Question

【题目】The ancient Maya mastered the art of ceramic (制陶艺术) in a manner which virtually no other culture did.

The Vase of the Seven Gods, made in the area of Naranjo, an ancient city of the Maya Civilization in the present-dayPeten,Guatemala,shows the fine way Maya handled clay. Like all art of Maya, this vase exhibits highly religious symbols. Furthermore, the artist’s name is carved along the bottom of this piece in the form of a small white rabbit.

Ceramics also served as reminders of ancestors and gods. The Flour De Lis Vase is a fine example of this. The water lilies are not only symbols of new birth and life giving qualities, but a constant reminder of purity. On this vase, the water lilies are white, which is undoubtedly a sign of purity. The black background shows the sea, in which the lilies float.

Furthermore, ceramics served practical functions in the Maya culture. Vases, which are quite commonly seen today, were used primarily to hold liquid chocolate and cocoa. Bowls were used to hold various maize (玉米) products. Maize was seen as the imaginary body of the Maize God and the ancient Maya thought that as one ate the maize or the body of God from the bowl, they actually became God. Plates were merely used for any object.

Finally, Maya used depictions on ceramics to resurrect (复活) family members and honor gods. Because they believe that they would come back to life with their names spoken or their figures drawn, the carvings and paintings on these ceramics played a vital role in Maya spirituality.

Clearly, ceramics served a key function in ancient Maya society from dinner plates to acts of God.

【1】 What do we know from the passage?

A. The art of ceramic of the ancient Maya was instructed by gods.

B. The Vase of the Seven Gods was made by the people of Guatemala.

C. The ceramic art of the ancient Maya was the best in the world at that time.

D. Naranjo is a well-known city of Guatemala at present.

【2】 Which of the following is a characteristic of the art of Maya?

A. Seven gods are carved on a vase.

B. A vase exhibits highly religious symbols.

C. The artist’s name is carved on the top of a vase.

D. There is a big white rabbit on a vase.

【3】The ancient Maya used the Flour De Lis Vase to _________.

A. remind them of their ancestors and gods

B. hold water and grain or cook food

C. show the importance of new birth and life

D. express people’s pure friendship and love

【4】 The Maya carved names and figures of family members on ceramics to ________.

A. honor their family members

B. be remembered by their children

C. draw the attention of the shoppers

D. wish they would come back to life

Answer 1

【答案】【1】C

【2】B

【3】A

【4】D

【解析】【1】细节理解题。根据第一段The ancient Maya mastered the art of ceramic in a manner which virtually no other culture did可知，答案为C。

【2】推理判解题。根据第二段Like all art of Maya, this vase exhibits highly religious symbols可知，答案为B。

【】推理判解题。根据第三段Ceramics also served as reminders of ancestors and gods. TheFlour De Lis Vase is a fine example of thi可推断，答案为A。

【4】细节理解题。根据第五段Because they believe that they would come back to life with their names spoken or their figures drawn可知，答案为D。