Learn how the famous tower is still standing against all odds.
For tourists visiting Italy, a great number of wonders are waiting to be discovered. In addition to Venice’s Grand Canal and the Colosseum in Rome, the Tower of Pisa is a must-see sight. Though the tower is admired for its beautiful architecture, it is more widely known for its unique tilt.
The Tower of Pisa sits in the city of Pisa’s Piazza del Duomo, a square of great religious importance. The eight-story tower, which was designed as a bell tower for the cathedral in the square, began construction in 1173. Unfortunately, the tower’s foundation, which was laid on soil that was too soft, was only three meters deep. This shallow foundation and soft ground could not support the weight of the tower’s heavy stones. Within five years, the tower began to lean as the construction progressed to the third floor.
Around this time, construction was stopped due to wars. About 100 years later, the work started again, and more floors were added to the tower. The upper floors were built with one side shorter than the other in an attempt to stop the leaning. However, the additional weight of the floors made it worse. After another long pause in construction, the top of the tower was finally finished in 1372.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
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wonder
[ˋwʌndɚ]
vt. & vi. 想知道
n. 驚奇；奇觀，奇事
I wonder what my friends got me for my birthday.
我很想知道我朋友買給我什麼生日禮物。
I was wondering about the proper way to respond to my boss’ message.
我想知道如何恰當地回應老闆的訊息。
Carl had a look of wonder on his face at that moment.
那一刻卡爾臉上帶著驚訝的表情。
Aspirin works wonders for a headache.
阿斯匹靈對治療頭痛很有效。
No wonder the remote doesn’t work. The batteries are dead. 難怪遙控器不能用。電池沒電了。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
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admire
[ədˋmaɪr]
vt. 欣賞，欽佩
=
appreciate
=
think highly of...
I admire Justin for his proficiency in English.
賈斯汀的英文造詣令我折服。
I think highly of Justin for his proficiency in English.
賈斯汀的英文造詣令我折服。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 3
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unique
[juˋnik]
a. 與眾不同的；獨有的
Every person’s fingerprints are unique. No two people’s are alike.
每個人的指紋都是獨一無二的。沒有人是相同的。
Kiwi birds are unique to New Zealand. Nowhere else can you find them.
鷸鴕為紐西蘭所獨有，其他地方都找不到。
多益藍色
英檢初級
高中 Level 3
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soil
[sɔɪl]
n. 土壤
vt. 弄髒，汙損
=
earth
The soil here is very fertile.
這裡的土壤很肥沃。
I soiled my shirt while eating a sandwich.
我吃三明治的時候把我的襯衫弄髒了。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 2
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shallow
[ˋʃælo]
a. 淺的；膚淺的
=
superficial
Kids should play in the shallow end of the pool.
小朋友們應該待在泳池淺的那一端玩水。
I don’t like to deal with shallow people.
我不喜歡和膚淺的人打交道。
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
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progress
[prəˋgrɛs]
vi. 進步；逐漸進行
Under Bill’s expert guidance, the soccer team progressed very well.
在比爾專業的指導下，足球隊進步得很快。
Repair work has progressed slower than expected.
維修工作進行得較預期慢。
高中 Level 2
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pause
[pɔz]
n. 沈默，中斷
vi. 停頓
=
break
=
silence
There was a long, embarrassing pause after Tommy asked a stupid question.
湯米問了個笨問題後，便是一陣漫長、尷尬的沈默。
Howard paused to think about his answer.
霍華德停頓了一下，思索該如何回答。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 3
Practical Phrases
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in an attempt to V
試圖做……
In an attempt to beat the traffic, many people hit the road earlier. 為了避免交通擁擠，許多人提早上路。
