5．Should we allow modern buildings to be built next to older buildings in a historic area of a city？In order to answer this question，we must first examine whether people really want to preserve the historic feel of an area．Not all historical buildings are attractive．However，there may be other reasons-for example，economic（经济的） reasons-why they should be preserved．So，let us assume that historical buildings are both attractive and important to the majority of people．What should we do then if a new building is needed？
In my view，new architectural styles can exist perfectly well alongside an older style．Indeed，there are many examples in my own home town of Tours where modern designs have been placed very successfully next to old buildings．As long as the building in question is pleasing and does not dominate（影响） its surroundings too much，it often improves the attractiveness of the area．
It is true that there are examples of new buildings which have spoilt（破坏）the area they are in，but the same can be said of some old buildings too．Yet people still speak against new buildings in historic areas．I think this is simply because people are naturally conservative （保守的） and do not like change．
Although we have to respect people's feelings as fellow users of the buildings．I believe that it is the duty of the architect and planner to move things forward．If we always reproduced what was there before，we would all still be living in caves．Thus，I would argue against copying previous architectural styles and choose something fresh and different，even though that might be the more risky choice．
24．What does the author say about historical buildings in the first paragraph？C
A．They are more pleasing than modern buildings．
B．Most of them are too expensive to preserve．
C．Some of them are not attractive．
D．They have nothing to do with the historic feel of an area．
25．Which of the following is true according to the author？A
A．Some old buildings have spoilt the area they are in．
B．Buildings should not dominate their surroundings．
C．We should reproduce the same old building
D．No one understands why people speak against new buildings．
26．By"move things forward"in the last paragraph，the author probably means"B"．
A．destroy old buildings
B．choose new architectural styles
C．put things in a different place
D．respect people's feelings for historical buildings
27．What is the main purpose of the passage？B
A．To explain why people dislike change．
B．To argue that modern buildings can be built in historic areas．
C．To admit how new buildings have ruined their surroundings．
D．To warn that we could end up living in caves．
分析 本文是一篇科教类阅读．文章主要对人们经常讨论的问题"现代建筑是否应该和古老的建筑建在一起？"进行阐述．在作者看来历史建筑应该保存，但是我们建筑风格也应该改变，不能因为历史建筑而影响我们的生活．
解答 24-27 CABB
24．C．细节理解题．根据"Not all historical buildings are attractive．"可知作者认为并不是所有的古建筑都是很吸引人的．故选C．
25．A．推理判断题．根据"It is true that there are examples of new buildings which have spoilt（破坏）the area they are in，but the same can be said of some old buildings too．"可知一些新的建筑会破坏它们所在的地方，同样一些旧建筑也会破坏它们所在的地方．故选A．
26．B．推理判断题．根据横线下一句"If we always reproduced what was there before，we would all still be living in caves．"可知如果我们总是重复建设以前的建筑风格，那么我们就会让人生活在洞穴里．所以"I believe that it is the duty of the architect and planner to move things forward．"中建筑师的责任就是向前发展，也就是说要开发出新的建筑风格，不走老路．故选B．
27．B．主旨大意题．根据"Should we allow modern buildings to be built next to older buildings in a historic area of a city？"并联系上下文可知本文旨在讨论：是否可以在历史遗迹的地方建设现代化的建筑．故选B．
点评 本文是一篇科教类阅读．文章主要对人们经常讨论的问题"现代建筑是否应该和古老的建筑建在一起？"进行阐述．此类题型主要考查学生的细节理解和推理判断能力．细节理解题是针对文中某个细节、某句话或某部分具体内容设置问题，所以在做细节理解题时要结合原文和提干有针对性的找出相关语句进行仔细分析，再结合选项选出正确答案．在做推理判断题时不要以个人的主观想象代替文章的事实，要根据文章事实进行合乎逻辑的推理判断．在做主旨大意题时考生首先要仔细阅读短文，完整了解信息，准确把握作者观点，确定主旨．
