题型:阅读理解 题类:常考题 难易度:普通
广东省中山市第一中学2016-2017学年高二下学期英语第二次段考(5月)试卷
Art is considered by many people to be no more than a decorative means of giving pleasure. This is not always the case, however, at times, art may be seen to have a purely functional side as well. Such could be said of the sandpaintings of the Navaho Indians of the American Southwest; these have a medicinal as well as an artistic purpose.
According to Navaho traditions, one who suffers from either a mental or a physical illness has in some way disturbed or get in touch with the supernatural—perhaps a certain animal, a ghost, or the dead. To break away from this, the ill person or one of his relatives will employ a medical man called a "singer" to perform a curing ceremony which will attract a powerful supernatural being. During the ceremony, which may last from 2 to 9 days, the "singer" will produce a sandpainting on the floor. On the last day of the ceremony, the patient will sit on this sandpainting and the "singer" will rub the sick or injured parts of the patient's body with sand from a specific figure in the sandpainting. In this way the patient absorbs the power of that particular supernatural being and becomes strong. After the ceremony, the sandpainting is destroyed so its power won't harm anyone.
The art of sandpainting is handed down from old "singers". The materials used are easily found where the Navaho settle: brown, red, yellow, and white sandstone, which is ground(研磨)much as corn is made into flour. The "singer" holds a small amount of this sand in his hand and lets it flow between his fingers onto a clean, flat surface on the floor, with a steady hand and great patience. He is thus able to create designs of stylized people, snakes and other creatures that have power in the Navaho belief system. The traditional Navaho doesn't allow copying sandpaintings, since he believes the supernatural powers that taught him the craft have forbidden this; however, such reproductions can in fact be purchased today in tourist shops in Arizona and New Mexico. These are done by either Navaho Indians or by other people who wish to preserve this craft.
Bees (蜜蜂) touch our lives in ways we may not realize. They are responsible for as much as one third of the food that we eat, and even play a role in growing the cotton (棉花) used in much of our clothing. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here's how you can help:
1. Plant more flowers
Bees depend on garden flowers to ensure they have different kinds of diet. By planting flowers in your garden you can create a pleasant place for bees. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Another idea is to add hanging baskets of flowers next to your front door.
2. Find a space for a beehive (蜂窝) in your garden
Many would-be beekeepers find it difficult to find a safe space for their bees. If you have some space, contact your local beekeeping organization. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} You will be surprised what a difference a beehive will make to your garden.
3. Give bees water
{#blank#}4{#/blank#} They use water to produce food for their bee families and control the temperature in their hives. Bees look for a clean source of water. Leave out containers filled with clean water in your outdoor spaces and refresh them often.
4. Be bee friendly
Bees are good neighbors, and only sting (蜇) when they feel threatened. Beekeepers wear protective clothing when they are dealing with bees. If a bee flies in front of you when unprotected, do not flap (拍打) your hands. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} The bee will soon lose interest.
A. Stay calm and move slowly away. B. Fight the diseases that affect bees. C. They could find a beekeeper in need of a site. D. One way to help bees is to buy local produce. E. Like every living creature, bees need water to survive. F. But more than one quarter of the species is facing extinction. G. You don't even need a garden space to attract bees; your window box will do. |
试题篮