A
How did the ancient Chinese
keep food warm in winter?
Facilities like electric rice cookers and electric kettles make it easy for people to keep food warm. In fact, ancient Chinese people used their own methods of heat preservation.
•“Wen Ding”， ancient rice cooker
The “Wen Ding” unearthed in Nanjing in 1989 is thought to be the oldest of its kind discovered in China, dating back to the Neolithic Age. The craftsmanship of making the “Wen Ding” was developed in the Bronze Age. The bronze Ding from the Shang and Zhou dynasties took on different shapes and structures.
•“Ran Lu”， ancient small hot pot
The “Ran Lu” is a smallsized cooking vessel (器皿) made of bronze. A charcoal (木炭) 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 a beast mask design, unearthed in Jiangxi Province, has an opening where charcoal could be placed.
•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 twotier 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 modernday steamer.
语篇解读：本文主要介绍了古代中国人在冬天如何给食物保温。
1．When did the “Ran Lu” become popular?
A．In the Zhou Dynasty.
B．In the Warring States Period.
C．In the Eastern Han Dynasty.
D．In the Neolithic Age.
解析：选B 细节理解题。根据“Ran Lu”， ancient small hot pot部分中的“these vessels became popular in the Warring States Period (475－221 BC)”可知，“Ran Lu”在战国时期变得受欢迎，故答案为B。
2．What is the unique advantage of the Bronze Yan?
A．It is warm. B．It is convenient.
C．It is environmentfriendly. D．It is useful.
解析：选C 推理判断题。根据文中Bronze Yan, ancient steamer部分中的“Although the ‘Wen Ding’ ... its burning produced pollution. As a result, the Bronze Yan was made with a twotier structure and used to steam rice and other grains”可推知，the Bronze Yan的优势在于环保，故答案为C。
3．Among the following products, which one may have the longest history?
A．The “Wen Ding”. B．The “Ran Lu”．
C．The Bronze You. D．The Bronze Yan.
解析：选A 细节理解题。根据文中“Wen Ding”，ancient rice cooker部分中的“The ‘Wen Ding’ unearthed in Nanjing in 1989 is thought to be the oldest of its kind discovered in China, dating back to the Neolithic Age”可知，“Wen Ding”历史最悠久，故答案为A。
