A
Fascinating Venice
Located in the northeast of Italy, Venice is wellknown for its cultural treasures, romantic atmosphere and unusual livingonwater experience.The city spreads out over 118 islands，which are linked by more than 400 bridges, in the Venetian Lagoon.
Venice's historical center consists of six regions. Italy in the south, the busiest main regions, are linked by the Rialto Bridge.The famous stone arch bridge crosses Venice's main waterway—the Grand Canal. When night falls, many tourists enjoy dinner at the outside tables by the Grand Canal while watching colorfully lit boats going by.
Near the end of the Sshaped Grand Canal lies St.Mark's Basilica, a mustsee.Inside, beautiful mosaics(镶嵌图案) tell stories of Bible figures. Nearby are the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. These were made famous by Lord Byron，“I stood in Venice on the Bridge of Sighs, a palace and prison on each hand.” The story has it that if a couple passes under the bridge，their love will last forever.
In the square outside the Basilica, lovers of literature can sit at Caffe Florian, regarded as the oldest coffee house in Europe.Charles Dickens, Henry James as well as Lord Byron enjoyed the drink here.
Art lovers should buy a museum pass and visit some of the city's museums. They can view works by Venetian masters like Giovanni, Titian and Tintoretto.
On five small islands in the Venetian Lagoon, Murano has been home to glassmakers since 1291. Tourists can visit factories, studios and the Glass Museum. Glass artists produce everything from simple souvenir pieces to beautiful works of contemporary art. Only glassworks made using traditional methods on Murano can be called Murano Glass. The nearby island of Burano is famous for lace making and colorful houses. Looking at the colorful houses and kaleidoscopic (万花筒似的) streets makes people feel as if they were walking in the fairy tale.
The City of Water promises beauty of all kinds, and it definitely lives up to its promise.
【语篇解读】 本文主要介绍了迷人的水上城市——威尼斯。它以其文化宝藏、浪漫的氛围和独特的水上生活体验而闻名于世。
1．Why does the author mention Lord Byron's words?
A．To introduce the famous British poet.
B．To explain why the two places are famous.
C．To show why St. Mark's Basilica is a mustsee.
D．To compare the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.
B [推理判断题。根据第三段的“These were made famous by Lord Byron...”可知，句中的these即指前面一句中的Doge's Palace和the Bridge of Sighs，这两地因Lord Byron的诗而闻名，即解释了两地出名的原因，故选B。]
2．What is Murano wellknown for?
A．Bridges. B．Lace making.
C．Glassworks. D．Colorful houses.
C [细节理解题。从倒数第二段中对于Murano的描述中不难看出，笔墨集中于该地的glass，提到了该地自1291年就是玻璃匠的故乡，提到了游人可以参观玻璃博物馆，提到了他们的玻璃艺术家和玻璃制品，由此可知Murano是以玻璃制品而出名。故选C。]
3．Where should you go in Venice if you love art?
A．Caffe Florian.
B．The city's museums.
C．St. Mark's Basilica.
D．The Bridge of Sighs.
B [细节理解题。根据倒数第三段可知，艺术爱好者可以买一张博物馆通票去参观一些城市博物馆，在那里会欣赏到一些大师的作品，故选B。]
4．How does the author think of Murano Glass?
A．It's simple.
B．It's too traditional.
C．It's colorful.
D．It's very special.
D [推理判断题。根据倒数第二段的“Only glassworks made using traditional methods on Murano can be called Murano Glass.”可知，只有使用了传统方法制作的玻璃制品才被称之为Murano Glass，此处的“Only”表达了Murano Glass的特殊性。故选D。]
