The excellence of ancient Chinese bronze casting has never been equaled.Though the earliest bronzes predated the Shang dynasty(1523 B.C---1028 B.
　　 [C] ,general use in state worship rituals by the ruling elite became common early in that period.Towards the end of the Shang dynasty,bronze vessels were also used in private rituals.After that, and up to 220 A.D.,bronze vessels were widely used as utensils for daily life.
　　
　　The Chinese made bronzes by methods that differed greatly from those used in ancien Mesopotamia and Greece.Instead of cold-working the alloy to make the shapes assembled around a clay core.The mold sections contained a negative image of the design that had seen carved directly into the clay.To make the vessel,the hot molten alloy (a combination of tin and copper) was poured into the mold assembly and leftto cool.The finished vessel required no more carving.
　　
　　The decoration of the vessel developed through the years.Early designs had a narrow band of geometric designs,and later designs had complex patterns coveringthe entire vessel.Often the design included stylized dragons,birds,or snakes.Inscriptions concontrasting color to the designs.
　　
　16. This passage mainly discusses the _____.
　　 [A] excellence of Chinese bronze vessels
　　 [B] techniques of producing bronze
　　 [C] types of decorations on bronze vessels
　　 [D] time period of the use of bronze vessels

　17. It can be inferred from this passage that _____.
　　 [A] commoners shared in worship services with the elite
　　 [B] Chinese scrip was understood by most people
　　 [C] dragons,birds,snakes were feared
　　 [D] the direct-casting process is superior to cool-working the alloy

　18. Around 1525 B.C., bronze vessels probably were used most commonly _____.
　　 [A] in private commonly
　　 [B] for drinking wine
　　 [C] in official ceremonies
　　 [D] as common eating bowls

　19. What must happen to all vessels before theyare complete?
　　 [A] The gold and sliver must be inlaid.
　　 [B] The negative image must be carved.
　　 [C] The alloy in the mold must have cooled.
　　 [D] The ancient inscrition must be cast.

　20. What does "band" mean in the third paragraph?
　　 [A] A musical group
　　 [B] A picture of ancient instruments
　　 [C] A complete covering
　　 [D] A strip around the edge