2012年GCT考试英语阅精练（十三）

of the tens of thousands of ships on the ocean bottom, only a handful, less than1 percent, contain negotiable treasure, such as gold and jewels. most give us a different, priceless treasure — history. a SUNken ship lies in trust, preserved in the airless environment of the sea, and those in deep water are especially well protected. no dry land sites anywhere — except perhaps egyptian tombs — are in a better state of preservation than a vessel deep in the ocean. a sunken ship, therefore, can be a rare window through which a moment in time is glimpsed.

this is not to imply that sunken ships are always found intact. most ships break up on the way down, hit the bottom at about 100 miles per hour, and BECome a chaotic, confusing jumble (混乱的一堆). i recall the chagrin (懊恼) of a novice diver who , after surfacing from an underwater tour of a 400-foot ship, asked his diving buddy. “where was the wreck?” it takes experience to actually know sunken ship when one sees it.

but no matter what its condition on the way down, a ship deteriorates much more slowly as it sinks deeper into protective layer of sand and mud. ancient vessels have been found in remarkably good condition. in 1997 a group of marine archaeologists excavating (发掘) a 900-year-old wreck recovered engraved glassware, greek coins, bronze kettles, and amazingly, greek jars containing seeds, almonds, and lentile — even a plate with chicken bones.

1. which of the following is meant by the “priceless treasure” mentioned in line 2?

A. valuable information.                    B. ancient coins.

C. precious stones.                               D. old books.

2.the author compares a sunken ship preserved in the deep sea to which of the following?

A. a tomb in egypt.                                     B. a greek jar.

C. a vacuum.                                                 D. a bronze chest.

3. according to the passage, which of the following usually happens to a ship as it sinks?

A. it remains in an upright position.

B. it gets transported by the currents.

C. it breaks into pieces.

D. it attracts marine life.

4. which of the following objects found on the 900-year-old wreck most surprised the author?

A. money.                   B. jars.                   C. chicken bones.                     D. glassware.

5.which of the following features of an ancient ship is of most interest to the author?

A. speed.                    B. contents.           C. location.                                D. design.

【答案与解析】：

1.【答案】A.

【解析】从上下文可知；在众多的沉船中，仅有不到1%的船里有如金子和首饰类的可流通的财物，大部分沉船给我们的是另一种珍贵的宝物——历史。这说明，“珍贵的宝物”在此指的是历史，即这些沉船告诉我们一些有关不同时代的信息。

2.【答案】A

【解析】在第一段第四句讲到：也许除了埃及的古墓之外，陆地上没有哪个地方比深海能更好地保护船只了。由这句话可知：作者把保护在深海里的沉船比作埃及的古墓。

3.【答案】C

【解析】在第二段第二句讲到：大部分船在下沉过程中破碎。

4.【答案】C

【解析】在最后一句中作者介绍说：1977年，一组海洋考古学者发掘了一只有900年历史的沉船，复原了雕刻的玻璃器，希腊硬币，铜壶，更令人吃惊的是希腊的装有种子、杏仁、小扁豆的罐，甚至一只盛有鸡骨头的盘子。这说明，最令作者吃惊的是鸡骨头。

5.【答案】B

【解析】在最后一段及第一段作者分别谈到的是船内的东西。这说明作者最感兴趣的是古船装载的东西。