A
Look at a map of Spain and point at the center. You'll locate the country's capital and one of Europe's most beautiful cities: Madrid. This popular destination is considered a city of contrasts with its abundant historic sites, resting in the shadows of modern skyscrapers.
History
This city of over 3 million people is proud of Western Europe's largest royal palace, and some consider it to be Madrid's most beautiful building.
Inside the Royal Palace 2,800 rooms are decorated in glory with museumquality furniture and artwork. Tourists can tour 50 of these large and splendid rooms.
Art
The internationally respected Prado Museum is the largest and most impressive art gallery in Spain. Founded in 1819, it is filled with works of art that feature the world's most comprehensive collection of Spanish paintings.
Shopping
Madrid has some of Europe's best shopping centres, and potential buyers love to look through the stores looking for bargains. But for 500 years, shoppers have gathered to an extremely large outdoor flea market known as El Rastro where they find everything from antiques to CDs.
Entertainment
No trip to Madrid is complete without seeing a performance of Spain's famous art form, flamenco. Every day, flamenco performers sing, dance or play the guitar in small cafes and grand theaters alike.
Food
Madrid has a wide variety of restaurants, but because the Spanish typically eat late at about 9 or 10 pm, it's difficult to find good dinner food earlier. If you get hungry before then, the best solution is to try a tapas bar where light snacks are served. Be sure to try the jamon, drycured ham—Spain is famous for it.
Time for a break
After a day of touring, relax in 350acre Retire Park with its beautiful gardens, fish pond and lake. It is the perfect place to reflect on all you've enjoyed in this impressive Spanish city.
21．What do we know about the Royal Palace?
A．It has 50 rooms for visit.
B．It can hold 2, 800 people.
C．It's been visited by 3 million people.
D．It is thought to be the largest in Europe.
答案：A 细节理解题。根据History部分中的“Tourists can tour 50 of these large and splendid rooms.”可知，游客可以游览这些宏大而辉煌的房间中的50间，故答案为A项。
22．What kind of market is “El Rastro”？
A．For discount.
B．For artworks.
C．To sell various goods.
D．To sell antiques and CDs.
答案：C 细节理解题。根据Shopping部分中的“But for 500 years, shoppers have gathered to an extremely large outdoor flea market known as El Rastro where they find everything from aritiques to CDs.”可知，在El Rastro这个户外的跳蚤市场上，购物者可以找到从古董到CD之类的所有的东西，C项中的“sell various goods”和文中的“find everything from antiques to CDs”相呼应，故答案为C项。
23．What is a must when people are travelling in Madrid?
A．Having dinner earlier.
B．Relaxing in Retiro Park.
C．Drinking in a tapas bar.
D．Enjoying flamenco.
答案：D 推理判断题。根据Entertainment部分中的“No trip to Madrid is complete without seeing a performance of Spain's famous art form, flamenco.”可知，到马德里没有看西班牙的著名艺术形式flamenco，旅行是不完整的，因此答案为D项。
