A
Xi'an, China
Xi'an is no doubt one of the most popular tourist attractions in China. Every year, millions of travellers visit the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, which is one of the most amazing historic sites in the world.
As one of China's great former capitals, Xi'an grew to be the largest city in the world during the Tang Dynasty. Chang'an, as it was known at the time, was the starting point of the Silk Road, which connected China to the world. Historic sites from that time include the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the remains of the Daming Palace, which was the centre of the Tang court(朝廷).
Today, Xi'an is a modern city, at the heart of China's Belt and Road Initiative (倡议), but its long history can be seen everywhere: it is one of the few cities in the world that still have city walls.
Florence, Italy
Florence, one of the famous historic cities in Italy, is the birthplace of many amazing ideas and discoveries.
Florence's history is alive with the memory of a time when art, culture and science were being reborn. In the late 13th century, the Renaissance(文艺复兴) began here before spreading to the rest of Europe. At that time, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo were some of the people living, working and studying in Florence.
Florence is filled with art, science and history museums and ancient buildings, as well as historic universities. You can visit many of these places to experience and admire the amazing works and discoveries that happened during the Renaissance period.
In Florence today you can experience the old and the new. Historic sites are neighbours with fancy restaurants and high-end shops. While you are trying the delicious local food, you can decide which interesting places to visit next.
() 1. According to the passage, what can we know about the two cities?
A. Xi'an was the largest city in the world during the Song Dynasty.
B. Xi'an was the heart of the Silk Road, which connected China to the world.
C. You can visit the historic sites and try local food for free in Florence.
D. Many famous people once studied, worked and lived in Florence.
() 2. Which of the following do the two texts both mention?
① must-see places
② the past and the present
③ excellent education
④ the value of the city
A. ①②③ B. ①②④ C. ①③④ D. ②③④
() 3. What does the writer write this passage for?
A. To give advice on how to visit the two cities.
B. To introduce famous people in the two cities.
C. To explain why the two cities are so popular.
D. To encourage people to find the differences between the two cities.

【解析】：
这是一道英语阅读理解题，主要考查学生对于文章细节的理解和把握。题目给出了两篇关于中国西安和意大利佛罗伦萨的短文，然后提出了三个问题，每个问题有四个选项。
对于第一个问题，需要仔细对比选项和原文内容，找出符合原文描述的选项。
第二个问题，需要对比两篇短文的内容，看它们共同提到了哪些点。
第三个问题，需要理解作者写这篇文章的目的，从文章的整体内容来推断。
【答案】：
1. D
根据文章，A选项错误，因为西安是在唐朝，而非宋朝，成为世界上最大的城市；B选项错误，因为西安是丝绸之路的起点，而非中心；C选项在文章中没有提及可以免费参观历史遗址和品尝当地食物；D选项正确，因为文章明确提到了米开朗基罗、列奥纳多·达·芬奇和伽利略曾在佛罗伦萨生活、工作和学习。
2. B
两篇短文都提到了必须参观的地方（must-see places），如西安的兵马俑、大雁塔等，佛罗伦萨的艺术、科学和历史博物馆等；都描述了城市的过去和现在（the past and the present）；都提到了城市的价值（the value of the city），如西安作为丝绸之路的起点，佛罗伦萨作为文艺复兴的发源地。但只有佛罗伦萨的短文提到了优秀的教育（excellent education），所以选项3不符合。
3. C
文章主要介绍了西安和佛罗伦萨这两个城市的历史、文化和现状，从而解释了为什么这两个城市如此受欢迎。文章并非主要为了给出旅行建议（A选项），介绍名人（B选项），或鼓励人们找出两个城市的差异（D选项）。

翻译:
A
中国，西安
西安无疑是中国最受欢迎的旅游景点之一。每年，数以百万计的游客会参观秦始皇兵马俑，它是世界上最令人惊叹的历史遗迹之一。
作为中国历史上的古都之一，西安在唐朝时期发展成为世界上最大的城市。当时它被称为长安，是连接中国与世界的丝绸之路的起点。那个时期的历史遗迹包括大雁塔和大明宫遗址，大明宫曾是唐朝朝廷的中心。
如今，西安是一座现代化的城市，处于中国“一带一路”倡议的核心地带，但它悠久的历史随处可见：它是世界上少数仍保留着城墙的城市之一。
意大利，佛罗伦萨
佛罗伦萨是意大利著名的历史名城之一，是许多惊人思想和发现的诞生地。
佛罗伦萨的历史因艺术、文化和科学重生的那个时代的记忆而鲜活。13世纪晚期，文艺复兴从这里开始，之后传播到欧洲其他地区。当时，米开朗基罗、列奥纳多·达·芬奇和伽利略等一些人都在佛罗伦萨生活、工作和学习。
佛罗伦萨到处都是艺术、科学和历史博物馆以及古建筑，还有历史悠久的大学。你可以参观这些地方中的许多地方，去体验和欣赏文艺复兴时期出现的惊人作品和发现。
如今在佛罗伦萨，你可以体验到古老与现代的交融。历史遗迹与高档餐厅和高端商店相邻。当你品尝美味的当地食物时，你可以决定接下来要参观哪些有趣的地方。
（ ）1. 根据文章，关于这两个城市我们能了解到什么？
A. 西安在宋朝时期是世界上最大的城市。
B. 西安是连接中国与世界的丝绸之路的核心。
C. 在佛罗伦萨你可以免费参观历史遗迹并品尝当地食物。
D. 许多名人曾经在佛罗伦萨学习、工作和生活。
（ ）2. 以下哪项是这两篇文章都提到的？
① 必看的地方
② 过去和现在
③ 优质的教育
④ 城市的价值
A. ①②③
B. ①②④
C. ①③④
D. ②③④
（ ）3. 作者写这篇文章的目的是什么？
A. 就如何参观这两个城市给出建议。
B. 介绍这两个城市的名人。
C. 解释为什么这两个城市如此受欢迎。
D. 鼓励人们找出这两个城市之间的差异。