英语听力精选进阶版 6448

What historical site impresses you the most? I've always been fascinated by the pyramids in Egypt. A few years ago I braved a long queue and climbed through a narrow passage to reach the main chamber¹ deep inside one of them. Like millions of other tourists I marvelled² at stoned-walled rooms full of the magic of this ancient civilisation³.

But popularity might be the undoing⁴ of such archaeological treasures.

Take Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings, for example. It lay untouched for more than 3,000 years until the British archaeologist Howard Carter uncovered it in 1922. Now more than 1,000 people a day walk through it.

But as more and more people visit, the temperature and humidity inside the tomb change. As a result, the beautifully decorated plaster is coming away from the rock.

In order to preserve its heritage, a replica⁵ of the monument is being opened about 1km away from the actual burial site. Specialists have recorded every detail of Tutankhamun's tomb and used the data to recreate it.

Adam Lowe from the organisation⁶ behind the project, Factum Arte, says the copy is identical to the original. He believes visitors will want to "become part of the force that protects it rather than a force that is leading to its destruction", so won't mind seeing a replica.

But for historian Tom Holland, a copy is still a copy. He believes that although preservation⁷ is important, there is something unique about places like Tutankhamun's tomb.

He says it was built "by people who believed in the world of the spirits, the dead and the supernatural. You don't have to believe in a god or gods to feel a place is consecrated⁸ and has a particular quality that can't be reproduced."

What about you: would you visit a replica of a monument rather than the original to help preserve it?

Quiz 测验

1. What did the author have to endure when visiting the pyramids?

A long queue and climbing a ladder in a narrow corridor.

2. How many people visit Tutankhamun's tomb each day?

More than 1,000 a day.

3. What is damaging the paintings on the walls of the tomb?

Changes in temperature and humidity.

4. Which two words are used to describe something which is not original?

Copy and replica.

5. Which two words are used to describe the maintenance of something in good condition?

Conservation and preservation.

Glossary 词汇表

historical site 历史遗址

pyramid 金子塔

to brave 不怕（排场队）

ancient 古老的

chamber 屋子

undoing 毁灭

archaeological treasure 考古珍宝

tomb 墓穴

untouched 没有触动过的

archaeologist 考古学家

to uncover 发掘

humidity 湿度

plaster 石膏，灰泥

heritage 遗迹

replica 复制品

burial site 墓地遗址

supernatural 超自然的

to consecrate 使圣化

1 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

2 marvelled   

v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• I marvelled that he suddenly left college. 我对他突然离开大学感到惊奇。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I marvelled at your boldness. 我对你的大胆感到惊奇。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 civilisation   

n.文明，文化，开化，教化

参考例句：

• Energy and ideas are the twin bases of our civilisation.能源和思想是我们文明的两大基石。
• This opera is one of the cultural totems of Western civilisation.这部歌剧是西方文明的文化标志物之一。

4 undoing   

n.毁灭的原因，祸根；破坏，毁灭

参考例句：

• That one mistake was his undoing. 他一失足即成千古恨。
• This hard attitude may have led to his undoing. 可能就是这种强硬的态度导致了他的垮台。

5 replica   

n.复制品

参考例句：

• The original conservatory has been rebuilt in replica.温室已按原样重建。
• The young artist made a replica of the famous painting.这位年轻的画家临摹了这幅著名的作品。

6 organisation   

n.组织，安排，团体，有机休

参考例句：

• The method of his organisation work is worth commending.他的组织工作的方法值得称道。
• His application for membership of the organisation was rejected.他想要加入该组织的申请遭到了拒绝。

7 preservation   

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。

8 consecrated   

adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献

参考例句：

• The church was consecrated in 1853. 这座教堂于1853年祝圣。
• They consecrated a temple to their god. 他们把庙奉献给神。 来自《简明英汉词典》