Originally constructed around 256 BCE by the State of Qin
During the Warring States period, people who lived along the banks of the Min River
2 . “I could see a huge flow (流动) of water, coming down fast from very high. I had no idea of shape, or situation, or anything. It was just so big.”
These are the words of the great English writer Charles Dickens. He wrote them when he was visiting Niagara Falls. This waterfall is on the border (边界) of the United States and Canada. It is one of the largest in the world, and the largest in North America.
Niagara Falls is on the Niagara River. The river divides just before the waterfall, and there are actually three waterfalls. On the American side are American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Horseshoe Falls is mostly on the Canadian side. The name comes from its shape — like a horseshoe, in a half circle. Horseshoe Falls is the widest of the three.
People mainly know about Niagara Falls because of its size and natural beauty. However, the Niagara River is also an important source of electricity.
In the 1890s, the Westinghouse Electric Company built a large power system (电力系统) on the river. Many other companies also hoped to use the land for factories and power systems. However, around the same time, many people began to work to protect the natural area. Soon, the governments of the United States and Canada got involved with it. They protected the land around Niagara Falls. They made parks — green, natural areas. No one could buy this land for factories. For hundreds of years, millions of people have visited Niagara Falls to enjoy its beauty.
1. From Paragraph 1, we can know Charles Dickens was shocked by Niagara Falls’ __________.A.speed | B.color |
C.size | D.beauty |
A.It has three waterfalls. |
B.It’s on the Niagara River. |
C.It’s on the border of two countries. |
D.It’s the widest waterfall in the world. |
A.shape | B.sound | C.history | D.location |
A.The Niagara River is badly polluted. |
B.There are no factories around Niagara Falls. |
C.Visitors can learn how Niagara Falls produces electricity. |
D.Many companies built power systems around Niagara Falls in the 1890s. |
3 . History of Alaska State
The existence of mankind in Alaska can be traced back to 16, 000 B.C. to 10, 000 B.C., when the Paleolithic(旧石器时代) families crossed the Bering Land Bridge and formed settlements in the western part of Alaska. At this point of time, Alaska was inhabited by the Inuit tribes(部落) and American Indians.
In the 18th century. the Russians began to regularly travel down to the Aleutian Islands, near the coastline of Alaska.
In some places, the Russian fur traders were able to establish very peaceful relations with the native tribes. However, in some places, the settlers and the tribes engaged in constant conflicts.
On October, 1867, the flag of the United States of America was raised for the first time in the history of Alaska. During the World War Il, three Aleutian Islands were occupied by the Japanese forces. Some of the villagers were taken to Japan as captives. The islands were regained by the United States forces in 1943.
Today, as a part of the United States of America, Alaska is considered to be one of the most beautiful states in the country.
A.It is a favorite tourist destination. |
B.The Russians never fully colonized Alaska. |
C.Several expeditions were sent to claim the coasts. |
D.The travelers were basically fur traders and hunters. |
E.Even today, some of these tribes exist. |
F.Britain started expanding its trade into the interiors of Alaska. |
G.Fights were often seen between the Russians and the Aleut tribes. |
4 . In the 1960s, while studying the volcanic history of Yellowstone National Park, Bob Christiansen became puzzled about something that, oddly, had not troubled anyone before: he couldn’t find the park’s volcano. It had been known for a long time that Yellowstone was volcanic in nature — that’s what accounted for all its hot springs and other steamy features. But Christiansen couldn’t find the Yellowstone volcano anywhere.
Most of us, when we talk about volcanoes, think of the classic cone(圆锥体) shapes of a Fuji or Kilimanjaro, which are created when erupting magma(岩浆) piles up. These can form remarkably quickly. In 1943, a Mexican farmer was surprised to see smoke rising from a small part of his land. In one week he was the confused owner of a cone five hundred feet high. Within two years it had topped out at almost fourteen hundred feet and was more than half a mile across. Altogether there are some ten thousand of these volcanoes on Earth, all but a few hundred of them extinct. There is, however, a second less known type of volcano that doesn’t involve mountain building. These are volcanoes so explosive that they burst open in a single big crack, leaving behind a vast hole, the caldera. Yellowstone obviously was of this second type, but Christiansen couldn’t find the caldera anywhere.
Just at this time NASA decided to test some new high-altitude cameras by taking photographs of Yellowstone. A thoughtful official passed on some of the copies to the park authorities on the assumption that they might make a nice blow-up for one of the visitors’ centers. As soon as Christiansen saw the photos, he realized why he had failed to spot the caldera: almost the whole park—2.2 million acres—was caldera. The explosion had left a hole more than forty miles across—much too huge to be seen from anywhere at ground level. At some time in the past Yellowstone must have blown up with a violence far beyond the scale of anything known to humans.
1. What puzzled Christiansen when he was studying Yellowstone?A.Its complicated geographical features. |
B.Its ever-lasting influence on tourism. |
C.The mysterious history of the park. |
D.The exact location of the volcano. |
A.The shapes of volcanoes. |
B.The impacts of volcanoes. |
C.The activities of volcanoes. |
D.The heights of volcanoes. |
A.Hot-air balloon. | B.Digital camera. |
C.Big photograph. | D.Bird’s view. |
5 . Every year about 40,000 people attempt to climb Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. They
Hearing these stories, I’m
However, I soon
The best of a Kilimanjaro
Does Kilimanjaro
A.keep | B.mix | C.connect | D.bring |
A.stories | B.buildings | C.crowds | D.reporters |
A.position | B.age | C.face | D.name |
A.silent | B.skeptical | C.serious | D.crazy |
A.discover | B.argue | C.decide | D.advocate |
A.equipment | B.grass | C.camps | D.stones |
A.remote | B.quiet | C.tall | D.clean |
A.new | B.special | C.significant | D.necessary |
A.paying off | B.spreading out | C.blowing up | D.fading away |
A.atmosphere | B.experience | C.experiment | D.sight |
A.studied | B.observed | C.explored | D.regarded |
A.view | B.quality | C.reason | D.purpose |
A.scientists | B.climbers | C.locals | D.officials |
A.holding on to | B.going back to | C.living up to | D.giving way to |
A.changes | B.clears | C.improves | D.permits |
A.match | B.imagine | C.count | D.add |
A.village | B.desert | C.road | D.lake |
A.Obviously | B.Easily | C.Consequently | D.Finally |
A.permanent | B.little | C.fresh | D.artificial |
A.enjoy | B.deserve | C.save | D.acquire |
6 . The most welcome sight on a cold, wet winter night in London is the familiar shape of a London taxi cab approaching with its yellow “for hire” sign shining brightly. That shows it is ready to pick you up. Travelling by taxi in London is not just a way of going from one place to another. It is an experience to be enjoyed and remembered.
The main reason for this is the drivers, who are called "cabbies." Many of them are true Cockneys. This means they were born in the heart of London and speak their own special dialect(方言) of English. All of them know every street and famous building in the city, and all of them love to talk. A simple twenty-minute Journey across town can become very interesting. You may have a discussion about the government and its leaders or a friendly talk about the driver’s Aunty Nellie! One thing is for sure, it will never be boring. Cabbies know all the latest news about film stars, the Royal Family, government leaders, and popular singers or actors and actresses.
They also know the best places to eat, shop and relax. And they can take you straight to any large hotel, department store, theatre or museum. They know the shortest way possible without even looking at a map, because everyone who wants to become a taxi driver must pass a very difficult examination in order to get a license to drive a taxi. The exam is called “The Knowledge.” It is a written test, and in it drivers are asked the shortest way from one place to another. They must take into account the time of day—in rush hour, a longer route(路线) may be quicker—and describe the best way. Moreover they must never forget the one-way streets!
1. From what can we tell that someone is a Cockney?A.Their interest. | B.Their manners. | C.Their speech. | D.Their appearance. |
A.Passengers are full of curiosity. |
B.Cabbies’ topics are wide-ranging. |
C.Aunty Nellie is popular in London. |
D.Londoners are friendly to each other. |
A.To qualify one to drive a taxi. | B.To assess one’s driving skills. |
C.To test drivers’ ability to write. | D.To check taxi drivers memory. |
7 . Washington, D.C. Bicycle Tours
Cherry Blossom Bike Tour in Washington, D.C.
Duration: 3 hours
This small group bike tour is a fantastic way to see a world-famous cherry trees with beautiful flowers of Washington, D.C. Your guide will provide a history lesson about the trees and the famous monuments where they blossom. Reserve your spot before availability — the cherry blossoms—disappear!
Washington Capital Monuments Bicycle Tour
Duration: 3 hours (4 miles)
Join a guided bike tour and view some of the most popular monuments in Washington, D.C. Explore the monuments and memorials on the National Mall as your guide shares unique facts and history at each stop. Guided tour includes bike, helmet, cookies and bottled water.
Capital City Bike Tour In Washington, D.C.
Duration: 3 hours
Morning or Afternoon, this bike tour is the perfect tour for D. C. newcomers and locals looking to experience Washington, D.C. in a healthy way with minimum effort. Knowledgeable guides will entertain you with the most, interesting stories about Presidents, Congress, memorials, and parks. Comfortable bikes and a smooth tour route(路线) make cycling between the sites fun and relaxing.
Washington Capital Sites at Night Bicycle Tour
Duration: 3 hours (7miles)
Join a small group bike tour for an evening of exploration in the heart of Washington, D.C. Get up close to the monuments and memorials as you bike the sites of Capitol Hill and the National Mall. Frequent stops are made for photo taking as your guide offers unique facts and history. Tour includes bike, helmet, and bottled water. All riders are equipped with reflective vests and safety lights.
1. Which tour do you need to book in advance?A.Cherry Blossom Bike Tour in Washington, D.C. |
B.Washington Capital Monuments Bicycle Tour. |
C.Capital City Bike Tour in Washington. |
D.Washington Capital Sites at Night Bicycle Tour. |
A.Meet famous people. | B.Go to a national park. |
C.Visit well-known museums. | D.Enjoy interesting stories. |
A.City maps. | B.Cameras. |
C.Meals. | D.Safety lights. |
After World War II, the population of most large American cities decreased; however, the population in many Sun Belt cities increased. Los Angeles and Houston are cities where population shifts(转移) to and from the city reflect the changing values of American society. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, city residents(居民) became wealthier. They had more children so they needed more space. They moved out of their apartments in the city to buy their own homes. They bought houses in the suburbs(郊区)。
Now things are changing. The children of the people who left the cities in the 1950s are now adults. Many, unlike their parents, want to live in the cities. They continue to move to Sun Belt cities and older ones of the Northeast and Midwest. Many young professionals are moving back into the city. They prefer the city to the suburbs because their jobs are there; or they just enjoy the excitement and possibilities that the city offers.
This population shift is bringing problems as well as benefits. Countless poor people must leave their apartments in the city because the owners want to sell the buildings or make apartments for sale instead of for rent. In the 1950s, many poor people did not have enough money to move to the suburbs; now many of these same people do not have enough money to stay in the cities.
Only a few years ago, people thought that the older American cities were dying. Some city residents now see a bright, new future. Others see only problems and conflicts. One thing is sure: many dying cities are alive again.
1. What does the author think of cities all over the world?
A.They are alive. | B.They are hopeless. |
C.They are similar. | D.They are different. |
A.Because older American cities were dying. |
B.Because they were richer and needed more space. |
C.Because cities contained the worst parts of society. |
D.Because they could hardly afford to live in the city. |
A.are faced with housing problems | B.are forced to move to the suburbs |
C.want to sell their buildings | D.need more money for daily expenses |
A.American cities are changing for the worse |
B.people have different views on American cities |
C.many people are now moving from American cities |
D.the population is decreasing in older American cities |