1. Flag1Deciding on the world's tallest structure is problematical. Do you limit it to buildings or include TV towers? True or false: Although most of its height is under water, the MARS TLP oil drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico is taller than the world's tallest buildings.
  2. While not notably tall, Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most famous towers in the world. Which of the following is correct about the Leaning Tower?
    A. It is one of several buildings in the Cathedral complex.
    B. It is built in the Gothic style.
    C. It was built as a mausoleum.
    D. All of the above are true.
  3. True or false? At 553 meters, the CN Tower in Toronto is not only the tallest structure in Canada, but may be the tallest tower in the world.
  4. Often described as the world's largest hydroelectric project, the Itaipú Dam straddles the border between Brazil and which of the following countries?
    A. Chile
    B. Ecuador
    C. Paraguay
  5. True or false: The tallest completed structure in the southern hemisphere is in New Zealand.
  6. The Japanese hold several records in construction. Which of the following world-record holders is not in Japan?
    A. Longest suspension bridge
    B. Longest tunnel
    C. Tallest skyscraper
  7. Currently, the world's tallest hotel is the Chicago Beach Resort Hotel. True or false: This hotel is located in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
  8. Following devastating floods in 1953, the Dutch have been building the Delta Works Project to hold back the sea. True or false: The new Delta storm surge barrier is a movable dike as long as the Eiffel Tower is tall.
  9. These are three of the tallest buildings in the world. Match each with its home city.
    A. Jin Mao Building 1. Chicago, USA
    B. Petronas Towers 2. Shanghai, China
    C. Sears Tower 3. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  10. As part of its celebration for the year 1000, the UK will focus on the time-keeping town of Greenwich. True or false: Now under construction, the Greenwich Millennium Dome will be slightly smaller than Houston's Astrodome.

Answers

  1. True. This oil rig is some 3,250 feet tall, compared to the World Trade Center, which reaches 1,728 feet (including antenna).
  2. A. It was built as a bell tower in the Romanesque style.
  3. True
  4. C. Brazil has no common border with Chile or Ecuador.
  5. False. However, when completed, New Zealand's Auckland Sky Tower will be taller than any extant structure in the Southern Hemisphere.
  6. C. Yokohama's Landmark Tower is not even in the top ten.
  7. True. However, this building may soon be eclipsed by the under-construction Emirates Tower, also in Dubai.
  8. True
  9. A,2; B,3; C,1
  10. False. Greenwich will have the largest dome in the world.