12．The term"to extend an olive（橄欖） branch"means to make an offer of peace or reconciliation（和好）．This term has Biblical（圣經(jīng)的）origins，coming from the section of the Old Testament that deals with the flood； the sign that the flood is over is an olive branch brought back to the ark（方舟） by a dove．Olive branches were also symbols of peace in Ancient Greece and Rome，and they continue to be used in various works of art that are meant to suggest peace．
Some people have suggested that the olive was a very deliberate and well-considered choice as a metaphor（比喻）for peace，because olive trees famously take years to mature．War is typically very hard on the trees because people cannot take the time to nurture them and plant new ones．Therefore，the offer of an olive branch would suggest that someone is tired of war，whether it is an actual war or a falling out between friends．
In Ancient Greek and Roman times，people would offer actual olive branches．In Rome，for example，defeated armies traditionally carried olive branches to indicate that they were giving in，and the Greeks used them into weddings and other ceremonies．In the modern era，the branch is usually metaphorical，rather than actual，not least because the plants can be a bit difficult to obtain．
Many people agree that peace negotiations at all levels of society are a good idea．Between nations，obviously，it is important to extend an olive branch to ensure mutual safety and to help the world run more smoothly．This act can also be important on a personal level，as resolving conflict and learning to get along with others is viewed as an important life skill in many cultures．
At some point in their lives，many people will be advised to extend an olive branch to settle a dispute or resolve an issue．Some people believe that it takes an immense amount of courage to take this action，as it often comes with an admission of wrongdoing and regret．
32．According to the Bible，C．
A．a(chǎn)n olive branch suggests flood is coming
B．the ark is made of olive tree wood
C．a(chǎn)n olive branch means flood is over
D．a(chǎn) dove loves to settle on the olive branch
33．The olive is considered a good choice as a metaphor for peace for the following reasons EXCEPTB．
A．olive trees famously take years to mature
B．olive branches make people tired of war
C．war is typically very hard on the trees
D．people cannot take the time to nurture them while at war
34．Why are actual olive branches seldom used in modern times？C
A．Olive trees are being protected now．
B．Olive trees are planted only in certain countries．
C．Olive trees can be far to seek．
D．There is no need to use real olive branches．
35．It can be learned from the text that to extend an olive branchC．
A．is not important on a personal level
B．is only important between nations
C．takes a lot of courage
D．is an important life skill in many cultures．
分析 本文屬于說明文閱讀，作者通過這篇文章主要向我們描述了橄欖枝寓意和平的由來和它在過去和現(xiàn)代的使用以及含義．
解答 32．C．細(xì)節(jié)理解題．根據(jù)第一段 the sign that the flood is over is an olive branch brought back to the ark（方舟） by a dove可知橄欖枝意味著洪水結(jié)束；故選C．
33．B．細(xì)節(jié)理解題．根據(jù)第二段Therefore，the offer of an olive branch would suggest that someone is tired of war，whether it is an actual war or a falling out between friends可知橄欖被認(rèn)為是一個(gè)很好的選擇，作為和平的象征因?yàn)殚蠙鞓渲ψ屓藚捑肓藨?zhàn)爭(zhēng)；故選B．
34．C．細(xì)節(jié)理解題．根據(jù)第三段In the modern era，the branch is usually metaphorical，rather than actual，not least because the plants can be a bit difficult to obtain可知實(shí)際橄欖枝很少在現(xiàn)代使用因?yàn)殡y以獲得；故選C．
35．C．細(xì)節(jié)理解題．根據(jù)第四段many people will be advised to extend an olive branch to settle a dispute or resolve an issue．Some people believe that it takes an immense amount of courage to take this action可知伸出橄欖枝這種行動(dòng)需要巨大的勇氣；故選C．
點(diǎn)評(píng) 考察學(xué)生的細(xì)節(jié)理解和推理判斷能力，做細(xì)節(jié)理解題時(shí)一定要找到文章中的原句，和題干進(jìn)行比較，再做出正確的選擇．在做推理判斷題不要以個(gè)人的主觀想象代替文章的事實(shí)，要根據(jù)文章事實(shí)進(jìn)行合乎邏輯的推理判斷．
