1 . To complete the great map of the world was a strong passion for the people of early civilizations. Marco Polo’s tales inspired European explorers to search for sea routes from west to east. However, merchants search for sea routes from west to east. However, merchants and explorers from the East set sail from east to west many years before Columbus first did.

In ancient times, silk from China found its way overland to India, the Middle East, and Rome, along what became known as the Silk Road. A trading route across the sea was also extended along the coasts of the Indian Ocean, centred around Ceylon (now Sri Lanka ). Here, merchants from China and many other places met to negotiate trade deals, which also led to more awareness of each other’s cultures. Over the centuries, further trading allowed more exploration of the regions to the west China.

Later, the Ming Dynasty further developed relations with these regions. Between 1405 and 1433, seven large fleets sailed west on voyages of trade and exploration. These fleets were a sight to behold and were in a league of their own at that time. Under the command of Zheng He, they set sail from the South China Sea across the Indian Ocean to the mouth of the Red Sea, and then to the east coast of Africa. African royal families sent gifts such as giraffes as gestures of friendship in return for gold, silk, and spices. Although China withdrew from further expeditions after 1433, these land and sea routes remained active channels between other cultures for centuries.

To reach out across the sea remains a strong desire today. The ancient sea routes travelled by Zheng He are being revisited with the 2lst Century Maritime Silk Road, which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative. The aim of this initiative is to encourage cooperation and trade across the historic Silk Road areas, and strengthen the bonds between China and the rest of the world. Trading has grown greatly in recent years, and will continue to do so in years to come.

1. How is the passage developed?

A．Cause and effect.	B．Time sequence.
C．Problem and solution.	D．Compare and contrast.

2. Which word can be used to describe Zheng He’s fleets?

A．Impressive.

B．Worrisome.

C．Aggressive.

D．Fearful.

3. Which is Not the purpose of the Belt and Road Initiative?

A．To expand China’s territorial area on the ocean.

B．To promote communication with other countries.

C．To strengthen further cooperation with other countries.

D．To encourage trade across the historic Silk Road areas.

4. Which is the best title of the text?

A．The Maritime Silk Road	B．The great map of the world
C．Reaching out across the sea	D．The Belt and Road Initiative

2 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

The Chinese war film The Battle at Changjin     1     (arouse) enthusiastic discussion on Chinese social media since it debuted around the country on September 30.

The film tells the story about how Chinese People’s Volunteer soldiers held their ground during fierce cold and the enemy’s more advanced weapons. However, the real battlefield is far     2     (impressive). Changjin Lake     3     (locate) in North Korea. The war was     4     in severely cold winter with temperature of around minus 40℃. CPV soldiers did not only need to fight against enemies,     5     had to battle over the nature with their strong will. Chinese People’s Volunteer Army won the battle by     6     (fight) against impossible odds. The Battle of Changjin Lake became a critical moment in the war. It is not the film itself but the     7     (hero) of the war years who fought     8     (blood) for our country and the people     9     make people moved.

Song Zhongping,     10     military expert and TV commentator, emphasized that the film shows that the Chinese people don’t provoke troubles, but never flinch (退缩) when troubles come their way and are able to defeat provocation (挑衅).