A river is a flowing (流动的), moving stream of water. Usually a river feeds water into an ocean, lake, pond, or even another river. Rivers can vary in size and there is no hard rule on how big a flow of water must be to be called as a river. Here are five famous rivers in the world.
_______①______
It is about 4144 miles (1 mile = 1609.44 meters) long. It is located in the continent of Africa, mostly in the countries of Egypt and Sudan. It flows north into the Mediterranean Sea.
_______②______
It is about 4026 miles long. It is located in the continent of South America and flows through several countries including Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador. It ends at the Atlantic Ocean.
_______③______
Located in China, it is about 3975 miles long and flows into the East China Sea.
The Mississippi River and the Missouri River
The river system of the Mississippi River and the Missouri River is the longest river system in North America at about 3891 miles. It flows south into the Gulf of Mexico.
_______④______
It starts in Mongolia and flows through Russia to the Kara Sea in the Arctic Ocean(北冰洋). It is about 3445 miles long.
There are 76 rivers in the world. A lot of people think that rivers always flow south, but four of the ten longest rivers in the world flow north. The United States alone has around 3.5 million miles of rivers. Four of the top ten longest rivers flow through China at some point.
1. Please choose the correct one to fill in the four blanks in the passage.a. The Yenisei River (叶尼塞河) b. The Yangtze River (长江) c. The Amazon River (亚马孙河) d. The Nile River (尼罗河)
①:
2. The Nile River is
3. The Mississippi River ends at
4. How many kilometers is the Yangtze River?
5. Please translate the underlined sentence into Chinese.
2 . For centuries, Poland has been a bridge between Western and Eastern Europe. Poland is roughly square. It’s bordered by the Baltic Sea to the northwest, by Germany to the west, the Czech and Slovak republics to the south and Ukraine, Lithuania and Russia to the east. The flat central belt is the main agricultural area, watered by Poland’s longest river, the Vistula, which runs towards the north, draining into the Baltic Sea.
Over the past decade, Poland has developed into a modern and progressive country. Yet at the same time it maintains its traditional culture. There are two major cities in Poland you should know about Krakow and Warsaw. As the royal capital for half a millennium(一千年), Krakow absorbed more of Poland’s history than and other city in the country. As Poland’s most popular tourist destination, as well as an architectural and cultural gem(珍宝), the city came through WWII untouched，which is a city alive with character and soul. In July, there are numerous festivals held, from street theatre to jazz.
Warsaw is a postwar city, whose handful of historic areas have been reconstructed. But most of its urban landscape is modern. With an intriguing(引人入胜的)mix of old and new, the Royal Castle in Warsaw was the seat of kings from the 17th century on. Totally destroyed during WWII, the castle was restored during the 1970s.
Another museum worthy of mentioning is the war-related Auschwitz Museum. It definitely reminds you of the Polish Jews, whose presence died due to the Hitlerite Holocaust.
Turbulent history has reduced many of the defensive castles and stately palaces into ruins. Some of them, however, have been spared and today carefully restored, which enchants us with their beauty.
Situated in the south of Poland’s harbor city Gdansk, Malbork Castle is reputedly Europe’s largest Gothic castle. It’s one of Poland’s oldest and a splendid example of a classic medieval fortress(要塞), with multiple defensive walls. In 1997, the castle was included on UNESCO’s World Heritage(遗产) list.
Polish culture has been connected with the western world since the Middle Ages. People worldwide are interested in its music, film, literature ands fine arts. Music is a significant part of Polish culture. Poland is also the homeland of many Nobel Prize winners, for example , Henryk Sienkiewicz, Wladyslaw Reymont, Maria Curie, etc.
Besides Christmas and Easter, the most important day in a Pole’s life is the ‘name day’, in honor of the patron saint(圣人) after whom the person is named. Poles celebrate their name day at home, sometimes in restaurants, and occasionally after work.
Poland is a country of kind and hospitable people who enjoy and respect their customs. In spite of its turbulent history, Poles have maintained a distinct sense of culture and community. Poland is definitely a fascinating destination!
1. According to the passage, which of the following statements is right?| A．Germany is to the east of Poland |
| B．Lithuania is to the north of Poland |
| C．Slovak is to the south of Poland |
| D．Ukraine is to the west of Poland |
| A．modern | B．traditional |
| C．attractive | D．beautiful |
| A．Name day is an important day celebrated only in Poland |
| B．Poland is the centre of European cultures and history |
| C．Malbork Castle is the largest Gothic castle |
| D．Poland used to be a war-stricked country |
| A．Students of Poland | B．Adults |
| C．Potential foreign travelers | D．Researchers |
Jiuzhaigou is a very beautiful place. It is in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Region(阿坝藏族和羌族自治区) in Sichuan Province. Jiuzhaigou is a valley. It is more than 40 kilometers long. The green and golden trees, the high and multi-shaped mountains and the clear and colorful waters form the unique (独一无二的) beauty of Jiuzhaigou. The water of Jiuzhaigou is the soul of the beauty. There are more than 100 lakes of different shapes in the valley. These lakes have wonderful colors. They are called “haizi”, which means son of the sea. It is these beautiful lakes that make Jiuzhaigou a fantastic place. Between the forests and the lakes, there are nine Tibetan villages. The name Jiuzhaigou means Nine Village Valley.
Jiuzhaigou was discovered because of a panda rescue program. The pandas were once in danger because the bamboo there was blooming. When people came to rescue the pandas, they were surprised by the beauty of Jiuzhaigou.
In China, there is a saying which goes like this: No mountain is worth seeing after you have seen Mount Huang and no other body of water will attract you after you have visited Jiuzhaigou. The beauty of Jiuzhaigou cannot be described with mere words. The best way to enjoy this fairyland is to go there. See you in Jiuzhaigou.
1. What is the best title for the passage?(Please answer within 10 words.)2. Which sentence in the passage can be replaced by the following?
These beautiful lakes make Jiuzhaigou a fantastic place.
3. Fill in the blanks with proper words or phrase.(within four words)
4. How was the Jiuzhaigou Valley discovered?
5. Translate the underlined sentence in the passage into Chinese. (within 15 words)
4 . Surfing: Famous Beaches, Famous Waves
North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii: Famous for being the birthplace of surfing
Wide, and beaches stretch nearly 20 miles along the Pacific Ocean. Between October and February, this surfing destination is suitable only for experienced surfers, as its big waves can reach 30 feet. In summer, the ocean can be almost completely flat, making it perfect for swimming.
Huntington Beach, California: Famous for the US Open of Surfing competition
This busy 8.5-mile-long beach attracts 8 million visitors a year for bodysurfing, boogie boarding (趴板冲浪) and board surfing at every level, beginner to expert. At night, the beach's fire pits draw families as much as the waves do during the day. The best time for surfers is winter, when the swells can hit 15 feet.
Jeffreys Bay, South Africa: Famous for being the setting of the classic movie The Endless Summer
This area of the ocean may contain the most consistent waves on the planet, with some up to 10 feet. The best waves are between late May and late August. The beach sometimes closes because of sharks, but at other times, surfaces are lucky enough to surf alongside dolphins.
Tamarindo, Costa Rica: Famous for being featured in the movie The Endless Summer II
This beach has waves up to 12 feet high, which are good for long boarders or short boarders, beginners or expense, with the best waves from April to July. Bodysurfing is not recommended because of offshore rocks. The relaxed atmosphere and nearly perfectly year-round weather make it feel like the California beaches of the 1950s.
1. The beach with the biggest waves is________.| A．Oahu’s North Shore | B．Huntington Beach |
| C．Jeffreys Bay | D．Tamarindo |
| A．offshore rocks | B．competitions |
| C．movies | D．dolphins |
| A．Both beaches are the same length |
| B．Both are suitable for all surfing levels |
| C．The waves are both perfect for body surfing |
| D．Winter is the best time to surf at both beaches |
5 . It is always said that China is the homeland of tea, which has a very long history of tea.
➢Color
➢Flavor(味道)
New tea is extremely clear and transparent with strong aroma(芳香), while old tea is characterized by brown color and weak fragrance. Take green tea and black tea for example, new green tea tastes a little bitter first, and then the fresh sweet taste begins to surface gradually, leaving a long and memorable after taste in mouth.
➢Place of origin
There is great gap of quality among various places of origin.
| A．Every tea leaf has its own shape. |
| B．Some varieties are identified by tightness of the leaves. |
| C．It is always advised to select tea from its main producing areas. |
| D．While you’re selecting tea, you should pay attention to following aspects. |
| E．For foreigners in China, drinking tea may seem like simple refreshment(提神). |
| F．Generally, new tea leaves look fresh and pleasing, with light green or dark green. |
| G．On the contrary, if bitter taste takes the lead and fresh sweet taste subsides(减弱), it is black tea. |
6 . Visitors to Rome can now see one of the most important private collections of ancient Greek and Roman marble sculptures. The 90 works from the Torlonia Collection opened this week in the newly rebuilt Palazzo Caffarelli, overlooking the Roman Forum. Among the works is a marble fountain that was made in ancient Greece. Experts on ancient Rome believe the fountain once stood in the garden of the general and statesman Julius Caesar. At the time, it was already hundreds of years old.
The 620-piece Torlonia collection is believed to be the greatest private collection of classical art in the world. It was started more than a century ago by Prince Alessandro Torlonia. He found many of the pieces on the grounds of his family's Roman properties. Wealthy from a business relationship with the Vatican, the family purchased other well-known sculpture collections. In 1884, the Prince built his own museum to show off his collection. When the museum closed in 1976, the pieces went into storage.
“The reappearance of such a collection is a very important event, said art historian Salvatore Settis. “When I saw them for the first time, it was very emotional, because I knew most of those pieces from books, but I had never seen them. " The Torlonia family chose Settis to help with the difficult job of deciding which works should be shown to the public.
1. What can tourists to Rome see this week?| A．All kinds of antiques of great significance. | B．Some well-known statues carved by wood. |
| C．The 90 ancient Asian works collected privately. | D．A marble fountain from Julius Caesar's garden. |
| A．It was exhibited to the pubic in the 18th century. |
| B．The works have been in storage for more than 40 years. |
| C．Torlonia and his business partner Vatican began it together. |
| D．It is considered as the greatest private collection in the world. |
| A．Disgusting. | B．Thrilling. | C．Promising. | D．Meaningless. |
| A．The Exhibition, a Returning Wonder |
| B．Prince Totlonia, a Great and Wealthy Collector |
| C．Torlonia Collection, a Brilliant Contribution to History |
| D．Marble Sculptures, a Combination of Imagination and Creation |
7 . Ecuador may have a new tourism jingle (广告歌). But they don’t want anyone to actually sing it. Indeed, the country’s latest national park is built on the belief that silence is golden. The South American country has become the first in the world to build a “quiet park” beside the Zabalo River where silence is protected like a natural resource.
There are no transport routes here. Nor residential and commercial developments. You can’t even hear the sound of power lines.
Named as Wilderness Quiet Park, the land is owned by the Cofán people of Ecuador. But hopes are high that this unique space in a world increasingly affected by noise will kickstart (启动) tourism in the region — quiet tourism, that is.
These days, it’s almost impossible to escape the human noise. And it’s a serious effect on the health of animals, including humans.
“Science has made it clear that noise pollution is not just an annoyance, it causes health loss and impacts wildlife’s ability to survive. By recognizing the Zabalo River as the world’s first quiet park, we are paving the way for many more quiet parks around the globe.” says Gordon Hempton, an ecologist and co-founder of Quiet Parks International, an organization which aims at spreading quiet across the globe.
So, what’s it actually like when nature is the only soundtrack? Here’s how Sam Goldman, a journalist, describes it: “The monkeys roar; insects buzz; and birdsong cackles …”
But the park not only gives nature a chance to find its voice. The people who own the land — the Cofán people — have long regarded themselves as caretakers of the rivers and rainforests in the region but their numbers have decreased to fewer than 2,000. Quiet Parks International will help the Cofan Nation “defend their lands and preserve their culture.”
1. What’s the purpose of this text?| A．To introduce a special park. |
| B．To explain a new living concept. |
| C．To warn people of noise pollution. |
| D．To recommend a travel destination. |
| A．It vaules natural quiet much. |
| B．It develops rapidly in business. |
| C．It can easily get rid of the human noise. |
| D．It provides tourists with various transport routes. |
| A．wildlife in Ecuador are in danger of extinction |
| B．noise pollution has become a serious problem |
| C．the Zabalo River is the best quiet park in the world |
| D．there are already many quiet parks around the globe now |
| A．They care little about environmental protection. |
| B．They are in need of help to protect their safety. |
| C．Their numbers have decreased due to noise pollution. |
| D．They have long been protecting their living surroundings. |
8 . Perhaps now so more than ever, it's important to take time to appreciate the beauty of our natural world. In the US, all you have to do is turn to the national parks for inspiration.
Not only do these parks offer hiking, camping and wildlife-spotting service, but they each have interesting stories to tell that make them truly unique from others designated by the National Park Service. Just check it out for yourself with these fun, fascinating facts about each national park.
Acadia
Location ： Maine
Size ： 65 square miles
Fact： Sprawling across Mount Desert Island, off the coast of eastern Maine, Acadia became the first national park east of the Mississippi River in 1929 and, today3 is still the only national park in the northeast.
American Samoa
Location ： South Pacific
Size： 21 square miles
Fact ： Located outside of the continental US, the American Samoa territory is spread out across three islands and happens to be the country's only national park in the southern hemisphere.
Arches
Location ： Utah
Size ： 119 square miles
Fact： There are more than 2,000 natural rock arches in （the appropriately named） Arches National Park, which is the biggest concentration of formations in the country.
Badlands
Location ： South Dakota
Size ： 379 square miles
Fact： At Badlands National Park, in the vast plains of South Dakota, visitors can witness a geological wonder； The rocks here are still eroding（被侵蚀）at a rate of 1 inch per year, which is a rapid rate for rocks, according to the National Park Service.
Big Bend
Location ： Texas
Size ： 1,252 square miles
Fact： At remote Big Bend National Park, geological history runs deep： Hundreds of millions of years ago, two inland seas flowed through the region, and as a result, there are thick stores of limestone and shale （页岩）throughout the park.
1. In all the national parks mentioned, visitors can experience the following except____.| A．hiking | B．swimming | C．camping | D．wildlife-spotting |
| A．Acadia | B．Arches | C．American Samoa | D．Badlands |
| A．It has ever-changing rocks. |
| B．It has large amount of limestone. |
| C．It is the only national park in the northeast. |
| D．It has a history of hundred of million years. |
9 . First established as a state capital in 229 CE, Nanjing, China, has long been one of the country’s most important (and largest) inland river ports and is recognized as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China.
Why do people love it?
What’s it like living here?
For those who miss the foods of home, there’s no shortage of foreign restaurants and cafes that cater to expats and international students.
Residents rave about how affordable Nanjing is compared to other Chinese cities, especially when it comes to housing.
In general, a certain traditionalism and conservatism can be felt more strongly here than in other Chinese cities, which can make it more of a challenge to make local friends quickly. The language and cultural barrier tends to be high.
| A．Rent for an 85-sq-m apartment is more than 50% cheaper than Beijing and 65% less than Shanghai. |
| B．If you want to experience more of Nanjing’s past, the streets of Lao Men Dong is a must-see. |
| C．As a result, natural sites often appear in unexpected areas of the city. |
| D．Though home to 8.3 million people, Nanjing is one of the few big cities left in China to offer easy access to peace. |
| E．The city also has plenty of low-key and live-music clubs. |
| F．Getting around the city is easy. |
| G．So learning and speaking Mandarin Chinese can help with integrating into the local community. |
10 . When most people hear the words “Big Ben” they immediately think of the attractive Victorian Gothic structure of the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster. Let’s clear up a common misunderstanding first; technically speaking, the name “Big Ben” does not refer to the famous tower, nor to the four huge clock faces of this London landmark; instead, it refers to the largest one of the five bells inside the clock tower.
Construction of the tower was begun following the disastrous fire which destroyed the old Palace of Westminster in 1834. Charles Barry was responsible for rebuilding the Palace, and his designs included a clock tower.
It took 16 years to build the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster and it was completed in 1859. The tower is 316 feet high. The spire of the tower is built with an iron frame, and it is this frame which supports the weight of the bells. Several small rooms are built into the lower part of the tower, including a small prison cell.
The iron frame of the clock face was designed by AW Pugin, who was responsible for many of the Gothic decorative elements of the Palace of Westminster. The dials are 23 feet in diameter and the faces themselves are not solid, but are made up of many small pieces of opal glass, like a glass window. Several of the central pieces of glass can be removed to make it easier for people to check the hands of the clock from inside.
At the time of its construction the clock movement was easily the largest in the world, and it is still among the largest today. The clock, designed by Edmund Beckett Denison, has proven to be very accurate over the years.
Big Ben — the hour bell — is said to have been named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who was known for his great size, as is the bell! The first Big Ben hour bell was completed before the tower, so the bell was hung in New Palace Yard. After repeated public ringing the bell cracked and had to be replaced by the current bell.
1. The name “Big Ben” actually refers to ____.| A．the famous tower | B．the huge clock faces |
| C．the biggest bell inside | D．the designer of the tower |
| A．was designed by Edmund Beckett Denison | B．was built in 1844 |
| C．is more than 300 feet high | D．has no rooms in it |
| A．Opal glass is cheaper than solid materials. | B．The huge body makes it much easier to see. |
| C．The glass is solid enough. | D．Pieces of glass can be removed to check the hands. |
| A．Sir Benjamin Hall was a famous architect | B．the first hour bell has worked till now |
| C．the bells are hung inside the spire of the tower | D．the clock is not accurate now |
