FOR thousands of years, Stonehenge has confused visitors with a seemingly unanswerable question: Why would anyone carry so many huge stones across Britain and put them in a ring? It seems even stranger when you think of the fact that it was done by prehistoric people working without modern technology, not even a wheel.

Stonehenge has started endless debates over the centuries. Experts have said at different times that it was a temple, a calendar (日歷) or a graveyard (墓地).

Yet “all the ideas to date could be mistaken,” said Julian Spalding, a famous art critic (評(píng)論家) and former director of some of the UK’s leading museums. “We’ve been looking at Stonehenge the wrong way: from the earth, which is very much a 20th century viewpoint,” he told The Guardian.

Spalding has put forward a new theory about Stonehenge in his latest book, Realisation: From Seeing to Understanding. “The current theories about Stonehenge are based on looking across the ground, which is a modern idea,” he writes in his new book. He told The Guardian that in ancient times, spiritual ceremonies didn’t happen on the ground. Prehistoric people believed that in this way they could get closer to the heavens. So Spalding says that “rituals (儀式) at Stonehenge were performed in the same way – not among the stones, but on top of them,” reported The Washington Post.

He re-imagines a scene in his book, explaining how the mysterious site was used: Stonehenge held up a large, circular platform (平臺(tái)). It was a raised altar (圣壇) reached by stairs, and thousands of people might have worshipped (祈禱) there.

To support his theory, Spalding lists examples from ancient civilizations worldwide. In China, Peru and Turkey, such sacred (神圣的) monuments (遺跡) were built high up, whether on man-made or natural sites. In an interview with The Washington Post, Spalding said the wood that would have been used for the platform had long since rotted away (腐爛), leaving only the stone pillars (柱子) that supported it behind.

So far scholars have had “a fair degree of skepticism (懷疑)” about these ideas, according to The Huffington Post. Sir Barry Cunliffe, prehistorian and Oxford University archaeology (考古學(xué)) professor, said: “He could be right, but I know of no evidence to support it ... There are a large number of stone circles around the country which clearly didn’t have a platform on top. So why should Stonehenge?”

1.What is the article mainly about?

A. The history of Stonehenge.

B. A new theory about Stonehenge.

C. Why Stonehenge has started endless debates over the centuries.

D. How Stonehenge is different from other ancient civilizations.

2.According to Spalding’s theory, Stonehenge ______.

A. was a prehistoric calendar

B. should be looked at from the earth

C. was a raised altar for worship

D. was simply a natural site

3.How does Spalding support his theory about Stonehenge?

A. By raising questions.

B. By providing related figures.

C. By quoting other experts’ research.

D. By giving examples from other civilizations.

4.We can infer from the article that Cunliffe is ______ Spalding’s theory.

A. supportive of B. amazed at

C. worried about D. doubtful about

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Renting your home out as a “film set” could earn you hundreds of pounds a day, depending on the film production company and how long your home is needed. A quick search on the Internet will bring up dozens of online companies that allow you to register your home for free—but you will be charged if your home gets picked.

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閱讀理解。

A few years ago, I was on a plane with my friend, waiting for it to take off． The pilot’s voice was heard throughout the plane: “Sorry for the delay, ladies and gentlemen． Our engines don’t work． We are going to jump-start them． Once we get them going, we’ll get up in the air and see what happens．”

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While I do prefer planning better than “see what happens” when it comes to flying, it really isn’t such a bad idea for life．All too often, people stop trying to achieve their goals just because they don’t have a guaranteed result． But success will never be guaranteed． The best thing that you can do is just get up in the air, and see what happens． If your effort is to build a business then get up in the air and see what happens! Don’t give yourself all the reasons why you can’t． Do not wait until you have everything you need． You never will!

If your goal is to start a friendship, say “Hello”, get up in the air and see what happens! The results could be very rewarding．

If your goal is to learn a new skill, get up in the air and see what happens! It might not be as difficult as your think． It could be fun!

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1.What was the pilot’s attitude toward the situation?

A．Disappointed and panicked

B．Surprised and honest

C．Comforting and encouraging

D．Hesitant and weak．

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A．They were thankful and relieved．

B．They cheered for the pilot’s correct operation．

C．They complained that the plane was not safe enough

D．They just walked off the plane as if nothing had happened．

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A．The plane was delayed because of its wheels．

B．The plane arrived at the airport safely．

C．It was a terrible journey for the author．

D．Most of the passengers remained calm on hearing the bad news

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A．“we will see what happens” is not a good plan for pilots

B．Try to have everything prepared before you do something

C．When you want to do something, you have to actually do it ．

D．Never stop chasing your goals even if they are certain to fail

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It is required that those who will be chosen to take part in that important military training _____ the experience of serving in the army．

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