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Big Ben will fall silent next week for four years as “major repair works” are carried out on the tower which houses the bell.

The sounds from the bell, one of London’s most famous attractions, have kept time in the British capital for 157 years. At noon on Monday, August 21, Big Ben will sound for the last time until 2021. The repairs are said to cost around ￡29 million, or more than $42 million. Big Ben falling silent is a milestone(里程碑) in this important conservation project. This key programme of works will safeguard the clock on a long term basis, as well as protecting and preserving its home.

Big Ben is the name of the bell inside the tower (St. Stephen's Tower, renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012), and not the building or the clock (simply known as the Great Clock) itself. The last sounds were silent in 2007 during a repair work, and before that from 1983 to 1985 during a period of refurbishment(翻新).

Londoners needn't worry though; Big Ben will continue to sound for “important national events” such as New Year's Eve and Remembrance Sunday.

1.Big Ben will fall silent because of _______.

A the major repair works on the clock

B the major repair works on the tower

C the major repair works on the building

D the major repair works on the bell

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据第一段第一句Big Ben will fall silent next week for four years as “major repair works” are carried out on the tower which houses the bell.可知是由于对整个塔楼的维修保养，所以大本钟要停响，故选B。

2.Big Ben was first sounded _______.

A in 1860

B in 2012

C in 2015

D in 2017

解析：选A。数字计算题。根据第二段第一句The sounds from the bell, one of London’s most famous attractions, have kept time in the British capital for 157 years.可知今年是2017年，到目前为止大本钟已经停响了157年，因此大本钟第一次响起是在1860年，故选A。

3.Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A Big Ben will fall silent forever.

B Big Ben will continue to sound at weekends.

C Few people go to London to visit the Big Ben.

D Big Ben was once silent in 2007.

解析：选D。综合理解题。根据第三段最后一句The last sounds were silent in 2007 during a repair work....可知，故选D。

4.What is Big Ben?

A It’s the name of the tower.

B It’s the name of the clock.

C It’s the name of the bell.

D It’s the name of the building.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第三段第一句 Big Ben is the name of the bell inside the tower (St. Stephen's Tower, renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012), and not the building or the clock (simply known as the Great Clock) itself. 可知Big Ben是指塔楼内部的钟楼，而不是塔楼，也不是钟，也不是建筑，故选C。

5.How many times did Big Ben stop to sound in history?

A Once.

B Twice.

C Three times.

D Four times.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据第三段第二句The last sounds were silent in 2007 during a repair work, and before that from 1983 to 1985 during a period of refurbishment. 可知历史上大本钟曾两次停响，故选B。