When most people think of tropical islands, lined with white sandy beaches and bright blue seas, it is often the Caribbean or South Pacific that comes to mind．But for Chinese tourists who want a taste of paradise on Earth there is a new place to consider.

Mauritius, an island lying off the southeast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, has just been added to China's list of tourist destinations. Rich in history, natural beauty and culture, the island has been a popular destination for the world's tourists for many years.

On December 15 a total of eight African countries were added to the list. The others are Tunisia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia and the Seychelles.

The island has passed through the controlling hands of a number of European powers, including Dutch, French and British. In 1968, Mauritius won its independence.

At present, over half the population of Mauritius is Hindu and another fifth is Muslim. Both groups are descendants(后裔)from workers brought to the island from India by the British. Some Chinese were also brought over to work. There are also descendants of African slaves and Franco-Mauritians, the original settlers of the island.

One of the best things about the island is the food．There is a mouth-watering mix of European, Chinese and Indian flavours and seafood is very popular. A typical Mauritian dinner might have Indian chicken curry, Chinese pork, British roast beef and French-style vegetables. Boiled rice is served with just about everything. All that is washed down with a plentiful supply of local beer and rum(朗姆酒).

The pleasant tropical climate and scenery provide the perfect setting to enjoy everything. The sea is full of colorful life that lives around the coral reef. This makes Mauritius a wonderful place for swimming and diving. The large number of interesting fish means it is also an exciting place for those who like to go fishing.

Which of the following can’t be used to describe Mauritius?

       A．Tropical island, white sandy beach and bright blue sea.

       B．Beautiful scenery, rich history and culture.

       C．Most of the people in Mauritius are black.

       D．Delicious food mixed with eastern and western flavours.

Which group of the following topics is not discussed in the text?

       A．Food and history.           B．Scenery and population.

       C．Location and sports.      D．Natural resources and agriculture.

Which of the following is true?

       A．Mauritius has something similar to the Caribbean or South Pacific.

       B．Mauritius has a history of less than 40 years.

       C．Mauritius has been a popular destination for Chinese tourists for many years.

       D．The main food in Mauritius is local beer and rum.

The underlined word “This” in the last paragraph refers to ________.

       A．Pleasant tropical climate  B．Beautiful scenery  

       C．The sea with colorful life       D．The coral reef