Being one of the most attractive tourism destinations of the country, Sa Pa, (17) ________ in a range of mountains known as "the Tonkinese Alps", is a precious gift that mother nature dedicates to Viet Nam. 350 km north-west away from Ha Noi, the landscape lies at the altitude of 1,600 m. Sa Pa and its (18) ________ regions are home to many hill tribes, as well as rive terraces, lush vegetation, and Fansipan, the highest peak in Viet Nam. The other great mountains, where Sa Pa (19) _______ the first rays of the sun, make up very steep valleys. With the temperature ranging from the lowest of -1°C to the highest of 29°C, Sa Pa's climate is moderate and drizzly in summer while chilly and foggy in winter.

Sa Pa (or Chapa the "sandy place") first appeared in Viet Nam national map in the late 1880s when the French disembarked in highland Tonkin. The first permanent civilian (20) _________ arrived in Sa Pa in 1909, and by 1920, there were a number of villas being built in this area by prosperous professionals. Going through many ups and downs, nowadays, Sa Pa is a prominent holiday destination, favoured by (21) ________ local and foreign tourists.

(Source: Adapted from www.vietnamonline.com/destionation/sapa.html)

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks

Being one of the most attractive tourism destinations of the country, Sa Pa, (17) ________ in a range of mountains known as "the Tonkinese Alps", is a precious gift that mother nature dedicates to Viet Nam.