托福阅读常考话题及练习题推荐一：苏美尔和埃及（3）

1托福常考话题：苏美尔和埃及

►Paragraph 3: Statues were normally made of stone, wood, or metal. Stone statues were worked from single rectangular blocks of material and retained the compactness of the original shape. The stone between the arms and the body and between the legs in standing figures or the legs and the seat in seated ones was not normally cut away. From a practical aspect this protected the figures against breakage and psychologically gives the images a sense of strength and power, usually enhanced by a supporting back pillar. By contrast, wooden statues were carved from several pieces of wood that were pegged together to form the finished work, and metal statues were either made by wrapping sheet metal around a wooden core or cast by the lost wax process. The arms could be held away from the body and carry separate items in their hands; there is no back pillar. The effect is altogether lighter and freer than that achieved in stone, but because both perform the same function, formal wooden and metal statues still display frontality.

8. According to paragraph 3, why were certain areas of a stone statue left uncarved?

A. To prevent damage by providing physical stability

B. To emphasize that the material was as important as the figure itself

C. To emphasize that the figure was not meant to be a real human being

D. To provide another artist with the chance to finish the carving

9. The word “core” in the passage is closest in meaning to

A. material

B. layer

C. center

D. frame

10. According to paragraph 3, which of the following statements about wooden statues is true?

A. Wooden statues were usually larger than stone statues.

B. Wooden statues were made from a single piece of wood.

C. Wooden statues contained pieces of metal or stone attached to the front.

D. Wooden statues had a different effect on the viewer than stone statues.

►Paragraph 4: Apart from statues representing deities, kings, and named members of the elite that can be called formal, there is another group of three-dimensional representations that depicts generic figures, frequently servants, from the nonelite population. The function of these is quite different. Many are made to be put in the tombs of the elite in order to serve the tomb owners in the afterlife. Unlike formal statues that are limited to static poses of standing, sitting, and kneeling, these figures depict a wide range of actions, such as grinding grain, baking bread, producing pots, and making music, and they are shown in appropriate poses, bending and squatting as they carry out their tasks.

11. The word depicts in the passage is closest in meaning to

A. imagines

B. classifies

C. elevates

D. portrays

12. According to paragraph 4, what is the difference between statues that represent the Egyptian elite and statues that represent the nonelite classes?

A. Statues of the elite are included in tombs, but statues of the nonelite are not.

B. Statues of the elite are in motionless poses, while statues of the nonelite are in active poses.

C. Statues of the elite are shown standing, while statues of the nonelite are shown sitting or kneeling.

D. Statues of the elite serve an important function, while statues of the nonelite are decorative.

►Paragraph 4: Apart from statues representing deities, kings, and named members of the elite that can be called formal, there is another group of three-dimensional representations that depicts generic figures, frequently servants, from the nonelite population. ■The function of these is quite different. ■Many are made to be put in the tombs of the elite in order to serve the tomb owners in the afterlife. ■Unlike formal statues that are limited to static poses of standing, sitting, and kneeling, these figures depict a wide range of actions, such as grinding grain, baking bread, producing pots, and making music, and they are shown in appropriate poses, bending and squatting as they carry out their tasks. ■

13. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.

In fact, it is the action and not the figure itself that is important.

Where would the sentence best fit?

14.Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.

The distinctive look of ancient Egyptian sculpture was determined largely by its function.

Answer Choices

A. The twisted forms of Egyptian statues indicate their importance in ritual actions.

B. The reason Egyptian statues are motionless is linked to their central role in cultural rituals.

C. Stone, wood, and metal statues all display the feature of frontality.

D. Statues were more often designed to be viewed in isolation rather than placed within buildings.

E. The contrasting poses used in statues of elite and nonelite Egyptians reveal their difference in social status.

F. Although the appearances of formal and generic statues differ, they share the same function.