英语专四 短文听力 Passage 3-3

 短文

Questions 18 to 20 are based on the following passage.

Settlers originally came to the American continent so they could practice their religion as they wished, free from the religious persecution¹ of that era. One of these religious groups that settled in the U.S. was the Shakers； (19) The Shakers prospered² in the first half of the nineteenth century and, at their height, totaled about 6，000 members. (18) They are，however，not known for their religion，but for the furniture they made during the first half of the nineteenth century. The furniture was solidly constructed, yet lightweight at the same time. The designs were also very simple because anything elaborate was not allowed，according to their religious principles. In the nineteenth century, their furniture was very popular because it was useful and durable³. In the twentieth, people mostly value it for its beauty, in addition to its other characteristics. (20) Museums and collectors praise the furniture as one of the best examples of American design. Currently, only twelve aged⁴ Shakers remain, and none of them constructs furniture any longer. Hence, Shaker tables, chairs, cabinets, and other pieces are valuable collectors’ items because they are now very rare. Although the furniture may no longer be produced, the Shakers and their furniture will forever remain an important chapter in the art design of the United States.

 

题目

Passage 3

Questions 18 to 20 are based on the following passage. At the end of the passage，you will be given 15 seconds to answer the questions. Now, listen to the passage.

18. What is the passage mainly about?

A. The Shaker religious belief.

B. The Shaker craftsmanship⁵.

C. The Shaker originality⁶.

D. The Shaker exhibition.

19. When were the Shakers most active?

A. Between 1800 and 1850.  

B. Between 1850 and 1900.

C. Between 1900 and 1950.  

D. From 1950 to the present.

20. What characteristic do Americans like about the Shaker furniture?

A. Its ornaments⁷.

B. Its lightness.

C. Its simple designs.

D. Its value.

 

答案解析

Passage 3

18. B主旨题。文章开篇介绍说有一批早期的美国定居者叫做震颤派教徒，他们因其 制作精良、简洁、无装饰的家具而知名。下文都在讲述其惊人的手工艺和独具特色 的家具。故文章大意应是B项。

19. A细节题。文中说到震颤派教徒在19世纪上半叶达到巅峰时期，即1800到1850 年，故A项正确。

20. C细节题。文中说，震顫派教徒所制造的夏克式家具由于其独特的设计风格而知 名，并且博物馆和收藏家都称赞它是真正美国设计的典范之一。故C项正确。

 

1 persecution   

n. 迫害,烦扰

参考例句：

• He had fled from France at the time of the persecution. 他在大迫害时期逃离了法国。
• Their persecution only serves to arouse the opposition of the people. 他们的迫害只激起人民对他们的反抗。

2 prospered   

成功，兴旺( prosper的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The organization certainly prospered under his stewardship. 不可否认，这个组织在他的管理下兴旺了起来。
• Mr. Black prospered from his wise investments. 布莱克先生由于巧妙的投资赚了不少钱。

3 durable   

adj.持久的，耐久的

参考例句：

• This raincoat is made of very durable material.这件雨衣是用非常耐用的料子做的。
• They frequently require more major durable purchases.他们经常需要购买耐用消费品。

4 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

5 craftsmanship   

n.手艺

参考例句：

• The whole house is a monument to her craftsmanship. 那整座房子是她技艺的一座丰碑。
• We admired the superb craftsmanship of the furniture. 我们很欣赏这个家具的一流工艺。

6 originality   

n.创造力，独创性；新颖

参考例句：

• The name of the game in pop music is originality.流行音乐的本质是独创性。
• He displayed an originality amounting almost to genius.他显示出近乎天才的创造性。

7 ornaments   

n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The shelves were chock-a-block with ornaments. 架子上堆满了装饰品。
• Playing the piano sets up resonance in those glass ornaments. 一弹钢琴那些玻璃饰物就会产生共振。 来自《简明英汉词典》