江苏省五年一贯制高职“专转本”考试英语统考试卷（90 分钟）I. Reading ComprehensionPassage OneThe TV play Zheng He is broadcasted on CCTV and the great Chinese traveler comes gradually back to us. It reminds us of a lot of excitement.Zheng He, the Columbus of the east, was an amazing man. He was born in 1371 and, 11 years later, was caught by the army of a rich young man called Zhu Di and made to word for him. Over time the rich man saw that Zheng He was very clever and strong and they became close friends. In 1403, Zhu Di was made the king of China and asked Zheng He to join his new government.The King wanted to learn more about the world and show other countries his power. He ordered many new ships to be built and made Zheng He the leader. Between 1405 and 1433, he led seven sea ships to different parts of the world. He certainly traveled to India, Africa and the Middle East. Some people insist that his ships may have even reached South Africa and Australia.Each trip lasted between two and four years and it is believed he sailed more than 50,000 kilometers during his travels. With 28,000 men and over 300 ships, such as boats for food, water and even soldiers’ horses, Zheng He led a fleet whose size would not be equaled by Europeans for over 500 years.On these trips, he brought with him many Chinese goods like silk and medicine to give to the foreign kings or to sell for local goods. He returned from each trip with boats filled with expensive things such as gold and jewellery, foreign guests and strange animals like a giraffe.It is a pity that we may never learn everything about Zheng He’s travels. After he died in 1433, the new king, who thought these trips were u...
