Question

The Unexplained Mystery of Pyramid

The Pyramids in Egypt are really something special. We still don’t really know how the Egyptians built the largest pyramid at all, known as the Great Pyramid of Cheops (or Khufu), some 5,000 years ago. Remember, this was even before the invention of the wheel.

The most famous pyramids are the Egyptian pyramids — huge structures built of brick or stone, some of which are among the world’s largest constructions. The age of the pyramids reached its top at Giza in 2575-2150 B.C. In 2008, some 138 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest in Egypt and one of the largest in the world. Until Lincoln Cathedral in England was finished in AD 1311, it was the tallest building in the world. The base is over 52,600 square meters in area. While pyramids are associated(关联的) with Egypt, the nation of Sudan has 220 extant pyramids, the most numerous in the world.

In the 1940s, a radio engineer named Karel Drbal claimed(声称) that small pyramids of a 1:1,000 scale as the Great Pyramid could sharpen knives. His explanation was that the pyramid shape focuses energy when precisely aligned (精确对齐) on the north-south axis (轴), which can renew steel.

Though the claims of Drbal and others, there is no scientific evidence that Pyramids have power. It is a cut and dry myth, probably driven by the nature of pyramids and their ancient, unexplained mysteries.

As the neurologist (神经学家) Terence Hines wrote: “People became quite crazy about Pyramid Power in the world of pseudoscience for a time in the mid-1970s. Actually, the idea was that the pyramidal shape itself was magical and filled with a mysterious energy and power.”

1.When did the pyramids develop the best?

A.in 2575-2150 B.C B.In 2008 C.in AD 1311

2.Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the passage?

A.The Great Pyramid of Giza is the tallest building in the world before AD 1311.

B.Sudan has the more extant pyramids than any other country in the world.

C.Lincoln Cathedral was built earlier than The Great Pyramid of Giza.

3.What does the underline word evidence mean in the passage?

A.方法 B.证据 C.痕迹

4.According to Karel Drbal __________.

A.the small pyramids of a 1:1,000 scale as the Great Pyramid are very sharp. ‘

B.the small pyramids of a 1:1,000 scale as the Great Pyramid can renew steel.

C.the Great Pyramid of a 1:1,000 scale as the small Pyramid could sharpen knives.

5.__________ can be inferred (推断) from the passage.

A.Pyramids have magic

B.Pyramids are mysteries

C.Pyramids belong to Egypt

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.B

4.B

5.B

【解析】

本文主要介绍金字塔以及金字塔的一些未解之谜。

1.细节理解题。根据第二段中“The age of the pyramids reached its top at Giza in 2575-2150 B.C.”可知，金字塔在公元前2575至2150年发展最好，达到顶峰。故选A。

2.推理判断题。根据第二段中“Until Lincoln Cathedral in England was finished in AD 1311, it was the tallest building in the world.”可知，在公元1311年林肯大教堂落成之前，吉萨金字塔是世界上最高的建筑物，A正确；根据第二段最后一句“the nation of Sudan has 220 extant pyramids, the most numerous in the world.”可知，苏丹拥有220座现有金字塔，比世界上其他任何国家都要多，B正确。根据第二段中“Until Lincoln Cathedral in England was finished in AD 1311, it was the tallest building in the world.”可知吉萨金字塔曾是世界最高，直到公元1311年林肯大教堂完成取代了吉萨金字塔，所以吉萨金字塔应比林肯大教堂早完成，C错误；题干要求选出不正确的一项。故选C。

3.词义猜测题。根据第四段中“It is a cut and dry myth, probably driven by the nature of pyramids and their ancient, unexplained mysteries.”可知，金字塔有能量只是个断断续续的神话，可能由金字塔的性质和古老的未解之谜所驱使的，没有科学证据。所以evidence最有可能翻译为“证据”。故选B。

4.细节理解题。根据第三段中“a radio engineer named Karel Drbal claimed that small pyramids of a 1:1,000 scale as the Great Pyramid... which can renew steel.”可知，当南北轴精确对齐时，比例尺1:1000的小金字塔会聚集能量，能使刀具变得锋利，使钢变新。故选B。

5.推理判断题。根据第四段中“there is no scientific evidence that ... unexplained mysteries.”可知，没有科学证据证明金字塔有能量魔法，只不过是金字塔的性质和一些未解之谜让人们联想而已，A错误；根据文章标题以及文章内容可知，本文主要介绍金字塔的未解之谜，B正确；根据第二段最后一句“the nation of Sudan has 220 extant pyramids, the most numerous in the world.”可知，苏丹现有200座金字塔，所以金字塔并不专属于埃及，C错误。故选B。