1 . The remains of a gold mask are among a huge quantity of 3,000-year-old artifacts (文物) found at an archaeological (考古的) site in China’s Sichuan province.

Weighing about 280 grams and estimated to be made from 84% gold, the ceremonial mask is one of over 500 items unearthed from six newly discovered “sacrificial pits” (祭祀坑), according to the country’s National Cultural Heritage Administration.

The finds were made at Sanxingdui, a 4.6-square-mile area outside the provincial capital of Chengdu. Some experts say the items may shine further light on the ancient Shu state, a kingdom that ruled in the western Sichuan basin before 316 BC.

In addition to the gold mask, archaeologists uncovered bronzes (青铜器) and artifacts made from other materials such as bone. The six pits also contained an as-yet-unopened wooden box and a bronze container with owl-shaped patterning.

More than 50,000 ancient artifacts have been found at Sanxingdui since the 1920s, when a local farmer accidentally came upon some remains at the site. A major breakthrough occurred in 1986, with the discovery of two ceremonial pits containing over 1,000 items, including delicate and well-preserved bronze masks. Discoveries made at the site date back to the 12th and 11th centuries BC.

Sanxingdui has completely revolutionized experts’ understanding of how civilization developed in ancient China. In particular, evidence of a unique Shu culture suggests that the kingdom developed independently of neighboring societies in the Yellow River Valley, which was traditionally considered to be the birthplace of Chinese civilization.

Though not yet recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sanxingdui is on the organization’s list for possible future inclusion. Along with other Shu archaeological sites, it is credited by the UN agency as “an outstanding representative of the Bronze Age Civilization of China, East Asia and even the world.”

1. What does the underlined phrase “shine further light on” in paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Make greater progress in.	B．Have a deeper influence on.
C．Provide more information about.	D．Engage more attention to.

2. Why is the discovery of Sanxingdui so unique?

A．It changes experts’ understanding of how Chinese civilization developed.

B．It confirms that the Shu Kingdom developed in the Yellow River Valley.

C．It implies that the Yellow River Valley is the birthplace of Chinese civilization.

D．It shows Sanxingdui symbolizes a fundamental change in Chinese society.

3. What does paragraph 5 mainly deal with?

A．Sanxingdui’s history of discovery.	B．The world’s recognition of Sanxingdui.
C．The difficulty in discovering Sanxingdui.	D．The preservation of Sanxingdui’s remains.

4. Which of the following can be the best title of this passage?

A．Sanxingdui Accidentally Discovered by a Local Farmer

B．3,000-year-old Gold Mask Uncovered in Southwest China

C．Outstanding Representatives of the Bronze Age Kingdom

D．New Addition to the List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites