1 . 4 Really Strange Beaches

Sandy stretches of gray, brown or even white are the world’s norm. Even rocky beaches or those with sheer cliffs barring passage for everyone save the bravest adventurers are not rare. These unique beaches are some of the best treats nature has to offer.

Papakolea Beach, Hawaii, USA

Papakōlea Beach is a green sand beach located near South Point, in the Ka’ū district of the island of Hawai ’i. One of only two green sand beaches in the World, the other being in Galapagos Islands.

Papakōlea Beach is associated with the southwest rift (裂谷) of Mauna Loa. Since its last eruption, the cinder cone has partially collapsed and been partially swallowed by the ocean.

San Alfonso del Mar Beach, Chile

This beach is located between the largest artificial pool. San Alfonso del Mar Beach is an essential part of the luxurious resort of the same name.

It seems a strange spot for the world’s largest swimming pool. But the pool’s remarkable spaciousness (宽敞) complements the ocean beyond rather effortlessly, and jumping in the pool’s 79℉(26℃) water is a much more attractive prospect than venturing into the 63℉(17℃) seawater nearby.

Maho Beach, Sint Maarten

Maho Beach is a beach on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, in the country of Sint Maarten. It is famous for the Princess Juliana International Airport next to the beach.

Arriving aircraft must touch down as close as possible to the beginning of Runway 10 due to the short runway length of 380 metres, resulting in aircraft on their final approach flying over the beach at minimal altitude.

Ocean Dome, Japan

This is an artificial beach constructed in the Seagaia re son along the coastal highway outside the city of Myazaki in Japan it has a fully controlled indoor climate throughout the year.

The Ocean Dome, which was a popular part of the Sheraton Seagaia Resort, measures 300 meters in length and 100 meters in width.

1. What has Papakōlea Beach experienced in Hawaii?

A．One mineral.	B．One connection.
C．One fierce rift.	D．One severe outbreak.

2. What’s the most exciting in San Alfonso del Mar Beach, Chile?

A．Jumping into the pool’s water

B．Learning to jump water in the pool

C．Building a spacious swimming pool

D．Taking a risk of swimming in the pool

3. What do Maho Beach and Ocean Dome have in common?

A．They lie beside good places built.	B．They both lie on an island.
C．They are both artificial beaches.	D．They are both well-known.

2 . 听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
1. What will the speakers do first?

A．Buy drinks.

B．Return home.

C．Visit a university.

2. What does Samantha want to order?

A．Water.

B．Coffee.

C．Hot chocolate.

3. How will the speakers go to the museum?

A．By bus.

B．On foot.

C．By bike.

4. Where does the conversation take place?

A．In the street.

B．In a bank.

C．In a coffee shop.

3 . Top Chinese Restaurants in the Greater Seattle Area

Dumpling Generation

As the name implies, baskets of steamed dumplings are the move here. The wrappers are hand-rolled—not too thin or thick—and the fillings are savory and juicy. Ifyou prefer a strong taste, get the dumplings that include Chinese chives (韭菜), which have large, flat leaves that aren’t afraid to announce their presence.

Xi’an Noodles

Biang biang noodles take their name from the satisfying sound you hear when chefs slap dough (面团) on the counter. The impact creates the specialty noodles of the northwest Chinese city of Xi’an. These chewy, hand-ripped noodles center in most dishes on the menu. Order them as a soup,or as a bowl tossed with spicy cumin (孜然) lamb or just some chili hot oil.

Friendship BBQ

The Northeastern-Chinese-style grilled baroque restaurant is actually the Seattle branch of a New York-based chain. Meats and seafood come coated in a cumin-forward seasoning with your choice of spice level. Don’t miss the side dishes, including the garlic eggplant, which is roasted until the flesh is covered with a garlic sauce. Despite its authentic taste, you’ll constantly be wowed by its cool new recipes. That’s probably what sets it apart in the Chinese food scene.

Imperial Garden

The dim sum menu contains all the favorites and any extras make great takeaway. But Imperial Garden’s star remains the Peking Roast Duck—shaved pieces of meat topped with long narrow pieces of shiny duck skin,served with steamed pancakes. While the restaurant uses white tablecloths and is spacious enough to accommodate large banquets, the vibe (氛围) isn’t formal.

1. What do Dumpling Generation and Xi’an Noodles have in common?

A．Steamed foods.	B．Plain taste.
C．Handmade dishes.	D．Northwestern origin.

2. How is Friendship BBQ different from other Chinese restaurants?

A．It’s not locally owned.	B．It has innovative spirit.
C．It features roasted dishes.	D．It has casual atmosphere.

3. If you plan to organize a grand family gathering, which is the most suitable place?

A．Imperial Garden.	B．Dumpling Generation.
C．Friendship BBQ.	D．Xi’an Noodles.

4 . Are you fond of watching films? Does the colorful, natural, or spectacular scenery in the films attract you to travel to their locations? Although many films nowadays use many special effects, most scenes are captured in natural places, which can create lasting impressions on audiences. We have selected four beautiful film locations in China. Check them out!

Xixi National Wetland Park & If You Are the One

Lying in Hangzhou, East China’s Zhejiang province, less than 5 kilometers from West Lake, Xixi National Wetland Park covers a total area of 11.5 square kilometers. It has rich ecological resources, beautiful natural scenery, and profound culture. Rivers, ponds, and lakes make up over 70 percent of the park, which is China’s first national wetland park integrating (合并) urban, agricultural, and cultural wetlands.

Great Bamboo Sea of China & Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

The Great Bamboo Sea of China, commonly known as the Anji Bamboo Sea, is a national 4A-level tourism attraction dominated by Moso bamboo forests located in Anji county, Huzhou, East China’s Zhejiang province. It has been recognized as the largest ecological leisure and tourism area featuring bamboo culture in southeastern China.

Moso bamboo grows all over the mountains in the scenic area, creating a magnificent landscape. The largest bamboo stalk (茎), which has been exhibited at the National Agricultural Exhibition Center, has a diameter of 17 centimeters, with most stalks having a diameter of more than 10 centimeters.

Kaiping Diaolou Cultural Tourism Area & Let the Bullets Fly

Located to the southwest of the Pearl River Delta in South China’s Guangdong province, Kaiping Diaolou Cultural Tourism Area is a well-known scenic spot that also serves as a base for scientific education. The magnificent and distinctive gardens, traditional and simple folk houses, and the diaolou (a multi-story folk residence) complexly joined with Chinese and Western architectural forms are wonderfully integrated with the surrounding mountains and rivers, ponds, farms, and rice fields in the tourism area.

With a long history and profound cultural resources, Kaiping Diaolou was on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007.

Wulong Karst Tourism Area & Curse of the Golden Flower

Wulong Karst Tourism Area, located in Chongqing’s Wulong district, has unique karst landscapes including three sections and also impresses visitors with distinctive folk customs of the Tujia, Miao, and Mulam ethnic groups.

The Three Natural Bridges in Wulong is a rare geological wonder of typical karst landforms and is home to three magnificent natural limestone arch bridges. They span the Yangshuihe Canyon in parallel and connect the mountains on both sides, forming an unusual landscape of “three bridges sandwiched by two pits”.

1. Who will be most interested in the places above according to the text?

A．Cyclists and tourists.	B．Film fans and outdoor enthusiasts.
C．Actors and geologists.	D．Educators and writers.

2. What is special about Kaiping Diaolou Cultural Tourism Area?

A．It offers a well-known scenic spot.

B．It provides wonderful Western architectural forms.

C．It is a rare geological wonder of typical land-forms.

D．It was on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007.

3. What do the four places have in common?

A．They are open to special events.

B．They enjoy convenient transportation.

C．They offer unique and spectacular scenery.

D．They are located in the same part of China.

5 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

A place I really love     1    (be) the Fountain Square in my city. I love it because it is     2     very peaceful place right in the center of a     3     (noise) city. It is a small square and there are neither bars     4     cars. It has a fountain in the middle and there are a few     5    (bench) to sit on, but not many people go there. Trees and bushes surround the square, inviting little birds to come and sing.

I go there when I’m tired     6    the noise and stress of the city. I will sit on the bench for hours     7     (listen) to the sound of water. It’s the only time I can slow down and think absolutely of nothing, a quality time when the sweet feeling of peace     8     (come) into my heart.

Some young people may love the busy downtown of the city, while I prefer this less popular place for it is a beautiful place     9     (relax), and     10     (much) of all, to enjoy being alone.

6 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. When will the man arrive at the hotel?

A．On December 23.

B．On December 24.

C．On December 25.

2. How long will the man stay?

A．For one night.

B．For two nights.

C．For three nights.

3. How much will the man pay in total?

A．$590.

B．$1，080.

C．$1，180.

4. What kind of room does the man book?

A．A room with twin beds.

B．A room with a double bed.

C．A room without an ocean view.