A
The symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower opened to the public on March 31, 1889, and its beauty has continued to spellbind the world for 130 years. But some little-known facts about the Eiffel Tower may surprise you. We’ve put together a list.
It’s the world’s most visited paid tourist attraction
Almost seven million visitors each year pay the admission fee to visit the Eiffel Tower. Since it opened in 1889, nearly 300 million people have experienced the tower.
There’s an apartment at the top
A personal apartment that Gustave Eiffel used as an office was created at the top of the tower. Eiffel entertained many important persons there, and today visitors to the apartment will see it as it looked in Eiffel’s day, with life-like wax models (蜡像) of Eiffel and Thomas Edison.
You could send a postcard by balloon from the Eiffel Tower
During the 1889 World’s Fair, visitors could buy a commemorative (纪念) postcard that was attached to a balloon and a small parachute (降落伞). Visitors would write an address on the postcard and release it into the air from the tower. The postcard would fall back to earth gently due to the parachute, but it’s not known how many of these postcards ever made it to their intended addresses.
19th-century elevators are still in operation
Two of the original elevator cars are still functioning in the Eiffel Tower elevators that go to the third floor in the east and west pillars (铁柱). The equipment has been updated, but it is basically the same technology that was used more than a century ago.
21. What do you know about the apartment at the top?
A. It was used as Eiffel’s office.
B. It used to be a public apartment.
C. It sells wax models of Eiffel and Edison.
D. It only provides service for important persons.
22. What is special about sending the postcard?
A. The symbol. B. The fee. C. The way. D. The time.
23. What is the text intended to do?
A. To update the equipment. B. To show some interesting stories.
C. To explain the amazing history. D. To share some little-known facts.
