The Pentagon(五角大楼) The Pentagon,
headquarters of the Department of Defence in US, is one of the world’s largest
office buildings. It is twice the size of the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, and
has three times the floor space of the Empire State Building in New York. There
are very few people throughout the United States who do not have some knowledge
of the Pentagon. Many have followed news stories emanating from the defence
establishment housed in this building. However, relatively few people have had
the opportunity to visit. The Pentagon is virtually a city in
itself. Approximately 23,000 employees, both military and civilian, contribute
to the planning and execution of the defence of the country. These people arrive
daily from Washington, D.C. and its suburbs over approx imately 30 miles of
access highways, including express bus lanes and one of the newest subway
systems in the country. They ride past 200 acres of lawn to park approximately
8,770 cars in 16 parking lots; climb 131 stairways or ride 19 escalators to
reach offices that occupy 3,705 square feet. While in the building, they tell
time by 4,200 clocks, drink from 691 water fountains, utilize 284 rest rooms,
consume 4,500 cups of coffee, 1,700 pints of milk and 6,800 soft drinks prepared
or served by a restaurant staff of 230 persons and distributed in 1 dining room,
2 cafeterias, 6 snack bars, and an outdoor snack bar. The restaurant service is
a privately run civilian operation under contract to the Pentagon.
Stripped of its occupants, furniture and various decorations, the building
alone in an extraordinary structure. Built during the early years of World War
Ⅱ, it is still thought of as one of the most efficient office buildings in the
world. Despite 17.5 miles of corridors it takes only seven minutes to walk
between any two points in the building. Which of the following statements about the structure of the Pentagon is true
A.All the offices are connected by 131 stairways and 9 escalators. B.The longest distance between two offices is 17.5 miles. C.There is no rest room in the Pentagon. D.It takes no more than 7 minutes to walk from one place to another in the Pentagon.