阅读理解。阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项。
Most musicians agree that the best violins were made in Italy. They were made in Cremona, Italy, about 200 years ago. These violins sound better than any others. They even sound better than violins made today. Violin makers and scientists try to make instruments like the old Italian violins. But they aren’t the same. Musicians still prefer the old ones. No one really knows why these old Italian violins are so special, but many people think they have an answer.
Some people think it is the age of the violins. They say that today’s violins will also sound wonderful someday. But there is a problem here. Not all old violins sound wonderful. Only those from Cremona are special. So age cannot be the answer. There must be something different about Cremona or those Italian violins makers.
Other people think the secret to those violins is wood. The wood of the violin is very important. It must be from certain kinds of the trees. It must not be too young or too old. Perhaps the violin makers of Cremona knew something special about wood for violins.
But the kind of wood may not be so important. It may be more important to cut the wood in a special way. Wood for a violin must be cut very carefully. It has to be the right size and shape. The smallest difference will change the sound of the violin. Musicians sometimes think that this was the secret of the Italians. Maybe they understood more than we do about how to cut the wood.
Size and shape may not be the answer either. Scientists measured these old violins very carefully. They can make new ones that are exactly the same size and shape. But the new violins still do not sound as good as the old ones. Some scientists think the secret may be the varnish, which covers the wood of the violin and makes it look shiny. It also helps the sound of the instrument. No one knows what the Italian violin makers used in their varnish. So no one can make the same varnish today.
There may never be other violins like the violins of Cremona. Their secret may be lost forever. Young musicians today hope this is not true. They need fine violins. But there aren’t very many of the old violins left. Also, the old violins are very expensive. Recently, a famous old Italian violin was sold for about US$300,000!
1. This passage is about .
A. making violins B. musical instruments
C. scientific ideas D. the old Italian voilins
2. The best violins .
A. are made with modern techniques B. were lost many years ago
C. were made in Italy 200 years ago D. were made by scientists
3. Some people think that modern violins .
A. will sound better in the future
B. will sound worse in the future
C. sound wonderful and natural
D. will never be as old as those from Cremona
4. Violins made today .
A. look the same as the old ones B. sound the same as the old ones
C. are better than the old ones D. have the same varnish as the old ones
1、答案解析：答案为D。本题为主旨大意题。 第一段最后一句话 “No one really knows why these old Italian violins are so special, but many people think they have an answer.” 引入话题，为什么古老的意大利小提琴如此特别，很多人认为他们知道答案，后文分别给出了不同人的答案，最后一段对问题的答案进行总结 “There may never be other violins like the violins of Cremona. Their secret may be lost forever.” 意大利小提琴的秘密或许永远消失了，无人知晓。全文都是围绕古老的意大利小提琴展开。故答案为D。
2、答案解析：答案为C。本题为细节题。由第一段第一、二句话 “Most musicians agree that the best violins were made in Italy. They were made in Cremona, Italy, about 200 years ago.” 可知，答案为C。
3、答案解析：答案为A。本题为细节题。结合第二段和该段第二句话 “They say that today’s violins will also sound wonderful someday.” 可知，一些人认为现代小提琴“They can make new ones that are exactly the same size and shape. But the new violins still do not sound as good as the old ones.” 可知，科学家可以制作出和意大利小提琴“No one knows what the Italian violin makers used in their varnish. So no one can make the same varnish today.”可知，D选项错误。
阅读理解训练
(2015·长春市质监三)
I have been teaching animal behavior at the Boulder County Prison in Colorado for 10 years. The course is one of the most popular in the prison. Prisoners have to earn the right to attend the course and they work hard to get in.
One reason why the course is so popular is that many prisoners find it easier to connect with animals than with people, because animals don't judge them. They trust animals in ways they don't with humans.
Yet, they hold a misunderstanding of how animals treat one another. Many admit that their own “animal behavior” is what got them into trouble in the first place. I teach that though there is competition and aggression in the animal kingdom, there is also a lot of cooperation(合作)and sympathy.
Many of the students want to build healthy relationships, and they find that the class helps them. I use examples of the social behavior of groupliving animals such as wolves as a model for developing and maintaining(维持)friendships among people who must work together for their own good and also for the good of the group.
It's clear that science inspires the students here and it also gives them hope. I know some students have gone back into education after their being set free while others have gone to work for humane(人道)societies or contributed time and money to conservation organizations. One went on to receive a master's degree in nature writing.
Science and humane education help the prisoners connect with values that they otherwise would not have done. It opens the door to understanding, trust, cooperation and hope. There's a large population of people to whom science could mean a lot, if only they could have access to it. The class helps me, too. I get as much out of it as the students and it has made me a better teacher.
文章大意：本文是教育类小故事阅读。作者用和动物之间的关系来教育那些囚犯们，没想到却让他们的生活翻开了新的一页。人是可以教得好的。
5.The author's course is welcomed by the prisoners because ________.
A.they consider animals their best friends
B.they are curious about animal kingdom
C.they feel it easier to get along with animals
D.they are more familiar with animal behavior
答案：C 细节理解题。根据文章第二段的One reason why the course is so popular is that many prisoners find it easier to connect with animals than with people可知犯人们喜欢作者的课程因为他们发现和动物交流更容易。A项他们认为动物是他们的最好朋友;B项他们对动物王国感到好奇;C项他们感到和动物交流更容易;D项他们对动物行为更熟悉。故选C。
6.The author used wolves as an example to ________.
A.provide the prisoners with more knowledge
B.explain the cruel side of groupliving animals
C.help the prisoners realize the importance of teamwork
D.inform the prisoners that animals get people into trouble
答案：C 细节理解题。根据文章第四段I use examples of the social behavior of groupliving animals such as wolves as a model for developing and maintaining(维持)friendships among people who must work together for their own good and also for the good of the group可知作者把狼作为范例是想帮助囚犯意识到团队工作中合作的重要性。A项给囚犯提供更多的知识;B项解释群居动物的残酷性;C项帮助囚犯理解团队工作的重要性;D项告诉囚犯动物让人陷入麻烦之中。故选C。
7.We can infer from the text that some prisoners ________.
A.have turned over a new leaf
B.are required to attend the course
C.are willing to learn working skills
D.prefer humane education to science
答案：A 判断推理题。根据文章第五段的I know some students have gone back into education after their being set free while others have gone to work for humane(人道)societies or contributed time and money to conservation organizations中的关键词set free释放，可推断一些囚犯的生活翻开了新的一页。A项已经翻开了新的一页;B项被要求参加课程;C项更愿意学习劳动技能;D项和科技相比更喜欢人道教育。故选A。
