1 . “Italy without Sicily does not leave an impression on your soul: here lies the key to everything.” This is what Goethe wrote during his voyage through Italy in 1787. In fact, Sicily is Italy’s largest island and at the same time a small world of its own. Typically Italian and yet completely different: contrasts (差别）characterize Sicily in many aspects --- scenic as well as cultural.
The sunny island has always been considered a blooming place. It is in spring that Italy’s southernmost point shows its best, when countless almond trees turn the island into a sea of flowers. Beautiful lemon trees are to be found all over the island, but most of all on the soil beneath Mount Etna, the landmark of Sicily and the largest volcano of Europe.
Windswept bushes and splendid sand dunes in the southeast attract you. Here you will find Sicily’s most beautiful sandy beaches --- extending for kilometers on end, wide and gentle.
In the thinly populated inland, the mountain area with its valleys, streams and plateaus creates an almost mysterious atmosphere; in the mountain villages time seems to have stood still.
The islands around Sicily are worth a visit, too: from Sicily you can easily reach the Lipari Islands, for example.
As various as the island’s landscape and sights are its people --- the Sicilians. The poet Angelo Fiore held that, there were “five million Sicilies”, just as many as there are people. In the Sicilian melting pot of cultures you will find elements contributed by the Greeks, the Romans, the Arabs, the Normans, the Hohenstaufen dynasty, the Spanish and the French. Southern Italian hospitality, celebrating colorful, lively festivals and keeping up religious customs are surely among the islanders’ characteristics.
1. Why are Goethe’s words mentioned in the first paragraph?| A．To attract us to Sicily. |
| B．To introduce the topic of the text. |
| C．To give us a taste of Goethe’s talent. |
| D．To describe Sicily’s unique natural sights. |
| A．Sicily is separated from the Italian mainland. |
| B．Sicily has unique scenes and cultures. |
| C．Sicily represents Italian cultures. |
| D．Sicily is Italy’s largest island. |
| A．Sicily is filled with flowers all year round |
| B．the mountain villagers lead a fast-paced life |
| C．Mount Etna is at a short distance from Sicily |
| D．you can enjoy sandy beaches in the southeast |
| A．The friendliness of the Sicilians. |
| B．The festive atmosphere of Sicily. |
| C．The melting pot of cultures of Sicily. |
| D．The different customs of the Sicilians. |
