28 - ] Comprehension
Upper Intermediate & Advanced
Read
the following newspaper article , then answer the questions below :
Tens of thousands of ancient
pictures carved into the rocks at one of Franc’s most important tourist sites
are being gradually destroyed . Scientists and researchers fear that the 36,000
drawings on rocks in Mont Bego in the French Alps are being damaged so rapidly
that they will not survive for future generations .
The mountain , believed to have
once been a site for prayer and worship , is scattered with 4,000-year-old
drawings cut into bare rock . They include pictures of cows with horns ,
cultivated fields and various gods and goddesses . But as the popularity of the
site increases , the pictures are being ruined by thoughtless graffiti .
Jean Clottes is the chairman of
the international Committee on Rock Art . He says , ‘People think that because
the pictures have been there so long they will always continue to be there .
But if the damage continues at this rate there will be nothing left in 50 years
.’
He describes seeing tourists
stamping on the drawings , wearing away the rock and definition of the artwork
as they do so . Some visitors , he says , even chop off parts to take some home
as souvenirs .
‘When people think they can’t
take a good enough photograph , they rub the drawings to get a clearer picture
.’ he said . ‘The drawings are polished by the weather , and if the sun is
shining and the visitors can’t see them properly they simply rub and scrape
them to make them look fresher .’
Other researchers describe how
people arrive carrying long sticks with sharp ends to scratch their own
drawings , or even their names , in the rocks .
But experts are divided over the
best way to preserve the drawings . Henry de Lumley , director of the Museum of
Natural History in Paris , believes that the only way to save the site is to
turn the whole mountain into a ‘no-go’ area , preventing the public from going
there except on guided tours . Otherwise , he says , not only will the site be
completely destroyed but important research work will be reduced .
Clottes disagrees . ‘The measure
proposed by Henry de Lumley is the most severe , and while it is the most
effective, it is also certain to bring about protests from people who live
there .’ he said . ‘The site was classified as a historic monument years ago by
the Ministry of Culture , and we must do as much as possible to save what is
there .’
David Lavergne , the regional
architect , also wants to avoid closing the site . ‘Henry de Lumley’s idea
isn’t ideal ,’ he said . ‘Our department feels that the best solution is to let
people look at the site , but because the area is very big it is difficult to
prevent visitors from damaging it . I would prefer that everyone was able to
look at it , but the main problem is financial . We do not have the funds to
employ the necessary number of guards . We may have to consider charging a fee
. There seems to be no prospect of government funding .’
In Nice , Annie Echassoux ,
who also worked on researching the site , is alarmed that as the mountain
becomes easier to reach - tourists can now avoid the three-and-a-half-hour walk
by hiring vehicles - the damage will increase rapidly . She thinks that the
only solution is to rope off the area and provide guides . ‘You can’t say the
plan can’t go ahead because there is no money .’ she said . ‘That is not good
enough . Money must be provided because the Ministry of Culture has classified
this area as a historic site . If we don’t take steps , we will be responsible
for losing the drawings for the next generation .’
1
. What does the underlined word “they” refer to “
(
A ) the rocks
(
B ) the French Alps
(
C ) the drawings
(
D ) the tourist sites
2
. Jean Clottes says that people who visit the mountain
(
A ) do not believe the drawings are old .
(
B ) believe they are allowed to paint there .
(
C ) think the drawings should be left alone .
(
D ) assume the drawings will not change .
3
. According to Clottes , some of the visitors to the area have
(
A ) helped to clean the drawings .
(
B ) taken bits of the rock home .
(
C ) been unable to take photographs .
(
D ) misunderstood what the pictures mean .
4
. Henry de Lumley is keen to
(
A ) set up research projects .
(
B ) safeguard public rights .
(
C ) keep out individual visitors .
(
D ) ban traffic in the area .
5
. Clottes disagrees with Henry de Lumley’s suggestion because he thinks
(
A ) it won’t work .
(
B ) visitors will protest about it .
(
C ) he has a better idea .
(
D ) it will annoy local people .
6
. David Lavergne would prefer to
(
A ) limit the number of visitors to the site .
(
B ) arrange security to protect the site .
(
C ) reduce the overall area of the site .
(
D ) use tourist fees to finance repairs on the site .
7
. Which word best describes Annie Echassoux’s attitude ?
(
A ) determined
(
B ) despairing
(
C ) unforgiving
(
D ) understanding
8
. This article has been written about Mont Bego to
(
A ) advertise the closure of the site .
(
B ) warn visitors about the dangers of the site .
(
C ) encourage scientists to visit the site .
(
D ) describe fears about the future of the site .
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