【推荐1】Tiny homes have been popular as home prices have climbed to new heights and people have looked for creative ways to downsize. We’ve seen many design concepts, including storage units and buses, but Jim Dotzenrod and his daughter Danielle recently came up with a unique one. The pair worked together on the family project to transform a 1973 train caboose into the sleeper car.

The CR Station Train Caboose, as it’s known on Airbnb, which has become somewhat of its own tourist destination in the small town that houses it, is available to rent for $124 a night, and has an excellent rating of 4.86 out of 5 from more than 300 guests on the booking website.

According to Insider, the project began when Jim saw a bunch of train cabooses along the side of the road during a drive out of town. He said he wondered if he could change one of them into a place where people could live or stay. So, he bought the 52,000-pound caboose for $8,000. Getting the caboose to its final home took some creative thinking and some heavy-duty equipment.

Danielle said the work was challenging, especially since she and her dad both have day jobs. But their schedules didn’t stop them from finishing the project. “My dad can do anything he sets his mind to — like, absolutely anything — but my dad is so low maintenance himself,” Danielle told the website. “So when we built this together it was a good combination because he could build whatever and have me pushing him like, ‘Hey, let’s make this as cool as we can.’”

This caboose also has Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, a refrigerator, a shower and more. So, if you’re ever traveling in Iowa and want to experience something special, book a stay at the CR Station Train Caboose!

1. What can we know about the CR Station Train Caboose?

A．It can only be booked online.	B．It has become a local attraction.
C．It offers a new concept in home decoration.	D．It was transported to the town with little effort.

2. The words “low maintenance” in paragraph 4 indicate Jim Dotzenrod is ________.

A．easy and pleasant to deal with	B．determined to do what he wants
C．excellent at building houses	D．experienced in project design

3. What is the purpose of the last paragraph?

A．To introduce a lifestyle.	B．To share an experience.
C．To show a travel trend.	D．To make an advertisement.

【推荐2】Did you ever take the best train ride to get a first-hand view of a place? Here we go.

Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia The Trans-Siberian Railway is 5,772 miles long, making it one of the world’s longest train routes—it goes across Russia! You start in Moscow, cross the Ural Mountains and then the Siberian forest. Over the course of eight days, you’ll witness Lake Baikal, the world’s largest freshwater lake by volume.

Glacier Express, Switzerland

The Glacier Express connects two breathtaking mountain resorts: Zermatt and St. Moriz. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the astonishing beauty of the Swiss Alps and ride past great grassland, mountain lakes and across the Oberalp Pass at 6,706 feet high. This day-long journey also features 91 tunnels and 291 bridges.

Jacobite Steam Train, Scotland

Despite its short 84-mile round trip, you’ll see a lot on the Jacobite Steam Train. Your journey begins in the Scottish Highlands near Great Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. While in transit (途中)，you’ll see green hills, small towns, and cross over the famous Glenfinnan bridge over a valley.

Belmond Hiram Bingham, Peru

Named after the American explorer who rediscovered the Inca site in 1911, Belmond, the route itself is 57 miles and lasts about three and a half hours in each direction. This trip begins at the ancient capital city of Cusco, goes through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and ends at the World Heritage Site in the Andes Mountains.

1. Which train goes through the Siberian forest?

A．Glacier Express.	B．Jacobite Steam Train.
C．Trans-Siberian Railway.	D．Belmond Hiram Bingham.

2. What do we know about Belmond Hiram Bingham?

A．It was in honor of an American explorer.

B．It has about three hours’ round trip.

C．It was built in 1911 by an explorer.

D．It ends in the Sacred Valley.

3. What do Glacier Express and Jacobite Steam Train have in common?

A．They start from ancient capital cities.

B．They are among the world’s longest train routes.

C．They both pass through forests, lakes, valleys and mountains.

D．They present tourists with the beautiful scenery along the way.

【推荐3】The Four Largest Zoos

A zoo, also known as a zoological park or zoological garden, is a place where animals are displayed in a secured (safe) way to the public. In this article, we want you to know about the four largest zoos in the world as of 2021.

 London Zoo, England

The London Zoo was established in the year 1828 for scientific study only. Later, it was open to the general public in the year 1847. This zoo works hard to protect endangered animals, such as the Sumatran tiger. The London Zoo is open every day of the year except for Christmas Day.

 Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the United States

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is home to around 7,000 animals of more than 800 species. The non-profit zoological park was opened in 1927. It is open every day except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

 Beijing Zoo, China

The Beijing Zoo covers a total surface area of 890,000 square meters. The traditionally-built zoological park is an attraction for millions of tourists. It is home to popular animal species such as giant pandas, South China tigers, and so on. The Beijing Zoo is open every day of the year.

 Berlin Zoological Garden, Germany

The huge variety of animal species makes Berlin Zoological Garden one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world. Regular animal feeding is one of its most popular attractions. Globally known animals like Knut, the polar bear, and Meng Meng — a giant panda, have contributed to the zoo’s public image. The zoo is open every day of the year, except for Christmas Day.

1. What can we know about London Zoo?

A．It is a non-profit zoo.	B．It was built in a traditional way.
C．It used to be a base for animal research.	D．It holds animal feeding activities regularly.

2. Which zoo can we go to on December 25^th?

A．London Zoo.	B．Beijing Zoo.
C．Berlin Zoological Garden.	D．Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

3. What makes Berlin Zoological Garden a popular tourist attraction?

A．Its long business hours.	B．Its wide variety of animals.
C．Its beautiful natural scenery.	D．Its world-famous polar bears.

【推荐1】Israeli Paintings—Israeli artist Menashe Kadishman will hold a personal show named "Flock of Sheep" from November 26 to December 20 at the China National Art Museum. On show are 550 colourful oil paintings of sheep heads.

His works have been on show in the Metropolitan Museum in New York and Tate Gallery in London over the past 30 years.

Time: 9: 00 a.m.—4: 00 p.m., November 26—December 20.

Place: China National Art Museum, 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing.

Tel: 6401-2252

Russian Ballet—The Kremlin Ballet from Russia will perform two immortal classical ballets—"Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker"—at the Beijing Beizhan Theatre. Set up in 1990, the theatre has a number of first-class ballet dancers. Most of their performances are classical.

Time: 7: 15 p.m., December 5 and 6 ("Swan Lake"); 7: 15 p.m., December 7 ("The Nutcracker")

Place: Beizhan Theatre, Xiwai Dajie, Xicheng District, Beijing.

Tel: 6605-3388

Folk Concert—The Central Conservatory of Music will hold a folk concert in memory of the late musician Situ Huacheng.

On the programme are many popular folks such as "Moon Night on the Bamboo Tower", "Celebrating Harvest", "Deep and Lasting Friendship", "Golden Snake Dances Wildly" and "Children's Holiday".

Time: 7: 30 p.m., November 25.

Place: Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie, Xicheng District, Beijing.

Tel: 6605-5812

1. If a child is very fond of dancing, his parents should take him to ________.

A．China National Art Museum	B．Beizhan Theatre
C．Beijing Concert Hall	D．1 Wusi Dajie

2. Menashe Kadishman is well known for painting ________.

A．deer

B．birds

C．sheep

D．flowers

3. Which of the following is TRUE?

A．The folk concert will last three days.

B．The ballet "The Nutcracker" will be put on once.

C．The Israeli paintings will be on show for a month.

D．China National Art Museum lies in Xicheng District.

4. If you dial the telephone number 6605-3388 on Dec. 8, you can ________.

A．go to the folk concert	B．visit the Art Museum
C．watch the ballet	D．none of the above