冰岛草皮屋:历久弥新

云南 胡浩新

公元9 世纪到公元11 世纪时，草皮屋因其作为屋顶的草皮容易获得且持久而在冰岛大量出现。现在，草皮屋和自然景观融为一体，成为冰岛一道亮丽的风景线。

主题语境：历史与传统 篇幅：337词 建议用时：7分钟

1In Iceland, these green houses melt into the natural landscape, a technique that first appeared with the arrival of British settlers during the 9th through 11th centuries.Unlike their previous warm and wet climate,wood was rare and slow to regenerate.Turf(草皮)became their first pick to make shelters.

2Across Europe, turf bricks—widely available—were cut from local bogs (沼泽) and transported for use at higher lands.The turf was then laid over a wooden structure to form walls and a thick roof—to keep cold out from tough northern climates.Turf walls were replaced as frequently as every 20 years,and even up to 70 years.

3It is difficult to find out its precise origins in the archaeological record.However,evidence of similar constructions can be found in many countries throughout the ages.Historic records suggest that up to 50 percent of Icelandic houses were partly made of turf until the late 19th century.As populations began to gather in cities like Reykjavik, wood buildings replaced stone and earth architecture.After fires burned up the city in 1915, concrete (混凝土) became the material of choice.In 1918, Iceland gained independence from Denmark, setting in motion a wave of nationalism that threatened the survival of turf houses.Those who liked modern buildings argued that Reykjavik's buildings were less attractive than the skylines of Paris, Berlin, and London.Traditional techniques were criticized as“rotten Danish wood”and there was a campaign to clear them in favor of modern buildings—a move later criticized by many as destruction of cultural heritage.

4A tourism boom in the latter half of the 20th century encouraged Iceland to reexamine the value of traditional architecture.Do Icelanders still live in turf houses? The answer would be no.You might still see an occasional grass roof,but that has everything to do with architecture.And Icelanders want to hold on to their beloved heritage rather than any need for turf as insulation(隔热)material.

Reading Check

1.Why was turf used to build houses in the past?

A.It matched nature perfectly.

B.It could be changed often.

C.It was long-lasting and accessible.

D.It was preferred by settlers.

2.What was a direct result of the wave of nationalism?

A.People all went to Reykjavik.

B.Traditional architecture developed quickly.

C.Turf houses were almost unable to exist.

D.Wood buildings replaced stone buildings.

3.What's the attitude of modern building lovers to Reykjavik's buildings?

A.Positive.

B.Confused.

C.Neutral.

D.Negative.

4.What can be inferred about the turf houses from the last paragraph?

A.Their building material will improve.

B.They will live on.

C.People still live in them.

D.They are out of date.

Language Study

Difficult sentence

It is difficult to find out its precise origins in the archaeological record.在考古记录中很难找出它的确切起源。

【点石成金】该句中，it 作形式主语，to find out its precise origins in the archaeological record是真正的主语。