1 . When it comes to cultural heritage protection, the Grand Canal of China is probably the world’s greatest project of its kind.   The big inland waterway system in the north-eastern and central eastern plains passes through eight of the country’s present-day provinces.
The Canal runs from Beijing in the north to Zhejiang Province in the south. Constructed in sections from the 5th century BC onwards, it was designed as a means of communication in the 7th century AD.   The Canal is the world’s greatest civil engineering project before the Industrial Revolution.
The Grand Canal reached a peak in the 13th century, providing an inland navigation(航行) network consisting of more than 2,000 kilometers of artificial waterways, linking five of the most important river basins in China, including the Yellow River and the Yangtze. It entered a bid as a UNESCO(联合国教科文组织) cultural heritage site in 2008.
The Grand Canal cultural square is located in Beijing’s Tongzhou district. Ever since the Yuan dynasty 800 years ago, the Tongzhou section of the Grand Canal has been the life blood of Beijing. Grain and building materials were all transported to meet the endless demands of the big cities. Even today, the Grand Canal plays a major role in the lives of its citizens.
"I grew up near the Grand Canal. In the past the waterway was a lot narrower, but now it’s nice and wide and bridges are built over it. I think if the bid for world heritage status succeeds, it will greatly make Tongzhou more famous in the world, especially with Tongzhou aiming to be a sub-center of the capital Beijing," a citizen said.
The result of the bid is set to be released next week, and no doubt it will certainly make it into the history books if the Canal is listed as a world heritage site.
1. It can be concluded from the passage that .

A．The bid’s result of the Canal will be announced soon

B．the Canal is the UNESCO’s newest world heritage site

C．the Canal is to connect Tongzhou with Zhejiang Province

D．the Canal will be a bid for a UNESCO cultural heritage site

2. The Grand Canal was in the most glorious time .

A．when it was aimed as a means of communication

B．when it crossed the Yellow River and the Yangtze

C．when it was born about six hundred years later

D．when it was designed as an artificial waterway

3. What can we infer by reading the passage?

A．Tongzhou used to be the capital of the Yuan dynasty.

B．Most citizens living in Tongzhou depend on the Canal.

C．Tongzhou will benefit if the Canal is made a heritage site.

D．Some citizens think the Canal not to be a cultural heritage item.

2 . Considering Australia' s size and the fact that early settlements were far apart, Australian society is remarkably homogeneous ( 同种的). Its citizens are fundamentally prosperous and the way of life in the major cities and towns is much the same however many miles divide them__________________________.
However, there is some difference in lifestyle between city settlers and the country people. Almost 90 percent of the population lives in the fast-paced cities along the coast andhas little more than a passing familiarity with the desert. The major cities preserve images of colonial heritage, but on the whole the impression is modern, with new buildings reflecting the country' s youth. In contrast, the rural communities tend to be slow-moving and conservative. For many years, Australia was said to have "ridden on the sheep' s back" , a reference to wool being the country' s main money earner. However, it is no longer dominant (主宰的). Much of Australia' s relatively sound economy is now achieved from natural coal and wheat, and by being the largest diamond producer in the world. Newer industries such as tourism and wine making are also increasingly important. Australians are generally friendly and relaxed, with a modest sense of humor.
Yet, contrary to widespread belief, very few Australians have true prisoner origins. Within only one generation of the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, Australia had become a nation of immigrants. Originally coming almost entirely from the British Isles, today one in three Australians comes from elsewhere. Australia' s liberal postwar immigration policies led to a flowing of survivors from war-torn Europe. The emphasis has changed in recent years and today the majority of new immigrants are from Southeast Asia. Today Australia is a "mixture of nations" and although some racism exists, it has generally been a successful experiment and the country is reasonably proud to have one of the most harmonious multicultural communities in the world.
1. What does the writer mean by saying "It takes a sharp ear to identify regional accents." in the first paragraph?

A．Australians speak Standard English with no local accents.

B．You have to practice a lot to learn to understand the different accents.

C．The Australian regional accents are very difficult to understand indeed.

D．There is not much difference between the accents in different areas of Australia.

2. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A．Most Australians have ancestors who were prisoners.

B．The Australian economy counts on sheep exports.

C．The pace of life is different in the city and in the country.

D．The majority of people living in Australia come from Europe.

3. We can infer from the passage that ____.

A．nothing about Australia' s colonial part in modern cities can be seen by visitors

B．tourism and wine making resulted in fast development in rural communities only

C．immigrants from Europe have brought racial problems

D．Australia' s recent immigration policy encourages immigrants from Southeast Asia

4. This passage mainly focuses on Australia’s_______________.

A．society	B．economy
C．racial problems	D．history

3 . Horton
At first glance, there is little in Horton to attract people. The other nearby towns have much more to offer: Bradfield has its river and historic buildings, while Newtown has shops and entertainment. The buildings of Horton look dirty and unloved. For shops, there is a small supermarket, a few bargain shops, a bakery which, strangely, does not sell bread and a florist which has one stand of sad-looking flowers. Even so, Horton has several advantages over its neighbouring towns.
Firstly, it has a country park. Four thousand years ago, this was an important fort. There are no historic remains here now, but there are wonderful views over the countryside. On sunny weekends you can often see kids out with their parents, kicking balls or flying kites.
There aren’t many job opportunities in Horton, and the roads to nearby cities aren’t really fast, but there are excellent rail links. You can be in London in an hour and a half, and other cities are less than an hour away. That means that parents can earn a good salary and still get home in time to spend the evenings with their families. Houses in Horton aren’t pretty, but they’re functional and cheap. The streets are quiet and safe, and there are plenty of parks and playgrounds. It has a library, three primary schools and a secondary school, St. Mark’s. It is friendly and offers a wide range of subjects and activities to children of all abilities and backgrounds. The town also has a swimming and a sports centre, and the community halls hold regular clubs and events for people of all ages.
1. What is the writer’s main purpose?

A．To explain what tourists can do in Horton.

B．To explain why Horton is a good place to live in.

C．To explain why Horton is not as pleasant as other towns.

D．To describe the history of Horton.

2. Which part of Horton does the writer find disappointing?

A．the shops	B．country park
C．transport links	D．the schools

3. Which of the following is NOT the advantage of Horton?

A．plenty of parks and playgrounds

B．historical buildings

C．the quiet and safe streets

D．functional and cheap houses

4. What advantages does Horton bring to workers?

A．There are plenty of jobs available in the town.

B．You can drive to nearby cities in a short time.

C．You can get to several cities quickly by train.

D．Working conditions are better here than in other towns.

4 . 阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C、和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Have you ever heard the saying “All roads lead to Rome”? At one time, this was pretty much true. During the Roman Empire, lots of roads were built in order to move armies, send messages by courier (信使), and make trade easier.
The network of Roman roads was begun in 312 BC. It was demanded that the roads be built strong so that they would not fall down. Roman soldiers, supervised (监督) by engineers, laid down the roads in a special pattern of layers. There were all together 4 layers, which was made of different materials, such as sand, rocks, stones and so on.
Also, Roman roads were cambered(拱形). This means that they were built higher in the middle than on the edges, allowing rainwater to run off, which prevented flooding. We use the same technique in building roads today. The Romans also laid out roads over hills when necessary, setting them down in a zigzag (之字形的)pattern to make the road rise gradually.
All Roman roads had milestones (里程碑), placed every thousand paces (a Roman mile). The milestones told when the road was built, who was emperor at the time, the road’s destination, how far the traveler was from the destination, and how many miles had been traveled since the beginning of the road. This information was a great help to travelers.
Because of their excellence in construction, it really is no surprise that many parts of Roman road still exist today. These roadways are one of the most impressive achievements of the Roman Empire.
1. The following description about Roman roads is true EXCEPT _____.

A．Roman roads were built by the Roman soldiers directed by the engineers

B．Roman roads could prevent flooding using the technique we don’t use today

C．Roman roads had milestones that were placed every Roman mile

D．Roman roads still exist today as an impressive achievement of Roman Empire

2. What information can you find on the milestones?

A．The builders of the road.

B．The materials used in building roads.

C．The distance from one city.

D．The time spent in building roads.

3. The passage mainly ______.

A．explains the saying “All roads lead to Rome”

B．praises ancient Romans for their great achievements

C．shows how great the Roman Empire was

D．introduces the construction of the Roman roads

5 .         EVERY few hundred years, a sleeping giant in southern Italy awakens with a bang, spewing volcanic ash across the countryside. The volcano, called Mount Vesuvius, formed 25, 000 years ago. During its most explosive eruptions, the volcano could blanket nearby cities with hot ash, sometimes also burying them with deadly flows of mud and rocks. One famous eruption occurred nearly 2, 000 years ago, in the year AD 79. It lasted 18 hours and destroyed the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, killing thousands of people as they tried to escape.

Scientists and city officials had supposed that Naples, one of Italy’s most populous cities, was far enough away that it would be safe from the volcano’s wrath. New evidence suggests that this might not be the case.

Researchers recently discovered 4000-year-old layers of ash and mud under present-day Naples. Just outside the city, they also uncovered abandoned villages, as well as human and animal skeletons. Most surprising of all, the researchers say, was the discovery of thousands of footprints from the same time period, pressed into layers of wet ash that had rained from the sky. The footprints show that thousands of people were fleeing to the northwest, away from the volcano, as it erupted.

Mount Vesuvius hasn’t had a major eruption since 1631, but it’s still very active. The discovery of the ancient ash layers, skeletons, and footprints is a warning that modern Naples, a city of 3 million people, isn’t safe from the volcano, scientists say. So, when the volcano begins to rumble again, Naples should have an emergency evacuation plan ready - just in case.

1. Which of the following is true with Mount Vesuvius?

A．It formed 2 ,500 years ago.

B．Its latest eruption occurred 2, 000 years ago.

C．It is an active, destructive volcano.

D．It is where the city Naples is located.

2. What does the word underlined possibly mean?

A．Path.

B．Heat.

C．Fear .

D．Eruption.

3. The researchers found the new evidence EXCEPT _________.

A．ancient layers of ash and mud

B．animal footprints

C．abandoned villages

D．human skeletons

4. What can we conclude from the passage?

A．City Pompeii has been rebuilt now.

B．City Naples isn’t suitable for living.

C．Mount Vesuvius will not erupt in a hundred years.

D．Mount Vesuvius is a potential danger to Naples.

5. The author of the passage intends to ________.

A．introduce Mount Vesuvius

B．describe the city Naples

C．present new discoveries by researchers

D．propose a plan for escape

6 . C
Hilversum is a medium-sized city between the major cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht in the Gooi area of North Holland, the Netherlands. Unlike most of the Netherlands, Hilversum is actually in a hilly area with the soil mostly consisting of sand. Once called the Garden of Amsterdam, it still attracts travelers to come over to cycle and walk through the surrounding forests. They visit it for a relaxing day off from the urban madness. For Dutch people, Hilversum is all about textile (纺织) and media industries, and modern architecture.
In history, Hilversum was largely an agricultural area. Daily life was marked by farming, sheep raising and wool production. A railway link to Amsterdam in 1874 attracted rich traders from Amsterdam to Hilversum. They build themselves large villas (别墅) in the wooded surroundings of the town. One of the families moving in was the Brenninkmeijers, currently the wealthiest family of the Netherlands. They moved in after big success in the textile industry and aided a substantial textile industry in Hilversum. But the textile boom lasted only several decades. The last factory closed in the 1960s.
The change to a media economy started in 1920, when the Nederlandse Seintoestedllen Fabriek (NSF) established a radio factory in Hiversum. Most radio stations called in the large villas in the leafy areas of the town. Television gave another push to the local economy. Hilversum became the media capital of the Netherlands, and Dutch television stars moved into the leafy neighborhoods surrounding the town.
In the early 1900s, modern architcts W.M. Dudok and J. Duiker placed hundreds of remarkable buildings in Hilversum. These modern architectural masterpieces (杰作) are so many that Hilversum almost feels like an open air museum. Dudok alone shaped most 20th century Hilversum and approximately 75 buildings still bear his unique characters. His masterpiece, Hilversum Town Hall, was built in 1928-1931. It has wide international fame and is included in many architecture textbooks. The building has a remarkable shape and looks like a combination of “blocks”. Actually, one may start his journey of modern architecture by walking or biking the W.M. Dudok Architectural Route in Hilversum.
1. Hilversum is different from most of the Netherlands in that ______.

A．it has a large population

B．it is cut off from big cities

C．it has many beautiful gardens

D．it is in a hilly area with sandy soil

2. What was the greatest contribution of the Brenninkmeijers to Hilversum?

A．Building a railway link to Amsterdam

B．Helping its textile industry to develop

C．Constructing large villas for the poor

D．Assisting its agricultural industry

3. The beginning of the media industry in Hilversum was marked by the establishment of ______.

A．a radio factory

B．the medial capital

C．a radio station

D．a TV station

4. What is known about W.M. Dudok’s Hilversum Town Hall?

A．It consists of approximately 75 buildings

B．It looks like an open air museum in the city

C．It is a classic example in architecture textbooks

D．It has shaped most of 20th century Hilvesum.

7 . American cities are similar to other cities around the world. In every country, cities reflect the values of the culture. American cities are changing, just as American society is changing.
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.

2. Why did American city residents want to live in the suburbs after World War II?

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.

3. According to the 4th paragraph, a great many poor people in American cities ________.

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

4. We can conclude from the text that ________.

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

8 . Have you ever heard of Paynes Prairie? It is one of the most important natural and historical areas in Florida. Paynes Prairie is located near Gainesville. It is large, 21,000 acres. This protected land is called a preserve. The Florida Park Service manages the preserve.
The Paynes Prairie basin was formed when limestone dissolved and the ground settled. It is covered by marsh(沼泽)and wet prairie vegetation. There are areas of open water. During brief periods it has flooded enough to be considered a lake. Except for that, the basin has changed little through time.
Man has lived on Paynes Prairie a very long time. He lived there as far back as 10,000 B. C. At one time, the Seminoles lived there. The prairie is thought to have been named after King Payne, a Seminole chief. During the late 1600s, the largest cattle ranch in Florida was on Paynes Prairie. Today, Paynes Prairie is preserved land. It is occupied by visitors and Florida Park Service employees.
Willam Bartram visited Paynes Praire. Bartram was the first person who portrayed (described) nature through personal experience as well as scientific observation. He lived 200 years ago. He visited Paynes Prairie in 1774. At that time he described it. He called Paynes Prairie the “great Alachua Savannah.”
Most of the animal life, which Bartram described, is still here. A large number of sandhill cranes, hawks and waterfowl are here in winter. The animal diversity is increased by the presence of pine flatwoods, hammock, swamps and ponds.
The Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is open year round. The Florida Park Service works hard so that the park will appear as it did in the past. It offers many opportunities for recreation. At the park you can camp and picnic. You can hike and bike. You can boat and fish. You can ride on horse trails. And you can see lots of nature and wildlife. You can see Florida as it was in the early days.
Paynes Prairie is a part of our Florida history. It is an example of our Florida natural resources. It is a place for recreation. Paynes Prairie is an important experience of the Real Florida.
1. How was the Paynes Prairie basin formed?

A．By the Seminole Indians.

B．By the Florida Park Service.

C．From dissolved limestone and the ground settling.

D．From lots of flooding and wet prairie vegetation.

2. The underlined word “diversity” means “            .”

A．variety

B．society

C．population

D．area

3. All of the following are true EXCEPT that __      .

A．Paynes Prairie has changed little through time

B．Paynes Prairie is covered by wet prairie grasses

C．there used to be a big cattle farm on Paynes Prairie

D．William Bartram was the first person to visit Paynes Prairie

4. The purpose of the passage is to          .

A．call on people to protect wildlife

B．attract people to this preserved park

C．show you the formation of Paynes Prairie

D．introduce the recorded history of Paynes Prairie

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

What defines a healthy city Is it a place with a lot of open spaces    1    people can exercise and enjoy the fresh air .A place with little or no pollution .A place in which people can     2    (free) socialize and express their ideas Perhaps, it’s all that plus more. Other considerations are the availability of health and fitness facilities, an excellent healthcare program and sincere efforts by    3    local government to actively promote health and wellness among its citizens. Of all the cities in the world, one of the top six     4     (healthy) cities is Copenhagen, Denmark.

Copenhageners love to walk. Foot traffic accounts    5    80% of all traffic in the Copenhagen city center. Those who prefer can also bike. It is estimated that more than a third of all work trips in Copenhagen    6    (carry) out on a bike. As for the climate here, the city does not have the blessing of pleasant weather all year round.    7    everything starts to freeze, it turns several city squares into huge skating fields. The frozen parts of the city also make    8    easier for residents to skate around. The city also has museums and art galleries for the kids and    9    (grown-up). It has the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Art and the Royal Library housed in a rather grand building    10    (call) the Black Diamond.

10 . Thailand’s capital Bangkok is both attractive and wonderful, a city of glass towers and concrete buildings crowded with nearly 10 million people. The ground beneath is spongy(松软多孔的) and moist. Imagine a brick resting on top of a birthday cake. That’s Bangkok-and it’s sinking into the Earth at an alarming rate.
Thailand’s disaster specialists have been warning of this coming disaster for years. One expert has said he’s worried about Bangkok resembling Atlantis. Another previously told Global post that the city will be under five feet of water by 2030. The latest estimates suggest that Bangkok is now sinking as fast as two centimeters per year in parts of the city. The predictions for 2100 are even more terrible. By then , Bangkok will be fully submerged and unlivable.
Like global warming, which will accelerate the city’s submersion by raising the sea leavel, Bangkok’s sinking problems are repeatedly _______But the monsoon season, currently underway, tends to bring this crisis to mind. A nasty storm can suddenly turn Bangkok’s streets into gushing streams. Sewers overflow, taxis move through dirty water and, occasionally, kids can pick up displaced fish.
Anond Snidvongs, director of the Southeast Asia Regional Research Center, predicts the city’s outskirts will be the first to go. Parts of the shoreline ebyong Bangkok are already liend with pumps that make noises and help to transform invading seawater. They don’t always work. During heavy rains, salt water flows in the streets of the city.
Bangkok is swallowed up a little more each day. Experts tend to offer two solutions. The first is to pu up a massive seawall that could cost nearly $3 billion-nearly 1 percent of Thailand’s current GDP. The second option is to give up entirely and move the capital to higher ground.
1. Why is Bangkok sinking into the earth?

A．Its buildings are too heavy.

B．It has an overlarge population.

C．Its underground is too loose.

D．It is resting on top of a lake.

2. What is the most likely meaning of the underlined phrase “shrugged off” in Paragraph 3?

A．ignored

B．valued

C．agreed

D．misunderstood

3. What information does Paragraph 4 express?

A．The optimism and wisdom shown by the city people.

B．The present serious situation Bangkok is faced with.

C．The weakness of the pumps to transform water.

D．The huge power produced by the surrounding seawater.

4. What’s the best title of the passage?

A．Bangkok is disappearing

B．The removal of Bangkok

C．Thailand’s capital needs a seawall

D．An attractive city under water