【推荐2】Are you looking for a place where your kids can have fun? If you’re, read on.

Zoos and Wildlife Parks

Kids love wildlife! There are many ways to enjoy wildlife. A visit to the zoo is a good start. Check the event calendar of the zoo and do not miss the animal shows. Animal shows are always interesting. There are also zoos which allow kids to touch animals. Where to go? Sydney: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Koala Park Sanctuary; Brisbane:Alma Park Zoo, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary;Perth: Caversham Wildlife Park, Penguin Island.

Aquariums

Plan a trip to the aquarium. Kids can watch aquarists feed and train sea animals there.Why not encourage your kids to be aquarium keepers for a day? Where to go? Sydney:Oceanworld Manly,Sydney Aquarium;Melbourne :Melboume Aquarium; Perth: the Aquarium of Western Australia.

Wildlife Cruise (游览）

Another way of getting to know wildlife is to take a wildlife cruise.Watch animals such as whales, dolphins, penguins as well as other sea birds. Make sure that your children are supervised at all times for their own safety. Remember to clothe your kids with warm clothing and bring a hat. Where to go? Perth : Rockingham Dolphins;Carins:Great Barrier Reef;Tasmania: Peppermint Bay Cruise; Hervey Bay:Whale Watching.

Museums

Children love going to museums. They offer many activities for them to learn and have fun. Different museums have different themes (主题). Learn about the programs of the museums before you go to one. Where to go? Sydney: Sydney Children's Museum; Adelaide: Charles Sturt Museum; Brisbane: Museum of Brisbane; Perth: the Perth Mint.

1. Where can you go if you love watching sea animals?

A．Sydney Aquarium.	B．Koala Park Sanctuary.
C．Caversham Wildlife Park.	D．Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

2. What are parents advised to do when they take a wildlife cruise ?

A．Wear warm clothes.	B．Keep an eye on their kids.
C．Feed and train sea animals.	D．Communicate with aquarium keepers.

3. Who would prefer to go to the Perth Mint?

A．Kids who want a trip outdoors.	B．Kids who like different activities.
C．Kids who love watching wildlife.	D．Kids who love visiting museums.

【推荐3】Amsterdam Destination Guide

Amsterdam is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, famous for its beautiful canals, top art museums, cycling culture and so on. It is the capital and most populous city in the Netherlands and often referred to as the “Venice of the North” because of its expansive system of bridges and canals. Here are some of the key points to remember as you plan your trip to Amsterdam.

Boom Season	Population	Language(s)	Currency	January Climate	July Climate
May to October	813,562	Dutch	Euro	Average high: 5.8℃	Average high: 22.0℃

Must-See Attractions

Most visitors begin their Amsterdam adventure in the Old Centre, which is full of traditional architecture, shopping centers, and coffee shops. You’ll also want to check out Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter in the South District, which is great for shopping at the Albert Cnyp Market and having a picnic in the Vondelpark. The top museums to visit there are the Rijksmusuem, the Ann Frank House, and the Van Gogh Museum.

If You Have Time

There are several other unique districts in Amsterdam, and you should try to explore as many of them as time allows. The Canal Ring is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was originally built to attract wealthy home owners and is a center for celebrity spotting and nightlife today. The Plantage area has most of the city’s museums, including the Jewish Historical Museum, the Scheepvaart Museum, and the botanical gardens.

Money Saving Tips

●Unless you really want to see the tulips blooming, avoid booking between mid-March and mid-May. This is when hotel and flight prices rise.

●Look for accommodations in Amsterdam’s South District, where rates are generally cheaper than in the city center.

●Buy train tickets at the machine instead of the counter to save a bit of money.

●Instead of hiring a tour guide, hop on a canal boat. They’re inexpensive and will give you a unique point of view of the city,

Check out our homepage to view price comparisons for flights, hotels, and rental cars before you book.

1. What can be learned about Amsterdam from this passage?

A．Amsterdam is called the “Venice of the North” because of its location.

B．The Van Gogh Museum lies in Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter.

C．The Old Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

D．The Canal Ring is a place to attract garden lovers.

2. In order to save money in Amsterdam, you can           .

A．arrange a guided canal tour

B．buy train tickets at the counter

C．reserve a hotel in the South District

D．book flights between mid-March and mid-May

3. Where is the passage most probably taken from?

A．A magazine.

B．An essay.

C．A report.

D．A website.

【推荐1】Disney World, Not To Be Missed!

Are you still looking for an amusement park to enjoy yourself? Then, Disney World is your best choice! Disney World has four theme parks. A single-day ticket to any of these four theme parks is $67 for adults and $56 for young children above three years. You’ll surely have a fantastic and memorable experience!

Magic Kingdom

This is the original Disney park from which the entire Disney World has expanded. Once you get here, you can pose for pictures with the Disney characters at the entrance. But if you want to save time, go straight to the Main Street. The children would almost certainly desire to see the Dumbo and Winnie.

Epcot

Epcot is divided into two sections: World Showcase and Future World. Future World is all about futuristic rides and high-tech attractions like Test Track and Turtle Talk with Crush. World Showcase, which lies along a lake, shows international styles from different parts of the globe, including Germany, Canada, Mexico, China and a lot more.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

If you’re an animal lover, you’ll really like the Animal Kingdom. The newest addition to this part of Disney World is the Expedition Everest ride plus the Finding Nemo stage show. It’s very best to come here in the morning when animals are more active.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

You will discover plenty of huge attractions inside this movie park. Indiana Jones, Playhouse Disney Live, Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, and also the Lights, Motors, Actions Extreme Stunt show are just few of what you need to watch out for. It is also the very best spot for taking pictures with Disney characters.

1. If your parents bring you and your 2-year-old little brother to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the cost is ________.

A．$190	B．$255
C．$134	D．$179

2. You think Epcot is worth visiting probably because you can ________.

A．see the most popular movies nowadays

B．go hunting wherever you like

C．take pictures with the Disney characters

D．enjoy the foreign styles along the lake

3. Which theme park can you go if you want to take photos with Mickey Mouse and Winnie?

A．Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

B．Epcot and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

C．Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

D．Disney’ s Hollywood Studios and Epcot.

【推荐2】Edinburgh is famous for its many museums where you can learn its rich history.

Museum on the Mound

Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s city center, this appealing museum takes a fresh look at money — and much, much more. You will see coins and banknotes from over the ages, including the first Scottish banknote printed in 1727. There are also interesting interactive displays and you can even try your hand at opening a safe!

The Writers’ Museum

It is housed in the beautiful Lady Stair’s House, a category A listed building. The collection celebrates the legacy of Scotland’s literary contributions, with special emphasis given to Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson and Robert Burns. The museum is home to numerous paintings, books and manuscripts (手稿), and you can also see Burns’ writing desk and Scott’s chess set.

Our Dynamic Earth

It celebrates the beauty of the earth via technology. Interactive exhibits allow visitors to experience earthquakes, the ocean floor, ice ages and mountains by the use of computer software. Particularly interesting is the “tour” around the eleven Earthscapes. It is educational fun for the whole family and can serve as a good introduction to concepts surrounding the formation of the planet and the creatures we share the earth with.

National Museum of Scotland

The diverse collections here include the history of Scotland with exhibitions of international interest. The natural world, science and technology, discoveries, art, and world cultures are all explored. There are interactive elements and activities to suit children of all ages, including science experiments and musical instruments.

1. Which might be the most attractive to finance majors?

A．Our Dynamic Earth.	B．The Writers’ Museum.
C．Museum on the Mound.	D．National Museum of Scotland.

2. What can you do at Our Dynamic Earth?

A．Play with your family.	B．Tour the world virtually.
C．Design computer software.	D．Learn about ancient creatures.

3. What do The Writers’ Museum and National Museum of Scotland have in common?

A．They have interactive exhibits.	B．They showcase world cultures.
C．They provide hands-on activities.	D．They have an artistic atmosphere.

【推荐1】London Underground

The London Underground rail network, also called “the Tube”, is a great way to travel to, from and around central London. Read advice on how to master the London Underground public transport.

Tube Zones

The London Underground rail network is divided into nine zones. Zone 1 is in central London and zones 6 to 9 are on the outskirts of the city. There are 11 Tube lines.

Tube Prices

Buy a Visitor Oyster card, Oyster card, Travelcard or use a contactless (非接触式的) payment card to get the best value as cash is the most expensive way to pay. An adult cash fare (费用) on the London metro for a single journey in zone 1 is £4.90. The same Tube fare with Visitor Oyster card, Oyster card or contactless payment card is £2.40. If you plan on travelling around London to do some sightseeing and visit some of London’s best attractions, why not get a London Pass and save even more money?

Opening and Closing Times

London Underground opening times vary from line to line, but the first London subway trains normally start running around 5 am, from Monday to Saturday, with reduced operating hours on Sunday. Avoid travelling during rush hours (weekdays, 7-9 am and 5.30-7 pm) if at all possible. London metro trains normally run until around midnight. A 24-hour underground service operates on certain lines. Check with staff at the particular tube station you plan on using to find out exactly when the last train runs.

1. Which of the following tube zones is on the outskirts of London?

A．Zone 1.

B．Zone 5.

C．Zone 8.

D．Zone 11.

2. Which way is the most expensive to pay tube fare?

A．Using Travelcard.	B．Using Cash.
C．Using London Pass.	D．Using Visitor Oyster card.

3. What do we know about London Underground times?

A．The tube closes on Sunday.

B．No lines in the tube run 24 hours.

C．The operating hours are the same every day.

D．The opening times are different from line to line.

【推荐2】“Earthquake!” The word flashed in my brain. A roaring sound filled my ears. I tried to slide beneath my desk. The desk did a wild tap dance, slipping and sliding towards the centre of the room. I twisted my body and grabbed at the windowsill behind me, somehow kicking free of my dancing chair. I tried to stand. My legs skated away as if on a bucking escalator.

My fingers shook, grasped and held the windowsill tightly. Somewhere through the roar sounded the terrified scream of some wounded animal. I looked behind me and tried to steady my gaze on the other kids but the scene was a dizzy nightmare. Some of the class were sitting in the middle of the room, surrounded by chairs and desks. One girl was screaming. A boy was trying to claw his way across the floor to the door in a crazy overarm crawl.

My grip froze me to the windowsill.

I cried aloud, “I’m going to die. I’m going to die. Save me. I’m not ready to die. I’m not ready!”

I hunched forward on my knees and pressed my face against my clenched (紧握的) fingers. I looked at the backs of my fingers and stupidly noticed the fragile pale hairs growing out of the pores. The fingers would soon cease to exist. Somehow the impending horror of my death was too terrible to even cry about.

Suddenly, I became aware that the rocking had ceased. Perhaps I wasn’t going to die.

1. The roaring sound was made by 　　　.

A．a wounded animal	B．people screaming
C．children running	D．an earthquake

2. When the narrator clenched his fingers he was 　　　.

A．afraid	B．angry
C．injured	D．impatient

3. Paragraph 2 describes the 　　　.

A．injuries suffered by the narrator

B．effects of a bad nightmare

C．disorder in the classroom

D．narrator’s fear of death

4. At the end of the passage there is a feeling of 　　　.

A．panic	B．hope
C．sorrow	D．excitement

【推荐3】Hundreds of years ago, news was carried from place to place by people on foot or by horse. It took days, weeks and sometimes months for people to receive news. Now it is possible to send words and pictures around the world in seconds. Billions of people learn about news stories of their own country and all over the world every day, either by watching TV or reading newspaper.

Newspapers have been an important part of everyday life since the 18th century. Many countries have hundreds of different newspapers. How do newspaper editors decide which news stories to print? Why do they print some stories and not others? What makes a good newspaper story?

Firstly, it is important to report news stories. TV stations can report news much faster than newspapers. Yet, newspapers give more about the same story. They may also look at the story in another way, or they may print completely different stories to those on TV.

Secondly, a news story has to be interesting and unusual. People don’t want to read stories about everyday life. As a result, many stories are about some kind of danger and seem to be “bad” news. For example, newspapers never print stories about planes landing safely; instead they print stories about plane accidents.

Another factor (因素) is also very important in many news stories. Many people are interested in news in foreign countries, but more prefer to read stories about people, places and events in their own country. So the stories on the front page in Chinese newspapers are usually very different from the ones in British, French and American newspapers.

1. According to the passage, how do people learn about news stories in the world now?

A．They carry news stories and tell others from place to place on foot or by horse.

B．They tell each other what they have seen with their eyes.

C．They watch TV or read newspapers.

D．They listen to the radio every day.

2. The difference between newspaper stories and TV news reports is that ________.

A．people can learn more about the same news story from a newspaper

B．people can read the news story more quickly in a newspaper

C．people can read news stories in other countries

D．people can read news stories about their own country

3. To make a good newspaper story, how many factors does the passage talk about?

A．Two.

B．Three.

C．Five.

D．Six.

4. According to the passage, which of the following can you most possibly watch on TV?

A．Your teacher has got a cold.

B．The bike in front of your house is lost.

C．You often play football with your friends after school.

D．A tiger in the city zoo has run out and hasn’t been caught.

【推荐1】The huge T-rex (霸王龙) bends over a large triceratops (三角龙) lying on his side below. With its mouth open wide, the T-rex looks ready to kill the triceratops with a final bite to the triceratops’s neck. The display will be found at the National Museum of Natural History.

The museum has sought a huge T-rex skeleton (骨架) for many years. Before, it used a model of one. But museum director Kirk Johnson says that was never good enough. “It’s been kind of deeply embarrassing to be the national museum and NOT have a T-rex,” he said. The T-rex display is now the centerpiece of the museum’s newest show, which will be available to the public on July 15.

That T-rex, named Sue, was found in South Dakota. Officials at the museum built a special area for the skeleton. It includes a gift store of all things related to Sue. Sue even has her own Twitter account and a media presentation of her life story.

In modern times, movies like “Jurassic Park (侏罗纪公园)” have helped grow dinosaur interest for a new generation of young fans. But such movies describe the T-rexes as mostly huge, stupid and dangerous animals, which are true threat in the fighting: quick, intelligent and aggressive hunters in groups.

1. What is described in Paragraph 1?

A．How a T-rex hunts in the wild.

B．How a T-rex will be displayed in a museum.

C．How a T-rex is painted in a picture.

D．How a T-rex is filmed in a movie.

2. What do we know about the T-rex skeleton?

A．It was found in Australia.

B．It has been open to the public.

C．It is valued by the museum.

D．It is still a model one.

3. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．Movies about dinosaurs should be reduced.

B．The young generation dislikes dinosaurs.

C．The T-rex is a kind of huge, stupid dinosaur.

D．Some movies are misleading in a way.

【推荐2】Sunny countries are often poor. A shame, then, that solar power is still quite expensive. Eight19, a British company by Cambridge University, has, however, invented a novel way to get round this. In return for a deposit of around￡10 it is supplying poor Kenyan families with a solar cell able to generate 2.5 watts of electricity, a battery that can deliver a three amp (安培) current to store this electricity, and a lamp whose bulb is a light­emitting diode (二极管). The firm thinks that this system, once the battery is fully charged, is enough to light two small rooms and to power a mobile­phone charger for seven hours. Then, next day, it can be put outside and charged back up again.

The trick is that, to be able to use the electricity, the system’s keeper must buy a scratch card — for as little as a dollar — on which is printed a reference number. The keeper sends this reference, plus the serial number of the household solar unit, by SMS to Eight19. The company’s server will respond automatically with an access code to the unit.

Users may consider that they are paying an hourly rate for their electricity. In fact, they are paying off the cost of the unit. After buying around￡80 worth of scratch cards — which Eight19 expects would take the average family around 18 months — the user will own it. He will then have the option of continuing to use it for nothing, or of trading it in for a bigger one, perhaps driven by a 10­watt solar cell.

In that case, he would go then through the same process again, paying off the additional cost of the upgraded kit at a slightly higher rate. Users would therefore increase their electricity supply steadily and affordably.

According to Eight19’s figures, this looks like a good deal for customers. The firm believes the average energy­starved Kenyan spends around￡10 a month on oil — enough to fuel a couple of smoky lamps — plus￡2 on charging his mobile phone in the market­place. Regular users of one of Eight19’s basic solar units will spend around half that, before owning it completely. Meanwhile, as the cost of solar technology falls, it should get even cheaper.

1. The underlined word “get round” in the first paragraph can be replaced by “______”.

A．make use of	B．come up with
C．look into	D．deal with

2. What should the user do when the electricity in the battery is used up?

A．Buy a scratch card.

B．Recharge it outside.

C．Buy another solar cell.

D．Return it to the company.

3. How much would users pay for the cell and scratch cards before they own a 2.5­watt solar cell?

A．Around￡10.	B．Around￡80.
C．Around￡90.	D．Around￡180.

4. It can be inferred from the last paragraph that       .

A．Kenyan families would find it difficult to afford the solar cell

B．using the solar cell would help Kenyan families save money

C．few Kenyan families use mobile phones for lack of electricity

D．the company will make a great profit from selling solar cells

【推荐3】A letter to my children on their first day of school

Dear Olivia and Evan,

As I opened my eyes this morning, the realization that you will be starting a new school year at a new school today controlled my mind for a moment. As we went about our morning routine (例行事务), I thought of so many things I wanted to say to you.

As I quietly entered your room and softly kissed you awake—I wanted to tell you that I know what it’s like to be the new kid. I understand worrying about finding your way both physically and socially. You’ll spend a lifetime finding your way.     1    

As I stood at the bathroom door while you brushed your teeth—I wanted to tell you to try not to look so nervous.     2     It is said a picture is worth a thousand words. I believe a smile is worth at least that much.

    3    —I wanted to tell you if at any moment today you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, just breathe. You’ll be surprised how a couple of deep breaths can help you see things in a whole new light.

As we got in the car—I wanted to tell you not everyone will have things in common with you.     4     They may pleasantly surprise you.

As I drove the few blocks to school—I wanted to tell you to listen when the teacher speaks, when someone new talks about themselves, etc.     5    

As you got out of the car I gave you each a kiss and a hug and said — “Just be yourself, and remember how much I love you. I’ll be waiting to hear all about your experiences this afternoon.”

I realized that’s really all you needed to hear.

Love

Mom

A．Never give up.

B．As you went to bed

C．As you ate your breakfast

D．Accept the differences happily.

E．It’s good to take notes while listening in class.

F．Listening is one of those skills that will come in handy later in life.

G．The simple act of smiling can be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.