BUILDING WONDERS o

An early morning photo

of the Taj Mahal, India

ACADEMIC SKILLS THINK AND DISCUSS

READING Identifying relevant information 1 In your opinion, what are some ofthe most amazing

WRITING Writing a comparison paragraph buildings in the world? Why are they special?
GRAMMAR Using comparative adjectives
2 Are there any amazing buildings in your city or
country? What are they?
CRmCALTHlNKlNG Interpreting quotes

141
EXPLORE THE THEME
A Look at the information on these pages and answer the questions.
1. Why do humans build monuments and other large buildings? List as many
reasons as you can.

2. Which of the monuments mentioned below would you most like to visit?

Give reasons for your choice.

B Match the correct form of the words in blue to their definitions.

(adj) having or showing belief in a god or a group of gods
(n) a shape, design, or object that represents something else
(n) something that has been built

GREAT
MONUMENTS
Throughout history, humans have felt a need to build huge
structures. Buildings or structures of historical interest

are known as monuments. UNESCO (the United Nations

Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) protects

many important monuments as World Heritage Sites.

There are many reasons for building monuments. Some are

tombs for great people. For example, ancient Egyptians built

pyramids to protect their kings after death. Centuries later,

the ruler Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in India as a symbol
of love for his dead wife.

Some monuments remind us of great leaders from the

past, such as Mount Rushmore's giant carvings of American

presidents. Other monuments have religious purposes, such

as Göbekli Tepe, one of the oldest man-made structures

on Earth. The purpose of some monuments—such as the
ancient stone circle of Stonehenge in England—is still a

mystery.

142 UNIT 8
 Sankore Mosque in
•Timbuktu, Mali, is a UNESCO
'World Heritage Site.

BUILDiNG WONDERS- 143

 Reading 1

PREPARING TO READ

BUILDING A The words and phrases in blue below are used in the reading passage on pages
VOCABULARY 145-148. Complete each sentence with the correct word or phrase. Use a dictionary to

help you.

architect committed to illustrate inspiration sculpture style theme

is a form of art that is made by shaping stone, wood, clay, or

other materials.

2. If you are something, you give your time and energy to it.

3. If you get from something, it gives you new and creative ideas.

4. A(n) is an important idea or subject found throughout a work

of art or literature.

5. A(n) is a person who plans and designs buildings.

6. To an idea means to explain or give examples of it.

7. The ofa building refers to its form or design, and is usual

characteristic of a particular period or region.

USING B Discuss these questions with a partner.

VOCABULARY
1. Do you know of any famous architects? What buildings did they design?
2. What is the architectural style of the building you are in right now? Is it mode
traditional?

BRAINSTORMING C Ifthe style ofa building is by nature, what might it look like? Look at the
inspired
categories listed in the word web below. With a partner, brainstorm some ideas f'
each category.

The ceiling is painted to look like the sky.

The sky Animals

Buildings inspired
by nature

Water Plants

144 UNIT 8
UNFINI$D-
MASTERPIECE La Sagrä4aFamiIia,
Barceloilå, Spain

2.05

It's a structure that isn't finished, yet two million people visit it

A every year. Antoni Gaudi began building his church, La Sagrada

Familia, in 1883—and work continues to this day.

The architect Antoni Gaudi was born in of curved forms, not straight lines. With this idea

1852 near the town of Reus, in the Catalonian in mind, he based his structures on a simple idea:

region of Spain. As a child, he was interested If nature is the work of God, then the best way to

in the natural wonders of the Catalonian

honor God is to design buildings based on nature.

countryside. When he grew up, he went to The architect's love of nature combined
Barcelona to study architecture. Gaudi designed with his religious beliefs guided the design of La
many structures in Barcelona during his career, Sagrada Familia. Gaudi designed the inside of
but he was most committed to La Sagrada La Sagrada Familia to feel like a forest. Inside
Familia. In fact, after 1910, he stopped working the church, pillars rise up like trees. This theme
on nearly all other projects to focus on it. continues outside. The outside of the church
is decorated with sculptures of wildlife. For
INSPIRED BY NATURE example, a turtle—a symbol of the sea—and
Gaudi experimented with many styles early in a tortoise—a symbol of the land—are carvedi
his career, but eventually developed his own ideas into the base oftwo columns. Carvings of other
about architecture. The natural world was the animals, such as reptiles and birds, appear
main inspiration for Gaudi's designs. "Nothing is throughout the structure.
art if it does not come from nature," he believed. Ilf something is carved from wood or stone, it is cut into a shape or
pattern.
Gaudi understood that the natural world is full

BUILDING WONDERS 145

 Work on La Sagrada Farnilia is

Barcelona's Natural moving slowly. It is scheduled

completion
Wonder
for in 2026.

Finished section (as of 2010)

Unfinished section

Barcelona

Madrid

SPAIN

I'll' i'

II'IN

146 UNIT 8
 Natural Windows
Forms in nature Gaudi's windows are
influenced Gaudi's similar to shapes found
architectural style. in nature, such as in this

There are many algae, a tiny sea animal.

examples of his
nature-inspired
designs throughout
the church.

Pyrite crystal A
Vine Lines v Passion fruit vi
Gaudi often used
vine shapes to
decorate the walls
Tower Tops
of the church.
Some of the decorations
on La Sagrada Familia are
modeled on Gaudi's study
of crystals, grains, and

grasses.

Spiral Stairways
The spiral is a common
shape in nature. It

exists in plants and

animals. Gaudi used
spirals in many parts
Tree Structures of the church.
Gaudi made a "forest"

inside the church by

Garden snail v
creating columns that look

like trees. He even carved

shapes that look like

places where branches

were removed.

BUILDING WONDERS 147

 Gaudi's work illustrates a timeless truth
AN END IN SIGHT As the architectural historian Joan Bassegoda
Gaudi died in 1926. Before his death, he wrote: "The lesson of Gaudi is ... to look at
made three-dimensiona12 models of his plans for nature for inspiration ... [N]ature does not go
the building, hoping that others could complete out of fashion." In fact, you might say Gaudi's
his masterpiece.3 Many of these models were architectural style was ahead of its time. The
lost during the Spanish Civil War (1936—1939), architect's nature-inspired designs can be seen
E but some survived. These models have helped
example of the modern science of
as an early
Gaudi's successors' For example, Mark Burry,
biomimetics—a science that uses designs in
an architect from New Zealand, has worked on
nature to solve modern problems.
La Sagrada Familia for almost 40 years. He uses
computer technology and the surviving models Work on La Sagrada Familia is expected
to bring Gaudi's plans to life. to be finished in 2026, a hundred years after

G Gaudi's death.Gaudi was once asked why

2A three-dimensional object can bc measured in three directions:
length, width, and depth. La Sagrada Familia was taking so long to
an extremely good work of
'A masterpiece is

'A successor is someone who

art.

takes a 10b or position previously

complete. "My client is not in a hurry," he said.

held by someone else.

Tall, tree-like pillars (or

columns) support the Interior

of La Sagrada Fam(lla.

148 8
UNDERSTANDING THE READING
A Match each paragraph from the reading passage to its purpose. UNDERSTANDING
MAIN IDEAS
1. Paragraph B a. to explain Gaudi's ideas about architecture

2. Paragraph C b. to show a link between Gaudi's work and biomimetics

3. Paragraph D c. to provide some biographical information about Gaudi

4. Paragraph E d. to describe what inspired the design of La Sagrada Familia

5. Paragraph F e. to explain how other architects have continued Gaudi's

work

B How is the design of La Sagrada Familia inspired by nature? Complete the chart using UNDERSTANDING
examples from pages 145—147. DETAILS

Object in La Sagrada Familia Shape or Object in Nature

pillars trees

sculptures and carvings

wall decorations

CRITICAL THINKING Writers often use quotations (quotes) from relevant,

authoritative sources to add credibility to their claims. When you read a quote, ask
yourself: What does this quote mean? How does it relate to the main idea?

@ Discuss these questions with a partner. CRITICAL THINKING:

INTERPRETING
1.' "Nothing is art if it does not come from nature." How does this quote relate to Gaudi's QUOTES
ideas about architecture?
2. According to Joan Bassegoda, "Nature does not go out of fashion." What do you think
this means?
3. Gaudi once said, "My client is not in a hurry." Who do you think he was referring to?

D What do you think about Gaudi's design for La Sagrada Familia? Complete the CRITICAL THINKING:
following sentence and share your ideas with a partner. REFLECTING
I like / don't like the design of La Sagrada Familia because

BUILDING WONDERS 149

 Reading 2
PREPARING TO READ

A The words and phrases in blue below are used in the reading passage on pages BUILDING
154-155. Read the sentences and then circle the best definition for each word or VOCABULARY
phrase.

1. The Pyramids of Giza consist of heavy blocks. Each block weighs about two and a half
tons.

a. are inspired by O
b. are formed from

2. It took 16 years to construct the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

O
a. build b. discover

3. Experts continue to debate the purpose of some ancient monuments. There are
many opinions because there is not yet enough evidence.
O
a. discuss b. agree on

4. A wedding is a religious ceremony for many people. The event often occurs in a holy
place.
a. very old O
b. sacred

5. The pillars inside La Sagrada Familia represent trees. They are branched and slightly
tilted, not straight, just like real trees.

O
a. symbolize b. damage
6. Some building projects require hundreds of people to work together.
a. hurt O
b. need

7. The ancient Mayan people worshipped various gods related to nature, including the
gods of the sun and the moon. They went to the temple to honor their gods.
a. place for entertainment O
b. place for religious activities

8. How did ancient people transport heavy stones? At the time, they didn't even have
wheels.

O a. move b. carve

B Discuss these questions with a partner. USING

VOCABULARY
1. What are some methods of transporting heavy objects over long distances?
2. Have you visited any famous temples? Where were they and what were they like?

3. What skills are required to be an architect?

C Skim the first paragraph of the reading passage on pages 154-155, and look at the PREDICTING
photos and captions. Consider the following:

How old do you think these structures are? What do you think was the purpose ofeach structure?

Discuss your ideas with a partner. Then check your ideas as you read the passage.

BUILDING WONDERS 153

AMAZING STRUCTURES
o, 2.06 EEE Ect
For thousands of years, people have been inspired to create giant
A monuments. Here are two great architectural achievements, located on

opposite sides of the world.

CHICHÉN rrzÅ
Chichén Itzå was a major city of the Maya Empire from A.D. 750 to 1200. Made
of stepped pyramids, temples, and other stone structures, the ancient city is now one of
Mexico's most visited tourist destinations. The largest building in Chichén Itzå is the
E. 721
B Temple of Kukulkan—a pyramid with 365 steps. A kind of calendar, the temple shows
the change of seasons. On the spring and autumn equinoxesl each year, a shadow
falls on the pyramid in the shape of a snake. As the sun sets, this shadowy snake
goes down the steps to eventually join a carved snake head on the pyramid's side.
☐1-01--01
The Mayans constructed the pyramids with carved stone. Amazingly, they
worked without wheels or metal tools. To build a pyramid, Mayan workers
c created a base and added smaller and smaller levels as the structure rose.
Building the pyramids required many workers. Some pyramids took
hundreds of years to complete.

Chichén was both an advanced city center and a religious

Itzå
site. Spanish records show that the Mayans made human

sacrifices2 to a rain god here. Archaeologists have found

bones, jewelry, and other objects that people wore when

they were sacrificed. Experts also know that the
Mayans were knowledgeable astronomers.3
They used the tops of the pyramids to view
Venus and other planets.

'An equinox is a time in the year when

day and night are of equal length.
2A sacrifice is a religious ceremony in
which people or animals are killed.
JAn astronomer is a person who
studies stars, planets, and other Chichen Itza
objects in space.
Major city of Maya Empire
-

of kukulkan
Temple %
and snake shadow
Spring autumn
equinox :

Mayan constructed the

pyramids with carved stone

required many people

.

Advanced
city
Religious site
 GÖBEKLI TEPE
Göbekli Tepe, in southeastern Turkey, is one of the
oldest man-made structures on Earth. Experts believe
it was built about 12,000 years ago. The structure
b- HE
E consists of dozens of stone pillars arranged in rings.
Many pillars
71%
are covered with carvings of animals.
IF
The tallest pillars are 18 feet (5.5 meters) in height

and weigh 16 tons (more than 14,500 kilograms).

At the time that Göbekli Tepe was built, there was

Temple of Kukulkan,
no writing system, and people did not use metal. Even
Chichén Itzå, Mexico
wheels did not exist. Amazingly, though, the builders
F were able to cut, shape, and transport 16-ton stones.
Archaeologists found Stone Age4 tools such as knives
at the site. They think hundreds of workers carved and
KHTIIT
put the pillars in place.

Archaeologists are still debating the purpose of

Göbekli Tepe. Klaus' Schmidt—the archaeologist who
originally excavated5 the site—believed that
It -4 -
Göbekli
G Tepe was a holy meeting place. According to his
theory, the T-shaped pillars represent human beings.
The pillars face the center of the circle and perhaps
represent a religious ceremony.

New evidence suggests that large feasts took

place at the site. Archaeologists found thousands of
small animal bones nearby, with stone containers
large enough to hold more than 40 gallons (150
liters) of liquid. They also found smaller pillars
similar to Göbekli Tepe's in areas over 125 miles (200
kilometers) away. It's as though Göbekli Tepe were a

cathedral and the other structures were local churches.

4The Stone Age was a prehistoric period when tools were made of stone, not
metal.

S When people excavate a site, they remove earth to find items buried
underground.
GO.bek.li Tepe Göbekli Tepe, Turkey
oldest -

man made structures

cut , shape transport

,
16 ton stones .

Archaeologist are still debating

the of it
purpose
.

A
holy meeting place
T -

shaped pillars represents human beings .

WOND S 15
 UNDERSTANDING THE READING

UNDERSTANDING A Choose the best alternative title for the reading passage.
THE MAIN IDEA
a. Mysterious Modern Structures
b. Architectural Wonders of the Ancient World
Religious Architectural Styles

UNDERSTANDING B What do Chichén Itzå and Göbekli Tepe have in common? Check (V) the sentences
DETAILS that are true.

C] 1. Both structures are located in the Americas.

C) 2. Both structures were built from stone.

0 3. Carvings of animals appear on both structures.

0 4. Both structures were built using metal tools.

C) 5. Both structures were constructed amazingly quickly.

Ü 6. Both structures likely served a religious purpose.

IDENTIFYING C According to the writer, what was the purpose of each structure? What evidence does
EVIDENCE the writer give? Scan the reading passage again and note your answers.

Chichén Itzå

Purpose(s):

Evidence:

Göbekli Tepe

Purpose(s):

Evidence:

CRITICAL THINKING: D Work with a partner. Discuss the following questions about the reading passage
EVALUATING AN
1. Look back at paragraphs D, G, and H. What language does the writer use to describe
ARGUMENT
the purpose(s) of each structure? How does the writer introduce the evidence?
Consider the levels of certainty expressed.
2. Do you find the argument explaining the purpose of Chichén Itzä or of Göbekli Tepe
more convincing? Why?

CRITICAL THINKING: E Do you think it is a good thing or a bad thing that ancient sites like Chichén Itzå and
REFLECTING Göbekli Tepe have been opened up to the world? What are the pros and cons? Discuss

with a partner and note your ideas below.

pros:

Cons:

156 UNIT 8