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She is widely seen as proof that good looks can lastforever. But,at nearly 500 years of age,
time is catching up with the Mona Lisa.
The health of the famous picture, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1505,is getting worse
by the year, according to the Louvre Museum where it is housed.
"The thin, wooden panel on which the Mona Lisa is painted in oil has changed shape since
experts checked it two years ago," the museum said. Visitors have noticedchanges but
repairing the world's most famous painting is not easy. Experts are not sure about the materials
the Italian artist used and their current chemical state.
Nearly 6 million people go to see the Mona Lisa every
year, many attracted by the mystery of her smile. "It is very interestingthat when you're not
looking at her, she seems, to be smiling, andthen you look at herand she stops, "said Professor
Margaret Livingstone of Harvard University . "It's because direct vision is excellent at picking
updetail,but less suitedto looking at shadows. Da Vinci paintedthe smile in shadows. "
However,the actual history of the Mona Lisa is just as my stcrious as the smile. DaVinci
himself loved it so much that he always carriedit with him, until it was even-tually soldto France's
King Francis Ⅰ in 1519.
In 1911,the painting was stolen from the Louvre by a former employee, who took it out of the
museum hidden under his coat. He said he plannedto return it to Italy. The painting was sent
back toFrance two years later. During World War Ⅱ,French hidthe painting in small towns to
keep it out of the hands ofGerman forces.
1. We can infer from the text that_______.
A. the Mona Lisais proved to be able to last another 500 years
B. Mona Lisa's beauty is fading gradually with 500 years passing by
C. the Mona Lisa has been catching people's wide attention in the past 500 years
D. Mona Lisa does not look out of date though painted 500 years ago
2. Which of the following is TRUE. about the Mona Lisa?_____
A. It was once taken away and hidden up by German forces.
B. Its painter himself lovedit greatly and always kept itin ashade.
C. Mona Lisa stops smiling when you look at her wantingto see her smiles.
D. King FrancisIbought it and then returned it to Italy.
3. Choose the right orderabout the happenings onto the MonaLisa._____
a. It was stolen from theLouvre.
b. Its painter sold it to King FrancisⅠ .
c. Its stateof health was checked.
d. It was returned to France and housed in the Louvre Museum.
c. It was hidden andprotected against Germans.
A. b,a,d,c,e
B. d,e,c,b,a
C. d,a,c,c,b
D. b,c,a,d,e
3.It may add to the difficulty in repairing the painting that_______.
A. experts haven't noticed changes in its shape as visitors do
B. it is likely tobe stolen again when it's under repair
C. it is uncertain which country, Italy or France, should take charge
D. expertsaren't sure about the materials or the chemical state of its oil paints
