A
Home to an interesting political history and many archaeological finds, South Africa has lots of options for travelers other than wildlife parks and great beaches.
The Cradle of Humankind
The cradle of Humankind, in Gauteng, is home to 40% of the world’s discovered human ancestor fossils. The Maropeng Visitor Center offers impressive shows of the 3.5 million-year evolution of man, plus the opportunity to gaze at the stars as storytellers recount the daily life of our human ancestors. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a 40-minute drive from Johannesburg.
Vredefort Dome
Vredefort Dome is the world’s oldest meteorite impact scar, or astrobleme(陨星坑). With a radius of 190km, it is also the largest and the most deeply eroded. Situated 120km southwest of Johannesburg, the astrobleme is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nelson Mandela’s Legacy
Officially, there are places of interest throughout South Africa for tourists wishing to follow the respected statesman’s life journey. Now a World Heritage Site, Robben Island, lies off Cape Town, and is where he spent 18 of his 27 years in prison. Tourists also make the trip to the Eastern Cape village of Qunu, which was both his home during his young years and his burial place.
Vilakazi Street
Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, Soweto, is the only street in the world that has been home to two Nobel winners, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Mandela’s house is now a museum. Also in Orlando West is the Hector Pieterson Memorial, in honor of youth resistance against apartheid(种族隔离制度).
1. Which of the following would you visit if you are interested in the history of mankind?
A. The Cradle of Humankind. B. Nelson Mandela’s Legacy.
C. Vredefort Dome. D. Vilakazi Street.
2. Why is Vilakazi Street famous?
A. It saw the birth of two famous persons.
B. Nelson Mandela is buried here after his death.
C. It is the only street in the world with a museum.
D. Coincidently, two Nobel Prize winners once lived here.
3. What’s the author’s purpose in writing the text?
A. To memorize the respected statesman Nelson Mandela.
B. To show the abundance of culture in South Africa.
C. To attract the readers to take a trip to South Africa.
D. To introduce some cultural relics in South Africa.
【答案】1. A 2. D 3. C
【解析】
本文是应用文。南非不仅有野生动物园和美丽的海滩，文章还向游客们介绍了南非著名的政治历史和考古发现的景点。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据The Cradle of Humankind中The cradle of Humankind, in Gauteng, is home to 40% of the world’s discovered human ancestor fossils.得知,世界上40%的人类祖先化石都是在豪登省的人类的摇篮这里发现的，如果你对人类历史感兴趣，你可以去The Cradle of Humankind游览。故选A。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据Vilakazi Street中Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, Soweto, is the only street in the world that has been home to two Nobel winners,得知Vilakazi Street, 很著名，因为这条街是世界上唯一有两个诺贝尔奖获得者居住的街道，故选D。
【3题详解】
推理判断题。根据第一段Home to an interesting political history and many archaeological finds, South Africa has lots of options for travelers other than wildlife parks and great beaches.得知南非不仅有野生动物园和美丽的海滩，文章还向游客们介绍了南非著名的政治历史和考古发现的景点。本文介绍了一些景点是为了吸引游客到南非旅游，故选C。
