四、阅读理解
Throughout its long history, writing has been a big deal in China. Since the earliest dynasties, the skills of reading and writing have been highly respected. In fact, they form an important part of the Chinese art world. Calligraphy, the art of writing with a brush, is almost as old as writing itself. And though this art form dates back thousands of years, it is still very popular today.
The answer most likely lies way back in the Shang Dynasty (about 1600 B.C.-1046 B.C.). That's when characters were first used in religious（宗教的）events. This practice showed a spiritual part which gave writing power in the eyes of common people.
Calligraphy spread during the Han Dynasty, when the necessary tools and materials were more easily got. First, there was the brush, made from bamboo and animal hair. Early ink was made by burning pinewood and mixing it with water. Early forms of paper were invented around 105 A.D. Finally, there was inkstone, a smooth piece of stone used for mixing dry ink and water. Together, these tools were known as the "four treasures of the study" in ancient China.
Calligraphy has been popular in China for thousands of years. Some say that it's an even higher art form than painting. Though foreigners may not always get it, there's something truly special about calligraphy. Every written character has a strict stroke order. When viewing the results, you can experience every stroke of the artist's brush. This allows for a close connection between artists and viewers. Calligraphy is something that's best experienced by doing. Luckily, this ancient art is still widely practised today. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and find yourself a teacher!
△ four treasures of the study: brush, inkstick, paper, and inkstone
（
D
）1. Which sentence should go in the empty box in paragraph 2?
A. What did people write with in the past?
B. When did people start to practise writing skills?
C. Who made calligraphy become popular in ancient China?
D. How did writing become so important in Chinese culture?
（
C
）2. Which of the following is TRUE about the "four treasures of the study"?
A. With pinewood and oil, people made early ink.
B. People in the Shang Dynasty started to use paper.
C. People used to mix dry ink and water on the inkstone.
D. People first used wood and animal hair to make a brush.
（
D
）3. Which of the following statements may the writer agree with?
A. Calligraphy is only practised by artists.
B. Calligraphy is easy for foreigners to learn.
C. Calligraphy may not be popular in the future.
D. Calligraphy is an important art form in China.
（
B
）4. Which is the best title for this passage?
A. The Four Treasures of the Study
B. An Ancient Art of Writing
C. A Famous Chinese Dynasty
D. An Ancient Tool for Writing
