The broad utility of terra-cotta was such that workers in clay couldgenerally afford to confine themselves to either decorated ware and housewareslike cooking pots and storage jars or building materials like roof tiles anddrainpipes. Some sixth- and fifth-century B.C. Athenian pottery establishmentsare known to have concentrated on a limited range of fine ware, but a ruralpottery establishment on the island of Thasos produced many types of pottery androof tiles too, presumably to meet local demand. Molds were used to createparticular effects for some products, such as relief-decorated vessels andfigurines; for other products such as roof tiles, which were in some quantity,they were used to facilitate mass production. There were also a number ofpoor-quality figurines and painted pots produced in quantity by easy,inexpensive means — as numerous featureless statuettes and unattractive casestestify.
1. The passage mainly discusses ancient Greek pottery and its
(A) production techniques
(B) similarity to other crafts
(C) unusual materials
(D) resemblance to earlier pottery
2. The phrase regardless of in line 3 is closest in meaning to
(A) as a result of
(B) no matter what
(C) proud of
(D) according to
3. It can be inferred from the passage that most pottery establishments inancient Greece were
situated
(A) in city centers
(B) on the outskirts of cities
(C) where clay could be found
(D) near other potters' workshops
4. The word marked in line 7 is closest in meaning to
(A) original
(B) attractive
(C) noticeable
(D) patterned
5. The word confine in line 17 is closest in meaning to
(A) adapt
(B) train
(C) restrict
(D) organize
6. It can be inferred from the passage that terra-cotta had which of thefollowing advantages
(A) It did not break during the firing process.
(B) It was less expensive than other available materials.
(C) Its surface had a lasting shine.
(D) It could be used for many purposes.
7. The word presumably in line 21 is closest in meaning to
(A) frequently
(B) practically
(C) preferably
(D) probably
8. The word they in line 24 refers to
(A) molds
(B) particular effects
(C) products
(D) vessels and figurines
9. According to the passage , all of the following are true of ancientGreek potters and vase
painters EXCEPT:
(A) Their functions were so specialized that they lacked commonconcerns.
(B) They sometimes produced inferior ware.
(C) They produced pieces that had unusual color and shine.
(D) They decorated many of their works with human images.
PASSAGE 57 ABCCC DDAA
托福阅读真题3
Hunting is at best a precarious way of procuring food, even when the dietis supplemented with seeds and fruits. Not long after the last Ice Age, around7,000 B.C. (during the Neolithic period), some hunters and gatherers began torely chiefly on agriculture for their sustenance. Others continued the oldpastoral and nomadic ways. Indeed, agriculture itself evolved over the course oftime, and Neolithic peoples had long known how to grow crops. The realtransformation of human life occurred when huge numbers of people began to relyprimarily and permanently on the grain they grew and the animals theydomesticated.
Agriculture made possible a more stable and secure life. With it Neolithicpeoples flourished, fashioning an energetic, creative era. They were responsiblefor many fundamental inventions and innovations that the modern world takes forgranted. First, obviously, is systematic agriculture — that is, the reliance ofNeolithic peoples on agriculture as their primary, not merely subsidiary, sourceof food.
Thus they developed the primary economic activity of the entire ancientworld and the basis of all modern life. With the settled routine of Neolithicfarmers came the evolution of towns and eventually cities. Neolithic farmersusually raised more food than they could consume, and their surpluses permittedlarger, healthier populations. Population growth in turn created an even greaterreliance on settled farming, as only systematic agriculture could sustain theincreased numbers of people. Since surpluses of food could also be bartered forother commodities, the Neolithic era witnessed the beginnings of large-scaleexchange of goods. In time the increasing complexity of Neolithic societies ledto the development of writing, prompted by the need to keep records and later bythe urge to chronicle experiences, learning, and beliefs.
The transition to settled life also had a profound impact on the family.The shared needs and pressures that encourage extended-family ties are lessprominent in settled than in nomadic societies. Bonds to the extended familyweakened. In towns and cities, the nuclear family was more dependent on itsimmediate neighbors than on kinfolk.
1. What does the passage mainly discuss?
(A) Why many human societies are dependent on agriculture
(B) the changes agriculture brought to human life

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标题：TOEFL阅读理解|最新托福阅读理解真题汇总( 二 )