A
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
The over 70-acre Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a scientific centre for the study of plants, as well as a popular tourist attraction. It is the second oldest botanic garden in Britain. Originally founded in 1670 as a garden to grow medicinal plants, its living collection consists of more than 15,000 plants.
Open daily from 10 am(except December 25 and January 31). Closed at 4 p.m.(Nov—Feb. ) 6 p.m.(Mar. and Oct.), 7 pm(Apr.—Sept. )
Entry: Free(Tel: 01315 527171)
The Dingle Garden, Wales
The Dingle Garden is set in the heart of beautiful mid-Wales. The four-acre garden is south-facing with paths that wind down the slope to a lake and small waterfall. The beds are colour-themed to look good all year round. This peaceful garden, full of wildlife, is the perfect spot for a relaxing wander at any time of year.
Open daily 9 a.m.—5 p.m. Only closed for one week at Christmas.
Entry: Adults £3, seniors £3, children free(Tel: 01938555145)
Groombridge Place, Keat
Groombridge Place in Kent, set in 200 acres of wooded parkland, has been the inspiration for books, films and television programmes. Inside the garden walls at Groombridge Place lies a hidden world. For three hundred years these gardens were unseen, except by a favoured few. The gardens were laid out in the 17th century. In the 18th and 19th centuries new plants were introduced and many trees were planted.
Late Mar.—early Nov.: Open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm(or dusk if earlier)
Entry: Adults £8.95, seniors and children £7.45(Tel: 01892861444)
Hidcote Manor Garden, Gloucestershire
Hidcote garden covers 10.5 acres of gently sloping ground. It was designed by a plant collector who sponsored and participated in plant hunting expeditions to secure rare and unusual species for this extremely pretty garden.
Open from the end of March to early November.
March 24 to July 1 and during September, open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, closed on Thursdays and Fridays. July 2 to August 31, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Thursdays. October 1 to November 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Thursdays and Fridays.
Entry: Adults £7.27, children £3,36, family £18.18（Tel: 01386 438333）
1. From the text we can learn that Royal Botanic Garden ________.
A. is the oldest botanic garden B. has a few medicinal plants
C. opens daily from 10 am to 4 pm D. is free of charge for visitors
2. Which of the gardens is the smallest in size?
A. Royal Botanic Garden. B. Groombridge Place
C. The Dingle Garden. D. Hidcote Manor Garden.
3. It seems that both Groombridge Place and Hidcote Manor Garden ________.
A. cover a large area B. are closed during winter
C. display rare and unusual species D. are crowded with visitors in summer
【答案】1. D 2. C 3. B
【解析】
【分析】这是一篇应用文。文章主要介绍了四个花园的情况，包括面积、开放时间和费用等信息。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh部分中“Entry: Free(Tel: 01315 527171)(门票：免费/电话：01315 527171)”可知，皇家植物园对游客是免费的。故选D。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据第一段中“The over 70-acre Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a scientific centre for the study of plants, as well as a popular tourist attraction.(占地70多英亩的爱丁堡皇家植物园是一个研究植物的科学中心，也是一个受欢迎的旅游景点)”；The Dingle Garden, Wales部分中“The four-acre garden is south-facing with paths that wind down the slope to a lake and small waterfall.(这座占地四英亩的花园朝南，有蜿蜒而下的小径，通往一个湖泊和小瀑布)”；Groombridge Place, Keat部分中“Groombridge Place in Kent, set in 200 acres of wooded parkland, has been the inspiration for books, films and television programmes.(肯特郡的新郎桥广场坐落在200英亩的林地上，一直是书籍、电影和电视节目的灵感来源)”以及Hidcote Manor Garden, Gloucestershire部分中“Hidcote garden covers 10.5 acres of gently sloping ground.(Hidcote花园占地10.5英亩，地势平缓)”可知，The Dingle Garden的面积最小。故选C。
【3题详解】
细节理解题。根据Groombridge Place, Keat部分中“Late Mar.—early Nov.: Open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm(or dusk if earlier)(3月下旬到11月上旬：每天上午10时至下午5时30分开放或早一点的黄昏)”以及Hidcote Manor Garden, Gloucestershire部分中“October 1 to November 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Thursdays and Fridays.( 十月一日至十一月四日，上午十时至下午五时，星期四及星期五休息)”可知，Groombridge Place和Hidcote Manor Garden在冬季都是关闭的。故选B。
