A
In about 1450，European scholars became more interested in studying the world around them.Their art became truer to life.They began to explore new lands.The new age in Europe was eventually called “the Renaissance”．Renaissance is a French word that means “rebirth”．Historians consider the Renaissance to be the beginning of modern history.
The Renaissance began in northern Italy and then spread through Europe.Italian cities such as Naples，Genoa，and Venice became centres of trade between Europe and the Middle East.Arab scholars preserved the writings of the ancient Greeks in their libraries.When the Italian cities traded with the Arabs，ideas were exchanged along with goods.These ideas，preserved from the ancient past，served as the basis of the Renaissance.When the Byzantine Empire fell to Muslim Turks in 1453，many Christian scholars left Greece for Italy.
The Renaissance was much more than simply studying the works of ancient scholars.It influenced painting，sculpture and architecture.Paintings became more realistic and focused less often on religious topics.Rich families became patrons and commissioned great art.Artists advanced Renaissance style of showing nature and depicting the feelings of people.In Britain，there was a flowering in literature and drama that included the plays of William Shakespeare.
【语篇解读】 文章介绍了文艺复兴时期的相关情况。
1．The underlined part in the first paragraph refers to ________．
A．from about 1450 to 1453
B．before about 1450
C．from about 1450 to now
D．from the 15th century to the 16th century
D [推理判断题。这个“新时期”指的就是文艺复兴时期，由文中第一句可知，文艺复兴大约于1450年开始，故B项不对；其结束时间文中并未明确提到，但由历史知识可知，它既不是止于1453年，更不是延续至今，而是大约在16世纪，故应选D项。]
2．Which of the following is TRUE according to the second paragraph?
A．The Renaissance began in Asia.
B．The Renaissance is one of the biggest cities in Italy.
C．The Renaissance began in Italy and was developed in Britain.
D．The Renaissance started in the northern part of Italy and then appeared in Europe.
D [推理判断题。由文中第二段首句“The Renaissance began in northern Italy and then spread through Europe.”可知，文艺复兴开始于意大利北部，然后扩散到整个欧洲。]
3．Why did many Christian scholars in Greece go to Italy?
A．Because Italy was the centre of trade.
B．Because the Byzantine Empire fell to Muslim Turks in 1453.
C．Because Italy was between Europe and the Middle East.
D．Because they wanted to trade with the Italians.
B [细节理解题。由文中第二段最后一句“When the Byzantine Empire fell to Muslim Turks in 1453，many Christian scholars left Greece for Italy.”可知，当1453年拜占庭帝国落入穆斯林土耳其人手中时，很多天主教学者离开希腊来到意大利。]
