London’s newest skyscraper (摩天大楼) is called the Shard and it cost about 430 million pounds to build. At a height of almost 310 metres, it is the tallest building in Europe. The Shard has completely changed the appearance ofLondon. However, not everyone thinks that it is a change for the better.

The Shard was designed by the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano. When he began designing the Shard for London, Piano wanted a very tall building that looked like a spire (尖顶). He wanted the glass surfaces to reflect the sky and the city. The sides of the building aren’t regular. So the building has an unusual shape. It looks like a very thin, sharp piece of broken glass. And that is how the building got the name: the Shard. Piano says that the spire shape of the Shard is part of a greatLondontradition. The shape reminds him of the spires of the churches of London or the tall masts (桅杆) of the ships that were once on the river Thames.

The Shard has 87 floors. At the top, there is an observatory. At the moment the building is empty, but eventually there will be a five-star hotel. There will also be top quality restaurants, apartments and offices.

Before building work began, a lot of people didn’t want the Shard though the plans were approved. Now they are still unhappy about the Shard. Some critics say that such a tall skyscraper might be good in a city likeNew York, but not inLondon. They say that the best thing about the Shard is its spire shape. But that is the only thing. There is no decoration, only flat surfaces. The Egyptians did that 4,500 years ago. They also think the Shard is too big forLondon. It destroys the beauty of the city.

Other critics don’t like what the Shard seems to represent. They say that the Shard shows howLondonis becoming more unequal. Only very rich people can afford to buy the expensive private apartments and stay in the hotel. But the people who live near the Shard are among the poorest inLondon. So the Shard seems a symbol of the division in society between the very rich and the poor.

The Shard now dominates theLondonskyline. It is not certain, however, that ordinaryLondoncitizens will ever accept it as a valuable addition to the city.

1.55. London’s newest skyscraper is called the Shard because of ______.

A its cost

B its size

C its shape

D its height

解析：选C。【解析】细节理解题。根据第二段中的He wanted the glass surfaces to reflect the sky and the city. The sides of the building aren’t regular. So the building has an unusual shape. It looks like a very thin, sharp piece of broken glass. And that is how the building got the name: the Shard.可知摩天大楼the Shard是由于其形状而得名的。故应选C项。

2.56. When he designed the Shard, Piano wanted it to ______.

A change London’s skyline

B inherit London’s tradition

C imitate the Egyptian style

D attract potential visitors

解析：选B。【解析】推理判断题。根据第二段最后两句Piano says that the spire shape of the Shard is part of a great London tradition. The shape reminds him of the spires of the churches of London or the tall masts (桅杆) of the ships that were once on the river Thames.可知他设计摩天大楼的灵感来自于伦敦教堂和泰晤士河上的轮船桅杆，即此设计继承了伦敦的传统。所以答案为B项。

3.57. The critics who refer to social division think the Shard ______.

A is only preferred by the rich

B is intended for wealthy people

C is far away from the poor area

D is popular only with Londoners

解析：选B。【解析】推理判断题。根据文章第五段后两句中They say that the Shard shows how London is becoming more unequal. Only very rich people can afford to buy the expensive private apartments and stay in the hotel. But the people who live near the Shard are among the poorest in London.可知一些批评家认为这座大楼只使社会变得不公平，因为只有那些富有的人买得起，而附近的人都没有能力享受它。故选B项。

4.58. Which would be the best title for the passage?

A The Shard: Cheers and Claps

B The Shard: Work of a Great Architect

C The Shard: New Symbol of London

D The Shard: A Change for the Better

解析：选D。【解析】主旨大意题。本文是一篇新闻报道，报道了伦敦最新的摩天大楼the Shard的建造所带来的争议。一部分人认为这是对传统的传承，但也很多人都反对这栋大楼。根据第一段最后一句However, not everyone thinks that it is a change for the better.有些人都反对这栋大楼，说它并非是一个好的改变。故D项最贴切。