Question

New archaeological discovers suggest that trade between Europe and Asia along the Silk Road probably began in some form many countries earlier than once thought. The findings, coupled with a widening range of scientific and historical research could add a fascinating new page to the epic of the Silk Road.

The farest and most surprising discovery is pieces of silk found in the hair of and Egyptian mummy from about 1000 BC, long before regular traffic on the Silk Road and at least one thousand years before silk was previously thought to be used in Egypt. Other research may extend human activity along this route back even further, perhaps a million years to the migration of human ancestors into eastern Asia.

The official origin of East-West commerce along the road is usually placed in the late 2^nd century BC which was the agent of the Chinese Emperor Wu-di returned from a dangerous secret mission（使命）across the desert into the remote high country of Central Asia. The agent, Zhang Qian, travelled as far as Afghanistan back knowledge of even more distant lands such as Persia, Syria and a place known as Lijion,. Histerents have called this one of the most important journeys in ancient times. His journey opened the way for what have been thought to be the first indirect contacts between the ancient world’s two superpowers, China and Rome. Chinese silk, first traded to central Asian tribes for war horses and to the Parthians of old Pet la lu exchange for acrobats and ostrich eggs, was soon finding its way through a network of merchants to the luxury markets in Rome.

But the new discoveries show that Chinese silk was apparently present in the West long before the Han emperor started organized trade over the Silk Road. The research could change thinking about the early history of world trade and provide insights into the mystery of just how and when Europe and the Mediterranean lands first became aware of the glorious culture at the other end of Eurasia.

72. The word “coupled” in the first paragraph could best be replaced by         .

A. produced       B. contributed      C. doubled        D. combined

73. The silk thread found in the hair of an Egyptian mummy suggests that          .

A. Egyptians had probably travelled to China to buy silk

B. trade along the Silk Road began earlier than once thought

C. historical research often achieves fascinating results

D. new light can now be thrown on ancient trading practices

74. Until recently most historians believed that trade along the Silk Road        .

A. originated in the 2^nd century BC

B. extended human migration into eastern Asia

C. began a million years ago

D. primarily benefited the Egyptians

75. Historians have always considered Zhang Qian’s mission important because they believe            .

A. be brought back knowledge of Rome to the emperor

B. be discovered the Silk Road

C. be helped establish East-West trade

D. be travelled as far as Afghanistan

Answer 1

本文是介紹最新考古發現的說明文。從文中可以看出可能我們原以為的絲綢之路的歷史實際上可能會更早。

72   D 

解析：詞義理解題。 根據第一段可知：新的考古發現表明歷史上的歐亞之間的絲綢之路開始的歷史要比我們知道的還要早。考古的發現結合“coupled” 科學和歷史的研究，會給絲綢之路的歷史翻開嶄新的一頁。

73   B 

解析：推理判斷題。 根據第二段第一句可知：絲綢之路開始的歷史要比我們過去認為的還要早

74   A 

解析：細節理解題。 根據第三段第一句可知：官方對于東西方的貿易的開始時間定在公元前二世紀末期。

75   C 

解析：推理判斷題。 根據第三段后三句可知：歷史學家把張騫出使西域當成是古代東西方交流最重要的一次旅行。他的這次之旅開創了中國和羅馬的聯系。