# The pyramid of Cestius - 科目：雅思阅读真题（Part 1） - 考频：超高频 - 最近考试：2019.12.21 - 题目数：13 - 来源页：https://www.yaquan.site/paper/f9883dd4-846e-4eb3-849c-2566b2d2ca91（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 A 2000-year-old pyramid in the city of Rome has been restored by archaeologists. A Though Rome draws tourists from around the world to its many impressive sites, one notable monument there has never attracted nearly as much interest: The Pyramid of Cestius. But why would there be a pyramid in Italy? After the Roman conquest of Egypt in 30 B.C., Egyptian architectural style became the fashion in Rome. B Though obelisks and other monuments inspired by Egypt’s great pyramids sprung up around the city, only two actual pyramids are known to have been built. The only one left standing, the Pyramid of Cestius, was designed as the burial pyramid for a Roman politician named Caius Cestius, who ordered that the building work be completed within a period of 330 days. C Construction took place at some point between 18 B.C. and 12 B.C. Cestius' pyramid had a layer of white Carrara marble on the outside and was constructed from brick held together by cement on the inside. One of the things that strikes you when you look at the pyramid is how steep it is, making its shape quite unlike that of typical Egyptian pyramids. This difference could have resulted from inaccurate information sent back to Rome by soldiers who saw the pyramids in person in Egypt. Alternatively, Roman builders could have drawn inspiration from the pyramids in Nubia, a region in present-day northern Sudan and southern Egypt. D At the time of its construction, a strict Roman law prohibited tombs within the city, so the Pyramid of Cestius would have stood in countryside. Rome grew enormously over the next two centuries, and by the 3rd century A.D., the pyramid would have been surrounded by buildings. We also know that in the 3rd century A.D., the Pyramid of Cestius was hidden behind a high wall on the orders of Emperor Aurelian; this likely helped it survive through the centuries, even as other ancient monuments disappeared. E By the Middle Ages, the pyramid was covered in vegetation and dirt, and a popular myth suggested that it might be the tomb of Romulus or Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. Cestius’ actual tomb and an inscription identifying the pyramid were not rediscovered until the 1660s, when the pyramid underwent restoration. F During excavations, workers cleared away trees and plants and found two marble bases in front of the pyramid, as well as fragments of bronze statues that once stood on either side. However, they did not find the urn containing Cestius' remains, but they did discover a tunnel, suggesting that robbers might have looted the tomb long ago. Though some features no longer exist, at least the pyramid itself has survived. G Today, the Pyramid of Cestius stands near a busy intersection, making it easy for tourists and residents to overlook its full height of 119 feet. Across the intersection is Pirámide station, located on Line B of the Rome Metro. H In 2011, Japanese entrepreneur Yuzo Yagi, president of Yagi Tsusho Ltd, announced his intention to fund a major renovation of the Pyramid of Cestius. He described it as “an act of gratitude” to Italy, a country that contributed to his company's success. Work began shortly after he signed an agreement with the Special Superintendency for the Archaeological Heritage of Rome, and thanks to his 2-million-euro donation, the project was completed ahead of schedule. I As archaeologist Leonardo Guarnieri explained, officials now conduct tours of the newly renovated pyramid twice a month by reservation. Visitors can walk through a narrow corridor to reach the burial chamber, where they can admire frescoes, including four images of the winged Roman goddess Victoria, as well as vases used for rituals and purification. Some frescoes have disappeared over time, but historical records confirm their existence.Only one issue remains after the restoration: the white exterior of the Pyramid of Cestius needs to be cleaned regularly due to urban pollution. A team of free-climbers will handle the task to avoid placing scaffolding around the newly restored monument. ## 题目与答案 ### 1. 1 The Pyramid of Cestius has always been one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions. 1 The Pyramid of Cestius has always been one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions. - TRUE - FALSE - NOT GIVEN **答案**：FALSE 原文定位：Though Rome draws tourists from around the world to its many impressive sites, one notable monument there has never attracted nearly as much interest: The Pyramid of Cestius 同义替换：「most popular tourist attractions」↔「never attracted nearly as much interest」 ### 10. • It was originally built in the 10_____ as tombs in the city were forbidden. • Emperor Aurelian ordered that a wall be built around it. • It was originally built in the 10_____ as tombs in the city were forbidden. • Emperor Aurelian ordered that a wall be built around it. **答案**：countryside 原文定位：At the time of its construction, a strict Roman law prohibited tombs within the city, so the Pyramid of Cestius would have stood in countryside 同义替换：「originally built」↔「at the time of its construction」；「forbidden」↔「prohibited」 ### 11. Restoration of Cestius' pyramid in the 1660s • In the 1660s, some broken 11_____ were found next to it. Restoration of Cestius' pyramid in the 1660s • In the 1660s, some broken 11_____ were found next to it. **答案**：statues 原文定位：During excavations, workers cleared away trees and plants and found two marble bases in front of the pyramid, as well as fragments of bronze statues that once stood on either side 同义替换：「broken」↔「fragments」 ### 12. • The 12_____ inside the tomb suggests that robbers had been there. • The frescoes show mythological scenes and images of vases. • The 12_____ inside the tomb suggests that robbers had been there. • The frescoes show mythological scenes and images of vases. **答案**：tunnel 原文定位：However, they did not find the urn containing Cestius' remains, but they did discover a tunnel, suggesting that robbers might have looted the tomb long ago 同义替换：「inside」↔「looted」 ### 13. Restoration of Cestius' pyramid today • A Japanese businessman paid for its restoration. • Climbers are helping to remove signs of 13_____ Restoration of Cestius' pyramid today • A Japanese businessman paid for its restoration. • Climbers are helping to remove signs of 13_____ **答案**：pollution 原文定位：Only one issue remains after the restoration: the white exterior of the Pyramid of Cestius needs to be cleaned regularly due to urban pollution 同义替换：「remove signs of」↔「cleaned regularly」 ### 2. 2 The construction of the Pyramid was completed before Cestius' death. 2 The construction of the Pyramid was completed before Cestius' death. - TRUE - FALSE - NOT GIVEN **答案**：TRUE 原文定位：Caius Cestius, who ordered that the building work be completed within a period of 330 days 同义替换：「construction」↔「building」 ### 3. 3 In the Middle Ages, people thought an original founder of Rome was buried in the Pyramid of Cestius. 3 In the Middle Ages, people thought an original founder of Rome was buried in the Pyramid of Cestius. - TRUE - FALSE - NOT GIVEN **答案**：TRUE 原文定位：By the Middle Ages, the pyramid was covered in vegetation and dirt, and a popular myth suggested that it might be the tomb of Romulus or Remus, the legendary founders of Rome 同义替换：「thought」↔「suggested」；「original」↔「legendary」；「buried in」↔「tomb」 ### 4. 4 Today the height of the Pyramid is something that tourists and residents immediately notice. 4 Today the height of the Pyramid is something that tourists and residents immediately notice. - TRUE - FALSE - NOT GIVEN **答案**：FALSE 原文定位：Today, the Pyramid of Cestius stands near a busy intersection, making it easy for tourists and residents to overlook its full height of 119 feet 同义替换：「immediately notice」↔「overlook」 ### 5. 5 Japanese businessman Yuzo Yagi was an admirer of both Italian and Egyptian architecture. 5 Japanese businessman Yuzo Yagi was an admirer of both Italian and Egyptian architecture. - TRUE - FALSE - NOT GIVEN **答案**：NOT GIVEN ### 6. 6 The restoration of the Pyramid of Cestius, which was funded by Yuzo Yagi, finished earlier than expected. 6 The restoration of the Pyramid of Cestius, which was funded by Yuzo Yagi, finished earlier than expected. - TRUE - FALSE - NOT GIVEN **答案**：TRUE 原文定位：thanks to his 2-million-euro donation, the project was completed ahead of schedule 同义替换：「restoration」↔「project」；「funded」↔「donation」；「finished earlier than expected」↔「completed ahead of schedule」 ### 7. 7 Most of the original frescoes inside Cestius’ tomb have survived to this day. 7 Most of the original frescoes inside Cestius’ tomb have survived to this day. - TRUE - FALSE - NOT GIVEN **答案**：FALSE 原文定位：Some frescoes have disappeared over time, but historical records confirm their existence 同义替换：「survived」↔「disappeared」 ### 8. History of the Pyramid of Cestius Construction of Cestius' pyramid • It was made from 8_____ marble and cement. History of the Pyramid of Cestius Construction of Cestius' pyramid • It was made from 8_____ marble and cement. **答案**：white 原文定位：Cestius' pyramid had a layer of white Carrara marble on the outside and was constructed from brick held together by cement on the inside ### 9. • Its 9_____ is different from the pyramids found in Egypt. • Its 9_____ is different from the pyramids found in Egypt. **答案**：shape 原文定位：One of the things that strikes you when you look at the pyramid is how steep it is, making its shape quite unlike that of typical Egyptian pyramids 同义替换：「different from」↔「quite unlike」 --- 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。