Section_ⅢLesson_2_&_Lesson_3_-_Pre­reading

　　A

　　Every year thousands of tourists flock to① China with the latest② edition③ of China's "Lonely Planet" guidebook in their hands. They come to see the grand④ sights of the Great Wall and the Forbidden City but often⑤ it is the hutongs that leave the strongest impression⑥， as they offer travellers a rare view into China's past. Hutongs - the many little alleys⑦ that connect the rectangular⑧ courtyards of traditional houses - are a feature⑨ of ancient Chinese architecture and are still found in the old quarters of a few Chinese cities. Beijing's hutongs are particularly⑩ famous, however, as there are thousands of them. Nowadays, the word "hutong" has come to⑪ mean more than⑫ just the alleys that connect the courtyards. It also refers to⑬ the courtyards themselves and even to the communities that live there.

　　B

　　The majority of⑭ Beijing's hutongs were built between the 13th and 19th centuries during the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. To help them keep control over⑮ the city, the Emperors during these periods arranged⑯ different areas of Beijing in neat blocks of houses built around courtyards.They were then able to place guards at the entrances of⑰ the various hutongs, which made it easier to keep an eye on⑱ people's movements⑲. The Emperor's home, the Forbidden City, was in the centre of Beijing and the homes of the nobles and wealthy citizens were in the hutongs closest to the royal palace. Ordinary citizens lived in the hutongs further away from⑳ the palace.

　　①flock to蜂拥而至

　　②latest adj.最新的，最近的

　　③edition /I'dIʃn/n.版本

　　④grand adj.雄伟的，壮丽的

　　⑤"It is/was＋被强调部分＋that ..."是强调句型，强调the hutongs。

⑥leave/make the ... impression (on sb.)(给某人)留下......印象