1 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。

Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park in Gansu is the best representative of China’s colorful Danxia landform. With a wide     1     (various) of landforms, this enormous park covers     2     area of 510 square kilometres.     3     (extend) along the northern part of Qilian Mountain in west China, it was said to be part of The Great Silk Road. At one time, Marco Polo arrived in China through this area.     4     (former) a provincial park and scenic area, it     5     (become) a national geopark in November 2011.

The site is characterized by amazing landforms, including     6     (drama) natural towers, deep valleys and impressive waterfalls. These landscapes have helped to conserve broad-leaved evergreen forests, and host many flowers and plants, about 400 of     7     are considered to be rare or     8     (threaten).

The most representative spots in the park such as the Seven-color Screen and the Colorful Sunset look like a rainbow hanging in the distance. However, scenes are totally different on the edge of the hills. The colors there turn into yellow and grey like shells in the sun. Scenes are even more breathtaking     9     sunrise and sunset when lights and shadows     10     (cast) on the hills paint this region with unique beauty.

4 . 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 Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. Pulling away from it and viewing it from a greater distance, you can understand why. The marine park     1     (stretch) over 3,000 km almost parallel to the Queensland coast. The reef, between 15 kilometers and 150 kilometers off shore and around 65 km wide in some parts, is a gathering of brilliant, vivid coral     2     (provide) divers with the most spectacular underwater experience     3     (imagine).

A closer encounter with the Great Barrier Reef’s impressive coral gardens reveals many     4     (extreme) amazing underwater attractions,     5     include the world’s largest collection of corals, coral sponges, rays, dolphins, over 1,500 species of tropical fish, more than 200     6     (type) of birds, etc.

The reef is     7     breeding (繁殖) area for humpback whales, migrating from the Antarctic and is also the habitat of a few endangered species including the Dugong(Sea Cow) and large Green Sea Turtle. In     8     (recognize) of its significance, UNESCO listed the Great Barrier Reef     9     a World Heritage Site in 1981.

Because of     10     (it) natural beauty, both below and above the water’s surface, the reef has become one of the world’s most sought-after tourist destinations.

5 . Nashville TN

Welcome to your Music City vacation planning center, where you can make reservations for lodging, activities, dining and more! You can meet today’s hottest stars and country music legends at the Grand Ole Opry, cruise the Cumberland aboard the General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise or tour the sights!

Classic Music City Attractions

When one thinks of Music City, there are several attractions that immediately come to mind, namely the Grand Ole Opry, The General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise, and the Ryman Auditorium.

Some of the most amazing stars have taken the stage at the Grand Ole Opry. Another historic venue in Music City is the Ryman Auditorium. As well as attending concerts and shows, visitors to the Ryman can take leisurely tours to learn all about the history of the performing center.

Architectural Wonders

As one of the most beautiful cities in the United States, it is no wonder that this city is home to some of the most impressive pieces of architecture. From landmarks to universities and everything in between, those who have a passion for history are sure to have an amazing time exploring these places.

Music City Art & Museums

For those who love art, the Frist Center is a must-have activity. This art museum features approximately 24, 000 sq ft filled with a variety of exhibitions and displays that are sure to impress. This non-profit center is open seven days a week and features rotating exhibits so there’s something new with each visit.

Shopping, Dining & More

Downtown is among the most popular areas of the city as it holds some of the greatest attractions and more.

East, the ever-growing region is a bustling(熙攘的) place to visit while in Music City! From an eclectic atmosphere to historic landmarks and more. From local delicious eats to breweries and shopping opportunities, this neighborhood is well worth a visit!

1. In Nashville TN, visitors can          .

A．have a chance to perform on the stage.

B．explore some impressive historic buildings.

C．meet some hot stars and pickup fiction stories.

D．go shopping in Downtown, the most popular area.

2. What is special about the Frist Center?

A．Live concerts can be enjoyed.

B．It is the largest museum in Nashville TN.

C．The center is accessible every day except on holidays.

D．Visitors can get different visiting experiences every time.

3. What’s the main purpose of the passage?

A．To introduce the city of Nashville TN.

B．To help people to tailor vacation plans.

C．To arouse visitors’ interest in music and art.

D．To remind visitors of protecting Nashville TN.

6 . With a number of rivers globally in crisis due to pollution, damming, and reduced rainfall, there’s never been a better opportunity to appreciate everything that rivers give to the world.

Rivers provide drinking water

Two thirds of the UK’s tap water is either from a river or from a river-fed body of water.     1    . For example, the Colorado River alone supports nearly 40 million Americans. That’s why it is vital to keep rivers clean and free of pollutants.

    2    

Ancient farming depended on these life-giving waters, so does modern agriculture. During the rainy season, many rivers overflow their banks, nourishing the soil with minerals and nutrients. Besides, rivers act as water sources for irrigation.

A good source of food comes from rivers

A fifth of the fish that are fished globally come from rivers and other freshwater sources. Another two thirds of fish that people eat rely on rivers for breeding, nutrients, or other reasons.     3    .

Human culture is tied to rivers

    4    . The names of the rivers in England including Thames, Leith, and Taff, disclose the island’s history. Other examples are the religious connections to the Ganges in India or the Jordan River in Israel.

Rivers provide leisure activities

    5    . River sports, boating, fishing, swimming, braving rapids, and visiting waterfalls are all ways that rivers add value and entertainment. It’s essential to work to conserve rivers for generations to come.

A．Rivers are important for agriculture

B．Rivers are more than just water under the bridge

C．Rivers are closely connected to ancient civilizations

D．A large part of our modern life is involved with rivers

E．The organization American Rivers gives a similar figure for the US

F．Consequently, rivers can provide homes for a diversity of plants and animals

G．Protecting rivers and their biodiversity is a good way to protect this valuable source of food

8 . The Sahara is the world’s largest and most magic desert, but knowledge about it is surprisingly limited. Even estimates of when it formed vary widely, from more than five million years ago to mere thousands. Now, however, geographers studying wind-carried Saharan dust on the Canary Islands have come closer to settling this: it is, they report, close to five million years old.

One reason for the uncertainty over the Sahara’s age is that researchers use different methods to estimate it. These include studying desert dust found in sediment (沉积物) under the Atlantic Ocean, analyzing sandstone and modeling the ancient climate. To help settle the uncertainty, Daniel, geographer of the U.S. Geological Survey, and his workmates looked at sediment on Spain’s Canary Islands. They found evidence of Saharan dust. The dust appeared in ancient soil layers (层), whose age they assessed on the basis of fossils (化石) found in the same layers — and that age agreed with the earlier ocean’s sediment studies. The researchers reported their findings in November in Palaeogeography.

“The conclusion of the study is very good,” says Zhongshi Zhang, a climate modeler at the University of Bergen in Norway, who was not involved in the work. “Because the dust found on the islands is distinct from the ocean’s record,” Zhang adds, “it helps to build the case for a five-million-year age.”

The Sahara is the biggest source of wind-carried dust in the world — and that dust’s journey does not end in the Canary Islands, which lie just off the western coast of Africa. It continues onto places such as the Amazon rain forest in South America, Daniel notes. Amazon soils are poor in nutrients, and he says the new results help to show how rich dust from Africa could have been supporting the South American region’s incredible biodiversity for millions of years — adding to the Amazon’s own origin story.

1. How did Daniel settle the formation time of the Sahara?

A．By modeling the ancient climate in Spain’s islands.

B．By studying the desert dust under the Atlantic Ocean.

C．By assessing the age of the dust in ancient soil layers.

D．By analyzing the wind-carried sandstone in the Sahara.

2. What is the underlined words “their findings” in the paragraph 2 refer to?

A．The appearance of the dust.	B．The formation of two layers.
C．The age of the Saharan dust.	D．The agreement of two layers.

3. What contributes to the biodiversity of the South America?

A．The Saharan dust.	B．The Amazon soils.
C．The Amazon rain forest.	D．The Coastal waters.

4. Which is the most suitable title for the text?

A．The Study of the Sahara.	B．The Birth of the Sahara.
C．The Source of the Sahara.	D．The Effect of the Sahara.

10 . 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 Grand Canal is the longest and     1     (old) canal in the world. It forms a vast inland waterway system in China, running from the capital Beijing in the north     2     Zhejiang Province in the south.

    3     (construct) in sections from the 5th century BCE and completed and maintained by several     4     (dynasty), it formed the backbone of China’s inland communications system, which enabled the supply of rice     5     (feed) the population. The Grand Canal reached a new peak in the 13th century, providing an inland shipping network consisting of more than 2,000 km of artificial waterways,     6     linked five of the most important river basins in China, including the Huanghe River and the Changjiang River. Still     7     major means of internal communication today, it     8     (play) an important role in ensuring the prosperity(繁荣) and stability of China over the ages.

The Grand Canal bears witness to a remarkable and early development of hydraulic engineering(水利工程). It is an essential technological achievement     9     (date) from before the Industrial Revolution. It is a perfect example of dealing with difficult natural conditions, as is reflected in the many constructions that are     10     (full) adapted to the diversity and complexity of circumstances. It best demonstrates the technical capabilities of Eastern civilizations.