Question

    It is believed that raisins (葡萄干) were discovered in the Middle East, where they were treasured. Any food that wouldn't spoil in the hot sun was very valuable. Prehistoric drawings in France show that raisins have been enjoyed in southern Europe for thousands of years. 1. In 1000 B.C. the Jews paid their taxes with raisins. Two jars of raisins in ancient Rome could buy one slave boy. 2.

In North America, the original mistake of leaving grapes to wither (枯萎) on the vine was not the only time raisins accidentally became popular. In the 1870s many people were growing grapes in California. 3. Most Americans had never heard of raisins at that time. In September, 1873 a severe heat wave struck the area. Before the growers could pick all their grapes, they withered on the vine. The grapes were lost. One grower took the dried grapes to a grocer in San Francisco. 4. The new accidental raisins grew into a major industry in California. Today almost all the raisins eaten in the United States are grown in California. California produces a third of the world's raisins.

5. Raisins also provide potassium, magnesium, calcium and certain B vitamins. Without added preservatives (防腐剂), raisins will stay fresh, delicious and nutritious if kept in a cool place. Raisins are tiny, portable and above all delicious.

A. They have been used for necklaces and as religious symbols.

B. Raisins are children's favorite snacks.

C. The grapes were either eaten as fresh fruit or were made into wine.

D. The grocer was unwilling to buy the dried grapes.

E. Raisins are high in iron, which is important to children's growing bodies.

F. Roman doctors believed raisins could cure anything from mushroom poisoning to old age.

G. The grocer's customers discovered that raisins made a delicious treat.

Answer

1.A

2.F

3.C

4.G

5.E

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。人们相信葡萄干是在中东被发现的，在那里它们被珍藏着。任何在烈日下不会腐烂的食物都是很有价值的。文章主要说明了葡萄干的历史、发明过程以及葡萄干的好处。

1.根据上文Prehistoric drawings in France show that raisins have been enjoyed in southern Europe for thousands of years.( 法国的史前图画显示，葡萄干在南欧已经被享用了数千年)可知，本句承接上文，继续说明葡萄干在南欧的情况，它们被用作项链和宗教符号。A选项中they指代上文raisins。故A选项“它们被用作项链和宗教符号”符合上下文语境，故选A。

2.根据上文Two jars of raisins in ancient Rome could buy one slave boy.( 两罐葡萄干在古罗马可以买到一个奴隶男孩)可知，本句应承接上文继续说明葡萄干在罗马的情况。故F选项“罗马医生相信葡萄干可以治疗从蘑菇中毒到衰老的任何疾病”符合上下文语境，故选F。

3.结合后文Most Americans had never heard of raisins at that time.( 那时，大多数美国人从未听说过葡萄干)可知，美国人那时还不知道葡萄可以制成葡萄干，因此本句应当说明葡萄被用作了其他用途，如当做新鲜水果或制成葡萄酒。故C选项“这些葡萄要么作为新鲜水果食用，要么制成葡萄酒”符合上下文语境，故选C。

4.根据上文One grower took the dried grapes to a grocer in San Francisco.( 一个种植者把晒干的葡萄拿到旧金山的一家杂货店)中a grocer可对应到G选项中“The grocer's”，同为说明葡萄干在这家杂货店的情况。故G选项“杂货店的顾客发现葡萄干是一种美味的食品”符合上下文语境，故选G。

5.结合后文Raisins also provide potassium, magnesium, calcium and certain B vitamins.( 葡萄干还提供钾、镁、钙和某些B族维生素)可知，此处是在说明葡萄干的好处。故E选项“葡萄干含铁量高，这对儿童生长发育很重要”符合上下文语境，故选E。