The Minoans: A Forgotten People

The first advanced culture in ancient Greece was the Minoan culture. For thousands of years, knowledge of these people survived only in Greek myths. In the late 19 h century, archaeologists began to unearth ruins. This inspired Arthur Evans to begin digging on the island of Crete near mainland Greece. On a dig in Kbossos, Evans found an ancient palace Experts think that it was the palace of King Minos, acentral figure in many Greek myths.

【1】With his team, he uncovered a vast structure, varied works of art, and many hieroglyphic records. These finds, together with later finds, comprise all that experts know about Minoan culture.

From the evidence experts gathered, it is clear that the Minoans were ahead of their time. The palace at Knossos was five floors high with hundreds of rooms. Buildings throughout the ancient city had plumbing and flush toilets. Stone pavement lined the surfaces of the roads. In addition, the Minoans possessed a highly developed naval fleet for long-distance trade. 【2】These records confirm the central role of commerce in culture.

Their analysis of the evidence also offers insight into some aspects of Minoan society.【3】Ruins and artwork suggest that people of all classes enjoyed a high degree of social and gender equality. Religious icons(圖符)show that Minoans worshiped bulls, the natural world, and many female gods.

An unusual feature of Minoans culture was the pursuit of leisure interests. Sport and visual arts were central to Minoan life. Boxing and bull jumping, a sport in which players jumped over live bulls, were popular. Although bull jumping may have served some ritual purpose, experts believe that it was done mostly for fun. Similarly, although some works of art showed political and religious themes, other works served only as pleasant decor(裝飾品).【4】

The Minoans met their demise after a series of natural disasters. Experts believe that group from the Greek mainland capitalized on these events and looked over the island.

A. Some experts think that the wealth gained from trade allowed for such leisure in sports and the arts

B. Experts believe that a king and mostly a female priest ruled the government and controlled trade.

C In ancient Greek myths, Minoan society was quite prosperous and highly civilized

D. The palace that Evans unearthed a century ago was the first proof of Minoan culture.

E. Minoan culture didn't exist before Arthur Evans discovered the palace under the earth

F. Although not yet decoded, written script on clay tablets appears to list trade accounts.

A. takes in B. takes on

C. takes up D. takes down

【1】What is the purpose of the talk?

A.To explain the rules of a race.

B.To tell about a weekend event.

C.To introduce some runners.

【2】When should runners arrive at the Town Hall?

A.At 8:30.B.At 9:15.C.At 9:45.

【3】What are the prizes for the winners?

A.Money.B.Coats.C.Running shoes.

【4】How much should a family pay to run in the race?

A.$5.6.B.$5.C.$4.5.

In my view, new architectural styles can exist perfectly well alongside an older style. Indeed, there are many examples in my own home town 【4】 modern designs have been placed very successfully next to old buildings. 【5】 the building in question is pleasing and does not dominate its surroundings too much, it often improves the attractiveness of the area.

It is true that there are examples of new buildings which 【6】 (spoil) the area they are in, but the same can be said of some old buildings too. Yet people still speak against new buildings in historic areas. I think this is simply 【7】 people are naturally conservative and do not like change.

Although we have to respect people’s feelings as fellow users of the buildings, I believe that it is the duty of the architect and planner 【8】 (move) things forward . If we always reproduced what was there before, we would all still be living in caves. Thus, I would argue 【9】 copying previous architectural styles and choose something fresh and different , even though that might be the 【10】 (risky) choice.

【1】What does the man do?

A.A sportsman.B.A tour guide.C.A sports writer.

【2】What does the woman think of the man’s job?

A.Tiring.B.Great.C.Boring.

British cuisine(烹飪) has come of age in recent years as chefs combine the best of old and new. Why does British food have a(n) 【1】 for being so bad? Because it is bad! Those are not the most 【2】 words to hear just before eating lunch at one of the smartest British restaurants, but head chef Neil Tomes has more to say.

“The past 15 years or so have been a noticeable period of improvement for food in England,” the English chef says, citing the 【3】 in British cuisine towards better ingredients, preparation and cooking methods, and more 【4】 presentation. Chefs such as Delia Smith, Nigel Slater, Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay made the public realize that cooking and eating didn’t have to be a boring thing. “It’s no longer the case that the common man in England is 【5】 to show he knows about food,” Tomes says.

There was plenty of room for improvement. The problems with the nation’s cuisine can be 【6】 back to the Second World War. Before the War, much of Britain’s food was imported and when German U-boats began attacking ships bringing food to the country, Britain went on rations (配給). “As rationing came to an end in the 1950s, technology picked up and was used to mass-produce food,” Tomes says. “And by then people were just happy to have a decent quantity of food in their kitchens.”

They weren’t looking for cured meats, organic produce or beautiful 【7】; they were looking for whatever they could get their hands on, and this 【8】 for quantity over quality prevailed for decades, meaning a generation was brought up with food that couldn’t 【9】 with neighboring France, Italy, Belgium or Spain.

Before star chefs such as Oliver began making cooking fashionable, it was hard to find a restaurant in London that was open after 9 p.m. But in recent years the capital’s culinary (烹飪的) scene has developed to the point that it is now confident of its ability to 【10】 the tastes of any international visitor.

A. once B. unless

C. when D. though

A. in the company of B. in addition to

C. on account of D. under the umbrella of

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2.新的開頭和結(jié)尾已給出，不計(jì)入總詞數(shù)

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Dear Sir,

I’m writing to tell something about students’ taking part in social practice activities.

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The “selfie” is used to describe the self-taken photo, often from a smartphone. Someone takes about 10 selfies each time he does, and he only ends up 【1】 ( post) one or two of those. He picks the one that he feels make him look the 【2】 ( good). In that picture, he gains confidence. For that moment, everything bad or terrible that has happened to him 【3】( remove), because that smile is what gives him the 【4】 ( determine) to love himself.

I read 【5】 poem recently and the young man said, “If I ask you 【6】 you love, the answers will most likely roll off your tongue. You love to read. You love to write. You love your mom, you daughter, or your friends. How long do you think you can go on and on before you say ‘I love 【7】( I )’ ”

That statement hit me like a ton of bricks. I’ve struggled with confidence all my life. I still do. And in 【8】 way am I saying that taking a selfie is a gateway 【9】 confidence. 【10】 , the selfie does deserve some credit for allowing individuals to express themselves.