Passage Three
　　Tibetan architecture has been influenced by Chinese culture as well as Indian culture, and reflects a deeply Buddhist approach. The Buddhist wheel, along with two dragons, can be seen on nearly every Buddhist temple whose designs and inside details are different in Tibet. The design of the Tibetan towers can be different, from roundish walls in the western areas of Tibet to squarish, four-sided walls in Ladakh, an area near Himalayas which is known for its remote mountain beauty.
　　The most unusual feature of Tibetan architecture is that many of the houses and temples are built on elevated,sunny sites facing the south, and are often made out of a mixture of rocks, wood, cement and earth. Little fuel is available for heating or lighting, so flat roofs are built to keep heat inside, and multiple windows are built to let in sunlight. Walls are usually sloped inwards at 10 degrees as a measure to fight against frequent earthquakes in the mountainous area.
　　Standing at 117 meters in height and 360 meters in width, the Potala Palace, which means the holy land of Buddhism, is considered as the most important example of Tibetan architecture. Formerly the living place of the Dalai Lama, it contains over a thousand rooms within thirteen stories, and houses portraits of the past Dalai Lamas and statues of the Buddha. It is divided into the outer White Palace, which serves as the administrative quarters, and the inner Red Palace, which contains the assembly hall of the Lamas and a vast library of Buddhist scriptures (经文). It is now a statemuseum of China and a popular tourist attraction.
　　26. What does the passage mainly talk about?
　　A. Tibetan architecture.
　　B. Tibetan temples.
　　C. Tibetan arts.
　　D. Tibetan transportation.
　　27. The walls are usually sloped inwards at 10 degrees to .
　　A. bring in the fresh air
　　B. keep the cold wind out
　　C. prevent the damage of earthquakes
　　D. collect the rain in summer
　　28. Tibetan architecture has the following characteristics EXCEPT that .
　　A. the houses need no fuel for heat or light
　　B. the houses are built to make full use of sunlight
　　C. the materials are rocks, wood, cement and earth
　　D. temples in different places have different kinds of walls
　　29. Which of the following is NOT referred to in the last paragraph?
　　A. The area of Potala Palace.
　　B. The high rank of Potala Palace.
　　C. The architectural style of Potala Palace.
　　D. The original use of Potala Palace
　　30. What can be learned from the passage?
　　A. The Potala Palace is divided into the parts.
　　B. Ladakh is a place famous for its remote mountain beauty.
　　C. The name of the Potala Palace doesn’t have special meaning.
　　D. The Potala Palace represents the achievements of Tibetan architecture.

学位英语:2014年学位英语考试报名考试大纲 冲刺必备试题