[1]From 1700 until 1100 BC，the area of China around the Yellow River was ruled by a family of kings called the Shang.They were rich and very powerful.The king and his family lived in large palaces，decorated（装饰） with beautiful objects.They had many servants who made them food and did all the work in the palaces，so they had an easy life.
   [2]The richest people at that time were warriors（武士）.They lived in cities with very high walls.Their houses were large and made of wood or brick.They wore beautiful gowns（长袍）made of silk.They didn't work，and spent their time hunting and horse riding.
   [3]Other people lived outside the walls，in houses made of mud （泥）.They were businessmen and crafismen（手艺人），so they worked for their living.（3）他们不贫穷，但是战争期间得不到保护。
   [4]Most of the people during that time were farmers.They lived in villages in the countryside.Their houses were small and made of mud or bamboo.Inside，there wasn't any furniture，and they slept on the mud floor.They worked in fields with ①           made of stone，grew grain such as rice，and kept animals.They were very poor.They had to obey the kings and warriors.They didn't have a very easy life.The best place for farming at that time was by the Yellow River.Here the warm，wet weather was perfect for growing rice.
   [5]During the time of the Shang，there were some important developments.Bronze（青铜）is one of them.People used it to make pots，cups，jewellery，weapons and so on.But the most important development during the time of the Shang was writing.Once people can write，they can pass on information about themselves，their lives and what they believe. （4）Although the Chinese started writing at this time，they didn't have paper yet，so people wrote on animal bones，stones，bamboo，and even on turtle （乌龟） shells!
   [6]So，life for people in ancient China was quite ②           from our lives today.

任务一：短文填词。根据上下文，请在文中空白处各填入一个恰当的单词。
（1）①

tools

tools

②

different

different

任务二：回答问题。注意词数限制。
（2）How did the kings' palaces of the Shang look like？ （No more than 10 words ）

They were large and decorated with beautiful objects.

They were large and decorated with beautiful objects.

（3）What kind of life did the farmers live that time？（No more than 8 words）

They lived a hard life.

They lived a hard life.

（4）Why was the Yellow River area the best place for farming？ （No more than 8 words）

Because the weather was perfect for growing rice.

Because the weather was perfect for growing rice.

（5）What was the most important development during the time of the Shang？ （With one word）

Writing.

Writing.

任务三：翻译句子。
（6）将第三段划线句子翻译成英语。

They were not poor，but they were not protected during wars.

They were not poor，but they were not protected during wars.

（7）将第五段划线句子翻译成汉语。

尽管中国人在那时开始书写，但是他们还没有纸，所以人们在动物骨头、石头、竹子写甚至在龟壳上字。

尽管中国人在那时开始书写，但是他们还没有纸，所以人们在动物骨头、石头、竹子写甚至在龟壳上字。