Australia －a huge island continent that lies to the south of Asia. Australia－more than two hundred years old, a nation that is still growing.
Its big cities lie on the southeast coast, this is where most Australians live. Australians prefer to own their own houses, though some live in apartments. Australians are a suburban（郊区的） people. The suburbs surround the cities for many miles, and so efficient transport is of great importance. As the economy grows, so do its industries- a higher level of production, a wider range of products.
The Australian works hard, but he likes his leisure. The climate makes outdoor activities the most popular.
Canberra, the capital of Australia, is a planned modern city located inland. Australia is governed by a parliamentary democracy(议会民主). The representatives of other countries have their embassies here. Australia wants to strengthen relations with her neighbors.
Australia is a strange land
, a land of vast expanses- fertile valleys, snow fields and deserts- also a land with unique animal, many that can not be found on any other continent in the world today.
Much of the continent is dry, but man has utilized the land, made it productive, with its tools, with its technology. This is the driest continent of all, and water is a precious possession, more precious than all other natural resources. Large dams are built to collect the water, there to irrigate the fields of pastures（牧场） and crops.
But Australia is changing. The land of wool and wheat is now 
a land of large-scale industry and mining. The costs of developing the new mineral discoveries are enormous, but the rewards are great too.
Australia — a young and developing nation. Australia — a nation that wants to communicate with its neighbors.
小题1:Australia is an island located ______ of Asia and its big cities lie ____ of the coast.
A．to the south; on the southeast
B．to the north; on the southwest
C．to the east; on the northeast
D．to the east; on the southwest小题2:We can infer from the passage that the Australian likes outdoor activities for the _____ climate.
A．dull and wet
B．fine and shiny
C．gloomy and rainy
D．wet and cold小题3:____ is the most precious source in Australia.
A．Mineral resource
B．Animal
C．Desert
D．Water小题4:Which of the following statements about Australia is wrong?
A．Australians are a suburban people
B．Australia is governed by a parliamentary democracy.
C．Australia prefers to live in the downtown of big cities.
D．Wool and wheat used to be the main products of Australia.
