1 . People are always looking for lost cities and occasionally one is found: Borobudur in Indonesia, for example. But perhaps some of the places people look for never existed. Here are just a few famous mythical (传说中的)cities.
EI Dorado
EI Dorado is a story that began in 1573, when Spanish explorers found Muisca people in the mountains of what is now Colombia. They heard the story of a man who covered himself with gold and dived into a lake. Then people began to talk of EI Dorado —“the golden man”. Soon people started to think of EI Dorado as a place, too— a city of golden and amazing riches. Nowadays, the name “EI Dorado” is still used to mean “a place where you can get rich quickly”.
Atlnti
There was once an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It was the mythical island of Atlantis. The people of the island were very rich, thanks to the natural resources on their island. For hundreds of years, they lived simple lives. But slowly they began to change. They started to want power. So the gods decided to destroy Atlantis. Suddenly, the island and its people were swallowed by the sea and were never seen again.
Shambhale
In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Shambhala is a mystical country that is hidden somewhere behind the Himalayas. Shambhala is a word from an old language that means “place of peace” or “place of happiness”. It is said that there is no war in Shambhala, and in the future, when the world is full of war, a huge army will come out of Shambhala, destroy the world’s bad rulers, and start a new Golden Age. Some people say this will happen in 2424.
1. Nowadays “EI Dorado” means ________.A.Colombia | B.a golden man |
C.A city with mountains | D.a place where you can get rich quickly |
A.its people | B.the gods |
C.its powerful enemies | D.its neighboring country |
A.Rich Lands | B.Mythical Cities |
C.Famous Tourist Attractions | D.Newly-Found Ancient Countries |
2 . The Most Breathtaking Theaters in the World
Shakespeare's Globe Theater(London, UK)
The original Globe Theater was built by Shakespeare's company in 1599, but was destroyed by fire in 1613. A replica was built in 1997 just meters from the original site. The new 857-seat structure has several modern features. It has the first and only straw roof permitted in London since the great fire of 1666.
Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London; +44 20 7902 1400
Margravial Opera House(Bayreuth, Germany)
Built in 1745, the UNESCO-listed Mareravial Opera House is regarded as the finest baroque theater in Europe. The stage has a depth of 27 meters and was the largest in Europe until 1871. Much of the original materials remain, along with original structures, such as the twin staircases.
Margravial Opera House, Opernstrasse 14. Bayreuth, Germany; +49 9 21 7 59 69 22
Teatro Amazonas(Manaus, Brazil)
There can't be many theaters located in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, and the Teatro Amazonas is certainly the most breathtaking. The theater was built in 1895 and was designed by Italian architect Celestial Sacardim. Work took 15 years. largely thanks to the decision to source supplies from all over the world
Amazon Theater, Centro, Manaus, Brazil; +55 92 3622 1880
National Centre for the Performing Arts(Beijing, China)
The National Centre for the Performing Arts(NCPA), built in 2007, is an arts centre in Beijing. Designed by French architect Paul Andreu, the NCPA is the largest theatre complex(建筑群)in Asia. The NCPA includes value in both ancient traditional Chinese architecture and modern architecture. It was specially designed to improve the red walls of ancient buildings and the Great Hall of the People in order to fit in with the surroundings.
NCPA, No. 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing; +86 010 6655 0989
1. Where does the theatre with its longest survival time lie?A.In London. | B.In Bayreuth | C.In Manaus. | D.In Beijing |
A.Shakespeare's Globe. | B.Margravial Opera House. |
C.Teatro Amazonas. | D.National Centre for the Performing Arts. |
A.It features modern architecture. | B.It receives worldwide supplies. |
C.It is a multifunctional theatre | D.It matches its surroundings. |
3 . A dam is a man-made structure built across a river. Most dams are built to control a river’s water flow, improve navigation and control flooding. However, some dams are built to produce hydro-electric power.
Hydro-electric power is produced as water passes through a dam, and into a river below. The more water that passes through a dam, the more energy that is produced. Once a dam is built, a man-made lake is created behind the dam.
Electricity is produced by a kind of equipment called a turbine(涡轮机).Turbines contain metal coils(线圈)surrounded by magnets(磁铁). When the magnets move round rapidly over the metal coils, electricity is produced. Turbines are located inside dams. The falling water makes the magnets go around the coils.
Dams provide clean energy, but they can also harm the environment. Species that use rivers to reproduce are often hurt by dams. In the northwest of the US, the population of fishes has dropped from 16 million to 2.5 million since hydro-electric plants were built on the Columbia River. Dams all over the world have hurt some species.
The highest dam in the United States is located near Oroville, California. The Oroville Dam towers 230 meters and is more than a mile wide. This dam was built in 1968, 22 years after the Hoover Dam. The Hoover Dam, on the Nevada-Arizona border controls the Colorado River. It is 221 meters high and has 2.6 million hectare-meter(公顷)of water.
The highest dam in the world is the Nurek Dam on the Vakhsh River in Tajikistan, a country in central Asia. This dam is 300 meters tall.
1. Which of the following is NOT the advantage of a dam according to the passage?A.To control a river’s water flow. |
B.To produce hydro—electric power. |
C.To improve navigation and to control flooding. |
D.To reduce the population of some species of animals. |
A.what a turbine is and how it works |
B.how hydro-electric power is produced |
C.how the magnets and the metal coils work |
D.how the falling water passes through a turbine |
A.The Nurek Dam. | B.The Oroville Dam. |
C.The Vakhsh Dam. | D.The Hoover Dam. |
A.Live in. | B.Find food. |
C.Produce young animals. | D.Make the same photograph. |
4 . Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. Coral reefs support more species per unit area than any other marine (海洋的) environment, including about 4,000 species of fish, 800 species of hard corals and hundreds of other species. Scientists estimate that there may be millions of undiscovered species living in and around reefs. This biodiversity is considered the key to finding new medicines for the 21st century. Many drugs are now being developed from coral reef animals and plants as possible cures for cancer, viruses, and other diseases.
Healthy coral reefs support fisheries as well as jobs and businesses through tourism and recreation. About half of all managed fisheries depend on coral reefs and related habitats for a part of their life cycles. The National Marine Fisheries Service estimates the commercial value of U. S. fisheries from coral reefs is over $ 100 million, Local economies receive billions of dollars from visitors to reefs through diving tours, recreational fishing trips, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses based near reef ecosystems.
Coral reef structures also buffer (缓冲) shorelines against 97 percent of the energy from waves, storms, and floods, helping to prevent loss of life, and property damage. When reefs are damaged or destroyed, the absence of this natural barrier can increase the damage to coastal communities from normal wave action and violent storms. Several million people live in U. S. coastal areas near coral reefs. Some coastal development is required to provide necessary infrastructure (基础设施) for coastal residents and the growing coastal tourism industry.
Despite their great economic and recreational value, coral reefs are severely threatened by pollution, disease, and habitat destruction. Once coral reefs are damaged, they are less able to support the many creatures that live on them and the communities near them. When a coral reef supports fewer fish, plants, and animals, it also loses value as a tourist destination.
1. Why is biodiversity important to medicines?A.It can reduce the prices of new medicines. | B.It can help make new medicines. |
C.It can be used for medicines. | D.It can be used to cure diseases. |
A.They protect people against sharks. | B.They completely avoid serious flooding. |
C.They prevent people from being drowned. | D.They weaken most of the energy from waves. |
A.Most fish will die out. | B.Coastal cities will attract fewer tourists. |
C.There will be no large fish. | D.The sea will be polluted. |
A.The Importance of Diverse Ecosystems | B.The Environments of Coral Reefs |
C.The Importance of Coral Reefs | D.The Value of Biodiversity |
5 . City's icons celebrate milestones
Happy birthday to these big apple attractions
150TH
The Met isn’t the only New York City institution celebrating an anniversary in 2020 - 2021.
130TH
April 2021 marks the 130th year of Carnegie Hall, the prestigious landmark that has delighted audiences with performers from around the world, including Frank Sinatra, the Beatles and Gustav Mahler.
125TH
Another NYC mainstay with a recent anniversary is the New York Public Library. Established in 1895, the main branch in midtown Manhattan, with its entrance famously flanked by lion statues named Patience and Fortitude, is a must-visit landmark that turned 125 in May 2020.
90TH
Almost a hundred years ago, competing skyscrapers shot into the atmosphere in a race to become the world's tallest building. At 1 ,046 feet, the Chrysler Building — which celebrated its 90th anniversary in May 2020 - was the first to hold the title, but only briefly.
90 TH
One year after the Chrysler Building was built, the Empire State Building was completed, topping off at 1,250 feet (or 1,454 if you count the antennae and spire) and remained the world's tallest building for a respectable 40 years. The iconic skyscraper — synonymous with the Big Apple itself — turns 90 in May 2021.
1. What is Carnegie Hall usually used for?A.Reading. | B.Exhibition. | C.Performance. | D.Overlooking. |
A.It was founded in 1895. |
B.April 2021 marks its 125th year. |
C.It has become the world's tallest building. |
D.It was completed after the Chrysler Building was built. |
A.The Met. |
B.The Empire State Building. |
C.The New York Public Library. |
D.The Chrysler Building. |
6 . The United States has a vast network of National Parks spread all around the country. Here are some National Parks for you.
Arches National Park, Utah
More than 2,000 natural stone arches make Arches National Park a special place in Utah. Travelers from around the world come to see brilliant sunsets that light up the sky each night. Hikers and rock climbers will love the endless options for exploring, while more low-key visitors are sure to love the camping.
Acadia, Maine
Super close to Bar Harbor, one of Maine's most beloved tiny towns, Acadia National Park tops travel guides for the Vacation State. Before making your way to Mt. Desert island, dine on the country's most famous fish and lake advantage of the opportunity to go whale watching on the Atlantic Ocean. When visiting Acadia, set aside some time to hike and go boating.
Mount Rainier, Washington
We couldn't leave the park with you slowly moving ice off the list. Washington's Mount Rainier National Park, found southeast of Seattle, has 25 of them (along with the famous volcano) as its attention-catching sight. The National Park says it's "the snowiest place on earth where snow is measured regularly." If snowcapped peaks aren't your thing, plan to visit the park when the weather is warmer.
Great Sand Dunes (沙丘), Colorado
You probably imagine the Rocky Mountains when you think about Colorado, but did you know that the Centennial state is also home to the United States' largest sand dunes? See them for yourself at Great Sand Dunes National Park, where you can go sand boarding or "fat biking". Though June temperatures are said to be some of Southern Colorado's best, a warm winter day can be an equally enjoyable time to see the dunes.
1. What do Arches National Park and Acadia have in common?A.Tourists can hike in the parks. | B.They are located in tiny towns. |
C.Both of the parks offer sea food. | D.They offer free guide to travellers. |
A.Sunsets. | B.Whales. |
C.Ice. | D.Sands. |
A.Arches National Park, Utah | B.Acadia, Maine |
C.Mount Rainier, Washington | D.Great Sand Dunes, Colorado |