Question

11．New archaeological discoveries 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 latest 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 2nd century BC when an agent of the Chinese Emperor Wu-di returned from a dangerous secret mission across the desert into the remote high country of Central Asia．The agent，Zhang Qian，travelled as far as Afghanistan and brought back knowledge of even more distant lands such as Persia，Syria and a place known as Lijion．Historians 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 Persia in 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．
 
74．The word"coupled"in the first paragraph could best be replaced byC．
A．produced             B．doubled           C．combined            D．contributed
75．What does the silk thread found in the hair of an Egyptian mummy suggest？A
A．That trade along the Silk Road began earlier than once thought
B．Historical research often achieves fascinating results
C．Egyptians had probably travelled to China to buy silk
D．The new light can now be thrown on ancient trading practices
76．Until recently most historians believed that trade along the Silk RoadD．
A．extended human migration into eastern Asia
B．primarily benefited the Egyptians
C．began a million years ago
D．originated in the 2nd century BC
77．Why have Historians always considered Zhang Qian's mission important？B
A．Because it discovered the Silk Road
B．Because he helped establish East-West trade
C．Because he brought back knowledge of Rome to the emperor
D．Because he travelled as far as Afghanistan．

Answer 1

分析 本文介绍了丝绸之路的一些研究，新的考古发现表明，丝绸之路沿线的欧洲和亚洲之间的贸易可能开始于更多的国家．在西方，丝绸之路的官方来源通常是放置在公元前第二世纪末，而在中国，丝绸之路的贸易显然是早在汉皇帝就已经开始了．

解答 74．C．词义猜测题．"produced"生产．"doubled"两倍．"combined"结合．"contributed"捐献．根据原句"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．"相比以前的结果，与科学和历史研究，只有"结合"起来才能添加一个迷人的新网页的史诗的丝绸之路．故选C．
75．A．细节理解题．根据文章"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"可知，丝绸之路的头发和埃及木乃伊的头发上发现的丝绸的发现，可能会延长人类贸易活动的时间，甚至更远．故选A．
76．D．细节理解题．根据文章"The official origin of East-West commerce along the road is usually placed in the late 2nd century BC"可知，沿着路东西方的商务官方来源通常是放置在公元前第二世纪末．故选D．
77．B．细节理解题．根据文章"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"可知，张骞的旅行使得东西方进行了贸易．故选B

点评 本文是考察学生历史文化类阅读理解文章．这类文章常涉及历史、文化、法制、宗教等方面的文学艺术、发明创造、文化遗产保护、宗教与文化、风俗与习惯、道德与法制、中外文学名著节选、等等．这类材料的命题点往往落在主旨大意题、事实细节题上．