Long before planes and trains made the world connected, the ancient Silk Road was the first major bridge between the East and the West. For over two thousand years, merchants and traveling groups traveled between China and the Mediterranean region. This trade enabled people not only to exchange goods, but also to share cultures, technologies, and ideas.

The Silk Road started from Chang’an (now Xi’an) and stretched for more than 7,000 kilometers to the Mediterranean (地中海). It was pioneered by Zhang Qian, an envoy (使者) of the Han Dynasty, who helped establish ties with Central and Western regions. Chinese silk was highly valued in the West, attracting many merchants to engage in trade. Most traders did not travel the entire route, but rather bought and sold goods such as silk, carpets, and pottery at different trading centers. 

A wide variety of goods were transported along the Silk Road. China exported silk, jade, and tea; India supplied cotton and spices; regions in West Asia and the Mediterranean provided ivory, perfumes, olive oil, and wine. This vibrant exchange involved numerous people. Major cities along the route, including Chang’an, Dunhuang, Kashgar, as well as international cities such as Samarkand and Constantinople, grew prosperous (繁荣的) and culturally vibrant as a result.

Today, the Silk Road is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a famous historical travel route. In China, it passes through the northwestern region, covering about 4,000 kilometers. Visitors can experience diverse landscapes such as deserts, grasslands, rivers, and mountains. They can also explore cultural sites including the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, Qinghai Lake, and Heaven Lake in Urumqi. It’s a wonderful journey to learn about history and culture! 

1.1. What role does the ancient Silk Road play?

A An old path for farmers.

B A trade and culture link.

C A natural barrier.

D A religious route.

解析：选B。B 推理判断题。根据第一段“the first major bridge between the East and the West”和“exchange goods, but also to share cultures, technologies, and ideas”这些信息，可以推断出丝绸之路是东西方之间贸易与文化的纽带。故选B。

2.2. What can’t we know from the second paragraph?

A The length of Silk Road.

B The goods traded.

C The names of trading centers.

D The pioneer of Silk Road.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。第二段提到了丝绸之路的长度，丝绸之路的开创者张骞以及沿线贸易的商品，但并未提及沿线的贸易中心名称。故选C。

3.3. Which of the following goods is from the West?

A Silk.

B Tea.

C Ivory.

D Cotton.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。第三段提到西亚和地中海地区出口“象牙、香水、橄榄油和葡萄酒”，这些属于西方商品。丝绸和茶叶都是从中国（东方）出口的，棉花有印度供应，并非西方地区。故选C。

4.4. What might the trading centers do?

A Reduce city size.

B Limit trade routes.

C Increase taxes on goods.

D Promote local prosperity.

解析：选D。D 推理判断题。第三段提到沿线主要城市因贸易而变得“繁荣且文化活跃”，因此贸易中心的交易促进了当地的繁荣。故选D。

5.5. What’s the best title for the passage?

A Zhang Qian’s Long Journey.

B The Silk Road: Past and Present.

C Western Goods on Sale.

D Desert Landscapes in China.

解析：选B。B 主旨大意题。全文从历史、贸易、文化和现代旅游多个角度介绍了丝绸之路。故选B。