A
If you were asked to list World Heritage Sites，you would probably think of places connected with ancient art and culture，historical buildings and monuments.And of course，many of these are on the World Heritage List(WHL)(世界遗产名录)．But the WHL also contains a lot of sites that are not so famous.Let's look at a few of them.
Robben Island in South Africa
This island was used as a prison，a hospital and a military base.But it's probably most famous as a maximumsecurity prison for political prisoners in the twentieth century.Nelson Mandela was one of its most famous residents.The WHL says it represents“the victory of democracy(民主) and freedom over oppression and racism(种族主义)”．
Borders of France and Spain
This is an area of great natural beauty and the mountains have many interesting geological formations.But it is also an area of small farms.People there still use a type of agriculture that used to be common in mountainous areas of Europe but has almost completely disappeared in modern times.
The capital city of Brazil，Brasilia
Brasilia is a capital city that was created from nothing in 1956.The WHL calls it“a landmark in the history of town planning”．The different areas of the city and the buildings themselves were all designed at the same time carefully.Every part of the city shows the ideas of the planner and architect.
Simien Mountains National Park，Ethiopia
Simien Mountains National Park was one of the first sites to be listed in 1978.It is one of the highest mountain areas in Africa，and the WHL calls it“one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world”．It is also important for its wildlife.The population of some rare animals is getting smaller and smaller.
【语篇解读】 世界遗产名录包括许多著名的世界遗产保护区，同时也有一些不太知名的地方，本文介绍了4个鲜为人知的世界遗产保护区。
1．The passage mainly talks about ________．
A．the remains of ancient cultures on the WHL
B．the famous heritage sites on the WHL
C．some of the not so famous sites on the WHL
D．places of artistic or cultural importance
C [主旨大意题。由第一段中的“But the WHL also contains a lot of sites that are not so famous.”可知，本文主要介绍了世界遗产名录上的一些不太知名的地方。]
2．The WHL has listed Borders of France and Spain probably because ________．
A．it shows us the past European society through the local type of agriculture
B．this is an area of great natural beauty
C．the mountains there have many interesting geological formations
D．people there still use a type of agriculture that is common in Europe in modern times
A [推理判断题。由第三段中的“But it is also an area of small farms.People there still use a type of agriculture that used to be common in mountainous areas of Europe but has almost completely disappeared in modern times.”可知法国和西班牙边境被列入世界遗产名录可能是因为它通过当地的农业类型向我们展示了过去的欧洲社会。]
3．Which of the following sites was listed on the WHL for its political symbol?
A．Simien Mountains National Park，Ethiopia.
B．The capital city of Brazil，Brasilia.
C．Borders of France and Spain.
D．Robben Island in South Africa.
D [细节理解题。由第二段中的“But it's probably most famous as a maximumsecurity prison for political prisoners in the twentieth century.”可知，南非的罗本岛是由于它的政治象征而被列入世界遗产名录的。]
