The desert is deceiving. At first glance it looks lifeless, barren, and bone-dry. For most passersby humming through the Mojave on their way to try their luck in Las Vegas or heading towards the Grand Canyon, it’s just a【C1】_____stretch of land with some mountains in the distance and more【C2】__to be a setting for a movie that takes place on Mars. The desert, however, is【C3】_____with life, mystery, and magic.

The Mojave desert sees less than two inches of rain a year, and like most deserts, is a land of【C4】_____Temperature fluctuations vary from freezing to【C5】_____hot, not only between seasons, but even within the same day.

At the heart of this vast, 25,000-square-mile desert is Mojave National Preserve. The folks managing and working there wear the wide-brimmed (宽边的) hats that have become【C6】_____with places like Yosemite. The preserve is rich with history, culture, biodiversity, and endless opportunities to【C7】__your interest, especially for anyone who loves the outdoors. For a photographer, it requires patience and【C8】_____a few spare tires to maneuver the network of unpaved “roads”, but the rewards are plenty.

Photographing here requires a good,【C9】________pair of shoes and a lot of preparation. Plenty of water, spare tires, and a full tank of gas are needed to explore this unit of the national park system, which is the third largest in the country.

Like an deserts, though, if you are patient, you will be rewarded, as they often reveal their secrets slowly. During my last outing, I was surprised to see how much of the area was shaped by ancient volcanoes and geological forces, much of which remains today, giving the area a【C10】________feel and painting a colorful background for great photographs.

A) apt E) fractions I) sparingly M) sturdy

B) burning F) overflowing J) sprinkle N) synonymous

C) extremes G) parasites K) steer O) unique

D) flat H) probably L) stimulate

【C9】