17．In America，Virginia Beach has all the elements of a classic seaside resort：brilliant beaches，a lively boardwalk，plenty of restaurants and nightspots，and amusement rides sure to appeal to kids．Many believe Virginia Beach is at its best in the offseason，when the town is less crowded but the weather is still mild．
Meanwhile，some safety tips should be followed，enjoying the happiness and excitement the beach offers．
The number 1safety tip concerns ocean safety：pay attention to Flag conditions posted on the lifeguard stands．Lifeguards post a red flag to warn when the ocean water is dangerous．Take them seriously!Tourists from landlocked regions are particularly easily attracted by the magic of the waves．However，a calm ocean can become risky without warning．Make sure you swim near a lifeguard．Swimming without lifeguard protection is almost five times as great as drowning at a beach with lifeguards．
Never swim alone．Many drownings involve single swimmer．When you swim with someone else，if one of you has a problem，the other may be able to get help，including signaling for assistance from others．
Don't fight the current．The facts show that some 80% of rescues by lifeguards at ocean beaches are caused by currents．These currents are formed by surf and gravity，because once surf pushes water up the slope of a beach，gravity pulls it back．This can create concentrated rivers of water moving offshore．If you are caught in a rip current，don't fight it by trying to swim directly to shore．Instead，swim parallel to shore until you feel the current relax，then swim to shore．Most rip currents are narrow and a short swim parallel to shore will help bring you to safety．
21．Tourists believe Virginia Beach is at its best in the offseason becauseC．
A．the towns nearby are empty and the tourists can enjoy quietness
B．the weather is hot and the tourists can swim in the sea
C．the weather is still mild and there are fewer tourists in the towns nearby
D．the beach can offer the tourists happiness and excitement
22．Which statement below is TUE according to the passage？D
A．Fighting the current is exciting and fun．
B．The red flag means the ocean is clam and safe．
C．Swimming near a lifeguard won't bring you safety．
D．Land-locked tourists are more attracted by the beauty of the waves．
23．From the passage，we can infer thatA．
A．if one with a lifeguard were drowning，five persons without lifeguards would be
B．one in five persons swimming in the sea is drowned
C．some 80% people drowning by the currents are rescued by lifeguards
D．some 20% people drowning by the currents are rescued by lifeguards．
分析 文章主要介绍了美国弗吉尼亚美丽的沙滩景色和完善的旅游设施．其中，着重强调了游泳时的注意事项，提醒游客以安全为重．
解答 21．C 细节理解题．根据第一段的"Many believe Virginia Beach is at its best inthe off-season，when the town is less crowded but the weather is still mild．"可知，许多人认为淡季去弗吉尼亚沙滩最好，那时游客不太多，天气也还比较温和．故选C．
22．D 细节理解题．根据第三段的Tourists from landlocked regions are particularly easily attracted by the magic of the waves．可知，内陆地区的游客特别容易被海浪的魔力所吸引．故选D．
23．A 推理判断题．根据第三段的"Swimming without lifeguard protection isalmost five times as great as drowning at a beach with lifeguards．"可知，没有救生员在旁边发生溺水的概率是有救生员在旁边发生溺水的五倍．所以如果一个人和救生员在一起发生溺水，那么没有救生员会有五个人发生溺水，故选A．
点评 本文是新闻报道类阅读，主要考查细节理解题和推理判断题．在做细节理解题时，首先根据题目要求迅速在文章里找出相应的段落、句子或短语．认真比较选项和文中细节的区别，在做推理判断题时不要以个人的主观想象代替文章的事实，要根据文章事实进行合乎逻辑的推理判断．
