I was taking in the breathtaking view from the top of Sydney Harbor Bridge when I sensed I was about to witness something even more dramatic right in front of me. Although we were all tied to lines running along the steel girders, a fellow climber called Mike had somehow managed to drop onto bended knee and turn to face his girlfriend, Wendy. I knew what was coming. “Wendy, will you marry me?” he asked. There was a quick smile and an attempted kiss and then a big beam. Mike had the answer he hoped for and all of us burst into a round of applause.
Apparently more than 2,000 couples have become engaged ( 订 婚 ) at the summit since 1998, when it became possible to climb it in organized tour groups. The bridge, perhaps the most recognized symbol of this beautiful city, opened in 1932. It's still the world's largest steel-arch bridge.
We returned to the fantastic view: the famous Sydney Opera House, ferries and sailboats making their way through the harbor, the city skyline — but I had to force myself to look down. We had climbed 1,423 steps to the top of the bridge and I didn't know whether to be delighted or scared.
Nicole Kidman has done it. So have Bruce Springsteen, Prince Harry and scores of other celebrities. But climbing to the top clearly isn't just for the rich and famous. On the contrary, Australian youngsters do it to celebrate their 12th birthdays. (You have to be at least 12 years old to do the climb.) A 100-year-old woman climbed it and told guides it was on her list of things to do before she died.
You can climb during the day, at twilight, or even after dark with headlamps. People climb in all weathers except when there's lightning in the area. In fact, over two million people have made the three-and-a-half-hour climb to the top of the famous bridge—an adventure that cannot be done anywhere else in the world on a bridge this big. That's probably why this climb has won a lot of tourism awards. Today, the climb is firmly on the "to-do" list for locals as well as tourists.
1. What can we learn on the bridge is quite rare?A.Getting engaged on the bridge is quite rare. |
B.People climb the bridge on climbers’ age. |
C.There are no limitations on climbers’ age. |
D.Many famous people have done the climb. |
A.Bored and tired | B.Fearful and confused |
C.Excited and nervous | D.Relived and relaxed |
A.To introduce the popularity of the bridge. |
B.To emphasize the importance of the bridge |
C.To explain the functions of the bridge. |
D.To describe the fantastic view from the bridge. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】A New Viewing Platform at Camley Street Natural Park
There’s a new viewing platform added to Camley Street Natural Park. The platform is designed to bring architecture (建筑) and nature close together. It is a peaceful place to relax and helps people discover nature, especially wildlife. You’ll have a look at kinds of birds if you’re lucky.
The foundation
The platform is founded with the help of the New Architects: Finland UK Exchange Program, which brings together new architectural talents from Finland and the UK to explore cities’ ever-changing relationship with water.
The Design
The platform is designed by a team of young Finnish architects. The inspiration comes from the rocky islands off the Nordic coastline. For Finns, these islands are places to relax the mind and get away from busy city life. The platform offers Londoners a chance to experience this escape.
To find out more about the inspiration for the design, please visit www.viewpointlondon.fi/.
The Extra Use
The platform is also an important new learning base for Camley Street Natural Park. It will be used as an outdoor classroom and a place to host workshops for school children. It will give children views of the canal and other wildlife and a chance of getting close to nature.
Local schools can contact here to learn more.
1. What do we know about the platform?A.It is quiet and calm. |
B.It is changeable and dangerous. |
C.It separates architecture from nature. |
D.It can be used for feeding wild animals. |
A.Explore countryside. |
B.View all kinds of sports games. |
C.Experience nature and relax oneself. |
D.Act as a classroom for adults and children. |
A.On a website. | B.In a textbook. |
C.In a course plan. | D.On a technology platform. |
【推荐2】Would you take a trip if you couldn’t use your cellphone? A new tour company called Off the Grid is asking travellers to put their cellphones away and not even use them for photos. The company founder, Zach Beattie, is developing his business, using money he saved from a tech job at a mapping company. He’s hired guides for every trip but will help lead the first few himself.
The first trip is to Lisbon, Portugal, in July. It takes 7 to 10 days, with small groups of up to 16 people. Prices range from $1,500 to $1,650, including accommodations, meals and ground transportation. The plan includes at least three excursions (远足) and two social events, with an emphasis on unique experiences over bucket-list sightseeing. The tour also includes surfing lessons, yoga on the beach, a day of sailing and dinner with a local family.
“When you’re somewhere new, there’s a lot to see and a lot of cool and interesting people to meet,” Beattie said. “Your phone can distract (使分心) you.” The phone ban won’t be enforced quite as strictly as it seems at first glance. “We want it to be voluntary,” he said. “We’re not collecting phones and throwing them in a locked trunk. It’s held by you, but put in your pocket, and you state your intentions for the week, whether that’s checking your social media once or twice a day or a total blackout.”
Tour-goers also get a “dumbphone” without Internet access that’s loaded with numbers for group leaders and other participants, both for emergencies and to promote socializing. Participants may bring regular cameras, but Beattie is hiring a photographer for each tour so there will be plenty of photos to remember the trip. Once the trip is over, participants will have access to those photos for use in social media posts.
1. What can be learned about Zach Beattie?A.He set up his business at his own expense. |
B.He is always guiding every trip personally. |
C.He forbids tourists to take along cellphones. |
D.He used to earn his living in a tour company. |
A.The trip features sightseeing. |
B.Participants live in homestays. |
C.Air ticket is covered in the cost. |
D.Tourists experience water sports. |
A.Lock their phones in a trunk. |
B.Post their photos on social media. |
C.Free themselves from their phones. |
D.Shift their focus onto dumbphones. |
A.Take photos. | B.Access the Internet. |
C.Record the trip. | D.Contact group members. |
【推荐3】Researching both experts’ and travelers’ opinions, we selected some good Hollywood tours.
Big Bus Tours Los Angeles—TMZ Celebrity Tour
Price: $59 for adults and $49 for kids aged 3 to 12. Children younger than 2 are not permitted
Duration: 2 hours
TMZ operates this bus tour to take travelers through Hollywood in the hopes of seeing their favorite celebrities. During the two-hour trip, TMZ guides will take you to celebrity hangouts in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, the Sunset Strip and more. The guides even bring video cameras in case a passing celebrity (名人) is willing to give an interview.
The Real Los Angeles Tours—The Real Hollywood Tour
Price: $40 for adults; children 12 and younger for free.
Duration: 2 hours
During this historic walking tour, travelers will learn why Hollywood—once a farming town—was selected by movie industry pioneers in the early 20th century. The two-hour tour also stops at unique sights, such as the oldest house in Hollywood. But major attractions aren’t forgotten either: You can expect to see the Capitol Records Building, the Dolby Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, among other sights.
Bikes and Hikes LA—Hollywood Sign Hike
Price: $34 per person.
Duration: 2.5 hours
For a unique and sunshine-filled Hollywood tour, opt for this 2.5-hour hike to the Hollywood sign. Highlights include a view of the Griffith Observatory, panoramic views from Mount Hollywood and local guides who also double as actors and comedians. Along the 4-mile round-trip hike, you might even see local celebrities walking their dogs. Bikes and Hikes LA recommends wearing sunscreen, sunglasses and sneakers, and bringing a smartphone for all those Instagram-worthy views.
Hollywood City Tours—The Original Hollywood Tour
Price: Approximately $45 for adults; $35 for kids 11 and younger
Duration: 2 hours
According to travelers, this tour is worthwhile if you’re only in Los Angeles for a short amount of time, as you cover a lot of ground in just two hours. You’ll cruise (慢速行驶) along Rodeo Drive and the Sunset Strip in an open-top bus as your driver (who doubles as your guide) shares interesting tidbits (趣闻) and historical information.
1. Which is the cheapest tour for a couple with a kid aged 5?A.Big Bus Tours Los Angeles—TMZ Celebrity Tour. |
B.The Real Los Angeles Tours—The Real Hollywood Tour. |
C.Bikes and Hikes LA—Hollywood Sign Hike. |
D.Hollywood City Tours—The Original Hollywood Tour. |
A.A smartphone. | B.A video camera. |
C.A sweater. | D.A telescope. |
A.Come across their favorite celebrities. |
B.Have a view of Griffith Observatory. |
C.See the Capitol Records Building. |
D.Hear some historical information. |
【推荐1】All living organisms are uniquely adapted to the environment in which they live. Scientists are studying the design and the biological processes of these organisms to get ideas for products and technologies. This field of study is called bionics. Here are two examples.
Toucan bills (鸟嘴) and car safety
Toucans usually have enormous bills. Scientists have found that the toucan’s bill is designed to be both strong and light. The surface is made of keratin (角蛋白), the same material in human fingernails and hair. But the inside of the bill has a foamlike structure and is made up of a network of light, thin pieces of bone. It contains a lot of air, and some areas are hollow, not solid. This design makes the bill hard but very light.
The design of the toucan bill can be used to make cars and planes safer. Studies show that the bill’s structure can absorb high energy impacts very well. Car body panels that mimic toucan bills may offer better protection to motorists involved in crashes.
Shark scales (鳞) and swimsuits
Shark skin may look smooth,but it’s actually rough. Sharks are covered in scales made from the same material as their teeth. Viewed up close, the scales actually look like tiny teeth. These scales protect the shark and help to keep it clean. They are also flexible and can turn or bend in the water. This movement reduces the water’s drag on the shark and helps it to swim quickly.
Amy Lang, an aerospace engineer at the University of Alabama, studied the scales on the shortfin mako. Shortfin makos are one of the fastest and strongest fish in the ocean, and are a relative of the great white shark. Lang and her team discovered that the shortfin mako’s scales vary in size and flexibility over its body. For instance, the scales on the sides of the body are tapered (锥形的)—wide at one end and narrow at the other. They can turn up or flatten to adjust to the flow of water around the shark and to reduce drag.
Lang believes that shark scales can inspire designs for machines that experience drag, such as airplanes. Designers are also getting ideas from shark scales for designing swimwear and coating ship bottoms.
1. Why do car body panels copy the design of the toucan bill?A.To better protect passersby. |
B.To reduce the injury to drivers. |
C.To decrease the chances of crashes. |
D.To make cars lighter and easier to control. |
A.The coating of ship bottoms. |
B.The coating of airplanes. |
C.The panel that makes the plane safer. |
D.Swimwear that is smooth to keep itself clean. |
A.To present two innovative products. |
B.To introduce bionics by example. |
C.To show the unique adaptation of animals. |
D.To discuss the link between humans and animals. |
【推荐2】Step aside, blue collar. And white collar, pink collar and green collar. There’s a new collar in town. “New collar” jobs are those that require advanced skills but not necessarily advanced degrees, especially in emerging high-tech fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity (网络安全), electric vehicles and robotics.
There are real fears that workers will lose jobs to technology, especially artificial intelligence, in the coming years. But “new collar” optimists think in a more positive way: There are also real opportunities ahead for skilled workers who know how to handle machines.
“Somebody has to program, monitor and maintain those robots,” said Sarah Boisvert, the founder of the New-Collar Network.
Even if millions of high-tech jobs are created in the coming years, the impact on workers who lose jobs may be significant. For many Americans without four-year college degrees, according to census (人口普查) data, the new job market will require training.
Ginni Rometty, a former chief executive of IBM, is believed to have created a “new collar” in 2016. At the time, she said, IBM was having trouble filling cybersecurity jobs, partly because outdated criteria required that candidates have college degrees.
“Due to our high qualifications in these online jobs, we overlooked a large number of qualified and available candidates,” she wrote in an email. “Unless millions of people are trained in the skills employers need now,” she added, “they risk being unemployed even as millions of good-paying jobs go unfilled.”
Christopher M. Cox, a researcher who has written about the new-collar economy, said, “The alternative model of four-year universities is really great.” However, he added that “new collar” may also be a clever term that relieves the anxiety of workers by defining the constantly changing labor market and technology companies as more ideal rather than “terminators (终结者).”
1. What does “new collar” mean?A.People engaged in cybersecurity. |
B.People working at electric vehicles. |
C.People closely connected with artificial intelligence. |
D.People with advanced skills regardless of degrees. |
A.Much stress. | B.Low salaries. |
C.High qualifications. | D.Few candidates. |
A.It gives more opportunities to the workers. |
B.It helps artificial intelligence develop better. |
C.It rebuilds the confidence of the white collar. |
D.It changes the system of technology companies. |
A.To explain the anxiety of workers. | B.To state the electric vehicle industry. |
C.To emphasise the college education. | D.To introduce the new-collar phenomenon. |
【推荐3】Two years ago this month, a 19-year-old American shot and killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Fourteen of the victims were students; the other three were teachers. The gunman was a former student at the high school.
On this anniversary, as with other anniversaries of school shootings, Americans continue debating how to make sure students are safe in schools.
To increase preparedness for such an event, many schools now hold shooter drills for students and their teachers. A report released by Everytown for Gun Safety, a non-profit organization, notes the possible harmful effects of such exercises. It urges school administrators to look for better ways to make schools safe and to prepare children for an active shooter.
One problem with the way schools carry out shooter drills is how much they frighten students. When a school fails to inform parents and students about plans for a drill, the children may think that the attack is real. In some communities, the report says, schools deploy individuals who are told to act like “masked gunmen”. Students as young as three or four years old may be told to stay quiet in a small space for a long period of time. Experts on mental health say these experiences can have both short- and long-term effects on how well the children behave in school, as well as on their physical and mental health.
Melissa Reeves, former president of the National Association of School Psychologists, said the drills may “trigger either past trauma or trigger such a similar reaction that it actually ends up scaring the individuals instead of better preparing them to respond in these kinds of situations.”
In 2007, one study found it better to prepare students for an “intruder”, rather than a shooter. Another study noted the value of announcing drills in advance and following them with discussion. Students in that situation felt better prepared to handle possible violence.
1. What is the problem with the shooter drills?A.Students only suffer short-term damage. |
B.Students' physical health cannot be affected. |
C.Students may think they are real and get scared. |
D.Too young children may not understand what is happening. |
A.Limit. | B.Cause. | C.Reduce. | D.Regulate. |
A.Critical. | B.Favorable. | C.Indifferent. | D.Unclear. |
A.The schools give them a surprise. |
B.They only prepare for shooters. |
C.The masked “attacker” carries a toy gun. |
D.Drills are announced beforehand and discussed afterwards. |
【推荐1】As is known to all, “I am sorry.” is the phrase we hear most in daily communication in Britain. What does it mean? Does it always mean you apologize (道歉) for what you have done wrong? Let us review a scene happening in a British street one day.
A young man walked down a road playing with his smart phone when a lady came over in his opposite direction. The man failed to give his way to the lady in time. As a result, he bumped (碰撞) into the lady. As a rule in China, the man must say “I am sorry” first, because he was so busy playing with his smart phone that he got in the way of the lady. However, both the persons apologized to each other by saying “I am sorry.” Why is this the case? As a matter of fact, the phrase “I am sorry” takes on another meaning in Britain. Anyone should speak to the other this way if either of them creates inconvenience (不便). The apology is just a way to avoid unnecessary fights between them.
Another cultural difference about “I am sorry.” can also be found at British restaurants. Supposing an old woman says to a waiter in a pub (酒馆), “I am sorry, but can I order another drink?” This time you must realize it doesn’t mean she apologizes to the waiter for what she has done wrong, but means she really needs the waiter to do something for her.
1. In China, the person who does something ______should apologize to the other by saying “I am sorry.”A.wrong | B.special | C.right | D.common |
A.answering a call | B.playing with his smart phone |
C.dancing along the road | D.playing football with his friends by the roadside |
A.the waiter | B.both the lady and the young man |
C.the young man | D.the lady |
A.apologize to | B.ask for help from | C.treat | D.play a joke on |
A.Don’t play with smart phones on the road. |
B.We should learn to be a person with good manners |
C.How to order a drink successfully in a British pub? |
D.We can find cultural difference in daily English communication. |
【推荐2】The following people are studying English.However,they have some trouble in it.
I am Lester.I work 60 hours a week as a vet,so I always talk to my customers all day.They understand me,but I know I often make a lot of mistakes.No one corrects me.My vocabulary is strong.Grammar is my problem.I'm trying to change little by little.For example,I don't use the passive voice.I always say,"your dog treated well"instead of"your dog has been treated well".
I am a German.My name is Luisa.I'm teaching myself English,and I'm good at grammar.However,it's really difficult to find ways to practice English.I live in an area where everyone speaks my language.My neighbors and friends speak German.I can speak French in the supermarket and at the post office.
I am Pablo.I understand the grammar and the readings in my class and I think my writing is good,but I'm very nervous when I speak English.I don't want to make any mistakes because I'm afraid people will think that I'm stupid.Also,my pronunciation isn't good.When I speak,people often say,"What?Say that again".
I am Frank.I have been in the United States for one year.I'm studying hard and I know grammar well,but the listening is very difficult.When I listen,I don't understand many of the words.When I try to talk with others,I don't catch what they said.I feel discouraged.
1. What can we learn about Frank?A.He was born in the United States. |
B.He has a very small vocabulary. |
C.He has learned English for years. |
D.His listening is poor. |
A.Try to have a wide vocabulary. |
B.Develop a good knowledge of grammar. |
C.Read as many French books as possible. |
D.Make friends with Englishspeaking people. |
A.She can't pronounce words in English correctly. |
B.She speaks at a very fast speed. |
C.Her grammar is terrible. |
D.Her voice is very low. |
A.Luisa | B.Lester |
C.Pablo | D.Frank |
【推荐3】Day 1
Whether you arrive in Lanzhou by air or train, our guide will pick you up on time and transfer you to your already-booked hotel. After leaving your luggage in the hotel and having a short rest, your tour begins with the Statue of Mother Yellow River, a landmark of the city. After that, our guide will take you to see Zhongshan Bridge before returning to the hotel.
Meals: No meals, advice freely available
Day 2
After breakfast, you will be transported to the railway station to take the bullet train departing at 8:36 to Zhangye, the second destination. The train journey is about 3.5 hours. On arriving in Zhangye, a hearty lunch will be arranged at a nice restaurant for you to taste local dishes. After that, we will head for Linze County to visit Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, where you can witness peaks with yellow, reddish and rainbow layers under the rosy rays of sunset.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Day 3
Jiayuguan Great Wall, standing in the middle of the desert, is a highlight of the city. Our guide will take you to climb its Gate Tower which suffered from a lot of fierce wars in the past. In the afternoon, we will set out on a trip to the next stop-Dunhuang by our private vehicle.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4
This is the last day of your tour. We'll take you to sight-see essential spots of Dunhuang, including Mogao Caves, Crescent Lake and Echoing-Sand Mountain. Before departure, our guide will show you the Dunhuang Museum, to have a general view of the city's history.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
1. What is the first destination for your package travel?A.Lanzhou airport. | B.Zhongshan Bridge. |
C.The Statue of Mother Yellow River. | D.Lanzhou railway station. |
A.To take a bus to Linze County. |
B.To visit a geological park at once. |
C.To rest in an already-booked hotel. |
D.To have a taste of local dishes. |
A.Eight meals. | B.Six meals. | C.Seven meals. | D.Five meals. |
【推荐1】My summer hols wr CWOT. B4, WE USED 2go 2 NY 2C my bro, his GF & thr 3 :-@ KIDS FTF. ILNY, its gr8.
Can you understand this sentence? If you can’t, don’t feel too bad: neither could the middle school teacher in England who received this as homework. This is Netspeak: the language of computerized communication found on the Internet or cellphones. To newcomers, it can look like a completely foreign language.
School teachers and parents say this new form of writing is harming ( 破 坏 ) the English language.
Increasing spelling and grammatical mistakes can be seen in students’ writ ing. They fear the language could become corrupted (面目全非的).
Everyone should just relax, say linguists (语言学家). They believe Netspeak is in fact more of a good thing. David Crystal, from the University of Wales, argues that Netspeak and Internet create a new language use and the almost lost art of diary writing has been picked up again. Geoffrey Nurnberg, from Stanford University, agrees. “People get better at writing by writing,” he says. “Kids who are now doing text messaging, e-mail, and instant messages will write at least as well as, and possibly better than, their parents.”
Linguist James Milroy says, for centuries, it is believed without exception that young people are harming the language. And when today’s teenagers become tomorrow’s parents, they too will think this way. Milroy argues that languages do not and cannot become “corrupted”; they simply change to meet the new needs.
However, Netspeakers do agree that it is important to teach young people how to speak and write Standard English. Cynthia McVey says, “I can understand Netspeak worries teachers and it’s important that they tell their pupils that text messaging is for fun, but that learning to write proper English is a must for their future.”
1. What is the purpose of the first paragraph?A.To give the main idea. | B.To lead in the topic. |
C.To compare an example. | D.To raise a question |
A.Middle school teachers. | B.Parents. |
C.Linguistics. | D.Teenagers. |
A.Cynthia McVey | B.David Crystal |
C.Geoffrey Nurnberg | D.James Milroy |
A.Positive. | B.Negative. |
C.Doubtful. | D.Worried. |
【推荐2】Seasonal pumped hydropower storage(SPHS),an already established yet infrequently used technology ,could be an affordable and sustainable solution(解决方法)to store energy and water annually, according to new IIASA research published in the journal Nature Communications. Compared with other mature storage solutions, such as natural gas, the study shows that there is considerable potential for SPHS to provide highly competitive energy storage costs.
Seasonal pumped hydropower storage means pumping water into a deep storage reservoir(水库), built parallel to a major river, during times of high water flow or low energy demand. When water is not enough or energy demand increases,stored water is then released from the reservoir to generate electricity.
The new study is the first to provide a global, high-resolution analysis of the potential and costs for SPHS technology. In their analysis, researchers assessed the theoretical global potential for storing energy and water seasonally with SPHS, focusing on the locations with the highest potential and lowest cost. They found that the technology would be particularly effective in the Himalayas, the Andes, Alps,and the Rocky Mountains, as well as mountainous regions in the Middle East, Brazil, Asia, and Russia, and many other locations around the world.
The study also addresses some of the potential environmental concerns related to hydropower. Because SPHS reservoirs are deep and constructed parallel to, rather than within the course of a river, the environmental and land use impacts can also be up to 10 to 50 times smaller than conventional hydropower plants.
Hunt, lead author of the study, says, “With the need for a change to a more sustainable world with lower CO2 emissions(排放),renewable energies and energy storage will play a major role in the near future. Given the vast untapped(未开发的)and cheap potential of SPHS, it will soon play an important role in storing energy and water on a yearly basis.”
1. What is the strength of SPHS based on the new IIASA research?A.It’s costly. | B.It’s out-dated. |
C.It’s rarely used. | D.It’s inexpensive. |
A.Environmental protection. | B.High profits. |
C.Suitable places. | D.Water flow. |
A.They damage the river. |
B.They are environmentally friendly. |
C.They are similar to traditional hydropower plants. |
D.They can be effective in many places globally. |
A.Promising. | B.Panicking. |
C.Discouraging. | D.Demanding. |
【推荐3】I have a new hero. It is G. M.Hennen.I found him in the old newspapers as I was doing my research for the column A Look Back in History.
In 1958, he retired as a newspaper carrier from the Sherman Herald Democrat. He was 77 years old and had delivered four million copies of the Democrat. He had gone through 17 automobiles and had thrown on average 400 newspapers a day,six days a week.He drove 100 miles a day, including the day he collected.
Before he was a newspaper carrier,he was also a teacher and a construction worker.
He opened the first motor delivery route in the newspaper's history. Driving a Model T Ford,his route consisted of Pottsboro, Gordonville, Sadler and Southmayd. Before he started in delivery,he solicited subscriptions riding horseback over the county.
Mr.Hennen had only one wreck in 30 years. The car spun out of control and flipped on its top. That didn't stop him. A man with a truck used a tow rope to flip the car back over and tied the doors shut,leaving Mr.Hennen to continue on his way. Now that was determination!
Mr.Hennen told of the time his headlights went out as he was delivering newspapers.He borrowed a kerosene lantern from a farmer to light the way and continued his route.
What a story! I complain when I have to drive to work when it is snowing,and I only have to travel three miles.I could never be that tough.
1. According to the second paragraph, how many newspapers did Mr.Hennen throw a week?A.1,600. | B.2,000. |
C.2,400. | D.2,800. |
A.A newspaper carrier. |
B.A teacher. |
C.A construction worker. |
D.A doctor. |
A.Luck. | B.Success. |
C.Failure. | D.Accident. |
A.Mr.Hennen was a successful worker. |
B.Mr.Hennen was devoted to his job. |
C.Mr.Hennen was not afraid of death. |
D.Mr.Hennen was silly. |