Standing opposite the domed St. Paul」s Cathedral, The Shard dwarfs the rest of London」s metropolis. Its 11,000 glass panes are uniquely angled so they reflect light and alter the building」s appearance according to the weather.
With capacity for 12,000 people, London」s Shard will contain apartments, a hotel, office space and restaurants. Members of the public will also be able to enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view over the capital from the summit. Tickets aren」t cheap though. At ￡25 (250 yuan), the cost of scaling the tower will be sky-high.
Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano – who originally compared it to a broken shard of glass – the slender tower is seen by some as like a colossal church steeple. But critics suggest it is an elevated eyesore and a blot on the landscape. They argue it is an arrogant landmark that taints the visual integrity of a great city.
Whether liked or loathed, The Shard」s title of Europe」s tallest building will not last long. Once completed, the 332m Mercury City Tower in Moscow, Russia will soon stand tallest.
Gigantic these may be, but both are relatively squat compared to the world」s tallest building: the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. At a staggering height of 829m, this skyscraper really does overlook the rest of the world」s tall buildings.
Quiz 測驗 1. What is another name given to the floors in a building?
storeys
2. Where in London is The Shard?
On the south bank of the River Thames near London Bridge
3. What word is used to describe an unbroken view of the entire surrounding area?
panoramic
4. What phrase is used to describe something that is very ugly?
an eyesore
5. What is another name for a church spire?
a steeple
Glossary 词汇表 Tallest 最高的 Storey 樓層 Soars 高高聳立的 Lofty 高聳的 Erected矗立 Reviled 被痛斥的 Dwarfs 使…變矮 Panoramic 全景的 Summit高峰 Scaling 攀高 sky-high 天高的，意思是數字巨大的 Slender 苗條的，細高的 Steeple尖塔 an elevated eyesore 高得令人眼暈 a blot on the landscape 破壞風景的東西 Landmark 地標 Taints 煞風景 Squat 低矮的 Skyscraper摩天大樓 Overlook 眺望
