2009年12月英语四级阅读考试训练(三一)

　　studying in Sydney, Australia
　　Australia—Attractive to International Students
　　Australia has been a popular choice for thousands of international students over many years. Australia’s universities and colleges have become increasingly recognized overseas for their exceptionally high standard. In addition, Australia is conveniently close to South-East Asia (Jakarta, the capital of Australia’s closest Asian neighbor, Indonesia, is only 5506 kilometers from Sydney.) Revised entry procedures for overseas students have made it possible for an increasing number to study in Australia. Sydney the largest Australian city, is the principle port of call for international airlines with services operating to Australia.
　　Sydney --- Location and History
　　Named after an ex-Governor of New South Wales, Sydney is the State’s capital city. Located on the south-east coast of Australia in the temperate zone, it enjoys a mild climate, averaging 14.5 hours of sunshine per day in summer and 10.25 hours in winter. It is also the largest, oldest and perhaps most beautifully situated city in Australia. First established by the British as a convict settlement in 1788, it is a modern cosmopolitan city that has developed into one of the nation’s major industrial, business, and manufacturing centre.
　　The Harbour and Surrounding Suburbs
　　Sydney is home to nearly 4.4 million people (as of 1997). The suburbs reach out from the city centre and harbor some 55 km to the north, 35km to the west and 30 km to the south, creating a metropolitan area of about 3000 square kilometers. The 57 square kilometer harbor is one of the largest in the world, and famous for the unmistakable 134 meter high arch of the Harbor Bridge and the graceful sails of the Opera House. It is a busy waterway with ferries, freighters and pleasure craft.
　　Residential Inner – City Suburbs
　　Not far from the city centre are the attractive old residential suburbs of Balmain, Glebe, and Paddington, where many people live in smart terraced houses. Art galleries, pubs, and restaurants abound in the cosy streets that tend to be quite narrow, whereas the suburbs surrounding the city’s colleges and universities consist mainly of family homes and multi-unit blocks – and ideal situation for students looking for a homestay, or to rent. Sydney’s newer suburbs now have a large multicultural population, and local shopping centres reflect the influences of many cultures.
　　The Cultural Climate
　　Sydney is home to the State Art Gallery of New South Wales, the State Conservatorium of Music, the Australian Opera, the Sydney Dance Company, and the Australian Ballet. The world-class Sydney Symphony Orchestra offers superb classical music all year round. Local theatre is innovative and well-supported, and large-scale overseas productions tour regularly.
　　Entertainment for Young and Old
　　As well as scores of cinemas and theatres throughout the city and suburbs, there are numerous clubs which appeal to people of all ages, and cater for all tastes. Pubs are the venue for smaller modern bands, while the big-name popular music artists, both local and international, attract capacity audiences at the huge Entertainment Centre in the heart of the city.
　　Dining Out
　　In Sydney, a vast array of ethnic and local restaurants can be found to suit everybody. In summer, cafe patrons often sit outside at tables under umbrellas, and enjoy the passing parade of shoppers. Students who prefer to cook at home can choose from several large weekend markets, where fresh fruit, fish, and vegetables may be bought more cheaply than at the local supermarket. Sydney also has its own Chinatown.
　　Shopper’s Delight
　　In the heart of the city are several big department stores linked by enclosed over-the-street crossings and underground walkways. Most noticeable are the towering Centrepoint complx and the Queen Victoria Building, both containing many shopping arcades, coffee shops and restaurants. Out of town, in the suburbs, there are huge regional shopping centres. At the weekend markets, bargains can be had when shopping for clothing as well as for a wide range of assorted goods.
　　Sporting Facilities
　　Australia is recognized as one of the most sports-conscious nations in the world. Sydney boasts an impressive number of facilities for all types of indoor and outdoor sporting activities. Wherever one goes, there are golf courses, cricket pitches, football ovals, tennis and squash courts, and, of course, indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Avid ice-skating and ten-pin bowling fans will find that these activities are also popular and inexpensive.
　　Conclusion
　　Whatever a student is interested in, it is certain to be available somewhere in Sydney. Outside the colleges and universities the scope for filling the leisure hours is enormous while on campus the choice is equally varied.
　　1. Since more and more international students study in Australia, entry procedures have been revised.
　　2. Sydney was first established as a settlement for convicted criminals.
　　3. Sydney is home to a large number of people from other countries.
　　4. The streets of Paddington are not very wide and contain houses arranged in rows.
　　5. Large-scale overseas productions are rarely shown in local small theatres.
　　6. The Entertainment Centre is only for international popular music artists who attract large audiences.
　　7. Vegetables may be bought more cheaply in large weekend markets.
　　8. When shopping for clothing or other goods in weekend markets, you can _____ with sellers.
　　9. Australia is famous as one of the most _______ nations in the world.
　　10. This passage aims to help _____ to adapt to life in Sydney.
　　答案与解析
　　1. N. 文章第一段说：Revised entry procedures for overseas students have made it possible for an increasing number to study in Australia. 把因果关系颠倒了。
　　2. Y. 文章第二段说：First established by the British as a convict settlement in 1788, it is a modern cosmopolitan city that …
　　3. NG. 文章根本没有提到过。
　　4. Y. 文章第四段说：Not far from the city centre are the attractive old residential suburbs of Balmain, Glebe, and Paddington, where many people live in smart terraced houses. Art galleries, pubs, and restaurants abound in the cosy streets that tend to be quite narrow,
　　5. N. 文章第五段说：Local theatre is innovative and well-supported, and large-scale overseas productions tour regularly. 颠倒事实。
　　6. N. 文章第六段说：there are numerous clubs which appeal to people of all ages, and cater for all tastes.正好相反。
　　7.Y. 文章第七段说：can choose from several large weekend markets, where fresh fruit, fish, and vegetables may be bought more cheaply than at the local supermarket.
　　8. bargain 文章第八段说：At the weekend markets, bargains can be had when shopping for clothing as well as for a wide range of assorted goods.
　　9. sports-conscious 文章第九段说：Australia is recognized as one of the most sports-conscious nations in the world.
　　10. international students 中心思想题。文章第一段第一句Australia has been a popular choice for thousands of international students over many years.