Programme For International Student Assessment Pisa / Sample Math Passage 8: Twisted Building


In modern architecture, buildings often have unusual shapes. The picture below shows a computer model  of a ‘twisted building' and a plan of the ground floor. The compass points show the orientation of the  building. 


The ground floor of the building contains the main entrance and has room for shops. Above the ground  floor there are 20 storeys containing apartments. 

The plan of each storey is similar to the plan of the ground floor, but each has a slightly different  orientation from the storey below. The cylinder contains the elevator shaft and a landing on each  floor. 

 

Non MCQ Questions:

1. Estimate the total height of the building, in metres. Explain how you found your answer. 

The following pictures are sideviews of the twisted building. 

2. Each storey containing apartments has a certain ‘twist' compared to the ground floor. The top floor (the 20th floor above the ground floor) is at right angles to the ground floor.
The drawing below represents the ground floor.


Draw in this diagram the plan of the 10th floor above the ground floor, showing how this floor is situated compared to the ground floor.



From which direction has Sideview 1 been drawn?

From the North.
From the South.
From the West.
From the East.

From which direction has Sideview 2 been drawn?

From the South West.
From the North East.
From the South East.
From the North West.