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Pre-reading questions:
- What do you want to be in the future? Please elaborate.
- Is it important to have ambitions? Why or why not?
Vocabulary:
- accomplishment /uh-KOM-plish-muhnt/
- major /MEY-jer/
- facility /fuh-SIL-i-tee/
- host /hohst/
- prestigious /pre-STEE-juhs/
[noun] something that is successful, or that is achieved after a lot of work or effort
His accomplishments in his 5-year stay in the company are outstanding.
[adjective] very large, important, or powerful
They launched a series of major economic programs.
[noun] a place, especially including buildings, where a particular activity happens
The theme park is the region’s most popular tourist facility.
[verb] to provide the space and other things necessary for a special event
Cannes hosts the annual film festival.
[adjective] very much respected and admired
Our company dinner is going to have a prestigious speaker present during the meal.
Arata Isozaki won the 2019 Pritzker Prize. It is considered as the “Nobel Prize of architecture” award. In his 60 years of being an architect, his accomplishments include over 100 buildings in North America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
People can see his major works in various countries. Some of his works are Japan’s Ceramic Park Mino, Italy’s Allianz Tower, and Qatar National Convention Center. One of Isozaki’s most popular works is the Palau Sant Jordi sports facility in Barcelona, Spain that hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic Games.The domed roof of the facility is based on Catalan vault-building method and the sloped form was inspired by Buddhist temples. Moreover, Isozaki used local materials as finishes of his creations. The Pritzker Prize has been classified as a prestigious Western award. Isozaki is the seventh Asian architect who won the award for the past ten years.
People can see his major works in various countries. Some of his works are Japan’s Ceramic Park Mino, Italy’s Allianz Tower, and Qatar National Convention Center. One of Isozaki’s most popular works is the Palau Sant Jordi sports facility in Barcelona, Spain that hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic Games.The domed roof of the facility is based on Catalan vault-building method and the sloped form was inspired by Buddhist temples. Moreover, Isozaki used local materials as finishes of his creations. The Pritzker Prize has been classified as a prestigious Western award. Isozaki is the seventh Asian architect who won the award for the past ten years.
Comprehension Questions:
- What is the name of the Japanese architect who won the Pritzker Prize this year?
- How many buildings did he finish for the past 60 years?
- Give at least 3 of his famous architectural works.
- The sloped form of the Palau Sant Jordin is inspired by what?
- In the article, what is the most prestigious architecture award?
Discussion Questions:
- What is your ambition in life? Please tell me more about it.
- What do you do to achieve your goals?
- Do you think people have fewer goals as they get older? Why or why not?
- Do you believe that people must work hard to become successful? Why or why not?
- What is the secret to success in life? Please explain.