Ancient people made clay pottery because they needed it for their survival. They

Ancient people made clay pottery because theyneeded it for their survival. They used the pots they made for cooking, storingfood, and carrying things from place to place. Pottery was so important toearly cultures that scientists now study it to learn more about ancientcivilizations. The more advanced the pottery in terms of decoration, materials,glazes, and manufacture, the more advanced the culture itself.

The artisan who makes pottery in NorthAmerica today utilizes his or her skill and imagination to create items thatare beautiful as well as functional, transforming something ordinary intosomething special and unique.

The potter uses one of the Earth’s most basicmaterials, clay. Clay can be found almost anywhere. Good pottery clay must befree from all small stones and other hard materials that would make the pottingprocess difficult. Most North American artisan potters now purchasecommercially processed clay, but some find the clay they need right in theearth, close to where they work.

The most important tools potters use aretheir own hands; however, they also use wire loop tools, wooden modeling tools,plain wire, and sponges. Plain wire is used to cut away the finished pot fromits vase on the potter’s wheel.

After a finished pot is dried of all itsmoisture in the open air, it placed in a kiln and fired. The first firinghardens the pottery, and it is then ready to be glazed and fired again.

For areas where they do not want any glaze,such as the bottom of the pot, artisans paint on melted wax that will laterburn off in the kiln. They then pour on the liquid glaze and let it run overthe clay surface, making any kind of decorative pattern that they want.

1. What does the passage mainly discuss?

A. Different kinds of clay.

B. The training of an artisan.

C. The making of pottery.

D. Crafts of ancient civilizations.

2. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as a way thatancient people used pottery?

A. To hold food.   B. Towash clothes.

C. To cook.  D. To transport objects.

3. According to the passage, how do most North American potters todayget the clay they need?

A. They buy it.

B. They make it.

C. They dig it from the earth.

D. They barter for it.

4. According to the author, what do potters use to remove the pot fromthe wheel?

A. Melted wax. B. A wire loop.

C. A sponge.   D.Plain wire.

5. The word“pattern”in the last sentence is closest in meaning to whichof the following?

A. Model.   B.Color.

C. Puzzle.   D.Design.

试题答案

答案：1C2B3A4D5D