托福阅读文本：

　　The term "art deco" has come to encompass three distinct but related design trends of the

　　The term "art deco" has come to encompass three distinct but related design trends of the

　　1920's and 1930's. The first was what is frequently referred to as "zigzag moderne" — the

　　exotically ornamental style of such skyscrapers as the Chrysler Building in New York City and

　　related structures such as the Paramount Theater in Oakland, California. The word "zigzag"

　　alludes to the geometric and stylized ornamentation of zigzags, angular patterns, abstracted plant

　　and animal motifs, sunbursts, astrological imagery, formalized fountains, and related themes that

　　were applied in mosaic relief, and mural form to the exterior and interior of the buildings. Many of

　　these buildings were shaped in the ziggurat form, a design resembling an ancient Mesopotamian

　　temple tower that recedes in progressively smaller stages to the summit, creating a staircase-like

　　effect.

　　The second manifestation of art deco was the 1930's "streamlined moderne" style — a

　　Futuristic-looking aerodynamic style of rounded corners and horizontal bands known as "speed

　　stripes". In architecture, these elements were frequently accompanied by round windows,

　　extensive use of glass block, and flat rooftops.

　　The third style, referred to as either "international stripped classicism," or simply "classical

　　moderne," also came to the forefront during the Depression, a period of severe economic difficult

　　in the 1930's. This was a more conservative style, blending a simplified modernistic style with a

　　more austere form of geometric and stylized relief sculpture and other ornament, including interior

　　murals. Many buildings in this style were erected nationwide through government programs

　　during the Depression.

　　Although art deco in its many forms was largely perceived as thoroughly modern, it was

　　strongly influenced by the decorative arts movements that immediately preceded it. For example,

　　like "art nouveau" (1890-1910), art deco also used plant motifs, but regularized the forms into

　　abstracted repetitive patterns rather than presenting them as flowing, asymmetrical foliage, like the

　　Viennese craftspeople of the Wiener Werkstatte, art deco designers worked with exotic materials,

　　geometricized shapes, and colorfully ornate patterns. Furthermore, like the artisans of the Arts and

　　Crafts Movement in England and the United States, art deco practitioners considered it their

　　mission to transform the domestic environment through well-designed furniture and household

　　accessories.

　　托福阅读题目：

　　1. What aspect of "art deco" does the passage mainly discuss?

　　(A) The influence of art deco on the design of furniture and household accessories

　　(B) Ways in which government programs encouraged the development of art deco

　　(C)Architectural manifestations of art deco during the 1920's and 1930's

　　(D) Reasons for the popularity of art deco in New York and California

　　2. The word "encompass" in line 1 is closest in meaning to

　　(A) separate

　　(B) include

　　(C) replace

　　(D) enhance

　　3. The phrase "The first" in line 2 refers to

　　(A) the term "art deco"

　　(B) design trends

　　(C) the 1920's and 1930's

　　(D) skyscrapers

　　4. In line 9, the author mentions "an ancient Mesopotamian temple tower " in order to

　　(A) describe the exterior shape of certain "art deco" buildings

　　(B) explain the differences between ancient and modern architectural steles

　　(C) emphasize the extent of architectural advances

　　(D) argue for a return to more traditional architectural design

　　5. The streamlined moderne style is characterized by all of the following EXCEPT

　　(A) animal motifs

　　(B) flat roofs

　　(C) round windows

　　(D) "speed stripes"

　　6. The phrase "came to the forefront" in line 16 is closest in meaning to

　　(A) grew in complexity

　　(B) went through a process

　　(C) changed its approach

　　(D) became important

　　7. According to the passage , which of the following statements most accurately describes the

　　relationship between art deco and art nouveau?

　　(A) They were art forms that competed with each other for government support during the

　　Depression era.

　　(B) They were essentially the same art form.

　　(C)Art nouveau preceded art deco and influenced it.

　　(D)Art deco became important in the United States while art nouveau became popular in England.

　　8. According to the passage , a building having an especially ornate appearance would most

　　probably have been designed in the style of

　　(A) zigzag moderne

　　(B) streamlined moderne

　　(C) classical moderne

　　(D) the Arts and Crafts Movement

　　9. According to the passage , which of the following design trends is known by more than one

　　name?

　　(A) Zigzag moderne

　　(B) Streamlined moderne

　　(C) International stripped classicism

　　(D)Arts and Crafts Movement

　　10. The passage is primarily developed as

　　(A) the historical chronology of a movement

　　(B) a description of specific buildings that became famous for their unusual beauty

　　(C) an analysis of various trends within an artistic movement

　　(D) an argument of the advantages of one artistic form over another

　　托福阅读答案：

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