Question

【題目】閱讀下列短文，從每題所給的四個選項中，選出最佳選項。

Human remains of ancient settlements will be reburied and lost to science under a law that threatens researches into the history of humans in Britain, a group of leading archaeologists (考古學家) says. In a letter addressed to the justice secretary, Ken Clarke, 40 archaeologists write of their “deep and widespread concern” about the issue. It centers on the law introduced by the Ministry of Justice in 2008 which requires all human remains unearthed in England and Wales to be reburied within two years, regardless of their age. The decision means scientists have too little time to study bones and other human remains of national and cultural significance.

“Your current requirement that all archaeologically unearthed human remains should be reburied, whether after a standard period of two years or further special extension, is contrary to basic principles of archaeological and scientific research and of museum practice,” they write.

The law applies to any pieces of bone uncovered at around 400 dig sites, including the remains of 60 or so bodies found at Stonehenge in 2008 that date back to 3,000 BC. Archaeologists have been granted a temporary extension to give them more time, but eventually the bones will have to be returned to the ground.

The arrangements may result in the waste of future discoveries at sites such as Happisburgh in Norfolk, where digging is continuing after the discovery of stone tools made by early humans 950,000 years ago. If human remains were found at Happisburgh, they would be the oldest in northern Europe and the first indication of what this species was. Under the current practice of the law those remains would have to be reburied and effectively destroyed.

Before 2008, guidelines allowed for the proper preservation and study of bones of sufficient age and historical interest, while the Burial Act 1857 applied to more recent remains. The Ministry of Justice assured archaeologists two years ago that the law was temporary, but has so far failed to revise it.

Mike Parker Pearson, an archaeologist at Sheffield University, said, “Archaeologists have been extremely patient because we were led to believe the ministry was sorting out this problem, but we feel that we cannot wait any longer.”

The ministry has no guidelines on where or how remains should be reburied, or on what records should be kept.

【1】According to the passage, scientists are unhappy with the law mainly because ________.

A. it is only a temporary measure on the human remains

B. it is unreasonable and thus destructive to scientific research

C. it was introduced by the government without their knowledge

D. it is vague about where and how to rebury human remains

【2】Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A. Temporary extension of two years will guarantee scientists enough time.

B. Human remains of the oldest species were dug out at Happisburgh.

C. Human remains will have to be reburied despite the extension of time.

D. Scientists have been warned that the law can hardly be changed.

【3】What can be inferred about the British law governing human remains?

A. The Ministry of Justice did not intend to protect human remains.

B. The Burial Act 1857 only applied to remains uncovered before 1857.

C. The law on human remains hasn’t changed in recent decades.

D. The Ministry of Justice has not done enough about the law.

【4】Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?

A. New discoveries should be reburied, the government demands.

B. Research time should be extended, scientists require.

C. Law on human remains needs thorough discussion, authorities say.

D. Law could bury ancient secrets for ever, archaeologists warn.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】B

【2】C

【3】D

【4】D

【解析】

試題分析：本文屬于議論文，介紹了英國政府要推行的新的法律，為了保護人類遺址，要求英國的所有人類遺址都要被重新掩埋。而考古學家對此有不同的觀點。

【1】B 推理判斷題。根據第一段最后兩句It centers on the law introduced by the Ministry of Justice in 2008 which requires all human remains unearthed in England and Wales to be reburied within two years, regardless of their age. The decision means scientists have too little time to study bones and other human remains of national and cultural significance.可知考古學家對于這一法律很抵觸，主要是因為它不合情理，且對于現(xiàn)在的研究有很大的影響。故B正確。

【2】C 細節(jié)理解題。根據第一段第一句Human remains of ancient settlements will be reburied and lost to science under a law that threatens researches into the history of humans in Britain, a group of leading archaeologists (考古學家) says.可知根據英國的一項新的法律無論是什么時候的人類遺址都要被重新埋起來。故C項正確。

【3】D 推理判斷題。根據倒數第三段最后一句The Ministry of Justice assured archaeologists two years ago that the law was temporary, but has so far failed to revise it.可知the Ministry of Justice并沒有做好自己的工作，沒有能夠讓政府重新修訂這部法律。故D項正確。

【4】D 標題概括題。本文屬于議論文，介紹了英國政府要推行的新的法律，為了保護人類遺址，要求英國的所有人類遺址都要被重新掩埋。而考古學家對此有不同的觀點。故D項 正確。