奇速英语官网—英语在线学习平台_让学英语更快乐_更快速

Archaeologists have discovered a 7,000-year-old well in eastern Europe, which they believe is the oldest wooden structure in the world. The square well was built with oak by farmers around 5256 B.C., according to researchers who found its origin after analyzing the tree rings in the wood. The well's age makes it the oldest wooden construction worldwide, according to the researchers in the Czech Republic.

"The well was only preserved because it had been underwater for centuries. Now we cannot let it dry out, or the well would be destroyed," said Karol Bayer of the University of Pardubice's Department of Restorationin.

Researchers are developing a process to dry the wood and preserve it using sugar to strengthen the wood's structure. "It is interesting that the corner posts were made of previously fallen trunks, namely from the trunk which had been cut in the autumn or winter 5259 B.C. or the winter of early 5258 B.C.," said Michal Rybníček of the Department of Wood Science at Mendel University.

Measuring 140 cm (56 inches) in height and with an 80 by 80 cm (32 by 32 inches) square base, the well was found last year during the construction of the D35 motorway near Ostrov, Czech Republic. Researchers published their findings in the Journal of Archaeological Science.

Its design shines a light on technical skills that researchers didn't think Neolithic people possessed. "The design consists of corner posts with inserted planks. This type of construction reveals advanced technical know-how and, till now, is the only known type from this region and time period," the authors wrote. "The shape of the individual structural elements and tool marks preserved on their surface confirm difficult carpentry skills," the authors wrote. It is the third well from the early Neolithic period found in the Czech Republic in the past four years.

1.How did the archaeologists know the age of the well?

A They studied the tree rings of the oak.

B They talked with the farmers building it.

C They researched the shape of the well.

D They found out the wooden structure.

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据文章第一段第二句researchers who found its origin after analyzing the tree rings in the wood可以得知他们分析了橡树的年轮推断出古井年龄，故选A。

2.Why was the well kept well?

A It was made of stones.

B It had a special structure.

C It remained underwater.

D It was used all the time.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据文章第二段第一句because it had been underwater for centuries是因为一直在水下，该古井才得以保存，故选C。

3.What would the researchers use to preserve the ancient well?

A The trunk.

B The heater.

C The planks.

D The sugar.

解析：选D。细节理解题。根据文章第三段第一句的it using sugar to strengthen the wood's structure可以得知研究者用糖来保持木材内部的结构，故选D。

4.What is the importance of the discovery of the well?

A The ancient people could make a large well.

B Neolithic people mastered carpentry skills.

C There are a lot of ancient wells in the Czech Republic.

D The design consists of bad corner posts.

解析：选B。推理判断题。根据文章最后一段第一句Its design shines a light on technical skills that researchers didn't think Neolithic people possessed可以得知该井的发现表明了新石器时代的人会复杂的木工技艺，故选B。