冰島草皮屋:歷久彌新

云南 胡浩新

公元9 世紀到公元11 世紀時，草皮屋因其作為屋頂的草皮容易獲得且持久而在冰島大量出現。現在，草皮屋和自然景觀融為一體，成為冰島一道亮麗的風景線。

主題語境：歷史與傳統 篇幅：337詞 建議用時：7分鐘

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 (沼澤) 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(隔熱)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.在考古記錄中很難找出它的確切起源。

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