Silk. The word itself is beautiful. The story of silk starts in China over 4,000 years ago. It is said that a cocoon(茧)fell into a woman’s tea cup. It then opened into a single thread(线). This was an important discovery. The Chinese learned they could use the cocoons of silkworms(蚕)to make clothes, both beautiful to look at and soft to touch.

Making silk was a secret in China for many years. In other countries, silk was hardly seen and valuable. Often it was worth more than gold. By the year 1 A.D., silk was sold as far west as Rome, and all along the Silk Road. It connected China with places in the Middle East and Europe. Thanks to the Silk Road, the communication between China and West was greatly improved. Centuries later, in 1522, the Spanish brought silkworms to Mexico.

Now people around the world still make many beautiful things from silk. But silk isn’t only beautiful. It looks delicate, but it’s very strong. For example, it has been used to make bicycle tires(轮胎). Silk is also light and warm. This makes it great for clothes like winter jackets.

All of this comes from a little silkworm. That is the wonder of silk.

1.What was the important discovery about a silkworm’s cocoon?

A.It could become a thread. B.It could be made into tea cups.

C.It was beautiful to look at. D.It was very soft to touch.

2.What can we learn about silk from Paragraph 2?

A.It was carried to Mexico by Chinese businessman.

B.It was commonly seen in many other countries.

C.It was sold to Rome through the Silk Road.

D.It was used as money along the Silk Road.

3.The underlined word “delicate” in Paragraph 3 probably means “______”.

A.漂亮的 B.脆弱的 C.牢固的 D.平静的

4.The passage is mainly about ______.

A.a single thread B.the secret of the Silk Road

C.a beautiful tea cup D.the wonder of silk

Stonehenge, a rock circle, is not only one of Britain’s most famous historical places but also one of its greatest mysteries (秘密). Every year it receives more than 750,000 visitors. People like to go to this place especially in June as they want to see the sun rising on the longest day of the year.

For many years, historians (历史学家) believed Stonehenge was a temple where ancient leaders tried to communicate with the gods. However, historian Paul Stoker thinks this can’t be true because Stonehenge was built so many centuries ago. “The leaders arrived in England much later,” he points out.

Another popular idea is that Stonehenge might be a kind of calendar. The large stones were put together in a certain way. On midsummer’s morning, the sun shines directly into the center of the stones. Other people believe the stones have a medical purpose. They think the stones can prevent illness and keep people healthy. “As you walk there, you can feel the energy from your feet move up your body,” said one visitor. No one is sure what Stonehenge was used for, but most agree that the position of the stones must be for a special purpose. Some think it might be a burial (埋葬) place or a place to honor ancestors (祖先). Others think it was built to celebrate a victory over an enemy.

Stonehenge was built slowly over a long period of time. Most historians believe it must be almost 5,000 years old. One of the greatest mysteries is how it was built because the stones are so big and heavy. In 2001, a group of English volunteers tried to build another Stonehenge, but they couldn’t. “We don’t really know who built Stonehenge,” says Paul Stoker. “And perhaps we might never know, but we do know they must have been hard-working-and great planners!”

1.Visitors like to go there in ________ to enjoy ________ on the longest day of the year.

A.June; sunrise B.July; sunrise C.June; sunset D.July; sunset

2.When was Stonehenge most likely (可能) built?

A.750,000 years ago. B.Six centuries ago. C.In 2001. D.5,000 years ago.

3.What do most people think was Stonehenge built for?

A.Ancient leaders built it a temple to communicate with the gods.

B.It might be a kind of calendar to tell people the summertime.

C.It can prevent illness and make people feel energetic.

D.It must be for a special purpose because of the position of the stones.

4.What aren’t people interested in about Stonehenge?

A.Who built it. B.Where it was built.

C.When it was built. D.Why it was built.

5.What does Paul Stoker mean by “we do know they must have been hard-working-and great planners”?

A.He thinks Stonehenge is really a great mystery.

B.He has known who built Stonehenge.

C.He believes he will find out who built Stonehenge.

D.He encourages volunteers to build another Stonehenge.

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