高考英语专题阅读：PyramidsCairo, the cradle ( 发源地) of civilization，the Melting Pot ( 熔炉)of Ancient and Modern Egyptian Civilizations. It is the largest city in the Middle East and lies at the center of all routes leading to and from the three continents: Asia, Africa and Europe. It is the city where past and present meet. ( 是一座古今结合的城市)On its west side lies the Ancient Egyptian city of Memphis, and the site of the Pyramids, the only wonder surviving of the Seven Wonders of the World. ( 金字塔, 世界七大奇迹中唯一保存至今的)Indeed, a journey through Cairo is a journey through time ...In spite of a thousand years of history, Cairo is young by Egyptian standards, because modern Cairo emerged only with the Arab conquest of Egypt. The most famous of Cairo’s sights is the string of 60 pyramids that stretches along the western border of the desert. The Great Pyramid of Khufu was built by the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu of the Fourth Dynasty around the year BC 2560 to serve as a tomb when he dies. When it was built, the Great Pyramid was 145.75 meters high. Over the years, it’s lost 10 m off its top. ( 岁月流逝, 已经比原来低了10米)It ranked as the tallest structure on Earth for more than 43 centuries. Throughout their history, the pyramids have stimulated human imagination. When Napoleon (拿破仑)invaded Egypt in 1798, his pride was expressed through his famous quote: “Soldiers! From the top of these Pyramids, 40 centuries are looking at us.” Cairo has been the most important arts center in the Islamic ( 伊斯兰)world for a thousand years. Cairo’s long history and rich heritage are revealed in its many museums. The famous sight in this area is the Entomological Society Museum, with an excellent collection of Egyptian insects and birds.This is Cairo ― radiant (灿烂的) with a long and glorious past; adorned ( 装饰)with the achievements of a distinguished present. This is Cairo ― a cradle ( 摇篮)of civilization, a wellspring of culture, and a meeting-place of the Asian, African, and European World. This is Cairo ― an international center for social economics, and political activity, which is making the noblest efforts aimed at peace among all nations and the benefits of all mankind.
