阅读理解。阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项。

Most musicians agree that the best violins were made in Italy. They were made in Cremona, Italy, about 200 years ago. These violins sound better than any others. They even sound better than violins made today. Violin makers and scientists try to make instruments like the old Italian violins. But they aren’t the same. Musicians still prefer the old ones. No one really knows why these old Italian violins are so special, but many people think they have an answer.

Some people think it is the age of the violins. They say that today’s violins will also sound wonderful someday. But there is a problem here. Not all old violins sound wonderful. Only those from Cremona are special. So age cannot be the answer. There must be something different about Cremona or those Italian violins makers.

Other people think the secret to those violins is wood. The wood of the violin is very important. It must be from certain kinds of the trees. It must not be too young or too old. Perhaps the violin makers of Cremona knew something special about wood for violins.

But the kind of wood may not be so important. It may be more important to cut the wood in a special way. Wood for a violin must be cut very carefully. It has to be the right size and shape. The smallest difference will change the sound of the violin. Musicians sometimes think that this was the secret of the Italians. Maybe they understood more than we do about how to cut the wood.

Size and shape may not be the answer either. Scientists measured these old violins very carefully. They can make new ones that are exactly the same size and shape. But the new violins still do not sound as good as the old ones. Some scientists think the secret may be the varnish, which covers the wood of the violin and makes it look shiny. It also helps the sound of the instrument. No one knows what the Italian violin makers used in their varnish. So no one can make the same varnish today.

There may never be other violins like the violins of Cremona. Their secret may be lost forever. Young musicians today hope this is not true. They need fine violins. But there aren’t very many of the old violins left. Also, the old violins are very expensive. Recently, a famous old Italian violin was sold for about US$300,000!

1. This passage is about .

A. making violins B. musical instruments

C. scientific ideas D. the old Italian voilins

2. The best violins .

A. are made with modern techniques B. were lost many years ago

C. were made in Italy 200 years ago D. were made by scientists

3. Some people think that modern violins .

A. will sound better in the future

B. will sound worse in the future

C. sound wonderful and natural

D. will never be as old as those from Cremona

4. Violins made today .

A. look the same as the old ones B. sound the same as the old ones

C. are better than the old ones D. have the same varnish as the old ones

1、答案解析：答案为D。本题为主旨大意题。 第一段最后一句话 “No one really knows why these old Italian violins are so special, but many people think they have an answer.” 引入话题，为什么古老的意大利小提琴如此特别，很多人认为他们知道答案，后文分别给出了不同人的答案，最后一段对问题的答案进行总结 “There may never be other violins like the violins of Cremona. Their secret may be lost forever.” 意大利小提琴的秘密或许永远消失了，无人知晓。全文都是围绕古老的意大利小提琴展开。故答案为D。

2、答案解析：答案为C。本题为细节题。由第一段第一、二句话 “Most musicians agree that the best violins were made in Italy. They were made in Cremona, Italy, about 200 years ago.” 可知，答案为C。

3、答案解析：答案为A。本题为细节题。结合第二段和该段第二句话 “They say that today’s violins will also sound wonderful someday.” 可知，一些人认为现代小提琴“They can make new ones that are exactly the same size and shape. But the new violins still do not sound as good as the old ones.” 可知，科学家可以制作出和意大利小提琴“No one knows what the Italian violin makers used in their varnish. So no one can make the same varnish today.”可知，D选项错误。