Indigo
题目：
Indigo is a blue dye produced from plants of the genus group Indigofera, grown in tropical and subtropical climates, and it has been highly valued since ancient times. However, prior to the late sixteenth century, indigo was not used extensively in Europe because of the profusion of the blue-producing woad plant. Indeed, in Britain the state protected the woad industry from competition by imported indigo through much of the late Middle Ages(ca. 1350-1500) because woad’s growth and manufacture supported many British growers and dyers. Dye made from Indigofera was a rare luxury item in Britain and throughout northern Europe, brought in from the Middle East and used primarily as paint and ink. However, the superiority of the dye extracted from Indigofera caused Europeans to seek to produce their own supplies of the dye and thus end their dependency on expensive foreign imports secured largely via Arab trade networks. Portugal and Spain were the first European countries to obtain their own indigo, which came from their colonies in warm parts of Central and South America. Other nations followed, establishing colonies in tropical and subtropical regions where indigo and other important products grew well.
By the eighteenth century, indigo from plantations in the Americas was used extensively, especially to color cloth, which was used by people of all social statuses for a wide variety of purposes. Because blue was by far the most popular color in Britain in the period, because indigo became a staple that benefited many people within British trade networks, and because the country played a dominant role in eighteenth-century textile manufacture, indigo ended up in enormous amounts of goods consumed by Britons and those with whom they dealt. Although English dyers purchased French and Spanish indigo grown in the Caribbean and Central America, it was a fraught commodity. Foreign dye was expensive, and during the century’s many wars, it was available in Britain only when British privateers captured ships that carried it. Indeed, as a product of Britain’s great enemies, French and Spanish indigo would have been shunned had it not secured an excellent reputation in London, Britain’s central imperial trade hub. When the British began cultivating their own indigo in their American colony of South Carolina, the product was often maligned, much to the consternation of several colonial businessmen with vested interests in the dye.
Although political and economic factors may have fueled prejudices against South Carolina indigo and eighteenth-century indigo made elsewhere was also suspect, contemporary historians generally agree that South Carolina’s dye was the poorest of the period, citing both environmental and procedural factors. First, South Carolina’s weather and soil were less hospitable for indigo growing than were conditions in more tropical locations. Second, even though the money offered by the government to encourage an industry on the staple was supposed to go only to planters who shipped a fine product, Britain had no government-endorsed inspection of the dye, so the money was paid on indigo of all grades. Planters therefore had no incentive other than their reputations to make good indigo, and such motivations inspired some indigo planters and merchants who valued civic stature, but they could not ensure quality across the board.
Despite its questionable reputation, South Carolina indigo was exported to Britain in large quantities, garnering wealth for growers in the colony and supplying dyers and ultimately cloth manufacturers with a blue that colored many garments. In fact, South Carolina indigo colored the majority of British-made blue cloth, since that dye was cheaper and “homegrown.”Although French and Spanish indigo certainly dyed expensive, custom-made fabrics produced in Britain and colored material for less elite wear there, costly foreign indigo was not a wise choice to color more common cloth. By the middle of the eighteenth century, a great deal of such fabric was being manufactured, largely in Ireland and England’s West Country. Cheaper, lighter, and easier to clean, common cloth was often cotton mixed with silk, wool, flax, hemp, and other materials. Since consumers liked blue and indigo was readily available, economical, and simple to make relatively long-lasting, it showed up on a great many everyday garments, accessories, and furnishings
1
Indigo is a blue dye produced from plants of the genus group Indigofera, grown in tropical and subtropical climates, and it has been highly valued since ancient times. However, prior to the late sixteenth century, indigo was not used extensively in Europe because of the profusion of the blue-producing woad plant. Indeed, in Britain the state protected the woad industry from competition by imported indigo through much of the late Middle Ages(ca. 1350-1500) because woad’s growth and manufacture supported many British growers and dyers. Dye made from Indigofera was a rare luxury item in Britain and throughout northern Europe, brought in from the Middle East and used primarily as paint and ink. However, the superiority of the dye extracted from Indigofera caused Europeans to seek to produce their own supplies of the dye and thus end their dependency on expensive foreign imports secured largely via Arab trade networks. Portugal and Spain were the first European countries to obtain their own indigo, which came from their colonies in warm parts of Central and South America. Other nations followed, establishing colonies in tropical and subtropical regions where indigo and other important products grew well.
The phrase “profusion of” in the passage is closest in meaning to
Vocabulary Questions词汇题
Aexcellence of
Babundance of
Cpreference for
Dexistence of
2
Indigo is a blue dye produced from plants of the genus group Indigofera, grown in tropical and subtropical climates, and it has been highly valued since ancient times. However, prior to the late sixteenth century, indigo was not used extensively in Europe because of the profusion of the blue-producing woad plant. Indeed, in Britain the state protected the woad industry from competition by imported indigo through much of the late Middle Ages(ca. 1350-1500) because woad’s growth and manufacture supported many British growers and dyers. Dye made from Indigofera was a rare luxury item in Britain and throughout northern Europe, brought in from the Middle East and used primarily as paint and ink. However, the superiority of the dye extracted from Indigofera caused Europeans to seek to produce their own supplies of the dye and thus end their dependency on expensive foreign imports secured largely via Arab trade networks. Portugal and Spain were the first European countries to obtain their own indigo, which came from their colonies in warm parts of Central and South America. Other nations followed, establishing colonies in tropical and subtropical regions where indigo and other important products grew well.
It can be inferred from paragraph 1 that, in Britain during the late Middle Ages, the state made it difficult for inhabitants to
Inference Questions推理题
Abuy indigo
Bgrow woad
Cmanufacture dye
Dimport paint and ink
3
Indigo is a blue dye produced from plants of the genus group Indigofera, grown in tropical and subtropical climates, and it has been highly valued since ancient times. However, prior to the late sixteenth century, indigo was not used extensively in Europe because of the profusion of the blue-producing woad plant. Indeed, in Britain the state protected the woad industry from competition by imported indigo through much of the late Middle Ages(ca. 1350-1500) because woad’s growth and manufacture supported many British growers and dyers. Dye made from Indigofera was a rare luxury item in Britain and throughout northern Europe, brought in from the Middle East and used primarily as paint and ink. However, the superiority of the dye extracted from Indigofera caused Europeans to seek to produce their own supplies of the dye and thus end their dependency on expensive foreign imports secured largely via Arab trade networks. Portugal and Spain were the first European countries to obtain their own indigo, which came from their colonies in warm parts of Central and South America. Other nations followed, establishing colonies in tropical and subtropical regions where indigo and other important products grew well.
Paragraph 1 indicates that after Spain and Portugal began producing indigo, other European states satisfied their own demand for indigo in which of the following ways?
Inference Questions推理题
AThey produced their own supplies of lower-quality but less expensive indigo in Europe.
BThey increased their dependency on indigo secured via Arab trade networks.
CThey began to rely on Spanish and Portuguese indigo imported from the Americas.
DThey grew indigo in their own colonies located in warm regions.
4
By the eighteenth century, indigo from plantations in the Americas was used extensively, especially to color cloth, which was used by people of all social statuses for a wide variety of purposes. Because blue was by far the most popular color in Britain in the period, because indigo became a staple that benefited many people within British trade networks, and because the country played a dominant role in eighteenth-century textile manufacture, indigo ended up in enormous amounts of goods consumed by Britons and those with whom they dealt. Although English dyers purchased French and Spanish indigo grown in the Caribbean and Central America, it was a fraught commodity. Foreign dye was expensive, and during the century’s many wars, it was available in Britain only when British privateers captured ships that carried it. Indeed, as a product of Britain’s great enemies, French and Spanish indigo would have been shunned had it not secured an excellent reputation in London, Britain’s central imperial trade hub. When the British began cultivating their own indigo in their American colony of South Carolina, the product was often maligned, much to the consternation of several colonial businessmen with vested interests in the dye.
Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
Sentence Simplification Questions句子简化题
ABecause blue was very popular in Britain, indigo became a staple that benefited British trade networks and it came to play a dominant role in British textile manufacture.
BBlue became the most popular color in Britain because indigo was a staple of British trade and industry, and it appeared in enormous amounts of goods.
CBecause indigo was a staple that benefited many people within British trade networks, Britain came to play a dominant role in eighteenth-century textile manufacture.
DBecause of the color blue’s popularity, indigo’s crucial role in trade, and British strength in textile manufacture, indigo was used in many goods that Britons bought and sold.
5
By the eighteenth century, indigo from plantations in the Americas was used extensively, especially to color cloth, which was used by people of all social statuses for a wide variety of purposes. Because blue was by far the most popular color in Britain in the period, because indigo became a staple that benefited many people within British trade networks, and because the country played a dominant role in eighteenth-century textile manufacture, indigo ended up in enormous amounts of goods consumed by Britons and those with whom they dealt. Although English dyers purchased French and Spanish indigo grown in the Caribbean and Central America, it was a fraught commodity. Foreign dye was expensive, and during the century’s many wars, it was available in Britain only when British privateers captured ships that carried it. Indeed, as a product of Britain’s great enemies, French and Spanish indigo would have been shunned had it not secured an excellent reputation in London, Britain’s central imperial trade hub. When the British began cultivating their own indigo in their American colony of South Carolina, the product was often maligned, much to the consternation of several colonial businessmen with vested interests in the dye.
According to paragraph 2, one of the problems associated with French and Spanish indigo in Britain was that
Factual Information Questions事实信息题
Ait was inferior to the indigo produced in the British colonies
Bit was a dangerous commodity for British ships to transport
Cit was so inexpensive that it was difficult to earn a profit on it
Dit was difficult to obtain, especially during times of war
6
By the eighteenth century, indigo from plantations in the Americas was used extensively, especially to color cloth, which was used by people of all social statuses for a wide variety of purposes. Because blue was by far the most popular color in Britain in the period, because indigo became a staple that benefited many people within British trade networks, and because the country played a dominant role in eighteenth-century textile manufacture, indigo ended up in enormous amounts of goods consumed by Britons and those with whom they dealt. Although English dyers purchased French and Spanish indigo grown in the Caribbean and Central America, it was a fraught commodity. Foreign dye was expensive, and during the century’s many wars, it was available in Britain only when British privateers captured ships that carried it. Indeed, as a product of Britain’s great enemies, French and Spanish indigo would have been shunned had it not secured an excellent reputation in London, Britain’s central imperial trade hub. When the British began cultivating their own indigo in their American colony of South Carolina, the product was often maligned, much to the consternation of several colonial businessmen with vested interests in the dye.
According to paragraph 2, why did English dyers use indigo produced by Britain’s enemies?
Factual Information Questions事实信息题
AIt was known to be of very high quality
BThe supply of British indigo had been disrupted by privateers.
CThe enemies forced them to use it
DIt was the cheapest indigo available.
7
Although political and economic factors may have fueled prejudices against South Carolina indigo and eighteenth-century indigo made elsewhere was also suspect, contemporary historians generally agree that South Carolina’s dye was the poorest of the period, citing both environmental and procedural factors. First, South Carolina’s weather and soil were less hospitable for indigo growing than were conditions in more tropical locations. Second, even though the money offered by the government to encourage an industry on the staple was supposed to go only to planters who shipped a fine product, Britain had no government-endorsed inspection of the dye, so the money was paid on indigo of all grades. Planters therefore had no incentive other than their reputations to make good indigo, and such motivations inspired some indigo planters and merchants who valued civic stature, but they could not ensure quality across the board.
The word “contemporary” in the passage is closest in meaning to
Vocabulary Questions词汇题
Aleading
Bserious
Cpresent-day
Dfair-minded
8
Despite its questionable reputation, South Carolina indigo was exported to Britain in large quantities, garnering wealth for growers in the colony and supplying dyers and ultimately cloth manufacturers with a blue that colored many garments. In fact, South Carolina indigo colored the majority of British-made blue cloth, since that dye was cheaper and “homegrown.”Although French and Spanish indigo certainly dyed expensive, custom-made fabrics produced in Britain and colored material for less elite wear there, costly foreign indigo was not a wise choice to color more common cloth. By the middle of the eighteenth century, a great deal of such fabric was being manufactured, largely in Ireland and England’s West Country. Cheaper, lighter, and easier to clean, common cloth was often cotton mixed with silk, wool, flax, hemp, and other materials. Since consumers liked blue and indigo was readily available, economical, and simple to make relatively long-lasting, it showed up on a great many everyday garments, accessories, and furnishings
Why does the author note that “costly foreign indigo was not a wise choice to color more common cloth”?
Rhetorical Purpose Questions修辞目的题
ATo emphasize the superiority of common cloth
BTo emphasize the wisdom of coloring more elite fabrics with homegrown indigo
CTo explain why it was difficult to find British buyers for foreign indigo
DTo explain the popularity of South Carolina indigo among British dyers
9
Indigo is a blue dye produced from plants of the genus group Indigofera, grown in tropical and subtropical climates, and it has been highly valued since ancient times. [■] However, prior to the late sixteenth century, indigo was not used extensively in Europe because of the profusion of the blue-producing woad plant. [■] Indeed, in Britain the state protected the woad industry from competition by imported indigo through much of the late Middle Ages(ca. 1350-1500) because woad’s growth and manufacture supported many British growers and dyers. [■] Dye made from Indigofera was a rare luxury item in Britain and throughout northern Europe, brought in from the Middle East and used primarily as paint and ink. [■] However, the superiority of the dye extracted from Indigofera caused Europeans to seek to produce their own supplies of the dye and thus end their dependency on expensive foreign imports secured largely via Arab trade networks. Portugal and Spain were the first European countries to obtain their own indigo, which came from their colonies in warm parts of Central and South America. Other nations followed, establishing colonies in tropical and subtropical regions where indigo and other important products grew well.
Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage
The cheaper, native-grown woad, by contrast, found its way into all kinds of clothes.Insert Text Questions句子插入题
Where would the sentence best fit？Click on a square sentence to the passage.
10
The blue dye known as indigo has been highly valued since ancient times.
Prose Summary Questions概要小结题
Select 3 answers
AIndigo first came into common use in Europe during the late Middle Ages, when it faced competition from woad and other dye-producing plants brought by Arab traders from the Middle East.
BBritish indigo, supplied primarily from South Carolina, was an inferior product for a number of reasons. includina poor conditions and the absence of government-enforced standards.
CThe demand for blue dye by English and Irish textile manufacturers and the desire among consumers for inexpensive blue cloth meant the British had to trade for it from their European enemies
DIndigo’s quality and high price led Europeans to produce their own supply, and by the eighteenth century indigo from their American colonies had become an important product in Europe.
EAlthough political and economic factors led to early prejudices against indigo from Britain’s American colonies, its reputation improved thanks to large government investment in the industry.
FIndigo produced in the British colonies was popular with manufacturers of less expensive garments made from cloth composed of cotton mixed with other materials.
