Parts of northern and northwestern China, as well as southern Mongolia, are covered by the huge and rocky Gobi Desert. With a total size of over 1.3 million square kilometers, it is the fifth-largest desert in the world.
The Gobi Desert is distinguished by its severe and extreme climate, with wintertime lows of -40°C and summertime highs of 50°C. Strong winds and rare precipitation are further characteristics of the area, with summer being the primary time for rain and snowfall.
The Gobi Desert’s topography is varied, with various elements such rocky mountains, lowlands covered with gravel, and stretches of naked sand. Southern portions of the deserts are a broad, flat plain, while the northern part is more mountainous, including the Altai Mountains.
The Bactrian camel, snow leopard, Gobi bear, and Gobi jerboa are just a few of the unusual and endangered animals that call the Gobi Desert home, in spite of its terrible environment. These species are well suited to live in this harsh environment because they have adapted to the desert’s severe temperature and lack of water.
The Gobi Desert has a long history of nomadic tribes and kingdoms residing there, giving it a rich cultural heritage. The Flaming Cliffs, a renowned paleontological site famous for its dinosaur fossils, the Mogao Caves, a collection of ancient Buddhist temples and art galleries, and the ruins of the ancient city of Karakorum, once the capital of the Mongol Empire, are just a few of the noteworthy landmarks in the area.
Moreover, the Gobi Desert has been a crucial location for scientific study, notably in the discipline of paleontology. Many dinosaur fossils have been found in the area, including some of the most complete and well-preserved examples ever found. The desert also makes an excellent setting for astronomy study due to its isolation and lack of light pollution.
本篇文章提供學習測驗
Q1: What is the main idea of the article?
A. the Gobi Desert
B. Southern Mongolia
C. dinosaur fossils
Q2: In the sixth paragraph, what does the word ‘paleontology’ mean?
A. the study of ancient life
B. the study of fossils
C. the study of plants
Q3: What can scientists study in the Gobi Desert?
A. light
B. endangered species
C. dinosaur fossils
Answers:
Q1: A Q2: B Q3: C
《英文閱讀越好:人物篇》
