Question

Early in the 16th century men were trying to reach Asia by travelling west from Europe. In order to find Asia, they had to find a way past South America. The man who finally found the way from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean was Ferdinand Magellan (麦哲伦).

Magellan sailed from Seville in August 1519 with five ships and about 280 men. Fourteen months later, after spending very cold winter on the coast (海岸) of Patagonia, he discovered the channel which is now called Magellan’s Strait (海峡). In November 1520, after many months of dangers from rocks and storms, the three remaining ships entered the ocean on the other side of South America.

They then continued, hoping to reach Asia. But they did not see any land until they reached the islands off the coast of Asia. Before they arrived at these islands, later known as the Philippines (菲律宾), men were dying of hunger. While they were staying in the Philippines, Magellan was killed in battle (战斗). The remaining officers then had to get back to Spain. They decided to sail round Africa. After many difficulties, one ship with eighteen men sailed into Seville three years after leaving. They were all that remained of Magellan’s expedition (远征). However, their achievement was great. They were the first men to sail round the world.

1.The purpose of Magellan’s expedition was    .

A. to sail round the world

B. to make a journey to Asia by water

C. to find a channel from the Atlantic to the Pacific

D. to carry men to the Philippines

2.The time Magellan’s Strait was discovered was    .

A. in August 1519    B. in October 1520

C. in November 1520    D. not mentioned

3.The number of the ships lost on the whole expedition was    .

A. two    B. four    C. three    D. five

4.Which of the following is not mentioned in the passage about the expedition?

A. Not having enough medicine.    B. Very cold winter in Patagonia.

C. The death of Magellan.    D. Dangers from rocks and storms.

5.The best title for this passage is “    ”.

A. The discovery of Magellan’s Strait

B. The discovery of the Philippines

C. The most dangerous expedition in navigation

D. The first expedition to Asia

Answer

1.B

2.B

3.B

4.A

5.D

【解析】这篇文章介绍的是麦哲伦探索亚洲的探索航行。

1.C细节理解题。根据In order to find Asia, they had to find a way past South America可知。故选C。

2.B计算题。根据第2段开始的描述，麦哲伦的船队是1519年8月开始出发的，14个月后他们发现了麦哲伦海峡，当时应是1520年10月。故选B。

3.B计算题。根据Magellan sailed from Seville in August 1519 with five ships and about 280 men和After many difficulties, one ship with eighteen men sailed into Seville three years after leaving可知，有4艘船在航行中没有了。故选B。

4.A细节理解题。通读全文可知，文中提到了B,C,D，A没有提到。故选A。

5.D主旨大意题。文章叙述了麦哲伦探索亚洲的第一次航海旅行。故选D。