1 . “I could see a huge flow (流动) of water, coming down fast from very high. I had no idea of shape, or situation, or anything. It was just so big.”

These are the words of the great English writer Charles Dickens. He wrote them when he was visiting Niagara Falls. This waterfall is on the border (边界) of the United States and Canada. It is one of the largest in the world, and the largest in North America.

Niagara Falls is on the Niagara River. The river divides just before the waterfall, and there are actually three waterfalls. On the American side are American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Horseshoe Falls is mostly on the Canadian side. The name comes from its shape — like a horseshoe, in a half circle. Horseshoe Falls is the widest of the three.

People mainly know about Niagara Falls because of its size and natural beauty. However, the Niagara River is also an important source of electricity.

In the 1890s, the Westinghouse Electric Company built a large power system (电力系统) on the river. Many other companies also hoped to use the land for factories and power systems. However, around the same time, many people began to work to protect the natural area. Soon, the governments of the United States and Canada got involved with it. They protected the land around Niagara Falls. They made parks — green, natural areas. No one could buy this land for factories. For hundreds of years, millions of people have visited Niagara Falls to enjoy its beauty.

1. From Paragraph 1, we can know Charles Dickens was shocked by Niagara Falls’ __________.

A．speed	B．color
C．size	D．beauty

2. Which of the following is NOT true about Niagara Falls?

A．It has three waterfalls.

B．It’s on the Niagara River.

C．It’s on the border of two countries.

D．It’s the widest waterfall in the world.

3. Horseshoe Falls gets its name from its ________.

A．shape

B．sound

C．history

D．location

4. What can we learn from the passage?

A．The Niagara River is badly polluted.

B．There are no factories around Niagara Falls.

C．Visitors can learn how Niagara Falls produces electricity.

D．Many companies built power systems around Niagara Falls in the 1890s.

2 . History of Alaska State

The existence of mankind in Alaska can be traced back to 16, 000 B.C. to 10, 000 B.C., when the Paleolithic(旧石器时代) families crossed the Bering Land Bridge and formed settlements in the western part of Alaska. At this point of time, Alaska was inhabited by the Inuit tribes(部落) and American Indians.     1    

In the 18th century. the Russians began to regularly travel down to the Aleutian Islands, near the coastline of Alaska.     2     These expeditions began setting up permanent settlements and trading posts by the end of 1790s.

In some places, the Russian fur traders were able to establish very peaceful relations with the native tribes. However, in some places, the settlers and the tribes engaged in constant conflicts.     3     The Aleut population, however, was significantly wiped out, due to diseases that were brought by the Russians, against which they had no immunity.

    4     It was because the trade profits of the Russian settlements were very low and it was difficult to prevent British and Americans from coming to Alaska. The financial difficulties of Russia promoted the authorities to sell Alaska to the United States of America for $7, 200,000.

On October, 1867, the flag of the United States of America was raised for the first time in the history of Alaska. During the World War Il, three Aleutian Islands were occupied by the Japanese forces. Some of the villagers were taken to Japan as captives. The islands were regained by the United States forces in 1943.

Today, as a part of the United States of America, Alaska is considered to be one of the most beautiful states in the country.     5     Its beauty attracts visitors not only from within the United States but also from all over the world.

A．It is a favorite tourist destination.

B．The Russians never fully colonized Alaska.

C．Several expeditions were sent to claim the coasts.

D．The travelers were basically fur traders and hunters.

E．Even today, some of these tribes exist.

F．Britain started expanding its trade into the interiors of Alaska.

G．Fights were often seen between the Russians and the Aleut tribes.

3 . It’s only 4 hours flying time from Sydney, but a world away. What better place to rest than a country where the only place people hurry is on the football field and things are done in “Fiji time”?

Viti Levu — Great Fiji — is the largest island. Here you’ll find the capital Suva and the international airport at Nadi. Vatoa, on the other hand, is a tiny island in the farthest part of Fiji. Then there are 331 other islands, many of them with places to stay.

With less than a million people living on islands, you’ll never feel crowded.   And with a climate (气候) that changes only for five degrees between seasons, there’s never a bad time to come.

From cities to villages, from mountains to beaches, from water sports to wooden artworks, Fiji can give you more adventures and special experiences than you could find almost anywhere in the world.

Whenever you come, wherever you go, you’re sure to see some unforgettable events, from war dances to religious (宗教的) songs, from market days to religious days. It’s not just staged for tourists; it’s still a part of everyday life in Fiji.   And any one of us can enjoy Fiji’s spirit by being part of the traditional (传统的) sharing of yaqona — a drink made from the root of a Fiji plant.

So why not join us for the experience of a lifetime?

1. Where is the international airport of Fiji?

A．In Suva.	B．In Sydney.
C．On the island of Vatoa.	D．On the island of Viti Levu.

2. What does the text tell us about Fijian people?

A．They invented “Fiji time” for visitors.

B．They stick to a traditional way of life.

C．They like to travel from place to place.

D．They love taking adventures abroad.

3. One of the things that make Fiji a tourist attraction is　　　.

A．its comfortable hotels

B．its good weather all year round

C．its exciting football matches

D．its religious beliefs

4. Where can we most probably read this text?

A．In a personal diary.

B．In a science report.

C．In a travel magazine.

D．In a geography textbook.