Question

One of China’s most popular folk arts is paper cutting（剪纸）. Archaeological(考古学的) finds trace the tradition back to the 6^th century; it is supposed that the beginnings of paper cutting were even a few centuries earlier. Paper cuttings are used for religious(宗教的) purposes, for decoration (装饰)and as patterns(图案).

Today, paper cuttings are mainly used as decoration. They ornament walls, windows, doors, columns mirrors, lamps and lanterns in homes. They are also used for decoration on presents, and are given as presents themselves. They are of special importance at festivals. At the Spring Festival for example, entrances are decorated with paper cuttings which are supposed to bring good luck.

Paper cuttings are not produced by machine, but by hand. There are two kinds of paper cuttings; scissor (剪刀) cuttings and knife cuttings. Scissor cuttings are fashioned with scissors. Several pieces of paper--- up to eight pieces---are fastened together. The motif(图形) is then cut with sharp, pointed scissors.

Knife cuttings are fashioned by putting several layers (层) of paper on a relatively soft foundation consisting of a mixture of tallow (动物脂) and ashes. Following a pattern, the artist cuts the motif into the paper with a sharp knife which he usually holds vertically(垂直地). The advantage of knife cuttings is that considerably more paper cuttings can be made in one operation than scissor cuttings.

In the countryside, paper cuttings are usually made only by women and girls. This used to be one of the skills that every girl was to master and that were often used to judge brides(新娘). Professional paper cutting artists are, on the other hand, almost always men who have guaranteed (保证) incomes and work together in workshops.

1.Paper cuttings can be used for ______________.

A. decoration    B. decoration on presents      C.  presents       D. all of the above

2.The underlined word ornament means ______________.

A. to be added to and make something beautiful     B. to be used as   

C. to be cut in                                D. to be made on

3.Which is the best title of this passage?

A. The ways of paper cutting             B. The reasons for paper cutting

C. The purposes of paper cutting          D. Paper cutting

Answer

1.D

2.A

3.D

【解析】

试题分析： 剪纸是中国最受欢迎的民间艺术之一。考古学发现剪纸的传统可以追溯到公元6 世纪 。剪纸用于装饰、图案和宗教目的。手工剪纸通常是由女性来完成的。有剪刀剪和刀子剪两种方式。

1. 细节理解题。由第二段的Today, paper cuttings are mainly used as decoration.和 They are also used for decoration on presents, and are given as presents themselves.可知，剪纸可以用作装饰，礼物上的装饰物，也可以做礼物用。 故选D。

2. 词意推测题。Today, paper cuttings are mainly used as decoration. They ornament walls, windows, doors, columns mirrors, lamps and lanterns in homes. 的意思是：今天，剪纸主要用作装饰。他们装饰墙壁、 门窗、 列镜、灯和家里的灯笼。由此可知，ornament与decoration意思一致，故选A。

3.主旨大意题。由 。故选D。

考点：文化类阅读。