1 . Sitting back in my seat, I can’t quite believe that I’m about to travel along the railway that many foreign experts claimed was “impossible”. The train has been racing along steadily since it left Xining. All this time, the song “Sky Railway” has been
I was one of the people who came from all parts of China to work on this railway.
The first
To prevent
The journey has been flying by, and before I know it, we have reached Tanggula Station.
As we pass Cuona Lake, I feel a sense of pride and achievement. Using thousands and thousands of sandbags, we built a twenty-kilometre wall along the lake to protect it from construction waste. Cuona Lake is so close to the railway that I want to
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has been attracting people’s admiration for centuries. Now, thanks to our efforts, passengers from all over the country have been enjoying these magical landscapes. I am proud that we built our “impossible” railway, and did so with the care that the environment
| A．playing | B．expressing | C．viewing | D．singing |
| A．legal | B．cute | C．vivid | D．formal |
| A．Spending | B．Taking | C．Investing | D．Wasting |
| A．create | B．determine | C．suffer | D．overcome |
| A．protect | B．destroy | C．ignore | D．mix |
| A．entrance | B．landmark | C．impression | D．event |
| A．leisure | B．request | C．risk | D．expense |
| A．condition | B．habitat | C．state | D．common |
| A．bridges | B．railways | C．mountains | D．passages |
| A．grateful | B．guilty | C．unaware | D．happy |
| A．spread | B．infection | C．damage | D．panic |
| A．a long history of | B．a large area of | C．a high cost of | D．a total length of |
| A．Located | B．Started | C．Ended | D．Instructed |
| A．strongest | B．fastest | C．newest | D．highest |
| A．mild | B．warm | C．changeable | D．stable |
| A．challenge | B．talent | C．limit | D．opportunity |
| A．quiet | B．healthy | C．calm | D．open |
| A．commercial | B．regular | C．formal | D．casual |
| A．blow away | B．pay off | C．reach out | D．give in |
| A．influences | B．provides | C．collects | D．deserves |
2 . Walberswick, Suffolk, England: It’s a tiny village on the coast that checks off every necessity of the classic English village.
Eighteenth-century homes. Garden walls, whose concrete(混凝土)is covered with ancient shells from the beach. A ruined church. A grocery store with a big red, circular mailbox outside. A village green, where the summer festival is held. Across the river is the larger seaside resort town of Southwold, home to an old lighthouse, a pier and a long stretch of colorful beach houses for the London crowd.
You can drive to Southwold from Walberswick but it’s better to take the ferry: a single rowboat oared(划桨)by a member of a family that’s been going back and forth for generations. It’ll cost you a pound. The family dog sits in front as a lookout.
Walberswick is populated in part by retirees(退休人员)of London’s artistic circles, so you’ll find an extraordinary collection of talent wandering off to the beach. That fellow with the small dog in his bike basket? One of England’s best sound track composers and a boy-band sensation in the 1960s. The amusing old lady at the Black Dog deli buying bread? Famed actress and director. And so on.
But that’s just a strange thing about this village. Such talent is useful when you want to put on a show at the Village Hall, but it’s not a place for stargazing. It’s a place for well, real stargazing(观星). You wander down the dark road to your house, and if you are interested, you may head toward the church take the fork off Palmer’s Lane and just sit in the field and wonder at the countless stars above.
1. Why does the author mention Southwold in the passage?| A．For comparison with Walberswick. |
| B．To show the tourism resources around Walberswick. |
| C．In order to tell us the location of Walberswick. |
| D．To tell us the beauty of Southwold. |
| A．The village has a long history. |
| B．Walberswick owns many colorful beach houses. |
| C．Walberswick is not as small as Southwold. |
| D．The only church in the village was destroyed. |
| A．You will meet many famous athletes on the beach. |
| B．It will cost one pound to drive from Walberswick to Southwold. |
| C．Crossing the river by ferry will save you a lot of time. |
| D．It attracts a large number of talented London artists to live in. |
| A．Search the talents. | B．Put on a show. |
| C．Look at famous stars at night. | D．Take a ferry. |
| A．Southwold, a Seaside Resort Town | B．Londoners in Walberswick |
| C．Daydreaming of the Next Trip | D．A Variety of Stars in Walberswick |
3 . My name is Wang Kun. Ever since middle school, my sister Wang Wei and I have dreamed about taking a great bike trip. Two years ago she bought an expensive mountain bike and then she persuaded me to buy one. Last year, she visited our cousins, Dao Wei and Yu Hang at their college in Kunming. They are Dai and grew up in western Yunnan Province near the Lancang River, the Chinese part of the river that is called the Mekong River in other countries. Wang Wei soon got them interested in cycling too. After graduating from college, we finally got the chance to take a bike trip. I asked my sister, “Where are we going?” It was my sister who first had the idea to cycle along the entire Mekong River from where it begins to where it ends. Now she is planning our schedule for the trip.
I am fond of my sister but she has one serious shortcoming. She can be really stubborn (固执的). Although she didn’t know the best way of getting to places, she insisted (坚持) that she organize the trip properly. Now I know that the proper way is always her way. I kept asking her, “When are we leaving and when are we coming back?” I asked her whether she had looked at a map yet. Of course she hadn’t; my sister doesn’t care about details. So I told her that the source of the Mekong is in Qinghai Province. She gave me a determined look — the kind that said she would not change her mind. When I told her that our journey would begin at an altitude (海拔) of more than 5,000 meters, she seemed to be excited about it. When I told her the air would be hard to breathe and it would be very cold, she said it would be an interesting experience. I know my sister well. Once she has made up her mind, nothing can change it. Finally, I had to give in.
Several months before our trip, Wang Wei and I went to the library. We found a large atlas with good maps that showed details of world geography. From the atlas we could see that the Mekong River begins in a glacier on a Tibetan mountain. At first, the river is small and the water is clear and cold. Then it begins to move quickly. It becomes rapids as it passes through deep valleys, traveling across western Yunnan Province. Sometimes the river becomes a water fall and enters wide valleys. We were both surprised to learn that half of the river is in China. After it leaves China and high altitude, the Mekong becomes wide, brown and warm. As it enters Southeast Asia, its pace slows. It makes wide bends or meanders (蜿蜒) through low valleys to the plains where rice grows. At last, the river delta enters the South China Sea.
1. How many people would go on the trip?| A．2. | B．3. | C．4. | D．5. |
| A．By boat. | B．By bike. | C．By bus. | D．On foot. |
| A．Grateful. | B．Favorable. | C．Doubtful. | D．Praising. |
| A．Wang Wei insisted that she organize the trip because she was well prepared. |
| B．They gave up their plan because they would meet many difficulties on the way. |
| C．Wang Kun successfully persuaded Wang Wei not to start the journey in Qinghai. |
| D．Glacier, rapids, valleys, waterfalls, plains can be seen along the journey. |
| A．Journey Down the Mekong | B．The Importance of a Plan |
| C．A Research on the Mekong River | D．Fans of Cycling and Travelling |
4 . Nature has inspired many of the most fascinating designs around us, including those in architecture. Today, architects continue to explore ways to capture the beauty of natural forms, to mimic the way nature works or even to make natural organisms part of a building.
Art Science Museum, Singapore
People whose interest is exploring the relationship between art and science will enjoy Singapore’s Art Science Museum. The building was designed to show the connection between nature and the modern city environment in which it sits. Shaped to resemble a lotus flower, it appears to float above the waterfront promenade and the water that surrounds it. Its roof collects rainwater and channels it 35 meters down to a waterfall in the centre of the space. The water is then recycled through the building’s plumbing system. The building so truly captures the beauty of natural forms.
The Eastgate Centre, Harare
Harare’s Eastgate Centre is a superb example of biomimicry. To use biomimicry is to create structures based on natural forms and processes. Zimbabwean architect Mick Pearce was inspired to create the Centre while watching a nature documentary. The insects built mounds covered in little holes designed to allow air to move freely in and out of the mounds. In a similar way, the Eastgate Centre has a “skin” covered in holes. During the day, warm air is drawn into the building through the holes, cooling as it reaches the middle of the building. At night, the heat absorbed by the wall during the day warms the cool air, creating a comfortable temperature inside. The design reduces the need for traditional air conditioning and heating systems, so the building uses less energy and costs less to run.
The Algae House, Hamburg
The world’s first algae-powered building is in Hamburg, Germany. The surface of the apartment building is covered in panels that contain algae. In bright sunshine, they grow faster and provide shade. The panels also capture heat from the sun and convert it into energy that powers the building. And that’s not all — the algae inside the panels can be harvested and used to produce fuel. The building therefore not only responds to its environment and uses less energy, but also reduces damage to the environment by generating its own renewable energy.
Creating building such as these enables us to live in closer harmony with our environment. To meet the needs of today while protecting the world of tomorrow may be a challenge, but even the simplest organisms can help teach us how to achieve this.
1. Which of the following is not the reason why architects continue to explore nature?| A．To imitate the way nature works. | B．To make nature part of architecture. |
| C．To make natural organisms alive. | D．To capture the beauty of nature. |
| A．From its roof that helps collect and recycle rainwater. |
| B．From its lotus flower shape floating on the water. |
| C．From its amazing waterfall in the center of the space. |
| D．From its attraction of visitors all over the world. |
| A．Termites constructing their nests. | B．Mounds covered in little holes. |
| C．Traditional air conditioning systems. | D．Its surface covered in holes |
| A．By using less energy. | B．By producing its own renewable energy. |
| C．By capturing heat from the sun. | D．By providing shade for people |
| A．Architecture Frontier. | B．Extraordinary Architects. |
| C．Natural World. | D．Living on Earth. |
5 . Top Family Travel Destinations
| Walt Disney World, Florida Walt Disney World is where the magic happens. There’s so much to explore. Visit Magic Kingdom for amazing rides including Space Mountain. Take a family picture in front of Cinderella’s Castle. Book a character meal and eat lunch with your children’s favorite characters. Tip: Visit Walt Disney World between March 2 and May 30 for the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. |
| Williamsburg, Virginia Have fun and go on wild on all kinds of family adventures in Williamsburg, Virginia. Spend the day at Busch Gardens. Learn the chemistry of making glass at the Jamestown Glasshouse. Looking for an exciting rush? Try the Ape Treetop Adventure Course and fly over Williamsburg’s treetops. |
| Honolulu, Hawaii Hawaii has a lot to offer to your family. Try a new water sport. Go diving and snorkeling and take pictures by the beautiful Manoa Falls. Then, take a private tour, visit the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve and learn more about history at the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the Diamond Head State Monument and the Honolulu Museum of Art |
| Ocean City, Maryland Take this year’s summer vacation in Ocean City, Maryland. Spend quality time with your family listening to live music, playing mini golf, riding bikes together and joining in water sports. Looking for even more fun for the kids? Visit the Pirate Adventures of Ocean City, Baja Amusements, the Candy Kitchen and the Bahia Marina |
| A．To take an fantastic ride at Busch Gardens. |
| B．To attend a course at Williamsburg’s treetops. |
| C．To visit the Diamond Head State Monument. |
| D．To take photos in front of Cinderella’s Castle. |
| A．In Magic Kingdom. |
| B．In Baja Amusements. |
| C．At the Jamestown Glasshouse. |
| D．In the Honolulu Museum of Art. |
| A．Mini golf. | B．Water sports. |
| C．Bike riding. | D．Character meals. |
| A．Ocean City is most pleasant and crowded during Christmas. |
| B．It is impossible to learn anything about history in Honolulu. |
| C．Williamsburg is a wonderful place for family adventure lovers. |
| D．March is the best time to visit the Walt Disney World. |
| A．Travel. | B．Sports. |
| C．Economy. | D．Literature. |
6 . Sitting back in my seat, I can’t quite believe that I’m about to travel along the railway that many foreign experts claimed was “impossible”. The train has been racing along steadily since it left Xining. All this time, the song “Sky Railway” has been playing inside my head. The words “railways like massive dragons are winding among the mountains” seem particularly vivid as I travel across the “roof of the world”.
I was one of the people who came from all parts of China to work on this railway. Taking years to complete, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway is a record of all of our efforts to overcome the most difficult engineering challenges. How to protect the delicate ecosystem was among the top concerns.
The first landmark to catch my eye is the splendid Qingshuihe Bridge, the world’s longest bridge built over permafrost. Look! A group of Tibetan antelopes is moving under the bridge, with some stopping to eat grass at their leisure. Thirty-three passages have been built under the railway to allow the animals to move safely and freely in their natural habitat. Wild animals such as these Tibetan antelopes have now been using these passages for years. They seem totally unaware that we are speeding past at over 100 kilometers an hour.
To prevent damage to wetlands and grasslands, 675 bridges with a total length of about 160 kilometers were built between Golmud and Lhasa. We even moved 140,000 square meters of wetland to a new area in order to protect its distinct ecosystem.
The journey has been flying by, and before I know it, we have reached Tanggula Station. Located at over 5,000 meters above sea level, this is the highest railway station in the world. In locations such as this, the thin air, changeable weather and high levels of UV radiation presented perhaps the greatest challenge for railway workers. To make sure we stayed healthy, several oxygen-making stations were constructed. We were also able to enjoy regular breaks in lower areas.
As we pass Cuona Lake, I feel a sense of pride and achievement. Using thousands and thousands of sandbags, we built a twenty-kilometer wall along the lake to protect it from construction waste. Cuona Lake is so close to the railway that I want to reach out and touch its pale blue mirror-like surface. Water birds playing in the lake, and cattle and sheep wandering the grasslands bring the scenery to life.
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has been attracting people’s admiration for centuries. Now, thanks to our efforts, passengers from all over the country have been enjoying these magical landscapes. I am proud that we built our “impossible” railway, and did so with the care that the environment deserves. It truly is an extraordinary “Sky Railway”.
1. Which of the following is TRUE according to the first two paragraphs?| A．The song “Sky Railway” was played as background music in the train. |
| B．Ways of protecting the delicate ecosystem were taken into consideration. |
| C．Foreign experts were frightened to see dragons among the mountains. |
| D．The author kept the record of solving the toughest engineering problem. |
| A．without interruption | B．for entertainment |
| C．in their free time | D．without hurrying |
| A．Because it separated the habitats of birds and cattle. |
| B．Because it transformed construction waste into sand. |
| C．Because it kept Cuona lake from being polluted. |
| D．Because it connected Cuona lake and the railway. |
| A．Their efforts to build the railway and protect the ecosystem. |
| B．That he has made the railway extraordinary for tourists. |
| C．Passengers’ admiration for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. |
| D．The splendid landscapes along the Sky Railway. |
| A．To prove that humans can conquer nature. |
| B．To advertise the travel route along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. |
| C．To praise the workers’ efforts in building the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. |
| D．To highlight the amount of work required to build the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. |
