IV. 阅读理解  30%
阅读下列短文，从每小题后所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
A
When Cathleen Gardiner’s twins were born 17 years ago, doctors told her that they were a pair in a million. One had Down syndrome(低能综合症), while the other did not. Here, Cathleen tells their touching story.
Since Sean was born 17 years ago, I have always thought that he is just as wonderful as his brother and sister. Though he had a disability(残疾), we have never viewed him as a burden. He has always been a blessing. The doctors explained that though they were twins, they came from two different eggs. Lisa could walk at 11 months old, while Sean didn’t take his first steps till he was three. By two, Lisa was talking a lot, but Sean wasn’t able to speak until he was nearly four.
For the first five years of his life, Sean needed a great deal of care. Looking after him was my full-time job, though I also worked as a technical adviser in a computing company. We never treated them differently. We gave them the same toys and spoke to them in the same way. We encouraged Sean to keep up with Lisa, even though he never could, and we would help him develop his abilities. We sent them to the same primary school even after doctors advised us that Sean should go to a school for the disabled.
We had to explain to Lisa that he wouldn’t learn as quickly as she would. She told us that she’d help him with his school work. Having a non-disabled twin has really helped Sean develop. The love they share has given him a great deal of support. Now Sean and Lisa are both about to finish high school. I don’t think he would have done nearly as well today without Lisa’s help.
56. At least how many children does Mrs. Gardiner have?
A. Two.     B. Three.      C. Four.   D. One.
57. The third paragraph mainly tells us that _______.
A. the couple treated the twins equally
B. Cathleen did all she could to look after Sean
C. the couple didn’t follow the doctor’s advice
D. the couple encouraged Sean to grow up
58. All of the following statements are true except_________.
A. Sean couldn’t develope so well without his parents’great effort.
B. As a twin sister,Lisa gave Sean a lot of help.
C. As a mother of a disabeled child,Cathleen must have suffered a lot.
D. Cathleen loved Sean more than Lisa because of his disability.
59. This passage tells us that _________.
A. love can do wonders           B. nobody is foolish or clever
C. being stupid doesn’t matter       D. all men are born equal

Fading beauty

   She is widely seen as proof that good looks can last for ever. But, at nearly 500 years of age, time is catching up with the Mona Lisa.  

The health of the famous picture, painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1505, is getting worse by the year, according to the Louvre Museum (卢浮宫博物馆) where it is housed.   

“The thin, wooden panel on which the Mona Lisa is painted in oil has changed shape since experts checked it two years ago,” the museum said. Visitors have noticed changes but repairing the world’s most famous painting is not easy. Experts are not sure about the materials the Italian artist used and their current chemical state (状态).  

Nearly 6 million people go to see the Mona Lisa every year, many attracted by the mystery of her smile. “It is very interesting that when you’re not looking at her, she seems to be smiling, and then you look at her and she stops,” said Professor Margaret Livingstone of Harvard University. “It’s because direct vision (视觉) is excellent at picking up detail, but less suited to looking at shadows. Da Vinci painted the smile in shadows.”

However, the actual history of the Mona Lisa is just as mysterious as the smile. Da Vinci himself loved it so much that he always carried it with him, until it was eventually sold to France’s King Francis I in 1519.  

In 1911, the painting was stolen from the Louvre by a former employee, who took it out of the museum hidden under his coat. He said he planned to return it to Italy. The painting was sent back to France two years later.  

During World War II, French hid the painting in small towns to keep it out of the hands of German forces.   

Like many old ladies, the Mona Lisa has some interesting stories to tell.

What does the writer mean by “time is catching up with the Mona Lisa”?

A. The painted woman is not so beautiful any more. 

B. Ageing is something that affects us all.

C. The painting needs repairing.  

D. At such an old age, she is no longer popular.

What makes the repair work difficult?

A. The wooden panel is thin and old.

B. No one knows exactly what materials were used to create the painting and how it might respond to treatment.

C. The health of the painting is suffering

D. Experts can’t agree on how to carry out repairs.

What makes her smile so mysterious according to Professor Livingston?

A. The materials the Italian artist used. B. The way she smiles.

C. The way Da Vinci painted the smile. D. It plays a trick upon the human mind.

From early times, man has been interested in art. People have often worked together to collect and save the world’s art treasures. Fine art treasures from many countries are kept in an art museum called the Louvre（罗浮宫）in Paris, France. The works of art have been collected by the people of France over many centuries. It is the biggest art museum in the world. The Louvre has not always been a museum. The first building was a fort（堡垒）. In 1190, it was the king’s castle with high walls and a round tower. It had a moat（护城河）to keep out the enemies. Over the years, the number of buildings around the castle grew. By 1350, the castle no longer needed a fort. The Louvre became a palace home for French kings and queens.
During time of peace, new treasures were brought in. During the days of war, many treasures were stolen, and the buildings were damaged.
When FrancisⅠbecame king of France in 1515, he brought in many artists from other countries. One of the artists was Lenardo da Vinci from Italy. Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” is the best known painting in the museum today.In 1793, the Louvre became a public museum. It is a place where art treasures are kept for everyone to enjoy. Every year millions of people from all over the world come to the Louvre to see the masterpieces.
46. How long has the Louvre been a museum?
A. For over 800 years.     B. Since1350  C. Since1515      D. For over 200 years
47. Most of works of art in the Louvre have been collected probably by _______.
A. the French people     B. FrancisⅠ C. Leonardo da Vinci   D. people of the world
48. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A.Da Vinci once stayed in France.
B. “Mona Lisa” is kept in the Louvre.
C. The Louvre was once a church as well as a palace.
D. The Louvre is a place of interest to different people from all over the world
49. Why is it good for the works of art to be kept in public museums?
A.Works of art will not be stolen  
B. Works of art will not be damaged
C. Artists can study the works of art.  
D. Everyone has a chance to enjoy the works of art.
50. According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?
A.  Louvre is always a museum since it was built.
B. All the art treasures in the Louvre have been destroyed in the war.
C.Louvre was once the king’s castle in history.
D. There is still a fort near the Louvre now.

She is widely seen as proof that good looks can last forever. But, at nearly 500 years of age, time is catching up with the Mona Lisa.

The health of the famous picture, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1505, is getting worse by the year, according to the Louvre museum(卢浮宫博物馆)where it is housed.

“The thin, wooden panel on which the Mona Lisa is painted in oil has changed shape since experts checked it two years ago,” the museum said. Visitors have noticed the changes but repairing the world’s most famous painting is not easy. Experts are not sure about the materials the Italian artist used and their current chemical state.

Nearly 6 million people go to see the Mona Lisa every year, many attracted by the mystery of her smile. “It is very interesting that when you’re not looking at her, she seems to be smiling, and then you look at her and she stops,” said Professor Margaret Livingstone of Harvard University. “It’s because direct vision(视觉)is excellent at picking up detail, but less suited to looking at shadows. Da Vinci painted the smile in shadows.”

However, the actual history of the Mona Lisa is just as mysterious as the smile. Da Vinci himself loved it so much that he always carried it with him, until it was eventually sold to France’s King Francis I in 1519.

In 1911, the painting was stolen from the Louvre by a former employee, who took it out of the museum hidden under his coat. He said he planned to return it to Italy. The painting was sent back to France two years later.

During World War II, French hid the painting in small towns to keep it out of the hands of German forces.

Like many old ladies, the Mona Lisa has some interesting stories to tell.

1. The underlined sentence in the first paragraph means the Mona Lisa ________.

2. Experts haven’t any repairs on the Mona Lisa because______.

1.      

3.The smile of the Mona Lisa can only be seen_______.

4. From the last paragraph, we can infer that______.

From the earliest times, man has been interested in art. People have often worked together to collect and save the world’s art treasures.

Fine art treasures from many countries are kept in an art museum called the Louvre in Paris, France. The works of art have been collected by the people of France over many centuries. The Louvre has not always been a museum. The first building was a fort(炮台). In 1190, it was the king’s castle with high walls and a round tower. It had a moat to keep out his enemies.

Over the years，the number of buildings around the castle grew. By 1350, the castle was no longer needed as a fort. The Louvre became a palace home for French kings and queens.

During times of peace, new treasures were brought in. During days of war, many treasures were stolen, and the buildings were damaged.

When Francis I became king of France in 1515, he brought in artists from many countries. One of the artists was Leonardo da Vinci from Italy. Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is the best known painting in the museum today.

In 1793, the Louvre became a public museum, just as it is now. It is a place where art treasures have been saved for everyone to enjoy.

1.

On the whole, this passage is mainly about__________.?

A. an art museum called the Louvre     

B. an Italian artist named Leonardo da Vinci

C. a king of France named Francis I        

D. the best known painting in Louvre

2.

 Which of the following is not true according to the passage?

A. The Louvre used to be a fort a very long time ago.

B. French kings and queens once lived in it.

C. The Louvre was taken by enemies in 1190.

D. Many treasures were brought into the Louvre over the years.

3.

 Why is it good for great art to be kept in public museums?

A. It helps people remember who the King of France is.

    B. It keeps people out of the palaces.

C. It gives everyone a chance to enjoy good art.

    D. It helps people to know who is the greatest artist.

4.

 In the third paragraph the underlined word moat probably means________.

? A. a high tower built in former times where soldiers watched out for enemies

B. a long and deep ditch(渠) dug round a castle and was usually filled with water

C. a cart pulled by horses on which soldiers fought

D. a long and high wall around castle