Reading

TPO3

Architecture

【单词】

structure：n. 建筑物
enclose：v. 围绕
symbolic：adj. 象征性的
aspiration：n. 渴望
utilize：v. 利用
mass：n. 【物理学】质量
enhance：v. 提高
complement：v. 补充
feasible：adj. 可行的
mediocre：adj. 普通的
devise：v. 设计，想出，发明，策划
withstand：v. 抵挡
comparable：adj. 可比较的
plumbing：n. 水管工程，管道工程
igloo：n. 圆顶建筑
adobe：n. 土砖
permanence：n. 永久
arduous：adj. 艰巨的
pile：v. 堆
beam：n. 横梁
segment：n. 部分
borne：bear 过去分词，忍受
vertical：adj. 垂直的

【短语】

• grows out of：源于…… eg. grows out of human needs and aspirations
• be traced to：源于，由于…… eg. be traced to both clients and architects
• in terms of：根据 eg. be analyzed in terms of how they deal with downward forces created by gravity
• make it possible to：使得……（成为可能）

【长难句】

1. Architecture is the art and science of designing structures that organize and enclose space for practical and symbolic purposes.
2. Buildings contribute to human life when they provide shelter, enrich space, complement their site, suit the climate, and are economically feasible.
3. In order for the structure to achieve the size and strength necessary to meet its purpose, architecture employs methods of support that, because they are based on physical laws, have changed little since people first discovered them—even while building materials have changed dramatically.
4. Enormous changes in materials and techniques of construction within the last few generations have made it possible to enclose space with much greater ease and speed and with a minimum of material.
5. The doorways and windows are made possible by placing over the open spaces thick stone beams that support the weight from above.
6. It works in compression to divert the weight above it out to the sides, where the weight is borne by the vertical elements on either side of the arch.

---

Depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer

【单词】

underlie：v. 构成……的基础
aquifer：n. 蓄水层，含水土层
ensuing：adj. 跟着发生的
onward：adj. 向前的，前进的；adv. 在前面
tap：v. 开发，汲取
spray：v. 喷，喷射；n. 喷雾
geometric：adj. 几何图形的
sorghum：n. 高粱
unprecedented：adj. 空前的
virtually：adv. 实质上，事实上
replenish：v. 补充
periodic：adj. 定期的
acreage：n. 英亩数
incentive：n. 动机
grandiose：adj. 宏伟的，堂皇的
tenfold：adj. 十倍的
somewhat：adv. 稍微，有点儿
strain：n. 家族，血统；v. 拉紧，拉伤

【短语】

• Estimates indicate that ：据估计……

【长难句】

1. Estimates indicate that the aquifer contains enough water to fill Lake Huron, but unfortunately, under the semiarid climatic conditions that presently exist in the region, rates of addition to the aquifer are minimal, amounting to about half a centimeter a year.
2. This unprecedented development of a finite groundwater resource with an almost negligible natural recharge rate—that is, virtually no natural water source to replenish the water supply—has caused water tables in the region to fall drastically.
3. Whatever the final answer to the water crisis may be, it is evident that within the High Plains, irrigation water will never again be the abundant, inexpensive resource it was during the agricultural boom years of the mid-twentieth century.

【错题】

4.The word “ensuing” in the passage is closest in meaning to
A. continuing
B. surprising
C. initial
D. subsequent
你的答案：A 正确答案：D

【原文参考】

The first wells were drilled into the Ogallala during the drought years of the early 1930s. The ensuing rapid expansion of irrigation agriculture, especially from the 1950s onward, transformed the economy of the region.

【解析】

ensue跟随，接下来，所以subsequent是答案。原文说第一批水井是1930s挖掘的，ensuing所在的那句话又说1950s什么样的农业的快速扩张，这两个时间说明动作是有先后的，而且first一般必然有下文的，所以应该是接着的。注意continuing是个很大的迷惑项，继续是指一个动作的延续，而接下来是两件事情接着发生，B令人吃惊和C最初的，起始的都不对。

6.The word “unprecedented” in the passage is closest in meaning to
A. difficult to control
B. without any restriction
C. unlike anything in the past
D. rapidly expanding
你的答案：B 正确答案：C

【原文参考】

This unprecedented development of a finite groundwater resource with an almost negligible natural recharge rate—that is, virtually no natural water source to replenish the water supply—has caused water tables in the region to fall drastically.

【解析】

A难以控制和B毫无限制都有轻微贬义，而原词只是在叙述一个事实，属中性。D快速扩张也不沾边，而且A/B/D三个选项在意思上有共同点，唯独C不同，只要知道pre是前就一定能选出答案。

7.The word “virtually” in the passage is closest in meaning to
A. clearly
B. perhaps
C. frequently
D. almost
你的答案：A 正确答案：D

【原文参考】

This unprecedented development of a finite groundwater resource with an almost negligible natural recharge rate—that is, virtually no natural water source to replenish the water supply—has caused water tables in the region to fall drastically.

【解析】

virtually几乎。注意virtual有虚拟和真实两个截然相反的意思，破折号之前说negligible recharge rate，补给可以忽略，就是很少，但还是有的，后面解释说什么没有水补充，如果选除了almost之外的三项，都说明可能没水，与原文意思不符。

13.Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage. Where would the sentence best fit?

But even if uncooperative farmers were to join in the conservation efforts, this would only delay the depletion of the aquifer..

【原文】

The reaction of farmers to the inevitable depletion of the Ogallala varies. Many have been attempting to conservewater by irrigating less frequently or by switching to crops that require less water. [■] Others, however, have adopted the philosophy that it is best to use the water while it is still economically profitable to do so and to concentrate on high-value crops such as cotton. [■] The incentive of the farmers who wish to conserve water is reduced by their knowledge that many of their neighbors are profiting by using great amounts of water, and in the process are drawing down the entire region’s water supplies. [But even if uncooperative farmers were to join in the conservation efforts, this would only delay the depletion of the aquifer.]

In the face of the upcoming water supply crisis, a number of grandiose schemes have been developed to transport vast quantities of water by canal or pipeline from the Mississippi, the Missouri, or the Arkansas rivers. [■]