Imagine walking through an African desert, nothing but rocks and barren mountains as far as the eye can see, and all of a sudden stumbling on a pink refrigerator and a metal table with two small chairs next to it. It sounds like one of those well-known desert mirages (海市蜃楼), but not only is this Barbie-inspired fridge real — it actually works and is constantly refilled with refreshing drinks.
Located about a 20-minute drive from the main road crossing the Namib Desert which is said to be the oldest and driest desert on Earth from north to south, the pink refrigerator was installed by the Namibian government’s tourist board and has become one of the most popular attractions in the African country. It was designed as a modern take on the desert oasis (绿洲) for tired travelers looking to relieve their thirst.
At first, people were understandably doubtful about the idea of taking a drink out of a suspicious (感觉可疑的) pink refrigerator in the middle of the desert, but after it became popular on social media platforms, people from all over the world went to Namibia to check it out in person. Because the refrigerator is positioned on top of a small hill, it is the perfect place to take in the natural beauty of the Namib Desert and admire the beautiful sunset. But if you plan to sit at that little pink metal table, just remember that the chairs are in the sun all day long, so they can get extremely hot.
The pink refrigerator is powered by solar energy, and it is provided to travelers free of charge. According to several sources, it is refilled with various drinks, such as bottled water and iced tea, several times per day, but because this unusual oasis has become so popular with tourists, it can often be empty by evening.
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1.1. What is the purpose of installing the pink refrigerator?
A To test desert survival equipment.
B To promote local cultural events.
C To conduct climate research.
D To provide drinks for thirsty travelers.
解析：选D。细节理解题。第二段结尾处明确说明冰箱安装意图“It was designed as a modern take on the desert oasis for tired travelers looking to relieve their thirst”（它是为缓解口渴的疲惫旅行者设计的现代版沙漠绿洲）。故选D。
2.2. Why did travelers initially doubt the pink refrigerator?
A It was powered by solar energy.
B It looked unusual in the desert.
C Social media reports were fake.
D Drinks in it were free of charge.
解析：选B。细节理解题。第三段提到的“At first, people were understandably doubtful about the idea of taking a drink out of a suspicious pink refrigerator in the middle of the desert”一开始，人们对从沙漠里一个可疑的粉红色冰箱里拿饮料的想法持怀疑态度。人们因冰箱在沙漠中显得突兀而怀疑其真实性。故选B。
3.3. What is an advantage of the refrigerator’s hilltop position?
A Easy access to solar power.
B Protection from wild animals.
C A great view of the desert and sunset.
D Shade from the daytime sun.
解析：选C。细节理解题。第三段明确提到“Because the refrigerator is positioned on top of a small hill, it is the perfect place to take in the natural beauty of the Namib Desert and admire the beautiful sunset.”冰箱位于一座小山的顶部，此处是欣赏纳米布沙漠自然美景和壮观日落的理想场所。选项D与文中“chairs are in the sun all day”矛盾，A和B未提及。故选C。
4.4. Why is the refrigerator often empty by evening?
A Tourists take drinks faster than refilling.
B Solar power stops working at night.
C High temperatures melt the drinks.
D The government limits daily supplies.
解析：选A。细节理解题。最后一段提到“but because this unusual oasis has become so popular with tourists, it can often be empty by evening.”来此地的游客太多，补货频率跟不上游客的需求，所以到晚上的时候冰箱可能就是空的了。故选A。
