Beijing Olympic Park, also
2 . In honor of National Park Week, here’s a list of some of the striking features that you can find throughout America.
Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park is not necessarily a dangerous place…as long as you don’t steal the stones. The fossils (化石) are beautiful and somewhat look like precious stones, which makes them an attractive souvenir. But as with all National Park lands, visitors aren’t allowed to take anything from the site, including rocks, plants and animals. And for good reason, removing any of these items can harm the local ecosystem or degrade the geological features. Legend has it that taking a rock can bring about misfortune. Due to this reason, the park receives letters with returned rocks from people wishing for forgiveness for fossil theft.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park was the first-ever national park, established in 1872. With scenic mountains and rivers and an abundance of wildlife, Yellowstone is home to more than 10,000 hydrothermal features. These include hot springs, mudpots, and over 500 geysers formed from the 2.1 million-year-old super volcano hiding below Yellowstone’s surface. Visitors from all over the world flock to Yellowstone National Park for its geysers.
Mammoth Cave National Park
With tunnels stretching over 420 miles, Mammoth Cave is the world’s largest cave system. Nearly 10 million years ago, water began to swirl its way through the limestone bed, eventually shaping the cave’s massive tunnels. Inside the cave are the classic stalactites and stalagmites, but you’ll also find other unique formations.
Devil’s Tower National Monument
The origins of this unique rock formation is that Devil’s Tower once constituted the inside of a volcano. Eventually, the softer outside rock of the eroded, leaving only the harder igneous rock behind. Among the local peoples, Devil’s Tower is highly sacred. Each community passes down legends of its creation, which typically include someone escaping a big bear and finding refuge atop the rock.
1. Why must the stones be kept in Petrified Forest National Park?A.The park is a dangerous place. |
B.They are valueless stones in the park. |
C.They can cause ecological and geological effects. |
D.They will definitely bring bad luck according to the legend. |
A.Amazing wildlife. |
B.Picturesque scenery. |
C.Old history. |
D.Hydrothermal wonders. |
A.Petrified Forest National Park. |
B.Yellowstone National Park. |
C.Mammoth Cave National Park. |
D.Devil’s Tower National Monument. |
The Ancient City of Pingyao, originally named “Gu Tao”,
The three most historic sites in Pingyao, often referred to as the city’s Three Historic Treasures,
The first of these historic treasures, the ancient city wall is 6,163 meters long and separates the city into two parts — an old city enclosed within the walls
The Grand Canal is the longest and
The Grand Canal bears witness to a remarkable and early development of hydraulic engineering(水利工程). It is an essential technological achievement
1. Which two oceans are connected by the Panama Canal?
A.The Pacific and Atlantic oceans. |
B.The Atlantic and Indian oceans. |
C.The Pacific and Indian oceans. |
A.In 1904. | B.In 1914. | C.In 1881. |
A.The location of the Panama Canal. |
B.The importance of the Panama Canal. |
C.The time when the Panama Canal was built. |
A.An announcement. | B.A speech. | C.A lecture. |
Daocheng Yading is located in the Southwest of China’s Sichuan Province. This is a kingdom
There are three mountain peaks in Daocheng Yading. The most beautiful is called Yangmaiyong. It is about 6000 meters
Shennongjia was so named because it is said to be the place
Some tourists hope to encounter the legendary yeren (wild man). They may not see any such creature,
These days
The natural beauty of karst land forms is common. There are waterfalls, pools and a 56-ft-high arch
Hangzhou will build a world-class ecological and cultural tourism corridor in connection with Anhui Province’s Huangshan City. Five towns in Hangzhou’s Chun’an County and five towns in Huangshan’s Shexian County
Over the years, Hangzhou and Huangshan
These improvements are attracting more tourists and creating
In
9 . Not every architectural landmark is grand in scale, with splendid decorations, or amazing colors. Suzhou Gardens may just be the opposite.
When a group of monks during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) first constructed Lion Grove Garden, they may have just wanted to enjoy a quiet place, hidden away from urban noise, while in the following centuries, this charming garden - most notable for its waterside rockeries resembling the shape of lions—has attracted a constant stream of celebrity guests, who have left a long list of poems, paintings and historical anecdotes (轶事).
In recent years, nine of the best-known classical gardens of Suzhou, including Lion Grove Garden, Humble Administrator’s Garden and Great Wave Pavilion, were registered into the World Heritage List. As UNESCO remarks, “Classical Chinese garden design, which seeks to recreate natural landscapes in miniature (缩略图), is nowhere better illustrated than in the nine gardens, which reflect the profound natural beauty in Chinese culture and inspire people to pursue harmony with the world.”
Nowadays, relevant administrations have been trying to restore the historical landscapes of Suzhou’s classical gardens. Consequently, last year, a new project was launched allowing tourists in small groups to reserve places to enter the garden in the early morning before the regular opening time. Their visit ended with them completing the last step in making a traditional folding fan, adding a poem about the garden on its surface. The experience was also regarded as a way to help people understand the wisdom, elegance and philosophical worldview of the ancient Chinese literati (文人).
The delicate beauty of the gardens still flows via the canals that snake across Suzhou. Hardly felt, their strength in shaping the city’s character seems to last forever.
1. What’s the purpose of building the Lion Grove Garden?A.To share historical anecdotes. |
B.To attract celebrity guests. |
C.To enjoy the beautiful scenery. |
D.To stay far from the madding crowd. |
A.Splendid decorations. |
B.Grand beauty. |
C.Human-nature harmony. |
D.Amazing colors. |
A.It featured traditional Chinese elements. |
B.Small groups without reservation were welcome. |
C.Its main aim was to help people approach poems. |
D.It was launched when the gardens were open to the public. |
A.Suzhou Gardens, a place of national pride. |
B.Suzhou Gardens, a place with natural beauty. |
C.Suzhou Gardens, a place that shows the decorations and colors. |
D.Suzhou Gardens, a place that reflects the philosophy and culture. |
Marble Chapels, Patagonia
The Marble Chapels are an absolute must when visiting Patagonia. The stunning caves are located in the middle of General Carrera Lake, which makes them accessible only by boat. The Marble Chapels arc layers of calcium carbonate formations resulting from wind and water slapping the rocks. The best time to visit is in the austral summer, from December to March.
Yosemite National Park, USA
One of California’s crown jewels, Yosemite National Park is an outdoor playground for nature enthusiasts. The protected park is approximately3108 square kilometres, and it features towering sequoias, dramatic waterfalls, beautiful mountain ranges and sheer granite towers. May or June is the best time to see the waterfalls.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
One of the world’s greatest spectacles also happens to be one of the most vulnerable. Whether you choose to view this global treasure from a helicopter or go diving to enjoy close encounters with tropical fish, it’s hard not to notice the direct impact of climate change. Warmer temperatures have led to amounts of coral bleaching. If the damage continues at the rate, more than 90 percent of the living coral will erode within the next decade.
Blue Grotto, Malta
Malta is known for year-round warm weather, ancient cities, dazzling beaches, and the Blue Grotto: a series of caves that form high arches along the southern coast of the island. On a clear day, you can see the fluorescent colours reflected on the cave. Try to book a boat tour early in the morning when the sea is calm, the sun is bright, and there are fewer crowds.
1. Which two of the natural wonders attract tourists who love cave exploration?A.Marble Chapels and Great Barrier Reef. |
B.Marble Chapels and Blue Grotto. |
C.Great Barrier Reef and Yosemite National Park. |
D.Yosemite National Park and Blue Grotto. |
A.Tourists can appreciate views in Marble Chapels in December. |
B.Yosemite National Park is an ideal destination for diving enthusiasts. |
C.Great Barrier Reef shows the direct influence of climate change. |
D.Malta boasts its pleasant weather, ancient cities and great beaches. |
A.In a novel. | B.In a geography book. |
C.In a biography. | D.In a travel magazine. |