When Columbus “sailed the ocean blue in 1492” wasn't looking for America，he was searching for a

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When Columbus “sailed the ocean blue in 1492” wasn't looking for America，he was searching for a route from Spain to China；America just got in the way.
The Spanish were after the riches of Asia：silk，dates，spices.Until later adventures discovered how to sail to the Far East，trade with China depended on the Silk Road.The trade between China and Europe brought huge wealth，so the Spanish had a strong desire to find a new way to the East.Eventually a way appeared；as sea traffic developed from the 17th Century onwards，the overland route diminished.
Now China is seeking to revive (复兴) the Silk Road and is preparing to invest 4 trillion pounds in new road，rail links，oil pipelines and other basic facilities.It is hoped that goods can be shipped westwards by land far more quickly and economically than by sea.
But the plan is also to attract more tourists.Actually，China does pretty well for tourists already；it's the world's fourth most visited country.Two cities—Beijing and Shanghai—possess the tourism business，with significant interest in destinations such as Xi'an and Chengdu.While Beijing is modern，cities such as Lanzhou and Dunhuang have one foot planted firmly in old China.
Other places featured include Xi'an，the former capital of China，where you can come face to face with Terracotta Army built to protect China's first emperor in the afterlife.From Lanzhou tour members take the train to Jiayuguan，China's western gateway and a key location on the Silk Road.
There is also a four­day coach journey along the original Silk Route through the Xinjiang region to Kashgar.Along the way，at Kurla，you can visit the ruins of the Iron Fortress.
【语篇解读】　随着“一带一路”战略的不断推进，曾经辉煌的丝绸之路再次绽放光彩。对于很多人而言，沿线城市已经成为了解中国和旅行的目的地。欧洲人能够踏上丝绸之路寻觅现代奇迹和已被遗忘的辉煌。
28．What does the underlined word “diminished” in Paragraph 2 mean?
A．Discovered.　　　 B．Disappeared.
C．Disturbed. D．Displayed.
解析：选B　词义猜测题。由第三段中的“Now China is seeking to revive (复兴) the Silk Road”可知，现在中国正在寻求重现丝绸之路的光彩，因此推断画线词所在句句意是：最终一条路出现了；由于17世纪之后海上交通的开发，陆路消失了。所以画线词词义是：“消失”，与disappear意义相近。故B选项正确。
29．What is the purpose of reviving the Silk Road?
A．To rebuild the ruins of the Iron Fortress.
B．To construct new roads and other basic structures.
C．To make transportation westwards faster and cheaper.
D．To draw more inland tourists' attention to the western gateway.
解析：选C　细节理解题。根据第三段最后一句“It is hoped that goods can be shipped westwards by land far more quickly and economically than by sea.”可知，中国重现丝绸之路是希望能够通过陆地比海洋更快更经济地将商品输送至远方。故C选项正确。
30．What can we learn about the Silk Road?
A．It is nothing but a trade route.
B．It may destroy some cities' ancient style.
C．It attracts foreign investment of ￡4 trillion.
D．It promotes the tourism industry of China.
解析：选D　细节理解题。根据第四段第一句“But the plan is also to attract more tourists.”可知，重兴丝绸之路吸引了更多的游客，促进了中国的旅游业。故D选项正确。
31．What is the best title for the text?
A．The Charming of the Silk Road.
B．The Function of the Silk Road.
C．The Origin of the Silk Road.
D．The Future of the Silk Road.
解析：选A　标题归纳题。纵观全文可知，文章主要讲述中国正在寻求重现丝绸之路的光彩，希望能够通过陆地比海洋更快更经济地将商品输送至远方。这也极大地促进了中国的旅游业的发展，欧洲人可以踏上丝绸之路寻觅现代奇迹和已被遗忘的辉煌。因此推断选项A“迷人的丝绸之路”为最佳标题。故A选项正确。