大学英语四级阅读SectionC讲解与分析【2】
Questions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.
【51】In spring, chickens start laying again, bringing a welcome source of protein at winter's end. So it's no surprise that cultures around the world celebrate spring by honoring the egg.
Some traditions are simple, like the red eggs that get baked into Greek Easter breads.【52】 Others elevate the egg into a fancy art, like the heavily jewel-covered “eggs” that were favored by the Russians starting in the 19th century.
One ancient form of egg art comes to us from Ukraine. For centuries, Ukrainians have been drawing complicated patterns on eggs. 【53】Contemporary artists have followed this tradition to create eggs that speak to the anxieties of our age: Life is precious, and delicate. Eggs are, too.
“There's something about their delicate nature that appeals to me,” says New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast. Several years ago, she became interested in eggs and learned the traditional Ukrainian technique to draw her very modem characters.【54】 “I've broken eggs at every stage of the process—from the very beginning to the very, very end.”
But there's an appeal in that vulnerability. “There's part of this sickening horror of knowing you're walking on the edge with this, that I kind of like, knowing that it could all fall apart at any second.” Chast's designs, such as a worried man alone in a tiny rowboat, reflect that delicateness.
Traditional Ukrainian decorated eggs also spoke to those fears. The elaborate patterns were believed to offer protection against evil.
“There's an ancient legend that as long as these eggs are made, evil will not prevail in the world,” says Joan Brander, a Canadian egg-painter who has been painting eggs for over 60 years, having learned the art from her Ukrainian relatives.
【55】The tradition, dating back to 300 B.C., was later incorporated into the Christian church. The old symbols, however, still endure. A decorated egg with a bird on it, given to a young married couple, is a wish for children. A decorated egg thrown into the field would be a wish for a good harvest.
【杀掉拦路虎】
1. elevate [ˈeliveit]
vt. 举起;提高;提升;鼓舞
2. jewel [ˈdʒu:əl]
n. 宝石，宝石饰物;受珍视的人[物];宝贝，手表的宝石轴承
3. favored ['feɪvəd]
adj.受到优待的；有天赋的；受优惠的；有利的
v.支持( favor的过去式和过去分词 )；赞成；照顾；促成
4. Ukrainian [ju:'kreɪnɪən]
n.乌克兰人（语）
adj.乌克兰的，乌克兰人（语）的
5. delicate [ˈdelikit]
adj. 微妙的;熟练的;纤弱的;易损的
6. vulnerability [ˌvʌlnərə'bɪlətɪ]
n.弱点，攻击；易伤性；致命性；脆弱性
7. sicken of [ˈsɪkən ɔv]
v.厌恶，厌倦
8. delicateness ['delɪkətnes]
精美；精致；精巧；优美
9. elaborate [iˈlæbəreit]
vi. 详尽说明;变得复杂;
vt. 详细制定;详尽阐述;[生理学]加工;尽心竭力地做adj. 复杂的;精心制作的;（结构）复杂的;精巧的
10. prevail [priˈveil]
vi. 流行，盛行;获胜，占优势;说服，劝说
11. incorporate into [inˈkɔ:pəreit ˈɪntuː]
使成为…的一部分；并入；划归；归并
12. endure [inˈdjuə]
vt. 忍耐;容忍;
vi. 持续，持久;忍耐
51.Why do people in many cultures prize the egg?
A) It is a welcome sign of the coming of spring.
B) It is their major source of protein in winter.
C) It can easily be made into a work of art.
D) It can bring wealth and honor to them.
【答案】A
【解析】 由【51】In spring, chickens start laying again, bringing a welcome source of protein at winter's end. So it's no surprise that cultures around the world celebrate spring by honoring the egg.可知：在春天，母鸡又开始下蛋了，为冬天结束的时候提供了很多蛋白质的资源，因此，世界各地文化通过以鸡蛋为荣来庆祝春天就不足为奇了，因此鸡蛋可以作为是庆祝春天的一个标志，所以本题的正确选项为a项。
52.What do we learn about the decorated “eggs” in Russia?
A) They are shaped like jewel cases.
B) They are cherished by the rich.
C) They are heavily painted in red.
D) They are favored as a form of art.
【答案】D
【解析】关键词Russia，可以定位到第二段。 由【52】 Others elevate the egg into a fancy art, like the heavily jewel-covered “eggs” that were favored by the Russians starting in the 19th century.可知：其他的提升了鸡蛋在艺术的地位，d选项的意思是作为一种艺术形式备受青睐，因此，本题的正确选项为b项。
53.Why have contemporary artists continued the egg art tradition?
A) Eggs serve as an enduring symbol of new life.
B) Eggs have an oval shape appealing to artists.
C) Eggs reflect the anxieties of people today.
D) Eggs provide a unique surface to paint on.
【答案】D
【解析】 由【53】Contemporary artists have followed this tradition to create eggs that speak to the anxieties of our age: Life is precious, and delicate. Eggs are, too.可知：anxieties 一词，就可以选出正确的答案。
54.Why does Chast enjoy the process of decorating eggs?
A) She never knows if the egg will break before the design is completed.
B) She can add multiple details to the design to communicate her idea.
C) She always derives great pleasure from designing something new.
D) She is never sure what the final design will look like until the end.
【答案】A
【解析】 由【54】 “I've broken eggs at every stage of the process—from the very beginning to the very, very end.”可知：鸡蛋易碎，如果碎了的话就得从头开始。因此，正确的选项为a项。
55.What do we learn from the passage about egg-painting?
A) It originated in the eastern part of Europe.
B) It has a history of over two thousand years.
C) It is the most time-honored form of fancy art.
D) It is especially favored as a church decoration.
【答案】B
【解析】 本体为推断题。由【55】The tradition, dating back to 300 B.C., 可知：彩蛋，这个传统可以追溯到公元前300年，ACD选项文中均未出现。因此，本题的正确选项为b项。
