44. The underlined sentence in the first paragraph means the Mona Lisa ________.

A. will lose its value B. is being damaged after so many years

C. will rot away D. is getting more valuable with years passing

45. The smile of the Mona Lisa can only be seen ________.

A. by indirect vision B. at a distance C. by direct vision D. in shadows

46. Choose the right order about the happenings onto Mona Lisa.

a. It was stolen from the Louver.

b. Its painter sold it to King Francis I.

c. Its state of health was checked.

d. It was returned to France and housed in the Louver Museum.

e. It was hidden and protected against Germans.

A. b-a-d-e-c B. d-e-c-b-a C. d-a-e-c-b D. b-c-a-d-e

47. It may add to the difficulty in repairing the painting in that ________.

A. experts haven’t noticed changes in its shape as visitors do

B. it is likely to be stolen again when it’s under repair

C. it is uncertain which country, Italy or France, should take charge

D. experts aren’t sure about the materials and the chemical state of its oil paint