托福阅读素材（九）

　　Architecture is the art and science of designing structures that organize and enclose space for practical and symbolic purposes. Because architecture grows out of human needs and aspirations, it clearly communicates cultural values. Of all the visual arts, architecture affects our lives most directly for it determines the character of the human environment in major ways.

　　Architecture is a three-dimensional form. It utilizes space, mass, texture, line, light, and color. To be architecture, a building must achieve a working harmony with a variety of elements. Humans instinctively seek structures that will shelter and enhance their way of life. It is the work of architects to create buildings that are not simply constructions but also offer inspiration and delight. Buildings contribute to human life when they provide shelter, enrich space, complement their site, suit the climate, and are economically feasible. The client who pays for the building and defines its function is an important member of the architectural team. The mediocre design of many contemporary buildings can be traced to both clients and architects.

　　In order for the structure to achieve the size and strength necessary to meet its purpose, architecture employs methods of support that, because they are based on physical laws, have changed little since people first discovered them—even while building materials have changed dramatically. The world’s architectural structures have also been devised in relation to the objective limitations of materials. Structures can be analyzed in terms of how they deal with downward forces created by gravity. They are designed to withstand the forces of compression (pushing together), tension (pulling apart), bending, or a combination of these in different parts of the structure.

　　Sentences

　　P1

　　Architecture is the art and science of designing structures [that organize and enclose space for practical and symbolic purposes.]建筑是一门【处于实用和象征的双重目的，通过组织和利用空间来实现设计结构的】艺术和科学。Of all the visual arts, architecture affects our lives most directly [for it determines the character of the human environment in major ways].在所有的视觉艺术中，建筑最直接地影响了我们的生活，【因为他在很多方面决定了我们生存的环境特征】。

　　P2

　　Buildings contribute to human life [when they provide shelter,enrich space,complement their site,suit the climate,and are economically feasible].建筑物为人类的生活提供了遮蔽处，丰富了空间，增加了人们的活动场所，完善了人们的居住场所，适应了气候的变化，同时在经济上也可承受。The client [who pays for the building and defines its function]is an important member of the architectural team.在建筑团队中，最重要的是【那些为建筑支付建设费用并设计其功能的】人。

　　P3

　　In order for the structure to achieve the size and strength necessary to meet its purpose, architecture employs methods of support that, [because they are based on physical laws], have changed little [since people first discovered them]—[even while building materials have changed dramatically. ]为了达到建筑的目的，一定的大小和强度是必须的。建筑采用的各种支撑方法【自从人们发现它们以来】很少有改变，【因为这些方法都建立在物理定律的基础上】，【尽管建筑材料已经发生了翻天覆地的变化】。

　　P1 建筑的定义。建筑是一门出于_____和______的双重目的，通过组织和利用空间来实现设计结构的____和_____。建筑可以清楚的传达_____。在所有的视觉艺术中，建筑____地影响了我们的生活。

　　P2 建筑的作用及影响者。建筑是一种利用_____、_____、_____、_____、_____和_____的三维立体形式。

　　P3 支撑方法的改进。建筑采用的支撑方法都建立在_____的基础上。

　　Answers：P1：Art, science; practical and symbolic purposes; cultural values; directlyP2space, mass, texture, line, light, and colorP3physical laws