Question

【题目】 The concept of peace is a very important one in cultures all over the world. Think about how we greet people. In some languages, the phrases for greetings contain the word for peace. In some cultures we greet people by shaking hands or with another gesture to show that we are not carrying weapons – that we come in peace. And there are certain symbols which people in very different cultures recognize as representing peace. Let’s look at a few of them.

The dove

The dove has been a symbol of peace and innocence for thousands of years in many different cultures. In ancient Greek mythology it was a symbol of love and the renewal of life. In ancient Japan a dove carrying a sword symbolized the end of war. There was a tradition in Europe that if a dove flew around a house where someone was dying then their soul would be at peace. And there are legends which say that the devil can turn himself into any bird except for a dove. In Christian art, the dove was used to symbolize the Holy Ghost and was often painted above Christ's head. But it was Pablo Picasso who made the dove a modern symbol of peace when he used it on a poster for the World Peace Congress in 1949.

The rainbow

The rainbow is another ancient and universal symbol, often representing the connection between human beings and their gods. In Greek mythology it was associated with Iris, the goddess who brought messages from the gods on Mount Olympus. In Scandinavian mythology the rainbow was a bridge between the gods and the earth. In the Bible a rainbow showed Noah that the Biblical flood was finally over, and that God had forgiven his people. In the Chinese tradition, the rainbow is a common symbol for marriage because the colours represent the union of yin and yang. Nowadays the rainbow is used by many popular movements for peace and the environment, representing the possibility of a better world in the future and promising sunshine after the rain.

The olive branch

The olive tree has always been a valuable source of food and oil. In Greek mythology, the goddess Athena gave the olive tree to the people of Athens, who showed their gratitude by naming the city after her. But no one knows for sure when or why it began to symbolize peace. There is probably a connection with ancient Greece. Wars between states were suspended during the Olympic Games, and the winners were given crowns of olive branches. The symbolism may come from the fact that the olive tree takes a long time to produce fruit, so olives could only be cultivated successfully in long periods of peace. Whatever the history, the olive branch is a part of many modern flags symbolizing peace and unity. One well-known example is the United Nations symbol.

【1】Who played the major role in making the dove a modern symbol of peace?

A.Pablo Picasso.B.A god in Greek mythology.

C.Jesus Christ.D.Ancient Japanese.

【2】How many examples does the writer give to show the rainbow as a universal symbol of peace?

A.Two.B.Three.

C.Four.D.Five.

【3】Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A.Different Concepts of Peace.B.The popularity of Peace Symbols.

C.The Origins of Peace Symbols.D.Cultural Differences in Peace.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】A

【2】D

【3】C

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文，介绍了鸽子、彩虹和橄榄树等三个和平象征的起源。

【1】细节理解题。根据第二段中的“But it was Pablo Picasso who made the dove a modern symbol of peace when he used it on a poster for the World Peace Congress in 1949.”可知，但正是毕加索（Pablo Picasso）在1949年世界和平大会的海报上使用鸽子，使之成为和平的现代象征，由此可知，毕加索在使鸽子成为和平的现代象征方面发挥了主要作用，故A项正确。

【2】细节理解题。根据第三段内容可知，作者举了希腊神话、斯堪的纳维亚神话、圣经、中国传统以及和平与环境的大众运动等五个例子来说明彩虹是和平的普遍象征，故D项正确。

【3】主旨大意题。通读全文，特别是根据第一段中的“And there are certain symbols which people in very different cultures recognize as representing peace. Let’s look at a few of them.”可知，本文主要介绍了鸽子、彩虹和橄榄树等三个和平象征的起源，故C项正确。