1 . Georgia's public university system will not rename any of its 75 buildings with ties to slavery (奴隶制) or racial segregation (种族隔离), explaining that “history can teach us important lessons”. “The purpose of history is to instruct,” the Board of Regents for Georgia’s public university system wrote in a statement. “History can teach us important lessons, lessons that if understood and applied can make Georgia and its people stronger.”
The board(董事会) voted universally on Monday against such changes, nearly a year after it established a committee to study the names and potential changes. The internal committee had advised that changes be made to 75 buildings on campus that are named after Confederate leaders and others.
People in support of making changes to the names blamed the board following its decision on Monday. “The decision by Georgia s Board of Regents to keep the names of known racists and segregationists of the state' s public colleges and universities is not surprising. It demonstrates to us the board’s support for racism,” a group called Rename Grady said in a statement.
Some schools also established teams of experts to investigate whether building names or statues were regarded insensitive due to their connections to slavery, racial segregation or the mistreatment of American Indians in the history. Towson University, for example, removed the names of slave owners from two dormitory halls earlier this year. In Chicago, the public school system promised to rename 30 buildings bearing the names of slaveholders.
Other schools, however, have taken the same path as Georgia s public university system and chose against changing names. The Board of Trustees at Washington and Lee University voted earlier this year to keep its name, which partly honors Robert E. Lee, the commander of the Confederate States Army.
1. Why will Georgia’s public university system refuse to change building names?| A．The names have a long history. |
| B．The names was decided by the board. |
| C．The names remind Georgia of going forward. |
| D．The names have no connections to racists and segregationists. |
| A．The board. | B．The decision. | C．The statement. | D．The committee. |
| A．Not every school has taken the same path. |
| B．Building names or statues should not be changed. |
| C．The teams of experts some schools established are powerful. |
| D．Building names or statues were regarded sensitive by some people. |
| A．Approval. | B．Objective. | C．Unconcerned. | D．Unfavourable. |
2 . Depths of our Earth hold great wonders. Below we explore four deepest places on Earth.
Veryovkina Cave, Georgia
Its entrance is located 2,285 meters above sea level. In 2018, scientists reached its bottom at 2,212 meters down. They squeezed through tiny openings to get from one cave to another. Rockfalls and floods waited secretly at every turn. Scientists could develop new medicines from microorganisms found in cave samples. Caves also record ancient life and past climates.
The Mariana Trench, the Pacific Ocean
The Mariana Trench, with the maximum depth of 11,034 meters, is the deepest part of Earth’s surface. Pressure there is intolerable, but creatures like sea cucumbers (海参) still exist. Scientists exploring it can gain deeper insights into how plates move and why earthquakes and volcanoes occur.
The Dead Sea, the Middle East
The Dead Sea is the lowest point on land at about 1,400 feet (about 400 meters) below sea level. It’s nearly ten times saltier than ocean water, so you literally can’t sink in the Dead Sea! Scientists think it could go dry in a few decades. Despite its name, the Dead Sea holds life. A few kinds of algae (藻类) and bacteria love its salty water.
Lake Baikal, Russia
At the depth of 1,642 meters, Lake Baikal is the deepest inland body of water. The Baikal seal is the only known seal that lives in this world’s deepest freshwater lake. Scientists study the lake not only for the solid stuff beneath it that records climate history but because it’s in a zone where a plate is splitting apart, causing earthquakes.
1. What do we know about Veryovkina Cave?| A．It was discovered in 2018. | B．Its pressure is far from bearable. |
| C．It is risky to explore. | D．Its samples are of little practical value. |
| A．Georgia & Russia. | B．Russia & the Pacific Ocean. |
| C．Georgia & the Pacific Ocean. | D．The Middle East & Russia. |
| A．They have some sign of life. | B．They are over a thousand meters deep. |
| C．They are results of climate change. | D．They are all below sea level. |
3 . If you think about World Heritage Sites, you probably think of places associated with ancient art and culture, historical buildings and monuments. And of course, many of these are on the World Heritage List. But the World Heritage List contains a lot of sites that are not so obvious. Some of them are well known. Let’s get to know a few of them.
Robben Island in South Africa
This island was used through the centuries as a prison, a hospital and a military base. But it’s probably most famous as a maximum-security prison for political prisoners in the twentieth century. Nelson Mandela was one of its most famous residents. The WHL says it represents the triumph (胜利) of democracy and freedom over oppression (压迫) and racism.
Borders of France and Spain
This is an area of great natural beauty and the mountains have many interesting geological formations. But it is also an area of small farms. People there still use a type of agriculture that used to be common in mountainous areas of Europe but has almost completely disappeared in modern times.
The city of Brasilia, Brazil
Brasilia is a capital city that was created from nothing in 1956. The WHL calls it a landmark in the history of town planning. The different areas of the city and the buildings themselves were all designed at the same time so that they would harmonise with each other. Every part of the city shows the ideas of the planner and architect.
Simien National Park, Ethiopia
Simien National Park was one of the first sites to be listed in 1978. It is one of the highest mountain areas in Africa, and the WHL calls it one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. It is also important for its wildlife. It is home to some rare animals, whose population is getting smaller and smaller. That’s why the site is now on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
1. What is the passage mainly about?| A．Several little known sites on the WHL. |
| B．The household heritage sites on the WHL. |
| C．Some of the unusual sites on the WHL. |
| D．Places of artistic and historical interest on the WHL. |
| A．Robben Island in South Africa. |
| B．Borders of France and Spain. |
| C．The city of Brasilia, Brazil. |
| D．Simien National Park, Ethiopia. |
| A．For its natural scenery. |
| B．For its city planning. |
| C．For its unique wildlife. |
| D．For its special agriculture. |
4 . The village of Misfat al-Abriyeen has changed its fortunes by transforming mud-brick homes into fine hotels. The village of 800 people, located on the cliffs of Oman’s “Grand Canyon“, opened its narrow streets six years ago to foreigners and locals seeking adventure in the deserts and green corners of the Gulf area.
Villager Yacoub al-Abri said it all started in 2010 when his uncle suggested they take another look at the mud houses that had lain ignored for years in the ancient settlement about three hours’ drive from the capital Muscat. The owners had abandoned the centuries-old homes, fearing they could topple, and moved to the opposite side of the village where they built new accommodation.
The brown-walled homes, made of mud bricks with palm-leave roofs, were tuned into simple but elegant inns with wood furniture and handcrafts made using sill banded down from their ancestors.“We started with only five rooms, then we increased the number and bought other old houses. Today we have 15 rooms and there are plans to continue expanding until we reach 50,” Abri said.
At an altitude of more than 1,000 meters, the tiny village which is home to the Abri tribe is a charming collection of traditional houses located along dozens of small alleys (小巷) overlooking lands bursting with banana plants and citrus and palm trees. It is part of a region known as the Grand Canyon of Oman where tourists can hike the rocky mountains and valleys, and explore the old ways of local people. The region is also famed for its centuries-old stories that are still widely told in similar villages across the country.
Renoda, a Dutch psychologist living in Muscat, was visiting with three of her friends. “It’s perhaps the 10th time that I have visited this hotel since last year. I come here for a night or two every month, seeking calm, relaxation and comfort,” she told AFP.
1. What does the underlined word “topple” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Move. | B．Shrink. | C．Disappear. | D．Fall. |
| A．Splendid. | B．Outdated. | C．Traditional. | D．Ordinary. |
| A．The unique lifestyle of the local people. |
| B．The special location of the small village. |
| C．The introduction of the history of the village. |
| D．The attractive features of the small village. |
| A．She lives a busy life in the city. |
| B．She enjoys adventurous traveling. |
| C．She visits the villagers as part of her work. |
| D．She wants to settle down in this village permanently. |
5 . For thousands of years, Chinese writers have travelled all over the country to take down notes about the geographical conditions of each city. Among them, well-known Chinese geographer and writer Li Daoyuan, in the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), composed his book, Commentary on the Water Classics, after studying the original literary version, Water Classics. He later expanded the river records to 1, 252 from the original 137.
The book is now being studied again by Professor Li Xiaojie and his team from Fudan University. They have been using drawing software and 3D modelling to recreate the waterway situations on a map based on the book description. So far, they have completed research on four rivers.
“Ancient people knew really well how to apply the power of nature to technical considerations,”Li said, giving the example of Qianjin’e, one of the most famous ancient water conservation projects in Luoyang, Henan. In order to lead the river into the city for irrigation (灌溉) in ancient Luoyang, the officials built a canal branch by separating a northwest-southeast river. However, the canal water wasn't enough to support the citizens in dry seasons. To solve that, on the northern side of the canal branch, the officials built a reservoir (水库) and a channel to lead the water to the canal branch, where the waterways would converge and flow together to the city.
In Commentary on the Water Classics, a total of 2, 800 cities are recorded with details. Still, the process of recreation takes much effort. After doing a lot of text analysis and fieldwork, the team has gradually created the model with 3D modelling software based on repeated deductions (推论).
For Professor Li, the book is not only a record of the natural landscape over 1, 000 years ago, but also a detailed description of humanity and culture and a treasure for today’s reference.
1. What can we learn about the book Commentary on the Water Classics?| A．It has been out of date. | B．It explains 3D modelling. |
| C．It keeps records of 137 rivers. | D．It is based on previous studies. |
| A．Join. | B．Pass. | C．Cross. | D．Begin. |
| A．Its major problems. | B．Its detailed analysis. |
| C．Its complex process. | D．Its successful application. |
| A．3D Technology Fuels Modern Research |
| B．Ancient Classics Inspire Modern Research |
| C．An Effective Approach to Model Recreation |
| D．A Famous Writer of Chinese Ancient Classics |
6 . While travel is restricted during this time, here are some amazing places around the world to daydream about and look forward to visiting one day in the future.
Lord Howe Island, Australia
The island in the Tasman Sea lies between Australia and New Zealand and is just 10km long. Despite its complete isolation, the island is populated, by around 380 people and the number of tourists is limited to under 400. The island is known for its geology, birds, plants and marine life, while cycling is the main mode of transport on the island, thanks to its virtually untouched forest and the fact that many of its plants and animals are found nowhere else in the world.
Thor’s Well, Oregon
Also called “the drainpipe of the Pacific” or even sometimes, “the gate to hell”, the hole appears to swallow the Pacific Ocean. Geyser-like ocean sprays erupt in winter time, thanks to ocean pressure and the gusting wind. It looks more dangerous than it is though; it is in reality just around 20 feet deep. The natural bowl is spectacular to watch, particularly during low tide when the sea rises towards the surface before draining back down into the depths of the rocky hole again.
Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods), Hawaii
Hawaiians call Keahiakawelo “wahi pana”, which means celebrated, noted or legendary places which have cultural significance. As legend goes, the priest of neighboring Molokai island, a man named Lanikaula, was angry at the people of Lanai, so he lit a fire wishing ill will to the island’s people.
Balamku (Cave of the Jaguar God), Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
The cave was rediscovered accidentally in 2018 by archaeologists who were searching for a sacred well. The seven-chambered cave was initially discovered in 1966 but was sealed up and forgotten about. Caves were considered openings to the underworld, and this one is no different. The name means jaguar god, which they believed had the ability to enter and leave the underworld at will. The cave is so unexplored that archaeologists are still mapping it out.
1. How do people often travel on Lord Howe Island?| A．By boat. | B．By bike. | C．On foot. | D．By car. |
| A．During low tide. | B．In winter time. |
| C．When the sea rises. | D．After the sea dries. |
| A．Lord Howe Island. | B．Thor’s Well. |
| C．Keahiakawelo. | D．Balamku. |
7 . The immense and forbidding Southern Ocean is famous for howling winds and strange waves that have tested mariners for centuries.
But its true strength lies beneath the waves.
The ocean’s dominant feature, extending up to two miles deep and as much as 1.200 miles wide, is the Antarctic Circumpolar (极地附近的) Current, by far the largest current in the world.
It is the world’s climate engine, and it has kept the world from warming even more by drawing deep water from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, much of which has been in the deep ocean for hundreds of years, and pulling it to the surface. There, it exchanges heat and carbon dioxide with the atmosphere before being pushed again on its endless round trip.
Without this action, which scientists call upwelling, the world would be even hotter than it has become as a result of human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases. “From no perspective is there any place more important than the Southern Ocean,” said Joellen L. Russell, an oceanographer at the University of Arizona. “There’s nothing like it on Planet Earth.”
For centuries this ocean was largely unknown, and its conditions were so extreme that only a relative handful of sailors went to its waters with lots of icebergs.
What fragmentary scientific knowledge was available came from measurements taken by explorers, naval ships, the occasional research expeditions or whaling ships.
But more recently, a new generation of floating, autonomous probes (探测仪) that can collect temperature, density and other data for years—diving deep underwater, and even exploring beneath the Antarctic sea ice, before rising to the surface to phone home—has enabled scientists to learn much more. They have discovered that global warming is affecting the Antarctic current in complex ways, and these shifts could complicate the ability to fight climate change in the future.
1. Why does the true strength lie beneath the waves in the Southern Ocean?| A．There is the deepest current in the world. |
| B．There is the world’s largest current. |
| C．There is severe cold climate in the South Pole. |
| D．There are the strongest winds and strangest waves. |
| A．By pushing severe cold water to the other oceans. |
| B．By cooling the warmer water from the other oceans. |
| C．By drawing cold water from other oceans and pulling it to the surface. |
| D．By keeping cold water in the other oceans for hundreds of years. |
| A．Advanced. | B．Abstract. | C．Incomplete. | D．Concrete. |
| A．The current there is in normal condition despite global warming. |
| B．The current there is under the complicated influence of global warming. |
| C．The autonomous probes have found solutions to global warming. |
| D．Nothing can be done for global warming due to severe cold climate. |
8 . Despite being one of the most famous and frequented attractions in the United States,
We don’t really know how old it is
It has long been believed that the Colorado River began carving the Grand Canyon about 6 million years ago,
Of all Grand Canyon facts, this one is pretty cool—no word-play intended. Sudden changes in altitude have an enormous impact on temperature and rainfall, so the weather you are experiencing could differ dramatically, depending on where you are in the Grand Canyon. The coldest, wettest weather station in the region is the Bright Angel Ranger Station on the North Rim, while the hottest (and one of the driest) is just 8 miles away at Phantom Ranch.
There are lots of fossils in the area
While the dinosaur might have missed out on seeing the Grand Canyon, lots of other fossils have been found.
Fish are relatively uncommon in the area
Prior to modern flood control measures, the Colorado River provided a uniquely difficult habitat for fish, with heavy mud with small rocks, frequent floods, and temperatures ranging from extreme heat in summer to sub-freezing in winter. Consequently, only eight fish species are native to the Grand Canyon,
| A．but a 2012 study contained a real shocker |
| B．and many other species are found outside this area. |
| C．and six of them are found nowhere outside of the Colorado River. |
| D．The weather in the Grand Canyon is really cool. |
| E．This indicates that other creatures frequented the location. |
| F．The Grand Canyon creates its own weather. |
| G．Grand Canyon National Park still holds some surprises. |
9 . Whether you are a history-loving traveler or an enthusiast of natural landscape, you will never get tired of the Great Wall-one of the seven wonders in the world. Here are some famous Great Wall sections for you to choose.
Jiankou Great Wall
Location: Huairou District, North of Beijing, China
Opening Hours: All day
Jiankou Great Wall includes the Southern Line and the Northern Line. Mountains in the Southern Line are extremely steep. This section of Great Wall is almost straight up and down, maintaining the steepest section of Beijing Great Wall. If you like adventure, don’t miss it!
Simatai Great Wall
Location: Gubeikou Town, Miyun County, Beijing, China
Opening Hours: 8: 00-18: 00 from April to October
8: 00-17: 30 from November to next March
This well-preserved and undeveloped site possesses the most charming scene of the Great Wall. With the breath-taking landscape surrounding the glorious Great Wall, Simatai is the best choice for photographers.
Jinshanling Great Wall
Location: Luanping County, Chengde, Hebei Province, China
Opening Hours: 8: 00-17: 00 daily
Jinshanling Great Wall is famed for enjoying sunrise view. Although Jinshanling Great Wall has opening hour limitation, but this is flexible. Visitors can enter the scenic area at around 3: 00 am to wait to see sunrise.
Juyongguan Great Wall
Location: Changping District, Beijing, China
Opening Hours: 8: 00-17: 00 from April to October
8: 30-16: 00 from November to next March
Enlisted in the World Heritage Directory in 1987, Juyongguan Great Wall is a national cultural protection unit. And Juyongguan Pass is one of the three greatest passes of the Great Wall of China. The other two are Jiayuguan Pass and Shanhaiguan Pass.
1. Which section of the Great Wall is suitable for adventurers?| A．Jiankou Great Wall. | B．Simatai Great Wall. |
| C．Jinshanling Great Wall. | D．Juyongguan Great Wall. |
| A．Its scene of sunrise. | B．Its steep stone stairs. |
| C．Its flexible opening hours. | D．Its breath-taking landscape. |
| A．16: 00-18: 00 in May. | B．8: 30-11: 30 in June. |
| C．8: 00-11: 00 in January. | D．15: 00-17: 00 in December. |
10 . How and Where to See Aurora in 2022
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made many potential travel plans change constantly. but catching sight of the wonderful cosmic (宇宙的) display could be possible this year. Here’s our guide on how and where to see the aurora (极光) this winter.
Where is the best place to see the northern lights?
Spots like Fairbanks in Alaska, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Churchill in Canada, and Iceland and northern Norway are all safe bets. The NOAA website has additional tips on where to view the aurora with links to maps that show where the light show can be seen. The best time to see the lights differs slightly by country, but, in general, the peak season is between November and March.
Which countries are allowing tourists to enter?
Arguably the biggest barrier to your chances of enjoying the aurora this winter is not atmospheric, but the COVID-19 restrictions by some of the countries where the northern lights are most visible. Please check official sources and the resources below for the latest restrictions.
·Iceland: Lonely Planet’s webpage.
·Norway: Norway’s government website.
·Alaska: CDC’s international travel guidelines.
·Canada: Lonely Planet’s webpage.
How to see the southern lights?
The southern lights are the same phenomenon on the other side of the Earth. With less land in the south, the southern lights are perhaps less talked about as they mostly occur over water, but they can be seen over parts of New Zealand, and Australia and Tasmania. In contrast to the northern lights, the southern lights are usually most obvious from March to September.
1. Which month is better for enjoying the northern lights?| A．January. | B．April. | C．July. | D．October. |
| A．The NOAA website. | B．Lonely Planet’s webpage. |
| C．Norway’s government website. | D．CDC’s international travel guidelines. |
| A．They last all through the year. | B．They rarely appear over the land. |
| C．They are popular among travelers. | D．They are different from the northern lights. |
