I flew into Basra, Iraq’s largest port. The city straddles the Shatt al-Arab river, which is formed by the confluence of the Tigris
and Euphrates. The two mighty __53__ inspired the name Mesopotamia. It was from Basra __54__ the fictional mariner Sinbad
the Sailor set out on his voyages to supernatural realms in Arabian Nights. __55__ , the start of my own journey was far more
mundane. The desert eventually turned to green as we __56__ the highway and entered the vast wetlands. These southern Iraqi
marshes are one of the world's largest inland delta systems. 【題組】55. (A) At a distance (B) By comparison (C) Not surprisingly (D) No wonder