?
A. Standing near other tall buildings.
B. Weighing hundreds of tons.
C. Having a big steel ball inside.
D. Swinging slowly in the wind.
4. Why do people build skyscrapers in New York City?
A. To save land.
B. To show off their skills.
C. To welcome more people.
D. To make space for landmarks.
5. What can we learn about the design of the Steinway Tower?
A. It is a common way to build theaters.
B. It is partly in memory of a famous old building.
C. It is the same as the design of Steinway Hall.
D. The historic style made it famous in the 20th century.
New York City is home to some of the tallest buildings on Earth. Recently, a new skyscraper joined them. This time it’s the thinnest in the world.
After years of development, Steinway Tower is now complete (完成的). The height of the building is 435 meters. But it’s just 18 meters wide. The width-to-height ratio (比例) is 1 : 24. That makes the building look very thin, like a chopstick sticking up (竖起) from the ground. For context (供参考), CITIC Tower, known as China Zun Tower in Beijing, stands at 528 meters, but is 84 meters wide.
※Secret superpower
You don’t need to worry that the building may break in half during a storm, because it was made with the world’s strongest concrete (混凝土). However, the building may still move in strong winds. That would cause loud noises, and people inside may feel dizzy (眩晕的).
Many modern tall buildings have a secret tool inside to help them stand still. It’s called
a damper (风阻尼器), usually a huge steel (钢的) ball that weighs hundreds of tons. For example, the Steinway Tower has a damper of 800 tons. It swings back and forth inside the building to balance (使平衡) the force of the wind.
※Why is taller better?
Land in New York City is very expensive. Skyscrapers are a great choice for saving land. Designers also wanted to make the Steinway Tower a landmark (地标). Part of the building is the 96-year-old historic site of Steinway Hall. It was famous for concerts in the 20th century. The special design of the skyscraper may help people remember the past glory (辉煌) of Steinway Hall.
1. What do we know about the Steinway Tower?
A. It is the world’s tallest building.
B. It is a little wider than China Zun Tower.
C. The building work started this year.
D. No other building is as thin as it.
2. What would make people feel dizzy?
A. The breaking of the building.
B. The swinging of the building.
C. The sounds of strong wind.
D. The falling of the strongest concrete.
3. What helps the Steinway Tower protect itself from wind?
A. Standing near other tall buildings.
B. Weighing hundreds of tons.
C. Having a big steel ball inside.
D. Swinging slowly in the wind.
4. Why do people build skyscrapers in New York City?
A. To save land.
B. To show off their skills.
C. To welcome more people.
D. To make space for landmarks.
5. What can we learn about the design of the Steinway Tower?
A. It is a common way to build theaters.
B. It is partly in memory of a famous old building.
C. It is the same as the design of Steinway Hall.
D. The historic style made it famous in the 20th century.
答案
1.D 2.B 3.C 4.A 5.B
