英语六级阅读理解仿真练习.docVIP

英语六级阅读理解仿真练习(一)

AsmanyasonethousandyearsagointheSouthwest,theHopiandZuniIndiansofNorthAmericawerebuildingwithadobe-sunbakedbrickplasteredwithmud.Theirhomeslookedremarkablylikemodernapartmenthouses.Somewerefourstorieshighandcontainedquartersforperhapsathousandpeople,alongwithstoreroomsforgrainandothergoods.Thesebuildingswereusuallyputupagainstcliffs,bothtomakeconstructioneasierandfordefenseagainstenemies.Theywerereallyvillagesinthemselves,aslaterSpanishexplorersmusthaverealizedsincetheycalledthempueblos,whichisSpanishfortown.

Thepeopleofthepueblosraisedwhatarecalledthethreesisters-corn,beans,andsquash.Theymadeexcellentpotteryandwovemarvelousbaskets,somesofinethattheycouldholdwater.TheSouthwesthasalwaysbeenadrycountry,wherewaterisscarce.TheHopiandZunibroughtwaterfromstreamstotheirfieldsandgardensthroughirrigationditches.Waterwassoimportantthatitplayedamajorroleintheirreligion.Theydevelopedelaborateceremoniesandreligiousritualstobringrain.

Thewayoflifeoflesssettledgroupswassimplerandmorestronglyinfluencedbynature.SmalltribessuchastheShoshoneandUtewanderedthedryandmountainouslandsbetweentheRockyMountainsandthePacificOcean.Theygatheredseedsandhuntedsmallanimalssuchassmallrabbitsandsnakes.IntheFarNorththeancestorsoftoday’sInuithuntedseals,walruses,andthegreatwhales.Theylivedrightonthefrozenseasinshelterscalledigloosbuiltofblocksofpackedsnow.Whensummercame,theyfishedforsalmonandhuntedthelordlycaribou.

TheCheyenne,Pawnee,andSiouxtribes,knownasthePlainsIndians,livedonthegrasslandsbetweentheRockyMountainsandtheMississippiRiver.Theyhuntedbison,commonlycalledthebuffalo.Itsmeatwasthechieffoodofthesetribes,anditshidewasusedtomaketheirclothingandcoveringof