1 . Antarctica has not always been a land of ice and snow. Earth’s southernmost continent once was home to rivers and forests full of life.
Scientists are using satellite observations and radar imagery to look deep under the ice. The researchers report finding a large ancient landscape buried under the continent’s ice sheet. It is full of valleys and ridges (山脊) , shaped by rivers before being covered by glaciers long ago.
The landscape is located in East Antarctica’s Wilkes Land area bordering the Indian Ocean. The researchers said the landscape appears to date back to at least 14 million years ago and perhaps beyond 34 million years ago, when Antarctica entered its deep freeze.
“It is difficult to know what this lost world might have looked like before the ice came along, but it was certainly warmer back then,” said Stewart Jamieson, a professor at Durham University. “Depending how far back in time you go, you might have had climates that ranged anywhere from the climate of present-day Patagonia through to something more approaching tropical.”
“Such an environment likely would have been populated by wildlife”, Jamieson said. “But the area’s fossil record is too incomplete to know which animals may have lived there.”
The researchers said the surface of the planet Mars is better known than the earth surface below the ice in Antarctica. They said one way to learn more would be to drill through the ice and take a piece of the earth below. This could uncover evidence showing ancient life, as was done with samples taken in Greenland dating back two million years ago.
Jamieson said the researchers think that when Antarctica’s climate was warmer, rivers flowed toward a continental coastline that was created as the other land masses broke away. When the climate cooled, some small glaciers formed on hills next to the rivers. When the climate cooled even more, an ice sheet grew which covered the whole continent, the landscape got preserved, likely for 34 million years.
1. What can we learn about the ancient landscape?| A．It locates in the center of Antarctica. | B．It’s discovered by drilling through the ice. |
| C．It’s once a warmer area than it is now. | D．It has a history of no more than 14 million years. |
| A．There is a lack of complete fossil record. |
| B．The ice sheet of Antarctica is melting quickly. |
| C．Scientists lack enough advanced equipment. |
| D．Climate conditions vary greatly from place to place. |
| A．To attract more scientists to study Antarctica. |
| B．To strengthen the importance of the Mars. |
| C．To indicate the complex situations of the Mars. |
| D．To show the difficult to know Antarctica’s earth surface. |
| A．The colder climate. | B．The protection offered by coastlines. |
| C．Other land masses’ reduction. | D．A decrease in the number of wildlife. |
2 . Family Vacations in Hawaii
Whether your interests are history, native cultures, hiking, water sports, or simply relaxing in the sun, Hawaii has abundant choices to keep you and your family entertained.
Waikiki BeachThis famous two-mile stretch of sand is home to scores of family-friendly beach hotels and all kinds of action-packed excitement. Waikiki Beach is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for warm ocean water and golden beaches. Kids will enjoy walking along the beach, stopping for shaved ice or an ice cream and taking a dip in a safe area of the ocean.
Oahu’s North ShoreSome of the tallest ocean waves in the world are found at Oahu, Hawaii’s North Shore coastline during the winter months. These crashing walls of water are born for surfing and offer one of the best free shows on the islands. The North Shore is home to world-class surf contests, attracting the world’s top surfers.
Polynesian Cultural CenterNothing appeals to the whole family like Hawaiian past coming alive. Besides, the colorful costumes, lively songs, and traditional dances in the Pacific region are presented here. You’ll see customs of Fiji, New Zealand, Marquesas, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, and Hawaii all represented in Polynesian Cultural Center’s re-created island villages, which is decorated with palm trees and tropical gardens.
Waimea Canyon (峡谷) State ParkMore than 3,500 feet deep, this landmark on Hawaii’s island of Kauai is the largest canyon in the Pacific. Unlike Grand Canyon, plentiful rain keeps Waimea Canyon and its surrounding area thick with vegetation (植被), and visitors are frequently treated to the sight of vivid rainbows. It offers a great canyon view and a covered picnic area.
1. What makes Oahu’s North Shore known to the world?| A．Its best free cultural shows. | B．Its family-friendly beach hotels. |
| C．Having the tallest coastline. | D．Being a perfect place for surfing. |
| A．Waikiki Beach. | B．Oahu’s North Shore. |
| C．Polynesian Cultural Center. | D．Waimea Canyon State Park. |
| A．It has a covered picnic area. | B．It has a depth of over 3,500 feet. |
| C．It’s rich in plants and rainfall. | D．It owns a unique kind of vegetation. |
3 . Four Natural Wonders
Poás Volcano, Costa Rica
Sitting more than 2,707 metres above sea level, Poás Volcano has been active for hundreds of years. Visitors can still get up close and personal with it at the national park where it’s located (with a reservation).
Tips: Dress warm and bring an umbrella, as rainfall is common at the top of the mountain due to unpredictable weather conditions.
Mount Otemanu, Bora Bora
Mount Otemanu is the main attraction on Bora Bora, an island first made popular during World War I. The massive mountain, which stands 727 metres above the lagoon of Bora Bora, is now the perfect backdrop for dreamy Tahitian sunsets. A few of the luxury resorts on the island which offer great views of the mountain have become hot spots for honeymooners.
Grand Canyon, USA
Arizona has no shortage of impressive mountains and sweeping views, but the Grand Canyon is hands down one of the most diverse geological wonders in the state. Visitors have several options to experience the beauty here: adventure seekers can enjoy an aerial view from a helicopter ride through the canyons or go whitewater rafting down the Colourado River.
Cappadocia, Turkey
You may have seen fascinating photos of colourful hot air balloons against a magical landscape of rugged cliffs, valleys and towers carved into the rocks. It’s hard to believe this place is real but it is and it’s in Cappadocia! For a good position overlooking the landscape of this natural wonder, check out Uchisar Castle or ride during sunrise in a hot air balloon.
1. What will visitors do if they want to see Poás Volcano close by?| A．Notice weather changes. | B．Take an umbrella. |
| C．Put on warm clothes. | D．Book in advance. |
| A．Poás Volcano. | B．Bora Bora. |
| C．Grand Canyon. | D．Cappadocia. |
| A．Poás Volcano and Mount Otemanu. | B．Poás Volcano and Grand Canyon. |
| C．Grand Canyon and Cappadocia. | D．Mount Otemanu and Cappadocia. |
4 . Known for its beautiful natural environment, Guizhou contains a total of four World Heritage Sites, which is more than any other province in China.
The Fanjing Mountain, known as the “City of the Sky”, is famous for its Buddhist culture and the complex of temples. Compared with the world’s other mountains in the same latitude (纬度) zone, the Fanjing Mountain features the best-preserved animals and plants. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018.
Libo Karst, listed in the UNESCO World Heritage in 2007, is located in the southern borderland of Guizhou. Walking into Libo is a feast for the eyes. You would be amazed by one breathtaking sight after another, such as the Wolong Pond and the Laya Waterfall.
The Yuntai Mountain stands out like a piece of green agate (玛瑙) in its latitude zone. It is the oldest and best-preserved dolomite (白云石) karst landform in the world, which is extremely rare and highly valuable for scientific research. In 2014, the Yuntai Mountain was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its “uniqueness and typicality”.
Chishui Danxia is home to the largest Danxia landform area. The highlight of the tourist area, named Foguang Rock, is regarded as the greatest example of a Danxia landform in the world. When the afternoon sunlight hits it, it seems to glow like fire. There is a waterfall that is 42 meters wide and 269 meters high, which looks like a graceful white dragon. It was added to the UNESCO Wodd Heritage List in 2010.
1. What makes the Fanjing Mountain special in the same latitude?| A．Its high value for scientific research. | B．Its being called the “City of the Sky”. |
| C．Its rich Buddhist culture and temples. | D．Its best-preserved animals and plants. |
| A．Dolomite karst. | B．Danxia landform. |
| C．Laya Waterfall. | D．Foguang Rock. |
| A．The Fanjing Mountain. | B．Libo Karst. |
| C．The Yuntai Mountain. | D．Chishui Danxia |
5 . Liverpool, my hometown, is a unique city. It is so unique that in 2004 it became a World Heritage Site.
I recently returned to my home city and my first stop was at a museum on the River Mersey. Blanketed in mist, Victorian architecture rose from the banks of the river, responded to the sounds of seabirds, and appeared unbelievably charming. When I headed toward the centre, I found myself surrounded by buildings that mirror the best palaces of Europe. It is not hard to imagine why, on first seeing the city, most visitors would be overpowered by the beauty of the noble buildings, which are solid sigs of Liverpool’s history.
As if to stress its cultural role, Liverpool has more museums and galleries than most cities in Britain. At Walker Art Gallery, I was told that it has the best collections of Victorian paintings in the world, and is the home of modern art in the north of England. However, culture is more than galleries. Liverpool offers many music events. As Britain’s No. 1 music city, it has the biggest city music festival in Europe, and its musicians are famous all over the world. Liverpool is also well-known for its football and other sports events. Every year, the Mersey River Festival attracts thousands of visitors, making the city a place of wonder.
As you would expect from such a city, there are restaurants serving food from around the world. When my trip was about to complete, I chose to rest my legs in Liverpool’s famous Philharmonic pub. It is a monument to perfection, and a heritage attraction itself.
Being a World Heritage Site, my home city is certainly a place of “outstanding universal value”. It is a treasure house with plenty of secrets for the world to explore.
1. Which part of Liverpool would deeply impress first-time visitors?| A．Its charming river banks. | B．Its famous museums. |
| C．Its attractive buildings. | D．Its wonderful palaces. |
| A．By providing different examples. | B．By following the order of space. |
| C．By making comparisons. | D．By stressing its importance. |
| A．To indicate the end of his trip. | B．To expect perfect service. |
| C．To show more attraction. | D．To recommend a break from the trip. |
| A．The universal value of the world heritage in Liverpool. |
| B．The special cultural atmosphere of Liverpool. |
| C．The exciting change of the author’s hometown. |
| D．The promising tourism in the author’s hometown. |
6 . The Amazon
The Amazon River, the basin of which covers 2.3 million square miles, is incredibly biodiverse with over 30,000 species of plants and 1,800 species of birds. It plays an important role in adjusting the climate in North and South America. The River and its forests are threatened by human activity, primary pollution and rapid resource depletion (损耗). The Office of the American States Department of Sustainable Development is working to manage the threats.
The Mississippi
The Mississippi rises in western Minnesota and flows south for 2,530 miles into the Gulf of Mexico. Millions of people in over 50 cities use water from the Mississippi, and the river is also used for shipping and agriculture. Hundreds of animal species, including 60% of North America’s birds, call the area around the Mississippi River home, but river pollution and shoreline habitat destruction threaten to displace them. Fortunately, many projects and organizations are devoted to its conservation.
The Danube
The Danube River begins in western Germany, flowing over 1,775 miles into the Black Sea. It spans 19 countries. The Danube features a richly diverse ecosystem, hosting 55 different species of fish. Cities across Europe use the Danube for power generation and agriculture, and there are more than 700 dams in total. Unfortunately, this river is overfished and heavily polluted. The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River was established in 1998 to manage its conservation.
The Mekong
The Mekong River is a necessary part of Southeast Asia’s landscape, culture, and economy. Also called the Lancang River, it starts in China, stretching over 2,850 miles through Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Its basin provides more than 65 million people with food, drinking water, power, and transportation. Dams and power plants are harming Mekong’s ecosystems. Organizations such as Conservation International are working to protect the river by advocating for its sustainable development.
1. Birds are affected most around________.| A．The Amazon | B．The Mississippi | C．The Danube | D．The Mekong |
| A．70. | B．65. | C．55. | D．50. |
| A．They contribute to power production. |
| B．They How through multiple countries. |
| C．They are troubled by dam constructions. |
| D．They are under protection of organizations. |
7 . Two and a half months before the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins, forecasters have already predicted and warned that warm sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic and the development of a La Niña in the Pacific may create a “perfect storm” of the conditions needed for major hurricanes.
Key to the formation of any tropical cyclone (气旋) is the combination of warm ocean temperatures and the absence of what is known as wind shear. Alex DaSilva, a forecaster, explains that wind shear occurs when wind changes direction and speed at different heights in the atmosphere. When there’s much wind shear, it essentially knocks over those clouds and prevents tropical systems from really becoming stronger. Besides, hurricanes also need surface water to be at a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius or higher. That warm water, and the warm air just above it, provides fuel for the storm. The record data for February are 1.2 degrees Celsius above normal.
Over periods ranging from three to seven years, the waters of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean alternately (交替地) warm and cool as a result of a repeatedly occurring climate pattern called the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). During an El Niño, sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific increase, and those warmer temperatures affect the path of the Pacific jet stream, which in turn brings drier, warmer weather to the northern United States and Canada, and wetter conditions to the Gulf Coast and southeast. El Niño reduces the possibility of Atlantic hurricane formation because it lowers hurricane activity and increases wind shear. La Niña has just the opposite effect of El Niño. During the 2023 season, ENSO was in an El Niño phase. By the time the 2024 season starts, it is likely to have shifted fully into a La Niña.
“If a tropical storm system comes into this area, it could rapidly intensify, potentially close to land,” DaSilva cautions. “And that’s why people need to be on alert and have their hurricane plans ready. Because any system with these kinds of conditions can explode very quickly. That’s what we’re concerned about.”
1. Where can you probably read this article?| A．www.huffpost.com/entertainment/ |
| B．www.bbc.com/innovation/science |
| C．www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/ |
| D．www.nytimes.com/spotlight/global-culture-sports |
| A．The explanation of wind shear. |
| B．The timing of the hurricane season. |
| C．The process of hurricane formation. |
| D．The reason for warmer surface water. |
| A．Generate less wind shear. |
| B．More rainfall in the Gulf Coast. |
| C．Block the path of the Pacific jet stream. |
| D．Higher temperature in the northern America. |
| A．To report the hurricane-struck areas. |
| B．To remind people of getting prepared. |
| C．To introduce some geographic knowledge. |
| D．To explain the features of El Niño and La Niña. |
8 . Chinatown, lying in Downtown L. A．near the city’s cultural center, is one of L. A.’s most popular tourist destinations. What are you waiting for? Go to explore this amazing place right now!
A MECCA FOR FOODIn Chinatown, a mix of new and old restaurants meets everyone’s needs. Early birds should stop by Philippe The Original, a local restaurant that’s beloved for French Dip sandwiches, but also serves a good classic American breakfast. Night owls will want to head to Full House Seafood on Hill Street, which is open late into the night.
CHINESE AMERICAN MUSEUMFood is far from the only reason to visit Chinatown. People interested in history will want to start their trip at the Chinese American Museum (CAM), lying just outside of Chinatown at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. The museum is housed in the Garnier Building, the oldest surviving Chinese building in a major area of California.
CENTRAL PLAZAA big statue of Bruce Lee has become a must-photograph site in Chinatown’s Central Plaza. The late martial arts star once had a studio in Chinatown at 628 W. College St.
Nearby is Dragon Chasing Pearl, which was originally painted on the wall in 1941 by Tyrus Wong. The artist, who passed away in December 2016 at age 106, was famous for his work in films, particularly as the lead artist on Disney’s Bambi.
FESTIVALSChinatown hosts many party-style events throughout the year, like the music and food truck Chinatown Summer Nights, the yearly Moon Festival and the biggest one, Chinese New Year! It’s really a good place to experience L. A.’s cultural diversity.
1. Of the following places, which one may be popular for its breakfast?| A．Garnier Building. | B．Philippe The Original. |
| C．Full House Seafood. | D．Chinese American Museum. |
| A．A chef. | B．A journalist. | C．A poet. | D．A historian. |
| A．Visit Bruce Lee in person. | B．Taste different food for free. |
| C．Celebrate the Spring Festival. | D．Protect the oldest Chinese building. |
9 . The ancient city is in Pingyao county, Shanxi Province. The city wall was first built during the Zhou Dynasty and rebuilt in 1370. Since 1997, it has been listed as a World Heritage Site. Now Pingyao city is the only one in China completely protected as it was hundreds of years ago.
The perimeter (周长) of this square city is 6.4k m long and the city wall is the earliest and largest city wall in China. It is 12m high with width of 5m . The wall was built with earth and covered with bricks. Outside the city wall there is a river, 4m wide and 4m deep.
There are several gates of the city, two each on the east and west and one each on the south and north side. All the gates have two doors each. This has given the city the name “Turtle City” with the two gates on the south and north standing for the head and tail of the turtle and four gates on the east and west as the four legs. The doors on the south and north st and opposite each other. like the head of the turtle extending out and two wells just beyond southern gate are like a turtle’s two eyes.
Located on the trade route between Beijing and Xi’an, Pingyao developed into a merchant center where the local people set up the nation’s earliest banks. These banks were the first in China to use checks (支票).
Several old courtyards have been turned into museums, most of which were homes and offices of Pingyao’s old banks. One of the most unusual aspects of a visit here is realizing that this place was very important to China’s financial history.
1. What does the passage mainly talk about?| A．The ancient city — Pingyao. | B．China’s ancient financial center — Pingyao. |
| C．The city wall of Pingyao. | D．The museums in Pingyao. |
| A．the city wall of Pingyao was first built in 1370 | B．Pingyao city hasn’t been a World Heritage Site |
| C．Pingyao’s streets are wide and made of earth | D．Pingyao city is well protected |
| A．Four. | B．Five. | C．Six. | D．Seven. |
| A．Pingyao city played an important role in ancient China’s finance. |
| B．museums in Pingyao city are now used for bank offices. |
| C．Pingyao city was one of the largest cities in ancient China. |
| D．old banks in ancient Pingyao city used checks only. |
10 . Top 4 must-see ancient villages in Beijing
Beijing is a world-famous historical and cultural city with a history of more than 3, 000 years. The rich and profound ancient village culture found in and around the city remains an important part of the capital’s history and culture. Below we recommend 4 must-see ancient villages in the Beijing area as the 2024 May Day holiday approaches.
Lingshui villageLocated in the northwest of Mentougou district, Lingshui village was formed in the Liao and Jin dynasties. The ancient dwellings in Lingshui village are a model of rural residential buildings during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) in northerm China, and their original appearance is well preserved. Tourists can explore over 120 folk houses, alongside many cultural relics in the village.
Shuiyu villageShuiyu village is in Fangshan district. The village was built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. With 600 houses and more than 100 sets of courtyard houses from the Ming and Qing dynasties, the original cultural ecology of the village has been well maintained. Facing both north and south, the village is laid out in a circular shape, forming a unique architectural style.
Sangyu villageSangyu village lies in the north of Mentougou district, Beijing, next to Lingshui village. Prior to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) , Sangyu village was called Sanyu or “encountering” in English, named for the three water channels that meet in the village. Dense mulberry tree forests surround the entire village, and when they bear fruit, purple mulberries light up the village valley.
Malan villageMalan village, which means “horse stable” in English, had a history of keeping horses that dates back to the Ming dynasty. The ancient buildings in Malan village are made of stone and mud. When building and repairing houses in the village, people try their best to maintain their original appearance. There is also an exhibition hall, a row of old houses, as well as 12 gate bridges in the the village.
1. Which village is designed round according to the text?| A．Lingshui village. | B．Shuiyu village. |
| C．Sangyu village. | D．Malan village. |
| A．They are models of rural buildings. |
| B．The houses are made of stones and mud. |
| C．Their original appearance are well maintained. |
| D．They were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. |
| A．Nature. | B．Agriculture. | C．Geography. | D．Tourism. |
