1 . If you’d like to go sightseeing, the following World Heritage sites (世界遗产保护地) may be your best choices.
Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area
Jiuzhaigou Valley, which lies in the northern part of Sichuan Province, China, reaches a height of more than 4,800m, with a series of different forest ecosystems (生态系统). It’s particularly famous for its narrow landforms and excellent waterfalls. Some 140 kinds of birds also live in the valley, as well as a number of endangered plants and animals, including the giant panda. Jiuzhaigou Valley was recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1992.
Khami Ruins National Monument
The city of Khami, which developed after the capital of Great Zimbabwe had been given up in the mid-16th century, is of great archaeological (考古的) interest. The discovery of objects from Europe and China shows that Khami was a major centre for trade over a long period of time. It joined the World Heritage List in 1986.
Henderson Island
Henderson Island, which lies in the eastern South Pacific, is one of the few atolls (环礁) in the world whose ecology (生态) has been untouched by humans. It is particularly famous for the 10 plants and 4 birds that can only be seen on the island. It was recorded in the World Heritage List in 1988.
Old City of Jerusalem
As a holy (神圣的) city for three different religions in the Middle East, Jerusalem has always been of great religious importance. It was given a World Heritage Status in 1981 and placed on the “World Heritage in Danger List” the following year.
1. Which of the following is TRUE about Jiuzhaigou Valley?| A．Wonderful waterfalls can be seen there. |
| B．It is famous for many ancient objects. |
| C．It has been untouched by human beings. |
| D．It lies in the southern part of Sichuan Province. |
| A．was ruined in the mid-16th century |
| B．was once business center for trade |
| C．has over 140 kinds of birds living there |
| D．is a holy city for three major religions |
| A．Henderson Island. | B．Khami Ruins National Monument. |
| C．Old City of Jerusalem. | D．Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area. |
2 . Darwin’s Arch, a famed rock formation in the Galapagos Islands has taken on a new shape.
The top of the Arch collapsed this week into the Pacific Ocean due to natural forces.
“Obviously all the people from the Galapagos felt it was a shame because it’s something we’re familiar with since childhood, and to know that it has changed was a bit of a shock,”
Washington Tapia said, “However, from a scientific point of view, it’s part of the natural process.
It normally happens on our planet.”
Darwin’s Arch,which is made of natural stone, at one point would have been part of the island. Named after famed naturalist Charles Darwin, it is not accessible by land. But the area around the islands is a popular diving spot, particularly to observe sharks and other sea species.
“Unfortunately today, our guests of the Galapagos Aggressor III experienced a once in a lifetime event,” the travel company Agressor Adventures posted on Facebook. The group added, “This morning at 11:20 am local time, the world-famous Darwin’s Arch collapsed in front of their eyes. There are now only two pillars (柱子) remaining. Some in the dive & travel industry are already referring to this now as ‘The Pillars of Evolution (进化)’.”
The post received nearly 200 comments including one person who wrote, “What a shame! Geologic (地质的) time is so much different from human time that we forget that it’s always going on. That’s why I like to spend a lot of time among the arches in Southern Utah. You never know when it could be the last time before geology does its work.”
The Galapagos Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been called a “living museum and showcase of evolution”. The islands are situated about 621 miles from the coast of Ecuador. They are home to many interesting animals including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and many types of finches.
1. What does Tapia think of the collapse of Darwin’s Arch?| A．It is a disastrous memory especially for kids. |
| B．It is a little bit disappointing but acceptable. |
| C．It is a rare natural phenomenon in the world. |
| D．It is such a wonder hard to explain in science. |
| A．Diving to observe some sea species. |
| B．Catching sharks around the islands. |
| C．Climbing Darwin’s Arch carefully. |
| D．Visiting the office of Charles Darwin. |
| A．The magical power of the geology. |
| B．The novel description of the pillars. |
| C．The witness of the fall of the Arch. |
| D．The reason for the loss of the Arch. |
| A．To advertise for Aggressor Adventures. |
| B．To introduce the theory of evolution. |
| C．To praise Darwin for his contribution. |
| D．To add some background information. |
3 . The following properties which the World Heritage Committee has decided to include on the List of World Heritage are in danger according to Article 11 (4) of the Convention (公约).
Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Virunga National Park, covering an area of 790,000 ha., includes an outstanding diversity of habitats, ranging from swamps and steppes (沼泽和平原) to the snowfields. Mountain gorillas are also found in the park.
Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Afghanistan)
The cultural landscape and archaeological remains of the Bamiyan Valley stand for the artistic and religious developments which from the 1st to the 13th centuries characterized ancient Bakhtria. The area contains a number of Buddhist monastic ensembles (佛教寺院), as well as strong buildings from the Islamic period.
Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
The Okapi Wildlife Reserve occupies about one-fifth of the Ituri forest in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The reserve contains threatened species of primates and birds surviving in the wild. It also has some amazing scenery, including waterfalls on the Ituri and Epulu rivers. The reserve is inhabited by traditional nomadic pygmy Mbuti and Efe hunters.
Historic Center of Vienna (Austria)
Vienna developed from early Celtic and Roman settlements into a Medieval and Baroque city, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It played an important role as a leading European music center, from the great age of Viennese Classicism through the early part of the 20th century.
1. Which of the following world heritage sites is located in Afghanistan?| A．Virunga National Park. | B．Historic Centre of Vienna. |
| C．Okapi Wildlife Reserve. | D．Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley. |
| A．It’s closely related to Buddhism. | B．It has some fascinating natural scenery. |
| C．It has an outstanding variety of habitats. | D．It plays an important role as a leading music center. |
| A．They are all in danger. | B．They are open to the public. |
| C．They are inhabited by local people. | D．They are to be removed from the World Heritage List. |
4 . One girl is being praised for a letter of apology she wrote to the rangers (园林管理员) at the National Parks Service (NPS). She reportedly
“Dear Park Ranger, I
“So I took a rock. I’m
“Dear Karina, thank you for returning the rock! It has made its way back to Tom Branch Falls. If every
“Now that you know to leave
| A．sent | B．took | C．bought | D．hid |
| A．regret | B．sadness | C．happiness | D．surprise |
| A．partly | B．finally | C．especially | D．simply |
| A．wanted | B．feared | C．asked | D．agreed |
| A．tired | B．afraid | C．sorry | D．upset |
| A．changed | B．developed | C．arrived | D．ended |
| A．cut | B．drew | C．hung | D．found |
| A．Lucky | B．Necessary | C．Easy | D．Possible |
| A．shocked | B．excited | C．puzzled | D．moved |
| A．thought | B．wrote | C．called | D．held |
| A．child | B．visitor | C．farmer | D．student |
| A．show | B．prove | C．mean | D．explain |
| A．life | B．time | C．space | D．nature |
| A．message | B．promise | C．excuse | D．example |
| A．hard | B．secret | C．strange | D．great |
5 . 62-year-old Zhang Jianxing has been searching the ancient forests of the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve for over two decades.
Jianxing began living in the 3,200-square-kilometer mountain range in 1994, after becoming fascinated with the Yeren(also Chinese Wild Man), a 6-foot-tall humanoid creature covered in thick red-brown fur. References of the so-called Chinese Wild Man date back to the Zhou Dynasty in the works of classical Qu Yuan.
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For 10 months out of every year, for the last 22 years, Jianxing has been living deep in the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve, hoping to meet the Yeren. Dressed in military gear and armed with a camera, he constantly looks for clues of the creature, living off the land and sleeping in abandoned homes and empty caves. To him, the Yeren is more than just an old myth, it’s a branch of scince, one that he has been studying for a very long time.
Jianxing claims he has collected enough evidence of the Wild Man’s existence---over 100 hair samples and 3,000 photos of large footprints---adding that he even came close to seeing it for himself no less than 19 times. And he is not alone in his beliefs. The Wild Man Research Association----yes, there is such a thing---records show reports of Yeren encounters from over 400 locals.
But with no concrete evidence to prove the existence of the Wild Man, most scientists regard it as nothing more than a legend.
Jianxing also added that the local government in Hubei is relying on the Yeren to boost its tourism revenues. In 2012, the Shennongjia Nature Reserve signed an agreement with Beijing to promote holidays for Yeren hunters.
1. When does the earliest record of the Yeren date back to?| A．2012 | B．1994 |
| C．The Ming Dynasty | D．The Zhou Dynasty |
| A．seldom cooks | B．takes his camera |
| C．rests in the tree | D．carries his raincoat |
| A．To do research | B．To protect wildlife |
| C．To develop tourism | D．To kill animals |
| A．He has spent the last 22 years looking for big feet |
| B．He has contributed a lot to the discovery of Yeren |
| C．He has been fond of living in the ancient forests |
| D．He has made up his mind to protect the ancient forests |
