Question

When we hear the word “pyramid”(金字塔) there is little doubt that Egypt(埃及) and the desert come to mind. Did you know, however, that continents and oceans away — in what is today Central America and Mexico — people also built pyramids? While they look somewhat different from the ones we see in Egypt, they also were built with great skill.

The pyramids of Central America were built by the Mayan(玛雅) and Aztec(阿芝台克) peoples, as well as other smaller groups. Both Mayan and Aztec cultures built pyramids for their gods. They thought that building higher pyramids would allow them to get close to heaven. These cultures believed that the gods were found in nature. One of the most important gods was the sun. Many of the pyramids were for their sun god. At the top of the pyramids they built temples to make the gods happier. However, pyramids were not used only for their gods.

Before Europeans came to the area in the 1500s, many of the cultures of the Americas, such as the Mayan and Aztec, had much knowledge about mathematics and astrology. They thought that the night sky could be used as a mirror to explain many aspects of life, which is the reason why they studied it carefully. The temples on top of the pyramids were also used as places for watching the skies. The Mayans had a solid understanding of the movement of stars and planets. This helped them understand the seasons. They were the first to create a 365-day calendar.

1.Why did they build pyramids?

A. For their king.    B. For themselves.

C. For their gods and to study the sky.    D. For the moon.

2.Which of the following sentences is not true?

A. Before Europeans came to the area, the Mayans and Aztecs had no knowledge about mathematics and astrology.

B. Building higher pyramids would allow the Mayans and Aztecs to get close to heaven.

C. Many of the pyramids were for the sun god.

D. The Mayan and Aztec pyramids built look somewhat different from the ones built in Egypt.

3.Where did people build pyramids besides Egypt ?

A. In Central America.    B. In Japan.    C. In Egypt.    D. Not mentioned.

4.Where can you find the passage?

A. Newspaper.    B. Advertisement.    C. Novel.    D. Magazine.

Answer

1. C

2. A

3. A

4. D

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文，介绍了除了埃及，中美洲的玛雅人和阿芝台克人也建造了金字塔，他们建造金字塔是为了他们的神和研究天空。

1.细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Both Mayan and Aztec cultures built pyramids for their gods.”和第三段中的“The temples on top of the pyramids were also used as places for watching the skies.”可知，玛雅人和阿芝台克人建造金字塔是为了他们的神和研究天空，故C项正确。

2.细节理解题。根据第三段中的“Before Europeans came to the area in the 1500s, many of the cultures of the Americas, such as the Mayan and Aztec, had much knowledge about mathematics and astrology. ”可知，在欧洲人来到这里之前，玛雅人和阿芝台克人就对数学和占星学有一定的了解，故A项正确。

3.细节理解题。根据第一段中的“in what is today Central America and Mexico — people also built pyramids?”可知，除了埃及，中美洲的人也建造了金字塔，故A项正确。

4.文章出处题。通读全文可知，本文介绍了除了埃及，中美洲的玛雅人和阿芝台克人也建造了金字塔，他们建造金字塔是为了他们的神和研究天空，这一话题属于科学范畴，应该出自一本科学杂志，故D项正确。