A
Mother Nature is a cruel mistress．Why? Read on to find the answer．
Venice
This iconic city is sinking rapidly．The canals that make up the streets of Venice rise 2mm every year，making relics of history go under the surface of water and destroying architecture．Experts warn that without intervention (干预)，this city will disappear back into the water at an even faster rate，consumed by rising sea level from melting polar ice caps．
Machu Picchu
These Incan ruins have drawn adventurous tourists into the mountains of South America．The forces of natural erosion have been accelerated by tourism and this landmark faces severe influence from increasing foot traffic．The Peruvian government recently suggested a cable car that would cut out the intense hike up to the ruins，making the site instantly accessible to millions，but the future of Machu Picchu remains uncertain．
Glacier National Park
Perhaps you've heard that the ice caps are melting．But nowhere is more apparent in the United States than in Glacier National Park．Estimates indicate that the glaciers that are part of the beauty of this national landmark will disappear entirely in the next two decades．
The Great Barrier Reef
Hidden from view beneath the waves，the Great Barrier Reef has been rapidly dying off．Nearly fifty percent of coral which once occupied a large area is gone，destroyed by pollution and disease．
【语篇解读】 本文是应用文，文章主要介绍了世界上濒临消失的几个旅游胜地。
1．What can we learn about Machu Picchu?
A．It has no convenient traffic．
B．It's famous for cable cars．
C．It's well preserved by the locals．
D．It bears a heavy burden of tourism．
D [细节理解题。根据Machu Picchu部分中的“The forces of natural erosion have been accelerated by tourism and this landmark faces severe influence from increasing foot traffic．”可知，旅游业给该地带来了破坏，即带来了沉重的生存负担。故选D。]
2．Which place probably needs visitors to dive into the water to enjoy its beauty?
A．Venice．
B．Machu Picchu．
C．Glacier National Park．
D．The Great Barrier Reef．
D [细节理解题。根据The Great Barrier Reef部分中的“Hidden from view beneath the waves”可知，该地可能需要游客潜入水中才能享受其美景。故选D。]
3．What do the above attractions have in common?
A．They all have a long history．
B．They're all threatened by climate change．
C．They're all in danger of disappearing．
D．They're all wellknown for natural scenery．
C [推理判断题。根据Venice部分中的“this city will disappear back into the water at an even faster rate”，Machu Picchu部分中的“the future of Machu Picchu remains uncertain”，Glacier National Park部分中的“the glaciers that are part of the beauty of this national landmark will disappear entirely in the next two decades”及The Great Barrier Reef部分中的“the Great Barrier Reef has been rapidly dying off”可推知，这几处旅游胜地的共同点是它们都濒临消失。文章第一段的内容也是暗示，故选C。]
