The 115 islands that sparkle in the middle of the Indian Ocean are one of the world's greatest treasures 'A place where natural purity and simplicity can be found and innocence rediscovered; a place like no other and another world entirely. 92 of those islands consist of Seychelles, which is known as "the last paradise".

For over two centuries, the islands of Seychelles have remained a melting pot of different races, traditions and religions from the four corners of the earth. The Seychellois are a colorful blend of peoples of different races, cultures and religions. .At different times in its history, people of African, European and Asian origin have come to Seychelles, bringing with them their distinct traditions and customs and contributing to the way of life and to Seychellois culture.

Throughout Seychelles, there are many artisans producing works of art that are as varied and diverse as their surrounds and which include stained glass, products made from coconut shell, husk, seashells and corals, clothing, gold, silver and other forms of jewellery, recycled materials, bamboo, metal and pottery. They are probably poorly educated, but they have talent for producing handicraft articles.

Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives are all island countries, but Seychelles is unique. Mr. Alanin, Director of Tourism Marketing of Seychelles Tourism hoard said, "There are a variety of islands in Seychelles. Mauritius has only one island. In Maldives, there are a lot of islands, but they are all coral islands. Seychelles has big granite (花岗岩) islands. In addition, the people are different. We have a mixture of people, and you can see how friendly they are.

Most importantly, all these natural disasters do not exist in Seychelles because we are out of the belt. Nothing will happen to visitors when they are in Seychelles. In Seychelles, harmony is a way of life."

41. The islands of Seychelles are NOT ______.

A. polluted           B. world famous           C. beautiful           D. various

42. Which of the following of Seychelles is not mentioned in the passage?

A. The nature.                     B. The people.

C. The food.                D. The culture.

43. From the 3rd paragraph we can guess that an "artisan" is ______.

A. a professional artist producing works with recycled materials

B. a person whose job requires skills with his hands

C. a factory where handicraft articles are produced

D. an organization who sell natural things

44. Which of the following is a part of the reasons for that Seychelles is unique?

A. Seychelles' islands are all granite ones.

B. Seychelles had more islands than Mauritius and Maldives.

C. Seychelles has more races and the people are friendly.

D. Seychelles is located at a safe position on the earth.

45. What's Mr. Alanin's purpose to say all these words in the last paragraph?

A. To attract visitors to travel in Seychelles.

B. To praise the beauty of Seychelles.

C. To express his feelings to his country.

D. To explain the difference from Mauritius and Maldives.

 

       The 115 islands that sparkle in the middle of the Indian Ocean are one of the world's greatest treasures 'A place where natural purity and simplicity can be found and innocence rediscovered; a place like no other and another world entirely. 92 of those islands consist of Seychelles, which is known as "the last paradise".

       For over two centuries, the islands of Seychelles have remained a melting pot of different races, traditions and religions from the four corners of the earth. The Seychellois are a colorful blend of peoples of different races, cultures and religions. .At different times in its history, people of African, European and Asian origin have come to Seychelles, bringing with them their distinct traditions and customs and contributing to the way of life and to Seychellois culture.

       Throughout Seychelles, there are many artisans producing works of art that are as varied and diverse as their surrounds and which include stained glass, products made from coconut shell, husk, seashells and corals, clothing, gold, silver and other forms of jewellery, recycled materials, bamboo, metal and pottery. They are probably poorly educated, but they have talent for producing handicraft articles.

       Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives are all island countries, but Seychelles is unique. Mr. Alanin, Director of Tourism Marketing of Seychelles Tourism hoard said, "There are a variety of islands in Seychelles. Mauritius has only one island. In Maldives, there are a lot of islands, but they are all coral islands. Seychelles has big granite (花岗岩) islands. In addition, the people are different. We have a mixture of people, and you can see how friendly they are.

       Most importantly, all these natural disasters do not exist in Seychelles because we are out of the belt. Nothing will happen to visitors when they are in Seychelles. In Seychelles, harmony is a way of life."

41. The islands of Seychelles are NOT ______.

       A. polluted           B. world famous           C. beautiful           D. various

42. Which of the following of Seychelles is not mentioned in the passage?

       A. The nature.                     B. The people.

       C. The food.                D. The culture.

43. From the 3rd paragraph we can guess that an "artisan" is ______.

       A. a professional artist producing works with recycled materials

       B. a person whose job requires skills with his hands

       C. a factory where handicraft articles are produced

       D. an organization who sell natural things

44. Which of the following is a part of the reasons for that Seychelles is unique?

       A. Seychelles' islands are all granite ones.

       B. Seychelles had more islands than Mauritius and Maldives.

       C. Seychelles has more races and the people are friendly.

       D. Seychelles is located at a safe position on the earth.

45. What's Mr. Alanin's purpose to say all these words in the last paragraph?

       A. To attract visitors to travel in Seychelles.

       B. To praise the beauty of Seychelles.

       C. To express his feelings to his country.

       D. To explain the difference from Mauritius and Maldives.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art unwillingly handed over 363 pieces of gold, silver, precious stones, paintings, and sculptures back to Turkey after a court case. Following increasing demands for the return of artistic objects that were removed decades or centuries ago, some of the world’s leading museums have signed a declaration that they will not hand back the ancient artifacts (器物) to their countries of origin. They say people all over the world have only been able to fully appreciate ancient civilizations because these museums have provided access to these artistic objects. The ancient civilizations would not be so deeply admired today if these ancient artifacts were not so widely available to an international public in major museums throughout Europe and America. For example, Egyptian culture would not have become so well-known if the museums had not put Egyptian mummies on show.

The Britain Museum has not signed the declaration, but say it fully supports it. Over the recent years, it has faced growing pressure to hand back the Elgin Marbles, sculptures taken from the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, in the 19^th century. But the British Museum has said that the Museum is the best possible place for them. “ They must remain here if the museum is to continue to achieve its aim, which is to show the world to the world, ” said the director of the museum.

1. What reason do some museums provide for NOT handing back the ancient objects?

   A. Only in these museums can the objects be fully appreciated by the world.

   B. It is better for those objects to remain at a certain place to be moved around.

   C. They need those well-known ancient objects to attract people from all over the world.

   D. Ancient civilizations can only be admired when they are removed from their home countries.

2. Which of the following is Not mentioned as one of the “ countries of origin” in the article?

   A. Turkey.                     B. Britain.             C. Egypt.             D. Greece.

3. What does the underlined phrase “the world” mean in “show the world to the world”?

   A. The global village.              B. The leading museums.

   C. The ancient civilizations.         D. The international public.

4. The British Museum is ________ to hand back the ancient artifacts to their countries of origin.

   A. ready                   B. desperate        C. unwilling         D. supportive

In 1993, the Metropolitan Museum of Art reluctantly（不情愿的）handed over 363 pieces of gold, silver, precious stones, paintings, and sculptures back to Turkey after a court case. Following increasing calls for the return of artistic objects that were removed decades of centuries ago, some of the world’s leading museums have signed a declaration（声明）that they will world have only been able to fully appreciate ancient civilizations because these museums have provided access to these artistic objects. The ancient civilizations would not be so deeply admired today if these ancient artifacts were not so widely available to an international public in major museums throughout Europe and America. For example, Egyptian culture would not have become so well – know if the museums had not put Egyptian mummies on show.

The British Museum has not signed the declaration, but says it fully supports it. Over the recent years, it has faced growing pressure to hand back the Elgin Marbles, sculptures taken from the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, in the 19th century. But the British Museum has said that the Museum is the best possible place for them. “They must remain here if the museum is to continue to achieve its aim, which is to show the world to the world,” said the director of the museum.

1．What reason do the major museums provide for not handing back the ancient objects?

　　A．Only in the leading museums can the objects be fully appreciated by the world.

　　B．It is better for those objects to remain at a certain place than to be moved around.

　　C．They need those well-known ancient objects to attract people from all over the world.

　　D．Ancient civilizations can only be admired if they are removed from their home countries.

2．Which of the following is NOT mentioned as one of the “countries of origin” in the article?

　　A．Turkey.              B．Britain.               C．Egypt.                D．Greece.

3．What do the underlined words “the world ”mean in “show the world to the world”?

　　A．The global village.                                B．The leading museums.

C．The ancient civilizations.        D．The international public.