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. |
2 . The Top 4 Beaches on the East Coast
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Great point, at the easternmost end of the island of Nantucket, is one of the most secret beaches in the world. That's because you need a four﹣wheel drive vehicle and a beach permit to get there. Once you do, you'll find miles of beachfront and a historic lighthouse.
Block Island, Rhode Island
Accessible by ferry, Block Island oozes New England charm. It's worth the effort to get to Mohegan Bluffs, where you can experience a set of 141 wooden steps leading down to the sand. With clay cliffs and a view that reaches Montauk at the eastern tip of Long Island, this beach is especially unique.
East Hampton, New York
Named the best beach in the county in 2013, Main Beach in East Hampton is known for its wide stretch of sand plus a snack bar, bathrooms, and lockers. On﹣site parking is only available to village residents but there are free beach shuttles available.
Jekyll Island, Georgia
Located off the coast of Georgia, this 5, 700﹣acre barrier island is famous for its nesting sea turtles and hermit crabs. Glory Beach got its name because producers of the 1989 movie Glory, featuring Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, and Denzel Washington, built a long boardwalk to the beach that remains in place.
1. Which has one of the most private beaches in the world?| A．Jekyll Island, Georgia. |
| B．Block Island, Rhode Island. |
| C．Nantucket, Massachusetts. |
| D．East Hampton, New York. |
| A．Climbing the clay cliffs. |
| B．Experiencing the warm sand. |
| C．Admiring the scenery of Montauk. |
| D．Walking along a set of 141 wooden steps. |
| A．Jekyll Island is famous for its nesting sea fishes and hermit crabs. |
| B．Jekyll Island is located on the east coast of the United States. |
| C．There is a wide boardwalk to Glory Beach on Jekyll Island. |
| D．Glory Beach is named after the producers of the movie Glory. |
要点如下:
1. 旅游目的地:科罗拉多州( Colorado);
原因: ①风景优美(有激流、峡谷、森林等); ②便宜便捷(乘车约两小时可到);
2. 活动项目:国家公园宿营、河边野炊、垂钓、徒步、摄影、绘画等
注意:1. 词数80左右
2. 信的开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数.
Dear Peter,
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Yours,
Li Hua
