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1、 托福阅读真题集锦（三） PASSAGE 5Perhaps the most obvious way artistic creation reflects how people live is by mirroring the environment the materials and technologies available to a culture. Stone, wood, tree bark, clay,and sand are generally available materials. In addition, depending on the locality, other
2、resources may be accessible: shells, horns, gold, copper, and silver. The different uses to which societies put these materials are of interest to anthropologists who may ask, for example, why people choose to use clay and not copper when both items are available. Although there are no conclusive an
3、swers yet, the way in which a society views its environment is sometimes apparent in its choice and use of artistic materials. The use of certain metals, for example, may be reserved for ceremonial objects of special importance. Or the belief in the supernatural powers of a stone or tree may cause a
4、 sculptor to be sensitive to that material.What is particularly meaningful to anthropologist is the realization that although materials available to a society may to some extent limit or influence what it can do artistically, the materials by no means determine what is done. Why do the artists in Ja
5、panese society rake sand into patterns; and the artists in Roman society melt sand to form glass? Moreover, even when the same material is used in the same way by members of different societies, the form or style of the work varies enormously from culture to culture. A society may simply choose to r
6、epresent objects or phenomena that are important to its population. An examination of the art of the Middle Ages tells us something about the medieval preoccupation with theological doctrine. In addition to revealing the primary concerns of a society, the content of that societys art may also reflec
7、t the cultures social stratification.1. According to the passage , gold, copper, and silver are(A) more difficult to handle than wood and(B) of their stable social conditions(C) of the unique stylistic features of their art(D) available only in specific locations2. The word conclusive in line 7 is c
8、losest in meaning to(A) definitive(B) controversial(C) concurrent(D) realistic3. The word apparent in line 8 is closest in meaning to(A) attractive(B) logical(C) evident(D) distinct4. Why does the author mention the supernatural powers of a stone or tree in line 10?(A) to show that some sculptors av
9、oid working with specific materials(B) to emphasize the unusual properties of certain materials(C) as an example of how art can be influenced by cultural beliefs(D) as an illustration of the impact of the environment on religious beliefs5. The word it in line 13 refers to(A) realization(B) society(C
10、) extent(D) influence6. It can be inferred that the author mentions the Japanese and Roman societies because(A) they influenced each other stone(B) commonly used by artists in all societies(C) essential to create ceremonial objects(D) they used the same artistic material in very different ways7. Acc
11、ording to the passage , all of the following statements about sand are true EXCEPT(A) It is used to create glass.(B) Roman artists mix it into their paints.(C) Its use varies from culture to culture.(D) Japanese artists use it to create artistic patterns.8. The word Moreover in line 16 is closest in
12、 meaning to(A) similarly(B) in addition(C) in contrast(D) frequently9. The word preoccupation in line 20 is closest in meaning to(A) involvement(B) separation(C) relationship(D) argument10. The word primary in line 21 is closest in meaning to(A) discrete(B) preliminary(C) ideal(D) fundamentalPASSAGE
13、 6Potash (the old name for potassium carbonate) is one of the two alkalis (the other being soda, sodium carbonate) that were used from remote antiquity in the making of glass, and from the earlyMiddle Ages in the making of soap: the former being the product of heating a mixture of alkali and sand, t
14、he latter a product of alkali and vegetable oil. Their importance in the communities ofcolonial North America need hardly be stressed. Potash and soda are not interchangeable for all purposes, but for glass- or soap-making either would do. Soda was obtained largely from the ashes of certain Mediterr
15、anean sea plants, potash from those of inland vegetation. Hence potash was more familiar to the early European settlers ofthe North American continent.The settlement at Jamestown in Virginia was in many ways a microcosm of the economy of colonial North America, and potash was one of its first concer
16、ns. It was required for the glassworks, the first factory in the British colonies, and was produced in sufficient quantity to permit the inclusion of potash in the first cargo shipped out of Jamestown. The second ship toarrive in the settlement from England included among its passengers experts in potash making.The m
