Fading beauty

She is widely seen as proof that good looks can last for ever. But, at nearly 500 years of age, time is catching up with the Mona Lisa.  

The health of the famous picture, painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1505, is getting worse by the year, according to the Louvre Museum (盧浮宮博物館) where it is housed.   

“The thin, wooden panel on which the Mona Lisa is painted in oil has changed shape since experts checked it two years ago,” the museum said. Visitors have noticed changes but repairing the world’s most famous painting is not easy. Experts are not sure about the materials the Italian artist used and their current chemical state (化學(xué)狀態(tài)).  

Nearly 6 million people go to see the Mona Lisa every year, many attracted by the mystery of her smile. “It is very interesting that when you’re not looking at her, she seems to be smiling, and then you look at her and she stops,” said Professor Margaret Livingstone of Harvard University. “It’s because direct vision (視覺) is excellent at picking up detail, but less suited to looking at shadows. Da Vinci painted the smile in shadows.”

However, the actual history of the Mona Lisa is just as mysterious as the smile. Da Vinci himself loved it so much that he always carried it with him, until it was eventually sold to France’s King Francis I in 1519.  

In 1911, the painting was stolen from the Louvre by a former employee, who took it out of the museum hidden under his coat. He said he planned to return it to Italy. The painting was sent back to France two years later.  

During World War II, French hid the painting in small towns to keep it out of the hands of German forces.   

Like many old ladies, the Mona Lisa has some interesting stories to tell.

What does the writer mean by “time is catching up with the Mona Lisa”?

A. The painted woman is not so beautiful any more.

B. Ageing is something that affects us all.

C. The painting needs repairing.   

D. At such an old age, she is no longer popular.

What makes the repair work difficult?

A. The wooden panel is thin and old and has also changed shape.

B. The health of the painting is suffering

C. Experts can’t agree on how the painting might respond to treatment.

D. No one knows exactly what materials were used to create the painting.

What makes her smile so mysterious according to Professor Livingston?

A. The materials the Italian artist used.   B. The way Da Vinci painted the smile.

C. The way she smiles.      D. It plays a trick upon the human eye.

Which of the following is in the right order?

①The painting was stolen from the Louvre.

②The painting was sent back to France.

③It was sold to France’s King Francis I  

④Da Vinci carried the painting with him.

⑤French hid the painting to keep it out of the hands of German forces.

A. ④→③→①→②→⑤   B. ④→①→③→②→⑤

C. ①→④→③→②→⑤   D. ①→③→④→②→⑤

Fading beauty

   She is widely seen as proof that good looks can last for ever. But, at nearly 500 years of age, time is catching up with the Mona Lisa.  

The health of the famous picture, painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1505, is getting worse by the year, according to the Louvre Museum (盧浮宮博物館) where it is housed.   

“The thin, wooden panel on which the Mona Lisa is painted in oil has changed shape since experts checked it two years ago,” the museum said. Visitors have noticed changes but repairing the world’s most famous painting is not easy. Experts are not sure about the materials the Italian artist used and their current chemical state (狀態(tài)).  

Nearly 6 million people go to see the Mona Lisa every year, many attracted by the mystery of her smile. “It is very interesting that when you’re not looking at her, she seems to be smiling, and then you look at her and she stops,” said Professor Margaret Livingstone of Harvard University. “It’s because direct vision (視覺) is excellent at picking up detail, but less suited to looking at shadows. Da Vinci painted the smile in shadows.”

However, the actual history of the Mona Lisa is just as mysterious as the smile. Da Vinci himself loved it so much that he always carried it with him, until it was eventually sold to France’s King Francis I in 1519.  

In 1911, the painting was stolen from the Louvre by a former employee, who took it out of the museum hidden under his coat. He said he planned to return it to Italy. The painting was sent back to France two years later.  

During World War II, French hid the painting in small towns to keep it out of the hands of German forces.   

Like many old ladies, the Mona Lisa has some interesting stories to tell.

What does the writer mean by “time is catching up with the Mona Lisa”?

A. The painted woman is not so beautiful any more. 

B. Ageing is something that affects us all.

C. The painting needs repairing.  

D. At such an old age, she is no longer popular.

What makes the repair work difficult?

A. The wooden panel is thin and old.

B. No one knows exactly what materials were used to create the painting and how it might respond to treatment.

C. The health of the painting is suffering

D. Experts can’t agree on how to carry out repairs.

What makes her smile so mysterious according to Professor Livingston?

A. The materials the Italian artist used. B. The way she smiles.

C. The way Da Vinci painted the smile. D. It plays a trick upon the human mind.

Fading beauty

     She is widely seen as proof that good looks can last for ever. But, at nearly 500 years of age, time is catching up with the Mona Lisa.

     The health of the famous picture, painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1505, is getting worse by the year, according to the Louvre Museum(盧浮宮博物館) where it is housed.

     “The thin, wooden panel on which the Mona Lisa is painted in oil has changed shape since experts checked it two years ago,” the museum said. Visitors have noticed changes but repairing the world’s most famous painting is not easy. Experts are not sure about the materials the Italian artist used and their current chemical state(化學(xué)狀態(tài)).

     Nearly 6 million people go to see the Mona Lisa every year, many attracted by the mystery of her smile. “It is very interesting that when you’re not looking at her, she seems to be smiling, and then you look at her and she stops,” said Professor Margaret Livingstone of Harvard University. “It’s because direct vision (視覺) is excellent at picking up detail, but less suited to looking at shadows. Da Vinci painted the smile in shadows.”

     However, the actual history of the Mona Lisa is just as mysterious as the smile. Da Vinci himself loved it so much that he always carried it with him, until it was eventually sold to France’s King Francis I in 1519.

     In 1911, the painting was stolen from the Louvre by a former employee, who took it out of the museum hidden under his coat. He said he panned to return it to Italy. The painting was sent back to France two years later.

     During World War II, French hid the painting in small towns to keep it out of the hands of German forces.

     Like many old ladies, the Mona Lisa has some interesting stories to tell.

70. What does the writer mean by “time is catching up with the Mona Lisa”?

   A. The painting woman is not so beautiful any more.

   B. Ageing is something that affects us all.

   C. The painting needs repairing.

   D. At such an old age, she is no longer popular.

71. What makes the repair work difficult?

   A. The wooden panel is thin and old.

   B. No one knows exactly what materials were used to create the painting and how it might respond to treatment.

   C. The health of the painting is suffering.

   D. Experts can’t agree on how to carry out repairs.

72. What makes her so mysterious according to Professor Livingston?

   A. The materials the Italian artist used.    B. The way she smiles.

   C. The way Da Vinci painted the smile.   D. It plays a trick upon the human eyes

Fading beauty

     She is widely seen as proof that good looks can last for ever. But, at nearly 500 years of age, time is catching up with the Mona Lisa.

     The health of the famous picture, painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1505, is getting worse by the year, according to the Louvre Museum（盧浮宮博物館） where it is housed.

     “The thin, wooden panel on which the Mona Lisa is painted in oil has changed shape since experts checked it two years ago,” the museum said. Visitors have noticed changes but repairing the world’s most famous painting is not easy. Experts are not sure about the materials the Italian artist used and their current chemical state（化學(xué)狀態(tài)）.

     Nearly 6 million people go to see the Mona Lisa every year, many attracted by the mystery of her smile. “It is very interesting that when you’re not looking at her, she seems to be smiling, and then you look at her and she stops,” said Professor Margaret Livingstone of Harvard University. “It’s because direct vision （視覺） is excellent at picking up detail, but less suited to looking at shadows. Da Vinci painted the smile in shadows.”

     However, the actual history of the Mona Lisa is just as mysterious as the smile. Da Vinci himself loved it so much that he always carried it with him, until it was eventually sold to France’s King Francis I in 1519.

     In 1911, the painting was stolen from the Louvre by a former employee, who took it out of the museum hidden under his coat. He said he planned to return it to Italy. The painting was sent back to France two years later.

     During World War II, French hid the painting in small towns to keep it out of the hands of German forces.

     Like many old ladies, the Mona Lisa has some interesting stories to tell.

1．What does the writer mean by “time is catching up with the Mona Lisa”?

     A．The painting woman is not so beautiful any more.

     B．Ageing is something that affects us all.

     C．The painting needs repairing.

     D．At such an old age, she is no longer popular.

2．What makes the repair work difficult?

A．The wooden panel is thin and old.

B．No one knows exactly what materials were used to create the painting and how it might respond to treatment.

      C．The health of the painting is suffering.

      D．Experts can’t agree on how to carry out repairs.

3．What makes her so mysterious according to Professor Livingston?

A．The materials the Italian artist used.  B．The way she smiles.

C．The way Da Vinci painted the smile.  D．It plays a trick upon the human eyes

Fading beauty

She is widely seen as proof that good looks can last for ever．But, at nearly 500 years of age, time is catching up with the Mona Lisa． 

The health of the famous picture, painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1505, is getting worse by the year, according to the Louvre Museum（盧浮宮博物館）where it is housed．

“The thin, wooden panel on which the Mona Lisa is painted in oil has changed shape since experts checked it two years ago,” the museum said．Visitors have noticed changes but repairing the world’s most famous painting is not easy．Experts are not sure about the materials the Italian artist used and their current chemical state（化學(xué)狀態(tài)）．

Nearly 6 million people go to see the Mona Lisa every year, many attracted by the mystery of her smile．“It is very interesting that when you’re not looking at her, she seems to be smiling, and then you look at her and she stops,” said Professor Margaret Livingstone of Harvard University．“It’s because direct vision（視覺）is excellent at picking up detail, but less suited to looking at shadows．Da Vinci painted the smile in shadows.”

However, the actual history of the Mona Lisa is just as mysterious as the smile．Da Vinci himself loved it so much that he always carried it with him, until it was eventually sold to France’s King Francis I in 1519．

In 1911, the painting was stolen from the Louvre by a former employee, who took it out of the museum hidden under his coat．He said he planned to return it to Italy．The painting was sent back to France two years later．

During World War II, French hid the painting in small towns to keep it out of the hands of German forces．

Like many old ladies, the Mona Lisa has some interesting stories to tell.

1．What does the writer mean by “time is catching up with the Mona Lisa”?

       A．The painted woman is not so beautiful any more.

       B．Ageing is something that affects us all.

       C．The painting needs repairing.

       D．At such an old age, she is no longer popular.

2．What makes the repair work difficult?

       A．The wooden panel is thin and old and has also changed shape.

       B．The health of the painting is suffering

       C．Experts can’t agree on how the painting might respond to treatment.

       D．No one knows exactly what materials were used to create the painting.

3．What makes her smile so mysterious according to Professor Livingston?

       A．The materials the Italian artist used．     B．The way Da Vinci painted the smile.

       C．The way she smiles.                            D．It plays a trick upon the human eye.

4．Which of the following is in the right order?

①The painting was stolen from the Louvre．②The painting was sent back to France.

③It was sold to France’s King Francis I      ④Da Vinci carried the painting with him.

⑤French hid the painting to keep it out of the hands of German forces.

       A．④→③→①→②→⑤                          B．④→①→③→②→⑤

       C．①→④→③→②→⑤                          D．①→③→④→②→⑤

She is widely seen as proof that good looks can last for ever. But, at nearly 500 years of age, time is catching up with the Mona Lisa.

The health of the famous picture, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1505, is getting worse by the year, according to the Louver Museum(盧浮宮) where it is housed.

“The thin, wooden panel on which the Mona Lisa is painted in oil has changed shape since experts checked it two years ago,” the museum said. Visitors have noticed changes but repairing the world’s most famous painting is not easy. Experts are not sure about the materials the Italian artist used and their current chemical state.

Nearly 6 million people go to see the Mona Lisa every year, many attracted by the mystery of her smile. “It is very interesting that when you’re not looking at her, she seems to be smiling, and then you look at her and she stops,” said Professor Margaret Livingstone of Harvard University. “It’s because direct vision(視覺) is excellent at picking up detail, but less suited to looking at shadows. Da Vinci painted the smile in shadows.”

However, the actual history of the Mona Lisa is just as mysterious as the smile. Da Vinci himself loved it so much that he always carried it with him, until it was eventually sold to France’s King Francis I in 1519.

In 1911, the painting was stolen from the Louvre by a former employee, who took it out of the museum, hidden under his coat. He said he planned to return it to Italy. The painting was sent back to France two years later. During World War II, French hid the painting in small towns to keep it out of the hands of German forces.

We can infer from the text that        .

A. the Mona Lisa is proved to be able to last another 500 years.

B. Mona Lisa’s beauty is fading gradually with 500 years passing by

C. the Mona Lisa has been catching people’s wide attention in the past 500 years

D. Mona Lisa does not look out of date though painted 500 years ago

Which of the following is true about the Mona Lisa?

A. It was once taken away and hidden up by German forces.

B. Its painter himself loved it greatly and always kept it in a shade.

C. Mona Lisa stops smiling when you look at her wanting to see her smiles

D. King Francis I bought it and then returned it to Italy.

Choose the right order about the happenings onto Mona Lisa.

a. It was stolen from the Louvre.

b. Its painter sold it to King Francis I.

c. Its state of health was checked.

d. It was returned to France and housed in the Louver Museum.

e. It was hidden and protected against Germans.

A. b-a-d-e-c            B. d-e-c-b-a          C. d-a-e-c-b          D. b-c-a-d-e

It may add to the difficulty in repairing the painting that          .

A. experts haven’t noticed changes in its shape as visitors do

B. it is likely to be stolen again when it’s under repair

C. it is uncertain which country, Italy or France, should take charge

D. experts aren’t sure about the materials and the chemical state of its oil paint

She is widely seen as proof that good looks can last for ever. But, at nearly 500 years of age, time is catching up with the Mona Lisa.

The health of the famous picture, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1505, is getting worse by the year, according to the Louver Museum(盧浮宮) where it is housed.

“The thin, wooden panel on which the Mona Lisa is painted in oil has changed shape since experts checked it two years ago,” the museum said. Visitors have noticed changes but repairing the world’s most famous painting is not easy. Experts are not sure about the materials the Italian artist used and their current chemical state.

Nearly 6 million people go to see the Mona Lisa every year, many attracted by the mystery of her smile. “It is very interesting that when you’re not looking at her, she seems to be smiling, and then you look at her and she stops,” said Professor Margaret Livingstone of Harvard University. “It’s because direct vision(視覺) is excellent at picking up details, but less suited to looking at shadows. Da Vinci painted the smile in shadows.”

However, the actual history of the Mona Lisa is just as mysterious as the smile. Da Vinci himself loved it so much that he always carried it with him, until it was eventually sold to France’s King Francis I in 1519.  

In 1911, the painting was stolen from the Louver by a former employee, who took it out of the museum, hidden under his coat. He said he planned to return it to Italy. The painting was sent back to France two years later. During World War Ⅱ, French hid the painting in small towns to keep it out of the hands of German forces.

We can infer from the text that_______

A. the Mona Lisa is proved to be able to last another 500 years

B. Mona Lisa’s beauty is fading gradually with 500 years passing by

C. the Mona Lisa has been catching people’s wide attention in the past 500 years

D. Mona Lisa does not look out of date though painted 500 years ago

Which of the following is true about the Mona Lisa?

A. It was once taken away and hidden up by German forces.

B. Its painter himself loved it greatly and always kept it in a shade.

C. Mona Lisa stops smiling when you look at her wanting to see her smiles.

D. King Francis I bought it and then returned it to Italy.

Choose the right order about the happenings onto Mona Lisa.

a. It was stolen from the Louver.

b. Its painter sold it to King Francis I

c. Its state of health was checked.

d. It was returned to France and housed in the Louver Museum.

e. It was hidden and protected against Germans.

A. b-a-d-e-c       B. d-e-c-b-a        C. d-a-e-c-b       D. b-c-a-d-e

It may add to the difficulty in repairing the painting that_____.

A. experts haven’t noticed changes in its shape as visitors do

B. it is likely to be stolen again when it’s under repair

C. it is uncertain which country, Italy of France, should take charge

D. experts aren’t sure about the materials and the chemical state of its oil paint

She is widely seen as proof that good looks can last for ever. But, at nearly 500 years of age, time is catching up with the Mona Lisa.
The health of the famous picture, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1505, is getting worse by the year, according to the Louver Museum(盧浮宮) where it is housed.
“The thin, wooden panel on which the Mona Lisa is painted in oil has changed shape since experts checked it two years ago,” the museum said. Visitors have noticed changes but repairing the world’s most famous painting is not easy. Experts are not sure about the materials the Italian artist used and their current chemical state.
Nearly 6 million people go to see the Mona Lisa every year, many attracted by the mystery of her smile. “It is very interesting that when you’re not looking at her, she seems to be smiling, and then you look at her and she stops,” said Professor Margaret Livingstone of Harvard University. “It’s because direct vision(視覺) is excellent at picking up details, but less suited to looking at shadows. Da Vinci painted the smile in shadows.”
However, the actual history of the Mona Lisa is just as mysterious as the smile. Da Vinci himself loved it so much that he always carried it with him, until it was eventually sold to France’s King Francis I in 1519.  
In 1911, the painting was stolen from the Louver by a former employee, who took it out of the museum, hidden under his coat. He said he planned to return it to Italy. The painting was sent back to France two years later. During World War Ⅱ, French hid the painting in small towns to keep it out of the hands of German forces

1. 1.

   We can infer from the text that______.

   1. A.
      the Mona Lisa is proved to be able to last another 500 years
   2. B.
      Mona Lisa’s beauty is fading gradually with 500 years passing by
   3. C.
      the Mona Lisa has been catching people’s wide attention in the past 500 years
   4. D.
      Mona Lisa does not look out of date though painted 500 years ago
2. 2.

   Which of the following is true about the Mona Lisa?

   1. A.
      It was once taken away and hidden up by German forces
   2. B.
      Its painter himself loved it greatly and always kept it in a shade
   3. C.
      Mona Lisa stops smiling when you look at her wanting to see her smiles
   4. D.
      King Francis I bought it and then returned it to Italy
3. 3.

   Choose the right order about the happenings onto Mona Lisa.
   a. It was stolen from the Louver.
   b. Its painter sold it to King Francis I
   c. Its state of health was checked.
   d. It was returned to France and housed in the Louver Museum.
   e. It was hidden and protected against Germans

   1. A.
      b-a-d-e-c
   2. B.
      d-e-c-b-a
   3. C.
      d-a-e-c-b
   4. D.
      b-c-a-d-e
4. 4.

   It may add to the difficulty in repairing the painting that______.

   1. A.
      experts haven’t noticed changes in its shape as visitors do
   2. B.
      it is likely to be stolen again when it’s under repair
   3. C.
      it is uncertain which country, Italy of France, should take charge
   4. D.
      experts aren’t sure about the materials and the chemical state of its oil paint

B

She is widely seen as proof that good looks can last for ever. But, at nearly 500 years of age, time is catching up with the Mona Lisa.

The health of the famous picture, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1505, is getting worse by the year, according to the Louver Museum(盧浮宮) where it is housed.

“The thin, wooden panel on which the Mona Lisa is painted in oil has changed shape since experts checked it two years ago,” the museum said. Visitors have noticed changes but repairing the world’s most famous painting is not easy. Experts are not sure about the materials the Italian artist used and their current chemical state.

Nearly 6 million people go to see the Mona Lisa every year, many attracted by the mystery of her smile. “It is very interesting that when you’re not looking at her, she seems to be smiling, and then you look at her and she stops,” said Professor Margaret Livingstone of Harvard University. “It’s because direct vision(視覺) is excellent at picking up details, but less suited to looking at shadows. Da Vinci painted the smile in shadows.”

However, the actual history of the Mona Lisa is just as mysterious as the smile. Da Vinci himself loved it so much that he always carried it with him, until it was eventually sold to France’s King Francis I in 1519.

In 1911, the painting was stolen from the Louver by a former employee, who took it out of the museum, hidden under his coat. He said he planned to return it to Italy. The painting was sent back to France two years later. During World War Ⅱ, French hid the painting in small towns to keep it out of the hands of German forces.

5.We can infer from the text that_______

A. the Mona Lisa is proved to be able to last another 500 years

B. Mona Lisa’s beauty is fading gradually with 500 years passing by

C. the Mona Lisa has been catching people’s wide attention in the past 500 years

D. Mona Lisa does not look out of date though painted 500 years ago

6.Which of the following is true about the Mona Lisa?

A. It was once taken away and hidden up by German forces.

B. Its painter himself loved it greatly and always kept it in a shade.

C. Mona Lisa stops smiling when you look at her wanting to see her smiles.

D. King Francis I bought it and then returned it to Italy.

7.Choose the right order about the happenings onto Mona Lisa.

a. It was stolen from the Louver.

b. Its painter sold it to King Francis I

c. Its state of health was checked.

d. It was returned to France and housed in the Louver Museum.

e. It was hidden and protected against Germans.

A. b-a-d-e-c       B. d-e-c-b-a        C. d-a-e-c-b       D. b-c-a-d-e

8.It may add to the difficulty in repairing the painting that_____.

A. experts haven’t noticed changes in its shape as visitors do

B. it is likely to be stolen again when it’s under repair

C. it is uncertain which country, Italy of France, should take charge

D. experts aren’t sure about the materials and the chemical state of its oil paint

Fading beauty

　　 She is widely seen as proof that good looks can last for ever. But, at nearly 500 years of age, time is catching up with the Mona Lisa.

　　 The health of the famous picture, painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1505, is getting worse by the year, according to the Louvre Museum(盧浮宮博物館) where it is housed.

　　 “The thin, wooden panel on which the Mona Lisa is painted in oil has changed shape since experts checked it two years ago,” the museum said. Visitors have noticed changes but repairing the world’s most famous painting is not easy. Experts are not sure about the materials the Italian artist used and their current chemical state(化學(xué)狀態(tài)).

　　 Nearly 6 million people go to see the Mona Lisa every year, many attracted by the mystery of her smile. “It is very interesting that when you’re not looking at her, she seems to be smiling, and then you look at her and she stops,” said Professor Margaret Livingstone of Harvard University. “It’s because direct vision (視覺) is excellent at picking up detail, but less suited to looking at shadows. Da Vinci painted the smile in shadows.”

　　 However, the actual history of the Mona Lisa is just as mysterious as the smile. Da Vinci himself loved it so much that he always carried it with him, until it was eventually sold to France’s King Francis I in 1519.

　　 In 1911, the painting was stolen from the Louvre by a former employee, who took it out of the museum hidden under his coat. He said he panned to return it to Italy. The painting was sent back to France two years later.

　　 During World War II, French hid the painting in small towns to keep it out of the hands of German forces.

　　 Like many old ladies, the Mona Lisa has some interesting stories to tell.

1. What does the writer mean by “time is catching up with the Mona Lisa”?

　 A. The painting woman is not so beautiful any more.

　 B. Ageing is something that affects us all.

　 C. The painting needs repairing.

　 D. At such an old age, she is no longer popular.

2. What makes the repair work difficult?

　 A. The wooden panel is thin and old.

　 B. No one knows exactly what materials were used to create the painting and how it might respond to treatment.

　 C. The health of the painting is suffering.

　 D. Experts can’t agree on how to carry out repairs.

3. What makes her so mysterious according to Professor Livingston?

　 A. The materials the Italian artist used.　 B. The way she smiles.

　 C. The way Da Vinci painted the smile.　 D. It plays a trick upon the human eyes