C
Have you ever seen those tall, pointed mountains that look like something from a fairy tale, or explored huge caves full of strange shapes? These are part of karst landscapes, a natural wonder that China is famous for.
Karst is a special landform formed over millions of years. When rainwater, which is slightly acidic(酸性的), falls on limestone (a type of rock), it slowly breaks down the rock. This process creates amazing shapes on the surface and underground. In China, you can find some of the most breathtaking karst scenery in the world.
The Stone Forest (Shilin) in Yunnan is a fantastic example. It looks like a real forest made of stone. Walking through it, you will be amazed by the countless stone peaks and towers. Local Yi people even have a famous festival there. Another world-famous site is the South China Karst in Guilin and Yangshuo. The landscape there has the feature of green-covered karst hills standing along the beautiful Li River. It is so beautiful that it appears on the back of the 20-yuan Chinese banknote. Taking a boat trip along the river is like travelling through a Chinese painting.
Besides the beautiful surface views, karst areas also hide unbelievable underground worlds, such as the Reed Flute Cave in Guilin. Inside, you can see stunning stalactites (hanging from the ceiling) and stalagmites (rising from the floor), all lit up by colourful lights, creating a magical scene.
These karst landscapes are not just beautiful; they are also valuable for scientific research. However, they face threats from pollution and too much tourism. Protecting these natural wonders is very important so that future generations can also enjoy their beauty.
() 7. How does the writer start paragraph 1?
A. By telling a story.
B. By comparing facts.
C. By asking a question.
D. By giving examples.
() 8. What is the main cause of the formation of karst landscapes?
A. Strong winds and earthquakes.
B. Acidic rainwater washing away limestone.
C. The movement of moving ice.
D. Volcanic activities under the earth.
() 9. What does the underlined word "stunning" in paragraph 4 mean?
A. Strange.
B. Awful.
C. Beautiful.
D. Noisy.
()10. What is the main purpose of this passage?
A. To suggest travelling to Yunnan and Guangxi.
B. To explain how karst landscapes are formed.
C. To call for action to protect the environment.
D. To provide basic information about karst landscapes.

7.C 8.B 9.C 10.D

7. 文章第一段开篇第一句是"Have you ever seen those tall, pointed mountains that look like something from a fairy tale, or explored huge caves full of strange shapes?"的疑问句，作者通过提出问题的方式开启第一段，对应C选项。
8. 根据文章第二段内容，喀斯特地貌是数百万年来略带酸性的雨水落在石灰岩上，慢慢分解侵蚀岩石形成的，和B选项描述一致。
9. 划线词所在句描述芦笛岩内的钟乳石、石笋被彩灯照亮，营造出魔幻的场景，可推断stunning的含义是极美的、好看的，和C选项Beautiful同义。
10. 全文依次介绍了喀斯特地貌的定义、形成原因、中国知名的喀斯特地表景观、地下景观，以及它的科研价值和保护的重要性，整体目的是向读者提供关于喀斯特地貌的基础信息，对应D选项。