A Seeing a volcano erupt is a wonderful experience,and you can really feel the heat by climbing to the summit of Pacaya for a closeup view. There are guided tours every?day up this highly active volcano from Antigua,giving travellers a chance to see Mother Nature at her most power.

Pacaya is an easy drive from Antigua,a beautiful city with many colourful houses along its old streets that are turned into artworks during its Holy Week festival. No matter when you come to Antigua,you won't miss the Pacayatour companies.

But climbing Pacaya is no easy job. It is 2 ,560 metres high,and reaching the summit takes two to three hours of seemingly one-step-forward and two-step-back move?ments. As you climb,you hear the dull sounds of erup?tions high above. Steaming,hot remains from recent eruptions begin to line the path as you near the active summit:the McKenney Cone (火山锥) .Just as though you were going to walk over to the edge of the cone,the road turns to the left and up to the relative safety of the old,inactive summit.

Many tours are timed so that you arrive at the cone of the volcano in plenty of time for sunset and the full contrast between the erupting red lava and the darkening sky. On a good day the view from the summit is extremely exciting. The active mouth boils,sending the red lava over its sides,and once in a while shoots hot streams up to 100 metres into the air. There is a strong bad smell in the air even if you take care to be upwind of the cone. As evening turns deeper into the night,the burning lava quietly falls down the side of the vo卜cano. For you,too,it is time to get down.

16. What is the main purpose of this passage?

   A. To attract tourists to Pacaya.

   B. To describe the beauty of Pacaya.

   C. To introduce guided tours to Pacaya.

   D. To explain the power of nature at Pacaya.

17. Antigua is a city         .

   A. where people can enjoy cultural festivals

   B. where the daring Pacaya tour starts

   C. that gives a closeup view of Pacaya

   D. that is famous for its tour companies

18. Climbing to the McKenney Cone,people will         .

   A. walk directly to the active summit

   B. hear the continuous loud noise from above

   C. make greater efforts than to other summits

   D. see a path lined with remains of earlier eruptions

19. Many tours are timed for people to         .

   A. get down the mountain in time when night falls

   B. avoid the smell from the upwind direction of the cone

   C. enjoy the fantastic eruption against the darkening sky

   D. appreciate the scenery of the 2 ,560-metre-high mountain

Chinese star Yao Ming has retired. Yao made it official Wednesday,telling a news confer?ence that a series of foot and leg injuries forced him to end his playing career at the age of 30.

"I will formally end my career”,said Yao,who became a household name in China before starting his NBA career with the Houston Rockets in 2002. Yao played eight seasons in the NBA.

"Today is an important day for me and holds a special meaning for both my basketball ca?reer and my future”,Yao said. "I had to leave the court since I suffered a stress fracture (断裂) in my left foot for the third time at the end of last year. My past six months were a painful wait. I have been thinking about my future over and over. Today I am announcing a personal deci?sion,ending my career as a basketball player and officially retire. But one door is closing and another one is opening."

Yao said he would return to work with his former Chinese team,the Shanghai Sharks,with the possibility of becoming general manager. He already owns the club and wants to contribute more.

"My playing career started with the club. I hope I can do something for it," Yao said.

He later appeared with his family on the stage to the applause and cheers of the crowd. He thanked a lot of people― his family,former coaches,even players like Shaquille O'Neal ― "for making me a better player".

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was among those attending the farewell (告别) con?

ference Wednesday. Morey made the long trip from Houston. Morey said 20 hours on planes was tiring but "I would be sorry if I wasn't here. " "It's a big moment, " Morey added. "Yao had a sense of humor,a great attitude and sense of responsibility. I hope we can continue his culture in the NBA. ”

(   ) 1. What reason causes Yao Ming to retire from basketball?

   A. His age.    B. His bad conducts on the court.

   C. His foot and leg injuries. D. His poor health.

(   ) 2. What state was Yao Ming in before he decided to end his career as a basketball player?

   A. Yao Ming was peaceful. B. Yao Ming was upset.

   C. Yao Ming was confident. D. Yao Ming was proud.

(   ) 3. According to the passage,which of the following words can't be used to describe Yao Ming?

   A. Talented. B. Responsible. C. Humorous. D. Cautious.

(   ) 4. Towards Yao Ming's performance in the NBA. what's Daryl Morey's comment?

   A. Daryl Morey thinks highly of Yao Ming.

   B. Daryl Morey was Yao Ming's coach.

   C. Daryl Morey is a basketball player in the Houston Rockets.

   D. Daryl Morey is not satisfied with Yao Ming's retirement from basketball.

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