The spire(尖顶) of a 118-story skyscraper(摩天大楼) has topped out at over 2,227 feet above Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. Set to become the world’s second tallest building upon its completion next year, Merdeka 118 now stands higher than China’s 2,073-foot Shanghai Tower and is only shorter than the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

At a ceremony marking the spire’s completion on Tuesday, Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob described the project as an “iconic tower for the future.” “This is not only a great achievement in the field of engineering,” he told reporters. “But it also further strengthens Malaysia’s position as a modern and developed country.”

Comprising 3.1 million square feet of floor space, more than half of which will be offered as offices, the tower will also house a mall, a mosque(清真寺) and a Park Hyatt hotel and Southeast Asia’s highest observation deck. The wider four-acre site will also contain public spaces and a park at ground level.

Set in a historic part of Kuala Lumpur, the skyscraper overlooks the Stadium Merdeka, where former leader Tunku Abdul Rahman declared Malaysian independence in 1957. Ismail Sabri, who was named prime minister in August, said on Tuesday that the sculptural design “reflects the image” of Rahman famously raising his hand to shout “merdeka!” (Malay for “independent”)  more than six decades ago.

Announced in 2010, the project broke ground five years ago, despite concerns voiced by some local heritage campaigners about the impact it could have on the historic neighborhood. Though the building was expected to open this year, work was interrupted in March 2020 when the Malaysian government introduced strict lockdown measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Kuala Lumpur’s skyline has been transformed by skyscrapers in recent decades, and the Malaysian capital is now the 13th tallest city in the world, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. The 1,483-foot Petronas Towers stood as the world’s tallest buildings between 1998 and 2004, when they were surpassed by Taipei 101 in Taiwan, China.

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1.What is the right order of the tallest buildings?

A Burj Khalifa—Shanghai Tower—Merdeka 118

B Burj Khalifa—Merdeka 118—Shanghai Tower

C Merdekar 118—Shanghai Tower—Burj Khalifa

D Shanghai Tower—Burj Khalifa—Merdeka 118

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据文章第一段第二句“Set to become the world’s second tallest building upon its completion next year, Merdeka 118 now stands higher than China’s 2,073-foot Shanghai Tower and is only shorter than the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.”可知，Merdeka 118超过了中国的Shanghai Tower（上海中心大厦）成为世界第二高建筑，它只比迪拜的Burj Khalifa矮。由此可知最高的建筑是Burj Khalifa，然后是Merdeka 118，第三则是Shanghai Tower。故选B。

2.How did Ismail Sabri Yaakob feel when talking about the spire’s completion?

A Upset.

B Generous.

C Proud.

D Energetic.

解析：选C。C 推理判断题。根据文章第二段最后一句 “This is not only a great achievement in the field of engineering,” he told reporters. “But it also further strengthens Malaysia’s position as a modern and developed country.”可知，马来西亚首相Ismail Sabri Yaakob认为这不仅是工程领域的一项伟大成就，还进一步巩固了马来西亚作为一个现代发达国家的地位 ，由此推断这他对这个摩天大楼的建成感到骄傲和自豪。故选C。

3.What can people do in Merdeka 118?

A Talk with Ismail Sabri.

B Declare Malaysian independence.

C Do some shopping.

D Play soccer in some high place.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第三段第一句 “more than half of which will be offered as offices, the tower will also house a mall...”可以得知该摩天大楼里有商场，因此人们可以购物。故选C。

4.What concerned some people about the building of the skyscraper?

A It would transform Kuala Lumpur’s skyline.

B It would bring in stricter lockdown measures.

C It would be surpassed by Taipei 101 in Taiwan.

D It would have an effect on the historic heritage.

解析：选D。D 推理判断题。根据文章第四段最后一句的 “...despite concerns voiced by some local heritage campaigners about the impact it could have on the historic neighborhood.”可以得知有些人担心该摩天大楼的建设将使文化古迹遭到破坏，故选D。