Reading Comprehension 4

Taipei 101, formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Centre is a landmark supertall
skyscraper in Xinyi District, Taipei,(commonly known as Taiwan). The building was
officially classified as the world's tallest in 2004, and remained such until the completion of
the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2009. It used to have the fastest elevator in the world, traveling
at 60.6 km/h and transporting passengers from the 5th to 89th floor in 37 seconds. In 2016,
the title for the fastest elevator was given to one in Shanghai Tower.
Construction on the 101-story tower started in 1999 and finished in 2004. The tower has
served as an icon of modern Taiwan ever since its opening. The building
was architecturally created as a symbol of the evolution of technology and Asian tradition.
Its postmodernist approach to style incorporates traditional design elements and gives them
modern treatments. The tower is designed to withstand typhoons and earthquakes. A multi-
level shopping mall adjoining the tower houses hundreds of stores, restaurants and
clubs. Fireworks launched from Taipei 101 feature prominently in international New Year's
Eve broadcasts and the structure appears frequently in travel literature and international
media.
Taipei 101 comprises 101 floors above ground, as well as 5 basement levels. It was not only
the first building in the world to break the half-kilometre mark in height, but also the world's
tallest building from March 2004 to 10 March 2010. As of 28 July 2011, it is still the world's
largest and highest-use green building. Evergreen Consulting Engineering, the structural
engineer, designed Taipei 101 to withstand gale winds of 60 metres per second (197 ft./s),
(216 km/h or 134 mph), as well as the strongest earthquakes in a 2,500-year cycle

Taipei 101 is the first record-setting skyscraper to be constructed in the 21st century. It
exhibits a number of technologically advanced features as it provides a centre for business
and recreation. The original 2004 fibre-optic and satellite Internet connections permitted
transfer speeds up to a gigabyte per second.

The height of 101 floors commemorates the renewal of time: the new century that arrived as
the tower was built (100+1) and all the new years that follow (1 January = 1-01). It
symbolizes high ideals by going one better on 100, a traditional number of perfection. The
number also evokes the binary numeral system used in digital technology. The main tower
features a series of eight segments of eight floors each. In Chinese-speaking cultures the
number eight is associated with abundance, prosperity and good fortune.

The Taipei Financial Centre Corporation (TFCC) announced plans on 2 November 2009 to
make Taipei 101 "the world's tallest green building" by summer of 2011 as measured by
LEED standards. The structure is already designed to be energy-efficient, with double-pane
windows blocking external heat by 50 percent and recycled water meeting 20–30 percent of
the building's needs. LEED certification would entail inspections and upgrades in wiring,
water and lighting equipment at a cost of NT$60 million (US$1.8 million). Estimates show
the savings resulting from the modifications would pay for the cost of making them within
three years. The project was carried out under the guidance of an international team
composed of Siemens Building Technologies, architect and interior designer Steven Leach
Group and the LEED advisory firm Eco Tech International. The company applied for a
platinum-degree certification with LEED in early 2011. On 28 July 2011, Taipei 101 received
LEED platinum certification under "Existing Buildings: Operations and
Maintenance". Although the project cost NT$60 million (US$2.08 million), it is expected to
save 14.4 million kilowatt-hours of

electricity, or an 18 percent energy-saving, equivalent to NT$36 million (US$1.2 million) in

energy costs each year.

Adapted from: www.taipei-101.com.tw/en

1. How long did Taipei 101 emerged as the world’s tallest tower?

A 3 years

B 4 years

C 5 years

D 6 years

2. What was the reason behind the construction of Taipei 101?

A To showcase the traditional design of the nation.

B Pride of the nation

C To strengthen the economic growth

D Symbol of evolution of technology and Asian tradition

3. Which of the following are not in the tower?

I. clubs
II. market
III. stores
IV. cafeteria
A I & II
 B I & III

C II & IV

D IV only

4. What is another major criterion of Taipei 101?

A It is a flexible building

B It is built with environment friendly materials

C It is also a green building which doesn’t pollute the environment

D It is used for telecommunications

5. State down another word which has the same meaning as the word “recreation”

_______________________________________________________________

6. Why was the building named Taipei 101?

A It symbolises perfection

B It welcomes the new century as according to year the building was built

C It is associate with abundance and prosperity

D It symbolises good luck

7. Which of the following was the plans executed after the construction of the building?

I To make it world’s tallest tower

II To make it energy efficient

III To obtain safety certification

IV To reduce water consumption in the building

A I & II

B II & III

C II & IV

D III only