四、短文填空（根据上下文和所给提示，在空白处填入适当的单词）
（新素材·环保）
Many people are attracted to the beauty of natural wonders 1 lot. Most of 2 (they) are formed over millions of years.
The Grand Canyon is one of the greatest examples. It 3 (be) carved by the Colorado River. It is usually peaceful, 4 when it rains heavily, the river becomes very wild. People are amazed at 5 (nature) power shown here.
Visiting natural wonders takes time. It often takes travellers hours 6 (reach) the top of a mountain. When they get there, they like to take photos and share them with others. 7 (hike) through the forest is a popular activity, because it makes people feel 8 (relax).
Natural wonders are our treasures. Let's tell people the 9 (important) of protecting them and take care of them 10 (careful) every day.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

1. a
2. them
3. was
4. but
5. nature's
6. to reach
7. Hiking
8. relaxed
9. importance
10. carefully

【分析】先通读全文，理解短文围绕自然奇观展开的环保主题，再结合每个空格前后的语境、固定搭配、语法规则逐一分析：第1空考查固定搭配；第2空介词后用人称代词宾格；第3空考查一般过去时的被动语态；第4空需转折连词；第5空修饰名词用名词所有格；第6空是固定句型；第7空动词作主语需用动名词；第8空修饰人用ed结尾的形容词；第9空定冠词后接名词；第10空修饰动词用副词。
【解析】1. 固定搭配a lot，修饰动词attracted，故填a；2. 介词of后接人称代词宾格，they的宾格是them，故填them；3. 主语it（指代大峡谷）是carve的承受者，用一般过去时被动语态，it对应was，故填was；4. 前后句为转折关系，用连词but，故填but；5. 修饰名词power需用名词所有格，nature的所有格是nature's，故填nature's；6. 固定句型It takes sb +时间+to do sth，故填to reach；7. 动词作主语需用动名词，hike的动名词是Hiking，句首首字母大写，故填Hiking；8. 修饰人的感受用ed结尾的形容词relaxed，故填relaxed；9. 定冠词the后接名词，important的名词是importance，故填importance；10. 修饰动词短语take care of需用副词，careful的副词是carefully，故填carefully。
【答案】1. a 2. them 3. was 4. but 5. nature's 6. to reach 7. Hiking 8. relaxed 9. importance 10. carefully
【知识点】固定搭配、词性转换、被动语态
【点评】本题以环保主题的自然奇观短文为载体，考查初中英语核心基础知识点，涵盖固定搭配、语法运用和词性转换，题型常规，注重基础能力的考查。
【难度系数】0.7