（CNN）－Rivers are the life-giving blood vessels of our planet. They irrigate our farms, are an important means of transport and a source of eco-friendly power. They can be a whole lot of fun for travelers, too.
From strikingly strange and unusual wildlife centers to whitewater rafting hotspots and the most scenic stretches for cruising, we’ve highlighted 3 rivers worth basing your next trip around. Rankings are made on five travel criteria.
Scenic beauty－the physical beauty of the river; waterfalls, color, drama of the landscape.
Nature and wildlife－diversity and popularity of flora and fauna.
Culture－depth, diversity and accessibility of local culture; tribal/medieval villages etc.
Adventure－thrill factor of the river’s topography and location.
Activity options－rafting, wildlife watching, hiking, biking etc.
We’ve debated among ourselves, researched expert views and polled our colleagues and fellow travelers around the world, to score each river for these qualities.
3. Rio Cahabon（Guatemala）
Scenic beauty: 4 | Nature and wildlife: 3 | Culture: 2 | Adventure: 5 | Activity options: 5
Never heard of it? Few had, until a few years back, when a section of the Rio Cahabon’s densely forested pathway through central Guatemala was built as a key stop on the Central American backpacker trail.
Known as Semuc Champey, the series of spectacular steeped limestone pools bridging over the river are accessed via a hiking trail near the village of Lanquin.
Local hostels also offer candlelight tours of a cave system carved out by the water and year－round grade Ⅲand IV rafting.
2. Zambezi (Africa)
Scenic beauty: 5 | Nature and wildlife: 4 | Culture: 4 | Adventure: 5 | Activity options: 4
Boasting superb wildlife watching, some of the best white-water rafting on the planet and the thundering beauty of Victoria Falls, the Zambezi is a showstopper.
In the Middle Zambezi, which borders Zambia and Zimbabwe, you can bungee jump off Africa’s largest waterfall, or tackle the grade IV rapids just below.
Most wildlife—from hippo pods to big cats and sly Nile crocodiles—is spotted on jeep safaris and kayaking trips around the Lower Zambezi, where the swampy delta funnels down through Mozambique into the Indian Ocean.
1. Amazon River (South America)
Scenic beauty: 5 | Nature and wildlife: 5 | Culture: 4 | Adventure: 5 | Activity options: 5
Topping our list by an aquatic mile, the mighty Amazon snakes through the jungles of nine South American nations, providing a shelter for more than 400 native Indian tribes and one in ten of the known species on earth.
For travelers, the possibilities are huge—from wildlife spotting safaris to kayaking trips and gnarly jungle treks.
Backpacker-friendly Bolivia is a popular place to explore the pampas by lancha (long-tail boat), stopping off along Amazon tributaries to swim with pink dolphins, fish for piranha and track elusive anaconda.
1. The 3 rivers mentioned in the passage are ranked according to .| A．their cultural diversity and popularity |
| B．the CNN journalists’ descriptions |
| C．5 travel criteria |
| D．experts’ views |
| A．a pathway was not built until a few years ago |
| B．it runs through deep forests |
| C．it was discovered only a few years ago |
| D．few but backpackers dare to travel there |
| A．Zambezi | B．Rio Cahabon |
| C．Amazon River | D．all of the three |
| A．flowers and fruits | B．custom and tradition |
| C．culture and nature | D．animals and plants |
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【推荐1】Where to Eat in Bangkok
Bangkok is a highly desirable destination for food lovers. It has a seemingly bottomless well of dining options. Here are some suggestions on where to start your Bangkok eating adventure.
NahmOffering Thai fine dining. Nahm provides the best of Bangkok culinary (烹饪的) experiences. It’s the only Thai restaurant that ranks among the top 10 of the world’s 50 best restaurants list. Head Chef David Thompson, who received a Michelin star for his London-based Thai restaurant of the same name, opened this branch in the Metropolitan Hotel in 2010.
Issaya Siamese ClubIssaya Siamese Club is internationally known Thai chef Ian Kittichai’s first flagship Bangkok restaurant. The menu in this beautiful colonial house includes traditional Thai cuisine combined with modern cooking methods.
Bo.lanBo.lan has been making waves in Bangkok’s culinary scene since it opened in 2009. Serving hard-to-find Thai dishes in an elegant atmosphere, the restaurant is true to Thai cuisine’s roots, yet still manages to add a special twist. This place is good for a candle-lit dinner or a work meeting with colleagues who appreciate fine food. For those extremely hungry, there’s a large set menu.
GagganEarning first place on the latest “Asia’s 50 best restaurants” list, progressive Indian restaurant Gaggan is one of the most exciting venues (场所) to arrive in Bangkok in recent years. The best table in this two-story colonial Thai home offers a window right into the kitchen, where you can see chef Gaggan and his staff in action. Culinary theater at its best.
1. What do Nahm and Issaya Siamese Club have in common?| A．They adopt modern cooking methods. | B．They have branches in London. |
| C．They have top-class chefs. | D．They are based in hotels. |
| A．Gaggan. | B．Bo. lan. | C．Issaya Siamese Club. | D．Nahm. |
| A．It hires staff from India. | B．It puts on a play every day. |
| C．It serves hard-to-find local dishes. | D．It shows the cooking process to guests. |
【推荐2】Western New Bridge Library Announcement
Shortened Library Hours for Spring Break
Library Hours have been shortened to 7 hours a day (9:00 a.m.～4:00 p.m.) for Spring Break from March 24 to March 30.
Coming Events
◆On Monday, March 24,at 10:30 a.m., Scott Sutton, a children’s writer, will tell stories to kids over seven. Sutton’s attractive style will surely inspire everyone present!
◆At 2:00 p.m., on March 25, Tuesday, a lecture will be delivered in Room 201, which focuses on the development of writing skill. Famous tutors from the district won’t disappoint you.
◆At 1:00 p.m., on March 26, the Georgetown Musicians will present an Irish Folk Concert, which will be entertaining for the entire family. Come for the music and stay to check out some relevant books for the rest of the week!
◆On Thursday, March 27, at 2:00 p.m., the annual Children’ s Gathering will take place in Room 201, the second floor, Pick up an invitation in the Children’ s Room and return your RSVP (回复) to reserve your seat at the table by 3:00 p. m. on Tuesday, March 25. Only children are allowed in the Gathering.
◆At 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 28, Enzo Monfre of the hit kids’ science show, ENZOology, will bring Fossils Live! Surely Enzo will take the audience back in time, deep beneath the surface of the earth, to uncover the mysteries of killer dinosaurs, and more. Enzo recently appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show — come and see him at the library!
Please note: In case of emergency, please call the Help Desk at 926-3736 and follow the procedures outlined on the voice message. The call-down service is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergencies. The Help Desk supplies service to you all the year round! For questions about all these, please contact hld @ wnbl. corg.
Come for the great Fun; Stay for the relevant Books!
1. To polish your writing, it is best for you to attend the related activity on ________.| A．Monday | B．Tuesday | C．Thursday | D．Friday |
| A．Tickets are a must in order to attend it. |
| B．Only those who have received an invitation are admitted in the Gathering. |
| C．You have to make a reply to the invitation to make sure you get a seat. |
| D．You’ d better apply in advance because there are not enough seats for everyone. |
| A．The children who are interested in the mysteries of killer dinosaurs can attend the Ellen DeGeneres Show on Friday. |
| B．Children can’ t attend all the activities with their parents. |
| C．Children can choose more than one of the activities. |
| D．Children can borrow some relevant books for the activities. |
| A．call the Help Desk | B．contact hld @ wnbl. corg |
| C．stay in the library and wait | D．ring 926-3637 |
| A．staff members of the library | B．parents of the school children |
| C．the school children | D．volunteers of the activities |
【推荐3】More than great drinks, great rewards
Enjoy all the benefits and more with your membership to our Loyalty Program!
Whenever you pay with your membership account, you’ll earn a Star.
Collect more Stars, earn more rewards.
Three ways to join us
Buy a Starbucks Card handy to create an account
Track your Stars online or through the mobile app, and we’ll send an email when you’ve earned a reward.
You can also join from your phone.
Download the Starbucks App.
One of the most exciting benefits of being a member is using our mobile app to: pay for purchases; view your Stars and rewards; access iTunes Pick of the Week; see current offers.
Or you can join with specially marked coffee purchased at the grocery store.
Enter your Starcode (limit: 2 per day)
Look for the Starcode symbol on specially marked Starbucks products where you buy groceries.
Three levels with increasingly greater rewards
To reach each level in our Loyalty Program, you need to collect more Stars. (Remember: to earn a Star, you must pay with a registered Starbucks Card.)
Welcome level
To earn your first rewards, just register a Starbucks Card.
Birthday drink or treat on us, birthday coupon (优惠券) for 15% off a purchase at StarbucksStore.com.
Green level
Collect 5 Stars within 12 months and you’ll be in the Green level.
●What is included in the Welcome level plus
♀Free in-store refills (续杯) on hot or iced brewed coffee or tea
Gold level
Collect 30 Stars within 12 months and you’ll be at the Gold level.
●What is included in the Green level plus
♀A free food or drink item after another 12 Stars earned
♀Personalized Gold Card
1. Which of the following is a way you can apply for membership?| A．To update the Starbucks App. |
| B．To collect 5 stars within 12 month. |
| C．To send an email to StarbucksStore.com. |
| D．To enter a Starcode from specially marked Starbucks products. |
| A．a free drink item | B．free in-store refills |
| C．personalized Gold Card | D．all purchases 15% off |
| A．To earn a Star, you must pay by credit card. |
| B．You can enter your Starcode three times a day. |
| C．With the Starbucks App, you can view current offers. |
| D．For Welcome level, you can refill iced brewed coffee or tea. |
