(B)
The ancient silk road was a once-in-a-lifetime journey. It was one of the most important
milestones of trade and culture in world history, and the pioneer, Zhang Qian, could
not be easily forgotten by history. He was a great diplomat, traveller and explorer in
the Han Dynasty of China, remembered as "the first Chinese to open his eyes to see the world".
In 138 B.C., Zhang Qian was sent to the west of China for an
alliance with the Yue-chi
people to fight against the Xiongnu. He started his trip from Chang'an to Longxi. But
unluckily, Zhang was caught by the Xiongnu people just as he left Han, and was held prisoner
for ten years.
Zhang finally managed to run away with some of his men and continued to travel west.
When Zhang at last reached the Yue-chi, he was sad to find that they didn't want to fight
against the Xiongnu people. On the return journey, Zhang Qian and his men were caught again.
It was not until 126 B.C. that they returned to Chang'an.
Though Zhang hadn't finished his task, he brought back first-hand information about
Central Asia. The paths Zhang Qian explored later served as the highways connecting Europe,
the Middle East, Mesopotamia, Central Asia, and East Asia. Commodities have been
transported along this network of highways, which has been known as the "Silk Road" since
the 19th century. Zhang Qian has been remembered as the great explorer that opened up a new
era of cultural exchange between the East and the West.
(
C
)4. What does the underlined word "alliance" in Paragraph 2 mean?
A. A long journey to a faraway place. B. A secret plan to run away.
C. An agreement to work together. D. An introduction to each other.
(
C
)5. What is the result of Zhang Qian's journey to the West?
A. He reached an agreement with the Xiongnu.
B. He sold many commodities and made money.
C. He built a bridge between the East and the West.
D. He made Han the most powerful country.
(
D
)6. What kind of person is Zhang Qian?
A. Careful and creative. B. Energetic and active.
C. Proud and open-minded. D. Brave and strong-minded.
(
A
)7. What is the best title for the passage?
A. Zhang Qian and the Silk Road B. Zhang Qian and the Yue-chi People
C. The Importance of the Silk Road D. The History of the Han Dynasty
(
D
)8. The writer would most probably talk about
after Paragraph 4.
A. how the Xiongnu people were beaten back
B. why people did business along the Silk Road
C. what Zhang Qian did in the rest of his lifetime
D. how the Silk Road made a difference to the cultural exchange
