Reading Comprehension Test 15 - The Silk Road

Passage

The Silk Road was not a single road but a vast network of trade routes that connected East Asia with the Mediterranean world for over 1,500 years. The name was coined by German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen in 1877, though the routes had been in use since at least the 2nd century BCE. While silk was indeed one of the most prized commodities traded along these routes, merchants also carried spices, precious metals, gemstones, glassware, and textiles. However, the Silk Road's significance extended far beyond trade. It served as a conduit for the exchange of ideas, religions, technologies, and cultural practices. Buddhism spread from India to China along these routes, while paper-making technology travelled from China westward. The journey along the Silk Road was perilous. Traders had to cross vast deserts, including the Taklamakan, where sandstorms could bury entire caravans. Mountain passes through the Pamir and Tian Shan ranges were treacherous, especially in winter. Despite these dangers, the economic rewards were enormous, and the Silk Road remained a vital link between civilisations until maritime routes became dominant in the 15th century.