Marco Polo was born in Venice in 1254. He was the most famous westerner to visit Asia during the middle Ages. He wrote a book about his travels. In his book he wrote all the things he saw and heard. Many people read the book but few believed what Marco Polo said. He spoke of strange people and places that nobody knew about at that time.
　　As a young man, Marco Polo decided to travel together with his father. It took them more than three years to travel to China. He became the Chinese emperor’s friend. He learned the Chinese language when he traveled around and talked to many people. Before he reached the age of thirty he was made a Chinese official.
　　After nearly seventeen years in the east, Marco and his father prepared to return home. When they finally arrived in Venice, their family and friends were surprised to see them again. They had been away for almost 25years.

　　1. What made Marco Polo famous during the middle Ages?
　　A. His travel to America. B. His travel in the west.　C. His travel in Asia. D. His visit to Venice.

　　2. What did Marco Polo write about in his book?
　　A. How he traveled to China with his father.　B. Something too difficult for people to understand.
　　C. Some strange people and places　D. Something that had been known to people for many years.

　　3. Marco Polo worked as a Chinese official in ________.
　　A. 1254 B. 1284 C. 1271 D. 1279

　　4. Which of the following is the right order during Marco’s travel?
　　a. traveled with his father b. was made a Chinese official
　　c. wrote a book about his travel d. became Chinese emperor’s friend
　　e. returned to Venice
　　A. c-a-d-b-e B. c-a-b-d-e C. a-b-d-e-c D. a-d-b-e-c

　　【答案与解析】
　　本文是关于马可·波罗的小故事。中世纪，马可·波罗跟随父亲来到中国。他在中国生活了十多年，为中西文化交流做出了很大贡献。
　　1.C 文首的这句"Marco Polo was born in Venice in 1254. He was the most famous westerner to visit Asia during the Middle Ages."即是答案的出处。
　　2.C 本题属表层理解题。答案就在短文开头一段的最后一句话中。
　　3.B 根据"Before he reached the age of thirty he was made a Chinese official."这句话及文首的1254年即可推算出他被任命为中国古代官员时的年代。
　　4.A 本文的时间线索非常清晰。首先根据最末一段的"When they finally arrived in Venice,…"可排除C和D，然后由第二段所述的情况即可轻易将干扰项B筛选掉。