The village of Misfat al-Abriyeen has changed its fortunes by transforming mud-brick homes into fine hotels.The village of 800 people,located on the cliffs of Oman's "Grand Canyon," opened its narrow streets six years ago to foreigners and locals seeking adventure in the deserts and green corners of the Gulf area.
Villager Yacoub al-Abri said it all started in 2010 when his uncle suggested they take another look at the mud houses that had lain ignored for years in the ancient settlement about three hours' drive from the capital Muscat.The owners had abandoned the centuries-old homes,fearing they could topple,and moved to the opposite side of the village where they built new accommodation.
The brown-walled homes,made of mud bricks with palm-leave roofs,were turned into simple but elegant inns with wood furniture and handcrafts made using skills handed down from their ancestors. "We started with only five rooms,then we increased the number and bought other old houses.Today we have 15 rooms and there are plans to continue expanding until we reach 50," Abri said.
At an altitude of more than 1,000 meters,the tiny village which is home to the Abri tribe is a charming collection of traditional houses located along dozens of small alleys(小巷)overlooking lands bursting with banana plants and citrus and palm trees.It is part of a region known as the Grand Canyon of Oman where tourists can hike the rocky mountains and valleys,and explore the old ways of local people.The region is also famed for its centuries-old stories that are still widely told in similar villages across the country.
Renoda,a Dutch psychologist living in Muscat,was visiting with three of her friends. "It's perhaps the 10th time that I have visited this hotel since last year.I come here for a night or two every month seeking calm,relaxation and comfort," she told AFP.
(1)What does the underlined word "topple" in paragraph 2 mean? BB
A.Move.
B.Fall.
C.Disappear.
D.Shrink.
(2)What are the rooms of the village hotels like? DD
A.Splendid.
B.Outdated.
C.Ordinary.
D.Traditional.
(3)What is paragraph 4 mainly about? CC
A.The unique lifestyle of the local people.
B.The special situation of the small village.
C.The reasons for the popularity of the village.
D.The introduction of the history of the village.
(4)What can be inferred about Renoda? AA
A.She lives a stressful life in the city.
B.She enjoys adventurous traveling.
C.Visiting the villagers is part of her work.
D.She wants to live in this hotel permanently.
【答案】B;D;C;A
【解答】
【點評】
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發(fā)布:2024/5/27 14:0:0組卷:12引用:2難度:0.6
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After dinner,whether dining alone or entertaining guests,Dahl would pass around a little red plastic box full of Mars Bars,Milky Ways,Maltesers,Kit Kats and much more.
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A.To introduce the main topic---Roald Dahl.
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