# The Nazca lines - 科目：雅思听力真题（Part 4） - 考频：中频 - 最近考试：2025.10.25 - 题目数：10 - 来源页：https://www.yaquan.site/paper/3c31fe98-7cb8-4c84-b724-446f5dd5d73b（在线机考练习与音频请访问该页面） - 数据更新：2026-10-29 ## 题目原文 00:00:00,440 Today, I'd like to talk about one of the world's most fascinating archaeological mysteries, the Nazca Lines in Peru. These enormous designs carved into the desert ground have puzzled scientists and visitors alike for decades. Let's take a closer look at their location and construction, then move on to their purpose and theories, and finally explore recent discoveries and threats to their preservation. When we talk about where these lines were made, they actually lie deep in a remote desert area in southern Peru. The climate there is extremely dry and hot, which helped the drawings survive for thousands of years. So instead of being in a forest or valley, they're spread across this vast sandy landscape. Archaeologists discovered that the ancient builders didn't have any advanced machines. They relied on very basic tools to create these enormous figures. Things like wooden stakes and ropes were enough for them to mark out straight paths over the ground. It's fascinating how such primitive equipment could lead to such precise designs. To make the drawings as accurate as possible, the Nazca people carefully set up wooden pegs across the land. They then pulled long ropes tight between those posts to mark out perfectly straight paths over the desert surface. It's amazing that such simple techniques could produce geometric patterns visible even from the sky. Instead of using metal wires or modern measuring tapes, they mainly relied on ropes made from cotton fibers. These natural materials allowed them to take exact measurements without the rope breaking or stretching too much. The consistency of these ropes was the secret behind the symmetry of many Nazca figures. The surface of the land was originally covered with dark stones that had been burnt by the sun. The artists cleared those rocks away to expose the lighter-colored soil hidden below. This color contrast made the lines stand out sharply, creating shapes that could be seen clearly from above. Now, moving on to their possible meanings and functions. Many of the giant animal drawings, like the hummingbird or the monkey, weren't just decorative art. Local people believed these creatures had spiritual powers connected with healing and traditional medicine. During ancient ceremonies, they probably used these animal shapes as sacred spaces for prayer or offerings to cure illness and protect their community. However, not all experts agree with that spiritual explanation. One leading theory suggests that the lines had a practical use rather than a religious one. Some researchers think they were part of an irrigation system, basically channels designed to stop floodwaters from ruining nearby crops. The layout of these lines seems to follow the paths of underground water, suggesting they serve to control heavy rain or runoff. Another reason the Nazca Lines are still visible today is the area's unique environment. Because the region barely receives any rain, the designs have remained visible for centuries. The heat and dryness help to preserve the dark outer coating caused by dead insects and oxidized stones. Without that extreme arid environment, the drawings would probably have faded or disappeared long ago. Let's finish with what's been happening more recently. In recent years, researchers have started using drones to scan the vast desert surface from above. Thanks to this modern technology, they've identified several new designs, one of which is a remarkable portrait that appears to show a human face. It's quite surprising because most of the older patterns were animals or geometric forms, not people. Unfortunately, this ancient site has begun to suffer from modern human activity. With more visitors arriving each year, the area is becoming damaged by the heavy footprint of tourism. Even though local authorities are trying to limit access, vehicles and careless visitors still pose a serious risk to the preservation of the lines. ## 题目与答案 ### 31. Location and Construction ·Located in the Peruvian 31_____ . Location and Construction ·Located in the Peruvian 31_____ . **答案**：desert 原文定位：they actually lie deep in a remote desert area in southern Peru 同义替换：「located」↔「lie」 ### 32. ·Used simple 32_____ (e.g. rope) for construction. ·Used simple 32_____ (e.g. rope) for construction. **答案**：tools 原文定位：They relied on very basic tools to create these enormous figures 同义替换：「simple」↔「basic」；「used」↔「relied on」 ### 33. ·Created 33_____ lines by stretching ropes between posts. ·Created 33_____ lines by stretching ropes between posts. **答案**：straight 原文定位：pulled long ropes tight between those posts to mark out perfectly straight paths over the desert surface 同义替换：「lines」↔「paths」；「created」↔「mark out」 ### 34. ·34_____ cotton ropes were employed for precise measurement. ·34_____ cotton ropes were employed for precise measurement. **答案**：natural 原文定位：ropes made from cotton fibers. These natural materials allowed them to take exact measurements 同义替换：「precise」↔「exact」 ### 35. ·Formed by removing dark rocks to reveal light 35_____ underneath. ·Formed by removing dark rocks to reveal light 35_____ underneath. **答案**：soil 原文定位：The artists cleared those rocks away to expose the lighter-colored soil hidden below 同义替换：「underneath」↔「below」；「reveal」↔「expose」；「removing」↔「cleared」 ### 36. Purpose and Theories ·Animal figures (e.g. monkeys, birds) linked to 36_____ in local rituals. Purpose and Theories ·Animal figures (e.g. monkeys, birds) linked to 36_____ in local rituals. **答案**：medicine 原文定位：these creatures had spiritual powers connected with healing and traditional medicine 同义替换：「linked to」↔「connected with」 ### 37. ·Dominant theory: channels around water sources to prevent 37_____ damage. ·Dominant theory: channels around water sources to prevent 37_____ damage. **答案**：crops 原文定位：channels designed to stop floodwaters from ruining nearby crops 同义替换：「prevent」↔「stop」；「damage」↔「ruining」 ### 38. Recent Discoveries and Threats ·New figures discovered using drone technology, including a rare 38_____ of a human face. Recent Discoveries and Threats ·New figures discovered using drone technology, including a rare 38_____ of a human face. **答案**：coating 原文定位：The heat and dryness help to preserve the dark outer coating caused by dead insects and oxidized stones 同义替换：「black」↔「dark」 ### 39. Recent Discoveries and Threats ·New figures discovered using drone technology, including a rare 39_____ of a human face. Recent Discoveries and Threats ·New figures discovered using drone technology, including a rare 39_____ of a human face. **答案**：portrait 原文定位：they've identified several new designs, one of which is a remarkable portrait that appears to show a human face 同义替换：「rare」↔「remarkable」 ### 40. ·Current threat - increasingly affected by 40_____ . ·Current threat - increasingly affected by 40_____ . **答案**：tourism 原文定位：the area is becoming damaged by the heavy footprint of tourism 同义替换：「increasingly」↔「becoming」；「threat」↔「pose a serious risk」 --- 以上内容由鸭圈雅思真题库（www.yaquan.site）提供，收录近期雅思考试真题回忆，支持在线机考模式免费练习。