Seattle An Unforgettable City(b)

Looking at the Seattle skyline, the structure that sticks out from the rest is the Space Needle. A major landmark in Seattle and the northwest region of the US, the tower was built at the Seattle Center for the 1962 World's Fair. It stands 184 meters high and was built to withstand any possible weather scenario in Seattle. It can handle 200-mile-an-hour winds and is equipped with 25 lightning rods to prevent lightning damage, a much needed precaution given Seattle's famously rainy weather. It can also withstand 9.1-magnitude earthquakes, which is the strength of the most powerful one to date in the area.

A visit to the Space Needle offers more than just a view of an interesting tower. From the observation deck, visitors can see downtown Seattle, the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Elliot Bay, and more beautiful natural sites in the area. Also at the top, visitors can relax at SkyCity, nicknamed the Eye of the Needle, which is a rotating restaurant serving some of the finest dishes in town. Afterwards, they can stop at the gift shop to buy souvenirs to help them remember the experience. Visitors to Seattle on New Year's Eve get an extra special treat when visiting the Space Needle. Every year at midnight a fireworks display synchronized with music is held to welcome in the New Year.

It's easy to see why Seattle is one of America's most famous cities. From its long history to its modern delights, Seattle has everything visitors and residents could want from a city by the sea.

    1.     What is the main point of the article?

(A) Recent changes that have been taking place in the city of Seattle.

(B) The history of Seattle and its places of interest.

(C) Seattle's major musical influences on the world.

(D) The reason why so many big companies like Starbucks have made Seattle their home.

    2.     How did Seattle get its name?

(A) It was named after a tribal elder that befriended settlers.

(B) It was named for a local river.

(C) The name was taken from the first mayor of the city.

(D) The name was a combination of the two areas in the region.

    3.     Why was the Space Needle built?

(A) It was made to be in the background of a movie filmed in Seattle.

(B) It was built to increase tourism in the area.

(C) It was created for the celebration of the World's Fair.

(D) It was in honor of the mayor that helped change Seattle.

    4.     What happens at the Space Needle on New Year's Eve?

(A) Visitors watch an exciting laser show.

(B) Live music with a focus on local bands is staged each year.

(C) The tower painted by a different artist is revealed at midnight.

(D) A fireworks display that is in sync with music is put on.

从西雅图的地平线看过去，自地面突出且高出其余建筑物的就是太空针塔。该针塔是西雅图市及美国西北地区的重要地标，该塔于 1962 年世界博览会时建立在西雅图市中心。塔高 184 公尺且可承受西雅图可能发生的任何天候状况。该塔可承受每小时 200 英哩的阵风，并配有 25 支避雷针以防止雷击造成的损坏，有鉴于西雅图有名的阴雨天气，此为迫切需要的预防措施。该塔也能承受 9.1 级的地震，该震度则为该区迄今最大的地震强度。

来参观太空针塔不只能观赏到这座有趣的高塔。从观景台上往下看，游客可以看到西雅图市中心、奥林匹克山脉及喀斯喀特山脉、艾利奥特湾，另外还有这区里的许多美丽自然遗址。游客也能在高塔顶端的天空之城旋转餐厅稍加放松，那间被昵称为『针之眼』的餐厅供应的是全市最棒的美食。稍后，游客可以在礼品店稍作停留，购买一些纪念品以助他们将这次的游历体验铭记在心。跨年夜到西雅图参观太空针塔的游客还可以另外获得特殊的款待。每年午夜搭配着音乐的烟火秀迎接新的一年到来。

如此很容易了解为什么西雅图是美国最有名的城市之一。从其悠久的历史到现代的美食，滨海的西雅图拥有每位游客及居民所求所想的一切。

答案：  1.  B   2.  A   3.  C   4.  D

《西雅图夜未眠》（Sleepless in Seattle）是一部于 1993年制作的经典电影。

这部电影叙说，新闻记者 Annie（梅格莱恩饰）拥

有成功的事业，即将步入结婚礼堂，但总觉得和未婚夫之间缺少了什么？她经由收音机听到小男孩 Jonah 的 call-in，以及其丧偶父亲 Sam 娓娓说着他对逝去爱妻的思念和爱，她顿时领悟 Sam 也许就是她此生等待的男人，于是她前往西雅图寻找幸福，并且寄信与 Sam 相约在帝国大厦相见，时间一分一秒接近，这两个相隔十万八千里的陌生人，最后会谱出什么样的恋曲？

本片由两大巨星汤姆汉克斯、梅格莱恩主演，创造惊人票房，片中的场景与配乐也成为影迷们难忘的经典，曾提名奥斯卡最佳原创剧本、最佳电影音乐，以及金球奖最佳影片等多项大奖。

（数据源：开眼电影）