There were many different cultures in the ancient world, but the two that had the most influence on European and American civilizations were the Greek and the Roman. Often these two cultures are lumped together in our minds, as if they were really exactly alike. But that is not the case. In many ways the Greeks and the Romans could not have been more different.
The Greeks were truly democratic, often without a single leader but instead governed by a group of men chosen by the people. The Romans were semi-democratic. They had a governing Senate, but the political power was mostly or completely in the hands of a single emperor.
Both cultures were great builders. But the construction interests of the two cultures were also different. The Greeks tended to be more artistic. Their buildings were well constructed and they were especially interested in temples, columns, and- decorative forms. The Romans, on the other hand, were more engineers than artists. They concentrated their efforts on urban planning, well-functioning
peoples ate very well the same time long discussions and tasting excellent wines.
In fact, it would probably be fair to say that they both loved life in their warm, sea-oriented climates, and they both lived a full life.
What is the first paragraph about?
The Greek and the Roman were similar.
People misunderstood European civilization.
Greek civilization was quite different from Roman civilization.
European civilization influenced American civilization greatly.
文章第一段首先说人们将希腊和罗马文化混为一谈是错误的，最后一句又强调了两 者是非常不同的。所以本段主要讲的是希腊文化和罗马文化两者有巨大差异，故选C。
Which of the following is TRUE?
The Romans had more political awareness.
The Romans had less political freedom and democracy.
The Romans had more freedom to choose their leader.
The Romans had fewer people elected into the government.
文章第二段将希腊和罗马的政治文化进行对比，由此可知，希腊的政治强调民主，罗马则强调专制。故罗马的政治自由和民主较少，故选B。
What were the Greeks famous for?
The overall planning of a city or a town.
The artistic decoration of the buildings.
The practical functions of the buildings.
The system of water supply and transportation.
根据文章第三段第三、四句“The Creeks tended to be more artistic...and decorative forms”可知，希腊的建筑很有艺术风格，有很多艺 术装饰，故选B。
How are the two cultures alike?
Both loved the sea.
Both lived long lives.
Both loved cooking.
Both enjoyed talking over meals.
文章最后两段讲了希腊人和罗马人的相似之处，根据“Both peoples ate very well indeed...excellent wines”可知，他们喜欢边吃边聊，故选D。