Should we allow modern buildings to‑ be built next to older buildings in a historic area of a city? In order to answer this question, we must first examine whether people really want to preserve the historic feel of an area. Not all historical buildings are attractive. However, there may be other reasons for example, economic (经济的) reasons-why they should be preserved. So, let us assume that historical buildings are both attractive and important to the majority of people. What should we do then if a new building is needed?

In my view, new architectural styles can exist perfectly well alongside an older style. Indeed, there are many examples in my own home town of Tourswhere modern designs have been placed very successfully next to old buildings. As long as the building in question is pleasing and does not dominate (影响) its surroundings too much, it often improves the attractiveness of the area.

It is true that there are examples of new buildings which have spoilt (破坏) the area they are in, but the same can be said of some old buildings too. Yet people still speak against new buildings in historic areas. I think this is simply because people are naturally conservative(保守的)and do not like change.

Although we have to respect people's feelings as fellow users of the buildings, I believe that it is the duty of the architect and planner to move things forward. If we always reproduced what was there before,we would all still be living in caves . Thus, I would argue against copying previous architectural styles and choose something fresh and different , even though that might be the more risky choice.

1.68. What does the author say about historical buildings in the first paragraph?

A Some of them are not attractive.

B Most of them are too expensive to preserve.

C They are more pleasing than modern buildings.

D They have nothing to do with the historic feel of an area.

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据文章第一段第三句Not all historical buildings are attractive.可知作者认为并不是所有的古代建筑都吸引人群。

2.69. Which of the following is true according to the author?

A We should reproduce the same old buildings.

B Buildings should not dominate their surroundings.

C Some old buildings have spoilt the area they are in.

D No one understands why people speak against new buildings.

解析：选C。推理判断题。根据文章第三段第一句It is true that there are examples of new buildings which have spoilt (破坏) the area they are in, but the same can be said of some old buildings too.可知与一些新的建筑会破坏它们所在的地区的风味相似，一些旧建筑也会破坏它们所在地区的风味。

3.70. By “move things forward” in the last paragraph, the author probably means“_____".

A Destroy old buildings

B Put things in a different place

C Choose new architectural styles

D Respect people’s feelings for historical buildings

解析：选C。推理判断题。根据划线句子的下一句If we always reproduced what was there before,we would all still be living in caves .可知，作者认为，如果我们总是复制以前的建筑风格，那么我们人类现在就会依然生活在洞穴里。可知本句中作者认为，建筑师的责任就是将情况向前推动，指的是要推动新的建筑风格。

4.71. What is the main purpose of the passage?

A To explain why people dislike change.

B To warn that we could end up living in caves.

C To admit how new buildings have ruined their surroundings.

D To argue that modern buildings can be built in historic areas.

解析：选D。推理判断题。根据文章第一句Should we allow modern buildings to be built next to older buildings in a historic area of a city?以及围绕这一句接下来进行的陈述，可知本文主要围绕是否可以在城市中紧邻历史古迹的地方建设现代化的建筑展开论述，作者认为在不破坏所在地区周边环境的情况下可以在历史建筑的旁边建设现代化建筑。