Question

【题目】In 1938 Portugal held a national competition to identify the country's most 'Portuguese” Village. Sticking to a rocky promontory（海角）far above the Beira Baixa plains, Monsanto is easily the most impressive. So it came out on top.

Cottages, a lot of which are made of very large round rocks, seem to grow out of the mountain itself. Above them rises a stone fortress(城堡), parts of which predate even the arrival of the Moors. And views across the plains are, simply put, astonishing.

Since being honored as the most Portuguese village, Monsanto has reminded largely separated from modernization. These days, goats and chickens seem to outnumber humans in the village. Most young people leave for large cities and the growing investment in the area’s heritage (遗产）has not encouraged more attractions for the younger generation. Tourists walking along the village's tiny streets can see elderly women walking and chatting in doorways.

Several houses near the village entrance are surprisingly grand. Halfway to the castle you'll come across the gruta, a cozy cave apparently once used as a pub …and still used as such. This stone fortress seems almost to have grown out of the hillside that supports it. It’s a wonderfully beautiful site, populated by wildflowers.

Alter Dom Sancho I drove out the Moors in the 12th century, the fortress was strengthened. Dom Dinis improved it, but after centuries of attacks from across the border it finally fell into ruin. Just below the entrance is a public square. To the right is a ruined Renaissance church and bell tower.

On 3 May Monsanto comes alive in the Festa das Cruzes, remembering a siege(围困）in the Middle Ages. The story goes that the starving villagers threw their Iasi lonely cow over the walls, making their enemies believe they had plenty of food, because they immediately abandoned the siege. These days, young girls throw baskets of flowers instead, after which there's dancing and singing beside the castle wall.

【1】What is Monsanto like today?

A. It has a lot of farms. B. Its youth love farming.

C. Its population is falling. D. It has become more modern.

【2】Why did the enemies end the siege?

A. They felt hungry. B. They were tricked.

C. They were attacked. D. They feared the cow.

【3】What do we know about the fortress?

A. It has long been used as a pub.

B. It was first constructed by Dom Dinis.

C. There is celebration every May beside it.

D. You have to go through it to enter the village.

【4】What is the author's purpose in writing the text?

A. To discuss rural life in Portugal.

B. To report a national competition.

C. To explain the history of the Portugal.

D. To introduce a unique ancient village.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】C

【2】B

【3】C

【4】D

【解析】文章主要介绍了葡萄牙的一个村庄Monsanto的一些历史故事。

【1】C细节理解题。根据文章第三段These days, goats and chickens seem to outnumber humans in the village. Most young people leave for large cities and the growing investment in the area’s heritage (遗产）has not encouraged more attractions for the younger generation. Tourists walking along the village's tiny streets can see elderly women walking and chatting in doorways.如今，在村里，山羊和鸡的数量超过人类。大多数年轻人去了大城市，日益增长的投资对年青一代并没有吸引力。在村里的小街上，游客们可以看到年老的妇女在门口散步和聊天，可知人口在减少，故选C。

【2】B细节理解题。根据文章最后一段The story goes that the starving villagers threw their Iasi lonely cow over the walls, making their enemies believe they had plenty of food, because they immediately abandoned the siege. 故事是这样的:饥饿的村民把他们唯一的牛扔到墙上，让他们的敌人相信他们有足够的食物，因为他们立即放弃了围攻，可知敌人被欺骗了，故选B。

【3】C细节理解题。根据文章最后These days, young girls throw baskets of flowers instead, after which there's dancing and singing beside the castle wall. 在那之后，她们在城堡的墙上跳舞和唱歌。可知每年都会有庆祝，故选C。

【4】D主旨题。文章主要介绍了葡萄牙的一个村庄Monsanto的一些历史故事。故选D。