1 . It’s perhaps the world’s most famous underwater attraction that remained in film and in legend: the Titanic. But now experts say the ocean liner, once a wonder of the high seas, is falling to pieces.
Capt. Alfred McLaren, the scientist who in July led the most recent expedition to the ship’s underwater grave, said his team saw clear signs of the accelerating damage of the wreck (残骸). There was damage likely caused by rust and sea life, and the captain’s cabin had collapsed.
“I was absolutely astonished,” McLaren said.
Worse still, the fallen mast (桅杆) that crushed the ship’s deck is believed by many to be the result of an unapproved salvage (打捞) operation. “It was almost depressing to see how quickly she was getting worse,” McLaren says. “I would be really surprised if there’s very much standing up from the bottom, two decades from now.”
Ed Kamuda, who runs the Titanic Historical Society in Springfield, Mass., says adventure tourists — who pay $36,000 each to visit the wreck — are also contributing to the destruction of it.
“This is something I expected. I just didn’t expect it to happen so quickly,” Kamuda said. “People are going down just as an ego trip to say ‘I was there.’ All this takes a fare on the ship.”
The Titanic has sat at the bottom of the Atlantic since it sank after hitting an iceberg on its maiden voyage on April 14, 1912. More than 1,500 people died that night. The ship came to rest at the bottom of the freezing North Atlantic, more than 2 miles beneath the waves. The wreck was discovered in 1985, and since then it has been repeatedly visited by treasure hunters.
But still some scientists say those divers, and other thrill seekers are not necessarily to blame for the Titanic’s current problems.
Capt. Craig McLean of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration went on an expedition to the Titanic in June as part of a government study that is monitoring the condition of the ship. He says it’s unclear what part of the damage is from Mother Nature and which is from human nature.
“It’s too early and there isn’t enough evidence to put our fingers on anything,” McLean said.
Regardless, most agree there’s little that can be done for this most famous of wrecks. And soon, the mighty Titanic could well be lost again.
1. McLaren expected that in twenty years _______.| A．Only a minor part of the wreck would remain as it is |
| B．The wreck would be getting worse at a faster speed |
| C．Only salvage operation with the purpose of research would be approved |
| D．The wreck would be completely destroyed by unapproved treasure hunters |
| A．To contribute to the breaking down of the Titanic. | B．To help finance the preservation of the Titanic. |
| C．To satisfy their curiosity and adventurousness. | D．To better understand the history of the Titanic. |
| A．Visitors should not be prohibited from the Titanic and other famous wrecks |
| B．The influence of the thrill seekers on the wreck will finally be determined |
| C．The government should contribute more to the monitoring of the Titanic |
| D．The damage of the Titanic is not necessarily attributed to the adventure tourists |
| A．promising | B．discouraging | C．controllable | D．vague |
| A．10 hours. | B．9 hours. | C．13 hours. |
3 . The Leshan Giant Buddha is a statue of Maitreya (弥勒佛) in sitting posture. The Buddha is located in Sichuan Province, facing Minjiang, Qingyi and Dadu rivers. In December, 1996, the Buddha was included by UNESCO on the list of the World Heritage List.
Facing the river，the Buddha has symmetrical (对称的) posture and looks which have been beautifully captured in its solemn (庄严的) stillness. The statue was begun in the year 713 in the Tang Dynasty, and finished in the year 803. The Buddha is 71 meters high. And its 8-meter-long instep (脚背) is big enough for one hundred people to sit on and the 28-meter-wide shoulder is large enough to be a basketball playground.
It was a monk called Hai Tong who initiated the project. His concern was for the safety of the ordinary people who earned their living around the joint of the three rivers. Tempestuous and wild waters brought out numerous boat accidents and the simple people put the disaster down to the presence of a water spirit. So Hai Tong decided to carve a giant statue beside the river thinking that the Buddha would bring the water spirit under control. Besides, the fallen stones dropped during the carving would reduce the water force there.
After 20 years’ begging from door to door, he finally collected enough money for the plan. When some local government officials tried to get this amount of money, Hai Tong said that they could get his eyeballs but not the money raised for the Buddha. After he dug out his eyeballs, these officials ran away in fear. The project was half done when long-suffering Hai Tong passed away, and two of his disciples (门徒) continued the work. After a total of 90 years’ hard work, the project was eventually accomplished.
Having such a long history, the Buddha was nearly destroyed by the erosion (侵蚀) of wind and rain. And with its worldwide fame, the renovation of the Buddha has received extensive attention both at home and abroad. Then in 1963 the Chinese government began the repairing work under the instructions of experts from UNESCO. And at present, the maintenance work is still in progress.
1. What was Hai Tong’s purpose to build the statue?| A．To gain fame. |
| B．To spread Buddhism. |
| C．To respect the water spirit. |
| D．To protect local people. |
| A．By begging for money. |
| B．By working on the river. |
| C．By asking the government. |
| D．By building businesses. |
| A．Generous. | B．Social. |
| C．Devoted. | D．Cruel. |
| A．Innovation. | B．Art and culture. |
| C．Policy watch. | D．Forum trends. |
4 . Switzerland, as the first place in Europe to develop winter tourism, has a long skiing tradition. A long ski season, terrific snow conditions, and large, well-developed resort areas make Switzerland a perfect destination for skiers from around the world.
Where to Ski as a Beginner
Saas-Fee: You can find plenty of English-speaking ski schools in Saas-Fee and lots of bunny slopes (初学者滑雪道) on which to master your turns. The beginner ski area is separate, so you can practice without getting in the way of other skiers.
Grindelwald: Grindelwald is a great choice for families, with plenty of ski schools and several bunny slopes, such as the Bodmi practice area, which is fit for children. Once you’re ready to head up the mountain, about 30 percent of Grindelwald’s runs are rated blue, meaning they’re on the easier side.
Summer Skiing
Incredible as it may seem, it’s actually possible to ski in Switzerland during the summer months thanks to the presence of several glaciers where it’s winter year-round. Zermatt is home to the Theodul glacier (冰川). With 13 miles (21 kilometers) of runs, it’s the largest summer ski area in Europe and attracts professional skiers looking to train year-round. The glacier slopes here are beautifully scenic and offer skiers up-close views of the Matterhorn.
Budget Travel Tips
Avoid peak season: Visit during the start or end of the ski season.
Self-cater: If you rent a small apartment or home with kitchen facilities, you can prepare some of your own meals to save dining expenses.
Enjoy the snow without skiing every day: Ice skating, tobogganing (乘坐平底雪橇), winter hiking, or just having a snowball fight are all more affordable ways to enjoy the Swiss winter landscape.
1. What makes Switzerland a perfect destination for skiers?| A．Being the first winter tourist destination. | B．Having the longest skiing tradition. |
| C．The support of skiers from the world. | D．Superb natural conditions and accommodations. |
| A．Professional athletes. | B．Summer skiers. |
| C．Family tourists. | D．Budget travelers. |
| A．Saas-Fee. | B．Bodmi. | C．Zermatt. | D．Matterhorn. |
This past summer, my family went on our annual vacation in a cottage on a lake. There were various activities to keep everyone busy: swimming, fishing and building sand castle on the beach. In the evenings, we gathered on the beach, having great fun.
However, by the third day of our vacation, I noticed my sister, Jane, spent most of her time watching videos and looking through online shops indoors. She was so addicted to her cell phone! Over dinner, I told Jane we would hike to the top of the mountain across the lake the following morning. I stared at her, “Put your phone away and enjoy the scenery. It’s really amazing.”
“Well,” Jane shrugged her shoulders and answered unwillingly, “there are some bargains tomorrow in several online shops, so I’ll not be available.”
“Come out to enjoy the fresh air and many views. Hiking is fun!” (嘟囔),“I can not walk that far.”
When I said it only took half an hour of steady walking to climb to the top, she nodded, “OK. I’ll go.”
The next morning was perfect for a hike, with sunny clear skies and gentle winds. I got up early and packed some sandwiches and bottles of water into my backpack along with the camera. Jane came slowly downstairs, and announced in a very unenthusiastic voice, “I’m ready to go, Jim.”
Anyway, we stepped out of our cottage and quite a different view unfolded before our eyes. Against the blue skies, a rough path wound to the top of the mountain across the lake with wild flowers and grass on both sides. The sunlight brightened on the glassy surface of the lake. We began from the path.
“I’m still wondering if this is a good idea, but if you could do it, I could also do.” She complained, frowning.
注意：1.所续写短文的词数应为 150 左右：2.请按如下格式在答题卡相应位置作答。
Paragraph 1:
She followed me, her mind wandering.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Paragraph 2:
Reaching the top, Jane widened her eyes, shouting, “How awesome!”.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Going against the tide of flocking to well-known tourist destinations on vacation,
7 . It is said that Shennongjia is the place where the mythical Emperor Yan once lived. In the remote mountains and primary forests, many visitors wish to encounter the legendary yeren (wild man), also called Bigfoot.
Visitors can hike in the forest.
The natural beauty of karst landforms is everywhere. There are waterfalls, pools and a 56-ft-high arch that resembles a bridge crafted by nature after centuries of rain erosion.
Shen Nong’s first top is attractive to people who like climbing. The highest elevation of 2,950 meters has a wonderful reputation, also Shennongjia major scenic areas.
Tourists may come across an area in which golden snub-nosed monkeys that are ill or injured are treated before they go back into the forest.
| A．They may not see any such creature. |
| B．Of them the most famous is the Dajiuhu Lake. |
| C．The special land forms create a wonderful climate here. |
| D．The most attractive is the discovery of “uncivilized man”. |
| E．Trips in such a mountainous region depend largely on the weather. |
| F．The nature of Shennongjia’s beauty varies colorfully all year around. |
| G．Visitors can enjoy listening to the sounds of swallows nestling while climbing. |
8 . Tokyo has a great range of cafes (咖啡馆), but many don’t offer free wireless Internet access or power outlets (电源插座). So, for the benefit of those looking for free Wi-Fi, here are our top spots in the Japanese capital.
Coffee Valley
Coffee Valley is a small coffee shop. While the first floor has limited seating, there are outlets for each seat. If you don’t need to charge, the second floor is much more spacious with an area that can accommodate groups of up to four people. They also have a good selection of snacks to accompany your coffee.
Date: Open daily.
Time: 8 A. M.-8 P. M. (From 9 A. M. on weekends).
Location: A five-minute walk from the east exit of Ikebukuro Station.
10° Cafe
10° Cafe is the perfect place for early birds. For some peace and quiet, work on the second floor. At 10° Cafe, each seat has power outlets while their counter seats offer a great view of the surrounding neighborhood. Their menu prices before 11 A.M.offer discounted (打折的) breakfast.
Date: Daily (Closed every third Sunday of the month).
Time: 7:30 A. M.-9 P. M.
Location: A five-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station.
Good Sound Coffee
Come for the coffee, and stay for their music selection. Good Sound Coffee is a friendly neighborhood cafe close to Nakameguro Station. There are indoor and outdoor seats and plenty of outlets. It might get crowded on the weekends, and the cafe offers discounts on food items.
Date: Daily.
Time:8 A. M.-1 1 P. M.
Location: A three-minute walk from the east exit of Nakameguro Station.
Valley Park Stand
Valley Park Stand opens from early in the morning to late in the evening. There are public tables with power outlets. It’s spacious with lots of natural light a few steps away from the Miyashita Park. There is a decently sized menu with tea, coffee and various sandwiches and bites.
Date:Daily.
Time:8A. M.-10 P. M.
Location: A few minutes’ walk from Miyashita Park.
1. What is the special part of 10° Cafe?| A．It opens to the late night. | B．It has one day off each month. |
| C．It offers different delicious snacks. | D．It’s not far from the Ikebukuro Station. |
| A．10° Cafe. | B．Coffee Valley. |
| C．Valley Park Stand. | D．Good Sound Coffee. |
| A．A guide book. | B．A private diary. |
| C．A news report. | D．A short story. |
| A．Paris. | B．Rome. | C．Vienna. |
10 . 72 hours in Beijing
Traveling to China is no longer a luxury for many foreign passport holders. The Chinese government has permitted a 72-hour visa free policy that offers access to visitors from 53 countries including the US, France and Austria. Let’s start with the capital of China, Beijing. Here’s a pick of the best in Beijing.
The Forbidden City
Lying at the heart of the capital, the Forbidden City, or more accurately, the Imperial Palace, was home to 24 Chinese emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Twice the size of the Vatican, it consists of 999 rooms that served the emperors and their concubines (嫔妃). Also, it’s the largest and most well-preserved wooden palace complex in the world.
The Summer Palace
Located in northwestern Beijing, the Summer Palace is by far the city’s most well-preserved royal park. With its huge lake and hilltop views , the palace offers you a pastoral (田园的) escape into the landscape of traditional Chinese paintings. The Summer Palace was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998.
798 Art Zone
This would be on the top of my list! Named after the 798 factory that was built in the 1950s, the art zone is home to various galleries, design studios, art exhibition spaces, fashionable shops and bars. You could easily spend half your day wandering around the complex, feeling the contrast of the present and the past.
The Temple of Heaven
Originally constructed during the Ming Dynasty, the Temple of Heaven was a sacrificial temple used by emperors to appease (安抚)the heavens in order to bring prosperity to their people and ensure the harvest in the coming year. The ceremonial processions traditionally started from the south gate. Enter the long hall and navigate through the crowds, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests will soon come into view with its three-tiered roof and stunning blue glaze.
1. In which place can a traveller see the largest wooden palace complex in the world?| A．The Forbidden City. | B．The Summer Palace. |
| C．798 Art Zone. | D．The Temple of Heaven. |
| A．In 1950. | B．In 1987. | C．In 1998. | D．In 2014. |
| A．The tourists who prefer to travel for free. |
| B．The foreigners to stay in Beijing for 4 days. |
| C．The visitors coming from every corner of China. |
| D．The foreign passport holders to stay in Beijing for 3 days. |
