笔译练习1Rethinking Skyscrapers

Rethinking Skyscrapers

摩天大楼的警示

Most of the world’s tall buildings, called skyscrapers, are in the United States. However, the terrorist attacks have caused come Americans to worry about the safety of these extremely tall buildings.

For almost 30 years, the World Trade Center stood more than 410 meters above New York City’s financial center. The two towers of the Center were the tallest buildings in the city. They had more than 100 levels. Then on the morning of September Eleventh last year, two hijacked (劫持) airplanes struck the buildings.

About 50 thousand people worked in the World Trade Center.

Some estimates say many 90 thousand people passed through it on some days. The towers represented business and trade in the biggest city in America. Many people throughout the world recognized pictures of the World Trade Center against the skies of New York.

After the collapse of the twin towers, some city planners believe such extremely tall structures should not be replaced. Some members believe skyscrapers waste space These experts say some buildings use their lower levels mainly to get people to the upper levels.

Some experts also believe the office needs of businesses are changing. Most large companies now have their headquarters in skyscrapers. This permits their employees to work together in one place. However, employees today can communicate easily though electronic mail and other technology. So some planners believe there will be less need for skyscrapers in the future. The Empire State building is now the tallest building in New York City. It was built in 1931. It was the tallest building in the world for more than 40 years. It still is one of the most popular. Thousands of millions of visitors have seen New York from observation areas in this building.

Skyscrapers were invented in the United States. As early as the 1880, two new technical developments made these taller buildings possible. One development was the mechanical steps to reach the upper floors of tall buildings. The development of steel also helped make taller buildings possible.

Chicago became home to the world’s tallest building in 1973 when the Sears Tower was built. It is 442 meters tall. The Sears Tower was the tallest building in the world for 23 years. Then, in 1996, two taller buildings were completed. They are the

Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. They are about 452 meters tall.

Experts say there is almost no engineering limit to the height a skyscraper can be still people’s feelings may limit the size of skyscrapers in the future.

For example, a New York City stock trader works in an office high in a skyscraper. He says he once liked to look out his office window and see the other tall buildings of the city. But his feelings have changed since the terrorist attacks. Now he says he would, he would like to work much closer to the ground.