Passage 32
（2004 辽宁 D）

If you walk slowly through downtown Helsinki （赫尔辛基）during the day, taking in the splendid 19th century buildings, white boats and noise of passing trams （有轨电车）, you will start to understand why it is called a city of two colors: white and blue.

The sea is always present in Helsinki.When you take a walk over the great open space of the central square, you will hear seabirds screaming.When you take the tram, suddenly and unexpectedly, you are faced with a calm, shining blue sea. You may notice that people in Helsinki do not rush about as in other cities.Instead, they walk along the roads, politely letting other people by.

a usual way to see Helsinki for the first time is to start out by the boats.You will walk by the elderly women selling fish and vegetables in the market square and find yourself in front of a beautiful park.You may enjoy a pleasant walk in the park for a few hours and then take the tram.Trams are the perfect way to get around in Helsinki.Watching the old houses, parks, theatres, churches, shops, restaurants and people in the streets, you may have a slightly sad film feeling to it.

The pale summer nights are another wonder in the city.Following the waterfront（滨水区）of the city after sunset, you couldn't help stopping and listening to the sweet silence, interrupted only by the screaming seabirds and leaving fishing boats.

However, in some way, Helsinki is also the most modern city in northern Europe.You will surely want to visit the white Glass Palace, the modern art museum, and all those extremely popular cafes and design stores.

1.Helsinki is called a city of two colors mainly because of the colors of its ______.

A. 19th century buildings, boats and parks

B. 19th century buildings, boats and seabirds

C. old houses, parks and trams

D. old buildings, boats and the sea

2.The best way to see most of Helsinki is to go ______.

A. by boat

B. by bus

C. by tram

D. on foot

3.The 19th century buildings, the white Glass Palace, popular cafes and design shops in Helsinki all show that Helsinki is ______.

A. both splendid and traditional

B. both quiet and noisy

C. both historical and modern

D. both old and new

4.This Passage is most likely to be found in ______.

A. a story book

B. a geography textbook

C. a research report

D. a travel magazine

【重点词汇】

take in 接受，吸收

present adj.随处可见的

rush about 到处乱跑

start out 出发，动身

square n.广场

pleasant adj.令人愉快的

get around 到处走走，游览

can't help doing sth.忍不住做某事

【疑难长句】

When you take the tram, suddenly and unexpectedly, you are faced with a calm, shining blue sea.

句中的suddenly and unexpectedly是插入语。

（参考译文）坐着无轨电车，你会突然意外地发现对面就是平静的、波光闪耀的蓝色大海。