There’s a secret spot in Ireland. And the locals don’t want you to know it exists.
I found it by chance. The Irish are world-famous for being a friendly nation and yet you hesitate as you climb to the top of a hill and see a fisherman storing his tools, the dog good-naturedly circling his feet. The camera comes out. The scene is so in line with the postcard Ireland you remember seeing pinned to the wall. Walking closer you drop the camera until you’re close enough to simply watch and listen. The water gently touches his boat. His tools hit the dock(码头), making ringing noises.
The dog has discovered you sitting so quietly on the hill and although he’s been playing in the water he knows no sense of politeness and runs toward you —only a slight delay in his step as his owner shouts out a command. It slows his progress toward you, but only slightly. That dog is about to give you the wettest and hairiest hug you’ve had in weeks.
The dog has opened the door to conversation now and as the dog leads you to the fisherman you glance toward the sound of an approaching car, his wife, here to pick him up and transport his catch back into town. The immediate polite conversations unfold—I’m an obvious American and don’t deny it, they’re curious as to why such a healthy and pretty young lady such as myself is wandering the cold hills in such a remote area of Ireland. “Single are ya? Well why in the world are ya traveling by yourself, you’ll never meet a man that way? ” demands the wife. She’s a tough customer and can’t understand my answer “because I enjoy it,” evidenced by her long-suffering sigh and a muttering(喃喃自语) about “young people”.
There’s a secret spot in Ireland, and I’m not going to tell you where it is. I’m not going to tell where it is because I know there’re other Irish towns out there just like it—all laced with joy of simplicity.
1. What is the writer’s identity?| A．A detective. | B．A traveler. | C．A journalist. | D．A fisherman |
| A．Rudeness. | B．Curiosity. | C．Envy. | D．Worry. |
| A．Full of secrets. | B．Not developed. |
| C．A place with simple joy. | D．A place with beautiful scenery. |
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【推荐1】2020 at Butlin’s
EASTER HOLIDAYS
Fri 3-Mon 20 April 2020
The Easter holidays are the perfect opportunities to shake off the winter coats, breathe in the fresh sea air and have your first paddle of the year in the sea. With lots of Easter-themed things to do, your kids can enjoy some of the more traditional Easter activities and shows.
Come with your family, make the most of the extra days off work and spend your Easter holidays with the people who matter most to you.
MAY HALF TERM
Fri 22 May-Mon 1 June 2020
The kids are off school, spring has come and there’s a bank holiday weekend in the mix; that means a trip to the seaside is a must! When the British weather’s playing ball, enjoy our outdoor activities, head to the beach and treat the family to an ice cream.
And if the weather’s not on our side, embrace the seaside in true British form while making the most of our indoor activity venues (场地) and brilliant live shows.
SUMMER HOLIDAYS
Fri 17 July-Fri 4 September 2020
Pack up the car and take your kids on a summer holiday to create long lasting family memories. Make the most of the beautiful beaches sitting on our resorts’ doorsteps, enjoy the Traditional Fairground and its unique rides, see live shows, and dive into our family pool; perfect for those not-so-sunny summer days.
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
Fri 4 Dec 2020-Sat 2 January 2021
Join us throughout December as we transform our resorts into festive(节日的) wonderlands, with particular live
Christmas shows and activities for all ages.
Whether it’s seeing a festive show, sitting down to eat together or wrapping up for a wander along the beach on Christmas Eve, we’re sure the whole family will leave feeling sparkly on the outside and warm and fuzzy on the inside.
1. What can you do at Butlin’s during the MAY HALF TERM?| A．Visit a bank. | B．Play ball. | C．Enjoy the beach. | D．Observe the weather. |
| A．EASTER HOLIDAYS | B．MAY HALF TERM |
| C．SUMMER HOLIDAYS | D．CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS |
| A．Families. | B．Students. | C．Kids. | D．Adults. |
【推荐2】From Marrakech to Cape Town, Africa has so much to offer. From culture hotspots to natural sights, it can be difficult to decide. Here are some top destinations to recommend.
Kruger National Park
Bursting with a variety of wildlife in large numbers, Kruger is considered South Africa’s best park for a reason. In addition to the awesome amount of nature on display, the facilities are also fantastic, with great hotels and camps to suit all kinds of budgets.
Cape Town
Take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for breathtaking views across the whole city. Hang out and relax at the Victoria and Alfred waterside area where you can visit the Museum of Contemporary African Art, try local dishes at the food market, or join a walking tour to explore the area’s history dating back to the 17th century.
Victoria Falls
Over 1,700 metres wide, Victoria Falls sits on the Zambia and Zimbabwe border. As November marks the start of the rainy season, it’s the perfect time to visit, as with all the extra water the falls will be at their most dramatic!
Okavango Delta
Boats are the best way to get around this watery wilderness, and perfect for getting up close to hippos and crocodiles. This is also a great place to explore African cuisine, with delicious dishes like Vetkoek, a type of burger served with curry, and chilli sauce.
So, whether you want to take a walk on the wild side or want to dive into a city’s culture(or both!), book your Africa adventure here in just a few simple clicks.
1. What do we know about Kruger National Park?| A．You need pay much for visiting. |
| B．The facilities appeal to tourists. |
| C．The rainy season is the best time for visiting. |
| D．You can content yourself with delicious dishes. |
| A．Okavango Delta | B．Kruger National Park |
| C．Cape Town | D．Victoria Falls |
| A．A website. | B．A journal. |
| C．A textbook. | D．A report. |
【推荐3】Harvey Sutton spent nearly seven months hiking with his parents, walking the thousands of kilometers that make up the complete Appalachian Trail. Harvey, or “little man”, was just 4 years old when he started, and celebrated his 5th birthday on the trail.
The Appalachian Trail, which many people call simply the “AT”, is a 3,530-kilometer hiking trail that runs through the forests of the Appalachian Mountains and passes through 14 states in all. Hiking the Appalachian Trail is tough, and only one out of every four hikers completes all the sections of the trail. The people who hike it must carry everything they need with them, including tents, sleeping bags and other supplies, along with food and water.
Harvey’s parents, Josh and Cassie Sutton, have been hiking with Harvey since he was two years old. They prepared him for hiking the AT by starting out with lots of shorter walks and hikes. It took Harvey and his family 209 days to complete the entire AT. Every day the family would wake up around 5:30 in the morning. They would have breakfast and pack up their tents and sleeping bags before setting off through the woods. In general, the family hiked about 16 kilometers a day before stopping to set up camp again.
During his days on the AT, Harvey liked to use his imagination. This helped him walk more quickly and have fun while he hiked. He played games with his mom and dad and other hikers. Karl Sakas hiked with the Suttons through seven states. Mr. Sakas said Harvey didn’t seem to get tired. When other hikers were worn out at the end of the day, Harvey was still eager for a game.
Completing the AT taught Harvey and his parents how to work as a team and how to take on challenges together. Harvey has now turned 5 and has started kindergarten. But at some point in the future, he says, “I want to hike the AT again!”
1. What can we learn about hiking on the AT?| A．It takes every hiker 7 months to finish it. |
| B．Only a quarter of hikers finish the whole trail. |
| C．Hikers like to celebrate their birthday on it. |
| D．Hikers spend lots of money hiking on it. |
| A．Naughty and tough. |
| B．Imaginative and funny. |
| C．Energetic and team-spirited. |
| D．Considerate and brave. |
| A．The AT — A Challenging Trail |
| B．The Little Man’s 209 Hiking Days |
| C．Hiking — Suttons’ Hobby |
| D．Why Do People Like Hiking? |
【推荐1】Katharine Meyer Graham was once described as "the most powerful woman in America." She was not a government official or elected representative, but she owned The Washington Post newspaper. Under her leadership, it became one of the most important newspapers in the country.
Katharine Meyer was born in a rich family in New York City in 1917. In 1933, her father had bought a failing newspaper, The Washington Post. Her marriage was a tragedy. Her husband treated her badly and suffered from mental illness, killing himself in 1963.
With no training or experience in business, she was insecure and she did not think she had the ability to do an important job. But Katharine Graham didn’t give up. In 1969, Missus Graham became publisher as well as president of The Washington Post Company.
In the 1970s, The Washington Post became famous around the world because of two major successes. In 1971, an order from a federal judge stopped The New York Times from publishing the Pentagon（五角大楼）Papers, because President Richard Nixon believed publication would endanger national security. Yet Katharine Graham ruled against the judge’s order and decided to publish the Pentagon Papers in The Washington Post, which was considered a major success for freedom of the press.
In 1972, The Washington Post had another major success. Through the long Watergate （水门事件）investigation, despite government’s threat, Missus Graham supported her reporters and editors. The newspaper was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for public service in 1973 for its Watergate reporting. The next year, President Nixon resigned from office.
Katharine Graham died of head injuries when she was eighty-four. She used her intelligence and bravery to improve the American media. After her death, the employees of The Washington Post wrote: "A world without Katharine Graham will not be the same at all."
1. What is Katharine Graham remembered for?| A．Her struggling with her unfortunate marriage. |
| B．Her success in running The Washington Post. |
| C．Her bravery in competing with other newspapers. |
| D．Her close relationship with her reporters and editors. |
| A．Excited and overjoyed. | B．Curious and eager. |
| C．Unconfident and unsure. | D．Annoyed and upset. |
| A．The government had more control over newspapers. |
| B．The press had more freedom from the government. |
| C．The Washington Post got the Pulitzer Prize. |
| D．Richard Nixon resigned from his office. |
| A．Her determination and bravery led to the success of the newspaper. |
| B．Her father laid a solid foundation for her success. |
| C．She was good at working with the government. |
| D．She was born a great leader. |
| A．The Rise of The Washington Post |
| B．The Making of a Great Newspaper |
| C．Great Newspapers of the United States |
| D．A Powerful Media Leader in America |
【推荐2】The regular editor (编辑) of the agricultural paper was going off for a holiday, and I took his place.
It was an easy job since I’ve been in the editorial business for fourteen years. I worked all week with untiring pleasure and waited a day to see whether my effort was going to attract any notice. As I went to the office in the morning, a group of men stood outside, watching me with interest, and I heard one or two of them say: “That’s him!” I was naturally pleased.
After a while, an old gentleman entered my office and asked me, “Are you the new editor?”
I said I was.
“Have you ever edited an agricultural paper before?”
“No,” I said. “ This is my first try.”
“I’d like to read you this: ‘Turnips (大头菜) should never be pulled; it injures them. It is much better to send a boy up and let him shake the tree.’”
“Now, what do you think of that?”
“I think it is good. Every year millions and millions of turnips are damaged by being pulled. If they had sent a boy up to shake the trees!”
“Shake your grandmother! Turnips don’t grow on trees!”
“Oh, they don’t? Well, who said they did? The language was intended to be figurative (比喻的).”
Then this old person tore his paper into pieces, and went out.
Pretty soon after this, the editor came in, looking sad and confused.
He said, “What put it into your head that you could edit a paper of this nature? You talk of the moulting (换羽毛) season for cows; and you say that clams (蛤蜊) will lie quiet if music were played to them. Nonsense! Clams always lie quiet and they care nothing whatever about music. Ah, heavens and earth, friend! Why didn’t you tell me you didn’t know anything about agriculture?”
1. How did the author feel at the first sight of the men?| A．Frightened. | B．Confused. |
| C．Angry. | D．Happy. |
| A．He was full of creative ideas. |
| B．He was a newcomer to the editing business |
| C．He had no experience in editing agricultural papers. |
| D．He couldn’t tell the difference between certain plants. |
| A．To ask for the author’s opinion. |
| B．To point out the author’s mistake. |
| C．To find out if it was written by the author. |
| D．To discuss the use of language with the author. |
| A．He expressed thanks to the author. |
| B．He was strongly dissatisfied with the author. |
| C．He praised the author for his humorous language. |
| D．He asked the author to improve his agricultural knowledge. |
【推荐3】My sense of direction is pretty horrific and there was one time I was in a very remote part of Austria and wanted to go to meet up with some of my friends at a lake. I grabbed a bike, and set off, map in hand. All was going well until I realized I was in a really, really remote part of the town, and pretty soon I realized I was also on a hill. My poor sense of direction and my childish relationship with maps accidentally led me up a mountain.
I was 2.5 hours into my voyage, there was no sign of any life around me, there was definitely no lake in sight at all and especially the noises around me got stranger. I looked at my map wondering how it could deceive me and where our relationship took a wrong turn. Then, I turned around and BOOM, I got a flat tire. It was getting darker, I was shitting bricks by the second, and any moment now, something was going to jump out and ate me alive.
I eventually stop caring that my bike will collapse on me and start riding it down a very rocky trail at a pretty fast pace just hoping to get out of there as fast as possible.
Several minutes later, I finally see a highway, so I get back on a known trail and just a few kilometres up, I see the sign where I missed my turn for the lake. After my 2-hour detour, I had no desire to be near anything wet as I was already soaked from exhaustion, so I tried to get reception to call and see if anyone could pick me up. Eventually, I was able to track down some elderly Austrian men who could see my dilemma and handed me their phone, and a large pint of Austrian beer to save the day.
1. Which of the following is the best title of the passage?| A．Conquer fears |
| B．Travel abroad |
| C．On the way into darkness! |
| D．When bad directions attack! |
| A．Extremely frightened. | B．Hitting some bricks. |
| C．Very disappointing. | D．Entirely tired. |
| A．Using poor satellite positioning. |
| B．Having got a flat tire. |
| C．Riding a wrong bus. |
| D．Being cheated by her poor memory. |
