Death Valley is one of the most famous deserts in the United States, covering a wide area with its alkali(碱性的)sand. Almost 20 percent of this area is well below sea level, and Badwater, a salt water pool, is about 280 feet below sea level and the lowest point in the United States.
Long ago the Panamint Indians called this place “Tomesha”— the land of fire. Death Valley’s present name dates back to 1849, when a group of miners coming across from Nevada became lost in its unpleasantness and hugeness and their adventure turned out to be a sad story. Today Death Valley has been declared a National Monument(纪念碑) and is crossed by several well-marked roads where good services can be found easily. Luckily the change created by human settlement has hardly ruined the special beauty of this place.
Here nature created a lot of surprising, almost like the sights on the moon, ever-changing as the frequent wind moves the sand about, showing the most unusual colors. One of the most astonishing and variable parts of Death Valley is the Devil’ s Golf Course, where it seems hard for one to tell reality from terrible dreams. Sand sculptures(沙雕) stand on a frightening ground, as evening shadows move and lengthen.
【小题1】_______ is the lowest place in the desert.A.Tomesha | B.Death Valley |
C.Nevada | D.Badwater |
A.an Indian name | B.the death of the miners |
C.the local people | D.a National Movement |
A.no one had ever known the desert before the miners |
B.it’s still not easy to travel across the desert |
C.people can find gas-stations, cafes and hotels in the desert |
D.people have changed the natural sight of the desert |
A.appreciates | B.is fearful of |
C.dislikes | D.is tired of |
Discover Jiangsu
Known as shui xiang, or “the land of water”, China’s coastal province of Jiangsu has all the geographical advantages to give it a starring role in the epic tale of China’s ancient Maritime (海上的) Silk Road. With busy port cities, historic sites and breathtaking natural beauty, Jiangsu is the perfect place to trace the story of this remarkable trade route.
Nanjing and the voyages of Zheng He
At the dawn of the Ming dynasty the city of Nanjing in Jiangsu was declared capital of China. As well as building one of the longest city walls in history, the emperor ordered the construction of vast “treasure ships” in 1403. Under the command of legendary seafarer Zheng He, the fleet embarked on seven epic ocean voyages, reaching as far as the east coast of Africa.
Nantong and overseas trade
In Jiangsu’s port city of Nantong, goods have flowed in and out of the province by water for centuries. Today, fleets of hardy fishing boats catch yellow croaker, seabream, sea crabs and more. Beyond Lusi Port Town, a busy seascape of boats travel on the waters of Jiangsu’s coast. It’s a scene that shows how China’s historic Maritime Silk Road continues to thrive and grow to this day.
Yancheng and unspoiled nature
Salt was one of the commodities that played a key role in the history of trade in Jiangsu, contributing to the wealth and prosperity of the province. A major source was the tidal salt flats of Yancheng, which literally means “salt city”. This remarkable landscape also plays host to the epic migrations of rare bird species like cranes, egrets, and spoonbill sandpipers.
Yangzhou, Lianyungang and the exchange of ideas
In the Jiangsu city of Yangzhou, a Tang-dynasty monk by the name of Jianzhen set sail to Japan to spread the teachings of Buddhism. Daming Temple, where Jianzhen lived, can still be visited today.
Centuries earlier, Buddhism first settled on Jiangsu’s shores. Kongwang Mountain in Lianyungang has some of China’s earliest examples of Buddhist art. These carvings show how the Maritime Silk Road helped spread religion across China.
【小题1】What made Jiangsu an Ancient Gateway to the Maritime Silk Road?A.Its Buddhist art. | B.Its remarkable seascape. |
C.Its wealth and prosperity. | D.Its geographical advantages. |
A.Nanjing. | B.Nantong. |
C.Yancheng. | D.Yangzhou. |
A.A geography magazine. | B.An academic report. |
C.An economics book. | D.A travel blog. |
Caves (洞穴) have a primary appeal — they hold the secrets to our past and are mysterious in and of themselves.
● Mammoth Cave
Kentucky, USA
The longest cave system in the world lies beneath the Green River Valley in Kentucky and while over 400 miles of passageways have been mapped, it has yet to be fully discovered. The complex limestone labyrinth (石灰岩迷宫) was discovered by humans 4,000 years ago.
● Blue Grotto
Capri, Italy
Once used as the personal swimming hole for the Roman Emperor Tiberius, this extremely bright sea cave is almost 200 feet long and 82 feet wide. Its unique glow comes from the light entering the small opening to the outside.
● Avshalom Cave Nature Reserve
Beit Shemesh, Israel
Also known as the Soreq Cave Nature Reserve, Avshalom is considered to be the Rosetta Stone of climate history in the Eastern Mediterranean through the packed stalactites (钟乳石) found in the cave, some of which are over 13 feet long, and are as old as 300,000 years.
● Cave of the Crystals
Naica, Mexico
This unique cave system in Mexico contains some of the largest natural crystals (水晶) ever found—the longest of which is 39 feet long and 13 feet thick. However, it is rarely explored due to logistical difficulties: it is extremely hot due to its location above a volcanic vent, and the huge crystals block also block the passage.
【小题1】Where does the longest cave lie in?A.Kentucky, USA. | B.Capri, Italy. |
C.Beit Shemesh, Israel. | D.Naica, Mexico. |
A.the most beautiful cave. | B.the Soreq Cave Nature Reserve. |
C.the Emperor’s swimming hole. | D.over 400 miles of passageways. |
A.Cave of the Crystals. | B.Blue Grotto. |
C.Mammoth Cave. | D.Avshalom Cave Nature Reserve. |
Today,there are thousands of national parks all over the world.
Conservationists in other countries saw what happened in California and soon began to do the same.Today Europe has over 350 national parks.The first one in France,Vanoise National Park,was created in 1963 because the government wanted to stop a plan to build a large tourist project there.The idea of creating a national park was first discussed in the 1940s,but people couldn’t agree on what size to make the park.
A.This makes it easier for tourists to get to the top. |
B.The world’s first national park was started in 1864. |
C.The biggest ones are over one hundred meters high. |
D.The first national park in Germany opened in 1970. |
E.The Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park is alive with mystery and wonder. |
F.They also had different ideas on whether to put human or animal needs first. |
G.The human feel very fortunate to be able to get so close to these beautiful national parks. |
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