1 . A Journey to the Yosemite Firefall

Each year, thousands of people are attracted to the Yosemite National Park in California for a chance of seeing —and photographing ——the unique “firefall”. The amazing “firefall” comes to life only when there is enough water from the melting（融化）snow to keep the Horsetail Fall flowing and when the light of the setting sun hits the waterfall at the right angle. It can only be seen for a short time in February on clear sunny days.

This year, the weather isn’t stopping the “firefall” from happening, but it is making the journey to see it more difficult.

“What would have been a 10-minute walk turned into a two-hour hike through deep snow,” photographer Ryan Fitzsimons said about his recent trip to see the phenomenon. “Our clothes were all wet by the time we got to a viewing site. But the heavy snow made the sight much more beautiful since the waterfall is much bigger this year.”

Another photographer Andy Heitz was making his first trip to see the “firefall”. He had to wait five hours in the extreme cold for his turn to take a picture.

“I got to the site at about 12:00 at noon. The place was already filled with hundreds of people waiting to see and photograph the ‘firefall’. I was so lucky that I shot a really wonderful burner! I was completely amazed with what I saw,” he said. “You know, only on a couple days of the year in February and when the sun sets down at the perfect angle to shine on Yosemite’s Horsetail Fall can we see the ‘Fire Fall’. I’ll never forget what I have seen.’’

The “firefall” should continue to be there from 20 to 24 February. But park officials said that there’s no guarantee（保证）that visitors will see it on any given day.

1. When might be the best time to take pictures of the “firefall”?

A．Early in the morning.	B．At noon.
C．Late in the afternoon.	D．At night.

2. Why might the “firefall” disappear between 20 to 24 February this year?

A．There wouldn’t be enough snow.	B．It might be too cloudy.
C．The waterfall might not freeze.	D．The snow might melt too fast.

3. What does the underlined word “burner” in paragraph 5 refer to?

A．A worker in the kitchen.

B．The fire in the Yosemite National Park.

C．A part of a cooker or stove.

D．The unique Horsetail Fall in the setting sun.

4. What is the main purpose of this text?

A．To introduce an attraction.	B．To give suggestions for a trip.
C．To advertise a park in the US.	D．To explain what is a “firefall”.