A
Paper cutting is one of China’s most popular folk arts. Archaeological (考古学上的) finds show that the tradition started in the 6th century, it is even supposed that the beginning of paper cutting is even a few centuries earlier.
Paper cuts have special importance at festivals and on holidays. To get rid of (摆脱) the old and bring good luck, people put up paper cuts on the windows on the Eve of the Spring Festival.
Paper cuts are not produced by machine but by hand. They are done all over China, but are different in the method in different areas. There are two methods of making paper cuts—by using scissors (剪刀) or knives. As the name suggests, scissors cuttings are made with scissors. Several pieces of paper (up to eight pieces) are placed together. The patterns are then cut with pointed scissors. Knife cuttings are made by putting several pieces of paper on a table. Following a pattern, the artist cuts the patterns into the paper with a knife.
In the past, paper cuts were usually made only by women and girls. They used scissors and paper to cut all kinds of pictures such as apple tees, peach blossoms, mice, fighting roosters (公鸡) and rabbits eating carrots.
This used to be one of the skills that every girl was to master. Professional paper cutting artists are, on the other hand, almost always men who can make a living by working together in workshops.
1. How long has paper cutting lasted at least?
A. About 600 years. B. About 1,500 years.
C. About 2,000 years. D. About 2,700 years.
2. People put up paper cuts on the windows in order to ________.
A. make them look more beautiful B. show others their excellent skills
C. bring them good luck in the new year D. sell them on the Eve of the Spring Festival
3. What does the third paragraph mainly tell us?
A. Two kinds of paper cuts. B. Paper cuts are made by hand.
C. Paper cuts are made by machine. D. The process of making paper cuts.
【答案】1. B 2. C 3. A
【解析】
【分析】这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了中国的民间艺术剪纸及制作剪纸的两种方法。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据文章第一段内容“Paper cutting is one of China’s most popular folk arts. Archaeological (考古学上的) finds show that the tradition started in the 6th century, it is even supposed that the beginning of paper cutting is even a few centuries earlier.”（剪纸是中国最流行的民间艺术之一。考古发现表明，这一传统始于6世纪，甚至有人认为剪纸的开始甚至还要早几个世纪。）可知，考古发现表明，剪纸始于6世纪，甚至有人认为它开始的时间还要更早一些，现在我们是21世纪，由此可知，剪纸至少持续了15个世纪，也就是至少持续了约1500年。故选B项。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据文章第二段关键句“To get rid of (摆脱) the old and bring good luck, people put up paper cuts on the windows on the Eve of the Spring Festival.”（为了摆脱旧的，带来好运，人们春节前夕在窗户上贴上剪纸。）可知，人们春节前夕在窗户上贴上剪纸是为了除旧迎新，带来好运，由此可知，人们在窗户上贴剪纸是为了在新年给他们带来好运。故选C项。
【3题详解】
主旨大意题。浏览文章第三段内容，结合第三段关键句“There are two methods of making paper cuts—by using scissors (剪刀) or knives.”（制作剪纸有两种方法——用剪刀或刀。）可知，本段主要介绍了制作剪纸的两种方法，分别是用剪刀制作和用刀制作，由此可知，第三段主要向我们介绍了两种类型的剪纸。故选A项。
