1 . The Best Caves in The World

Hang Son Doong, Vietnam

Natural caves don’t come much larger than Hang Son Doong, close to the border between Laos and Vietnam. This cave possesses the largest cross-section of any known cave on the planet, a vast area that is difficult to describe. Supposedly, a Boeing 747 could fly through without damaging its wings, but that doesn’t really do justice to the vastness of Hang Son Doong. The stalactites (钟乳石) here are pretty massive too, with some reaching up to 80 metres.

Waitomo Caves, New Zealand

Glowworms (萤火虫) are there, as far as the eye can see. Okay, not literally, but the Waitomo Cave system on New Zealand’s North Island is best-known for the fluorescent fauna that light up the walls, giving it the not-particularly-creative but completely acceptable “Glowworm Caves” nickname. They are more accessible than other caves on this list, with rafting and adventure tours available to those looking for something a little more thrilling.

Mammoth Cave, the USA

If you have certain expectations from somewhere called “Mammoth Cave”, that is entirely understandable. Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is the world’s longest known cave system, an incredible 420 miles of underground wonder. That’s twice as long as the next longest, by the way, although it isn’t unusual for the USA to go all out on such things.

Reed Flute (芦笛) Cave, China

Named after the reeds that grow outside, which are used to make flutes, obviously, the Reed Flute Cave’s walls are covered with inscriptions from centuries gone by—if evidence was needed that people have been paying attention to this place for a long old time. The inside part of the cave is also lit up by multicoloured lights, giving it a real otherworldly theme that adds weight to the nickname.

1. What is special about Hang Son Doong?

A．It was once a base of a factory.

B．It is the deepest cave in the world.

C．It has the highest stalactites in the world.

D．It owns the largest cross-section in the world.

2. Which of the following can be much easier to enter?

A．Hang Son Doong.	B．Waitomo Caves.
C．Mammoth Cave.	D．Reed Flute Cave.

3. Which country probably has the longest cave system in the world?

A．Vietnam.

B．New Zealand.

C．The USA.

D．China.

2 . National parks are an excellent way to explore all the beauty that the world has to offer: whether it’s endangered species, erupting volcanoes and snowy mountains, or rainforests and lakes. Of the thousands of national parks that exist in the world, these are the ones that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Yorkshire Dales, United Kingdom

Contrary (相反) to the popular link of national parks with the wilderness, it is filled with winding valleys, hills and villages where over 24,000 people live and work. Visitors can walk through grassland, visit waterfalls or explore underground caves, but Yorkshire Dales is also home to several food shops, and the park hosts cheese festivals and farmers markets regularly, so it’s best to go hungry.

Kakadu National Park, Australia

It is a delight for those who like a bit of history mixed with the biodiversity of national parks. While it houses thousands of species of wildlife, there’s more to the national park than that.

Guilin and Lijiang River National Park, China

It is surrounded by striking natural beauty and can be explored by land. But the river national park, as the name suggests, is best explored through leisurely boat rides that take visitors through many ancient towns that come along the way of the river.

Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland

Here’s a surprising fact: The whole of Vatnajökull National Park makes up 14% of Iceland’s territory! The park is usually open for hikes around the glaciers; boat rides through glacier lakes, and tours that take visitors through the park’s many ice caves, waterfalls, and icebergs. Vatnajökull is also where two of Iceland’s most active volcanoes are located.

1. What is recommended for a trip to Yorkshire Dales?

A．Recording local customs.

B．Skiing in the snowy mountains.

C．Going with an empty stomach.

D．Watching the eruption of volcanoes.

2. Which park is the best choice for observing diverse wildlife?

A．Yorkshire Dales.

B．Kakadu National Park.

C．Vatnajökull National Park.

D．Guilin and Lijiang River National Park.

3. What do the last two national parks have in common?

A．There are many ancient towns.

B．There are various ice caves inside.

C．They are aimed at protecting rivers.

D．They can be explored through boats.