A
Dear Jorge,
Are you enjoying your break from school? My family are now in Sacramento, California. We are here paying a visit to my aunt Gloria. We have been to the California State Capitol Building, the nature center, and the zoo. I have seen many interesting things, but one stands out above the rest. This morning we drove from my aunt's home to Calistoga to see California's Old Faithful Geyser (老忠实泉). I had read about it in my book, Sightseeing in California: Where You Should Go. You have probably heard of Old Faithful, the geyser farther north in Yellowstone National Park. This California geyser is sometimes called “Little Old Faithful.”
When we arrived, California's Old Faithful was only a calm pool of water. The geyser didn't look very deep. “What's the big deal？” I wondered. As I turned, I saw some steam rising from the water. Before I knew it, there was hot water shooting up about 60 feet into the air. We could not believe our eyes! It continued for almost three minutes.
Aunt Gloria told me that the water came from an underground river. She also said that the water temperature was about 95℃. This water can sometimes shoot 170 feet into the air.
My aunt said that other geysers around the world reach hotter temperatures and shoot water even higher than California's Old Faithful Geyser. I'd love to learn more about this geyser and other geysers in different countries when I get home. I'll see you soon!
Your friend，
Bennetto
语篇解读：本文是一封书信。在信中作者主要讲述了自己的旅游经历。
21．According to the text, Bennetto ________.
A．visited his aunt Gloria by himself
B．had never heard of Old Faithful Geyser
C．thought nothing of Old Faithful Geyser at first
D．flew all the way from Sacramento to Calistoga
解析：选C 细节理解题。由第二段中的“When we arrived ... I wondered.”可知， Bennetto刚开始觉得老忠实泉没什么可看的，故选C项。
22．The water Bennetto saw high in the sky ________.
A．disappeared at once B．was too hot to touch
C．came from a deep sea D．was 170 feet in height
解析：选B 细节理解题。由第二段中的“there was hot water ... into the air”和第三段中的“the water temperature was about 95℃”可知，喷出来的水温度很高，所以不能碰，故选B项。
23．What was expressed in Bennetto's letter?
A．Anger. B．Doubt.
C．Courage. D．Excitement.
解析：选D 推理判断题。由第二段中的“We could not believe our eyes！”和最后一段中的“I'd love to learn more ... when I get home.”等信息可知，Bennetto在信中表达了自己的兴奋，故选D项。
24．Bennetto wrote the letter mainly to ________.
A．talk about his holiday experiences
B．ask Jorge to visit Old Faithful Geyser
C．express his thankfulness to Aunt Gloria
D．give Yellowstone National Park some advice
解析：选A 写作意图题。总览全文可知，Bennetto通过这封信主要向Jorge讲述了自己在假期的经历，故选A项。
