A
One of the most famous archaeological discoveries in all of history is The Terracotta Army. They were found by farmers digging for a well on the outskirts of Xi’an in 1974. Becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, the spectacular figures continue to attract millions of visitors from all over the world. Yet the excavations(发掘) are unfinished.
Famously, archaeological work at the site and the accompanying tomb of the First Qin Emperor has been allowed to slow down until technology advances enough to preserve the artefacts currently buried underground. In addition to this, safety concerns have been raised regarding the unusually high levels of mercury (水银)found on the soil. It is supposed that this is from the mercury streams which were inlaid in the floor of the burial chamber, but only time will tell if this ancient tale is true.
Currently 8000 soldiers have been found, each one with a distinctively different look. This was achieved through an early use of assembly-line-type construction. The warriors were assembled with 8 different heads to choose from, and features being added with additional clay by skilled craftsmen.
Studying the warriors and their horses offers historians an important insight into this period in Chinese history. The technology used to assemble the underground army was truly remarkable. Over 40, 000 bronze weapons were found, and after more than 2000 years they still appear sharp. How is this possible? The ancient Chinese managed to use protective chrome plating (镀铬), something which was thought to have been invented in Germany in 1937!
When it is completely uncovered, the sight will truly be spectacular and much more will be understood about China’s first Emperor and the level of technology the ancient Chinese possessed.
【文章大意】本文是说明文。介绍了兵马俑的发掘以及中国古代的工艺技术。
1. How was The Terracotta Army found?
A. By accident.
B. By detecting.
C. Through careful search.
D. Through farmers’ honesty.
【解析】选A。细节理解题。根据第一段可知, 农民在挖井时, 偶然发现了兵马俑, 故选A。
2. What is mainly talked about in paragraph 2?
A. The reasons for slowing down the excavations.
B. The archaeological work of The Terracotta Army.
C. The mercury in the tomb of the First Qin Emperor.
D. The technology to preserve the unearthed relics.
【解析】选A。段落大意题。本段主要讲述了放慢挖掘速度的两个原因。故选A。
3. What do we know about the Terracotta Warriors from this text?
A. They appear the same.
B. Every warrior is distinct.
C. There are eight kinds of figures.
D. They were completed on assembly lines.
【解析】选B。细节理解题。根据第三段可知, 8000多个兵马俑看起来各自不同。故选B。
4. What is the author’s attitude towards the technology possessed by ancient Chinese?
A. Concerned. B. Uninterested.
C. Doubtful. D. Admiring.
【解析】选D。观点态度题。根据最后两段内容以及第四段中“The technology used to assemble the underground army was truly remarkable. ”可知, 作者对中国古代的技术是持钦佩和赞赏态度的。故选D。
【知识拓展】背景链接
In March of 1974, some farmers in Xi’an began digging a well to find a water resource on some waste land. Firstly, they found some unique red soil about 2-meter in depth underground. Then they found a life-sized terracotta warrior. Thereafter, they continued to find some bronze arrows, crossbows and broken warriors from the well. Since then, the terracotta army has gradually become known to the world.
