GMAT考试写作指导：Issue写作范文七八_GMAT 考试

GMAT考试写作指导：Issue写作范文七八

文章来源：文章作者：发布时间：2007-07-05 07:10 字体： [大中小]　进入论坛

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78. The issue of whether to raze¹ an old, historic building to make way for progress is

a complex one, since it involves a conflict between our interest in preserving our culture,

tradition, and history and a legitimate² need to create practical facilities that serve current

utilitarian³ purposes. In my view, the final judgment⁴ should depend on a case-by-case

analysis of two key factors.

One key factor's the historic value of the building. An older building may be

worth saving because it uniquely represents some bygone era. On the other hand, if

several older buildings represent the era just as effectively, then the historic value of one

building might be negligible. If the building figured centrally into the city's history as a

municipal structure, the home of a founding family or other significant historical figure,

or the location of important events, then its historic value would be greater than if its

history was an unremarkable one.

The other key factor involves the specific utilitarian needs of the community and

the relative costs and benefits of each alternative in light of those needs. For example, if

the need is mainly for more office space, then an architecturally appropriate add-on or

annex⁵ might serve just as well as a new building. On the other hand, an expensive

retrofit may not be worthwhile if no amount of retrofitting would permit it to serve the

desired function. Moreover, retrofitting might undermine the historic value of the old

building by altering its aesthetic⁶ or architectural integrity.

In sum, neither modernization⁷ for its own sake nor indiscriminate preservation⁸ of

old buildings should guide decisions in the controversies⁹ at issue. Instead, decisions

should be made on a case-by-case basis, considering historic value, community need,

and the comparative costs and benefits of each alternative.

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1 raze
vt.铲平，把(城市、房屋等)夷为平地，拆毁
参考例句：
The nuclear weapons stored by the United States alone are sufficient to raze the planet.仅美国储存的核武器就足以毁灭地球。 The earthquake made the city raze to the ground.地震把这个城市夷为平地。

2 legitimate
adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法
参考例句：
Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。 That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。

3 utilitarian
adj.实用的，功利的
参考例句：
On the utilitarian side American education has outstridden the rest of the world.在实用方面美国教育已超越世界各国。 A good cloth coat is more utilitarian than a fur one.一件优质的布外衣要比一件毛皮外衣更有用。

4 judgment
n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见
参考例句：
The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。 He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

5 annex
vt.兼并，吞并；n.附属建筑物
参考例句：
It plans to annex an England company in order to enlarge the market.它计划兼并一家英国公司以扩大市场。 The annex has been built on to the main building.主楼配建有附属的建筑物。

6 aesthetic
adj.美学的，审美的，有美感
参考例句：
My aesthetic standards are quite different from his.我的审美标准与他的大不相同。 The professor advanced a new aesthetic theory.那位教授提出了新的美学理论。

7 modernization
n.现代化，现代化的事物
参考例句：
This will help us achieve modernization.这有助于我们实现现代化。 The Chinese people are sure to realize the modernization of their country.中国人民必将实现国家现代化。

8 preservation
n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持
参考例句：
The police are responsible for the preservation of law and order.警察负责维持法律与秩序。 The picture is in an excellent state of preservation.这幅画保存得极为完好。

9 controversies
争论
参考例句：
We offer no comment on these controversies here. 对于这些争议，我们在这里不作任何评论。来自英汉非文学 - 历史 The controversies surrounding population growth are unlikely to subside soon. 围绕着人口增长问题的争论看来不会很快平息。来自辞典例句