1. (2018高二下·安康期末) 阅读理解

    The faces of the four U. S. presidents on Mount Rushmore will likely last for centuries. But at a newly opened exhibit in Japan, you can catch them only for about eight months. This year, the annual sand sculpture event at the Sand Museum in Tottori, Japan, is focused on another country. This is the 10^th anniversary of the event. Artists came from 19 countries to shape sand into different sculptures that represent events in U. S. history and American landmarks.

    Tottori is a remote city in western Japan. In the past, not many tourists traveled to it. To attract more visitors, Tottori officials decided to use a natural resource: sand. They decided to create a sand museum that would house a series of sand sculptures based on different geographic areas of the world. The sand from each year's exhibition is used again the next year. The project has been a success. About 500,000 people visit the museum during the eight months. Some return year after year to see the new sculptures.

    The city is now a popular spot for sand sculpture artists too. Sculptors from around the world come to Tottori each spring, spending a few weeks working on their masterpieces. They use special tools to smooth the sandy surfaces, cut angles and details. They use only sand and water to create the huge sculptures, some of which tower over their creators.

    Originally, the artists built their creations outside. But the works lasted less than two months outdoors. So the museum built a permanent structure 10 house the artworks, which extended their life to eight months. Now many more tourists get to see the sculptures. Still, the fact that this art is not permanent is part of the appeal. The temporary sculptures reflect the Japanese value of appreciating the fleeting（稍纵即逝）nature of the world.

    Tottori is not the only Japanese town that shows temporary art like this. Sapporo, in northern Japan, hosts a similar exhibit in the winter, using snow instead of sand. Thai will be just about the time that the U. S. sand sculpture exhibition is taken apart, and the sand is saved for next year's show.

1. （1） Why is sand sculpture event held every year in Tottori?

   A . To show the wonderful artworks of the city. B . To show the diverse culture of the city. C . To represent the character of the city. D . To attract more visitors to the city.
3. （2） What do the exhibits in Tottori and Sapporo show?

   A . The changing seasons offer artists chances to create arts. B . Temporary art is the most welcomed art form in Japan. C . Natural works of art are popular all over the world. D . The sand is more popular to artists than the snow.
5. （3） What can we know about the sand exhibit from the text?

   A . New sand will be used in the next year's show. B . It has been held in more than 19 countries so far. C . Mare artists show interest in creating arts in sand. D . The fact that the exhibition lasts a short time makes it more attractive
7. （4） What is the best title of this text?

   A . The Popularity of Sand B . Sand Museum in Japan C . A Special Sand Exhibition D . Artists' Contribution to the World