Researchers studying the wreckage(残骸) of the last U.S. slave ship, buried in mud on the Alabama coast since it was sank in 1860, have made the surprising discovery that most of the wooden ship remains undamaged, including the prison that was used to lock up African captives during the cruel journey across the Atlantic Ocean. 

At least two-thirds of the ship remains, and the existence of the slave prison, built during the voyage by the addition of a bulkhead(舱壁) where people were held as cargo below the main deck for weeks, raises questions about whether food and water containers, chains and even human DNA could remain in the ship, said Delgado. “It’s the best-preserved wreck ever discovered,” he said. “It’s because it’s sitting in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta with fresh water and in mud that protected it so it’s still there.”

For Joycelyn Davis, a sixth-generation granddaughter of African captive Charlie Lewis, the story of what happened more than 160 years ago is best told through the people who were involved, not a sunken ship. But she said she couldn’t wait to learn more about what has been discovered, adding “I think it’s going to be a surprise for us all.”

The Clotilda was the last ship known to transport African captives to the American South. Nearly 90 feet (27 meters) in length, it set out to Mobile, Alabama, for an illegal trip to purchase people decades after Congress made such trade illegal in 1808. The ship had been sent across the ocean on a voyage financed by a wealthy businessman. The Clotilda’s captain moved its human cargo off the ship once it arrived in Alabama and set fire to the ships. But most of the them didn’t catch fire and remained in the river.

1.The underline word “captives” may refer to _________.

A discoveries

B slaves

C coasts

D remains

解析：选B。B 词意指代题。根据第一段第一句Researchers studying the wreckage of the last U.S. slave ship可知该船是运输“奴隶”的。即船上的牢笼里最有可能关押的是奴隶，故选B。

2.Why was the ship kept in good condition?

A It had water and food containers.

B Human DNA could remain in the ship.

C It stayed in the mud and fresh water.

D It was all built with very thick wood.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第二段最后一句It’s because it’s sitting in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta with fresh water and in mud that protected it so it’s still there.可知由于淤泥和淡水的保护，那船才得以保存。故选C。

3.How did Joycelyn Davis feel about the discovery?

A Moved.

B Indifferent.

C Excited.

D Amazed.

解析：选C。C 推理判断题。根据第三段 But she said she couldn’t wait to learn more about what has been discovered, adding “I think it’s going to be a surprise for us all.” 可知 Joycelyn Davis 迫不及待想知道发现了什么，说明她对该发现感到很兴奋；然后她补充道，她觉得该发现对大家来说将会是一个惊喜，并不是说她的态度就是已经感到惊喜了，故选 C。

4.Why did the Clotilda’s captain set fire to the ships?

A He wanted to hide the evidence of carrying slaves.

B He had wanted to keep the ship preserved in the water.

C He was employed by a wealthy businessman.

D He found the 90-feet-long ship illegal.

解析：选A。A 推理判断题。根据最后一段it set out to Mobile, Alabama, for an illegal trip to purchase people decades after Congress made such trade illegal in 1808可知在国会于1808年宣布用船输送贩卖人口是非法的行为后，该船开始了一次非法人口贩卖之旅，可推测船长烧掉船是为了销毁证据，故选A。