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In May, the world will mark 500 years since the death of Leonardo da Vinci. Art galleries and museums are preparing shows to honor the life and works of the artist Leonardo, who died in France on May 2, 1519. He is remembered as one of the greatest artists and creative thinkers of all time. Among his most famous paintings are The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.

Recently, researchers were studying what they think is da Vinci's earliest-known artwork. They used special lighting to study the work and discovered there were two images, not one. One drawing was on the back of the piece, which is dated on August 5, 1473.

The drawing on the front, made when Leonardo was 21 years old, shows a river valley and a castle outside the city of Florence. There is little left of the drawing on the back, perhaps because it was rubbed off. Only a bridge over a river can be seen. But there is writing on both sides.

The writing on the front gives the date and goes from right to left. Some people would call this "mirror writing". Leonardo often wrote this way in his notebooks. On the back, the handwriting goes from left to right and tells about an agreement, probably to produce a work of art.

Cecilia Frosinini is an art historian. She said Leonardo was born left-handed, but was taught to write with his right hand from a very young age. By looking at his writings, including from this drawing, one can see his right-handed calligraphy is educated and well done.

Experts compared the two handwriting samples and said they were both made by Leonardo. They show he could write well using both his left hand and his right hand. The drawing is known as Landscape 8P from its number in an art catalog. It will be part of an exhibit at Italy's Uffizi Gallery.

1.What did Leonardo da Vinci do?

A An artist.

B A dancer.

C A gallery administrator.

D An art expert.

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据第一段He is remembered as one of the greatest artists and creative thinkers of all time可知，达芬奇是伟大的艺术家，故选A。

2.What are Leonardo’s most famous works?

A The Catcher in the Rye and The Mona Lisa.

B The Catcher in the Rye and The Last Supper.

C The Last Supper and The Girl with a Pearl Earring.

D The Last Supper and The Mona Lisa.

解析：选D。细节理解题。根据第一段Among his most famous paintings are The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.可知达芬奇最出名的画作有《蒙娜丽莎》和《最后的晚餐》，故选D。

3.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage ?

A Leonardo da Vinci was only good at painting.

B Leonardo da Vinci died in Italy on May 2, 1519.

C The drawing on the front shows a lake and a castle outside Florence.

D Only a bridge over a river can be seen on the back of the drawing.

解析：选D。细节理解题。根据第三段There is little left of the drawing on the back, perhaps because it was rubbed off. Only a bridge over a river can be seen.可知，背面图上只可见河上的一座桥，故选D。

4.What’s the main idea of this passage?

A Leonardo da Vinci is a creative thinker.

B Leonardo da Vinci has many famous works.

C Leonardo da Vinci may draw well using both his hands.

D Researchers discovered two new Leonardo da Vinci’s images.

解析：选C。主旨大意题。经研究发现，达芬奇或可用双手作画，符合本文主旨，故选C。