综合类考试：概括大意讲义Architecture
1. Architecture is to building as literature is to the printed word1。 The best buildings are often so well constructed that they outlast their original use2。 They then survive not only as beautiful objects， but as documents of the history of cultures. These achievements are never wholly the work of individuals. Architecture is a social art.
2. The renaissance brought about an entirely new age3， not only in philosophy and literature but in the visual arts as well. In architecture， the principles and styles of ancient Greece and Rome were brought back to life and reinterpreted4。 They remain dominant until the 20th century.
3. Many kinds of stone are used as building materials. Stone and marble were chosen for important monuments because they are not burnable and can be expected to endure. Stone architecture was often blended with stone sculpture. The use of stone has declined， however， because a number of other materials are more adaptable to industrial use.
4. The complexity of modern life calls for a variety of buildings5。 More people live in mass housing6 and go to work in large office buildings; they spend their income in large shopping centers， send their children too many different kinds of schools， and when they are sick they go to specialized hospitals and clinics. All theses different types of buildings accumulated experiences needed by their designers.
5. By the middle of the 20th century， modern architecture， which was influenced by new technology and mass production， was dealing with increasingly complex social needs. Important characteristics of modern architectural works are7 expanses of glass and the use of reinforced concrete. Advances in elevator technology， air conditioning， and electric lighting have all had important effects.
词汇：
visual [vizju？l] adj. 视觉上的 adaptable [？dæpt？bl] adj.适合的，能适应的
Greece [ɡri：s] n. 希腊 complexity [k？mpleksiti] n. 复杂
Dominant [d？min？nt] adj. 占统治地位的 variety [v？rai？ti] n. 各种各样
marble [mɑ：bl] n. 大理石 accumulate [？kju：mjuleit] v. 积累
blend [blend] v. 混合，糅合 elevator [eliveit？] n. 电梯
sculpture [sk？lpt∫？] n. 雕塑
注释：
1. Architecture is to building as literature is to the printed word.：建筑就如同文学对于印刷的文字一般。… is to … as … is to 表示前者跟后者有类似的关系，又如：Watching football is to John as playing football is to Clinsman. 看足球对汤姆来说直观重要，就像克林斯曼一定要踢足球一样。2 is to 4 as 8 is to 16. 2比4跟8比16一样。
2. The best buildings are often so well constructed that they outlast their original use. ：最佳的建筑常常建筑得很好，在超出了设计使用期后依然巍峨屹立。又如：Nobody expected that the sick man outlasted his doctor.没人会聊到这个病人会比他的大夫活得还长。
3. The renaissance brought about an entirely new age ，…：文艺复兴带来了一个全新的时代，……bring about ：带来；造成。They thought the Labour Party would bring about great social changes. 他们以为工党会带来巨大的社会变革。
4.… the principles and styles of ancient Greece and Rome were brought back to life and reinterpreted. ：古希腊和古罗马的原则和风格又恢复了活力，并被赋予了新的解释。Bring back to life：恢复生机。又如：They are determined to bring community art back to life. 他们决心振兴社区艺术。
4. The complexity of modern life calls for a variety of buildings.：现代生活的复杂性需要有多样的建筑。Call for：要求；需求。Let’s see to the problems that call for immediate solution. 我们先处理迫切需要解决的问题。
5. More people live in mass housing ：越来越多的人住在能住许多人的建筑里。Mass：大量（人）的。如：mass media：大众传媒。weapons of mass destruction： 大规模毁灭性武器。
7. Important characteristics of modern architectural works are … ： 现代建筑工程的重要特点是…… work：（复数）作品；（建筑等的）工程。 The villagers are busy building defensive works.村民们正忙着修防御工事。
练习：
A. Building Materials
B. Need of Greater Building Varieties in Modern Life
C. Restoration of Ancient Civilizations
D. Evolution in Style
E. Factors Affecting Modern Architecture