MarcoPolowasborninVenicein1254.HewasthemostfamousWesternertovisitAsiaduringtheMiddleAges.Hisfather，NicoloPolo，andhisunclewerewealthytraderswhoregularlytravelledtopartsoftheEast.TheyvisitedCathay(theoldna

Question

Marco Polo was born in Venice in 1254.He was the most  famous Westerner to visit Asia during the Middle Ages.His father，Nicolo Polo，and his uncle were wealthy traders who regularly travelled to parts of the East.They visited Cathay(the old name for China) and became friends with Kublai Khan，the great Mongol Emperor.It was only when they returned to Italy from China that Marco，who was now 15 years old，first met his father.

Marco decided to join them for their next trip.It took them more than three years to travel the 9 000 miles to Shangtu，capital of the Mongol Empire.The great Khan gave them a warm welcome and they stayed in his huge marble palace.Soon young Marco became a great favourite of the Emperor and was one of his most trusted friends.Marco quickly learned the Chinese language and customs because he travelled around and talked to many people.Before he reached the age of thirty he was made Governor of Yangchow Province.The rest of his time was spent either at the emperial court or on long tours of the outlying regions，gathering information for the Emperor.

After nearly seventeen years in the East，Marco and his father prepared to return home.The first part of their journey was by sea，then they continued by land from the Persian Gulf.When they finally arrived back in Venice their family and friends were surprised to see them again.They had been away for almost 25 years and everybody thought that they must have died a long time before.

36．Why did Marco Polo decide to travel to the East?

A．Because his father was a traveler.

B．Because he wanted to seek wealth in the East.

C．Because he loved to see more of the world.

D．Not stated in the passage.

37．How long did Marco travel back from the East to Italy?

A．3 years.                     B．8 years.

C．5 years.                     D．None of the above

38．Which of the statements inferred from the passage is NOT true?

A．Marco was born in his father's absence.

B．Marco was a learned scholar on Chinese culture.

C．When Marco finally returned home，the new century had just begun.

D．The journey back home was more difficult than the journey to China.

39．Where can you most probably find this passage?

A．In a historical  symposium(研讨会)．

B．In a historical reader.

C．In a daily newspaper.

D．In a popular magazine.

Answer 1

DCCB