PART THREE   READING COMPREHENSION Directions: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C, and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage. A Prague Prague is an ancient European city, featuring one of the most magnificent Old Towns in Europe, along with delicious food, inexpensive shopping and friendly people. Prague is also famous as being home to one of the most famous 20th century writers, Franz Kafka. The famous Czech beer is also one of the reasons to visit Prague. The narrow streets of the older parts of the town are appealing the visitors to take nice long walk and settle in some of the many restaurants, which offer top-quality foods at a low price. The buildings there are mostly tower-shaped，and so Prague is called “city of a hundred spires.” Mauritius Also known as the Paradise on Earth, Mauritius lies about 560 miles (900 km) east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. It is a place of magnificent natural beauty coup led with excellent customer service, which makes for an unforgettable romantic experience at the edge of the world’s warmest ocean. There are lots to see and do in Mauritius: the coral reefs (珊瑚礁)surrounding the island offer stunning beauty and great underwater adventures to those who want to dive into the precious waters. The nature of Mauritius mostly resembles that of Paradise, allowing every couple visiting this island to feel like Adam and Eve. That is an experience nobody would want to miss! Cyprus The very name Cyprus, it has been said, glitters with an age-old myth. Today, history and hedonism (快乐论)are comfortably mixed on the island. Some five-star resorts within walking distance of well-preserved Greek and Roman ruins offer the convenience the modern traveler has come to expect. Cyprus features a romantic history, as it was Anthony’s gift to his beloved Cleopatra during the glorious days of the Roman Empire. Maybe that is why you feel always a little special once you set foot on Cyprus. For more information about many other most romantic places in the world, just log on at http://www.jurgita.com. 56. The underlined word “spires” in Paragraph 2 means        . A. narrow streets                                                B. inexpensive restaurants C. top-quality foods                                           D. tower-shaped buildings 57. We learn from the text that Mauritius        . A. is part of Madagascar                                     B. is an ideal destination for couples C. is in central Indian Ocean                               D. is most famous for its good service 58. What makes Cyprus different from the other two places? A. It is located on an island.                                B. It offers charming resorts. C. It was given as a present.                                D. It has a very long history. 59. A common feature of Mauritius and Cyprus is that they are . A. old                     B. romantic            C. rich              D. mysterious 60. What is the main purpose of the author? A. To attract more visitors.                                   B. To tell traveling experiences. C. To sell information on line.                                 D. To introduce historical places.