Question

The oldest stone buildings in the world are the pyramids(金字塔). They have stood for nearly 5, 000 years, and it seems likely that they will continue to stand for thousands of years yet. There are over eighty of them scattered(散布)along the banks of the Nile, some of which are different in shape from the true pyramids. The most famous of these are the “Step” pyramid and the “Bent” pyramid.

　　Some of the pyramids still look as much alike as they must have been when they were built thousands of years ago. Most of the damage suffered by the others has been at the hands of men who were looking for treasure or, more often, for stones to use in modern buildings. The dry climate of Egypt has helped to keep the pyramids in good condition, and their very shape has made them less likely to fall into ruin. These are good reasons why they can still be seen today, but perhaps the most important is that they were planned to last forever.

　　The “Step” pyramid had to be on the west side of the Nile, the side on which the sun sets. This was for spiritual reasons. It also had to stand well above the level of the river to protect it against the regular floods. It could not be too far from the Nile, however, as the stones to build it needed to be carried in boats down the river to the nearest point. Water transport was, of course, much easier than land transport. The builders also had to find a rock base, which was not likely to crack(破裂)under the great weight of the pyramid. Finally, it had to be near the capital, or better still near the king’s palace so that he could visit it easily to personally check the progress being made on the final resting place for his body.

1.According to the passage, the “Step” pyramid　　　　.

A. is unlikely to fall into ruin in the near future

B. was built on the sand along the Nile

C. is one that was built later than the true pyramids

D. is the most famous of the true pyramids

2. The most important reason why some pyramids remain in good condition is that　　　　.

A. people have taken good care of them

B. it doesn’t rain often in Egypt

C. they were well designed

D. the government has protected them from damage

3.Most of the damage to the pyramids has been caused by　　　.

A. the regular floods

B. the dry climate of Egypt

C. people searching for gold

D. people in search of building materials

4.The Egyptians built the pyramids along the banks of the Nile because　　　　.

A. they believed in their god

B. it was difficult to find a large rock base far from the Nile

C. the river helped a lot in the transport of building materials

D. it was not easy to choose a suitable place for the pyramids

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.D

4.C

【解析】

本文主要介绍了埃及的金字塔能保存长久的原因及其中被称为Step的金字塔建立在尼罗河西侧的原因。

1.选A。细节理解题。由文章第二段“The dry climate of Egypt has helped to keep the pyramids in good condition, and their very shape has made them less likely to fall into ruin. ”及第三段“The builders also had to find a rock base, which was not likely to crack under the great weight of the pyramid. ”可知, 埃及干燥的气候使得金字塔保存完好, 金字塔的外形使得它们不大可能坍塌。

2.2】选C。细节理解题。由文章第二段“These are good reasons why they can still be seen today, but perhaps the most important is that they were planned to last forever. ”可知, 金字塔保存完好的最重要的原因在于人们有计划的规划。

3.3】选D。细节理解题。由文章第二段“Most of the damage suffered by the others has been at the hands of men who were looking for treasure or, more often, for stones to use in modern buildings. ”可知, 对金字塔的损坏大多数来自搜寻珠宝, 或更多的是寻找建筑材料的人们。

4.4】选C。细节理解题。由文章第三段“It could not be too far from the Nile, however, as the stones to build it needed to be carried in boats down the river to the nearest point. Water transport was, of course, much easier than land transport. ”可知, 古埃及人在尼罗河岸建造金字塔主要是因为水路运输建筑材料的便利。