[导语]黄金海岸(The Gold Coast)是昆士兰州第二大城市，坐拥全澳大利亚最美轮美奂的海滩以及举世闻名的“冲浪者天堂”(Surfers Paradise)，这里还是“比基尼”的发源地；它由一段长约42公里、10多个连续排列的优质沙滩组成，因沙滩为金色而得名。气候宜人、日照充足、海浪险急，适合冲浪和滑水，是昆士兰州重点旅游度假区。
One of my alltime favorite holiday destinations is the Gold Coast.With its beautiful beaches, mountain hinterland and theme parks, the variety from one location to another is fantastic! And it's so important that it is like a playground for my children.
The Gold Coast certainly offers something to every member of our family.We all love heading down to the beach for an early morning swim or surf.The beaches feature some of the softest golden sand and pumping waves, making them ideal for surfing.Safety is important especially when I'm out with the kids, and I feel better knowing that lifeguards are continually on patrol(巡逻)．The long coast also offers the perfect setting for a leisurely walk at sunset—a favorite activity of mine.
Then, of course, there's the bargainhunting in the city's center.For shoppinggoers there are amazing shopping centers, boutiques and the usual chain stores.I always pick up loads of goodies at Pacific Fair.
The Gold Coast is popular for its theme parks—Sea World, Warner Bros Movie World and Dream World.The seal and dolphin presentations at Sea World keep both children and adults on the edge of their seats as the sea creatures go through a series of complicated jumps, flips and rolls.It's great entertainment and an educational window to the underwater world for the kids.Our kids also enjoy meeting the characters at Movie World and watching how real movies are made.
Nighttime is equally fun, as we usually set off to find the best local restaurants and cafes.The mix of cultures and influences has given the Gold Coast a wide variety of choices, including modern Australian, Italian, Asian and seafood, although sometimes nothing beats fish and chips!
A visit to the Gold Coast in the Sunshine State is worthwhile and fun.
1．Why does the author consider the Gold Coast as her ideal holiday destination？ B
A．There are a lot of shopping centers.
B．The whole family can have fun there.
C．It's a safe and interesting place for kids.
D．The author can walk leisurely along the coast.
解析：细节理解题。根据第二段中“The Gold Coast certainly offers something to every member of our family.We all love heading down to the beach for an early morning swim or surf.”可知，作者之所以认为 the Gold Coast 是她理想的度假目的地是因为全家人都可以在那里玩得开心。故选 B项。
2．What does the underlined word“boutiques”probably mean？ C
A．Theme parks. B．Beautiful parks.
C．Dress shops. D．Local restaurants.
解析：词义猜测题。根据画线词所在段的关键词“bargainhunting” “shoppinggoers”“shopping centers”“the usual chain stores”可推知，C 项符合题意。
3．What does Paragraph 4 mainly talk about？ A
A．What the theme parks offer.
B．How popular the Gold Coast is.
C．Why kids love theme parks so much.
D．What people can do in the Gold Coast.
解析：段落大意题。根据第四段中“The seal and dolphin presentations at Sea World”和“Our kids also enjoy meeting the characters at Movie World and watching how real movies are made.”可知，本段讲述的是“主题公园都提供什么”，故选A项。
4．What makes nighttime in the Gold Coast attractive for tourists？ D
A．The presentations.
B．The entertainments.
C．The shopping centers.
D．Various choices of food.
解析：推理判断题。根据倒数第二段第一句“Nighttime is equally fun, as we usually set off to find the best local restaurants and cafes.”以及本段大意可推断，各种各样的食品选择使 the Gold Coast 的夜晚对游客有吸引力。故选D项。
