Question

 The people of ancient Maya approached the art of ceramics in a manner which actually no other culture did.

  The Vase of the Seven Gods,made in the area of Naranjo,an ancient city of the Maya civ?ilization,shows the fine way the Maya handled clay. There is no evidence of burned marks,but the clay maintains an even width all around. A special box was used to fire this to equally dis?tribute the heat. The mere fact that so much effort was spent on the creation of this vase alone shows the importance of ceramics to the Maya people. Like all art of Maya,this vase exhibits highly religious symbols. Furthermore,the artist's name is marked along the bottom of this piece in the form of a small white rabbit.

  Ceramics also served as reminders of ancestors,God,and spirituality. Color was often used as an indicator,and research shows that artists actually applied the pigments to each work in a far different manner than is typically used today. The Fleur De Lis vase is a fine example. The water lilies are not only symbols of new birth and life giving qualities,but a constant re?minder of purity. On this vase,the water lilies are white,which is undoubtedly a sign of purity.

  Furthermore,ceramics served a great level of ftxnctionality in the Maya culture. Vases,which are quite commonly seen today,were used primarily for the consumption of liquid choco?late and cocoa. Bowls were used to serve various maize (corn) products. This practice holds extreme spiritual importance,because maize is seen as the body of the Maize God. The ancient Maya thought if they ate maize,or the body of God from the bowl,they actually became God. Far less specifically,plates were merely used for any object which should not be consumed from a vase or bowl.

  Finally,Maya used depictions―cravings or paintings―on ceramics to resurrect family members and honor god. Because they believed that they would rise from the dead with their name spoken or their figures drawn or painted,the depictions on these ceramics played a vital role in Maya spirituality.

  Clearly,ceramics served a key function in ancient Maya society.

(   ) 1. The art of ceramics of the ancient Maya         .

   A. was instructed by gods

   B. was distinct from that of other cultures

   C. was not paid attention to by other cultures

   D. marked the best aspect of the Maya civilization

(   ) 2. The water lilies on the Fleur De Lis vase         .

   A. give people a sense of purity

   B. are floating in a white ancient sea

   C. merely indicate new birth and life giving qualities

   D. remind people of ancestors,God,and spirituality

(   ) 3. What does the underlined word "resurrect" most probably mean?

   A. Show respect for sb. B. Tell stories about sb.

   C. Bring sb. back to life. D. Memorize sb. who are dead.

(   ) 4. We can conclude that in ancient Maya society         .

   A. ceramics served a functional and spiritual purpose

   B. the ceramics were initially made to meet religious needs

   C. owing fine ceramics was a symbol of richness and nobility

   D. ceramics were used totally differently from what we do now

Answer 1

1-4 BACA 

A篇：古代玛雅人的制陶工艺在那个时候是很先进的。在古玛雅人眼中，陶瓷器皿除了能够盛装东西外，也是对祖先和神灵的重要祭祀物品。

1. B细节理解题。根据第一段可知，古代玛雅人的制陶技术是其他文明没有掌握的，即是独特的。

2. A细节理解题。根据第三段"The water lilies are... but a constant reminder of purity. On this vase,the water lilies are white,which is undoubtedly a sign of purity."可知,在Fleur De Lis vase陶器瓶上的睡莲是白色的，它们无疑象征着纯净，因此它们给人纯净的感觉。

3. C词义猜测题。根据下文"Because they be?lieved that they would rise from the dead with their name spoken or their figures drawn or painted..."可知，古玛雅人认为如果他们的名字被人提起或者他们的形象被画出来就会死而复生，因此他们会在陶瓷器皿上刻画人物等以使(已逝的) 家人起死回生。由此可猜测出画线词含义为"使复活"。

4. A 综合理解题。根据第三段"Ceramics also served as reminders of ancestors,God,and spirituality."、第四段"Furthermore,ceramics served a great level of functionality in the Maya culture."" This practice holds extreme spiritual importance,"及第五段"…the depictions on these ceramics played a vital role in Maya spirituality."可知，陶瓷在古代玛雅社会中既有实际用途(如盛装食物等) 又在古玛雅人精神生活方面起到重要作用。