4 . Los Angeles is a relatively new and spreading city, which means there’s a big canvas (画布) for architects of many styles to put their 3D stamps on the city. For architecture fans, here are some must-see spots.

Watts Towers

Designed and constructed by Italian-born Simon Rodia over the course of three decades, the 17 towers—the tallest is 100 feet high—consist of metal and found objects such as broken glass, pottery chips (陶器碎片), seashells, etc. You can take a guided tour of this place, learning about the history of this attractive project. 1727 E. 107^th St., LA.

Getty Center

Architect Richard Meier’s shining city on a hill took 16,000 tons of marble to build but today it’s a wonder, housing the Getty’s main art collection and offering unbelievable views of Los Angeles. 1200 Getty Center Dr., LA.

Sturges House

Frank Lloyd Wright designed nine different structures throughout Southern California. This was Wright’s first turn away from the textile (纺织) block buildings he’d been designing in California and toward stressing natural factors of the structure to mix with the natural surroundings. 449 N. Skyewiay Rd., LA.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Frank Gehry has lived in Los Angele s for decade s and hi s world has been se en throughout the city. This one, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, is his most luxurious (奢侈的) building in Southern California. You need not sit through a symphony performance to get a glance at the interior(内饰). The concert hall offers free self-guided audio tours recorded by actor John Litligow. 111 S. Grand Ave., LA.

1. Where should you go to visit Watts Towers?

A．1200 Getty Center Dr., LA.	B．1727 E. 107th St., LA.
C．449 N. S kyewiay Rd., LA.	D．111   S. Grand Ave., LA.

2. What is special about Sturges House?

A．It is made up of 9 structures.	B．It is a textile block building.
C．It fits in well with its environment.	D．It is a luxurious building.

3. Who designed Walt Disney Concert Hall?

A．Simon Rodia.	B．Richard Meier.
C．John Lithgow.	D．Frank Gehry.

5 . From the moment you open your eyes in the morning,     you can feel sweat (汗水)running down your body,     even if you’re barely moving at all. That’s what most people in China felt like this summer. In fact, the entire northern hemisphere(半球 )saw high temperatures in July. The Arctic Circle(北极圈) was no exception(例外). Temperatures in the city of Norilsk, which is in the Arctic Circle, reached a record high of 32 ℃,   The Atlantic reported. Temperatures there are usually just 10 ℃ at this time of the year.

The heat wave in the Arctic is mainly a long-term result of global warming, according to the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences. In fact, while the whole world is getting warmer, the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet. This is called the polar amplification effect(极地放大效应).

The most direct impact(影响) of Arctic warming is the melting of Arctic ice. According to NASA,     Arctic sea ice is now disappearing at a rate of 13. 2 percent every 10 years. NASA said that if this continues,     the Arctic will have no ice by the year 2040.   This has put some Arctic animals, like polar bears, in danger. The ice that the bears live on has shrunk(缩小), the Toronto Star reported.

Melting ice can also cause sea levels to rise in the long term. Since 1993, sea levels have risen at a rate of 3. 2 cm every 10 years, the Guardian reported. Some countries, such as Tuvalu(图瓦卢) in the South Pacific Ocean and Maldives(马尔代夫) in the Indian Ocean, are at risk of disappearing into the sea.

1. Which of the following is true?

A．Some countries in the ocean will disappear in 10 years.

B．China is the hottest in the northern hemisphere this summer.

C．The temperatures in Norilsk used to be lower than this summer.

D．The world gets warmer because of the heat wave in the Arctic.

2. What does the underlined word “this” in the third paragraph refer to?

A．The heat wave in the Arctic.

B．The result of global warming.

C．Getting warmer in the world.

D．The Arctic getting warm faster.

3. What may be the result of the melting of Arctic ice?

A．The polar will become dangerous.

B．Sea levels rise in the long term.

C．There will be an end of water shortage.

D．There will be no ice in the world by 2040.

4. What is the main idea of this passage?

A．Heat hits Arctic.

B．Arctic animals are in danger.

C．The world became hotter than before.

D．Some countries may disappear into the sea.

6 . When you think of the Arctic, you imagine an icy land of pure white snow, which is considered to be the last really clean place     1    (leave) on Earth. Yet plastic trash has now reached the remote regions of the Arctic and the Alps. A team of     2    (scientist) has discovered large quantities of microplastics(微塑料) — very small pieces of plastic waste — in the Arctic snow. While microplastics have been found in sea-water, drinking water, and even in animals over     3     past several years, this is the first study to show microplastics in snow,     4     indicates it is an airborne pollutant that must be paid attention to.

The researchers state that microplastics in snow suggest that microplastics may be in the air that we     5    (breath). Therefore, it is really important     6    (assess) if microplastics also reach lung tissues.

Previous research has found that they flow over long distances and into our oceans,     7    (damage) ecosystems along the way. They start in our wastewater, when we wash clothes     8     plastic fibers. The wastewater then flows into rivers and out to sea, where they     9    (eat) by sea animals. If people then eat these animals, it means that we’re     10    (probable) eating the plastic as well.

7 . The following are a few places recommended by tourists.

Ka’awaloa Trail

The pathway is steep and continues for about 2 miles each way, so the way there will be a lot easier than the way back. Keep in mind that the loose rocks may present a dangerous situation when slippery, so do carry the appropriate footwear and plenty of water to fight against the intense sun.

Mauna Kea Summit

Most hikers give themselves 8 to 10 hours to finish the journey. Don’t forget to register at the Mauna Kea Visitors Center before setting out, and plan on being back before sunset. The weather here is unpredictable and completely unique to the rest of the island. This area is pure wilderness, and altitude sickness is a definite risk, so researching the hike in advance on the Mauna Kea website is a must.

Waipio Valley Trail

Famed Waipio Valley, the former home of King Kamehameha, shouldn’t be missed by nature lovers. Be sure to catch a glimpse of nearby Hiilawe Falls from here, flowing 1,300 feet at the back of the valley. About 6.5 miles round-trip, this adventure will most likely be too difficult for beginner hikers due to the steep inclines(倾向) and length.

Onomea Bay Trail

Onomea Bay offers two different hikes from the Mamalahoa Highway in Papaikou. The first, the Donkey Trail, follows a stream through the Hawaiian rainforest past a small waterfall and to the ocean. The second, Onomea Trail, goes just to the right of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden and past the Alakahi stream. Many choose to combine the trails or pair the hike with the botanical garden for added adventure.

1. What should tourists be careful about in Ka’awaloa Trail?

A．Burning.

B．Loose rocks.

C．Dry weather.

D．The steep pathway.

2. Why is the visit to the Mauna Kea website in advance?

A．The journey lasts long.	B．There exist many tourists.
C．There’s a potential danger.	D．The weather is unpredictable.

3. What do the last two items（Waipio Valley Trail and Onomea Bay Trail） have in common?

A．They attract plant lovers.	B．Tourists can see waterfalls.
C．Tourists can hike along a stream.	D．They aren’t suitable for beginner hikers.

8 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

The Haos’ Residence, also     1    (call) Haojiawan in local language, is located in Banqiao, Sinan. It is home to the Haos’ family and it gets the name for the reason     2     they have been here since hundreds of years ago. The Haos’ ancestors(祖先),     3     birthplace was in Shandong, came to Guizhou     4    (be) officials many years ago. During the Ming Dynasty some had been general governors of Zhenyuan County and they held other high     5     (position)as well. Since then, the Haos have been living here.

Hao Shixiu (also called Chaoxiang), who was living between     6     periods of Qianlong and Daoguang during the Qing Dynasty, was once a military officer in Zhenyuan, a county governed by Guizhou province.     7    (Extraordinary) intelligent and rich, Hao Shixiu     8    (draw) water through stone channels and built the residence     9    (use) all the money he had, showing his ingenuity(独创). And this is     10     we see about the Haos’ Residence now.

9 . London’s newest skyscraper (摩天大楼)is called the Shard and it cost about 430 million pounds to build. At a height of almost 310 metres, it is the tallest building in Europe. The Shard has completely changed the appearance of London. However, not everyone thinks that it is a change for the better.
The Shard was designed by the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano. When he began designing the Shard for London, Piano wanted a very tall building that looked like a spire (尖顶)• He wanted the glass surfaces to reflect the sky and the city. The sides of the building aren’t regular. So the building has an unusual shape. It looks like a very thin，sharp piece of broken glass. And that is how the building got the name: the Shard. Piano says that the spire shape of the Shard is part of a great London tradition. The shape reminds him of the spires of the churches of London or the tall masts (桅杆）of the ships that were once on the river Thames.
The Shard has 87 floors. At the top, there is an observatory. At the moment the building is empty, but eventually there will be a five-star hotel. There will also be top quality restaurants, apartments and offices.
Before building work began, a lot of people didn’t want the Shard though the plans were approved. Now they are still unhappy about the Shard. Some critics say that such a tall skyscraper might be good in a city like New York, but not in London. They say that the best thing about the Shard is its spire shape. But that is the only thing. There is no decoration, only flat surfaces. The Egyptians did that 4,500 years ago. They also think the Shard is too big for London. It destroys the beauty of the city.
Other critics don’t like what the Shard seems to represent. They say that the Shard shows how London is becoming more unequal. Only very rich people can afford to buy the expensive private apartments and stay in the hotel. But the people who live near the Shard are among the poorest in London. So the Shard seems a symbol of the division in society between the very rich and the poor.
The Shard now dominates the London skyline. It is not certain, however, that ordinary London citizens will ever accept it as a valuable addition to the city.
1. London’s newest skyscraper is called the Shard because of ._____

A．its cost

B．its size

C．its shape

D．its height

2. When he designed the Shard, Piano wanted it to _____

A．change London’s skyline

B．inherit London’s tradition

C．imitate the Egyptian style

D．attract potential visitors

3. The critics who refer to social division think the Shard_______ .

A．is only preferred by the rich

B．is intended for wealthy people

C．is far away from the poor area

D．is popular only with Londoners

4. Which would be the best title for the passage?

A．The Shard: Cheers and Claps

B．The Shard: Work of a Great Architect

C．The Shard: New Symbol of London?

D．The Shard: A Change for the Better?

10 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

Longjing tea,     1     has topped the list of the ten most famous teas in China with its color, taste and shape,    2     (name) after its region of production — Longjing Village of West Lake. The good environment and water resources are good for the     3     (grow) of the tea, confirming (证实) the saying that “Longjing tea is the    4     (good) among all of the teas in the world”.

Thanks     5     Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, the tea has earned a high reputation. It is said that Emperor Qianlong visited a mountain of Longjing Village of West Lake on his travels in Hangzhou, and he saw some ladies picking the tea at     6     foot of the mountain. He was so interested in their movements that he decided to have a go himself.

While     7     (pick) the tea, he received the news of his mother’s illness, so he carelessly put the leaves in his pocket and     8     (leave) Hangzhou for Beijing. He visited his mother     9     (immediate) upon his arrival in Beijing, and his mother smelt the pleasant smell of the tea leaves from his pocket and wanted to have a taste. After drinking a cup of tea, she found herself completely     10     (energy), and she even praised it as a cure for all illnesses.