A
Heritage on the Edge
In an effort to preserve some of the world’s most famous landmarks，Google has announced a new project to transform a few of the most endangered by climate change into interactive 3D models，just in case one or all is irreparably(不能恢復(fù)地)damaged in the coming decades.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle comprises 27 buildings on top of an extinct volcano It was home to many kings and queens. But old roofs and rainwater management systems will become insufficient as they will be unable to deal with the level of storm water associated with extreme weather events. Besides，if temperatures continue to rise，the rate of decay(腐爛)will increase further.
Kilwa Kisiwani
Kilwa Kisiwani was a regional center of the medieval trading civilization along the East African Coast. Its permanent architecture included ports，Muslim buildings，and the unique“stone houses”. However，the drier weather and subsequently heavy rainfall is threatening the stability of the ruins，causing the worsening of this exposed heritage site.
Mosque City of Bagherat
The Mosque City of Bagherat was once a lost city. It has many Muslim buildings，bridges，roads and palaces. A recent report stressed the increasing impacts of sea level rise and changes in salinity(鹽度)on this community. Increased salinity not only makes much of the water undrinkable but damages structures.
Chan Chan
Chan Chan was the capital city of Chimu empire，stretching for nearly a thousand kilometers along the coastline. The city planning reflects a strict political and social strategy. But site managers today face challenges in rainfall and droughts due to El Nino events and climate change that threaten to gradually wash the ancient city away.
1. What do we know about Edinburgh Castle?
A. It was built along the coast. B. It is the largest castle in the world.
C. It is in danger of being washed away. D. It used to be the home of royal families.
2. Which of the following phenomena is happening in the Mosque City of Bagherat?
A. Water pollution. B. Water’s becoming salty.
C. Water shortage. D. Water’s being overused.
3. What is probably the biggest threat to the above sites?
A. Temperature rises. B. Volcanic eruptions.
C. Sea water. D. Environmental damage.
【答案】1. D 2. B 3. A
【解析】
【分析】本文是一篇說明文。文章主要講述了由于氣候變化的影響，四個面臨瀕危的地標(biāo)性建筑。
【詳解】1.細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)第二段第二句“It was home to many kings and queens. ”（它是許多國王和王后的家。）可知，Edinburgh Castle曾是皇室的家園。故選D。
2.細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)第四段最后兩句“A recent report stressed the increasing impacts of sea level rise and changes in salinity(鹽度)on this community. Increased salinity not only makes much of the water undrinkable but damages structures.”（最近的一份報告強(qiáng)調(diào)了海平面上升和鹽度的變化對這一社區(qū)日益增加的影響。鹽度的增加不僅使大量的水不能飲用，而且破壞建筑物。）可知，在清真寺城市巴赫拉特，水變得越來越咸。故選B。
3.細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)第一段第一句中的“…, Google has announced a new project to transform a few of the most endangered by climate change into…”（谷歌宣布了一項新計劃將一些最受氣候變化威脅的地區(qū)改造成......）可知，這四個地標(biāo)性建筑最大的威脅可能是溫度的上升。故選A。
