Toronto' s third City Hall, now known as Old City Hall, was designed by Edward James Len-nox and declared open on Sept.18,1899.

Created to provide more space for city officials, it turned out to be the largest building in the city and the largest city building in North America at the time.

Lennox took three years to design the City Hall and it took 11 years to build it. Contemporaries believe that the odd carvings (雕刻) above the Queen Street entrance were actually caricatures(漫画) of councilors at the time.

Lennox even included himself in the caricatures, on the west side of the central arch ( 拱门 ),and left a strange signature in the stonework of the link portions of the building.

The third City Hall was originally used as councilors' offices and legal offices, but it is used only as a courthouse today.

When the fourth City Hall (the one we know today) was declared open in 1965, Old City Hall was threatened to be pulled down. It was saved by a group of people called the "Friends of Old City Hall. "

The clock tower stands parallel with the middle of Bay Street, rather than with the center of the building. The bells in the tower were not installed until the building opened. Old City Hall was declared a historical site in 1989.

(80) The entire structure cost more than $ 2.5 million to build at the time. This is equal to $ 53 million today.

21.Toronto's third City Hall came into use in__________.

A.the 18th century

B.the 19th century

C.the 20th century

D.the 21st century

22. Old City Hall was constructed in __________ years.

A.3

B.7

C.9

D.11

23.The third City Hall is now used as a__________.

A.middle school

B.hospital

C.cinema

D.courthouse

24.From the passage we learn that__________.

A.Toronto spends lots of money yearly developing the city

B.some local residents showed a great interest in protecting the city' s cultural site

C.the City Council of Toronto hasn' t paid sufficient attention to the protection of the city' s culture

D.the City Hall is still the largest city building in North America today

25.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A.To build a structure like the City Hall will cost $ 2.5 million today.

B.The clock tower stands parallel with the centre of the City Hall.

C.Old City Hall was once pulled down in the development of the city.

D.Old City Hall is now a historical site.