A (2020·新高考全国卷Ⅰ·C)
In the mid1990s, 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 24yearold 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 wellrounded 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.
【语篇解读】 本文是一篇说明文。介绍了Tom Bissell写的一本关于咸海和他旅行经历的书。它是对乌兹别克斯坦人生活的一个快速观察。这篇文章引导学生运用辩证思维欣赏外国历史、传统与文化，开阔视野。
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.
B [细节理解题。根据第一段的最后一句“A few years later, still attracted to the country, he returned to Uzbekistan to write an article about the disappearance of the Aral Sea.”可知，几年后，他仍然被这个国家所吸引，回到乌兹别克斯坦来写一篇关于咸海消失的文章。所以是Bissell先生对乌兹别克斯坦的兴趣促使他回到这个国家，故选B项。]
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.
D [代词指代题。根据第一段的最后一句“A few years later, still attracted to the country, he returned to Uzbekistan to write an article about the disappearance of the Aral Sea.(几年后，他仍然被这个国家所吸引，回到乌兹别克斯坦来写一篇关于咸海消失的文章)”以及第二段的第一句“His visit, however, ended up involving a lot more than that.(然而，他的访问最终涉及的远不止于此)”可知，此处that指“写一篇有关咸海消失的文章”这件事。]
3．Which of the following best describes Mr Bissell's road trip in Uzbekistan?
A．Romantic. B．Eventful.
C．Pleasant. D．Dangerous.
B [推理判断题。根据第三段的内容可知，在乌兹别克斯坦旅行期间，他既欣赏了当地的建筑奇观，也亲身经历了在他涉嫌毒品交易时警方采取的方法，还参加过特殊的葬礼，遇到过沙尘暴、疾病、渔船被困在海里等，这说明Tom Bissell的乌兹别克斯坦之行是“充满(有趣、重要)事件的”(eventful)，故选B项。]
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.
A [写作意图题。文章第一段提到，Tom Bissell在几年之后回到乌兹别克斯坦，想写一篇关于咸海消失的文章，结果写成了一本书。接下来第二、三段详细介绍了书中的内容，最后一段是对这本书的总体评价。由此可知，文章的写作目的是介绍一本书，故选A项。]
