高三英语阅读练习3(2)

The official origin of East-West commerce along the road is usually placed in the late 2nd century BC when an agent of the Chinese Emperor Wu-di returned from a dangerous secret mission (使命) across the desert into the remote high country of Central Asia. The agent, Zhang Qian, travelled as far as Afghanistan and brought back knowledge of even more distant lands such as Persia, Syria and a place known as Lijien, perhaps Rome. Historians have called this one of the most important journeys in ancient times. His journey opened the way for what have been thought to be the first indirect contacts between the ancient world’s two superpowers, China and Rome. Chinese silk, first traded to central Asian tribes for war horses and to the Parthians of old Persia in exchange for acrobats and ostrich eggs, was soon finding its way through a network of merchants to the luxury markets of Rome.

But the new discoveries show that Chinese silk was apparently present in the West long before the Han emperor started organized trade over the Silk Road. The research could change thinking about the early history of world trade and provide insights into the mystery of just how and when Europe and the Mediterranean lands first became aware of the glorious culture at the other end of Eurasia.

Paragraph outline Supporting details Introduction New proofs has (1) _______ the start of trade along the Silk Road. The latest discovery Zhang Qian’s mission The silk thread found in the hair of an Egyptian mummy, which may extend (2) _________ between the East and West. The accepted official (3) _______ of East-West commerce along the Silk Road. ________ (4)opened the way for the first (5) ______ contacts between the two ancient superpowers, China and Rome. made Chinese silk (6) ______ to central Asia and Persia, and afterwards (7) ______ the luxury markets of Rome. (8) _______ ? Show the (9) _______ of Chinese silk in the West long before the Han dynasty; ? Change the thought of the early history of world trade; ? Help find out the facts of the Chinese culture known (10) ___ the ancient West.