Huang He or The Yellow River, flowing through nine provinces, is the second longest river in China. It is also the sixth longest in the world at the estimated
The Yellow River is called “the cradle(摇篮)of Chinese civilization” as
Whether you’re a history fan or not, the river is
Originating in the Bayan Har Mountains in Qinghai Province in western China, it flows
The Yellow River used to be called “China’s Sorrow” because of the frequent floods hitting. In 1955, Chinese government
2 . Modern Cities on Ancient Ruins
All around the world, some cities were built on top of ancient ruins. The presence of ancient ruins in a city not only adds reputation but also increases the economy. Here are four modern cities built on ancient ruins.
Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is currently the largest city in South Korea, whose history goes back almost 2000 years. While Seoul is considered a very modern city, the ancient city wall can still be found in its very center. The wall, which was built to protect the city from enemies, dates back to the early 1300s.
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is known as one of Japan’s oldest and most historically significant cities. It is believed that Kyoto was founded around 794 A. D. and was the capital of Japan until 1868. For a thousand years, the city remained faithful to its roots and became famous for its classical Buddhist temples, gardens, and royal palaces.
Mexico City, Mexico
The Nahua Aztec established Mexico City around 1325 and it became the capital of an advanced growing empire. Temple Tempo Mayor is one of the last surviving ruins dating back to the pre-Columbian Aztec empire. Making handmade products in ancient ways attracts visitors there.
Luxor, Egypt
Luxor is a modern city located on the east bank of the Nile River in southern Egypt. During the 16 -14 centuries B. C., this city was called Thebes. Large temples, royal tombs, and the Valley of the Kings are located around this area in Egypt.
1. What can we know about Seoul?| A．It has an ancient city in its center. | B．It’s the oldest city in South Korea. |
| C．It has an ancient defence wall. | D．It’s a new city surrounded by an old wall. |
| A．They share the same faith. | B．They were both capital cities in history. |
| C．They are famous for Buddhist temples. | D．They offer visitors free handmade goods. |
| A．Seoul. | B．Kyoto. | C．Mexico City. | D．Luxor. |
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Dear Tom,
I’m delight to introduce you something about Chinese cultural heritage.
Hard-working and intelligently, Chinese people have made great contributions to the world civilization. Nowadays, many Chinese cultural heritage sites were preserved very well. If you have a chance to travel to China, I recommend yourself to visit Beijing and Xi’an, where many cultural sites are worth visited. Apart from the cultural heritage sites, the natural scenery in Guilin is such beautiful that you will be deeply impressed. Besides, some simple folk custom in the villages in Yunnan province are likely to remind you the good old days,during which living a harmonious life with the nature in the villages, as you know, are of great benefit.
Yours,
Li Hua
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 . New Zealand is one of the best countries in the world to experience how life might have been in prehistoric times. New Zealand is a nature lover’s paradise(乐园) with its conservation reserves.
Kaharoa Conservation
The Kaharoa Conservation is home to a number of endangered birds and the North Island Kokako is just one of them. The Kokako is possibly New Zealand’s most beautiful songbird with such a variety of whistles, clicks, buzzes and whirrs in its sound range, one bird sounds like a chorus!
Mokaihaha Ecological Area
Rich in Maori history, the Mokaihaha Ecological Area has high conservation and scientific value. Birdlife features this natural wonderland with the symphony including such stars as the Tui, Kereru, Fantail, Bellbird and the endangered Kokako.
Whakarewarewa Forest Conservation Park
If mountain biking is your thing, then this is the place for you! The Whakarewarewa Forest provides a network of tracks through exceptionally impressive scenery that has made Rotorua famous for its mountain biking.
Maungatautari Ecological Island
A project of great ecological importance is being undertaken by a community aimed at the restoration of Maungatautari volcano forest.
The volcano forest has sustained the lives of its wildlife for hundreds of years but since the introduction of European pests such as deer, rabbits, goats, pigs and rats, the native varieties of mammals, birds and plants have been facing threats.
The aim of the courageous project is to get rid of all introduced pests from the 3363 hectares of forest. Luckily, life in the forest of Maungatautari is beginning to awaken again.
1. What is special about the bird Kokako?| A．It can make different sounds. |
| B．It is an endangered species. |
| C．It only lives in the Kaharoa Conservation. |
| D．It is the most beautiful birds in the world. |
| A．Kaharoa Conservation. |
| B．Mokaihaha Ecological Area. |
| C．Whakarewarewa Forest Conservation Park. |
| D．Maungatautari Ecological Island. |
| A．There is a live volcano on the island. |
| B．Introduced species threaten native ones. |
| C．The restoration project is of no effect. |
| D．It is rich in Maori history. |
6 . Today we know Antarctica as an extreme environment containing ice and snow. But new research provides evidence that the area was very different in the past.
The evidence was found inside a piece of earth sediment(沉积物) collected by researchers from a depth of about 30 meters below the ocean floor off the coast of Antarctica. In the sediment, they found forest soil estimated to be about 90 million years old. This would have been in the Cretaceous Period, when dinosaurs were the main land animals.
Johann Klages is a geologist, working in the Institute's Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research in Germany. He said an examination showed that the material formed on land, not in the ocean.
The researchers estimate that the area – about 900 kilometers from the South Pole – had average yearly temperatures of about 12 to 13 degrees Celsius. During the warmest summer months, average temperatures likely reached between 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. The average yearly temperature in that area is about 40 degrees below zero Celsius.
The examination results showed “a dense network of roots that spread through the entire soil layer,” the Helmholtz Center said in a statement.
The dark brownish-gray soil included fine dirt particles and hard clay, as well as substances linked to at least 65 different kinds of plants, the study found. Klages put that the plants included trees, ferns and flowering plants and while no animal remains were found, there were likely dinosaurs, flying reptiles and many insects in the environment.
The researchers said that the rainforest environment in Antarctica was especially surprising because each year, the area experiences a four-month polar night when there is no sunlight to fuel plant life.
1. According to the passage, we can learn that ________.| A．dinosaurs were from Antarctica |
| B．Antarctica was always extremely cold |
| C．the ocean floor is made up of sediment |
| D．the area has been experiencing climate changes |
| A．No animals left. |
| B．No fertilizer to fuel plants. |
| C．Roots spreading through the soil. |
| D．The rainforest experiencing polar night. |
| A．Science. | B．Entertainment. | C．Society. | D．Fiction. |
| A．Antarctica, Once a Warm Rainforest |
| B．Earth Sediment Found in Antarctica |
| C．Antarctica - an Extreme Environment |
| D．New Antarctica Found by Researchers |
