Ⅳ. Reading Comprehension (60 points)

　　Directions：There are five reading passages in this part.Each passage is followed by four questions.For each question there are four suggested answers marked A，B，C and D.Choose one best answer and blacken the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet.

　　Passage One

　　At first glance, there hardly seems to be any comparison between Ravenna and Rome, but back in the 5th century, it was Ravenna that served as capital of the Westem Roman Empire. In this city. Roman rulers built monuments which are famous, then and now, for their sweeping mosaics(镶嵌图案). Seven of Ravenna’s eight buildings from the 5th and 6th centuries are spectacularly decorated with examples of this ancient art. “in the past, many people couldn’t read or write.”says tour guide and Ravenna native Silvia Giogoli. “Mosaics were a way to explain the religion and the political situation to the people.”

　　Visitors to Ravenna can look at pieces of art by ancient artists, listen to musicians, and learn to make their own masterpieces.

　　Travel Tips

　　When to Go:June—October;weather is pleasant in April and May but historic sites can get crowded with shool groups.

　　Where to Stay: Walk through historic district sites from Albergo Cappello and stay at a modern Hotel Centrale Byron.

　　How to Get Around: Take the train from Bologna, and then walk, bike, or use taxis within the city.

　　Where to Eat or Drink: Housed in a former movie theater, two-story Ristorante Cinema Alexander blends 1940s Hollywood flavor with homemade Emilia Romagna courses and attentive service(helpful in translating the menu). For fresh seafood, try Osteria L’Accigua and Da Buco.

　　What to Buy: Watch the next generation of Emilia Romagna mosaic artists create contemporary and traditional pieces in local studios where modern artists use the same methods as their Byzantine forefathers.

　　What to Read Before you Go: Ravenna in Late Antiquity, by Deborah Mauskopf Deliyannis(2010), provides a wide-ranging look at the city’s art, architecture, and history.

　　( )36. In ancient times, mosaics were used to .

　　A. display artistic achievements B. compete with Roman paintings

　　C. explain religion and politics D. teach reading and writing

　　( )37. Lots of schoolchildren visit historic sites such as Ravenna in .

　　A. May 　　B. June 　 C. September D. October

　　( )38. If you want to try fresh seafood, you should go to .

　　A. Emilia Romagna B. Hotel Centrale Byron

　　C. Ristorante Cinema Alexander D. Osteria L’Accigua and Da Buco

　　( )39. Why is Ravenna in Late Antiquity recommended in this passage?

　　A. Because it was written by a famous writer.

　　B. Because tourists get to learn a lot about the city from it.

　　C. Because tourists can get valuable tips for buying art pieces.

　　D. Because it provides useful information about the city’s weather.

　　Passage Two

　　When you pat your pet dog, he wags(摆来摆去)his tail. That is his way of saying that he loves you. And, if you pay attention, you will see that he uses his tail to say so many things. Every movement of the tail means a different thing. If the dog is wagging its tail, it is a sign of friendliness; if his tail is straight, it means he is getting ready for a fight; and if his tail is tucked(塞)behind his legs, it means he is giving up the fight.

　　Unlike dogs, cats’ tail language is not so expressive. When a cat feels threatened, he puffs himself up to appear big and his tail shakes with tension. And when he is displeased with something, he lashes out(甩动)his tail.

　　The tail language of dogs and cats has a little story behind it. Earlier, when dogs and cats had not become friends with human beings, they were predators. They used to hunt other animals for their food. When dogs went out hunting with their friends, tail language came handy. When they were close to each other,dogs could use facial expressions to talk. But, for long-distance communication, they used their tails. Unlike dogs, cats liked to hunt alone. So, they did not need to use tail language too often. As a result, their vocabulary in tail language is much smaller than that of dogs’ .

　　( )40. What does it mean when a dog’s tail is straight?

　　A. It has a lot to say to you. 　　 B. It wants to stop fighting.

　　C. It is going to fight. D. It likes to be patted.

　　( )41. A cat tries to appear big when it is .

　　A. facing a danger B. unhappy

　　C. ready to hunt D. hungry

　　( )42. Which of the following does the author intend to say?

　　A. Dogs and cats are not good friends

　　B. Dogs are much friendlier than cats.

　　C. Dogs and cats are usually good pets.

　　D. Dogs use tail language more than cats.

　　( )43. In the last paragraph, the underlined word “predators” refers to .

　　A. animals that follow and obey other animals

　　B. animals that kill and eat other animals

　　C. animals that live in the wild

　　D. animals kept by people