2013职称英语理工A押 题必考字典版.docVIP

Giant Structures----It is an impossible task to select the most amazing wonders of the modem world since every year more wonderful_constructions appear. Here are three giant structures which are worthy of our admiration although they may have been surpassed by some more recent wonders. The Petronas Twin Towers----The Petronas Towers were the tallest buildings in the world when they were completed in 1999. With a height_ of 452 metres, the tall twin towers, like two thin pencils, dominate the city of Kuala Lumpur. At the 41st floor, the towers are linked by a bridge, symbolizing a gateway to the city. The American architect Cesar Pelli designed the skyscrapers. The MiUau Bridge----The Millau Bridge was opened in 2004 in the Tam Valley，in southern France. _At_ the time it was built，it was the world’s highest bridge, _reaching_ over 340m at the highest point. The bridge is described as one of the most amazingly beautiful bridges in the world. It was built to _relieve Millaus congestion problems. The congestion was then caused by traffic passing from Paris to Barcelona in Spain. The bridge was built to withstand the most extreme seismic and climatic conditions. Besides, it is guaranteed for 120 years! The Itaipu Dam--The Itaipu hydroelectric power plant is one of the largest constructions of its kind in the world. It consists of a series of dams across the River Parana, which_ forms a natural border between Brazil and Paraguay. Started in 1975 and taking 16 years to complete, the construction was carried out as a joint project between the two countries. The dam is well-known for both its electricity output and its size. In 1995 it produced 78% of Paraguay’s and 25% of Brazil’s _energy needs. In its construction, the amount of iron and steel used was equivalent to over 300 Eiffel Towers. It is a truly amazing wonder of engineering. Why India Needs Its Dying Vultures The vultures in question may look ugly and threatening, but the sudden sharp decline in three species of I