1 . 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。

    1     (construct) from the 5th century BC, the Grand Canal was a means of communication for the Empire for the first time in the Sui Dynasty.

Before foundation of Sui Dynasty, China had     2     (continuous) evacuated several canals,     3     had been suspended due to natural environment. Some needed to be repaired but were still navigable, but were too separated from each other to form large-scale water transport nationwide.

The establishment of Sui Dynasty     4     (declare) the end of long-lasting split situation. In 605 AD, Emperor Yang Guang, the     5     (two) emperor of Sui Dynasty, ordered excavation of the Grand Canal to meet the political,     6     (economy) and military needs of unified nation.

The Grand Canal reached a new peak in the Yuan Dynasty (13th century), providing a unified inland navigation network consisting     7     more than 2,000 km of artificial waterways, linking five of the most important river basins in China,     8     (include) the Yellow River and the Yangtze.

As     9     major means of internal communication today, it has played an important role in ensuring the prosperity and     10     (stable) of China over the ages.

2 . Amsterdam, with its scenic canals lined with picturesque, 17th-and 18th-century buildings, a major European tourist destination, is slowly collapsing.

Sinkholes are appearing in small streets, and nearly half its 1,700 bridges are unstable and need repairs. The fundamental problem is the state of the canal walls: about 125 miles of them are so broken that they are in danger of collapsing into the canals, potentially taking buildings and people with them. As a huge project to shore up the canal walls gets underway, the city is beginning to look like one huge construction site.

Like much of the Netherlands, Amsterdam lies below sea level. Built on a swamp and heavily expanded in the 17th century, the city sits on millions of wooden piles that serve as foundations. As modern life changed the city, many houses were strengthened with concrete, but the foundations of streets and canal walls were ignored. Many of the wooden piles have shifted, cracked or collapsed under the pressure, causing bridges and can al side walls to sink and crack. Water then seeps in, washing away mortar(砂浆), further hollowing out the infrastructure and creating sinkholes.

The alderman, Mr. De Vries, said that if the city had continued to ignore the problem, it would have headed straight for a catastrophe. The reconstruction will take at least 20 years and will cost 2 billion euros, perhaps even more. “These are big numbers, and work needs to take place in a very busy, closely-populated area,” Mr. De Vries said. “People live here and work here, and we usually have many tourists.”

He acknowledged that Amsterdam in the coming years would look different from its usual postcard self. Still, he insisted that tourists should not be discouraged from visiting. “We invite everyone to come and see what we are doing,” he said. “We want visitors to realize that such a magnificent city needs maintenance.”

1. What problem does Amsterdam face?

A．Collapsed buildings pose a threat to tourists.

B．Bridges under construction disturb citizens’ life.

C．The canal walls are in danger of falling down.

D．Many old streets are in badly need of being widened.

2. What is paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．Ways of building canal walls.

B．Causes of sinkholes in Amsterdam.

C．The effects of broken bridges on the city.

D．The geographical features of Amsterdam.

3. What can we learn about the reconstruction work?

A．It is costly.

B．It demands more than three decades.

C．It is a huge and dangerous task.

D．It will promote local employment.

4. Which statement may Mr. De Vries agree with?

A．The city will no longer be as magnificent as it used to be.

B．Modernity is usually achieved at a cost of the environment.

C．Maintenance and tourism should continue at the same time.

D．Repairs have become a serious obstacle to the city’s growth.

3 . 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。

Imperial Mountain Resort in Chengde used to be the resort of emperors of Qing Dynasty. Situated in the city of Chengde in northeastern Hebei Province, the resort is     1     (convenient) accessible by either train or long-distance bus. And the resort,     2     constructions started in 1703 and took 89 years to complete, is regarded as one of China’s four famous gardens.

Surrounded by lakes, forest and mountains, it is China’s     3     (large) existing imperial garden and the former summer capital of the Qing Dynasty,     4     (cover) an area of 5.64 million square meters. The size of Chengde Summer Resort is as big as that of the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace     5     (combine). The 10-km-long wall around it winds its way through plains and high mountains     6     the Great Wall.

The resort and the 12 Buddhist temples at its periphery (外围) were built during the Qing Dynasty. It served as the second political center of the Qing imperial court     7     the emperors of the early Qing Dynasty often spent their summers there, conducting state     8     (affair) and engaging in important political activities. The resort and its outer temples and palaces have made Chengde     9     famous historical and cultural city, and one of China’s leading scenic spots. The Imperial Resort     10     (list) in the directory of the world’s cultural heritages in 1994.

4 . Longing for the most amazing places on the planet? You can do no wrong with these lakes across the globe.

Five Flower Lake

Set in the striking karst landscape of the Jiuzhaigou Valley in Sichuan province, China, Five Flower Lake is extraordinarily clear, with visibility to a depth of 40 metres. Five Flower is one of a series of blue-, green-and sky-colored lakes blocked by rock falls, but it differs from the others as its waters change color, looking sometimes yellow, sometimes green, but usually diamond blue. In winter, Five Flower never freezes; in summer, it never dries up. Local wildlife living in the surrounding mountain forests include the rare giant panda and the golden snub-nose monkey.

Crater Lake

The deep-blue waters of Crater Lake in Oregon, US, fill the outlet of an ancient volcano that collapsed 7,700 years ago. Its strangest occupant is the “Old Man of the Lake”, a nine-metre-tall tree stump(树桩), which has stood upright in the water for more than a century. No rivers or streams enter the lake. Water loss in summer is compensated by winter snow and rain, the entire body of water being replaced every 250 years.

Lake Ohrid

Ancient Lake Ohrid has been around for about five million years and crosses the mountainous border between Macedonia and Albania. It has unique plants and wildlife, including the Ohrid “plashica”, a fish native to the lake, whose scales(鳞片) are used to make Ohrid pearls.

Lake Maggiore

Surrounded on three sides by the Lipontine Alps and touching the plain of Lombardy to the south, Lake Maggiore is Italy’s longest lake. Considered part of the country’s lake district, it is shared with Switzerland. Characterized by a Mediterranean-style climate, temperatures here are mild all year. This has given rise to some of northern Italy’s most wonderful gardens, which appear to float like flower-decked boats on the water.

1. What makes Five Flower Lake different from other lakes?

A．Its agreeable climate.	B．The rare local wildlife.
C．Its color-changing waters.	D．The visibility of waters.

2. How does Crater Lake mainly get water supply?

A．By artificial rain.	B．By snow and rain.
C．From nearby streams.	D．From an ancient tree.

3. Which lake has a typical warm climate?

A．Five Flower Lake.	B．Crater Lake.
C．Lake Ohrid.	D．Lake Maggiore.

5 . The UNESCO World Heritage List is a prestigious honour awarded to sites of outstanding universal value around the world. Did you know there are 1,157 UNESCO World Heritage Sites spanning across 167 countries? We’ve picked out our top 4 for you to visit below.

The Acropolis, Greece

The Acropolis is an ancient castle that stands proud in the Greek city of Athens. Back in the fifth century BC after battle with the Persians, the plans of Pericles came to life under the influence of Pheidias, the sculptor. It then became a place for thought and art to flourish, where symbols of classical spirit and civilisation came alive.

Historic centre of Rome, Italy

According to Roman mythology, the Eternal City was founded in 753 BC and became the capital of the mighty Roman Empire. Rome is home to a number of attractions including the Forum, the Pantheon and the Colosseum! This World Heritage site contains the whole historic centre within the city walls and reflects the influence of the Renaissance and Baroque periods in making it one of Italy’s most popular cities.

Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand

The historic city of Ayutthaya in Thailand was founded around 1350 and was subsequently destroyed in the 18th century by the Burmese. What’s left today is the ruins and some key highlights include the Buddhist temples of Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Mahathat and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet. The area is home to the remains of tall prang (reliquary towers) and should not be missed.

Cultural landscape of Bali, Indonesia

The landscape in Bali is unlike anything else on Earth. Consisting of five rice terraces (梯田) and water temples covering 19,500 hectares, the cultural landscape takes your breath away. This site gains honour through an ancient farming ceremony dating back to the 9th century known as subak. This concept reflects the spirit, the human world and nature, also known as Tri Hita Karana.

1. What might have happened in Greece in the 5th century BC?

A．Greece became famous for its castles.	B．Pheidias became a sculptor.
C．Greece fought against Persians.	D．The Greek spirit disappeared.

2. What is subak?

A．A rice terrace.

B．A cultural landscape.

C．A water temple.

D．An agricultural ceremony.

3. Which of the following has the longest history?

A．The Acropolis.

B．The Eternal City.

C．Ayutthaya.

D．Tri Hita Karana.

6 . 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。

In 2000, Xidi and the nearby Hongcun village     1    (declare) world heritage (遗产) sites by UNESCO for their outstanding     2     (preserve) of rural architecture dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Now, walking along the bluestone streets in Xidi or Hongcun, visitors can appreciate the distinctive Huizhou-style houses,     3     (feature) white walls, dark tiles (瓦片) and horse-head gables (山墙), and feel like they are immersed in a traditional Chinese ink painting.

Huizhou architecture, with its long tradition and great diversity, occupies     4     important place in Chinese architectural landscape. Since Huizhou is a     5     (mountain) area with few flat areas of land, its houses tend to be built to match the natural features.

Huizhou is famous for its stone, wood and brick carvings, which are     6     (wide) used in the decoration of local houses. In this way, native people integrate their aesthetic values and emotions     7     the buildings, making them more beautiful and educating their children through the meanings     8     (contain) in the patterns.

Features of Huizhou houses display the characteristics of local people. “If you look at the outside of a Huizhou house, it seems enclosed (封闭的) by walls,     9     the insides are open and broad. It is just like Huizhou people,     10     are often reserved toward strangers but friendly when you get to know them,” says Zhou Hu, director of Shexian’s cultural heritage administration.

7 . Deserts are dry ecosystems that receive less than 250 millimetres of rainfall a year on average. Here are the world’s several big deserts.

Antarctic Desert

Antarctica is, on average, the coldest, windiest and driest of all the world’s continents. With an average annual rainfall of just 166 millimetres along the coastal regions and even less farther inland, it meets the standard of a desert. The continent has only plants that can live in a region so cold and dry.

Australian Desert

The Australian desert consists of ten interlinked smaller deserts. Together, they cover 18 percent of the mainland and contribute to making Australia the world’s second driest continent. The deserts are far from deserted, populated by native animals like kangaroos.

Arabian Desert

The Arabian Desert covers the entire Arabian Peninsula and contains the Rub’al-Khali, one of the world’s largest continuous bodies of sand. Bedouins, the native people, have crossed these sands for centuries, driving sheep, cattle, camels and goats into the desert during the rainy winter season and moving back toward farmland during the dry summer months.

Kalahari Desert

Strictly speaking, the Kalahari doesn’t meet the standard of a desert as its wettest regions can receive more than 500 millimetres of rain in very wet years. However, it remains extremely dry. Rain filters(渗入)rapidly through the vast expanses of sand, leaving nothing on the surface. The evaporation (蒸发) rate is twice as great as the rainfall in the southwestern half of the Kalahari. The desert is home to several important national parks and reserves, providing shelters for various species.

1. Which desert is made up of smaller deserts?

A．Antarctic Desert.

B．Australian Desert.

C．Arabian Desert.

D．Kalahari Desert.

2. What do we know about Bedouins?

A．They are on the move.	B．They are good at growing plants.
C．They come from Australia.	D．They benefit from local tourism.

3. What is special about Kalahari Desert?

A．It has enough rainfalls.

B．It covers a big area

C．It is poorly protected.

D．It dries up quickly.

8 . While travel is restricted during this time, here are some amazing places around the world to daydream about and look forward to visiting one day in the future.

Lord Howe Island, Australia

The island in the Tasman Sea lies between Australia and New Zealand and is just 10km long. Despite its complete isolation, the island is populated, by around 380 people and the number of tourists is limited to under 400. The island is known for its geology, birds, plants and marine life, while cycling is the main mode of transport on the island, thanks to its virtually untouched forest and the fact that many of its plants and animals are found nowhere else in the world.

Thor’s Well, Oregon

Also called “the drainpipe of the Pacific” or even sometimes, “the gate to hell”, the hole appears to swallow the Pacific Ocean. Geyser-like ocean sprays erupt in winter time, thanks to ocean pressure and the gusting wind. It looks more dangerous than it is though; it is in reality just around 20 feet deep. The natural bowl is spectacular to watch, particularly during low tide when the sea rises towards the surface before draining back down into the depths of the rocky hole again.

Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods), Hawaii

Hawaiians call Keahiakawelo “wahi pana”, which means celebrated, noted or legendary places which have cultural significance. As legend goes, the priest of neighboring Molokai island, a man named Lanikaula, was angry at the people of Lanai, so he lit a fire wishing ill will to the island’s people.

Balamku (Cave of the Jaguar God), Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

The cave was rediscovered accidentally in 2018 by archaeologists who were searching for a sacred well. The seven-chambered cave was initially discovered in 1966 but was sealed up and forgotten about. Caves were considered openings to the underworld, and this one is no different. The name means jaguar god, which they believed had the ability to enter and leave the underworld at will. The cave is so unexplored that archaeologists are still mapping it out.

1. How do people often travel on Lord Howe Island?

A．By boat.

B．By bike.

C．On foot.

D．By car.

2. What is the best time to watch Thor’s Well?

A．During low tide.	B．In winter time.
C．When the sea rises.	D．After the sea dries.

3. Which of the following is thought to be the opening to the underworld?

A．Lord Howe Island.	B．Thor’s Well.
C．Keahiakawelo.	D．Balamku.

9 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

In the Chinese language, Yaodong means “kiln cave”, named due to the building’s arched interior (拱形的内部), which looks like the inside of a kiln. These Yaodongs are     1     (common) found in the north central provinces of China such as Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu and Henan,    2     are located on the Loess Plateau (黄土高原).

Yaodongs can be divided into different types,     3     (depend) on the topography (地形) of the     4     (region) in which they were built. For instance，where hills are available, Yaodongs may be built into the slopes (斜坡), and a hill may contain several stories of Yaodongs.

The continuous use of Yaodongs on the Loess Plateau over the millennia can perhaps be attributed to their highly economical and efficient design. When     5     comes to building materials, only the local loess soil from the plateau is required for the building of Yaodongs. Additionally, the thick earthen walls are able to keep the interior of Yaodongs cool during the summer and warm during the winter.

In the last decade, the Yaodongs     6     (bring) to the attention of scientists and researchers. These traditional dwellings (住所) have been regarded     7     an example of sustainable design. It has been considered that Yaodongs are     8     reflection of a key traditional Chinese concept — the     9     (harmony) relationship between human beings and nature. Although Yaodongs may be a unique feature of the Loess Plateau，the idea     10     (reflect) in their construction is one that people today can bear in mind.

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。

Located in Zhongxiang City, Hubei Province, Huangxian Cave is a rare karst (喀斯特) cave     1     combines various geological wonders into the scene.

It is a long and winding cave     2     (measure) over 2, 187 yards in length. The mouth of the cave faces northwest and measures more than three hundred     3     (foot) in width. Through the long period of geological change and     4     (develop), the abundant limestone inside the cave has formed into the typical karst landscape like a heavenly world. Walking into the cave, you can find     5     (you) in a wonderland full of all sorts of rock formations. Nature is not just like a sculptor carving the stalagmites (石笋) and stalactites (钟乳石) into stone columns, stone’ curtains, stone waterfalls, stone spears and stone needles,     6     like a painter who doesn’t forget to dress them in different beautiful colors ― red, white, yellow and green. The most     7     (impress) sight is the more than two hectares of karst basins called Yun Pen. In rainy seasons, these basins     8     (fill) with water.

Through the ages, Huangxian Cave     9     (attract) countless men of letters who have left many great works. Due to its excellent landscape and rich cultural relics, it is regarded     10     a rare karst treasure in China.