The Grand Canyon

Probably you have seen photographs of the Grand Canyon, the great valley in the desert country of Arizona. But you must go there yourself to feel its true size and beauty. The Grand Canyon is one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.

  The Colorado River formed the Grand Canyon over millions of years. Slowly, the river cut down through hard rock. At the same time, the land was rising. Today , the canyon is one and a half kilometers deep and 445 kilometers long. The oldest rocks at the bottom of the canyon are more than billion years old. The width varies from about 200 metres to 29 kilometers across. The rim or top of the canyon is about 2,300 metres above sea level on the South Rim ,and about 3000 metres on the other side, the North Rim. As a result, there are different kinds of plants and animals on opposite sides of the canyon. The South Rim is dry desert country. The North Rim has tall forests.

  The canyon looks different at different times of day, and in different seasons and weather. At sunrise and sunset the red, gold, brown, and orange colours of the rocks are especially clear and bright. In winter, the canyon is partly covered with snow .

  The view from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the best. Most visitors come to the South   Rim and stay in campgrounds or hotels. Every point along the canyon’s edge offers a different view.

  The North Rim of the Canyon if quieter. It takes all day to drive there from the South Rim because there is only one bridge across the Colorado River. On the way , you go through Navado Indian lands, and a colourful pink desert called “The Painted Desert”.

  You can walk down into the Grand Canyon ,or you can go down on the back of a mule. You can also take a boat trip down the Colorado River, and camp on the beaches at night.But whether you see the Grand Canyon from the top or the bottom , it will be an experience that you will never forget.

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Reading Comprehension

1. The best way to feel the size and beauty of the Grand Canyon is ________.

A. to see its photographs

B. to listen to the report about it

C. to travel there yourselves

D. to watch its program

2. What made the Grand Canyon?

A. The earthquake.     

B. The water from the Colorado River.

C. The American people     

D. The strong wind

3. From the passage we can know that the_____of the canyon is different at different time.

A.length       B. scenery     C.width    D.height 

4. If you go to visit the canyon you’d better go to _______.

A. the South Rim            B. the North Rim

C. the bottom               D. the top of a tree

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Background information

The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. It is contained within and managed by Grand Canyon National Park, the Hualapai Tribal Nation, and the Havasupai Tribe. President Theodore Roosevelt was a major proponent of preservation of the Grand Canyon area, and visited it on numerous occasions to hunt and enjoy the scenery. It is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Vocabulary:

form  v.  形成

campground  n. 营地

width  n. 宽度

edge   n. 边缘

mule  n. 骡子

Word Partnership:

go through  通过

be covered with  被...所覆盖

Comprehension key:

1.C. 根据第一段介绍“But you must go there yourself to feel its true size and beauty.”旅游者必须亲自游览才能感受到峡谷的美丽。

2.B 根据第二段“The Colorado River formed the Grand Canyon over millions of years. Slowly, the river cut down through hard rock.”可知。

3.B 根据第三段“The canyon looks different at different times of day, and in different seasons and weather.”得知在不同季节和天气下的大峡谷风景也是不同的。

4.A 根据第四段“The view from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the best. ”得知the South Rim的风景是最好的。