QUESTIONS 1-9
The 1960’s, however, saw a rising
dissatisfaction with the Modernist movement, especially in North America where
its failings were exposed in two influential books, Jane Jacobs’ The Death and Life of Great American Cities in 1961 and Robert Venturi’s Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture
in 1966. Jacobs highlighted the destruction of the richness of American cities
by massive, impersonal buildings. Venture implied that Modernist structures
were without meaning because they lacked the complexity and
intimacy of historical buildings.
The dissatisfaction was translated into
action in 1972 with the demolition of several fourteen-story Modernist
apartment blocks that only twenty years before had won architectural prizes. Similar
housing developments were destroyed elsewhere in North America in the following
decades, but it was in St. Louis that the post-Modernist era began.
Post-Modernist architects have little in
common in terms of style or theory. They are united mainly in their opposition
to the Modernist style. Robert Venturi’s designs show wit, humanity, and
historical reference. These tendencies can be seen in his bold design for the
Tucker House (1975) in Katonah, New York, and the Brant-Johnson House (1975) in
Vail, Colorado, which owes something to the Italian Renaissance. Similar
characteristics are apparent in the work of Venturi’s disciple Michael Graves. Graves’ Portland Public Service Building (1982)
in Portland, Oregon, and his Humana Tower (1986) in Louisville, Kentucky, have
the bulk of skyscrapers but incorporate historical souvenirs such as colonnades,
belvederes, keystones, and decorative sculpture.
Other post-Modernists rejected the
playfulness of Venturi and his group. They chose a more historically faithful
classical style, as in Greenberg and Blateau’s rooms at the U.S. Department of
State in Washington, D.C. (1984-86). The most complete instance of historical
accuracy is the J. Paul Gerry Museum in Malibu, California (1970-75), designed
by Langdon and Wilson. They relied on archaeological advice to achieve the
authentic quality of a Roman villa.
1.
With which of the following topics did the
paragraph preceding the passage probably deal?
a)
The Modernist movement
b)
Architecture outside North America
c)
A history of post-modernism
d)
Books of the 1950s
2.
Which of the following is closest in meaning
to the word highlighted in line 4?
a)
Celebrated
b)
Denied
c)
Emphasized
d)
Exaggerated
3.
The word they
in line 5 refers to
a)
historical building
b)
Venturi and Jacobs
c)
North American cities
d)
Modernist structures
4.
According to the passage, what do the two
books mentioned in the first paragraph have in common?
a)
They were both written by the same author.
b)
They both lack complexity
c)
They are both critical and of Modernism
d)
They both outline post-Modernist theory
5.
According to the author, which event
signalled the beginning of post-Modernism?
a)
The publication of a book
b)
The building of a housing development
c)
The awarding of a prize
d)
The destruction of some builldings
6.
The author mentions that a house designed by
Robert Venturi in a style influenced by the Italian Renaissance was built in
a)
Katonah, New York
b)
Vail, Colorado
c)
Portland, Oregon
d)
Louisville, Kentucky
7.
Which of the following is closest in meaning
to disciple in line 15?
a)
Adviser
b)
Follower
c)
Critic
d)
Partner
8.
What does the author imply about the Portland
Public Service Building and the Humana Building?
a)
They are popular places for tourists to visit
and to buy souvenirs.
b)
They have great historical significance
c)
They feature elements not generally seen in
modern buildings
d)
They are much smaller than most skyscrapers.
9.
The J. Paul Getty Museum is given as example
of
a)
a massive, impersonal modernist building
b)
a faithful reproduction of classical
architecture
c)
a typical Malibu structure
d)
playful architecture
ANSWER KEY
1.
A
The passage begins “the 1960s, however, saw a
rising dissatisfaction with the Modernist movement.” This indicates that the
previous paragraph contained a description of Modernism, because this paragraph
challenges the concepts of modernism.
2.
C
The word highlighting
means emphasizing, featuring.
3.
D
The reference is to Modernist structures
(lines 6-7).
4.
C
The passage states that the Modernist
movement’s “failings were exposed” in the two books mentioned in the first
paragraph, indicating that both Jacobs and Venturi were critical of Modernism.
5.
D
According to the second paragraph, the event
that signalled the beginning of Post-Modernism was the demolition of Modernist
buildings in St. Louis in 1972.
6.
B
Venturi’s design for the Brant-Johnson house
in Vail, Colorado, “owes something to the Italian Renaissance” (line 19)
7.
B
The word disciple
means follower, pupil.
8.
C
Line 23 indicates that these two buildings “incorporate
historical souvenirs.” This means that they include architectural features from
the past that would generally not be associated with skyscrapers.
9.
B
Line 28 says that “(this building is the)
most complete instance of historical accuracy.”
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