新标准大学英语（第三版）视听说教程4（智慧版） 教案 B4U6 Unit 6 Past and present

PAGEPAGE10Unit6PastandpresentUnitoverview内容简介思政要点InsideviewConversation1Conversation2TheInsideviewsectionisaboutJanet,Andy,andJoetalkingaboutthePalaceofWestminsterandBigBeninLondon.C1discussesavisittotheHouseofParliamentandBigBen.C2describeshistoryabouttheParliamentandthenatureofit.了解英国议会的历史和特Outside view(online)ThisvideoclipbrieflyintroducestheevolutionofEuropeancastles,focusingontheirconstructionandfunctions.了解欧洲城堡的构造及其历史影响，思考其与中国古代防御结构的异同，增强系统思维，提高分析能力。ListeningacrossculturesNewsreportPassageThenewsreportisaboutanarcheologicaldiscoveryofasphinxstatueinEgypt.ThepassagenarratesthelifeofQueenElizabethIandhercontributiontoEnglishhistory.了解考古发现对理解人类文明和文化传承的重要意义。学习客观评价历史人物，提升辩证思维能力。Talking aboutChinaThissectionasksSstogiveatalkaboutthehistoryoftheGrandCanalandexplainitsvaluetoday.TcanremindSstoincludenotableeventsand/orinterestingstoriesintheirtalks.了解大运河重要的历史价值以及对当代社会的重要意义，加强文化遗产保护和传承意识，弘扬民族精神。Expansion andreview(online)PronunciationExtendedlisteningUnittestThePronunciationsectiondrawsSs’attentiontothepronunciationofthepropernouns,stressedsyllablesandunstressedwordsinsentences.TheExtendedlisteningsectionincludesfourmaterials,whichareaboutanexhibitionontheMayaCivilization;anarcheologicaldiscoveryoftheancientSumerianpalace;Pompeii,theancientRomancitydestroyedbyavolcaniceruption;andthesignificanceoflearninghistory.TheUnittesthelpsSstoreviewwhatthey’velearnedandcheckwhatneedstobeimproved.了解世界各地历史文化，增强对世界文明多样性和人类命运共同体的认知。了解不同文明对社会历史发展的贡献，培养批判InsideviewBeforeyouwatchReferenceanswersBigBenisthenicknamefortheGreatBelloftheclockatthenorthendofthePalaceofWestminsterinLondon,thoughitisoftenusedtorefertotheclocktower.TheHousesofParliament,officiallyknownasthePalaceofWestminster,isthemeetingplaceoftheU.K.Parliament.BotharesignificanthistoricalandarchitecturallandmarksinLondon,overlookingtheriverThames.Yes,IthinktheywouldbeexcellenttopicsforastoryinLondonTimeOff.Theseiconiclandmarksholdimmensehistorical,cultural,andarchitecturalsignificance,makingthemfascinatingsubjectsforreadersinterestedinLondon’srichheritage.Storiesabouttheserenownedstructurescoulddelveintotheirhistory,architecturaldetails,politicalimportance,andtherolestheyplayinmodernsociety.Additionally,exploringthebehind-the-scenesstories,suchastheworkingsofParliamentorthemaintenanceoftheclocktower,couldprovidereaderswithuniqueinsightsandadeeperappreciationfortheseiconicsymbolsofLondon.Conversation1Scripts Joe: IthinkthisismyfavouriteviewinthewholeofLondon.BigBenisareallyimportantpartofthelifeoftheAndy:It’swellworthavisit.Janet: SoareyousayingthatyoucangoupBigBen?Andy:Sure.IwentupwhenIwasakid.Icanhighlyrecommendit.Joe: Thatwouldbeagreatideaforthewebsite.DoareportonavisittotheHousesofParliamentandBigBen.Janet: Soyoumean,Icanjustgototheentranceandasktogoupthetower?Andy:Well,I’mnottoosure,actually.ButIcantryandfindout.Cometothinkofit,I’mprettysureyouneedtogetpermissionfromyourMemberofParliament.Joe: Ah,youandIdon’thaveone.SoIguessthatmeanswecan’tgoupBigBen.Andy:Idon’treallyknow,tobehonest.Butit’salsowellworthtakingatourroundtheHousesofParliament.Janet: So,whatyou’resayingisthatvisitorslikemyselfcangointothemostimportantgovernmentbuildinginthecountry?I’dlovetodothat.Andy:Ithinktheydotoursinthesummer.Buthere’satrickquestion:CanyouactuallyseeBigBenfromhere?Joe: Ihaven’taclue.Janet: …yes.itupthere,isn’tit?Andy:Wrong.Infact,BigBenisthenameofthebell,andnottheclocktower.Joe: Ihadnoidea.Andy:SoifcandotoursaroundBigBenandtheHousesofParliament,whydon’tweputsomethingaboutitonthewebsite?Joe: Finebyme.OKtodotheresearch?Andy:Noproblem.ButcanwegetsomeonefromtheHousesofParliamenttoupdateus?Joe: Sure.Iknowsomeonewhoworksthere.I’llgiveheracallnowandseeifshecanmeetusatlunchtime.LanguageandcultureBigBenisoneofLondon’smosticoniclandmarksattheeasternendofBritain’sHousesofParliament.DesignedbySirEdmundBeckett(1816–1905),BigBenisfamousforitsaccuracyandits13-tonbell.Thoughthename“BigBen”isoftenattributedtotheentireclocktower,itisactuallythenicknameoftheGreatBell.TheHousesofParliament,alsoknownasthePalaceofWestminsterinLondon,holdsgreatculturalsignificanceasthecenterofU.K.politicsandgovernance.IthousesthetwoHousesofParliament:theHouseofCommonsandtheHouseofLords.Thebuilding’srichstunninginteriors,anditsroleinBritishpoliticsmakeitakeyculturallandmarkinLondon,drawingvisitorsfromaroundtheworldtoadmireitsgrandeurandhistoricalimportance.1TeachingtipsBeforewatchingthevideo,TcanaskSstoreadthefivestatementsandunderlinethekeywords.Sscanpredictthecontentoftheconversationandcapturethekeyinformation,enablingthemtomakesoundjudgmentwhenwatchingthevideo.ReferenceanswersTF(AndythinksyouneedpermissionfromyourMemberofParliamenttovisitBigBen.)TTF(JoeasksAndytodotheresearch.)2TeachingtipsThisactivityintendstodrawSs’attentiontoexpressionsthatcanreflectspeakers’attitudes,feelings,intentions,orotherimplicatedmeanings.InSentence2,forexample,“areyousayingthat…”indicatesthatJanetisseekingfurtherclarificationfromAndytofindoutifpossibletogoupBigBen.InSentence3,“youmean”showsthatJanetisseekingaconfirmationaboutgoingupthe“Idon’treallyknow”inSentence4indicatesuncertainty.Byusingthepasttense“Ihadnoidea,”JoeadmitshislackofpriorknowledgethatBigBenisactuallythenameofthebell,notthetower,andalsoexpresseshissurprise.Hisfeelingofsurpriseismoreevidentinthevideo,asrevealedbyhistoneandfacialexpressions.However,theexpression“Ihavenoidea”typicallymeansthespeakerdoesn’tknowanythingaboutthetopicorisignorantaboutit.canalsobeusedcurtlytoavoidansweringaquestion.Referenceanswers1-b,2-a,3-a,4-c,5-e,6-dConversation2Scripts Joe: Oh,hi,Sarah!Sarah:Hi,guys.Joe: Thanksforcoming.Andy:So,canyoutelluswhatyouknowabouttheHousesofParliament?Sarah:Sure.Joe: SotellusaboutBigBen.Sarah:BigBeniswidelybelievedtobetheclocktower,butinfact,it’sthebellatthetop.Andy:Andwhenwasthetowerbuilt?Sarah:In1859.Joe: AndhowoldaretheHousesofParliament?Sarah:Theywerecompletedin1870.Joe: Sononeofthesebuildingswecanseearereallyold?Sarah:No,notwhattryingtoEr…TheoldestpartoftheancientPalaceofWestminsterisWestminsterHall,whichdatesbacktothewouldappearthatitwasusedforentertaining,andasacourtroom.Andy:SohowdidthesystemofParliamentweknownowfirststart?Sarah:ItseemsthatoverhundredsofyearsParliamenthasdevelopedintotwohouses–theHouseofLords,andtheHouseofCommons,withelectedrepresentativesfromallovertheJanet: AndtheywerewhatyounowcallMPs?Sarah:littledoubtthattheywerethefirstMPs,althoughnoteveryonehadtherighttovoteinthosedays.Janet: Sowhoismorepowerful,theKing,theQueen,orthePrimeMinister?Sarah:widelythoughtthattheKingorQueenhasmoreButthegovernmentwhichiselectedbythepeople,andthePrimeMinisteristheleaderofthegovernment.Sohe–orshe–isconsideredtobethemostpowerfulpersoninthecountry.Janet: fascinating.ButevenmoreamazingishowoldtheHousesofParliamentare.Andy:Twolargehouses,onepalace,onehall!Iwonderifthere’saspareroom.Janet: Whatdoyoumean?Andy:Well,IwasannoyedtobetoldthatIhavetomoveoutofmyflat.IwasevenmorefurioustolearnthatIhavetoleavebynextmonth.Janet: Sowhatwillyoudo?Andy:Searchme!Icoulddowitharoyalpalacetolivein.LanguageandcultureTheevolutionofvotingrightsintheU.K.isafascinatingjourneymarkedbysignificantmilestones.Historically,votingrightsintheU.K.wererestrictedtoasmallproportionofthepopulation,typicallywealthylandownersandpropertyholders.Thefranchisewasheavilylimited,withonlyafractionoftheadultpopulationhavingtherighttovote.The19thandearly20thcenturiessawaseriesofReformActsthatgraduallyextendedtherighttovotetobroadersegmentsofTheReformActof1832expandedsuffragetoincludemoreproperty-owningmen.SubsequentReformActs,suchasthosein1867,1884,and1918,furtherexpandedsuffrage,graduallyreducingpropertyqualificationsandextendingvotingrightstomoremen.TheRepresentationofthePeopleActof1918wasparticularlysignificantasitgrantedthevotetoalmostallmenover21andwomenover30whometcertainpropertyqualifications,markingamajorsteptowardsuniversalsuffrage.Universalsuffrage,however,wasnotfullyachieveduntiltheRepresentationofthePeopleActof1928,whichgrantedequalvotingrightstomenandwomenovertheageof21,regardlessofpropertyownership.Thismarkedtheculminationofalongstruggleforwomen’ssuffrageintheU.K.Sincethe20thcentury,furtherreformshaveaimedatimprovingtheU.K.electoralsystem,suchastheintroductionofproportionalrepresentationinsomeelectionsandadjustmentstovotingagerequirements.Searchmeisaninformalexpressionusedinspeechtosaythatonedoesnotknowtheanswertoaquestion.Forexample:A:HowmanyMPsarethereintheU.K.parliament?B:Searchme!Checktheansweronline.3Referenceanswers1C 2B 3D 4B4TeachingtipsInthisSscanlearnhowtoraisequestionsandprovideanswerswhentalkingaboutahistoricalplaceorarchitecture.Whenaskingforclarification,theycanuseexpressionslike“Iwonderif…”and“Whatdoyoumean?”Whenreportingopinionsorthoughts,Sscanuseexpressionslike“widelybelieved”and“widelythought”torefertocommonlyacceptedideas.Theycanuseno/littledoubtthat…”toshowevenmoreamazingis…”toemphasizetheinformation,andnotwhatI’mtryingtosay”toexpressdisapproval.Theexpression“searchme”maybeunfamiliartoSs.Tcanexplainitsmeaningwithanexample(seethenoteinLanguageandcultureabove).ReferenceanswerswidelybelievedtryingtosaylittledoubtwidelythoughtmoreamazingwonderifSearchmeEverydayEnglishLanguagenotesCometothinkofit,…Thisidiomisusedinspeechtosaythatonehasjustrememberedorthoughtofsomething.atrickquestionThisphrasereferstoaquestiondesignedtoconfuseormisleadsomeoneintogivinganincorrectanswer.Ihaven’t(got)aclue.Thisexpressionindicatesthatonedoesnotknoworiscompletelyunawareofsomething.Finebyme.ThisexpressionisusuallyusedinspokenEnglishtoindicatecompleteagreementwithsomeone’ssuggestion.Icoulddowith…Ifyousaythatyoucoulddowithsomething,youmeanthatyouneeditorwouldbenefitfromit.5ReferenceanswersFinebymeatrickquestion;Ihaven’t(got)acluecometothinkofitIcoulddowithActitout6TeachingtipsTcanleadSstoreviewthediscussionofJanet,JoeandAndyaboutBigBenandtheParliamentbuilding.TcanalsoaskSstosummarizetheexpressionsonaskingforclarification,makingrecommendationandprovidinginformationwithdifferentdegreesofcertaintybeforereferringtotheFunctionallanguageboxandtheEverydayEnglishbox.Then,Sscanworkinpairsandactouttheconversation.SampleconversationAvolunteerattheUniversityStudentCenter(A)andaninternationalstudent(B)aretalkingaboutvisitingthePalaceMuseumandlearningaboutChinesehistoryfromthisA:Hithere!Doyouneedanyhelp?B:OhYes.IjustcamefromCanadaaweekago.I’mwonderingwhereIcangoforavisitthisweekend.Couldyourecommendahistoricalplaceforme?I’mverycuriousaboutthetraditionalChineseculture.A:Allright.HaveyoubeentothePalaceMuseumbefore?B:No,Ihaven’thadthechanceyet.Isitworthvisiting?A:Absolutely!ThePalaceMuseumiswellworthavisit.It’sanincrediblehistoricalandculturallandmark.Thearchitectureandgrandeurofthepalacecomplexarebreathtaking.B:Thatsoundsfascinating.Soareyousayingthatit’samust-seeattractioninBeijing?A:Yes,Icanhighlyrecommendit.It’sconsideredoneofthetopattractionsinBeijingandiswidelybelievedtobeasymbolofChina’srichhistory.It’snotjustabeautifulpalace;italsooffersinsightintotheMingandQingdynasties’imperiallifeandgovernance.B:That’sfantastic.Idon’treallyknowmuchaboutChinesehistory,tobehonest.A:Don’tworry.TakingatouraroundthePalaceMuseumwilldefinitelyhelpyouunderstanditbetter.B:Brilliant!Thereislittledoubtthatitwillbeaneducationalandeye-openingexperienceformethen.A:I’mprettysureyou’llfinditamazing.Thearchitecture,artifacts,andthestoriesbehindthemareallsocaptivating.B:Thankyousomuch!OutsideviewBeforeyouwatchReferenceanswers1)I’vevisitedacastlewhenItraveledtoEurope.Thecastlehadtoweringstonewallsandhugewoodendoorsattheentrance.Insidegrandhallswerepaintingsandsuitsofarmorondisplay.climbeduptothetopofthecastleandwerefascinatedbytheamazingviewofthesurroundingcountryside.Itfeltlikesteppingbackintime.2)No,Ihaven’tvisitedacastleyet.ButI’vealwaysbeenfascinatedbythemthroughamazingpicturesandinterestingstories.Theyseemlikeplaceswhereancientkingsandqueenslived.IimaginecastlesasmassivestonestructureswithtoweringwallsandmaybeevendrawbridgesoveraInside,therearegrandhallswithluxuriousdecorations.Itwouldbethrillingtovisitonesomeday!CastleswereimportantinEuropeanhistorybecausetheywerelikefortswhererichandpowerfulpeoplelived.Theyhelpedprotecttheirownersfromenemiesduringwars.Inthemeantime,theyfunctionedlikemini-townswithsoldierscloselywatchingthesurroundingareafromthehightowersinordertopreventenemyfromapproaching.Insidethecastlesweresignsanddecorationstoshowofftheowner’swealthandScripts “Castles,”thewordconjuresimagesofknightsinarmor,kingsandqueens,andbattles.Butwhatmakessomethingacastle?Whyweretheybuilt,andwhyaren’tcastlesbuiltanymore?Acastleisaspecifictypeofbuildingmadeforaspecificpurpose.isdifferentthanafortress,whichisastrengthenedmilitarystronghold;anditisdifferentthanapalace,whichisthelarge,splendidhomeofarich,importantperson.Acastleisgenerallyconsideredtobealarge,fortifiedbuildingthatisalsothehomeofaking,lord,orotherimportantperson.Thefirststructuresknownascastlesdatebacktothe9thor10thcenturies.Atthistime,followingthefalloftheRomanEmpire,Europewasadangerousplace.Theterritorythathadpreviouslybeencontrolledbyemperorswasdividedbetweenkings,lords,andprinces.Thesesmallerrulersneededawaytocontroltheterritoryaroundthem,andsotheybegantobuildcastles.Theearliestcastlesdidnotlookmuchlikethecastlesmostpeoplerecognize.Theywerecalledmotte-and-baileycastles,andtheyconsistedofakeep,orafortifiedtower,locatedonaraised,earthenhillcalledamotte,overlookinganenclosedcourtyardcalledaThemottewouldhavebeensurroundedbyaditch,oftencreatedbyexcavatingthesoilusedtobuildupthemotte.Thebaileywouldhavebeensurroundedbyawoodenfencecalledapalisade,andthenanotherditch.Sometimeswaterfromriversorstreamswouldbedivertedtofilltheditchesaroundthemotteandcreatingamoat.Motte-and-baileycastleshadaseriousweaknessthough;theywerevulnerabletofire.Soon,theyfelloutoffavorandwerereplacedbyfortressesbuiltofstone.Stonecastlesweremoredurable,strongeragainstattacks,andlessvulnerabletofire,buttheyweremoretime-consumingandexpensivetoconstruct.werebuiltoneverysideofthecastlewall,witharrowslitsorloopholesthatallowedarcherstofireonapproachingenemieswithoutmakingthemselvestargets.Thegatehousewasoneoftheweakestpointsofadefenses,providingastraightpathintothecourtyard.Castlebuilderswerecarefultoincludeextradefensivemeasurestoprotectit.Awell-defendedcastlewouldalmostneverlose.enoughtimeandeffort,castlescouldstillfall,Bythe14thaninventionhadappearedthatwouldmarkthebeginningoftheendforcastles:gunpowder.Bythe15thcannonsgrewlargeenoughtoknockdowncastles’stonewalls,andcastlesbecameindefensible.Atthesametime,centralgovernmentsweregrowingKingsdidnotlikelocalnobleshavingtheirownfortifications,andpeoplebegantobuildpalacesinsteadofcastles.Overtime,mostcastlesfellintodisrepair.Then,inthe19thcentury,peoplebegantoconstructbuildingsthatlookedlikecastles.Whiletheylookedlikecastles,thesenewbuildingsdidnothavethemilitaryfeaturesofrealcastles.Peoplejustlikedthewaytheylooked.Realcastleswereboththehomeofanimportantpersonandamilitaryfortification.Theywerebuilttocontrolterritory,allowingtheiroccupantstoattackanddefend,becausetheyprovidedprotectionfromenemiesandabasetolaunchattacksfrom.Althoughcastleshadmanymilitaryuses,theywerealsocentersofgovernment,courthouses,andtreasuries.1Watchthevideoandcompletethefollowingsummary.AhistoryofcastlesTheriseofcastlesCastlesarelarge,fortifiedbuildingsthatservedasthehomeofkings,lords,andotherimportantindividuals.TheywerebuiltinEuropeduringthe1) _centurieswhenthecontinentwasdangerousafterthefalloftheRomanEmpire.Earlymotte-and-baileycastlesTheearliestcastles,knownasmotte-and-baileycastles,consistedofafortified2) locatedonanearthenhill,overlookinganenclosedcourtyard.Thesestructuresweresurroundedbyditchesandwoodenfencesfordefense.LaterstonecastlesStonecastlesweredurableandstronger3) .Thereweretowersoneverysideofthecastlewall,witharrowslitsforarchersto4) enemies.Awell-defendedcastlewasdifficulttoconquer,butitrequiredmoretimeandefforttoconstruct.ThefallofcastlesTheinventionofgunpowdermarkedthebeginningof5) castles.Additionally,centralgovernmentswerebecomingstronger,discouraginglocalnoblesfromhavingtheirownfortifications.Peoplebeganto6) insteadofcastles,andovertime,mostcastlesfellintodisrepair.TherebirthofcastlesInthe19thpeoplestartedbuildingnewstructuresthatresembledcastlesbutdidnothavethe7) ofgenuinecastles.Thesebuildingswereprimarilyconstructedforaestheticpurposesratherthandefense.Referenceanswers9thor10thtoweragainstattacksfireontheendforbuildpalacesmilitaryfeatures2Watchthevideoagain.Check(√)thetruestatementsandcorrectthefalseones.Europeannoblesoriginallybuiltcastlesprimarilyasluxuriousresidences.Stonecastlesweremoreresistanttofirethanmotte-and-baileycastles.Therewerenoweakpointsinthedefensesofstonecastes.Theuseofcannoncontributedtothedeclineofcastles,makingstonewallsvulnerable.Castlesalsoservedasgovernmentcentersandlawcourts.ReferenceanswersF(Castleswereoriginallybuiltforcontrollingtheterritoryaroundthem.)TF(Thegatehousewasoneoftheweakestpoints.)TTHigher-orderthinkingTeachingtipsThisactivityaimstoenhanceSs’analyzingskills,andimprovetheirinterculturalcommunicationcompetencebycomparingtheEuropeanmotte-and-baileycastlewithChinesedefensivestructureslikebarbican(orwengchenginChinese).Thelastquestionmightbedifficult.facilitateeffectivecomparisons,TcanfirstaskSstodiscussQuestions1and2anddrawinsightsfromthevideotoidentifythedistinctivefeaturesandfunctionsofcastlesacrossdifferenttimeperiods.Then,TcanguideSstocloselyexaminethetwopicturesonPage88andcompletethetableThistaskinvolvesidentifyingbothsimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweenthestructures.AtableservesasavaluabletooltohelpSsorganizetheirthoughtswhilediscussing.ThemainpointsoutlinedinthetablealsoprovidecluesforSswhentheycomparetwosubjects.Furthermore,beyondthestructuralvariancesillustratedbythepictures,TmayencourageSstoworktogetherandfindmoredifferencesrelatedtoconstructionmaterials,buildingstyles,culturalcontexts,etc.Acomparisonbetweenmotte-and-baileycastle(C)andwengcheng(W)SimilaritiesDifferencesLayout andstructureElevated position;surroundedbyamoatC:acentralkeeponthemotte,surroundedbyabaileyenclosedbywoodenpalisadesW:layersofwallswithmanygatesandwatchtowersConstructionmaterialWoodandearthasprimarymaterialC:primarilywoodandearthW:stone,brick,andrammedearthScale andfunctionDefensivepurposeC:protectingonlythemonarchornoblesandtheirfamiliesW:largerandmorecomplex,protectingthecityandallpeopleinsideCulturalcontextWitness of thehistoryC:datedbacktothe9thor10thcenturies,reflectingsocialstructureanddefensestrategiesofmedievalEuropeW:appearedasearlyastheHanDynasty,itsscalevariedandevolvedthroughdynastiesandreacheditspeakintheMingDynasty,reflectingancientChinesephilosophyReferenceanswers1Thereareseveralfactorstoconsider:location,defensemechanisms,waterandfoodsupply,buildingmaterial,etc.Asamedievallord,Iwouldbuildacastlethatcouldbestrategicallypositioned,well-defended,self-sufficient,andcapableofwithstandingpotentialthreatsfromtheenemy.2Castlesnowserveavarietyoffunctions:historicalandculturallandmarks,touristattractions,museums,cityicons,etc.Whilethefunctionsofcastleshaveevolvedovertime,theycontinuetobetreasuredlandmarksthatinspireaweandappreciation,remindingpeopleoftheirhistoricalgrandeurandculturalroots.Theyconnectpeoplewiththepast,educatethepublicabouthistory,contributetothelocaleconomy,andpreserveculturalheritage.3Motte-and-baileycastlesinEuropeandChinesedefensivestructuressuchasbarbican(orwengchenginChinese)werebothdesignedtoprotectpeopleandpropertyfromenemyattacks.Byexaminingtheirstructures,wecanidentifytheirsimilaritiesanddifferencesinfourkeyaspects:Layoutandstructure:Bothstructureswerestrategicallypositionedfordefense,offeringelevatedvantagepoints.Motte-and-baileycastlestypicallyhadaraisedearthmound(motte)withawoodenkeeponthemotte,surroundedbyabaileyorcourtyardenclosedbywoodenpalisades.ontheotherhand,wereoftenbuiltonhillsorplateaus,orotherelevatedterrainstoprovidenaturalprotection.consistedofmultiplelayersofwalls,watchtowers,andsolidcityenclosures.Scaleandfunction:Bothwereconstructedprimarilyfordefensivepurposes,fortifiedwithwalls,moats,andotherdefenses.Whilemotte-and-baileycastlesservedasfortifiedresidencesforroyaltyorwengchengfunctionedasdefensivestructuresforcitiesortowns,oftenlargerandmoreintricate,accommodatingsoldierstorepelenemyinvasionsConstructionmaterial:Motte-and-baileycastleswerepredominantlybuiltusingwoodandearth,withwoodenpalisadesandtowersonthemotte.Incontrast,wengchengwereconstructedusingacombinationofwood,stone,brick,andrammedearth,makingthemmoredurableandresistanttoattacks.Culturalcontext:Motte-and-baileycastlesemergedinthe9thor10thcenturies,reflectingthesocialnormsanddefensestrategiesofmedievalEurope.Conversely,wengchengdatesbacktotheHanDynastynearly2,000yearsago.Itsscaleandstylevariedandevolvedovertime,reachingitspeakduringtheMingItemphasizedstrategicmilitarypositioningandthephilosophicalbeliefsofancientChinesecivilization.ListeningacrossculturesNewsreportScripts Asphinxstatuewith“asmileyfaceandtwodimples”hasbeenfoundbyresearchersinsouthernEgypt.ThediscoverywasmadeinsideatombclosetotheHathoroneofthebestpreservedancientsitesintheTheEgyptianMinistryofandAntiquitiessharedsomeinformationwiththepublicafterthediscovery.AccordingtothesphinxeswereoftenusedassymbolsofroyaltyorauthorityinancientEgypt.ThisparticularstatueshowsaRomanemperorwearingaspecialhatoftheEgyptianpharaohs,andthereisalsoasnakesymbolonitsforehead.Aswellasthesphinxstatue,theresearchersfoundastonecarvedwithdifferenttypesofwritings.Theyaretryingtointerpretthesewritingstodeterminewhichrulerthestatuerepresents.RomanemperorsruledoverancientEgyptfor600years,andthestatuecouldbeEmperorClaudiusI,theRomanemperorwhoruledfromA.D.41toA.D.54.ThisdiscoveryispartofaseriesofrecentfindingsmadeinEgyptinthepastfewmonths.LanguageandcultureASphinxisamythologicalcreatureinEgyptianandGreekartandlegend.Ithasalion’sbodyandahumanhead.1Referenceanswers1B2B3CPassageScripts JustasChinesechildrenlearnabouttheemperorsofChina,Englishchildrenlearnabouthistorythroughitskingsandqueens.Therehavebeenmanymorekingsthanqueens,butfortheEnglishpeople,oneofthegreatestandmostlovedrulersofEnglandwasawoman,QueenElizabethI.Duringherreigninthesecondhalfofthe16thElizabethmadeEnglandrichfrominternationaltrade,andalsodefeatedoneofthemostfrighteninginvasionsEnglandeverfaced.Elizabeth’sfather,KingHenryVIII,hadsixwives–hedivorcedtwoofthemandexecutedtwo.Elizabeth’smother,QueenAnneBoleyn,wasHenry’ssecondwifeandoneofthosewhomheexecuted,whenElizabethwasthreeyearsold.Elizabeth,whowasbornin1533,wasveryintelligent,talented,and,unusuallyforawomanatthattime,welleducated.However,formuchofherearlylifeshewasafraidthatshewouldbeexecutedlikehermother.Butafterthedeathofherhalf-brotherandhalf-sister,shebecamequeenin1558attheageof25.AlltherulersofEuropewantedtomarryher,andElizabeth’sadvisorsalsowantedhertomarryandhaveason.ButElizabethneverdid,becauseshewasafraidahusbandwouldtrytocontrolher.OneofElizabeth’sgreatestproblemswashercousin,MaryStuart,QueenofScots.MarybelievedsheshouldhavebeenrulerofEngland.Believingthathercousinwasadangertoheraslongassheremainedalive,ElizabethimprisonedMaryin1568,andfinallyexecutedherin1587.TheKingofSpain,PhilipII,hadoncewantedtomarryElizabeth,butthetwocountriesthenbecameenemies.QueenofScots,sharedthesamereligionasPhilip,andherdeathgavetheKinganexcusetogotowarwithEngland.Atthetime,SpainwasthemostpowerfulcountryinEurope,andin1588PhilipassembledahugenavycalledtheSpanishArmada.ItsailedforEnglandwiththeintentionofinvadingit.QueenElizabethmadeafamousspeechtohersoldiers,inwhichshesaid,“IknowIhavethebodyofaweakandfeeblewoman,butIhavetheheartandstomachofaking,ando