Before foundation of Sui Dynasty, China had
The establishment of Sui Dynasty
The Grand Canal reached a new peak in the Yuan Dynasty (13th century), providing a unified inland navigation network consisting
As
2 . In 2011, artist Grimanesa Amorós stepped off a boat made of totora reeds (芦苇) onto an island—also made of totora reeds — in the northwest portion of Lake Titicaca. It’s home to one of the world’s most innovative achievement of human engineering: the Uros Islands.
The man-made floating islands, which are home to the native Uros people, are created by putting layers upon layers of totora roots and reeds. This water-resistant plant grows in the lake and is the lifeblood of the Uros community. It is used to make boats, houses, roofs, mattresses (床垫) and more. The plant is also eaten and serves as medicine, and its flowers are used to make tea.
However, the Uros weren’t always dependent on the totora. More than 500 years ago, the growing Inca Empire began to invade the Uros’ mainland villages. To beat this threat, the Uros began to build the islands, which could be launched deep into Lake Titicaca, away from danger. Hundreds of years later, there are now about 120 of these constructed islands, with around 1,300 people living on them.
To build the islands, the Uros first gather large blocks of totora roots. Multiple blocks are pulled together, and the roots and reeds mix naturally to form a layer about 1 to 2m thick. The totora reed is laid on top of this floating base. The Uros use a long tool to reach deep down into the water and cut the plant above the base. Then, the reeds are dried in the sun for one to four weeks and bundled (捆绑) together using a rope. Once dried, totora reeds are placed in alternating directions on top of the root blocks and become the ground that the Uros walk and build their homes on.
Today, urban influences are evident on the islands: Solar panels power bedroom lights and small TVs; a radio station operates on the main island. It’s evident that these modern changes and tourism have changed the Uros’ life on the lake. One thing remains certain, though. As long as there is totora growing at Lake Titicaca, the islands’ rooted foundation will stay the same.
1. Which word can best describe the role totora reeds play in the Uro’s life?| A．Essential. | B．Symbolic. | C．Protective. | D．Sustainable. |
| A．To develop tourism. | B．To maintain their lifestyle. |
| C．To escape from enemies’ attack. | D．To be separated from the world. |
| A．The key to selecting building materials. | B．The procedure of building the islands. |
| C．The difficulty of living on the island. | D．The method of spotting reeds. |
| A．Fancy Lifestyles of the Uros | B．Innovative Building Materials |
| C．Floating Homes on Lake Titicaca | D．A Must-see Tourist Attraction of Lake Titicaca |
The Great Wall
The Great Wall, a
The Great Wall resembles a Chinese dragon circling the mountains,
The Great Wall is a symbol of Chinese civilization, It has been put down on the World Heritage List. It is
1. 基本情况介绍；
2. 游览经历；
3. 你的感受。
注意：1. 写作词数成为80左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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Yueyang Tower is
Before the Tang Dynasty, Yueyang Tower was mainly used
China has countless attractions. The Great Wall is
The Haos’ Residence, also
Hao Shixiu (also called Chaoxiang), who was living between
8 . The world maps will soon be altered to reflect an eighth continent! Dubbed "Zealandia" the landmass that lies east of Australia covers 4.9 million km. Over 94 percent of it is submerged (淹没的) in the southwest Pacific Ocean, with just the islands of New Zealand and New C aledonia visible above sea level.
To be clear, the underwater land is not a recent find. Researchers have known about its existence since 1995 when Bruce Luyendyk discovered and proposed an eighth continent that he called Zealandia. At the time, the area was dismissed as a collection of islands and land fragments (碎片), or at the most, classified as a micro continent—a landmass of continental crust that is not geologically connected to the nearest continent, in this case, Australia.
However, after observing the areas features on an underwater topography map, New Zealand geologist Nick became convinced that Zealandia is a continent. Mortimer says that while Zealandia is much smaller than our seven continents, at over half the size of Australia, it is unfair to classify it as a microcontinent. The geologist argues, “If you could pull the plug on the world’s oceans, then Zealandia would probably long ago have been recognized as a continent.”
Geologist Christopher Scotese argues that too much of the landmass is underwater, asserting it’s “almost a continent the way Pluto is almost a planet.” Richard Ernst, a geologist, proposes coining a new term minicontinent—for Zealandia. He thinks this is perfect given that it is too large to be called a microcontinent and too small to be classified as a full-sized continent. Given that there is no international panel to decide the fate of Zealandia, its future as a continent is uncertain. Mortimer hopes that if supporters start using the term Zealandia, it may eventually catch on. Whether that happens remains to be seen, but for now, we will have to be satisfied with just seven continents!
1. According to the text, Zealandia ________.| A．was found and named by Bruce Luyendyk |
| B．is made of a lot of visible islands |
| C．is connected to Australia geologically |
| D．covers 94% of the southwest Pacific Ocean |
| A．Enter | B．Uncover |
| C．Sail | D．Fold |
| A．It is too small to be a full-sized continent. |
| B．Some sections of it is just 7 miles thick. |
| C．Most of it lies under water. |
| D．It was once just part of the continent Australia. |
| A．Is Minicontinent a New Name for Zealandia? |
| B．Is a Continent Appearing in the Pacific Ocean? |
| C．Is the World Map Going to Be changed? |
| D．Is "Zealandia" an Eighth Continent? |
9 . Paris has the Eiffel Tower(埃菲尔铁塔),Rome the Colosseum(圆形大剧场),New York the Statue of Liberty.These symbolic landmarks are recognizable worldwide.Brussels(布鲁塞尔) meanwhile has the Manneken Pis(撒尿小童).Think of the Belgian(比利时的) capital and if anything,you think of the small peeing(撒尿) boy—a 60-centimeter-high bronze figure standing on a block,supplying a constant stream of water to the basin under him.
Some might laugh.But for Jacques Stroobants,the statue is up there with the best of them.“I am proud of him.People come from all around the world to see him,” says 60-year-old Stroobants with a fatherly glance at the little boy.
As the most famous landmark of Brussels, Manneken Pis has a very special place in the heart of Belgians Because of its many legends.
The original Manneken Pis dates back to 1388,but the statue tourists see today dates from 1619 when the city built a second one,after the original was destroyed.
There are many stories surrounding the legend of Manneken Pis.Nobody knows why he was created.One story is that he saved Brussels by putting out the flames of a deadly fire with his well-aimed wee-wee(小便).But the most believable story is that the boy—the son of a wealthy nobleman(贵族)—was missing and kidnapped(绑架).The father had a statue built in honour of the way his son was found—peeing against a tree.
1. Which of the following can you see in France?| A．The Eiffel Tower. | B．The Colosseum. |
| C．The Statue of Liberty. | D．The Manneken Pis. |
| A．England | B．Italy |
| C．Belgium | D．Swede |
| A．Because it provides a good resting place for the Belgians. |
| B．Because it is a special statue with many legends. |
| C．Because it’s good-looking with water running continuously. |
| D．Because it helps the Belgians make a lot of money every year. |
| A．for a country boy who was peeing against a big tree |
| B．in honour of the boy who saved Brussels |
| C．in honour of a little Belgian soldier who gave his life to his country |
| D．for the son of a rich man who was lost |
10 . Summer is the most popular season to visit Texas since there is so much to see and to do．While visiting the Lone Star State this summer，don’t miss visiting some of these attractions and taking part in some of Texas’ best summer vacation activities．
Visit SeaWorld
There are sea life shows，adventure camps，thrilling rides and a water park．A great many activities are waiting for you at SeaWorld．
Windsurf at South Padre
With miles of shallow（浅的)，calm water in the Lower Laguna Madre and strong winds coming off the Gulf of Mexico，South Padre Island is a windsurfer’s dream．
Swim at Barton Springs
Barton Springs is in the famous Zilker Park. It was formed when Barton Creek was built．Since its opening，Barton Springs has become one of the most popular swimming pools in the state．
Take part in an outdoor adventure
In the scenic Texas Hill Country，Lake Buchanan Adventures offers different kinds of activities，including boating，hiking，camping and more．
Camp and hike in Big Bend Park
Big Bend offers a great number of outdoor activities in an old way．Backpacking，mountain biking，fishing，boating，hiking，nature watching and camping-you name it．If it can be done outdoors，it can be done in Big Bend．
Enjoy saltwater fishing
Saltwater fishing in Texas is as good as anywhere else in the USA．More and more fishermen have been discovering this in recent years and packing their bags and rods （鱼竿） to make good use of Texas’ world-class saltwater fishery．
1. The underlined phrase “the Lone Star State” in Paragraph 1 is another name for___．| A．Texas | B．San Antonio |
| C．South Padre | D．Gulf of Mexico |
| A．sea life show | B．adventure camps |
| C．Climbing | D．exciting rides |
| A．San Antonio | B．South Padre |
| C．Barton Springs | D．Texas Hill Country |
| A．Barton Springs is the most popular in the USA |
| B．Lake Buchanan Adventures offers indoor activities |
| C．fishermen may get the best saltwater fish when fishing in Texas |
| D．Big Bend provides outdoor activities in an ancient way |
