A
In the mid1990s, Tom Bissell taught English as a volunteer in Uzbekistan.He left after seven months, physically broken and having lost his mind.A few years later, still attracted to the country, he returned to Uzbekistan to write an article about the disappearance of the Aral Sea.
His visit, however, ended up involving a lot more than that.Hence this book, Chasing the Sea：Lost Among the Ghosts of Empire in Central Asia, which talks about a road trip from Tashkent to Karakalpakstan, where millions of lives have been destroyed by the slow drying up of the sea.It is the story of an American travelling to a strange land, and of the people he meets on his way: Rustam, his translator, a lovely 24yearold who picked up his colorful English in California, Oleg and Natasha, his hosts in Tashkent, and a string of foreign aid workers.
This is a quick look at life in Uzbekistan, made of friendliness and warmth, but also its darker side of society.In Samarkand, Mr Bissell admires the architectural wonders, while on his way to Bukhara he gets a taste of police methods when suspected of drug dealing.In Ferghana, he attends a mountain funeral(葬礼) followed by a strange drinking party.And in Karakalpakstan, he is saddened by the dust storms, diseases and fishing boats stuck miles from the sea.
Mr Bissell skillfully organizes historical insights and cultural references, making his tale a wellrounded picture of Uzbekistan, seen from Western eyes.His judgment and references are decidedly American, as well as his delicate stomach.As the author explains, this is neither a travel nor a history book, or even a piece of reportage.Whatever it is, the result is a fine and vivid description of the purest of Central Asian traditions.
语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。曾在乌兹别克斯坦当过志愿者的Tom Bissell出于对这个国家的兴趣几年后再次回到这里，并写了一本书叙述其在该国旅行中的见闻。本文对这本书进行了简要介绍。
1．What made Mr Bissell return to Uzbekistan?
A．His friends' invitation.
B．His interest in the country.
C．His love for teaching.
D．His desire to regain health.
解析：选B 细节理解题。根据第一段第三句中的．.. still attracted to the country, he returned to Uzbekistan ...可知，出于对乌兹别克斯坦这个国家的兴趣，他回到了这里，故B项符合题意。
2．What does the underlined word “that” in paragraph 2 refer to?
A．Developing a serious mental disease.
B．Taking a guided tour in Central Asia.
C．Working as a volunteer in Uzbekistan.
D．Writing an article about the Aral Sea.
解析：选D 代词指代题。根据第一段第三句中的．.. still attracted to the country, he returned to Uzbekistan to write an article about the disappearance of the Aral Sea.可知，Mr Bissell回到乌兹别克斯坦的目的是写一篇关于咸海是如何消失的文章。画线词that指代上文中提到的“写文章”这件事。
3. Which of the following best describes Mr Bissell's road trip in Uzbekistan?
A．Romantic. B．Eventful.
C．Pleasant. D．Dangerous.
解析：选B 推理判断题。根据文章第三段尤其是第一句中的．.. made of friendliness and warmth, but also its darker side of society.可知，Mr Bissell在乌兹别克斯坦的旅行充满了变故。eventful意为“充满大事的，多变故的”，符合文意。A项在文中没有体现，C项与D项表述片面，故选B。
4．What is the purpose of this text?
A．To introduce a book.
B．To explain a cultural phenomenon.
C．To remember a writer.
D．To recommend a travel destination.
解析：选A 写作意图题。文章开头引出Mr Bissell写书的背景，从第二段到最后一段分别介绍了这本书的概要、主要内容和对这本书的评价，即全文围绕着这本书展开，目的就是向读者推荐这本书，所以选A项。
