While famous foreign architects are invited to lead the designs of landmark buildings in China such as the new CCTV tower and the National Center for the Performing Arts, many excellent Chinese architects are making great efforts to take the center stage.
Their efforts have been proven fruitful. Wang Shu, a 49-year-old Chinese architect, won the 2012 Pritzker Architecture Prize — which is often referred to as the Nobel Prize in architecture — on February 28. He is the first Chinese citizen to win this award.
Wang serves as head of the Architecture Department at the China Academy of Art (CAA). His office is located at the Xiangshan campus(校园) of the university in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Many buildings on the campus are his original creations.
The style of the campus is quite different from that of most Chinese universities. Many visitors were amazed by the complex architectural space and abundant building types. The curves(曲线) of the buildings perfectly match the rise and fall of hills, forming a unique view.
Wang collected more than 7 million abandoned bricks of different ages. He asked the workers to use traditional techniques to make the bricks into walls, roofs and corridors. This creation attracted a lot of attention thanks to its mixture of modern and traditional Chinese elements(元素).
Wang’s works show a deep understanding of modern architecture and a good knowledge of traditions. Through such a balance, he had created a new type of Chinese architecture, said Tadao Ando, the winner of the 1995 Pritzker Prize.
Wang believes traditions should not be sealed in glass boxes at museums. "That is only evidence that traditions once existed," he said.
"Many Chinese people have a misunderstanding of traditions. They think tradition means old things from the past. In fact, tradition also refers to the things that have been developing and that are still being created, " he said.
"Today, many Chinese people are learning Western styles and theories rather than focusing on Chinese traditions. Many people tend to talk about traditions without knowing what they really are, " said Wang.
"The study of traditions should be combined with practice. Otherwise, the recreation of traditions would be artificial and empty", he said.
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1.Wang’s winning of the prize means that Chinese architects are ___________.
A following the latest world trend
B getting international recognition
C working harder than ever before
D relying on foreign architects
解析：选B。推理判断题。根据文章第二段第一句Their efforts have been proven fruitful. Wang Shu, a 49-year-old Chinese architect, won the 2012 Pritzker Architecture Prize — which is often referred to as the Nobel Prize in architecture — on February 28.可知，王澍获得2012年普利策奖，而普利策奖相当于建筑界的诺贝尔奖，他是第一个获此奖的中国人，故推知中国建筑现在得到了国际认可，故选B。
2.What impressed visitors to the CAA Xiangshan campus most?
A Its hilly environment.
B Its large size.
C Its unique style.
D Its diverse functions.
解析：选C。细节理解题。根据文章第四段第一及二句The style of the campus is quite different from that of most Chinese universities. Many visitors were amazed by the complex architectural space and abundant building types.可知，它的设计风格独特，与大多数中国大学的校园很不同，许多游客感对复杂的建筑空间和丰富的建筑类型感到吃惊，故选C。
3.What made Wang’s architectural design a success?
A The mixture of different shapes.
B The balance of East and West.
C The use of popular techniques.
D The harmony of old and new.
解析：选D。推理判断题。根据文章第六段1995年普利策奖的获得者Tadao Ando的评语可知，王澍设计的成功之处是把中国传统元素融入现代设计，并保持两者的和谐，故选D。
4.What should we do about Chinese traditions according to Wang?
A Spread them to the world.
B Preserve them at museums.
C Teach them in universities.
D Recreate them in practice.
解析：选D。推理判断题。根据文章最后一段The study of traditions should be combined with practice. Otherwise, the recreation of traditions would be artificial and empty, he said.可知，中国的传统要在实践中创新，否则传统的再创造将是人为的和空洞的，故选D。
