1 . Throughout history, great cities have risen and fallen. Some of them are seemingly lost in time — until artifacts (古物) are discovered that bring them back to life.
Teotihuacán
Located outside of Mexico City, Teotihuacán is thought to have been settled around 400 BC. By 400 AD, it was the most influential, powerful city in its region. Teotihuacán’s real treasure is its massive step pyramids. Much of the city’s history is still a mystery, but some believe that its decline came from changing climate conditions like long-term droughts.
Petra
This ancient city in southern Jordan flourished from the 4th century BC to 106 AD. It was an important place for spice and silk trade routes. It also had a complicatedly-designed water management system. Petra was occupied by Rome in 106 AD, and the trade routes soon shifted. Hundreds of years later, earthquakes damaged the water system and Petra was abandoned.
Pompeii
Endless tales have been told about the tragedy of Pompeii, which occurred on August 24, in the year 79 AD, when the volcano Vesuvius erupted. The entire town was swiftly covered in ash and soil. Everything was frozen in time. The site was unearthed in the 18th century, and the evidence found provided a great detail of insight into daily living in this ancient Italian city.
Ctesiphon
Located about 20 miles outside of Baghdad, Ctesiphon was one of the greatest cities in Western Asia in the 6th century. It was conquered (征服) by Rome, and then by the Byzantine Empire. In 637 AD, it was captured by the Muslims. Many believe that the ancient city was the inspiration for the city of Isbanir mentioned in the Thousand and One Nights folk tales.
1. What do we know about Teotihuacán?| A．Its history needs further exploration. |
| B．It was the most powerful city of its time. |
| C．It took about 400 years to reach its peak. |
| D．Its pyramids were ruined by climate change. |
| A．Teotihuacán. | B．Petra. | C．Pompeii. | D．Ctesiphon. |
| A．They were sources for folk tales. | B．They declined due to natural disasters. |
| C．They were once defeated by Rome. | D．They were towns on the ancient silk road. |
Trade and curiosity have often formed the
Later, the Ming Dynasty further developed
Hundreds of years on, and with the
Secrets of an Ancient Arena(竞技场)
The Colosseum, one of the world’s most famous buildings, was built over a period of about eight years nearly 2, 000 years ago. Experts consider it one of the most
Over the centuries, more than two-thirds of the Colosseum
Gladiators (角斗士) were the star athletes of the Roman Empire, most of
As gladiators fought on the Colosseum floor, a lot was happening below their
Scientists in Peru have discovered the skull(颅骨) of an ancestor of modern-day whales. The fossilized skull is believed
The scientists reported the skull was in good condition when
Scientists say the ancient mammal was a basilosaurus, which is in the cetacean(鲸目) family. The name basilosaurus means “king lizard(蜥蜴)” and the animal
Salas called the animal “a marine monster” that may belong
Salas explained that when the ancient basilosaurus died out, its skull likely sank to the bottom of the ocean,
“Back during this age,
5 . How did the ancient Chinese keep food warm in winter? In fact, ancient Chinese people used their own methods of heat preservation as early as the Shang and Zhou dynasties.
● “Wen Ding”, ancient rice cooker
One of the major functions of an electric rice cooker is to keep food warm. The “Wen Ding”, an ancient cooking container, served the same purpose. The “Wen Ding” unearthed in Nanjing in 1989 is thought to be the oldest of its kind discovered in China, dating back to the Stone Age. The craftsmanship of making the “Wen Ding” was developed in the Bronze Age. The bronze Ding from Shang and Zhou dynasties took on different shapes and structures.
● “Ran LU”, ancient small hot pot
The “Ran LU” is a small size cooking vessel (器皿) made of bronze, which can be divided into three parts. A charcoal stove forms the main structure, with a bottom tray to hold charcoal ashes, and a movable cup at the top. Some experts have concluded that the vessel’s structure suggests it may have been used as a small hot pot and that these vessels became popular in the Warring States Period (475—221 BC).
●Bronze You, ancient kettle
The Bronze You was one of the most common wine containers during the Shang and Zhou dynasties. The Bronze You can also be used to warm wine. For example, the Bronze You with beast mask design, unearthed in Jiangxi province, has an opening where charcoals could be placed. Just as people today can’t do without an electric kettle, the Bronze You allowed people to enjoy a hot drink
●Bronze Yan, ancient steamer
Although the “Wen Ding” was effective at keeping food warm, the ancient Chinese people later found that its burning produced pollution. As a result, the Bronze Yan was made with a two-tier structure and used to steam rice and other grains. After the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-AD 220), further improvements to the Bronze Yan led to the modern-day steamer.
1. The Bronze You, unearthed in Jiangxi province, has an opening to________.| A．store wine | B．pour water |
| C．place charcoals | D．hold charcoal ashes |
| A．It is warm | B．It is convenient |
| C．It is useful | D．It is environment-friendly |
| A．The “Wen Ding” | B．The “Ren LU” |
| C．The Bronze You | D．The Bronze Yan |
A deafening boom roars through Pompeii's crowded marketplace. The ground shakes
Nearly 2,000 years ago, Pompeii was a busy southern Italian city. But in 79, the nearby Mount Vesuvius volcano erupted. Almost overnight, Pompeii and many of its 10,000 residents disappeared under
Pompeii was basically forgotten until it
After the volcano first erupted shortly after noon, the thick ash turned everything black. Some residents escaped the city, while others took shelter in their homes. But the ash kept
Pompeii may be ancient history, but scientists are pretty sure Mount Vesuvius is overdue for another major
Six “sacrificial pits” (献祭深坑)，
Sangxingdui site, first found in 1929, is generally considered as one of the
So far, archaeologists have dug out
A comforting cup of tea is an essential part of the day for hundreds of millions of people around the globe. Worldwide, three cups of tea
The art of tea extended to its fancy containers, which are
9 . Birthday card history is said to be over a hundred years old. There is no record to tell us who sent or received the first birthday card but it is said that the tradition of sending birthday cards began in England a century ago. In those times people used to personally greet a person on a birthday, but when a well-wisher was unable to do so he sent a birthday card. Thus birthday cards were more like an apology at that time.
History of greeting cards can be traced back to the ancient Chinese who are said to have started the tradition of sending goodwill messages on New Year Day. Early Egyptians too are believed to have made used papyrus scrolls（纸莎草纸画卷）to send greetings to dear ones. During early 1400 the tradition of exchanging handmade paper greeting cards developed in Europe while Germans at that time were known to have printed New Year's greetings from woodcuts. The advancement in printing technology in 1850s helped to make greeting cards more affordable. No wonder, they soon became popular means of personal communication. During the 1980s non-event cards or the cards not made for any particular occasion became popular and helped card industry reach a new high.
Greeting cards have taken a new form in this present age of Internet technology. Today, they are being increasingly exchanged as electronic or e-greeting cards. Advancement in technology that began in the 1990s has led to a further growth in card industry. People find it easier to send e-cards as a means of exchanging greetings.
Greeting cards are an important means of communicating good wishes and love to a person. They carry a personal touch that makes them lovable and very special.
1. What is the function of the birthday card in England a century ago?| A．To send good wishes. |
| B．To present a personal greeting. |
| C．To make an apology. |
| D．To work as a birthday present. |
| A．the British | B．the Chinese |
| C．the Egyptians | D．the Germans |
| A．The tradition of sending goodwill messages. |
| B．The invention of handmade paper. |
| C．The advancement in printing technology. |
| D．The development in Internet technology. |
| A．The History of Greeting Cards |
| B．The Importance of Birthday Cards |
| C．The Function of Birthday Cards |
| D．The Tradition of Sending Greeting Cards |
10 . People have been making and flying kites for about 2,000 years.
Kites were also used to develop airplanes. The Wright Brothers experimented with kites before they flew the first airplane.
Today most people fly kites as a hobby. Kite festivals are organized in many cities in all parts of the world.
| A．Kites are made in many different sizes, colors and shapes. |
| B．flying kites is great fun and it is easy if you know some secrets. |
| C．Kites have also been used in experiments. |
| D．No one knows for sure who invented the kite. |
| E．In Japan families fly fish kites on Children's Day, May5th. |
| F．Stories of kites were brought to Europe till the end of the 13th century. |
| G．In the past, kites were sometimes used to take pictures in wars. |
