Unit 10: Scenic America

Guide

Hello, welcome to Scenic America. I'm He Minzhi from the School of English and International Studies of Beijing Foreign Studies University. Now, can you do the following questions quickly so that I can have an idea how much you know about scenic places in America?

1. Which of the following is a tourist attraction in the United States?
　(a) Yellowstone National Park.
　(b) The Babylon Garden.
　(c) The English castle.
　(d) The coral reefs.
　　　Answer:

2.	The portraits of four American presidents were carved on which of the following mountains?
	(a) The Rocky Mountains. (b) The Appalachian Mountains. (c) Mt Rushmore. (d) Mt Rainier. 　　Answer:

3. The New York Harbor is on________________.
　(a) the East Coast
　(b) the West Coast
　　　Answer:

4. Which of the following cities is known for its casinos for gambling?
　(a) Seattle.
　(b) Atlantic City.
　(c) Chicago.
　(d) San Francisco.
　　　Answer:

5. The Niagara Falls is located on the border of the United States with_______.
　(a) Mexico
　(b) Columbia
　(c) Panama
　(d) Canada
　　　Answer:

Did you get at least some of them correct? Ok, if you like to travel and see different places, I'm sure you will like this unit as I take you to the natural wonders of the United States. America is endowed with a variety of natural beauty, from sea coasts to inland lakes, from snow mountains to breathtaking deserts. Many of these national parks are over one hundred years old, covering a vast area of land and unparalleled in the world. In this unit you may encounter quite a number of new words (some of them may seem quite strange to you, such as the names of some rare animals or plants); if you don't know them or find them odd and difficult to remember, don't worry. Simply disregard them. On the other hand, try to focus on the key messages being said about each place. We have a wonderful selection of pictures and images about these scenic spots, so sit back and enjoy as we begin this fascinating journey throughout the North American Continent!