2009年12月英語四級考試巔峰閱讀訓練(31)

　　Studying in Sydney, Australia

　　Australia—Attractive to International Students

　　Australia has been a popular choice for thousands of international students over many years. Australia’s universities and colleges have become increasingly recognized overseas for their exceptionally high standard. In addition, Australia is conveniently close to South-East Asia (Jakarta, the capital of Australia’s closest Asian neighbor, Indonesia, is only 5506 kilometers from Sydney.) Revised entry procedures for overseas students have made it possible for an increasing number to study in Australia. Sydney the largest Australian city, is the principle port of call for international airlines with services operating to Australia.

　　Sydney --- Location and History

　　Named after an ex-Governor of New South Wales, Sydney is the State’s capital city. Located on the south-east coast of Australia in the temperate zone, it enjoys a mild climate, averaging 14.5 hours of sunshine per day in summer and 10.25 hours in winter. It is also the largest, oldest and perhaps most beautifully situated city in Australia. First established by the British as a convict settlement in 1788, it is a modern cosmopolitan city that has developed into one of the nation’s major industrial, business, and manufacturing centre.

　　The Harbour and Surrounding Suburbs

　　Sydney is home to nearly 4.4 million people (as of 1997). The suburbs reach out from the city centre and harbor some 55 km to the north, 35km to the west and 30 km to the south, creating a metropolitan area of about 3000 square kilometers. The 57 square kilometer harbor is one of the largest in the world, and famous for the unmistakable 134 meter high arch of the Harbor Bridge and the graceful sails of the Opera House. It is a busy waterway with ferries, freighters and pleasure craft.

　　Residential Inner – City Suburbs

　　Not far from the city centre are the attractive old residential suburbs of Balmain, Glebe, and Paddington, where many people live in smart terraced houses. Art galleries, pubs, and restaurants abound in the cosy streets that tend to be quite narrow, whereas the suburbs surrounding the city’s colleges and universities consist mainly of family homes and multi-unit blocks – and ideal situation for students looking for a homestay, or to rent. Sydney’s newer suburbs now have a large multicultural population, and local shopping centres reflect the influences of many cultures.