In Part 6, you read four short texts and then answer
four questions. The questions focus on opinions
expressed in the texts and you may be asked to
identify opinions that are the same or different across
the texts.
C1 Advanced (CAE) Reading – Part 6: Test
The Architecture of Happiness
Four reviewers comment on philosopher Alain
De Botton’s book
A
Alain de button is a brave and highly intelligent writer
who writes about complex subjects, clarifying the
arcane for the layman. Now, with typical self-
assurance, he has turned to the subject of
architecture. The essential theme of his book is how
architecture influences mood and behaviour. It is not
about the specifically architectural characteristics of
space and design, but much more about the emotions
that architecture inspires in the users of buildings. Yet
architects do not normally talk nowadays very much
about emotion and beauty. They talk about design and
function. De Button’s message, then, is fairly simple
but worthwhile precisely because it is simple, readable
and timely. His commendable aim is to encourage
architects, and society more generally, to pay more
attention to the psychological consequences of design
in architecture: architecture should be treated as
something that affects all our lives, our happiness and
well-being.
B
Alain de button raises important, previously unasked,
questions concerning the quest for beauty in
architecture, or its rejection or denial. Yet one is left
with the feeling that he needed the help and support
of earlier authors on the subject to walk him across
the daunting threshold of architecture itself. And he is
given to making extraordinary claims: ‘Architecture is
perplexing … in how inconsistent is its capacity to
generate the happiness on which its claim to our
attention is founded.’ If architecture’s capacity to
generate happiness is inconsistent, this might be
because happiness has rarely been something
architects think about. De button never once discusses
the importance of such dull, yet determining, matters
as finance or planning laws, much less inventions such
as the lift or reinforced concrete. He appears to
believe that architects are still masters of their art,
when increasingly they are cogs in a global machine
for building in which beauty, and how de button feels
about it, are increasingly beside the point.
C
In The Architecture of Happiness, Alain de button has
a great time making bold and amusing judgements
about architecture, with lavish and imaginative
references, but anyone in search of privileged insights
into the substance of building design should be
warned that he is not looking at drain schedules or
pipe runs. He worries away, as many architects do, at
how inert material things can convey meaning and
alter consciousness. Although he is a rigorous thinker,
most of de Button’s revelations, such as the
contradictions in Le Corbusier’s theory and practice,
are not particularly new. However, this is an engaging
and intelligent book on architecture and something
everyone, professionals within the field in particular,
should read.
D
Do we want our buildings merely to shelter us, or do
we also want them to speak to us? Can the right sort
of architecture even improve our character? Music
mirrors the dynamics of our emotional lives. Mightn’t
architecture work the same way? De Botton thinks so,
and in The Architecture of Happiness he makes the
most of this theme on his jolly trip through the world
of architecture. De Botton certainly writes with
conviction and, while focusing on happiness can be a
lovely way to make sense of architectural beauty, it
probably won’t be of much help in resolving conflicts
of taste.
Which reviewer
1. has a different opinion from the others on the
confidence with which de button discusses
architecture?
2. shares reviewer A’s opinion whether architects
should take note of de Button’s ideas?
3. expresses a similar view to reviewer B regarding the
extent to which architects share de Button’s concerns?
4. has a different view to reviewer C on the originality
of some of de Button’s ideas?
Question 1: B
Explanation: Person A,C,D say that he is confident,
using words like self-assured, bold, and with
conviction. On the other hand, Person B says the
writer seems like he needs help.
Person A - Now, with typical self-assurance, he
has turned to the subject of architecture
Person B - Yet one is left with the feeling that he
needed the help and support of earlier authors on
the subject to
Person C - Alain de Button has a great time
making bold and amusing judgements about
architecture
Person D - De button certainly writes with conviction and
Question 2: A
Explanation: person A and D think architects should
pay attention to de Botton’s ideas. Person B and C do
not mention this.
person A: “His commendable aim is to encourage
architects, and society more generally, to pay more
attention to the psychological consequences of design
in architecture.”
person B: does not say architects should take note
focusing on other opinions.
person C: does not say architects should care about his
ideas just comments on his writing way.
person D: “Focusing on happiness can be a lovely way
to make sense of architectural beauty.”
Question 3: A
Explanation: person A mentions the coomon between
architecture and emotions which might seem like they
share de Botton’s concerns but it does not actually say
architects think the same.
person A: “The essential theme of his book is how
architecture influences mood and behaviour.”
person B: “Happiness has rarely been something
architects think about.”
person C: “Anyone in search of privileged insights into
the substance of building design should be warned that
he is not looking at drain schedules or pipe runs.”
person D: does not talk about whether architects agree
with de Botton.
Question 4: D
Explanation: person C and D have different opinions on
the originality of de Botton’s ideas. Person A and B do
not mention this.
person A: does not talk about whether his ideas are
new.
person B: does not say anything about originality.
person C: “Most of de Botton’s revelations, such as the
contradictions in Le Corbusier’s theory and practice,
are not particularly new.”
person D: “Focusing on happiness can be a lovely way
to make sense of architectural beauty.” This suggests
his approach is new.
