Welcome to Windsor Castle

    Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and the Official Residence of the Queen of Britain. Over a period of nearly 1,000 years it has been {#blank#}1{#/blank#}continuously, and altered and redecorated by monarchs(君主) one after the other. Some were great builders, strengthening the Castle against {#blank#}2{#/blank#} and rebellion; others, living in more peaceful times, created a grand Royal residence. William the Conqueror chose the site, high above the river Thames and on the edge of a Saxon hunting ground. It was a day's march from the Tower of London and intended to guard the western {#blank#}3{#/blank#}to the capital. The outer walls of today's structure are in the same position as those of the {#blank#}4{#/blank#}castle built by William the Conqueror in the 1070s. The Queen uses the Castle both as a private home, where she usually spends the weekend, and as a Royal residence at which she undertakes certain formal duties. Windsor Castle is {#blank#}5{#/blank#}used by the Queen to host State Visits from overseas monarchs and presidents. Every year the Queen takes up official residence in Windsor Castle for a month over Easter (March-April).

    The Castle is huge, so people tend to head for the most {#blank#}6{#/blank#}bits -- the State Apartments, St. George's Chapel, the Gallery and the delightful Queen Mary's Dolls House. Works of art, antique furniture, curiosities and impressive architecture reflect the tastes of many different royal generations. The State Apartments are {#blank#}7{#/blank#}decorated formal rooms still used for state and official functions.

    The magnificent and beautiful St. George's Chapel was started in 1475 by Edward IV and was completed 50 years later by Henry VIII. It {#blank#}8{#/blank#}among the finest examples of late medieval architecture in the UK.

    The Drawings Gallery {#blank#}9{#/blank#}the exhibition “The Queen: 60 Photographs for 60 Years”. The exhibition presents portraits of the Queen {#blank#}10{#/blank#}in brief moments on both official occasions and at relaxed family gatherings.

    As you may know, coral(珊瑚)is not a plant, but an animal. However, coral reefs(珊瑚礁)around the world are in{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Here is a piece of bad news. Thailand will close one of its beaches to protect its coral  {#blank#}2{#/blank#} business activities for tourists. The beach is so famous that {#blank#}3{#/blank#}of tourists put it on their wish lists. More than 5,000 visitors visit it a day. They arrive by boat. This does{#blank#}4{#/blank#} harm to the coral reefs. Most of the coral has died. The beach will be closed between June and September to let the coral come{#blank#}5{#/blank#}to life.

    Experts(专家)say that 80％of Thailand's coral reefs have been{#blank#}6{#/blank#}. Too many tourists {#blank#}7{#/blank#} a lot of pollution to these beaches. An expert said the biggest problems were hotels by the beaches, boats, and plastic waste in the sea. He believed the {#blank#}8{#/blank#}choice was to close the beaches forever. He said, "I hope the  {#blank#}9{#/blank#}  can take steps to protect the coral reefs. At the same time, I also hope all of us should{#blank#}10{#/blank#}our best to protect the environment around us."

The tale was set in London in 1903. The two brothers had been having a heated {#blank#}1{#/blank#} for a couple of days and had decided to make a {#blank#}2{#/blank#} to settle it. Henry, an American who was wandering on the street outside, hungry and penniless, drew their attention. He was invited to the two brothers' house. They felt happy about Henry's bad luck and then gave him an {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Henry was asked to {#blank#}4{#/blank#} opening it until two o'clock. He felt that was {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.