1 . Depths of our Earth hold great wonders. Below we explore four deepest places on Earth.

Veryovkina Cave, Georgia

Its entrance is located 2,285 meters above sea level. In 2018, scientists reached its bottom at 2,212 meters down. They squeezed through tiny openings to get from one cave to another. Rockfalls and floods waited secretly at every turn. Scientists could develop new medicines from microorganisms found in cave samples. Caves also record ancient life and past climates.

The Mariana Trench, the Pacific Ocean

The Mariana Trench, with the maximum depth of 11,034 meters, is the deepest part of Earth’s surface. Pressure there is intolerable, but creatures like sea cucumbers (海参) still exist. Scientists exploring it can gain deeper insights into how plates move and why earthquakes and volcanoes occur.

The Dead Sea, the Middle East

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on land at about 1,400 feet (about 400 meters) below sea level. It’s nearly ten times saltier than ocean water, so you literally can’t sink in the Dead Sea! Scientists think it could go dry in a few decades. Despite its name, the Dead Sea holds life. A few kinds of algae (藻类) and bacteria love its salty water.

Lake Baikal, Russia

At the depth of 1,642 meters, Lake Baikal is the deepest inland body of water. The Baikal seal is the only known seal that lives in this world’s deepest freshwater lake. Scientists study the lake not only for the solid stuff beneath it that records climate history but because it’s in a zone where a plate is splitting apart, causing earthquakes.

1. What do we know about Veryovkina Cave?

A．It was discovered in 2018.	B．Its pressure is far from bearable.
C．It is risky to explore.	D．Its samples are of little practical value.

2. Where should scientists go to better know earth movement?

A．Georgia & Russia.	B．Russia & the Pacific Ocean.
C．Georgia & the Pacific Ocean.	D．The Middle East & Russia.

3. What do the four places have in common?

A．They have some sign of life.	B．They are over a thousand meters deep.
C．They are results of climate change.	D．They are all below sea level.

2 . 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。

Balesin Island lies in Lamon Bay, about 60 nautical miles east of Manila,     1     capital of the Philippines.

My family and I recently visited the small island,     2     is open for members only. The island is known     3     its slogan (标语): “Balesin, the most unique in the world.” What makes it so special? You can experience many     4     (difference) cultures and cuisines (菜肴) from around the world on one island.

Balesin Island is home to villas (别墅) representing several     5     (place), including the Greek island of Mykonos. Depending upon which villa you visit, the food and architecture make you feel like you’re in Bali, Tuscany, or the Greek island of Mykonos. There are also some stand-alone restaurants,     6     (offer) such choices as German, Japanese, Korean, and Mongolian food.

Most of the food     7     (serve) at the restaurants is grown on the island. Activities include bird watching, boating, fishing, gardening, and horseback riding.

J. J. Fernandez, a     8     (tour), said that she fell in love with the island during     9     (she) visit. Being on Balesin, she     10     (add), is like “traveling around the world in just three days.”

3 . 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 Tianshan Tuomuer Grand Canyon is about 25 kilometers long from east to west and 20 kilometers wide from north to south. It consists of three main     1     (valley) in the shape of the Chinese character “川”.     2     (situate) in the northwest of Xinjiang at the foot of Tuomur Peak, it is also known     3     “Kuduluk Grand Canyon”,     4     means “thrilling and mysterious” in Uygur (维吾尔语). It is the only way to the ancient post road in the northern and southern Tianshan Mountains.

On June 21, 2013, the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang     5     (list) as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. The area in which the Tuomur Grand Canyon lies is the     6     (large) among the four places in the Tianshan Mountains,     7     (account) for 59.87 percent of the whole site.

With its red canyons set against the snow-capped mountains in the distance, the dreamlike landscape     8     (complete) makes visitors lost in the beautiful and impressive view of nature. At night, you can see the stars. Remember that the temperature difference there is very large. While wearing short sleeves at noon, evenings may require     9     down jacket and other warm clothes. There is no tour bus service, but visitors can drive to the canyon by     10     (they) or hire a bus. Apart from it, Xinjiang is in possession of many appealing tourist spots, attracting a good number of visitors at home and abroad.