GMAT考试阅读资料(二)e
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Passage 11
  Archaeology1 as a profession faces two major prob-lems. First, it is the poorest of the poor. Only paltrysums are available for excavating2 and even less is avail-able for publishing the results and preserving the sites(5) once excavated4. Yet archaeologists deal with pricelessobjects every day. Second, there is the problem of illegalexcavation, resulting in museum-quality pieces beingsold to the highest bidder6.
  I would like to make an outrageous7 suggestion that(10) would at one stroke provide funds for archaeology andreduce the amount of illegal digging. I would proposethat scientific archeological expeditions and govern-mental authorities sell excavated artifacts on the openmarket. Such sales would provide substantial funds for(15) the excavation5 and preservation8 of archaeological sitesand the publication of results. At the same time, theywould break the illegal excavator‘s grip on the market,thereby decreasing the inducement to engage in illegalactivities.
  (20)You might object that professionals excavate3 toacquire knowledge, not money. Moreover, ancient arti-facts are part of our global cultural heritage, whichshould be available for all to appreciate, not sold to thehighest bidder. I agree. Sell nothing that has unique(25) artistic9 merit or scientific value. But, you might reply,everything that comes our of the ground has scientificvalue. Here we part company. Theoretically, you may becorrect in claiming that every artifact has potential scien-tific value. Practically, you are wrong.
  (30)I refer to the thousands of pottery10 vessels11 and ancientlamps that are essentially12 duplicates of one another. Inone small excavation in Cyprus, archaeologists recentlyuncovered 2,000 virtually indistinguishable small jugs13 ina single courtyard, Even precious royal seal impressions(35) known as/melekh handles have been found in abun-dance——more than 4,000 examples so far.
  The basements of museums are simply not largeenough to store the artifacts that are likely to be discov-ered in the future. There is not enough money even to(40) catalogue the finds; as a result, they cannot be foundagain and become as inaccessible14 as if they had neverbeen discovered. Indeed, with the help of a computer,sold artifacts could be more accessible than are thepieces stored in bulging15 museum basements. Prior to(45) sale, each could be photographed and the list of thepurchasers could be maintained on the computer Apurchaser could even be required to agree to return thepiece if it should become needed for scientific purposes.
  It would be unrealistic to suggest that illegal digging(50) would stop if artifacts were sold on the open market.But the demand for the clandestine16 product would besubstantially reduced. Who would want an unmarkedpot when another was available whose provenance17 wasknown, and that was dated stratigraphically by theprofessional archaeologist who excavated it?

  1. The primary purpose of the passage is to propose
   (A) an alternative to museum display of artifacts
   (B) a way to curb18 illegal digging while benefiting the archaeological profession
   (C) a way to distinguish artifacts with scientific value from those that have no such value
   (D) the governmental regulation of archaeological sites
   (E) a new system for cataloguing duplicate artifacts

  2. The author implies that all of the following statements about duplicate artifacts are true EXCEPT:
   (A) A market for such artifacts already exists.
   (B) Such artifacts seldom have scientific value.
   (C) There is likely to be a continuing supply of such artifacts.
   (D) Museums are well supplied with examples of such artifacts.
   (E) Such artifacts frequently exceed in quality those already catalogued in museum collections.

  3. Which of the following is mentioned in the passage as a disadvantage of storing artifacts in museum basements?
   (A) Museum officials rarely allow scholars access to such artifacts.
   (B) Space that could be better used for display is taken up for storage.
   (C) Artifacts discovered in one excavation often become separated from each other.
   (D) Such artifacts are often damaged by variations in temperature and humidity.
   (E) Such artifacts‘ often remain uncatalogued and thus cannot be located once they are put in storage.

  4. The author mentions the excavation in Cyprus (lines 31-34) to emphasize which of the following points?
   (A) Ancient lamps and pottery vessels are less valuable,although more rare, than royal seal impressions.
   (B) Artifacts that are very similar to each other present cataloguing difficulties to archaeologists.
   (C) Artifacts that are not uniquely valuable, and therefore could be sold, are available in large quantities.
   (D) Cyprus is the most important location for unearthing19 large quantities of salable20 artifacts.
   (E) Illegal sales of duplicate artifacts are wide-spread,particularly on the island of Cyprus.

  5. The author‘s argument concerning the effect of the official sale of duplicate artifacts on illegal excavation is based on which of the following assumptions?
   (A) Prospective21 purchasers would prefer to buy authenticated22 artifacts.
   (B) The price of illegally excavated artifacts would rise.
   (C) Computers could be used to trace sold artifacts.
   (D) Illegal excavators would be forced to sell only duplicate artifacts.
   (E) Money gained from selling authenticated artifacts could be used to investigate and prosecute23 illegal excavators.

  6. The author anticipates which of the following initial objections to the adoption24 of his proposal?
   (A) Museum officials will become unwilling25 to store artifacts.
   (B) An oversupply26 of salable artifacts will result and the demand for them will fall.
   (C) Artifacts that would have been displayed in public places will be sold to private collectors.
   (D) Illegal excavators will have an even larger supply of artifacts for resale.
   (E) Counterfeiting27 of artifacts will become more commonplace.

  7. The author implies that which of the following would occur if duplicate artifacts were sold on the open market?
  Ⅰ.Illegal excavation would eventually cease completely.
  Ⅱ.Cyprus would become the primary source of marketable duplicate artifacts
  Ⅲ.Archaeologists would be able to publish theresults of their excavations28 more frequentlythan they currently do.
   (A) Ⅰonly   
   (B) Ⅲ only
   (C) Ⅰand Ⅱonly  
   (D) Ⅱ and Ⅲ only
   (E) Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ



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1 archaeology 0v2zi     
n.考古学
参考例句:
  • She teaches archaeology at the university.她在大学里教考古学。
  • He displayed interest in archaeology.他对考古学有兴趣。
2 excavating 5d793b033d109ef3f1f026bd95b1d9f5     
v.挖掘( excavate的现在分词 );开凿;挖出;发掘
参考例句:
  • A bulldozer was employed for excavating the foundations of the building. 推土机用来给楼房挖地基。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • A new Danish expedition is again excavating the site in annual summer digs. 一支新的丹麦探险队又在那个遗址上进行一年一度的夏季挖掘。 来自辞典例句
3 excavate eiBzY     
vt.挖掘,挖出
参考例句:
  • They plan to excavate a large hole.他们计划挖个大洞。
  • A new Danish expedition is again excavating the site in annual summer digs.一支新的丹麦探险队又在那个遗址上进行一年一度的夏季挖掘。
4 excavated 3cafdb6f7c26ffe41daf7aa353505858     
v.挖掘( excavate的过去式和过去分词 );开凿;挖出;发掘
参考例句:
  • The site has been excavated by archaeologists. 这个遗址已被考古学家发掘出来。
  • The archaeologists excavated an ancient fortress. 考古学家们发掘出一个古堡。 来自《简明英汉词典》
5 excavation RiKzY     
n.挖掘,发掘;被挖掘之地
参考例句:
  • The bad weather has hung up the work of excavation.天气不好耽误了挖掘工作。
  • The excavation exposed some ancient ruins.这次挖掘暴露出一些古遗迹。
6 bidder oyrzTm     
n.(拍卖时的)出价人,报价人,投标人
参考例句:
  • TV franchises will be auctioned to the highest bidder.电视特许经营权将拍卖给出价最高的投标人。
  • The bidder withdrew his bid after submission of his bid.投标者在投标之后撤销了投标书。
7 outrageous MvFyH     
adj.无理的,令人不能容忍的
参考例句:
  • Her outrageous behaviour at the party offended everyone.她在聚会上的无礼行为触怒了每一个人。
  • Charges for local telephone calls are particularly outrageous.本地电话资费贵得出奇。
8 preservation glnzYU     
n.保护,维护,保存,保留,保持
参考例句:
  • The police are responsible for the preservation of law and order.警察负责维持法律与秩序。
  • The picture is in an excellent state of preservation.这幅画保存得极为完好。
9 artistic IeWyG     
adj.艺术(家)的,美术(家)的;善于艺术创作的
参考例句:
  • The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
  • These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。
10 pottery OPFxi     
n.陶器,陶器场
参考例句:
  • My sister likes to learn art pottery in her spare time.我妹妹喜欢在空余时间学习陶艺。
  • The pottery was left to bake in the hot sun.陶器放在外面让炎热的太阳烘晒焙干。
11 vessels fc9307c2593b522954eadb3ee6c57480     
n.血管( vessel的名词复数 );船;容器;(具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的)人
参考例句:
  • The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
12 essentially nntxw     
adv.本质上,实质上,基本上
参考例句:
  • Really great men are essentially modest.真正的伟人大都很谦虚。
  • She is an essentially selfish person.她本质上是个自私自利的人。
13 jugs 10ebefab1f47ca33e582d349c161a29f     
(有柄及小口的)水壶( jug的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Two china jugs held steaming gravy. 两个瓷罐子装着热气腾腾的肉卤。
  • Jugs-Big wall lingo for Jumars or any other type of ascenders. 大岩壁术语,祝玛式上升器或其它种类的上升器。
14 inaccessible 49Nx8     
adj.达不到的,难接近的
参考例句:
  • This novel seems to me among the most inaccessible.这本书对我来说是最难懂的小说之一。
  • The top of Mount Everest is the most inaccessible place in the world.珠穆朗玛峰是世界上最难到达的地方。
15 bulging daa6dc27701a595ab18024cbb7b30c25     
膨胀; 凸出(部); 打气; 折皱
参考例句:
  • Her pockets were bulging with presents. 她的口袋里装满了礼物。
  • Conscious of the bulging red folder, Nim told her,"Ask if it's important." 尼姆想到那个鼓鼓囊囊的红色文件夹便告诉她:“问问是不是重要的事。”
16 clandestine yqmzh     
adj.秘密的,暗中从事的
参考例句:
  • She is the director of clandestine operations of the CIA.她是中央情报局秘密行动的负责人。
  • The early Christians held clandestine meetings in caves.早期的基督徒在洞穴中秘密聚会。
17 provenance ZBTyR     
n.出处;起源
参考例句:
  • Kato was fully aware of the provenance of these treasures.加藤完全清楚这些珍宝的来源。
  • This plant's provenance is Asiadj.这种植物原产于亚洲。
18 curb LmRyy     
n.场外证券市场,场外交易;vt.制止,抑制
参考例句:
  • I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
  • You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。
19 unearthing 00d1fee5b583e89f513b69e88ec55cf3     
发掘或挖出某物( unearth的现在分词 ); 搜寻到某事物,发现并披露
参考例句:
  • And unearthing the past often means literally and studying the evidence. 通常,探寻往事在字面上即意味着——刨根究底。
  • The unearthing of "Peking Man" was a remarkable discovery. “北京人”的出土是个非凡的发现。
20 salable bD3yC     
adj.有销路的,适销的
参考例句:
  • Black Tea and Longjin Tea are salable in our market.红茶和龙井茶在我们那很好卖。
  • She was a slave,and salable as such. 她是个奴隶,既然是奴隶,也就可以出卖。
21 prospective oR7xB     
adj.预期的,未来的,前瞻性的
参考例句:
  • The story should act as a warning to other prospective buyers.这篇报道应该对其他潜在的购买者起到警示作用。
  • They have all these great activities for prospective freshmen.这会举办各种各样的活动来招待未来的新人。
22 authenticated 700633a1b0f65fa8456a18bd6053193c     
v.证明是真实的、可靠的或有效的( authenticate的过去式和过去分词 );鉴定,使生效
参考例句:
  • The letter has been authenticated by handwriting experts. 这封信已由笔迹专家证明是真的。
  • The date of manufacture of the jewellery has not been authenticated. 这些珠宝的制造日期尚未经证实。 来自《简明英汉词典》
23 prosecute d0Mzn     
vt.告发;进行;vi.告发,起诉,作检察官
参考例句:
  • I am trying my best to prosecute my duties.我正在尽力履行我的职责。
  • Is there enough evidence to prosecute?有没有起诉的足够证据?
24 adoption UK7yu     
n.采用,采纳,通过;收养
参考例句:
  • An adoption agency had sent the boys to two different families.一个收养机构把他们送给两个不同的家庭。
  • The adoption of this policy would relieve them of a tremendous burden.采取这一政策会给他们解除一个巨大的负担。
25 unwilling CjpwB     
adj.不情愿的
参考例句:
  • The natives were unwilling to be bent by colonial power.土著居民不愿受殖民势力的摆布。
  • His tightfisted employer was unwilling to give him a raise.他那吝啬的雇主不肯给他加薪。
26 oversupply zmIz1V     
n.供应过量;v.过度供给
参考例句:
  • The market softened because of oversupply.市场因供过于求而疲软。
  • Overexpansion of tea fields has led to oversupply.茶园过度扩张,使得市场上逐渐供过于求。
27 counterfeiting fvDzas     
n.伪造v.仿制,造假( counterfeit的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • He was sent to prison for counterfeiting five-dollar bills. 他因伪造5美元的钞票被捕入狱。 来自辞典例句
  • National bureau released securities, certificates with security anti-counterfeiting paper technical standards. 国家质量技术监督局发布了证券、证件用安全性防伪纸张技术标准。 来自互联网
28 excavations 185c90d3198bc18760370b8a86c53f51     
n.挖掘( excavation的名词复数 );开凿;开凿的洞穴(或山路等);(发掘出来的)古迹
参考例句:
  • The excavations are open to the public. 发掘现场对公众开放。
  • This year's excavations may reveal ancient artifacts. 今年的挖掘可能会发现史前古器物。 来自辞典例句
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