英国白金汉宫东翼区域将于今夏首次向公众开放。届时，游客将能够在导游的带领下参观东翼的中央大厅。近两百年来，每逢重大场合，王室成员需要公开露面时，他们都会先齐聚在这间大厅里，然后再一起登上白金汉宫标志性的阳台向民众挥手致意。

For the first time, the public will be able to go on guided tours of Buckingham Palace's East Wing. That includes the famous front facade with a balcony that's been the focus of so many big royal occasions, although visitors won't be able to step out onto the balcony and wave to the tourists below.

这将是公众首次能够在导游的带领下参观白金汉宫东翼。可供参观的区域包括宫殿正面著名的标志性阳台，这座阳台是许多重大王室活动的焦点，不过参观者不能像王室那样走上阳台，向下面的游客们挥手。

But in July and August, visitors will be able to see many historic rooms in that wing of the palace previously not open to the public as part of an effort to open up more of the royal estate.

王室希望能开放更多居所供民众参观，在今年7月和8月，游客们将能够参观白金汉宫东翼许多历史悠久的房间，这些房间此前从未向公众开放。

The palace's East Wing, built in the reign of Queen Victoria, was originally funded by selling the Brighton Pavilion. But modern visitors who want the guided tour, plus a visit to the palace's State Rooms, will have to pay £75.

白金汉宫东翼建于英国维多利亚女王统治时期，最初修建该区域靠出售布莱顿皇家行宫（又称 “英王阁”）所得的资金。而如今游客如果想参加这个由导游带领的东翼游览活动，包括参观国事厅，就必须支付75英镑的游览费。

词汇表

facade （大型建筑物的）正立面
step out 走出
royal estate 王室居所
reign 统治时期，君主在位时期
funded 由…提供资金
State Rooms （白金汉宫）国事厅

阅读理解：请在读完上文后，回答下列问题。

1. Which iconic feature of the palace's East Wing will visitors be able to see during tours?

2. True or False? Visitors will be able to step out onto the balcony during the tour.

3. When will the public be able to visit the East Wing?

4. How much will the guided tour plus the State Rooms visit cost?

答案

1. Which iconic feature of the palace's East Wing will visitors be able to see during tours? 

During tours, visitors will be able to see the famous front facade and its balcony.

2. True or False? Visitors will be able to step out onto the balcony during the tour.

False. Visitors won't be able to step out onto the balcony. 

3. When will the public be able to visit the East Wing? 

The public will be able to visit the East Wing in July and August. 

4. How much will the guided tour plus the State Rooms visit cost?

The guided tour plus a visit to the State Rooms will cost £75.