enormous trunk（树干）sometimes measures as much as ten meters in diameter（直径）. It is thicker at the bottom than at the top. The branches near the ground are very long, but those near the top are very short. It may be a strange-looking tree, but it is very useful. Its leaves are good to eat. Its white flowers turn into cool, juicy which tastes rather like cucumber. There are such strong fibres in the bark（树皮）that people can get rope and clothes from them. When a baobab tree gets old, its trunk becomes hollow. An old tree has such a huge, hollow trunk that it can hold many people. The local people often build their houses inside these trunks. When it rains, water collects in the hollow. The tree has such a lot of leaves and branches that the water remains cool and fresh. It is a useful tree that some people could hardly live without it.

1. Baobab tree grows in ________.

A. Asia B. Europe C. Africa D. Australia and Africa

2. Which of the following is true?

A. Baobab trees fibres are good to eat.

B. Cloth can be made from beautiful leaves.

C. The local people often build their houses inside the bark.

D. The baobab tree's leaves are good to eat.

3. Its enormous trunk sometimes measures as much as ten meters in diameter. "Enormous" here means ________.

A. small B. tall C. strong D. huge

4. The baobab tree is ________.

A. a hard tree B. a useful tree C. very beautiful D. thick and short

5. Which of the following is WRONG?

A. People often eat their fruit.

B. Some people build their houses inside the trunks.

C. The branches near the top are very short.

D. Baobab tree's leaves and fibres can be made into rope.

Sydney

As we all know, the 2000 Olympic Games were held in Sydney. Have you been to Sydney? What does it look like?

Sydney is one of Australia's oldest, largest and liveliest cities with a population of more than three million. It is a colorful, modern city but it is also a natural beauty with green park land and perhaps the world's most beautiful deep water harbor.

Besides modern buildings and roads, the city has many places of historical interest. For example, Mr. Macquarie's Chair. The area called the Rocks dating back to the early nineteenth century, and attractive rows of houses of Paddington, are all close to the harbor and the city center.

Sydney has many other attractions of tourist importance-a zoo. Koala Bear Park and Sydney Opera House which lies at the water's edge. Some say that the Opera House which lies at the water's edge is one of the most outstanding examples of beautifully designed modern buildings in the world. There are all kinds of restaurants, theatres, nightclubs and sports facilities. There is also a network of communications within the city, including an underground railway, buses and taxis; Sydney has a very pleasant climate. Usually the average temperature in summer is just a little above 20centigrade, and in winter not below 12 centigrade.

Sydney plays an irreplaceable role in all works of life in Australia. People at home and