A
(2020·北京)
For the past five years,Paula Smith,a historian of science,has devoted herself to re-creating long-forgotten techniques.While doing research for her new book,she came across a 16th-century French manuscript(手稿)consisting of nearly 1,000 sets of instructions,covering subjects from tool making to finding the best sand.
The author’s intention remains as mysterious(神秘)as his name;he may have been simply taking notes for his own records.But Smith was struck mainly by the fact that she didn’t truly grasp any of the skills the author described.“You simply can’t get an understanding of that handwork by reading about it,”she says.
Though Smith did get her hands on the best sand,doing things the old-fashioned way isn’t just about playing around with French mud.Reconstructing the work of the craftsmen(工匠)who lived centuries ago can reveal how they viewed the world,what objects filled their homes,and what went on in the workshops that produced them.It can even help solve present-day problems: In 2015,scientists discovered that a 10th-century English medicine for eve problems could kill a drug-resistant virus.
The work has also brought insights for museums,Smith says.One must know how on object was made in order to preserve it.What’s more,reconstructions might be the only way to know what treasures looked like before time wore them down.Scholars have seen this idea in practice with ancient Greek and Roman statues.These sculptures were painted a rainbow of striking colours.We can’t appreciate these kinds of details without seeing works of art as they originally appeared-something Smith believes you can do only when you have a road map.
Smith has put the manuscript’s ideas into practice.Her final goal is to link the worlds of art and science back together:She believes that bringing the old recipes to life can help develop a kind of learning that highlights experimentation,teamwork,and problem solving.
Back when science—then called “the new philosophy”—took shape,academics looked to craftsmen for help in understanding the natural world.Microscopes and telescopes were invented by way of artistic tinkering(修补),as craftsmen experimented with glass to better bend light.If we can rediscover the values of hands-on experience and craftwork,Smith says,we can marry the best of our modern insights with the handiness of our ancestors.
【语篇解读】本文是一篇记叙文。文章讲述了一位历史学家在为她的研究做准备时,发现了一本历史悠久的有关手工技艺的手稿。
21.How did Smith,feel after reading the French manuscript?
A.Confused about the technical terms.
B.Impressed with its detailed instructions.
C.Discouraged by its complex structure.
D.Shocked for her own lack of hand skills.
答案D
解析细节理解题。文章第二段中“But Smith was struck mainly by the fact that she didn’t truly grasp any of the skills the author described.”作者表明了Smith在看到手稿时的感受很震惊,震惊于Smith自己手工技艺的缺失。文中的was struck by和选项中shocked呼应,文中“she didn’t truly grasp any of the skills”和选项中lack of hand skills呼应,故正确答案是D项。
22.According to Smith,the reconstruction work is done mainly to .
A.restore old workshops
B.understand the craftsmen
C.improve visual effects
D.inspire the philosophers
答案B
解析细节理解题。文章中第三段第二句“Reconstructing the work of the craftsmen who lived centuries ago can reveal how they viewed the world”意为“重建生活在几个世纪前的工匠们的作品可以揭示他们是如何看待世界”,Smith重建工作的目的是理解当时的工匠们。故正确答案是B项。
23.Why does the author mention museums?
A.To reveal the beauty of ancient objects.
B.To present the findings of old science.
C.To highlight the importance of antiques.
D.To emphasise the values of hand skills.
答案D
解析推理判断题。举例子是为了说明观点,举例支撑。根据第七段“If we can rediscover the values of hands-on experience and craftwork,Smith says,we can marry the best of our modern insights with the handiness of our ancestors.”可知,文章的观点是强调手工技艺的价值。故正确答案是D项。
