兴学教育 高中话题阅读精讲.doc

话题阅读 【课前导读】 Christmas at the Biltmore House On Christmas Eve in 1895, George Washington Vanderbilt of New York City unveiled his mountaintop masterpiece. This beautiful house had taken 1,000 men six years to construct. But what had inspired Vanderbilt to choose this remote location in the mountains near Asheville, N.C., for his summer home and “little mountain escape”? Where it began In the 1800s, Vanderbilt’s grandfather Cornelius accumulated a fortune in the shipping and railroad business. By the turn of the century, the Vanderbilts were some of the world’s richest people and faced some of the same privacy issues as today’s celebrities. This prompted George Vanderbilt to begin searching for a getaway – a place where he and his family could escape the ever watchful press. While traveling in eastern North Carolina, Vanderbilt was attracted by the region’s scenery. He chose a mountainous location there that would provide privacy and allow him to pursue his interests in art and horticulture. A castle fit for a king If Vanderbilt’s Christmas Eve guests had expected a modest second home, they must have been amazed as they crossed his 120,000-acre estate. The carriages then delivered them to the 250-room French chateau equipped with a swimming pool, bowling alley and much more! “A Vanderbilt Christmas Celebration” Visitors today are equally awed by the beautiful estate – though it’s smaller now at around 7,000 acres – and the palatial house with 34 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and 65 fireplaces. An even more spectacular treat, though, awaits those who visit during the annual “Christmas at Biltmore” event. Known as one of the largest Christmas displays in the Southeast, the event boasts nearly 100 decorated Christmas trees and more than 1,000 wreaths and bows. Thirty thousand lights illuminate the Biltmore House and another 150,000 lights light up the estate. During the holiday event, thousands of ornaments also decorate the Biltmore House and its grounds. People visiting at ni