Questions Regarding Skyscrapers

The dictionary says (and I trust it’s no lie),

a SKYSCRAPER's a VERY TALL BUILDING. Why,

howtall, then, is VERY TALL? What rule to apply?

Would twenty-six storeys qualify?

And besides, skyscrapers should scrape the sky.

But I’ve never seen one doing it. Why?

Perhaps it’s because the sky’s too high

even for skyscrapers. My oh my!

But how high, tell me then, is the sky?

At what height does it begin? and why?

Is it just where the jackdaws cry:

or farther up where the aeroplanes fly?

or where the satellites orbit by?

or where the stars are rich in supply?

or where the angels sing lullaby?

And, anyway, what on earth is the sky,

that it can be scraped? Is it soft as pie

(sometimes they say there’s a pie in the sky),

or is it hard like a wooden ply,

or simply a giant butterfly?

I wish I could fly up and try,

but the flight, I’m afraid, may go awry.

Perhaps I’ll only find out when I die,

unless you can tell me, but please don’t lie.

If you tell me, I’ll give you a chunk of my pie.

Dietrich Hucke Jena, Germany . February 1989

31. Answer the following questions:

1. Why do people wish to build tall structures?

2. How do they manage in high-rise construction?

3. Can you recollect the examples of tall structures from the ancient times and at present?

4. What is the main purpose of building skyscrapers?

5. Can we manage without them?

6. What risks can ultra-high skyscrapers be at?

32. There exist several problems associated with the skyscrapers:

1. Designs should be tested in earthquakes.

2. Skyscrapers should be protected from terrorists’ attacks.

3. Skyscrapers threaten wide views of historic buildings and city skyline.

4. Skyscrapers are big users of electric power.