1 . The Most Breathtaking Theaters in the World
Shakespeare's Globe Theater(London, UK)
The original Globe Theater was built by Shakespeare's company in 1599, but was destroyed by fire in 1613. A replica was built in 1997 just meters from the original site. The new 857-seat structure has several modern features. It has the first and only straw roof permitted in London since the great fire of 1666.
Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London; +44 20 7902 1400
Margravial Opera House(Bayreuth, Germany)
Built in 1745, the UNESCO-listed Mareravial Opera House is regarded as the finest baroque theater in Europe. The stage has a depth of 27 meters and was the largest in Europe until 1871. Much of the original materials remain, along with original structures, such as the twin staircases.
Margravial Opera House, Opernstrasse 14. Bayreuth, Germany; +49 9 21 7 59 69 22
Teatro Amazonas(Manaus, Brazil)
There can't be many theaters located in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, and the Teatro Amazonas is certainly the most breathtaking. The theater was built in 1895 and was designed by Italian architect Celestial Sacardim. Work took 15 years. largely thanks to the decision to source supplies from all over the world
Amazon Theater, Centro, Manaus, Brazil; +55 92 3622 1880
National Centre for the Performing Arts(Beijing, China)
The National Centre for the Performing Arts(NCPA), built in 2007, is an arts centre in Beijing. Designed by French architect Paul Andreu, the NCPA is the largest theatre complex(建筑群)in Asia. The NCPA includes value in both ancient traditional Chinese architecture and modern architecture. It was specially designed to improve the red walls of ancient buildings and the Great Hall of the People in order to fit in with the surroundings.
NCPA, No. 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing; +86 010 6655 0989
1. Where does the theatre with its longest survival time lie?A.In London. | B.In Bayreuth | C.In Manaus. | D.In Beijing |
A.Shakespeare's Globe. | B.Margravial Opera House. |
C.Teatro Amazonas. | D.National Centre for the Performing Arts. |
A.It features modern architecture. | B.It receives worldwide supplies. |
C.It is a multifunctional theatre | D.It matches its surroundings. |
I wake up to the sound of the wind buffeting the cloth of my tent. However, it’s
Around 9, 000 years ago, the vast sheets of ice melted in Sarek,
For hundreds of years,
Hiking with all my food and supplies is really tiring, but it is a
Many buildings along the Yangtze River have been destroyed during the flood season,
4 . Rainforests are home to a rich variety of medicinal plants, food, birds and animals. Can you believe that a single bush(灌木丛)in the Amazon may have more species of ants than the whole of Britain! About 480 varieties of trees may be found in just one hectare of rainforest.
Rainforests are the lungs of the planet-storing vast quantities of carbon dioxide and producing a significant amount of the world's oxygen. Rainforests have their own perfect system for ensuring their own survival; the tall trees make a canopy(树冠层)of branches and leaves which protect themselves, smaller plants, and the forest animals from heavy rain, intense dry heat from the sun and strong winds.
Amazingly, the trees grow in such a way that their leaves and branches, although close together, never actually touch those of another tree. Scientists think this is the plants' way to prevent the spread of any tree diseases and make life more difficult for leaf-eating insects like caterpillars. To survive in the forest, animals must climb, jump or fly across the gaps. The ground floor of the forest is not all tangled leaves and bushes, like in films, but is actually fairly clear. It is where dead leaves turn into food for the trees and other forest life.
They are not called rainforests for nothing! Rainforests can generate 75%of their own rain. At least 80 inches of rain a year is normal-and in some areas there may be as much as 430 inches of rain annually. This is real rain-your umbrella may protect you in a shower, but it won't keep you dry if there is a full rainstorm. In just two hours, streams can rise ten to twenty feet. The humidity(湿气)of large rainforests contributes to the formation of rainclouds that may travel to other countries in need of rain.
1. What can we learn about rainforests from the first paragraph?A.They produce oxygen. | B.They cover a vast area. |
C.They are well managed. | D.They are rich in wildlife. |
A.Heavy rains | B.Big trees. |
C.Small plants. | D.Forest animals. |
A.For more sunlight. | B.For more growing space. |
C.For self-protection. | D.For the detection of insects. |
A.Life-Giving Rainforests | B.The Law of the Jungle |
C.Animals in the Amazon | D.Weather in Rainforests |
5 . Ireland’s Achill Island has always been a popular European tourist destination. However, since last April, the small island of just 2,600 residents has gained worldwide fame thanks to the magical reappearance of a beach that was washed away over three decades ago.
The chain of events began in 1984 when residents of Dooagh, one of the five settlements on the island, awoke to a surprising sight: their beautiful sandy beach had been washed away by strong Atlantic storms. There were only rocks and rock pools left. For over 30 years, only small amounts of sand returned to the once unspoiled shores. The area’s tourism industry slowly declined, and the handful of beachside hotels, pubs, and restaurants gradually closed as well.
Then around Easter last year, something magical happened - an unusual ten-day tide blanketed the bare 300-meter long rock beach with hundreds of tons of soft golden sand. Scientists suspect that the sand had been gathering offshore for months and was transported to the beach by the high winds and powerful waves.
The locals are delighted to have their beach back, especially as it is attracting thousands of visitors wishing to witness the power of nature, with their own eyes. However, Sean Molloy, manager of Achill Tourism, cautions against going into the cold waters just yet, saying, “Because of the sand coming in, we don’t know how safe the beach is now because currents ( 洋流 ) could be changed and it’ ll take a little bit of time.” He instead recommends visitors enjoy the soft sand and leave the swimming to the dolphins that frequent the area.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Dooagh Beach has pulled a disappearing and reappearing act. It disappeared in the 1890s, for over 30 years, before returning in 1927. However, the locals are optimistic that this time around, the beautiful sand is here to stay.
1. What has made Achill Island famous worldwide recently?A.An unusual storm. | B.The decrease in the number of residents. |
C.The return of its beach. | D.The building of a new tourist destination. |
A.Tourism went down gradually. | B.Restaurant developed slowly. |
C.Storms attacked frequently. | D.Rock pools disappeared completely. |
A.Spoiling the shores. | B.Getting into the rock pools. |
C.Playing with dolphins. | D.Swimming near the beaches. |
6 . America's Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Spring
Washington, D.C.
Every spring, Washington, D.C.is blanketed in pink with cherry blossoms. To celebrate the event, come to the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which takes place from the last week in March to the second week in April. You can view the flowers or take part in festival events.
Charleston, South Carolina
No list of beautiful spring cities would be complete without mention of Charleston, South Carolina. Delight in hanging plants, cobblestone streets, and historical castles. And because of year-round pleasant temperatures, you might even hit a beach day in March or April.
North Cascades National Park, Washington
The North Cascades is home to everything from mountains to forests to grassland, and the scenery changes seasonally. In spring—the snow disappears to bring strong waterfalls, and wildflowers spot the land. Different areas will present totally unique plants, so give yourself a few days to take in the sights.
Central Park, New York
New York is the city that never sleeps, no matter what the season, but springtime is the best time to take a walk through Central Park. It is one of the most filmed locations in the world. A spring time promises walks past Victorian houses, a brief visit to ancient shops, and of course long walks by the lake.
1. Which is the best time to visit Washington, D.C.?A.March 15. | B.April 1. |
C.March 8. | D.April 28. |
A.cherry blossoms and various celebrations |
B.pleasant weather and historical castles |
C.strong waterfalls and wild flowers |
D.Victorian houses, old shops, and long walks |
A.Central Park, New York | B.North Cascades National Park |
C.Charleston | D.Washington, D.C. |
7 . It’s only 4 hours flying time from Sydney, but a world away. What better place to rest than a country where the only place people hurry is on the football field and things are done in “Fiji time”?
Viti Levu — Great Fiji — is the largest island. Here you’ll find the capital Suva and the international airport at Nadi. Vatoa, on the other hand, is a tiny island in the farthest part of Fiji. Then there are 331 other islands, many of them with places to stay.
With less than a million people living on islands, you’ll never feel crowded. And with a climate (气候) that changes only for five degrees between seasons, there’s never a bad time to come.
From cities to villages, from mountains to beaches, from water sports to wooden artworks, Fiji can give you more adventures and special experiences than you could find almost anywhere in the world.
Whenever you come, wherever you go, you’re sure to see some unforgettable events, from war dances to religious (宗教的) songs, from market days to religious days. It’s not just staged for tourists; it’s still a part of everyday life in Fiji. And any one of us can enjoy Fiji’s spirit by being part of the traditional (传统的) sharing of yaqona — a drink made from the root of a Fiji plant.
So why not join us for the experience of a lifetime?
1. Where is the international airport of Fiji?A.In Suva. | B.In Sydney. |
C.On the island of Vatoa. | D.On the island of Viti Levu. |
A.They invented “Fiji time” for visitors. |
B.They stick to a traditional way of life. |
C.They like to travel from place to place. |
D.They love taking adventures abroad. |
A.its comfortable hotels |
B.its good weather all year round |
C.its exciting football matches |
D.its religious beliefs |
A.In a personal diary. |
B.In a science report. |
C.In a travel magazine. |
D.In a geography textbook. |