Two sculptures of life-size lions, each weighing about 5 tons in ancient times, have been discovered in what is now Turkey. The discovery of the massive lions, along with other pieces such as a large stone basin about 7 feet in diameter, left the archaeologists with a mystery ——what were they intended for?
A search of the surrounding area revealed no evidence of a Hittite settlement dating back to the time of the statues. Also, the steep size of the sculptures meant that the sculptors likely did not intend to move them very far.
Summers assumes that, rather than being meant for a palace or a great city, the lions were being created for a monument to mark something else- water
“I think it's highly likely that that monument was going to be associated with one of the very abundant springs that are quite close,” he said in the interview, ”There are good parallels (平行线) for association of Hittite sculptural traditions with water sources”
Indeed one well-known monument site, known as Eflatun Pnar, holds a sacred pool that "is fed by a spring beneath the pool itself,” write Yiit Erbil and Alice Mouton in an article that was published in the most recent edition of the Journal of Near Eastern Studies. The two researchers were writing about water religions in ancient Anatolia (Turkey).
"According to the Hittite cuneiform(楔形文字)texts, water was seen as an effective purifying element,” Erbil and Mouton write, "used in the form of cleaning or even full baths during ritual performances, its cleaning power is self-evident."
To the Hittites the natural world, springs included, was a place of great religious importance, one worthy of monuments with giant lions. "These things (water sources) were sacred, just as their mountains were sacred,” Summers said.
1.According to the text ,how did the two life-size lions impress the archaeologists?
A. Very massive B. Well-constructed
C. Unbelievable D. Mysterious
2.According to Summers' assumption, why were the lions carved ?
A. They were intended to be moved far away,
B. They were used as a monument in honor of their ancestor.
C. They were created as a monument to mark water.
D. They were built to mark their territory.
3.What can be inferred from the text ?
A. Water was highly valued by the Hittites.
B. There was a serious shortage of water in ancient Anatolia
C. Lions were of great religious importance
D. The Hittites used to fight over water resources.
4.What would be the best title of the text ?
A. The Hittite cuneiform
B. What were the lions intended for?
C.A confusing archaeological find
D. Digging up lions
A group of Mississippi hunters who shot and killed an alligator (短吻鳄) weighting 910 pounds on Sunday, were amazed when they discovered that the animal already bore injuries caused by musket (步枪)from the Civil War era. A total of 9 bullets was found, and the various tests and analysis have confirmed that they were indeed fired at the animal in the 19th Century.
Nine of the wounds on the animal are believed to have been caused by Enfield Pattern 1853 muskets. These old injuries were concentrated around the animals tail and hind legs, suggesting that the alligator could have possibly been used as a target for shooting practice by Confederate troops.
The huge animal also bore five other bullet wounds from three different calibers (口径）of hunting guns, as well as many dents and scars, which shows that it survived many firearm injuries in the past. It did not however, survive the six 50-caliber bullets fired at him by the group of amateur hunters from Jackson, who were finally able to take it down.
The bullets were confirmed as true musket from between 1850 and 1870. This incredible animal brings a whole new view on this large animal native to the southeastern United States. American alligators have been known for years to live well over 50 years and were thought capable of possibly living as long as 70 or 80 years, but this one was estimated to have been 185 years old at the time of its death.
Others like turtles, have been known, to have lifespans of over 150 years, but it is the first of crocodile of such an old age ever found. It is also one of the biggest alligators ever killed in the United States. The heaviest ever recorded, weighing in at an unbelievable 1,011.5 lbs, was pulled out of a river in Alabama in August of this yea.
1.Which of the following facts about the nine wounds is amazing ?
A. They didn’t cause death to the alligator.
B. They were concentrated around the animals’ tail and hind legs
C. They left many dents and scars on the alligator.
D. They were left by musket from the Civil War era.
2.What can be learned about American alligators?
A. They have a lifespan of over 150 years.
B. They can live as long as 70 or 80 years.
C. They weigh as much as 910 pounds on average.
D. They are the biggest alligators of all
3.What can be inferred from the passage ?
A. People’s understanding of American alligators may be changed
B. Rivers in Alabama must be full of such huge alligators
C. American alligators are in danger of dying out.
D. The six 50-caliber bullet is the most powerful one.
Introduction
Blenheim Palace is one of the Europe’s largest and greatest palaces. It was built between 1705 and 1722 as a reward of the British government to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, for defeating King Louis XIV’s army at Blenheim, a small Bavarian village on the Danube River.
The palace was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, which displayed strength and arm glory. It is the largest non-royal building in England and is now listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Winston Churchill
In 1874, the palace was the birthplace of the duke's most famous descendant. Winston Churchill, who was to become the UK's Prime Minister (some would say Britain’s greatest 20th-century politician ) and Nobel prize winner for literature. It is also in Blenheim that Winston got married to Clementine Hozier in 1908.
A lasting exhibition is devoted to the man’s life, work and writings. Winston and his wife are buried in Bladon Church within the palace.
Opening Hours & Admission
Blenheim is still the home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough and is therefore not open all year round (although the park is). The palace opens its doors to visitors from 12 February to 11 December. Entry to the palace, park and gardens cost £11.50 during the low season and £13 during the peak season (Easter weekend and from 28 May to 11 September), or £6/£8 for the park and gardens only.
The park is open all-year round from 9am to 4:45pm (last entry). Admission is £2.50 for adults and £1.50 for children.
Note that numerous discounts exist for seniors, students, children and groups. Please refer to the official website for more details.
1.What can be learned, about Blenheim Palace?
A. It is the Europe’s largest and greatest palaces.
B. It is the largest royal building in England.
C. It is now one of the world’s heritage sites.
D. It was built in honor of Prime Minister Winston Churchill
2.What does the underlined word in the text mean?
A. A house keeper.
B.A child or a child’s child.
C.A family doctor
D. A grand parent
3.Why can not people visit Blenheim Palace all the year round?
A. They are too busy to afford the time.
B. Repairs are badly needed for the palace.
C. Some seasons are not convenient for visitors.
D. The 11th Duke of Marlborough still lives there.
4.If a couple and their five-year-old daughter visits the park, how much need they they pay ?
A. ￡6.5 B.￡7.5 C.￡l1.5 D.￡13
法国哲学家卢梭说过：“No Thanksgiving would be no virtue”（没有感恩就没有真正的美德。）如今社会上一些人缺乏感恩之心，少数人甚至在父母年老体弱时都不愿意赡养。请你结合自己的实际，谈几点父母值得你感恩的地方，以及将来你会做些什么来报答父母的养育之恩。
注意：
1．短文的开头已给出，但不计入总数。
2．字数100字左右。（感恩-thanksgiving）
Not only do our parents give us life, but they also give us endless love and support, always sharing our happiness and sorrow.
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短文改错
My father is a good husband who usually goes to work at 7 am and come back at 7 pm on time. Besides, yesterday evening, he didn’t come back as usual. So we waited him to have supper in the sitting room. But he still didn’t show up after two hours. Worrying about him, Mom tried to get in a touch with him. But there was not answer on the phone. Three hours late, there was finally a knock on the door. Mom ran to it in angry. When she opened the door, Dad appeared, completely drunk. Mom was about to shout at him while Dad shouted loudly, “I love my wife.” He repeated this sentence again and again. Heard this, Mom took Dad to the bedroom and put him in bed gently with a smile on his face.
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(用不多于3个单词)或括号内的单词的正确形式。
We high school students do have some growing pains, but we can get rid of them correctly and wisely. 1. , some of us are upset 2. their body styles and looks. It’s unnecessary and it’s not important at all. We needn’t care about it. It is one’s inner beauty 3. matters. Second, we sometimes seem to be misunderstood 4. our teachers, parents and classmates. 5. (face) with this, we can find a proper time to have a heart-to-heart talk with them, trying to remove the 6. (understand). Some of us have fewer friends. I think being open-mined and friendly will do you good. Third, we may fall behind others, 7. makes us stressed. Actually we can encourage 8. to work efficiently, full of 9. (determine). At last, some of us don’t have much pocket money, so they feel unhappy. Isn’t it strange? So long as we have some, that’s enough. And we can learn 10. to spend money.
