C
Have you ever seen those tall, pointed mountains that look like something from a fairy tale, or explored huge caves full of strange shapes? These are part of karst landscapes, a natural wonder that China is famous for.
Karst is a special landform formed over millions of years. When rainwater, which is slightly acidic(酸性的), falls on limestone (a type of rock), it slowly breaks down the rock. This process creates amazing shapes on the surface and underground. In China, you can find some of the most breathtaking karst scenery in the world.
The Stone Forest (Shilin) in Yunnan is a fantastic example. It looks like a real forest made of stone. Walking through it, you will be amazed by the countless stone peaks and towers. Local Yi people even have a famous festival there. Another world-famous site is the South China Karst in Guilin and Yangshuo. The landscape there has the feature of green-covered karst hills standing along the beautiful Li River. It is so beautiful that it appears on the back of the 20-yuan Chinese banknote. Taking a boat trip along the river is like travelling through a Chinese painting.
Besides the beautiful surface views, karst areas also hide unbelievable underground worlds, such as the Reed Flute Cave in Guilin. Inside, you can see
stunning stalactites (hanging from the ceiling) and stalagmites (rising from the floor), all lit up by colourful lights, creating a magical scene.
These karst landscapes are not just beautiful; they are also valuable for scientific research. However, they face threats from pollution and too much tourism. Protecting these natural wonders is very important so that future generations can also enjoy their beauty.
(
) 7. How does the writer start paragraph 1?
A. By telling a story.
B. By comparing facts.
C. By asking a question.
D. By giving examples.
(
) 8. What is the main cause of the formation of karst landscapes?
A. Strong winds and earthquakes.
B. Acidic rainwater washing away limestone.
C. The movement of moving ice.
D. Volcanic activities under the earth.
(
) 9. What does the underlined word "stunning" in paragraph 4 mean?
A. Strange.
B. Awful.
C. Beautiful.
D. Noisy.
(
)10. What is the main purpose of this passage?
A. To suggest travelling to Yunnan and Guangxi.
B. To explain how karst landscapes are formed.
C. To call for action to protect the environment.
D. To provide basic information about karst landscapes.
