Fascinated with images from the Mars Rover? It turns out you don’t have to go to space. The following spots may look like they are on another planet, but they are right here on earth.
* Socotra Island, Indian Ocean
The largest of the four-island Socotra Archipelago, the island has about 250 species of plants that are not found anywhere else in the world. This includes the canopy-topped dragon’s blood tree, which has blood-red resin(树脂)that runs down if the trunk is cut deep. It can grow to 10 feet with a bulbous(球根的)trunk that swells with water absorbed in case of dry weather.
See it for yourself: There are regular flights from the Yemen capital of Sanaa on(Felix Airways) ($ 180 each way)
* Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona
This wilderness in Northern Arizona/southern Utah is home to some of the most striking landscapes in the American Southwest. The nearly 300,000-acre site is known for its abundance of colorful shale(页岩)and Navajo sandstone that has been eroded(侵蚀)by the elements to create cliffs that rise as high as 3,000 feet. In the northwest of the park is the Coyote Buttes, where you’ll find The Wave, a wall of red sandstone that twists and turns in a way that just doesn’t look natural ---but is.
See it for yourself: Permits are required to hike in Vermilion Cliffs. Paria Canyon and Buckskin Gulch permits are available at on-site pay stations or in advance ($5 per person).
*Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
The huge size of the Perito Moreno Glacier is unbelievable---it is more than 50 miles in length and 500 feet deep. The terminus(终点)of the glacier is Lago Argetino, where a 50-foot blue-hued ice wall rises from the lake. The Perito Moreno is also one of the only glaciers left on earth that is still growing.
See it for yourself: Many tour companies offer day trips to Perito Moreno from El Calafte. Viator’s full-day tour includes transportation from a local hotel and a guided tour for $ 106 per person.
Which is true about the canopy-topped dragon’s blood tree?
A.It grows where there is little rain. |
B.It has blood-red skin. |
C.It is shaped like a dragon. |
D.It stores water for dry season. |
What do we know about The Wave?
A.It is created in a natural way. |
B.It is created by waves. |
C.It is as high as 3,000 feet. |
D.It looks quite natural. |
How much does a couple pay for a trip to Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina?
A.$106 | B.$ 212 | C.$ 360 | D.$ 420 |
Where does the text probably come from?
A.A geography book. | B.A tourist guidebook. |
C.A news report. | D.A TV program. |