In the mid-1990s, Tom Bissell taught English as a volunteer in Uzbekistan. He left after seven months, physically broken and having lost his mind. A few years later, still attracted to the country, he returned to Uzbekistan to write an article about the disappearance of the Aral Sea.

His visit, however, ended up involving a lot more than that. Hence this book, Chasing the Sea: Lost Among the Ghosts of Empire in Central Asia, which talks about a road trip from Tashkent to Karakalpakstan, where millions of lives have been destroyed by the slow drying up of the sea. It is the story of an American travelling to a strange land, and of the people he meets on his way: Rustam, his translator, a lovely 24-year-old who picked up his colorful English in California, Oleg and Natasha, his hosts in Tashkent, and a string of foreign aid workers.

This is a quick look at life in Uzbekistan, made of friendliness and warmth, but also its darker side of society. In Samarkand, Mr Bissell admires the architectural wonders, while on his way to Bukhara he gets a taste of police methods when suspected of drug dealing. In Ferghana, he attends a mountain funeral(葬礼) followed by a strange drinking party. And in Karakalpakstan, he is saddened by the dust storms, diseases and fishing boats stuck miles from the sea.

Mr Bissell skillfully organizes historical insights and cultural references, making his tale a well-rounded picture of Uzbekistan, seen from Western eyes. His judgment and references are decidedly American, as well as his delicate stomach. As the author explains, this is neither a travel nor a history book, or even a piece of reportage. Whatever it is, the result is a fine and vivid description of the purest of Central Asian traditions.

1.1. What made Mr Bissell return to Uzbekistan?

A His friends’ invitation.

B His interest in the country.

C His love for teaching.

D His desire to regain health.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据第一段最后一句“A few years later, still attracted to the country, he returned to Uzbekistan...”（几年后，由于仍然被这个国家所吸引，他回到了乌兹别克斯坦……）可知，是他对这个国家的兴趣让他回去的。故选B。

2.2. What does the underlined word “that” in paragraph 2 refer to?

A Developing a serious mental disease.

B Taking a guided tour in Central Asia.

C Working as a volunteer in Uzbekistan.

D Writing an article about the Aral Sea.

解析：选D。D 词义猜测题。根据第一段最后一句提到他回去的目的是“to write an article about the disappearance of the Aral Sea”（写一篇关于咸海消失的文章），第二段开头说他的访问“involving a lot more than that”（涉及的远不止that），可知that指代的就是前文提到的写文章这件事。故选D。

3.3. Which of the following best describes Mr Bissell’s road trip in Uzbekistan?

A Romantic.

B Eventful.

C Pleasant.

D Dangerous.

解析：选B。B 推理判断题。根据第三段描述，他既欣赏了建筑奇观，又遭遇了被怀疑贩毒的警察盘查，参加了葬礼和奇怪的酒会，还目睹了沙尘暴和废弃的渔船。这一系列经历丰富多彩且充满变故，“Eventful”（多事的；充满大事的）最能概括。故选B。

4.4. What is the purpose of this text?

A To introduce a book.

B To explain a cultural phenomenon.

C To remember a writer.

D To recommend a travel destination.

解析：选A。A 主旨大意题。文章第二段提到了书名《Chasing the Sea: Lost Among the Ghosts of Empire in Central Asia》，并在随后的段落中介绍了书的内容、作者的视角以及对书的评价。因此本文的目的是介绍一本书。故选A。