1 . Sites for a family getaway
A selection of campsites perfect for a family break to enjoy time with the children.
Monkton Wyld Holiday Park
Monkton Wyld is the perfect campsite for children, yet maintaining a quiet atmosphere for adults to relax. here are walking routes from Monkton Wyld Holiday Park to Lyme Regis where little ones can enjoy the beaches and hunting for fossils (化石). Adults might wander selection of shops and restaurants.
High Moor Farm Park
High Moor Farm Park is situated four miles from Harrogate at High Moor Farm there is plenty to occupy all ages, including an indoor pool, nine-hole golf course, play area, pool tables and fishing lake. A 20-minute drive from the park is Knaresborough where there are many zoos including Yorkshire Dales National Park, Dartmoor Zoological Park and Paignton Zoo.
Polmanter Touring Park
This award-winning touring site is ideal for families looking for on-site entertainment and the convenience of the fishing town of St lves within waking distance.
For younger guests, there are two playgrounds indoor soft play and a games room. Practicalities are taken care of with an on-site shop, bar and restaurant, and four-legged family members have a devoted exercise field and shower.
Elie Holiday Park
Elie Holiday Park occupies a location behind a wide expanse of dunes (沙丘) that lead to a vast beach on Scotland’s west coast. Appealing to those travelling with children, the coastal location is ideal for anyone who loves to be beside the sea.
Aldult guests can walk the coastal path, go rock-pooling, and look out for wildlife. Youngsters can go wild at the Robinson Crusoe Adventure Park and enjoy the arcades in the games room.
1. Where can you go if you are interested in animals?A.High Moor Farm Park. | B.Dartmoor Zoological Park. |
C.Monkton Wyld Holiday Park. | D.Robinson Crusoe Adventure Park |
A.It is far from the fishing town. | B.It wins awards for entertainment. |
C.It is an ideal place for running a bar. | D.It provides essential services for pets |
A.Play adventure games | B.Hunt for wild animals |
C.Make a study of dunes. | D.Search for the fossils |
2 . Great Panda Center
Join GoEco on a 7-day volunteer program in China to help wildlife at a giant panda center!
Your schedule
Day 1: Arrive at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. The local team will be waiting to pick you up and transfer you to the hotel in Chengdu.
Day 2: Walk around Chengdu, visit Panda Breeding Center and enjoy delicious hot pot dinner.
Day 3-6: Transfer to Panda Base in the mountains and take part in rewarding volunteer work! Each day, volunteers will work for 4-6 hours and in the evenings, volunteers will take part in cultural activities ranging from dumpling making to Chinese language lessons.
Day 7: Take a bus to either the airport or Chengdu City Center if extending stay.
Some of your tasks include
• Preparing food for the pandas
• Cutting down and carrying bamboos
• Cleaning panda enclosures
• Occasionally participating in observation and research
Requirements
• Ages 18-50 (This project may accept volunteers who are under 18 with a letter of consent(同意)from a parent)
• Basic English and/or Chinese
• Motivation to work with animals
Total project cost: $1200
• What’s included
Room: Shared hotel room
Food: Three meals a day
Airport transfers: Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
• What’s not included
Flights, travel health insurance, personal expenses
Important note: Please apply for this program 1-2 months in advance. Families upgrading to private accommodations must pay an additional charge.
1. What might volunteers do on the sixth day?A.Visit Panda Breeding Center. |
B.Clean panda enclosures. |
C.Travel around Chengdu. |
D.Depart from Panda Base. |
A.Accommodations. | B.Personal expenses. |
C.Travel insurance. | D.The air ticket. |
A.Being fluent in both English and Chinese. |
B.Having experience of working with animals. |
C.Applying for the program in advance. |
D.Being at least 18 years old. |
3 . Biking is an amazing family activity, but finding a route that can accommodate a wide-range of ages can be a challenge.
Lee McNeil and his family are crazy about biking. They have seven children, from 4 to 24 years old. When looking for a route, they look for enough protection from traffic, good surface condition, easy access and interesting views.
With that in mind, here are some great routes for biking with your whole family, as are suggested by McNeil.
Iron Horse Trail
This is the McNeil family’s favourite ride. The route is 26 miles and goes through the 2.1mile Snoqualmie Tunnel.
“Beautiful views, the thrill the tunnel, and places to stop and watch the rock climbers make it special,” McNeil said. “All our kids have taken their turn at braving the black tunnel bravely for the first time, which we celebrate it at the end of the ride.”
How to get there: If you prefer, check http://bit.ly/Mlt9y4 for more information.
Centennial Trail
The Centennial Trail runs for 23 miles from Snohomish to Bryant. The trail is wide and smooth, and is safe for kids as it is off the roads. A nice stop is Lake Cassidy east of Marysville. A dock on the lake is fun to explore. It also has picnic tables and washrooms for a convenient lunch time stop.
How to get there: The trail can be accessed from a number of trailheads. For a map, go to http://bit.ly/L5qCeY.
Cascade Trail
The Cascade Trail follows an abandoned Burlington Northern railroad grade for 23 miles between Sedro-Woolley and Concrete. Because it’s on a railroad grade, the slope is gentle and it makes for an easy family ride.
McNeil said it is a “beautiful ride up the Skagit Valley, with lots of places to watch wildlife along the river.”
How to get there: Go to http://bit.ly/PR4wOW to see a map showing the trail, parking areas and bus stops .
Other good choices
Snoqualmie Valley Trail: http://l.usa.gov/nWGWO
Guemes Island: http://bit.ly/LJ3RxL
Burke-Gilman Trail: http://l.usa.gov/s33li
1. We can learn from the passage that Lee McNeil ________.A.has a large family |
B.often travels with his family |
C.teaches his children how to bike |
D.spends lots of money on bike rides |
A.Cascade Trail | B.Iron Horse Trail |
C.Centennial Trail | D.Burke-Gilman Trail |
A.see a small valley | B.go through a tunnel |
C.have a picnic for lunch | D.watch the rock climbers |
A.http://bit.ly/Mlt9y4 | B.http://bit.ly/LJ3RxL |
C.http://bit.ly/L5qCeY | D.http://bit.ly/PR4wOW |
A.ask people to learn from Lee McNeil |
B.tell people how to make a family ride |
C.introduce some routes for family rides |
D.encourage more people to ride bikes |
4 . Are you looking for some informative magazines? The following ones can surely meet your needs.
Mental Foss is a magazine full of bite-sized(small bits) trivia(琐事)and mostly short articles with really interesting facts that you'll want to share with others. The writing is fun and friendly, so it’s easy to understand the answers to the more difficult questions, like: What does outer space smell like? Why isn't cat food mouse-flavored? While the print edition of the magazine stopped publishing in 2016, you can still read Mental Floss online.
Reader's Digest is not actually about books reading. Instead, it is about people. Inside you'll find anecdotes—short, personal articles about things that have happened to people. There are stories in simple writing about everything from funny celebrity moments and inspiring personal store to funny jokes and articles.
Cricket and Cicada are easy-to-read literary magazines aimed at teenagers. Each issue is full of wonderful short stories and poems, and beautiful illustrations. Even though these are technically children's magazines, they are perfect for learning English because they have high quality writing.
Time is one of the most well-known magazines in the world. Inside you'll find news, beautiful photographs and everything you need to get a" deeper understanding of the world in which we live. "Since Time is very high quality and provides deep insight on many serious topics, it can also be difficult for English learners to read. If you have trouble understanding Time, try Time For Kids, which has similarly great content but is written in a simpler way.
1. What can readers obtain from Mental Floss?A.They can be inspired by the comments on the magazine. |
B.They can understand some tough facts in a funny way. |
C.They can enjoy a variety of eye-catching pictures. |
D.They can have a deep understanding about the current events. |
A.The language is easy and friendly to readers. |
B.The articles are mostly adapted from books. |
C.The stories are all based on private experiences. |
D.The topics are serious and difficult to comprehend. |
A.It's of great help for English beginners. |
B.It has two editions for readers to choose from. |
C.People can have an access to it online. |
D.It is perfect for teenagers who love anecdotes. |
5 . Arden University
Arden University has physical study centres in London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Berlin, Germany, and also offers high quality online bachelor and master degree programmes to British and international students all over the world. They have supported over 50,000 students while remaining true to their core values, ensuring higher education is available for all. Covering a range of professional subjects in 12 academic fields, Arden University makes UK education accessible and affordable through their creative study platform. Click here to view this school.
University of London International Programmes
We have over 60,000 students in every corner of the globe studying on more than 100 different programmes. Our global footprint and flexible study method has enabled students to study wherever they live. As a family of 19 world-class colleges and admired institutes, the University of London has an international reputation for academic distinction in teaching and research. Our students achieve exactly the same standard of internationally recognized qualification as those who attend the University itself. Click here to view this school.
University of York
The University of York is one of the top ten universities in the UK for teaching and research, and is ranked in the top 100 universities in the world. This well-established university consists of over 30 academic departments and research centres and a student body of 13,000, and was named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2010. Most of the distance learning courses are designed to meet professional development needs, and reflect the benefits of online learning in this context. Click here to view this school.
Lloyd’s Maritime Academy
Course options include popular and well-established diplomas in Marine (海洋) Surveying, Ship Management, and Maritime Law. Various accreditation levels are available from short, online based certificate courses to fully-accredited diploma and postgraduate diploma study options. We also offer our best course — the MBA in Shipping&. Logistics. The continued strength of these distance learning programmes have over 6,000 students enrolled on our courses. Click here to view this school.
1. Which holds the largest number of students?A.Arden University. | B.University of York. |
C.Lloyd's Maritime Academy. | D.University of London International Programmes. |
A.How to be a training teacher. | B.How to be a good programmer. |
C.How to be a professional in shipping industry. | D.How to be an excellent shipbuilder. |
A.They all offer online courses. | B.They are only accessible to the British. |
C.They are all top ten schools in the world. | D.They were all built in the early 20th century. |
6 . The Best National Parks to Visit in Winter
While most parks tend to draw families in the summer and fall, there are also ideal spots for adventurous winter trips.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The country’s oldest and best-known national park takes on an almost otherworldly atmosphere in winter: the air filled with rolling steam, the strong colors of hot springs, the surrounding white landscapes, let alone the impressive wildlife during this time, like bison, wolves, and playful red foxes. Just book a guided hiking tour to get a ranger’s perspective on the park and local people.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
With its giant red rocks and unique trees, you’ll feel like stepping onto a foreign planet as you spend hours hiking the Panorama Loop or Maze Loop. The park is recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, featuring virtually zero light pollution and the country’s best views of a starry sky.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
A significantly lower number of visitors in winter means you can take in unblocked views of the South Rim, and get to see the rare beauty of the Grand Canyon dusted with snow. For those adventurous and daring, it is recommended to hike the Bright Angel Trail and take the chance to see the canyon’s wintertime wildlife, including mule deer, elk, and bald eagles.
Virgin Islands National Park, St. John
Surprise! Not all wintertime national park trips need to involve snow. Virgin Islands National Park is most famous for its white-sand beaches. You can also hike inland to visit old sugar plantations, or venture out to the water to swim along with sea turtles and manta rays. You will definitely enjoy a different winter here.
1. Which park will one choose if he/she is interested in stars?A.Yellowstone National Park. | B.Joshua Tree National Park. |
C.Grand Canyon National Park. | D.Virgin Islands National Park. |
A.We can have a poor view of the South Rim there. | B.It lies in an area with rolling steam and hot springs. |
C.There is a slight decline in visitor numbers in winter. | D.The Bright Angel Trail is challenging in cold weather. |
A.Hiking. | B.Skiing. | C.Swimming. | D.Hunting. |
7 . Bangkok’s Grand Palace is the busiest tourist stop in the city. People keep coming because the Grand Palace could arguably be called the birthplace of Bangkok
How to Get to the Grand Palace
Making your own way to the Grand Palace in Bangkok is more enjoyable and rewarding. Moving around by river taxi is inexpensive. Additionally, you’ll have a good excuse to see the Chao Phraya River up close. Going by boat won’t make you caught in traffic jams. It will let you see beautiful river scenery!
People staying in the Khao San Road area may choose to walk (around 20 — 25 minutes) to the Grand Palace.
Opening Hours
The Grand Palace is open seven days a week from 8:30 a. m. until 3:30 p. m. Occasionally, the Grand Palace does actually close for official visits and state functions. However, this is rare. Don’t believe any driver who states the Grand Palace is closed. If the statement of closure is too convincing, confirm it by calling: +6626235500 ext.3100.
Entrance Fees
Considering that temples in Thailand are often free, the 500 baht (around $16) per person entrance fee at the Grand Palace is relatively expensive. Thai nationals do not have to pay. An audio tour can be rented for an additional 200 baht. Besides, human guides are available for hire. Choose an official guide rather than accepting someone’s offer on the outside.
Dress Standards at the Grand Palace
To show enough respect, you shouldn’t wear sleeveless shirts in any temple or state building in Thailand. But unlike many of the other temples, dress standards are strictly required at the Grand Palace.
Men must wear long trousers, women must cover legs to just above the knee.
Don’t wear shirts with religious themes or symbols of death on them.
You may be told outside that flip-flops (人字拖鞋) are unacceptable footwear.
1. What do you know about the river taxi to the Grand Palace?A.It is the only way to get to the Grand Palace |
B.It is difficult for visitors to jump on and off it. |
C.It is safe, clean and affordable for most visitors. |
D.It allows visitors to avoid traffic jams and enjoy river scenery. |
A.They’d better call to confirm the information. |
B.They should call off their trips immediately. |
C.They should wait until the Grand Palace reopens. |
D.They should believe the statements and change the trips. |
A.The Grand Palace provides an audio tour free. |
B.Not all people need to buy tickets to the Grand Palace. |
C.Guides outside the Grand Palace are more professional. |
D.The locals always guide visitors voluntarily during the holiday season. |
A.Mr Green, from the USA, wearing flip-flops and a T-shirt. |
B.Alice, 16 years old, wearing a sleeveless shirt and a miniskirt. |
C.Mark, wearing a long-sleeved shirt, long trousers and sports shoes. |
D.John, wearing a hat and a shirt with religious symbols. |
A.To encourage more people to visit Bangkok. |
B.To introduce some palaces in Bangkok to readers. |
C.To introduce some activities of the Grand Palace. |
D.To provide guidance on visiting the Grand Palace. |
8 . If you are applying to universities overseas, you can’t avoid having a video interview, whether you like it or not. Here are some steps to follow when preparing for the perfect video interview.
Step 1: Start with the basics
Before your interview, find out what platform or application the school uses for video interviews, and make sure that you know how to operate it.
You need to set up a clear and focused interview environment. You also need a strong internet connection.
Step 2: Get prepped (做好准备)
Once the interview begins, resist the urge to watch yourself, and make sure you are looking at the camera as much as possible. Try to anticipate the questions that they will ask you. Interview questions all boil down to three basic categories:
Tell us about yourself.
What do you bring to our program/why should we admit you?
Do you have any questions about the school?
Before the interview, prepare at least two to three minutes on each of these topics.
Step 3: Practice
Practice your answers with a friend or mentor. Get them to ask you questions and answer them over video. If possible, work with a person who is fluent in the language of your interviewers, and get them to give you notes and comments about pronunciation or presentation.
Step 4: Don’t just interview... converse
Interviews are about getting to know you as a person and how well you can interact with others. Though you may have extensive notes, try to act natural - do not read directly from any prepared statements, and don’t memorize answers to repeat. Listening is just as critical as speaking in this situation, too. Make sure you understand the question that is posed to you and ask an interviewer to repeat it or expand upon it if you feel you are confused.
1. In preparing for the perfect video interview, you need to ________.A.have quick access to the Internet | B.know how to operate the interview |
C.fill out an application on the platform | D.find a suitable environment for the interview |
A.Keeping quiet unless asked to talk. | B.Making eye contact as much as possible. |
C.Expecting the questions that are often asked. | D.Preparing answers on some of the questions. |
A.You should be fluent in the language of your interviewers. |
B.Practicing with your friend over the phone may be helpful. |
C.Practicing in advance may help improve your performance. |
D.Notes and comments from the interviewers are practical. |
A.are supposed to memorize answers to repeat | B.must ask the interviewers to explain the questions |
C.can read prepared statements as naturally as you can | D.should attach equal importance to listening as speaking |
A.An expert in university admissions. | B.A visitor to different universities abroad. |
C.An editor in charge of a travel magazine. | D.A student applying for universities overseas. |
9 . Cheney School is a popular, high performing school located in the heart of Oxford serving a diverse community of students who are eager to learn. The school is looking to add to its bank of exam invigilators (监考人), who will be employed on a casual basis to watch over students taking both mock(模拟) and actual GCSE / GCE exams, as necessary throughout the school year.
Full training will be provided and staff will be contacted before the exam period to discuss the invigilation schedule in relation to their own availability.
We are looking for people who
*have a command of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
*have effective written communication skills
* are reliable and punctual
*are able to solve problems and keep calm under pressure
*enjoy working as part of a team
We can offer you
*€10.19 per hour
*reduced tuition fees for your kids
*a housing allowance
*shuttle service
If you would like to find out more, please contact Ms Marie-Anne Fischer at mf@cheney.oxon.sch.uk, or by telephone on 01865 5755270.
How to apply: Please download an application form from the school’s vacancy website: http://www.cheney.oxon.sch.uk/lnvigilators.
1. What does Cheney School offer its invigilators?A.Flexible working hours. | B.Free staff dormitories. |
C.A transportation allowance. | D.Free schooling for their kids. |
A.Designing a mock exam paper. | B.Passing the GCSE or GCE exam. |
C.Being able to use office software. | D.Enjoying working independently. |
A.Prepare for the interview. | B.Fill in an application form. |
C.Apply for relevant training. | D.Contact the school online or by telephone. |
10 . There are three things you can watch forever: Instagram feeds, YouTube videos and water. Among them, water is definitely something no one argues about, and there are many unusual water attractions that you can find around the world.
Bangkok Floating Markets
There are many floating markets where goods are sold from boats. While modern markets are more popular, floating markets still are a huge attraction for local tourism. Any visitors can purchase local foods and traditional handcrafted (手工的) souvenirs. Bargaining is a part of experience. So, start low and get the price you are ready to pay.
Bregenzer Festspiele
The Bregenz Festival is held every year from July to August in Vorarlberg. It has the world’s largest stage on the water. The performances are different every year but they are usually united by one theme. The decorations are very impressive and are worth seeing.
Marina Bay Stadium
This stadium was built as a temporary solution while Singapore National Stadium was rebuilt. The stadium was used for the opening and closing ceremonies during 2010 Summer Youth Olympics. It was a floating platform where the Formula One Grand Prix event was successfully held.
Archipelago Cinema
Archipelago Cinema is probably one of the world’s most scenic open-air cinemas that floats in the middle of a lake. The cinema was designed by German architect Ole Scheeren, who built it using techniques popular among local people. This cinema stage was built specially for the film festival Film on the Rocks Yao Noi.
1. What is special about Bangkok Floating Markets?A.Local foods are free to taste. |
B.Visitors can make boats by themselves. |
C.Bargaining for a good price is an experience. |
D.Performances on water are impressive to see. |
A.Archipelago Cinema. | B.Marina Bay Stadium. |
C.Bregenzer Festspiele. | D.Bangkok Floating Markets. |
A.They both hold ceremonies every year. |
B.They both used local building techniques. |
C.They were both built for a special purpose. |
D.They both provide visitors with sports events. |