B(2025·四川遂宁)
The Maori(毛利人) arrived in New Zealand from Polynesian islands about a thousand years ago. They were the first people to live in New Zealand.
In the late 18th century, Europeans came to live in New Zealand. At that time, the population of the Maori was probably 250,000 in New Zealand. Over the next one hundred years, wars and illness killed many Maori people. By the end of the 19th century, there were only about 40,000 Maori people left. During this time, the Maori also lost much of their land to the Europeans. Many of them were afraid that they might lose their traditions and language too, but this did not happen.
Today the Maori population is increasing. There are about 500,000 Maori people in New Zealand. Most live like other New Zealanders, but they are keeping the Maori language and traditions alive. Now there are Maori radio and television stations. Many schools teach in the Maori language. Nearly one half of Maori language speakers are 25 years old or younger.
Maori culture is also alive. At the centre of Maori culture is the "marae". This is a special place for ceremonies and meetings. Today the number of marae in New Zealand is increasing. Many of the new marae are in the cities. Now people in the cities can meet and learn about their Maori traditions.
Today most New Zealand cities have Maori festivals every year. Among festival activities are competitions in speaking, dancing and singing. Children practise for months. Then all the Maori in the area arrive to watch the competitions and see who wins.
The Maori have gone through hard times. Today they live a comfortable, modern life. They keep their cultural traditions alive because they have passed and are passing them down to their children.
()6. (新考法 学科融合)When did the Maori first get to New Zealand?
A. About the 11th century.
B. About the 13th century.
C. About the 18th century.
D. About the 21st century.
()7. What happened to the Maori during the 19th century?
A. They lost their traditions.
B. They had more land.
C. They had a smaller population.
D. They left New Zealand.
()8. (新考法 组合选择)What do the Maori do to make their traditions and language alive?
① Move to the centre of New Zealand.
② Set up Maori radio and TV stations.
③ Teach in the Maori language in many schools.
④ Have competitions in speaking, dancing and singing.
A. ①②③
B. ①②④
C. ①③④
D. ②③④
()9. What does the underlined word "them" in Paragraph 6 refer to?
A. Hard times.
B. Modern lives.
C. Cultural traditions.
D. Their children.
()10. What can we learn about the Maori language?
A. Only old people speak Maori today.
B. English is as important as Maori at school.
C. Government prevents Maori from learning the Maori language.
D. Young people play an important role in the Maori language learning.