The ancient Minoan civilization,based on Crete but with settlements on Thera and other neighboring islands,is renowned for its elaborate palaces.Archaeological evidence from Crete suggests that the Minoan palaces were first built around 1900 B.C.and continued to function until the end of the Old Palace period,between 1700 and 1650 B.C.After a hiatus,the palaces were rebuilt and continued to be used during the New Palace period until around 1450 B.C.Also near the middle of the second millennium B.c..a volcano on Thera exploded violently,an event often pointed to-and suggested by hints in Greek myth-as the cause of the end of Minoan palatial culture.According to the theory of volcanic destruction,an eruption around 1450 B.c.would fit the archaeological evidence from Crete neatly.The theory is that the island was hit by a series of volcano- induced natural disasters-from a tidal wave demolishing coastal sites and fleets,to an ash cloud disrupting agriculture and leading to widespread famine-that caused the collapse of Minoan culture, leaving Crete vulnerable to attack by invaders from the Greek mainland,who ultimately seized control.
The attraction of the volcanic explanation has always been that it is grand and all-encompassing,combining evidence from hard science with myth.Unfortunately,it is wrong.There are several major problems with attributing the end of Minoan civilization to a volcanic eruption:in the first place,a distinctive form of Minoan pottery,the so-called Marine Style,is not found on Thera,although earlier Minoan pottery styles are found there.Marine Style pottery is distinctive,with elaborate and fluid marine motifs covering the entire vessel.The fact that none of these vessels is to be found on Thera suggests that Marine Style pottery originated after the eruption.This form of pottery,however,is found at Knossos and other Minoan sites,suggesting that they continued to flourish after Thera had been devastated.In fact,careful study of the maritime networks-which supported seaborne trade in the eastern Mediterranean-before and after the Theran eruption shows that there was a pronounced shift in the pattern of trade,but that it was not terminated by the eruption.
A second chronological difficulty for the volcanic explanation arises with the deposition of the ash layer associated with the eruption.On the north coast of Crete,excavations by the Institute for Aegean Prehistory have identified this ash layer.It covers layers containing pottery from the earliest periods of Minoan settlement,but above the ash there are more recent buildings,evidence of continuing civilization after the natural disaster occurred.Most recently,tree ring data (data showing variations in tree growth)in North America and Europe have been used to fix the date of the eruption with greater precision.The tree rings suggest a date of about 1628 B.C.,too early to explain the collapse of palaces around 1450 B.C.Other studies have resulted in similar dates.Researchers examining Arctic ice cores have suggested a date around 1645 B.C.; radiocarbon dating of samples from Thera is consistent with a date between 1660 and 1613 B.C.,while in A.D.2006 a Danish team studying an olive tree buried in the eruption found a date between 1627 B.C.and 1600 B.C.This remains a problem for experts to resolve.For our purposes,a date approximately one generation before 1600 seems most likely,and this rules out the eruption as the cause of the end of the Minoan palaces in about 1450 B.C.
It is noticeable,however,that the early date for the eruption does correspond to the end of the Old Palace period around 1650 B.C.,and here we may be on firmer ground.The Theran eruption was enormous and the effects certainly catastrophic.Both major sectors of the Minoan economy-the production and storage of basic goods, and participation within a broader Mediterranean trade network- would have suffered major disruptions as a result.But this was not the end of Minoan culture:the Cretan elite reasserted order,and their society recovered and even surpassed its earlier glory.Recovery was possible in part because other parts of the eastern Mediterranean were not so drastically affected.Other powerful actors in that region,such as Egypt,may have helped Crete to recover.
1
The ancient Minoan civilization,based on Crete but with settlements on Thera and other neighboring islands,is renowned for its elaborate palaces.Archaeological evidence from Crete suggests that the Minoan palaces were first built around 1900 B.C.and continued to function until the end of the Old Palace period,between 1700 and 1650 B.C.After a hiatus,the palaces were rebuilt and continued to be used during the New Palace period until around 1450 B.C.Also near the middle of the second millennium B.c..a volcano on Thera exploded violently,an event often pointed to-and suggested by hints in Greek myth-as the cause of the end of Minoan palatial culture.According to the theory of volcanic destruction,an eruption around 1450 B.c.would fit the archaeological evidence from Crete neatly.The theory is that the island was hit by a series of volcano- induced natural disasters-from a tidal wave demolishing coastal sites and fleets,to an ash cloud disrupting agriculture and leading to widespread famine-that caused the collapse of Minoan culture, leaving Crete vulnerable to attack by invaders from the Greek mainland,who ultimately seized control.
According to paragraph 1,the theory of volcanic destruction holds that all of the following statements are true EXCEPT:
AA volcano erupted on Thera between 1900 and 1700 B.C.
BStories from Greek mythology support the idea that an eruption occurred.
CAgriculture on Crete was significantly affected by the volcanic eruption.
DThe volcanic eruption led to the conquest of Crete by invaders from the mainland.
2
The attraction of the volcanic explanation has always been that it is grand and all-encompassing,combining evidence from hard science with myth.Unfortunately,it is wrong.There are several major problems with attributing the end of Minoan civilization to a volcanic eruption:in the first place,a distinctive form of Minoan pottery,the so-called Marine Style,is not found on Thera,although earlier Minoan pottery styles are found there.Marine Style pottery is distinctive,with elaborate and fluid marine motifs covering the entire vessel.The fact that none of these vessels is to be found on Thera suggests that Marine Style pottery originated after the eruption.This form of pottery,however,is found at Knossos and other Minoan sites,suggesting that they continued to flourish after Thera had been devastated.In fact,careful study of the maritime networks-which supported seaborne trade in the eastern Mediterranean-before and after the Theran eruption shows that there was a pronounced shift in the pattern of trade,but that it was not terminated by the eruption.
Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage?Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
AMaritime trade in the eastern Mediterranean changed after the Theran eruption,but it did not end completely.
BCareful study of the maritime networks shows that trade in the eastern Mediterranean not only continued but increased after the eruption.
CA careful study has been made of the networks of seaborne trade in the eastern Mediterranean before and after the eruption.
DEven before the Theran eruption,there were pronounced shifts in the pattern of trade,and those shifts continued after the eruption.
3
The attraction of the volcanic explanation has always been that it is grand and all-encompassing,combining evidence from hard science with myth.Unfortunately,it is wrong.There are several major problems with attributing the end of Minoan civilization to a volcanic eruption:in the first place,a distinctive form of Minoan pottery,the so-called Marine Style,is not found on Thera,although earlier Minoan pottery styles are found there.Marine Style pottery is distinctive,with elaborate and fluid marine motifs covering the entire vessel.The fact that none of these vessels is to be found on Thera suggests that Marine Style pottery originated after the eruption.This form of pottery,however,is found at Knossos and other Minoan sites,suggesting that they continued to flourish after Thera had been devastated.In fact,careful study of the maritime networks-which supported seaborne trade in the eastern Mediterranean-before and after the Theran eruption shows that there was a pronounced shift in the pattern of trade,but that it was not terminated by the eruption.
According to paragraph 2,what does the absence of Marine Style pottery on Thera suggest about the Minoan settlement there?
AIt invented many of the earlier pottery styles that are found on Knossos and other Minoan sites.
BIt relied on trading partners that were outside of the maritime networks of the eastern Mediterranean.
CIt was permanently ended by the volcanic eruption.
DIt preferred styles of pottery that did not include marine motifs.
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A second chronological difficulty for the volcanic explanation arises with the deposition of the ash layer associated with the eruption.On the north coast of Crete,excavations by the Institute for Aegean Prehistory have identified this ash layer.It covers layers containing pottery from the earliest periods of Minoan settlement,but above the ash there are more recent buildings,evidence of continuing civilization after the natural disaster occurred.Most recently,tree ring data (data showing variations in tree growth)in North America and Europe have been used to fix the date of the eruption with greater precision.The tree rings suggest a date of about 1628 B.C.,too early to explain the collapse of palaces around 1450 B.C.Other studies have resulted in similar dates.Researchers examining Arctic ice cores have suggested a date around 1645 B.C.; radiocarbon dating of samples from Thera is consistent with a date between 1660 and 1613 B.C.,while in A.D.2006 a Danish team studying an olive tree buried in the eruption found a date between 1627 B.C.and 1600 B.C.This remains a problem for experts to resolve.For our purposes,a date approximately one generation before 1600 seems most likely,and this rules out the eruption as the cause of the end of the Minoan palaces in about 1450 B.C.
The word“This”in the passage refers to
Afiguring out what caused the end of the Minoan palaces
Bdetermining the exact date of the volcanic eruption on Thera
Cdeciding whether the olive tree found by the Danish team was destroyed in 1627 or 1600 B.c.
Dlocating the remains of the Minoan palaces under the ash layer on Crete
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A second chronological difficulty for the volcanic explanation arises with the deposition of the ash layer associated with the eruption.On the north coast of Crete,excavations by the Institute for Aegean Prehistory have identified this ash layer.It covers layers containing pottery from the earliest periods of Minoan settlement,but above the ash there are more recent buildings,evidence of continuing civilization after the natural disaster occurred.Most recently,tree ring data (data showing variations in tree growth)in North America and Europe have been used to fix the date of the eruption with greater precision.The tree rings suggest a date of about 1628 B.C.,too early to explain the collapse of palaces around 1450 B.C.Other studies have resulted in similar dates.Researchers examining Arctic ice cores have suggested a date around 1645 B.C.; radiocarbon dating of samples from Thera is consistent with a date between 1660 and 1613 B.C.,while in A.D.2006 a Danish team studying an olive tree buried in the eruption found a date between 1627 B.C.and 1600 B.C.This remains a problem for experts to resolve.For our purposes,a date approximately one generation before 1600 seems most likely,and this rules out the eruption as the cause of the end of the Minoan palaces in about 1450 B.C.
According to paragraph 3,what did the Institute for Aegean Prehistory discover when they identified the ash layer from the eruption?
AThe ash was located below Minoan buildings,which meant that the Minoan civilization continued after the eruption.
BThe ash was thickest on the north coast of Crete,indicating that this area was hit hardest by the disaster.
CThe ash layer contained pieces of pottery that predate the earliest Minoan settlements on Crete.
DThe chronology indicated by the ash layer contradicts the dates indicated by the tree ring data from North America and Europe.
6
A second chronological difficulty for the volcanic explanation arises with the deposition of the ash layer associated with the eruption.On the north coast of Crete,excavations by the Institute for Aegean Prehistory have identified this ash layer.It covers layers containing pottery from the earliest periods of Minoan settlement,but above the ash there are more recent buildings,evidence of continuing civilization after the natural disaster occurred.Most recently,tree ring data (data showing variations in tree growth)in North America and Europe have been used to fix the date of the eruption with greater precision.The tree rings suggest a date of about 1628 B.C.,too early to explain the collapse of palaces around 1450 B.C.Other studies have resulted in similar dates.Researchers examining Arctic ice cores have suggested a date around 1645 B.C.; radiocarbon dating of samples from Thera is consistent with a date between 1660 and 1613 B.C.,while in A.D.2006 a Danish team studying an olive tree buried in the eruption found a date between 1627 B.C.and 1600 B.C.This remains a problem for experts to resolve.For our purposes,a date approximately one generation before 1600 seems most likely,and this rules out the eruption as the cause of the end of the Minoan palaces in about 1450 B.C.
In paragraph 3,why does the author provide information about the examination of Arctic ice cores,the radiocarbon dating of samples, and the study of an olive tree?
ATo challenge the findings presented by the Institute for Aegean Prehistory regarding the deposition of the ash layer on Crete
BTo argue that certain methods of dating are more accurate than the method of analyzing tree ring data
CTo provide additional evidence for the claim that the eruption on Thera occurred too early to be the cause of the end of the Minoan palaces
DTo demonstrate that the eruption on Thera had long-lasting consequences around the world
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It is noticeable,however,that the early date for the eruption does correspond to the end of the Old Palace period around 1650 B.C.,and here we may be on firmer ground.The Theran eruption was enormous and the effects certainly catastrophic.Both major sectors of the Minoan economy-the production and storage of basic goods, and participation within a broader Mediterranean trade network- would have suffered major disruptions as a result.But this was not the end of Minoan culture:the Cretan elite reasserted order,and their society recovered and even surpassed its earlier glory.Recovery was possible in part because other parts of the eastern Mediterranean were not so drastically affected.Other powerful actors in that region,such as Egypt,may have helped Crete to recover.
The word“surpassed”in the passage is closest in meaning to
Arestored
Bmatched
Cenjoyed
Dexceeded
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It is noticeable,however,that the early date for the eruption does correspond to the end of the Old Palace period around 1650 B.C.,and here we may be on firmer ground.The Theran eruption was enormous and the effects certainly catastrophic.Both major sectors of the Minoan economy-the production and storage of basic goods, and participation within a broader Mediterranean trade network- would have suffered major disruptions as a result.But this was not the end of Minoan culture:the Cretan elite reasserted order,and their society recovered and even surpassed its earlier glory.Recovery was possible in part because other parts of the eastern Mediterranean were not so drastically affected.Other powerful actors in that region,such as Egypt,may have helped Crete to recover.
According to paragraph 4,which of the following may have helped Minoan culture recover?
AThe Minoans’ undisturbed participation in major trade networks
BThe Minoans’ carefully protected supply of basic goods
CThe overthrow of the Cretan elite by new leaders
DThe support of other Mediterranean societies that were less harmed by the eruption
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It is noticeable,however,that the early date for the eruption does correspond to the end of the Old Palace period around 1650 B.C.,and here we may be on firmer ground.The Theran eruption was enormous and the effects certainly catastrophic.Both major sectors of the Minoan economy-the production and storage of basic goods, and participation within a broader Mediterranean trade network- would have suffered major disruptions as a result. ■But this was not the end of Minoan culture:the Cretan elite reasserted order,and their society recovered and even surpassed its earlier glory. ■ Recovery was possible in part because other parts of the eastern Mediterranean were not so drastically affected. ■ Other powerful actors in that region,such as Egypt,may have helped Crete to recover.■
Look at the four squaresthat indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage
Several factors likely contributed to the survival of Minoan culture.
Where would the sentence best fit？Click on a square sentence to the passage.
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The ancient Minoan civilization,based on the island of Crete,built the elaborate palaces for which it is known between about 1900 B.c.and 1450B.C.
AOne theory holds that a volcanic eruption that occurred on the island of Thera caused the sudden end of the Minoan culture on Crete around 1450B.C.
BThe recent discovery of a distinctive style of pottery at Knossos and other Minoan sites has been offered as evidence for the timing of a major volcanic eruption around 1450 B.C.
CDuring the hiatus between the Old Palace period and the New Palace period,the Minoans were briefly conquered by former allies from their trading network.
DBased on archaeological evidence from Crete,many archaeologists are unconvinced that a volcanic eruption had any significant impact on Crete during the second millennium B.C.
EStudies of the ash layer on Crete,as well as other innovative research studies,have established that the Theran eruption probably occurred during the 1600s B.C.
FDespite the catastrophic effects of the volcano on the culture and economy of Crete,the Minoans recovered and went on to even greater achievements in the New Palace period.
