Comprehension Passage
Directions: Read the given passage carefully to answer the following questions. Each question will have five alternatives as its answer. Choose the correct option as your answer.
For over fifteen centuries, the Silk Road, a sprawling network of trade routes stretching from the eastern shores of Asia to the Mediterranean Sea, served as the lifeblood of intercultural exchange. More than just a conduit for silk, spices, and precious metals, it facilitated the transmission of ideas, religions, technologies, and even diseases, shaping the destinies of empires and civilizations. From the bustling markets of Chang'an to the vibrant ports of Constantinople, a complex web of merchants, artisans, monks, and adventurers traversed treacherous terrains, forging connections that transcended geographical boundaries. The zenith of the Silk Road era spanned roughly from the Han Dynasty in China (206 BCE - 220 CE) to the Mongol Empire (13th-14th centuries). During this period, powerful empires along the route provided relative stability and security, fostering trade and cultural diffusion. Buddhism, originating in India, spread eastward along these pathways, leaving an indelible mark on East Asian societies. Islamic scholarship and scientific advancements flowed westward, enriching the intellectual landscape of Europe. Chinese inventions like paper and gunpowder gradually made their way across the continents, revolutionizing communication and warfare.
However, the intricate tapestry of the Silk Road began to unravel in the late mediaeval period. Several factors contributed to its gradual decline. The fragmentation of large empires, such as the Mongol Empire, disrupted the established trade networks and increased insecurity. The rise of powerful maritime powers in Europe, particularly Portugal and Spain, led to the exploration of sea routes to Asia. Vasco da Gama's voyage to India in 1498, circumnavigating Africa, offered a faster and potentially cheaper alternative to the arduous overland journey. The focus of global trade gradually shifted from land-based routes to oceanic ones. European powers established direct sea connections with the East, bypassing the traditional intermediaries along the Silk Road. This shift in trade dynamics had profound consequences for the regions and cities that had once thrived along the Silk Road. Inland trading centres lost their prominence, and the economic and political power shifted towards the coastal nations of Europe. While the Silk Road as a dominant global trade artery faded, its legacy endures. The historical interactions fostered along these routes left an indelible mark on the cultural, linguistic, and genetic makeup of the regions they connected. The memory of its vibrant past continues to inspire scholarly inquiry and reminds us of ______________ on the course of human history. The modern "Belt and Road Initiative" launched by China can even be seen as a contemporary echo, albeit on a vastly different scale and nature, of the ancient pathways that once connected East and West.
Which of the following words is similar in meaning to "treacherous" in the context of the passage?
1
Safe
2
Dangerous
3
Straightforward
4
Smooth
5
Stable