The United States Capitol Dome （圆屋顶，苍穹）in Washington, DC, is recognized around the world as a symbol of the U.S. government. Since last November, the dome has been surrounded by metal poles, or scaffolding（脚手架）, and heavy cloth as part of a repair project.

The last major repair work on the U.S. Capitol took place in 1960. Since then, the dome has become weathered and worn. The Architect of the Capitol group reports the dome has more than 1,000 narrow breaks on its surface and other damage.

The dome was completed around 1863. U.S. Senate Historian Don Ritchie says the dome's cast iron（铸铁） frame is at special risk of weathering. "The capitol dome, being cast iron, has been hit by lightning countless times. And so the current construction is to repair the leaks, to fill the cracks, to take off excess layers of paint."

Workers are removing old paint. They covered a large part of the building in plastic and a special cloth to protect workers from the wind and other elements.

Much of the work is done at night, when lawmakers are not in the building. Some recent visitors to the Capitol were unhappy about its current appearance. They had hoped to get a picture of the usually shining dome. Joyce, a visitor from China, said the sight of the Capitol building left her disappointed. "It was dramatic, and very fantastic, and all white, but when I come here today, it is under construction so my family cannot see it clearly, it is kind of a disappointment."

Others were more understanding of the repairs. Rick Jones, another visitor, said he was not upset to see the repairs, because it will be better in the future.

The project is expected to take more than two years to complete. The dome should be ready for the inauguration（就职典礼） of a new president in January 2017.

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1.Since last November, The United States Capitol Dome has been____for repair work.

A recognized

B given heavy clothes

C blanketed

D rounded up

解析：选C。C。细节理解题。由the dome has been surrounded…as part of a repair project. 可知，这里surround就是cover up。

2.Why does the Capitol Dome need to be repaired?

A Because there are more than 1,000 narrow breaks and other damage.

B Because the last major repair work on the U.S. Capitol took place in 1960.

C Because the dome has been watered and destroyed.

D Because the dome was completed around 1863.

解析：选A。A。 推理判断题。由第2段最后一句：The Architect of the Capitol group reports the dome has more than 1,000 narrow breaks on its surface and other damage。可知答案。

3.According to Historian Don Ritchie, the___is more likely to be damaged by weather.

A old paint

B excess layer

C metal pole

D iron frame

解析：选D。D。 细节理解题。由第3段：the dome's cast iron frame is at special risk of weathering.可知，风吹雨打，日晒雷击对其铁质框架影响最大。

4.Who are not happy about the current work over the Capitol Dome?

A some lawmakers

B some visitors

C construction workers

D Chinese families

解析：选B。B。细节理解题。由第5段Some recent visitors to the Capitol were unhappy about its current appearance可知，有一些游客因修缮而不能看到国会山，不能与它合影而失望。

5.What can we infer from this report?

A A special cloth is used to protect the workers.

B The Capitol will not be used for over two years.

C Some visitors now feel disappointed because they can’t see the shining dome.

D America’s next president will take office in 2017.

解析：选D。D。推理判断题。文章最后一句提到此次维修将历经两年多时间，在2017年的新的总统就职典礼前完成。