真题鉴赏——活字印刷《movable-type printing》

除了二十四节气，中国古代四大发明是近两年中考、模考英语的超级热点，出题频率极高。2025海南琼中中考一模、2025-2026重庆八年级期末两套最新真题，覆盖中考必考知识点，难易搭配，适配初中生日常刷题、备考。

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2025 海南琼中中考一模英语

Passage

Bi Sheng was born in the Northern Song Dynasty. He invented movable-type printing between 1041 and 1048 AD. He was the world’s first inventor of movable-type printing, about 400 years earlier than German inventor Johannes Gutenberg.The biggest advantage of movable-type printing was that the types could be taken apart and reused.How did it work?First, clay was made into movable types. Then characters were carefully carved onto each clay piece. After that, workers arranged the character blocks in order according to the text. Next, ink was brushed onto the types. Finally, paper was pressed on them for printing.Movable-type printing played an important role in Chinese culture. It helped Chinese culture spread rapidly across the world and pushed cultural communication between different countries.The Four Great Inventions include movable-type printing, the compass, gunpowder and papermaking. They secured China’s important position in the history of human civilization.

Choose the best answer.

41. When was movable-type printing invented?
A. Around 600 AD B. 1041–1048 AD
C. In the 15th century D. Around 1500 AD

42. What material did Bi Sheng use for types?
A. Wood B. Metal C. Clay D. Stone

43. What is the key advantage of movable-type printing?
A. Types can be reused B. It needs no ink
C. It can print pictures automatically D. It costs no money

44. What can we learn from the passage?
A. Gutenberg learned printing skills from Bi Sheng
B. Movable-type printing slowed cultural exchange
C. It promoted global spread of Chinese culture
D. Woodblock printing appeared after movable-type printing

重庆江津区 2025–2026 学年上期八年级期末英语

Passage

Bi Sheng got the idea of movable-type printing when he watched children making mud toys and arranging them in different orders.After plenty of experiments, he chose clay. He carved one character on each small clay piece and baked them in fire to harden. He put these clay characters inside an iron frame to form a whole page. Then ink was spread on the types. When a sheet of paper was pressed on top, words were printed on paper.After printing, the clay characters could be stored and reused again.This new method made producing books much faster and cheaper. Still, many people doubted this invention at first. However, Bi Sheng kept improving his technology.Today, Bi Sheng’s movable-type printing still has great influence. It tells us creativity and persistence can create great inventions and change the world.

Where did Bi Sheng get the inspiration for his invention?
A. From ancient books B. Watching kids playing mud toys
C. From his teacher D. From old woodblock printing
What does the underlined word “character” mean in the text?
A. personality B. word C. actor D. symbol
Which is the correct order of movable-type printing?
①bake clay pieces hard②carve characters on clay③arrange types in an iron frame④brush ink and press paper
A. ②①③④ B. ①②③④ C. ②③①④ D. ③②①④
What is the main idea of the text?
A. The history of woodblock printing
B. The story and influence of Bi Sheng’s invention
C. The Four Great Inventions of ancient China
D. How books were sold in the Song Dynasty