Reading 2 "Paleolithic Art"
→ The several millennia following 30,000 B.C. saw a powerful outburst of artistic creativity. The artworks produced range from simple shell necklaces to human and animal forms in ivory, clay, and stone to monumental paintings, engravings, and relief sculptures covering the huge wall surfaces of caves. From the moment in 1879 that cave paintings were discovered at Altamira, scholars have wondered why the hunter-artists of the Old Stone Age decided to cover the walls of dark caverns with animal images. Various answers have been given, including that they were mere decoration, but this theory cannot explain the narrow range of subjects or the inaccessibility of many of the paintings. In fact, the remoteness and difficulty of access of many of the cave paintings and the fact they appear to have been used for centuries are precisely what have led many scholars to suggest that the prehistoric hunters attributed magical properties to the images they painted. According to this argument, by confining animals to the surfaces of their cave walls, the artists believed they were bringing the beasts under their control. Some have even hypothesized that rituals or dances were performed in front of the images and that these rites served to improve the hunters' luck. Still others have stated that the painted animals may have served as teaching tools to instruct new hunters about the character of the various species they would encounter or even to serve as targets for spears!
By contrast, some scholars have argued that the magical purpose of the paintings was not to facilitate the destruction of bison and other species. Instead, they believe prehistoric painters created animal images to assure the survival of the herds. Paleolithic peoples depended on for their food supply and for their clothing.
A central problem for both the hunting-magic and foodcreation theories is that the animals that seem to have been diet staples of Old Stone Age peoples are not those most frequently portrayed.
Other scholars have sought to reconstruct an elaborate mythology based on the cave paintings, suggesting that Paleolithic humans believed they had animal ancestors. Still others have equated certain species with men and others with women and also found sexual symbolism in the abstract signs that sometimes accompany the images.
Almost all of these theories have been discredited over time, and art historians must admit that no one knows the intent of these paintings. 
→ The several millennia following 30,000 B.C. saw a powerful outburst of artistic creativity. The artworks produced range from simple shell necklaces to human and animal forms in ivory, clay, and stone to monumental paintings, engravings, and relief sculptures covering the huge wall surfaces of caves. From the moment in 1879 that cave paintings were discovered at Altamira, scholars have wondered why the hunter-artists of the Old Stone Age decided to cover the walls of dark caverns with animal images. Various answers have been given, including that they were mere decoration, but this theory cannot explain the narrow range of subjects or the inaccessibility of many of the paintings. In fact, the remoteness and difficulty of access of many of the cave paintings and the fact they appear to have been used for centuries are precisely what have led many scholars to suggest that the prehistoric hunters attributed magical properties to the images they painted. According to this argument, by confining animals to the surfaces of their cave walls, the artists believed they were bringing the beasts under their control. Some have even hypothesized that rituals or dances were performed in front of the images and that these rites served to improve the hunters' luck. Still others have stated that the painted animals may have served as teaching tools to instruct new hunters about the character of the various species they would encounter or even to serve as targets for spears!
By contrast, some scholars have argued that the magical purpose of the paintings was not to facilitate the destruction of bison and other species. Instead, they believe prehistoric painters created animal images to assure the survival of the herds. Paleolithic peoples depended on for their food supply and for their clothing.
A central problem for both the hunting-magic and foodcreation theories is that the animals that seem to have been diet staples of Old Stone Age peoples are not those most frequently portrayed.Other scholars have sought to reconstruct an elaborate mythology based on the cave paintings, suggesting that Paleolithic humans believed they had animal ancestors. Still others have equated certain species with men and others with women and also found sexual symbolism in the abstract signs that sometimes accompany the images.
Almost all of these theories have been discredited over time, and art historians must admit that no one knows the intent of these paintings.
单选题
According to paragraph 1, the cave art was difficult to find because the artists
A. were probably trying to keep their work a secret from their tribe
B. could have begun their painting while they were confined in the caves
C. may have chosen a location deep in the caves to hold ceremonies
D. had to practice before they made images that more people could see
A. were probably trying to keep their work a secret from their tribe
B. could have begun their painting while they were confined in the caves
C. may have chosen a location deep in the caves to hold ceremonies
D. had to practice before they made images that more people could see
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】"…the remoteness and difficulty of access…suggest[s]…magical properties…rituals or dances." Choice A is not correct because they were probably used for rituals. Choices B and D are not mentioned or implied in the passage.
单选题
According to paragraph 1, Paleolithic people may have used cave art for all of the following purposes EXCEPT
A. People may have danced in front of the images.
B. Hunters could have used the figures for target practice.
C. Shamans might have performed magical rituals in the caves.
D. Animals may have been kept in the caves near the drawings.
A. People may have danced in front of the images.
B. Hunters could have used the figures for target practice.
C. Shamans might have performed magical rituals in the caves.
D. Animals may have been kept in the caves near the drawings.
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】Choice A is mentioned in paragraph 1, sentence 7. Choice B is mentioned in paragraph 1, sentence 8. Choice C is implied in paragraph 1, sentences 5 and 7.
单选题
The word access in the passage is closest in meaning to
A. admission
B. meaning
C. site
D. research
A. admission
B. meaning
C. site
D. research
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】In this passage, admission is a synonym for "access." Context comes from the contrast with "remoteness" and "difficulty" in the same sentence.
单选题
The word facilitate in the passage is closest in meaning to
A. specify
B. permit
C. assist
D. discover
A. specify
B. permit
C. assist
D. discover
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】In this passage, assist is a synonym for "facilitate." Context comes from the contrast of "destruction" and "survival" in the same and following sentences.
单选题
The word those in the passage refers to
A. peoples
B. staples
C. animals
D. theories
A. peoples
B. staples
C. animals
D. theories
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】"A central problem for both the…theories is that the animals that seem to have been diet staples of Old Stone Age peoples are not those [animals] most frequently portrayed." The pronoun "those" does not refer to Choices A, B, or D.
单选题
The word discredited in the passage is closest in meaning to
A. not attentive
B. not believed
C. not hopeful
D. not organized
A. not attentive
B. not believed
C. not hopeful
D. not organized
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】In this passage, the phrase not believed describes "discredited." Choice A describes distracted. Choice C describes discouraged. Choice D describes disorderly. Context comes from the parts of the word. The prefix dis means "not." The root credit means "believe./
单选题
Which of the sentences below best expresses the information in the highlighted statement in the passage? The other choices change the meaning or leave out important information.
A. It is true that the paintings were meaningful to the Paleolithic peoples.
B. Doubtless, the Paleolithic peoples were the ones who made the paintings.
C. There is no doubt about the meaning of the Paleolithic paintings.
D. Paintings that had meaning for the Paleolithic peoples are doubtful.
A. It is true that the paintings were meaningful to the Paleolithic peoples.
B. Doubtless, the Paleolithic peoples were the ones who made the paintings.
C. There is no doubt about the meaning of the Paleolithic paintings.
D. Paintings that had meaning for the Paleolithic peoples are doubtful.
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】It is true paraphrases "cannot… be doubted" and the paintings were meaningful paraphrases "the paintings did have meaning./
单选题
How have some scholars interpreted the arrangement of lines into geometric shapes near the animal paintings?
A. They are probably more pictures of animals.
B. They may be an early writing system.
C. It is possible that they have no significance.
D. Probably most of the lines are scratches from age.
A. They are probably more pictures of animals.
B. They may be an early writing system.
C. It is possible that they have no significance.
D. Probably most of the lines are scratches from age.
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】"Several observers have seen a primitive writing form in these representations of nonliving things." Choice A is not correct because they accompany the pictures of animals. Choice C is not correct because they may have had some other significance. Choice D is not mentioned or implied.
单选题
According to paragraph 4, why do scholars believe that the spots on the horses may represent a hunting scene?
A. Other cave paintings near this one include hunting scenes.
B. The spots are made of rocks that were attached to the wall.
C. The spots are painted outside the horses' forms as well as inside them.
D. The primitive writing is interpreted as an accounting of a hunt.
A. Other cave paintings near this one include hunting scenes.
B. The spots are made of rocks that were attached to the wall.
C. The spots are painted outside the horses' forms as well as inside them.
D. The primitive writing is interpreted as an accounting of a hunt.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】"Some scholars have argued that the 'spots' which appear both within and without the horses' outlines, are painted rocks thrown at the animals." Choice A is true, but it is not the reason that the spots may represent a hunting scene. Choice B is not correct because the spots are drawn on the wall, not attached-to it. Choice D is not correct because an interpretation of the geometric lines and figures in words is not mentioned.
单选题
According to paragraph 5, why did artists leave a positive imprint of their hands on cave paintings?
A. It represents human beings in the cave paintings.
B. It could have been a way for them to sign their work.
C. It was a hunter's handprint among the herd of animals.
D. It might have been a pleasing image without much meaning.
A. It represents human beings in the cave paintings.
B. It could have been a way for them to sign their work.
C. It was a hunter's handprint among the herd of animals.
D. It might have been a pleasing image without much meaning.
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】"Some scholars have considered them [positive imprints] 'signatures' of cult or community members, or… individual artists." Choices A and C are not correct because they are not mentioned or implied. Choice D is not correct because the author states that the "handprints… must have had a purpose./
单选题
Which of the following statements most accurately reflects the author's opinion about the purpose of cave paintings?
A. The cave paintings were part of a hunting ritual.
B. Artists were honoring their animal ancestors in cave paintings.
C. The exact purpose of cave paintings is not known.
D. Decoration was probably the main reason for painting in caves.
A. The cave paintings were part of a hunting ritual.
B. Artists were honoring their animal ancestors in cave paintings.
C. The exact purpose of cave paintings is not known.
D. Decoration was probably the main reason for painting in caves.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】Because the author presents several different theories and does not offer a strong argument for any of them, the author's opinion is probably that the exact purpose of cave paintings is not known. Choice A is not correct because the author also presents the food-creation theory and the mythology theory as alternatives to the hunting ritual theory. Choice B is not correct because the mythology theory is not the only possibility discussed. Choice D is not correct because the author suggests several reasons why this theory cannot explain the narrow range of subjects or the inaccessibility of many of the paintings.
单选题
Look at the four squares [■] that show where the following sentence could be inserted in the passage.
At Altamira, for example, faunal remains show that red deer, not bison, were eaten.
Where could the sentence best be added?
Click on a square [■] to insert the sentence in the passage.
A. Square Ａ.
B. Square Ｂ.
C. Square Ｃ.
D. Square Ｄ.
At Altamira, for example, faunal remains show that red deer, not bison, were eaten.
Where could the sentence best be added?
Click on a square [■] to insert the sentence in the passage.
A. Square Ａ.
B. Square Ｂ.
C. Square Ｃ.
D. Square Ｄ.
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】Example is a transitional device that connects the insert sentence with the general statement in the previous sentence. The connection is between the general statement "animals that seem to have been diet staples... are not... portrayed" and the example that "red deer, not bison were eaten./
填空题
Directions: An introduction for a short summary of the passage appears below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that mention the most important points in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not included in the passage or are minor points from the passage.
This question is worth 2 points.
The purpose of the art discovered on cave walls is a topic of discussion among scholars.
·__________________
·__________________
·__________________
Answer Choices
A. Some of the lines and the geometrical figures beside the drawings could be a very early form of a writing system.
B. It is possible that the paintings were created as part of a magical ritual either to guarantee a good hunt or an abundance of animals.
C. At Altamira, excavations indicate that the protein diet of the inhabitants was probably deer rather than bison.
D. Perhaps the artists were paying homage to their animal ancestors by recreating their mythology in the pictures.
E. The art may be more recent than first assumed when the caves were originally discovered in the late 1800s.
F. There are a number of human handprints arranged around the Pech-Merle horses that could have been pressed there by the artists.
This question is worth 2 points.
The purpose of the art discovered on cave walls is a topic of discussion among scholars.
·__________________
·__________________
·__________________
Answer Choices
A. Some of the lines and the geometrical figures beside the drawings could be a very early form of a writing system.
B. It is possible that the paintings were created as part of a magical ritual either to guarantee a good hunt or an abundance of animals.
C. At Altamira, excavations indicate that the protein diet of the inhabitants was probably deer rather than bison.
D. Perhaps the artists were paying homage to their animal ancestors by recreating their mythology in the pictures.
E. The art may be more recent than first assumed when the caves were originally discovered in the late 1800s.
F. There are a number of human handprints arranged around the Pech-Merle horses that could have been pressed there by the artists.