Among all the tourist attractions in Sydney. the magnificent Opera House is the shining star. On the edge of Bennelong Point, a tongue of land sticking out into Sydney Harbor, this UNESCO World Heritage Site consists of a complex of roofs shaped like huge shells or billowing sails that mix beautifully with its waterfront location.
Today visitors can admire the great beauty of the building. Much more than an opera house, the structure encompasses(包含) theaters, studios, a concert hall, rehearsal, and reception rooms, restaurants, and a spectacular open-air forecourt overlooking the harbor and city. American architect Louis Kahn once said, "The sun did not know how beautiful its light was, until it was reflected off this building.”
Tips and Tactics
Book seats for productions well in advance. Performances commence promptly so visitors should allow enough time to access the building, collect tickets, and stow cloaks, large bags, and jackets.
Consider enjoying a meal in one of the restaurants to enjoy the stunning harbor views. One of the best sites to photograph the Opera House is Mrs. Macquarie's Chair in the Royal Botanic Gardens or from the water aboard a harbor cruise.
Getting to the Sydney Opera House
Visitors can catch a Sydney Bus, travel by City Rail, or hop aboard a Sydney Ferry to Circular Quay, which is a 5 to 7 minute walk from the Sydney Opera House.
A free shuttle bus for elderly and mobility-challenged patrons (顾客)runs between Circular Quay near Stand E (under the Cahill Expressway) and the Vehicle Concourse.
Bike parking is available under the Sydney Opera House Monumental Steps. Wilson's Sydney Opera House Car Park is located at 2 Macquarie St, with vehicle access next to the Sydney Opera House Forecourt.
Admission: Ticket prices vary from attraction to attraction.
Location: Bennelong Point, Sydney.
1.Which of the characteristics of Sydney Opera House might attract visitors most?
A. Its historical context. B. Its unique architecture
C. Its waterfront location D. Its superb harbor views
2.If you are a visitor to Sydney Opera House, you can ______.
A. take a ferry directly to Sydney Opera House,
B. ride a free shuttle bus without any restrictions,
C. take an equally good photo from any angle,
D. drive a car to 2 Macquarie St and park there.
At 15, I had started a band with three mates I'd met at the local rehearsal (排练)rooms.We played our first performance at a pub in Bolton. We were ______ , but the crowd didn't seem to mind,and after a few more local concerts, we recorded some songs and we started to ______.We sent out hundreds of demo(样本)tapes in ______ of our favourite band, the Manics. After finishing my high school, we drove to London to play at the Dublin Castle. Only five people ______.
But we persevered(坚持) and slowly things began to ______. Two years after our first performance, we ______ a record deal. We ______ endlessly for the next two years and built up a small but ______ following. At the end of 2002, the Manics ______ us to play with them. My teenage dreams had come true, the band I looked up to seemed to ______ of us.
We ______ performing in New York, and to 5,000 people at the Fuji Rock festival in Japan. There's no greater ______ than the moment you step on stage. The lights darken, the crowd swells (波浪起伏) and they ______ in applause as you finish.
Our album was ______ in 2003. Unfortunately, no one bought the thing. ______, I think that was about right. ______ I' m extremely proud of the music we produced, we were riding a wave of hype(天花乱坠的宣传) we could ______ live up to. Our record company quietly ______ us and, as quickly as it had started, my time in a band was over. We ______ peacefully on the day it was released. We even had a"last supper"to mark our demise(停业).
The band had ______ everything. My old school welcomed me back and I worked harder and was finally admitted to Oxford University at the grand old age of 21.
1.A. troublesome B. thrilled C. hopeful D. terrible
2.A. hesitate B. succeed C. dream D. qualify
3.A. imitation B. favour C. charge D. celebration
4.A. dropped out B. turned up C. dived in D. passed by
5.A. catch on B. take off C. pick up D. get round
6.A. declined B. lost C. expected D. signed
7.A. practiced B. studied C. toured D. waited
8.A. separated B. devoted C. concerned D. relieved
9.A. persuaded B. required C. reminded D. invited
10.A. approve B. tire C. hear D. think
11.A. gave up B. ended up C. put off D. insisted on
12.A. risk B. pain C. loss D. rush
13.A. erupt B. gather C. squeeze D. withdraw
14.A. preserved B. released C. displayed D. evaluated
15.A. Looking forward B. Looking down C. Looking back D. Looking up
16.A. Though B. Since C. Unless D. Before
17.A. actually B. somehow C. always D. never
18.A. betrayed B. dropped C. impressed D. sponsored
19.A. split up B. hung around C. moved away D. broke down
20.A. experienced B. disturbed C. changed D. replaced
Though our football boys are faced with four goals behind, they are still struggling hard in the field to ______.
A. face the music B. save face
C. cost their arm and leg D. land on their feet
The infrastructure project has consumed so much money that we can't find any financial support and have to ______.
A. pull out B. pull through
C. catch up D. catch on
More and more people prefer to live in the countryside, _______ appeal for them lies in the quiet and slow-paced life.
A. who B. Which
C. whose D. what
_______ many Chinese holidays are directed towards services remembering ancestors, the Ching Ming Festival is beyond doubt the largest.
A. Unless B. Since
C. Once D. While
