1 . The Roman Colosseum was built almost two thousand years ago. Despite its age and a 14th century earthquake that knocked down the south side, most of the 150-some foot building is still standing. Scientists and engineers have long suspected a key to the building’s durability (使用年限) is the use of a specific Roman concrete. But exactly how this solid concrete has contributed to the architecture’s strength has been a mystery to researchers across the globe.

A team of researchers recently discovered a potential answer to why these ancient Roman buildings have been able to weather the test of time while many modern concrete structures seem to fall apart after a few decades. The answer is self-healing concrete.

The material has three components: limestone (石灰石), volcanic material and water. What the researchers found was that the self-healing feature might be simply caused by chemistry accidentally. The limestone in the concrete is likely the secret.

When the ancient Romans made mortar (灰浆), they heated up the lime to turn it into a substance called “quicklime”. And, because they introduced water to the quicklime during mixing, the heat it produced set up a chemical foundation that could strengthen the concrete later. When tiny cracks start to form later, the quicklime stops them from becoming bigger. When it rains, the lime reacts with the water to recombine as various forms of calcium carbonate (碳酸钙), quickly filling the crack or reacting with the volcanic ash to “heal” the material.

For materials scientist Ainissa Ramirez, this new understanding of ancient Roman concrete is a welcome discovery. “This is one way that the material can be more environmentally friendly,” says Ramirez. “It’s sort of like a message in a bottle. The Romans made the material. We had to kind of figure out how they did it so that we can make better materials — and then, you know, in turn, be better protectors of our environment.”

1. What can we learn from Paragraph 1?

A．The secret of Roman concrete has been revealed.

B．The Roman Colosseum was built in the 14th century.

C．The whole Roman Colosseum survived the earthquake.

D．Roman concrete is essential to the architecture’s strength.

2. What does the underlined word “weather” in Paragraph 2 mean?

A．Take.

B．Stand.

C．Avoid.

D．Fail.

3. What do we know about the self-healing process?

A．The lime itself could fill the crack later.

B．The quicklime should be made on rainy days.

C．The chemical foundation could weaken the concrete.

D．Combining water and quicklime would produce heat.

4. What can be inferred from Ramirez’s words?

A．People can be inspired to make greener materials.

B．The secret of Roman concrete is hidden in a bottle.

C．Roman concrete has greatly improved the environment.

D．Roman concrete is popular in making modern architecture.

2 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个词（冠词，介词，代词或连词），或在空白处填入括号内单词的正确形式。

Shakespeare’s Birthplace is a half-timbered house in Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England,     1     it is believed that William Shakespeare was born and spent his childhood years. There are     2     (variety) views concerning the origin of the building, which possibly dates back to the 15th century, but more likely     3     (build) in mid-16th century. The house itself is simple and not outstanding architecturally, but it has become one of the most popular visitor attractions. In its     4     (construct), local oak trees and blue-grey stone were used, with the large fireplaces     5     (make) of an unusual combination of early brick and stone.

The birthplace recreates an extraordinary picture of family life at     6     time of Shakespeare complete with period furnishings, a glass window, and a glove making shop     7     (belong) lo William Shakespeare’s father. The walled garden at the back of the house has been     8     (special) planted with flowers and herbs that would have been known in Shakespeare’s time. Now, it becomes a small museum, which     9     in the charge of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. It’s been referred to     10     “a mecca (热门地方) for all lovers of literature”.