1 . From picture-perfect beaches to mountains, wildlife and iconic structures, New South Wales, Australia, offers plenty to enjoy. This beautiful state is located on Australia's breathtaking eastern coast. Sydney, the capital of New South Wales and Australia's most populated city, accommodates more than 5million people.
No trip to Sydney would be complete without a visit to Australia's most famous landmark, the Sydney Opera House. Its unique appearance was designed to resemble a ship's sails and its historic importance is recognized by people all over the world. The Opera House welcomes more than 8 million visitors each year, making it the country's most popular tourist spot. It is also one of the world's busiest performing arts centers, featuring more than 2,000 performances annually.
The Opera House is open 363 days a year, and admission is free. Tours are available throughout the day in seven different languages. For those who arrive hungry, Opera House restaurants offer everything from snacks to fine dining.
“Stunning natural beauty” describes the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. This wilderness area, also on the World Heritage list, is a large, mountainous region that covers 1.03 million hectares. It is home to a vast number of Australia's birds and other forms of wildlife. One of the most visited sites is the Three Sisters, named for its unique rock formations.
Off the coast of New South Wales lies a remote island called Lord Howe Island. Created by a volcano, the island is surrounded by beautiful reefs. Two mountains tower over a bay with sandy, white beaches. Visitors can enjoy beach walks, mountain hikes, water activities (above and below the water), exceptional bird watching and more. About 380 people live on it, and a maximum of 400visitors can visit at one time.
New South Wales offers its visitors an abundance of experiences to choose from and many memories that will last a lifetime.
1. How is the importance of Sydney Opera House expressed?| A．By offering supportive views. | B．By stating personal experiences. |
| C．By listing facts and numbers. | D．By describing its unique appearance. |
| A．It's highly recommended to bring your own food. |
| B．Language probably won't be a barrier during tours. |
| C．The admission fee is acceptable for most people. |
| D．It is open all year round on account of its popularity. |
| A．New South Wales. | B．Lord Howe Island. | C．Blue Mountains. | D．Three Sisters. |
| A．Unforgettable 'Tour in the Opera House. | B．Charming Places to Visit in Sydney. |
| C．Unique Geographical Features of Australia. | D．Striking Beauty of New South Wales. |
2 . The symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower opened to the public on March 31, 1889, and its beauty has continued to spellbind the world for 130 years. But some little-known facts about the Eiffel Tower may surprise you. We've put together a list.
It's the world's most visited paid tourist attraction
Almost seven million visitors each year pay the admission fee to visit the Eiffel Tower, Since it opened in 1889, nearly 300 million people have experienced the tower.
There’s an apartment at the top
A personal apartment that Gustave Eiffel used as an office was created at the top of the tower. Eiffel entertained many important persons there, and today visitors to the apartment will see it as it looked in Eiffel's day, with life-like wax models （蜡像）of Eiffel and Thomas Edison.
You could send a postcard by balloon from the Eiffel Tower
During the 1889 World's Fair, visitors could buy a commemorative （纪念）postcard that was attached to a balloon and a small parachute （降落伞）.Visitors would write an address on the postcard and release it into the air from the tower. The postcard would fall back to earth gently due to the parachute, but it's not known how many of these postcards ever made it to their intended addresses.
19th-century elevators are still in operation
Two of the original elevator cars are still functioning in the Eiffel Tower elevators that go to the third floor in the east and west pillars （铁柱）.The equipment has been updated, but it is basically the same technology that was used more than a century ago.
1. What do you know about the apartment at the top?| A．It was used as Eiffel's office. |
| B．It used to be a public apartment. |
| C．It sells wax models of Eiffel and Edison. |
| D．It only provides service for important persons. |
| A．The symbol. | B．The fee. | C．The way. | D．The time. |
| A．To update the equipment. | B．To show some interesting stories. |
| C．To explain the amazing history. | D．To share some little-known facts. |
