I. Grammar and vocabulary
Section A
Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.
The Life-Givers of the Desert: Oases throughout the World
Oases(绿洲)have had a strong influence on the development of society in desert regions. Aspects of trade as well as military and political power have all been impacted by oases. Merchants have relied on these fertile zones(21)______(get)access to vital water, food, and other supplies on their journeys. Historically, the Bahariya Oasis, (22)______(locate)370 kilometers from Cairo, is remarkable. During the ancient time, this water reserve was an agricultural center. More recently, tourism has brought important income to the region, which(23)______(stretch)more than 2, 000 square kilometers.
It’s not surprising(24)______fascinated history lovers are by the area’s history and geographical features. In recent years, more than 100 golden mummies(25)______(discover)as part of a tomb system, which radar has shown to include more than 10,000 mummies. This amazing discovery was made in 1996, (26)______ a donkey fell into a hole and the animal’s owner saw the face of a shiny, golden-colored mummy inside. The mummies are near another significant piece of history: the Temple of Alexander the Great. Visitors to the region can also see tombs (27)______(cut)out of huge rocks. (28)______dating back to 2500 years ago, the tombs were in such condition as could be determined to belong to a wealthy family. In terms of physicalfeatures, Bahariya is known for its hot and cold springs and Crystal Mountain, which is not really a mountain but rather large masses of various types of crystals.
Sitting in sharp contrast to the tough, dry conditions that surround (29)______, oases are remarkable. They exist (30)______delicate yet crucial ecosystems, providing significant agricultural, tourism, and life-giving benefits to the regions.
