The Baihetan hydropower plant, China's second largest hydropower facility on the upstream branch of the Yangtze river, was
The plant is estimated to generate 62.44 billion kilowatt-hours annually,
Baihetan is one of six huge hydropower
Construction began in 2017, with a total investment
China goes on
2 . Nashville TN
Welcome to your Music City vacation planning center, where you can make reservations for lodging, activities, dining and more! You can meet today’s hottest stars and country music legends at the Grand Ole Opry, cruise the Cumberland aboard the General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise or tour the sights!
Classic Music City Attractions
When one thinks of Music City, there are several attractions that immediately come to mind, namely the Grand Ole Opry, The General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise, and the Ryman Auditorium.
Some of the most amazing stars have taken the stage at the Grand Ole Opry. Another historic venue in Music City is the Ryman Auditorium. As well as attending concerts and shows, visitors to the Ryman can take leisurely tours to learn all about the history of the performing center.
Architectural Wonders
As one of the most beautiful cities in the United States, it is no wonder that this city is home to some of the most impressive pieces of architecture. From landmarks to universities and everything in between, those who have a passion for history are sure to have an amazing time exploring these places.
Music City Art & Museums
For those who love art, the Frist Center is a must-have activity. This art museum features approximately 24, 000 sq ft filled with a variety of exhibitions and displays that are sure to impress. This non-profit center is open seven days a week and features rotating exhibits so there’s something new with each visit.
Shopping, Dining & More
Downtown is among the most popular areas of the city as it holds some of the greatest attractions and more.
East, the ever-growing region is a bustling(熙攘的) place to visit while in Music City! From an eclectic atmosphere to historic landmarks and more. From local delicious eats to breweries and shopping opportunities, this neighborhood is well worth a visit!
1. In Nashville TN, visitors can .
| A．have a chance to perform on the stage. |
| B．explore some impressive historic buildings. |
| C．meet some hot stars and pickup fiction stories. |
| D．go shopping in Downtown, the most popular area. |
| A．Live concerts can be enjoyed. |
| B．It is the largest museum in Nashville TN. |
| C．The center is accessible every day except on holidays. |
| D．Visitors can get different visiting experiences every time. |
| A．To introduce the city of Nashville TN. |
| B．To help people to tailor vacation plans. |
| C．To arouse visitors’ interest in music and art. |
| D．To remind visitors of protecting Nashville TN. |
A rainforest is an area
In the past hundred years, humans
Rainforests are often called the world’s drug store. More than 25％ of the medicines we use today come from plants in rainforests. However, fewer than l％of rainforest plants have been examined for their
4 . As an important part of Three Parallel Rivers Scenic Area, Potatso National Park (Pudacuo National Park) is famous for lush (草木繁茂的) mountains, meadows (草地), lakes,rare animals and Tibetan culture. About a 50-minute drive from downtown Shangri-La, the park contains three main parts: Shudu Lake Scenic Area, Bitahai Lake Scenic Area, and Militang Alpine Pasture. You can reach them by the tourist bus from the park entrance.
Traveling around the park can be quite relaxing if you take the bus to see each scenic area one by one. Wooden boardwalks along the lakes allow you an easy walk as you take in the beautiful lake views and the surrounding mountain scenery. Or you can take a boat trip on the lakes for a more relaxing scenic experience.
If you want more of a challenge, there are also some short hiking routes in the park.Horse riding is also available in the park.
Route one: Walk from Lourong Village to Jieti Waterfall- -about 2. 2 km, taking about 50 minutes. You will see beautiful river views alongside the path.
Route two: Shudu Lake North Shore Pier to Tibetan Culture Experience Area- -about 3 km, taking about 1.5 hours. You can see the primeval (原始的) forest and enjoy Tibetan culture during this hiking trip.
Suitable for: nature lovers, hikers.
Access: Shangri-La is about a 6-hour flight from Beijing.
Best time to visit: The weather is comfortable from May to September and the meadows are full of blooming wild flowers.
Recommended visit time: a half day for the park, but 3 days are suggested for a Shangri-La trip. You can also extend the trip to Lijiang and Meili Snow Mountain, which are both within 4 hours’ driving.
1. What is the park famous for?| A．New temples and historical sites. |
| B．Rare wildlife and natural scenery. |
| C．Adventure sports and exciting activities. |
| D．Traditional festivals and musical performances. |
| A．Swim in the lakes. | B．Participate in horse racing. |
| C．Take a boat trip on the lakes. | D．Rent a car from workers of the park. |
| A．From December to February. | B．From March to April, . |
| C．From May to September. | D．From October to November. |
5 . With a number of rivers globally in crisis due to pollution, damming, and reduced rainfall, there’s never been a better opportunity to appreciate everything that rivers give to the world.
Rivers provide drinking water
Two thirds of the UK’s tap water is either from a river or from a river-fed body of water.
Ancient farming depended on these life-giving waters, so does modern agriculture. During the rainy season, many rivers overflow their banks, nourishing the soil with minerals and nutrients. Besides, rivers act as water sources for irrigation.
A good source of food comes from rivers
A fifth of the fish that are fished globally come from rivers and other freshwater sources. Another two thirds of fish that people eat rely on rivers for breeding, nutrients, or other reasons.
Human culture is tied to rivers
Rivers provide leisure activities
| A．Rivers are important for agriculture |
| B．Rivers are more than just water under the bridge |
| C．Rivers are closely connected to ancient civilizations |
| D．A large part of our modern life is involved with rivers |
| E．The organization American Rivers gives a similar figure for the US |
| F．Consequently, rivers can provide homes for a diversity of plants and animals |
| G．Protecting rivers and their biodiversity is a good way to protect this valuable source of food |
6 . Four Places Named After Scientists in Antarctica
There are many scientific breakthroughs made by women in Antarctic. Here are four landmarks in Antarctica and the female pioneers they’re named for.
Jones Terrace (梯田)
The ice-free terrace in eastern Antarctica’s Victoria Land bears Jones’ name. In 1969, geochemist Lois M. Jones led the first all-female research team from the U.S. to work in Antarctica. Jones and her team studied chemical weathering in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, an ice-free area of Antarctica. Through chemical analyses of rocks they had collected, Jones and her team discovered many geochemical characteristics of the valley’s ice-covered lakes.
Mount Fiennes
8,202-foot-high Mount Fiennes, located on Antarctica’s largest island — Alexander Island — is named for Ginny Fiennes. She established and maintained 80-foot-tall radio towers in the Antarctic. In 1985, Fiennes became the first female who was invited to join the Antarctic Club, a British supper club open to individuals who have spent extended time in the Antarctic region.
Francis Peak
The 3,727-foot-tall peak on Antarctica’s Adelaide Island is named after Dame Jane Francis, who is the first female director of the British Antarctic Survey, the national polar research institute of the UK. Her collection of fossils on Seymour Island helped conclude in a 2021 paper that Antarctica’s abundant plant fossils indicate the continent once had a much warmer climate than it currently does.
Peden Cliffs
Peden Cliffs near Antarctica’s Marie Byrd Land are proof of the labor of Irene Peden. She was the first American female scientist to both live and work in the Antarctic, where she used radio waves to study ice sheets. Peden and her team determined how very low frequency radio waves spread over long polar distances by measuring pathways in the ice. They also used varying radio wave frequencies to measure the thickness of Antarctica’s ice sheets.
1. Which place is named after a builder of radio towers in the Antarctic?| A．Jones Terrace. | B．Mount Fiennes. |
| C．Francis Peak. | D．Peden Cliffs. |
| A．Lois M. Jones. | B．Ginny Fiennes. |
| C．Dame Jane Francis. | D．Irene Peden. |
| A．She could judge the thickness of Antarctica’s ice sheets. |
| B．She discovered a lot of ice-covered lakes in the Antarctic. |
| C．She was the first female American to explore the Antarctic. |
| D．She correctly measured the spreading speed of radio waves. |
7 . 4 Best Places to Travel in 2023
2023 is the year when travel returns in a big way. To get you started, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to travel in 2023. All you need to do is pick the place that appeals to you.
Copenhagen
With its fantastic houses, clean streets and colorful architecture, Copenhagen is regarded as the most livable city on the earth. Named the World Capital of Architecture for 2023, Copenhagen will offer a series of major artistic events and programs sure to delight architects and design lovers.
Bhutan
For travelers with a sense of adventure and a love of discovery, Bhutan has always been a must-go destination. In 2023, travelers can once again explore the Trans Bhutan Trail, which runs 250 miles from east to west, offering visits to the century-old communities along the journey. The trail spans (横跨)18 major bridges and national parks and connects more than 400 historic and cultural sites.
Bordeaux
The coming years will be sporty in the historical wine region of Bordeaux in France. In 2023, the city will host the Rugby World Cup, an intense and stressful game. Beyond sports, Bordeaux is one of the favorite historical cities, with more than 350 structures that are either nationally or regionally listed as historical monuments.
Namibia
Wildlife and adventure lovers looking for a unique path in African Safari trips should head straight to Namibia in 2023 — this country in southern Africa is the perfect place to travel to reconnect with nature and escape the modern stresses of life. On the wildlife front, you may see lions along with giraffes and elephants.
1. What is Copenhagen well-known for?| A．The natural landscape. | B．The adventure travel. |
| C．Eye-catching architecture. | D．Famous art designers. |
| A．Modern communities. | B．Cultural relics. |
| C．Historical wine regions. | D．National monuments. |
| A．Copenhagen. | B．Bhutan. | C．Bordeaux. | D．Namibia. |
The city of Zibo has never seen so many visitors.
As the sun begins to set, the aroma of sizzling meat falls the air and draws in more
The city was barely known by outsiders
Zibo- style barbecue’s classic three-piece set contains roast lamb, green onions, and nan bread, which,
Behind Zibo’s sudden fame
To promote Zibo-style barbecue, Zibo has launched two dozen “special barbecue trains,” where local tourism officials would serve tourists
Sunshine, beaches and coconuts… these may appear in our minds
In April, Chinese President Xi Jinping
Covering a total area of 4,269 square kilometres, Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park has the most concentrated and well-preserved tropical rainforests in China.
Though only
10 . The Sahara is the world’s largest and most magic desert, but knowledge about it is surprisingly limited. Even estimates of when it formed vary widely, from more than five million years ago to mere thousands. Now, however, geographers studying wind-carried Saharan dust on the Canary Islands have come closer to settling this: it is, they report, close to five million years old.
One reason for the uncertainty over the Sahara’s age is that researchers use different methods to estimate it. These include studying desert dust found in sediment (沉积物) under the Atlantic Ocean, analyzing sandstone and modeling the ancient climate. To help settle the uncertainty, Daniel, geographer of the U.S. Geological Survey, and his workmates looked at sediment on Spain’s Canary Islands. They found evidence of Saharan dust. The dust appeared in ancient soil layers (层), whose age they assessed on the basis of fossils (化石) found in the same layers — and that age agreed with the earlier ocean’s sediment studies. The researchers reported their findings in November in Palaeogeography.
“The conclusion of the study is very good,” says Zhongshi Zhang, a climate modeler at the University of Bergen in Norway, who was not involved in the work. “Because the dust found on the islands is distinct from the ocean’s record,” Zhang adds, “it helps to build the case for a five-million-year age.”
The Sahara is the biggest source of wind-carried dust in the world — and that dust’s journey does not end in the Canary Islands, which lie just off the western coast of Africa. It continues onto places such as the Amazon rain forest in South America, Daniel notes. Amazon soils are poor in nutrients, and he says the new results help to show how rich dust from Africa could have been supporting the South American region’s incredible biodiversity for millions of years — adding to the Amazon’s own origin story.
1. How did Daniel settle the formation time of the Sahara?| A．By modeling the ancient climate in Spain’s islands. |
| B．By studying the desert dust under the Atlantic Ocean. |
| C．By assessing the age of the dust in ancient soil layers. |
| D．By analyzing the wind-carried sandstone in the Sahara. |
| A．The appearance of the dust. | B．The formation of two layers. |
| C．The age of the Saharan dust. | D．The agreement of two layers. |
| A．The Saharan dust. | B．The Amazon soils. |
| C．The Amazon rain forest. | D．The Coastal waters. |
| A．The Study of the Sahara. | B．The Birth of the Sahara. |
| C．The Source of the Sahara. | D．The Effect of the Sahara. |
