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 hometown 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.
68.What does the author say about historical buildings in the first paragraph?
A.Some of them are not attractive.
B.Most of them are too expensive to preserve.
C.They are more pleasing than modern buildings.
D.They have nothing to do with the historic feel of an area.
69.Which of the following is TRUE according to the author?
A.We should reproduce the same old buildings.
B.Buildings should not dominate their surroundings.
C.Some old buildings have spoilt the area they are in.
D.No one understands why people speak against new buildings.
70.By “move things forward” in the last paragraph, the author probably means “________”.
A.destroy old buildings
B.put things in a different place
C.choose new architectural style
D.respect people's feelings for historical buildings
71.What is the main purpose of the passage?
A.To explain why people dislike change.
B.To warn that we could end up living in caves.
C.To admit how new buildings have ruined their surroundings.
D.To argue that modern buildings can be built in historic areas.
【要点综述】 本文为一篇议论文。保护古建筑与城市的发展是相互矛盾的，作者就如何解决这个矛盾谈了自己的看法。
68. A 细节理解题。根据第一段第三句“Not all historical buildings are attractive.”可知选A。
69. C 细节理解题。根据第三段首句可知，作者认为有些古建筑破坏了其所在的地区。故选C。
70. C 词义猜测题。move things forward意为“将事情向前推进”。接下来的两句对此进行了阐释：作者宁愿冒险选择一些新的建筑风格而不愿复制以前的建筑风格。故C项正确。
71. D 写作意图题。本文为议论文，作者就热门话题——古建筑保护与新建筑的建设是否矛盾发表了自己的看法。作者在第二段提出自己的观点“In my view, new architectural styles can exist perfectly well alongside an older style.” 接下来就此进行了论证。故选D。
