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Earth is home to many amazing natural and man-made sights. However, because of other man-made things – pollution and climate change – many of these beautiful spots will likely disappear over the next 100 years, or even sooner.
The Dead Sea
At 430 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is Earth’s lowest point on land. It is the place where Israel, Jordan and the West Bank meet. This destination is popular for its wonderful desert views and extreme buoyancy (浮力).
Now the Dead Sea is actually dying. A story in Smithsonian Magazine says that people are using water from the Jordan River, which takes water away from the dead Sea. Since 1930, its surface area has reduced by almost 40 percent.
Venice, Italy
With canals (运河) instead of streets, this “Floating City” has fascinated visitors for centuries. Today, with no cars or buses, people usually walk through the city’s ancient labyrinth (迷宫) of alleys (小巷), bridges and stairs. Water defines (定义) Venice, but water will also kill the city.Built on soft, muddy soil, Venice has slowly been sinking for centuries.
Now, with rising sea levels, it’s sinking faster. Technological solutions have so far been imperfect – the city flooded more than 100 times last year. According to US-based magazine Architectural Digest, the city may disappear in the next 100 years. Better book your gondola soon!
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Stretching (绵延) more than 2,300 kilometers off Australia’s northeast coast, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef ecosystem, and heaven for scuba divers (水肺潜水). Thousands of colorful coral (珊瑚) and fish make homes beneath the blue waves. It’s like a big underwater party! Sharks come for a seafood buffet (自助餐) and sea turtles come to find a date. Even whales stop by during their long swimming journeys.
Unfortunately, the party might be over soon. The reef is dying. Warming ocean water kills the coral, and this causes problems up the food chain. The reef has decreased by more than half of its size, according to US-based website Business Insider. The New York Times reported that large parts are already dead, and the reef system might be gone by 2030.
21. Which spot is called “Floating City”?
A. Great Barrier Reef, Australia B. Watery Wonders
C. The Dead Sea D. Venice, Italy
22. According to the text, we can know that________.
A. With rising sea levels, Venice may disappear by 2030.
B. the Dead Sea is Earth’s lowest point on land and called “Floating City”.
C. The Dead Sea is like a big underwater party where there colorful coral and various creatures.
D. Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef ecosystem, of which large parts are already dead and might disappear in the further.
23. What’s the main purpose of the text?
A. To attract visitors to visit these beautiful spots.
B. To arouse people’s awareness of protecting these beautiful spots.
C. To introduce some knowledge about these beautiful spots.
D. To describe the current situations of these beautiful spots.
