If you’ve ever seen detailed photographs of Paris’s Notre Dame cathedral, you may have noticed a strikingfeature of the building: large, circularwindows divided by intricately arranged stonework radiatingout from a central point like flower petals. The stonework encases colorful stained-glass windowpanes full of Catholic icons and symbolism.
Called a “rose window,” this adornment can be found in cathedrals across Europe, although the style was most popular in France. The rose window is a key element of “Gothic architecture,” a highly ornate style of architecture popular from Europe’s High Middle Ages to the Late Middle Ages, roughly 11th century to 15th century. During that era, most artisticexpression was primarily reserved forreligious artwork and buildings, and the rose window was no exception.
The ground plan of Medieval European cathedrals is usually laid outin the shape of a cross, with rose windows often incorporatedinto the facades and transepts of the building. Notre Dame has several rose windows facing north, south, and west, with the south window being the most famous and measuring 13 meters in diameter. The windows are all illuminated by natural light throughout the day, casting colorful light onto the walls and floor of the cathedral.
Despite their associationwith Gothic churches and Catholicism, historians believe that rose windows were inspired by early architecturalstyles from the Roman Empire and various Islamic empires that came afterward. Indeed, intricate window designs similar to rose windows appeared in the Middle East some 500 years before the constructionof Notre Dame began. At the time, Islamic and Christian empires often fought each other. Nonetheless, the popularity of the rose window demonstrates that artistic expression can transcendtime, culture, and religion.
1. What was the main focus of art during the High to Late Middle Ages?
(A) Designing palaces and residences for royalty.
(B) Decorating public buildings for people to enjoy.
(C) Creating pieces and architecture related to religion.
(D) Depicting conflicts between Christian and Islamic empires.
2. According to the passage, if a photo of a typical medieval cathedral is being taken from high above, what shape will it look like?
3. What can be inferred from the passage about rose windows?
(A) Notre Dame was among the first churches to include them.
(B) They were a unique invention of the Gothic architectural style.
(C) Their colorful light effects are achieved through modern technology.
(D) Despite existing during a time of conflict, their beauty transcended differences.
4. What aspect of rose windows is NOT discussed in the passage?
(A) The evolution of their symbolism.
(B) The sources of their inspiration.
(C) Their design and structure.
(D) Their historical context.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
striking
[ˋstraɪkɪŋ]
adj. 明顯的，醒目的
=
noticeable
There is a striking difference between Liam and Oliver in terms of personality. The former is extroverted, whereas the latter is introverted.
就個性而言，連恩和奧立佛很明顯不一樣。前者外向，後者則內向。
多益藍色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
circular
[ˋsɝkjəlɚ]
a. 圓形的
n. 傳單，通知
=
flyer
The full moon has a circular shape.
滿月的形狀是圓的。
More and more publishers distribute circulars to promote their new books.
越來越多出版社會發傳單宣傳他們的新書。
高中 Level 4
●
radiate
[`redIɪˌet ]
vt. & vi. .放射；散發，流露（情感、特質）
The sun radiates light and heat.
太陽會散發光與熱。
Light and heat radiate from the sun.
太陽會散發光與熱。
One of the car’s headlights was broken, so only a
single beam of light radiated from the vehicle.
汽車的一個頭燈壞了，所以汽車只發出一道光束。
The rock star radiates charm and confidence.
這名搖滾歌手渾身散發魅力與自信。
John never fails to look on the bright side of life;
optimism positively radiates from him.
約翰都會去看生活中美好的一面。他很積極樂觀。
The unusual radiate pattern on the coin meant that it
was sought after by many collectors.
這硬幣上獨特的放射狀圖案，意味著很多收藏家都很想要。
高中 Level 6
●
architecture
[ˋɑrkə͵tɛktʃɚ]
n. 建築（風格）；建築學（不可數）
Baroque architecture is characterized by grandeur and magnificence.
巴洛克式建築的特色就是雄偉壯麗。
The teacher told Benny that because of his good drawing skills and love of design, he should study architecture.
老師告訴班尼，由於他良好的繪畫技巧及對設計的熱愛，他應該研讀建築學。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
architectural
[͵ɑrkəˋtɛktʃərəl]
a. 建築的
The pyramids are architectural marvels.
金字塔是令人驚歎的建築物。
●
artistic
[ɑrˋtɪstɪk]
a. 藝術的；美妙的
Henry’s artistic ability began to shine when he was quite young.
亨利的藝術才能在很年輕時就已開始發光。
The pianist gave a very artistic performance at the concert last night.
那位鋼琴家在昨晚的音樂會中有一場唯美的演出。
高中 Level 4
●
incorporate
[ɪnˋkɔrpə͵ret]
vt. 使結合，合併
I was glad that our ideas had been incorporated into the project.
我很高興我們的構想被融入本企畫案中。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
diameter
[daɪˋæmətɚ]
n. 直徑
The diameter of this circle is 5 cm.
這個圓的直徑是 5 公分。
This circle is 5 cm in diameter.
這個圓的直徑是 5 公分。
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
illuminate
[ɪˋlumə͵net]
vt. . 照亮
The street lamps illuminated the road as we walked
home.
我們走回家時，街燈照亮了道路。
高中 Level 6
●
association
[ə͵sosɪˋeʃən]
n. 協會；聯合
We decided to set up an association of photography lovers.
我們決定成立一個攝影愛好者協會。
The exhibition was sponsored by the government inassociation with local businesses.
這場展覽是由政府聯合當地企業贊助舉辦的。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
construction
[kənˋstrʌkʃən]
n. 施工，建造
Traffic was slow due to road construction.
由於道路施工，車輛通行緩慢。
We were told to wear helmets at the construction site.
在工地時，我們被吩咐要戴上安全帽。
There are three new apartments underconstruction.
有三棟新的公寓正在興建中。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
transcend
[trænˋsɛnd]
vt. 超越，凌駕
Sometimes a simple smile can transcend language barriers.
有時候簡單一個微笑就能超越語言的障礙。
英檢中高
Extra Words
●
medieval
[͵mɪdɪˋivəl]
a. . 中世紀的
The concept of personal hygiene nowadays is very
different from that in medieval times. 中世紀的個人衛生概念和現在差很多。
高中 Level 6
●
cathedral
[kəˋθidrəl]
n. 大教堂
=
church
St. Patrick’s Cathedral stands tall on New York City’s Fifth Avenue.
聖派翠克大教堂聳立在紐約市第五大道上。
高中 Level 5
●
intricately
[ˋɪntrəkɪtlɪ]
adv. 精緻複雜地
英檢中高
●
encase
[ɪnˋkes]
vt. 把⋯⋯包住；把⋯⋯圍住
●
adornment
[əˋdɔrnmənt]
n. 裝飾（品）
●
ornate
[ɔrˋnet]
a. 華麗的，華美的
The ballroom was adorned with ornate chandeliers.
宴會廳裡裝飾著華麗的吊燈。
●
royalty
[ˋrɔɪəltɪ]
n. . 皇室（集合名詞，不可數）；版稅（常用複數）
Annie discovered that her grandmother was a memberof the royalty.
安妮發現她外婆是皇室成員。
The author received 5% royalties on each copy sold.
這名作家每賣出一本書，就可抽 5% 的版稅。
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
context
[ˋkɑntɛkst]
n. 上下文；背景
=
content
=
background
I have to know the context to tell you what this word means.
我必須知道上下文才能告訴你這個字的意思。
To understand the novel better, you have to study its social context.
你若想更了解這部小說，就得研讀它的社會背景。
To understand the novel better, you have to study its social background.
你若想更了解這部小說，就得研讀它的社會背景。
高中 Level 4
●
a ground plan
平面圖
Practical Phrases
●
be reserved for...
保留給⋯⋯
This room is reserved for VIPs only.
這間房間僅供貴賓使用。
●
be no exception
不例外
Most kids love dessert, and Barryis no exception.
大多數的小孩喜歡甜食，巴瑞也不例外。
●
lay out
配置⋯⋯
Mr. King will be responsible for laying out the interior design of the building.
金恩先生將負責配置本棟大樓的室內設計。
