Welcome to Glass of Venice, the number one importer and retailer of authentic Murano Glass in the US and one of the top names among Murano Glass retailers worldwide. We work directly with artisans (工匠) from Murano, Italy to bring you the unique centuries old art rooted in tradition and skill. Every item is handcrafted with passion using ancient techniques that made Murano glassmakers worldfamous since the 8th century. Now you needn't make a trip to Murano to own an authentic piece of art as beautiful as Venice itself.
At the time of massproduced products that carry no special meaning, Murano Glass gives you an opportunity to express your individuality. Every piece is unique.
Murano Glass is 100% handcrafted in Venice. Be a part of the centuriesold Venetian tradition!
A piece of the artisan's heart and soul is captured in every Murano Glass creation. Crafting Murano Glass jewelry, vases, sculptures and other functional and decorative pieces is a complicated process from silica, minerals, water, and fire. Venetian artisans create masterpieces. The techniques they use are centuries old, and artisans have been trained for many years in their fathers' and grandfathers, workshops before they can attain a revered status of the true master of the craft.
Murano Glass masters are not just artisans; they are artists. Ever since Murano glassmakers guild (公会) was established on this Venetian island in 1291, they have been innovating, seeking new methods of creating glass, and pushing forward to express new philosophies and artistic visions through glass. This made Murano Glass get its own art form, and it has been recognized at international expositions and top art museums and galleries worldwide. Today the famous glass masters working on Murano Island are first and foremost artists, and Glass of Venice is proud to offer artistic masterpieces from top Murano glass workshops.
这篇文章主要介绍了“慕拉诺玻璃”举世闻名，每一块玻璃都有独一无二的风格，如此奇特的玻璃出自“慕拉诺玻璃”大师之手。他们使用的技术已经历经几个世纪，工匠们在获得令人尊敬的工艺大师身份之前，已经在他们父辈和祖父辈的工作坊里训练了许多年。
1．What can be inferred about Murano Glass?
A．It is made by using modern machines.
B．Every piece is made in the US.
C．Every piece has a special style.
D．It was designed in the 8th century.
答案：C
解析：细节理解题。由第二段最后一句Every piece is unique.可知“慕拉诺玻璃”每一块都有独一无二的风格，故选C。
2．The underlined word “revered” in Paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to “________”．
A．considerate B．relieved
C．complex D．respected
答案：D
解析：词义猜测题。The techniques they use are centuries old, and artisans have been trained for many years in their fathers' and grandfathers, workshops before they can attain a revered status of the true master of the craft.这句话的意思是他们使用的技术已经历经几个世纪，工匠们在获得令人尊敬的工艺大师身份之前，已经在他们父辈和祖父辈的工作坊里训练了许多年。所以“revered”的意思是受尊敬的，故选D。
3．What were Murano Glass masters devoted to doing according to the text?
A．Exploring ways to develop the creation of glass.
B．Exporting Murano Glass to many foreign countries.
C．Building art museums to show the beauty of Murano Glass.
D．Creating a special art form to express their philosophies of life.
答案：A
解析：推理判断题。由Murano Glass masters are not just artisans; they are artists. Ever since Murano glassmakers guild (公会) was established on this Venetian island in 1291, they have been innovating, seeking new methods of creating glass, and pushing forward to express new philosophies and artistic visions through glass.可知“慕拉诺玻璃”大师们致力于玻璃的创新，故选A。
4．What is the author's attitude to Murano Glass masters' works?
A．Critical. B．Admirable.
C．Cautious. D．Aggressive.
答案：B
解析：观点态度题。由This made Murano Glass get its own art form, and it has been recognized at international expositions and top art museums and galleries worldwide. Today the famous glass masters working on Murano Island are first and foremost artists, and Glass of Venice is proud to offer artistic masterpieces from top Murano glass workshops.可知作者对“慕拉诺玻璃”大师的作品持赞赏态度。故选B。
