1 . The second Sunday in May is a volunteer day in my neighborhood. Last year, my neighbors and I decided to
The day before we went to the hospital, many of us were feeling quite
We arrived early at the hospital and were greeted
It was then time to start making cards—we brought crayons, glue and shiny things to
We left the hospital when it was dark. Although we were tired, we were happy to see
A.exchange | B.volunteer | C.recover | D.live |
A.cakes | B.cards | C.toys | D.soccers |
A.annoyed | B.tired | C.relaxed | D.nervous |
A.children | B.neighbors | C.friends | D.athletes |
A.warned | B.forced | C.forbade | D.asked |
A.quietly | B.warmly | C.equally | D.secretly |
A.worrying | B.disappointing | C.confusing | D.encouraging |
A.try | B.experiment | C.job | D.goal |
A.law | B.promise | C.ice | D.record |
A.excite | B.educate | C.touch | D.frighten |
A.luck | B.dream | C.stress | D.joy |
A.limited | B.traditional | C.positive | D.confident |
A.younger | B.better | C.worse | D.cooler |
A.believed | B.found | C.doubted | D.forgot |
A.smiles | B.tears | C.pain | D.anxiety |
2 . Best Spring Destinations In Tibet
Peach blossom valley, Nyingchi
The peach blossoms in Nyingchi, Tibet autonomous region have been dubbed as “the most beautiful peach flowers in the world”. The annual Nyingchi peach blossom festival has become a signature tourism event on the plateau. The peach blossom valley stretches for 30 kilometers, making it one of the longest in China.
Nanyi Valley
Nanyigou scenic spot is 20 kilometers away from Milin county and is an important birthplace of the mysterious Tibetan medicine culture. The scenic area covers a total area of 820 hectares. The ecological conditions here are so good that the place is rich in various animal and plant species. Surrounded by mountains, Nanyi Valley is an ideal spring destination for visitors, where you can find peach and azalea blossoms everywhere.
The Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon
The Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon is the deepest canyon in the world. With a total length of about 500 kilometers, its altitude spans from 7,782 meters at Namchak Barwa, the highest peak of the eastern Himalayas, to 550 meters around the Yarlung Zangbo River Valley. One unique feature of the spring sight here is that visitors can enjoy both the peach blossoms and the snow-capped mountains at the same time.
Lulang Scenic Zone
Lulang Scenic Zone, located in Lulang town, covers a land area of 859,000 square meters with artificial lakes. The scenic zone contains rich natural scenery, including forest-clad mountains, flowers, lakes and beautiful landscapes, with snowy mountains seen in the far background. Every year from April to June, with wild flowers blossoming alongside the meandering streams and snowy mountains towering in the backdrop, the whole landscape presents a peaceful and pleasant sight.
1. Where is the text probably taken from?A.A market report. | B.A travel brochure. |
C.A geography textbook. | D.A science magazine. |
A.Peach blossom valley, Nyingchi. | B.Nanyi Valley. |
C.The Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon. | D.Lulang Scenic Zone. |
A.They are in the town. | B.They have a top record in the world. |
C.They are rich in the natural attractions. | D.They are famous for the artificial scenic spots. |
3 . Mirthy hosts over 80 online events every month. You can enjoy them from the comfort of your home. All you need to do is visit our dedicated page on the Mirthy website.
Learning to rug hooking on a budgetFriday 4th and Friday 18th November at 2:30 pm
Participants will learn a brief history of rug hooking. Participants will also be encouraged to try their hand at this multi-generational art form, have two weeks to complete the small project and then come back to the second session to learn how to finish it off and prepare it for display.
The disappearance of Heneage BloxhamWednesday 9th November at 7:30 pm
In 2001, Sam Eedle was approached by an elderly woman in Tewkesbury. Her uncle, Heneage Bloxham, had disappeared on the Western Front and nobody in her family was able to tell her what actually happened to him. By accessing the available records, maps and war diaries, and by taking a diversion to the battlefield while on a trip to France, Sam was able to find out what happened to the woman’s uncle.
African danceMonday 2lst November at 5:15 pm
African dance allows us to express ourselves individually while also being part of a collective. Creative expression is encouraged and our uniqueness is celebrated. Kenzi will be reminding you that movements can be adapted and explored to find a way that works for your body and movement style. Making a wild foraged wreath Monday 28th November at 2:30 pm
In this workshop, you will be learning how to make a wreath! Through winding twigs and vines to find forest textures into a festive sampling of nature, this will be an artistic nature-based experience. The wreath is free-form and adds a naturalistic winter atmosphere to your door with a minimal, organic style.
1. Where do the activities take place?A.On the Internet. | B.In public places. |
C.At school. | D.In a lecture hall. |
A.Sam Eedle. | B.An elderly woman. |
C.Heneage Bloxham. | D.Kenzi. |
A.18th November at 2:30 pm. | B.9th November at 7:30 pm. |
C.21st November at 5:15 pm. | D.28th November at 2:30 pm. |
4 . Planning a visit to the UK? Here we help you with ways to cut your costs.
AVOID BIG EVENTS
Big sporting events, concerts and exhibitions can increase the cost of accommodation and make it harder to find a room. A standard double room at the Thistle Brighton on the final Friday of the Brighton Comedy Festival (21 Oct.) cost £169.15 at Booking. com. A week later, the same room cost £118.15.
If you can be flexible and want to know dates to avoid—or you’re looking for a big event to pass your time—check out sites such as Whatsonwhen.com, which allow you to search for events in the UK by city, date and category.
STAY AWAY FROM THE STATION
It traveling to your destination by train, you may want to find a good base close to the station, but you could end up paying more for the convenience at the start of your holiday.
Don’t be too choosy(挑剔的) about the part of town you stay in. If you book two months in advance, the cheapest room at Travelodge’s Central Euston hotel in London for Saturday, 24 September was £95.95. A room just a tube journey away at its Covent Garden hotel was £75.75. And at Farringdon, a double room cost just f£62.95.
LOOK AFTER YOURSELF
Really central hotels in cities such as London, Edinburgh and Cardiff can cost so much, especially at weekends and during big events. As an alternative, consider checking into a self-catering flat with its own kitchen. Often these flats are hidden away on the top floors of city center buildings. A great example is the historic O’Neill Flat on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, available for £420 for five days in late September, with rooms for four adults.
GET ON A BIKE
London’s “Boris bikes” have attracted the most attention, but other cities also have similar programs that let you rent a bicycle and explore at your own pace, saving you on public transport or car parking costs.
Among the smaller cities with their own programs are Newcastle (casual members pay around £1.50 for two hours) and Cardiff (free for up to 30 minutes, or £5 per day).
1. How much did a traveler pay for a standard double room at the Thistle Brighton on October 29?A.£75.75. | B.£95.95. | C.£118.15. | D.£169. 15. |
A.Newcastle. | B.London. | C.Cardiff. | D.Edinburgh. |
A.There are often traffic jams. |
B.It is completely free to make use of a bike. |
C.You can travel around the city as you like. |
D.You can do exercise and build up your body. |
5 . Things to Do in York
One activity that everyone enjoys is sightseeing—so charge your camera and pack your walking shoes as York has a lot of sights for you to see.
The Bar Walls of York
At 3.4 kilometers long, these beautifully preserved walls protected the city for nearly 2,000 years. If you want to walk around the whole walls, it will take you around two hours, but there are multiple points at which you can stop.
Clifford’s Tower
Clifford’s Tower allows you to look at old York. As the only small remaining part of York Castle, there is plenty of history to learn and enjoy. The castle also hosts games and costume play for children and adults can participate too!
JORVIK Viking Cantre
Journey through the reconstruction of Viking Age streets and experience life as it would have been in the 10th-century York. Fun for all the family!
York and the Magic of Harry Potter
The Shambles is similar to Diagon Alley and now filled with Harry Potter inspired shops. Nearby Malham Cove, Dalby Forest, York Railway Station, and Brimham Rocks were also used as filming locations in the Harry Potter films. Goathland Railway Station became Hogsmeade Station in the first Harry Potter film and featured as Aidensfield in the drama series Heartbeat.
Getting to York
A visit to Yorkshire is easy by car or train. For those looking to explore the north and east of Yorkshire, driving is recommended. The county is easily accessed by the Al or M1 from the north or south. and from the west it can be reached via the M62. The A64 also runs across the county from Leeds to Scarborough, skirting past York in-between.
1. Which sight allows visitors to take part in costume play?A.The Bar Walls of York | B.Clifford’s Tower. |
C.JORVIK Viking Centre | D.The Shambles. |
A.Dalby Forest. | B.Malham Cove. | C.Brimham Rocks. | D.Goathland Railway Station. |
A.By the A64. | B.By the M1. | C.By the M62. | D.By the A1. |
6 . Upcoming Trips and Tours with Daytripper
Welcome to Daytripper! We are a unique tour company in Liverpool providing walking tours and trips every Saturday during the year by coach. Book today to join a Daytripper adventure!
Lake District Day Trip
The Lake District is the UK’s largest and most visited National Park. One of the must-sees in the area is Grasmere village, where you can also visit British great poet Wordsworth’s grave.
“The lovceliest spot that man has ever found”? Come along and see if Wordsworth was right.
DATE: Sat. 18th November 2023 TIME: 08: 00~18: 30
Tickets: £40. 00~£45. 50
Yorkshire Day Trip
This trip includes a guided walk at a huge natural cliff. This spot was chosen for one of the scenes from the film “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I”. You have to earn these views by climbing the 400 steps up!
DATE: Sat. 18th November 2023 TIME: 08: 15~19: 00
Tickets: £45. 00 for adults; £30. 00 for children over 12; free for below 12.
York Christmas Markets Day Trip
Join us to enjoy a guided tour of York during the festive season. This trip includes a visit to the Christmas Markets plus entertainment on the coach on the way! You can also simply watch the world go by while sipping a drink by the river.
DATE: Sat. 2nd December 2023 TIME: 08: 45~20: 00
Tickets: £35. 00~£45. 00 (Free for students with a student card)
Conwy and Llandudno Day Trip
Experience a historical tower in North Wales at Conwy Castle. We will visit the Victorian seaside resort (度假胜地) of Llandudno. Here you can walk along the sea or enjoy the views from the Great Orme, or simply have an ice cream on the beach.
DATE: Sat. 25th November 2023 TIME: 08: 30~18: 30
Tickets: £39. 00~£49. 00
1. How much would a couple with a 15-years-old student pay to visit a film site?A.£75. | B.£90. | C.£105. | D.£120 |
A.Find the loveliest spot. | B.Have fun at the seaside. |
C.Taste various local food. | D.Enjoy festive entertainment. |
A.Yorkshire Day Trip. | B.Lake District Day Trip. |
C.Conwy and Llandudno Day Trip. | D.York Christmas Markets Day Trip. |
7 . Over a waterfall in Southwestern Pennsylvania is a dazzling house, Fallingwater, by America’s most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, in 1935. The instant it was built, it swept the whole country and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Highly recommended!
Guided House Tour
All the major rooms of the house feature in this one-hour tour. No photography all the way. Children six-year-old and above can access the house with their parents.
Adults— $ 20. 00 with advance purchase
—$ 23.00 when purchased on site
Youth(ages 6~12)—— $ 14. 00 with advance purchase
—$ 17. 00 when purchased on site
Daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, except Wednesday.
In-Depth Tour
The tour caters to the demand of those who desire a greater understanding of what Wright was seeking to create with his masterwork. The number of visitors on each tour is limited and photography is available for personal use only. Children eight years and older may accompany adults on this tour.
$ 65. 00 per person(Available by advance ticket purchase only)
Daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Sunset Tour
The changing light at sunset provides you with Fallingwater from an entirely new perspective. The number of visitors is limited and photography is permitted for personal use only. Children under nine-year-old are not permitted on this tour.
$ 110.00 per person(Available by advance ticket purchase only)
July and August — Daily at 4:45 pm.
Brunch Tour
The guests join their guide for brunch before leaving. Children nine years and older are allowed with their parents. A total of three hours can afford this experience.
$ 115. 00 per person(Available by advance ticket purchase only)
Saturday s & Sundays at 9:00 am.
1. How much will a father and his 7-year-old boy spend if they buy tickets ahead of time for the Guided House Tour?A.$34 | B.$28 | C.$40 | D.$51 |
A.Visitors are limited to a certain number. | B.It is not accessible in August. |
C.It is only open for teenagers. | D.The tickets are available on site. |
A.Taking photos is forbidden. | B.Brunch is free of charge. |
C.Advance booking is encouraged. | D.The price of tickets is the same. |
8 . They supposedly swim in remote lakes, hide in dense forests, and walk among snowy mountains. Yet despite being unreal proven by science, cryptids—fantastical beasts that probably don’t exist—have fascinated humans for centuries and gave birth to cryptotourism which boosts the local tourism. North America’s Bigfoot helps generate over $140 million annually for the U.S. economy, according to the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.
In Nepal, cryptotourism reaches back to the 1950s. It centers on the Yeti. Up to six feet tall and similar in appearance to the Bigfoot, this legendary creature is reported to wander on the snowy peaks of the Himalayas and is a prominent figure in the folk tale of Nepal. Its tale is 6,000 years old. But the furry beast was a regional fairytale until British explorer Eric Shipton claimed to have photographed a 13-inch-long human-like footprint in the snow of Nepal’s Menlung Glacier. Explorers all over the world soon flooded into the Himalayas, competing to detect the cryptid.
Over time, the Yeti became a powerful tourism brand in Nepal. This beast’s foot forms the logo of the domestic carrier, Yeti Airlines, while hotels, restaurants, cafés, and tour companies profit off its name.
Some Nepalis are more skeptical. Sushil, a tour guide, says even as a child he viewed Yetis as a sham. Now, when his customers ask about the monster, he tells them it’s widely considered a myth. Sushil says he dislikes cryptotourism, which steals focus from the country’s remarkable architecture and ancient traditions. “I don’t think the Yeti is a valuable tool to promote Nepal tourism,” he says. “We have a lot of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Nepal should focus on its rich natural diversity.”
Academics have also offered scientific explanations for the Yeti and other cryptids, yet these legends persist. “People have always been fascinated by things in nature which confuse us, things which we just don’t understand,” says Panday, a Nepali author. “That’s not going to change any time soon.”
1. Why is North America’s Bigfoot mentioned in paragraph 1?A.To exemplify biodiversity. | B.To prove the effect of cryptotourism. |
C.To criticize human belief in cryptids. | D.To show the advance of tourism economy. |
A.It dates back to the 1950s. | B.It was proven by Eric Shipton. |
C.It is a distant relative of the Bigfoot. | D.It plays a vital part in Nepali tourism. |
A.The local natural diets. | B.The legends about monsters. |
C.The Nepali cultural heritage. | D.The tourist draws featuring Yetis. |
A.It has good reason to exist. | B.It keeps pace with science. |
C.It benefits Nepali economy. | D.It promotes animal protection. |
9 . Works by George Balanchine, with the music of George Gershwin, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Igor Stravinsky, the innovative genius of George Balanchine is brought to the forefront. The following is the introduction of the four artists.
Artist 1: George Balanchine
It is difficult to overlook the influence of choreographer (舞蹈编剧), George Balanchine. Called the Father of American Ballet, he combined the classical training he received as a boy in St. Petersburg with originality to modernism. He transformed ballet into a 20th century art form.
Artist 2: George Gershwin
George Gershwin was amongst one of the most significant and popular music composers for Broadway musicals. He wrote music for both Broadway and classical pieces that connected him to the wider public.
Artist 3: Igor Stravinsky
Igor Stravinsky was a Russian-born composer whose works had a revolutionary (革命性的) impact on musical thought. He was honored with the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal in 1954 and the Wihuri Sibelius Prize in 1963.
Artist 4: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is the very foundation of classical ballet. Russian-born Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable melodies (旋律) and innovative harmonies make his music loveable. Ballet audiences are fortunate to hear not only the works he intended for dance, such as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, but also a wide variety of pieces that have been created by great dance-makers.
1. Which of the following is the achievement of George Balanchine?A.He made ballet an art form of the 20th century. |
B.He was thought as the Father of World Ballet. |
C.He was good at giving classical training. |
D.He combined music with modernism. |
A.He was born in Russia. |
B.He was a famous composer. |
C.He influenced musical thought greatly. |
D.He created music for Broadway musicals. |
A.George Balanchine. | B.George Gershwin. |
C.Igor Stravinsky. | D.Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. |
10 . Are you planning your family holiday in London? Book one of London's best family-friendly hotels, which can help your stay run smoothly.
Athenaeum
Rely on the Athenaeum's kids concierge(礼宾部)for the perfect family stay in London. Even before you arrive at the hotel in London, they’ll be in touch to make sure your kids have their favorite DVDs, treats and more to keep them happy. After you settle into your family room, they help plan your perfect routes.
Cost £79
The Nadler Kensington
Relax in one of the Nadler Kensington's large family rooms in London, which can sleep up to four people. Perfect for a reasonably-priced family holiday, it has no extra charge for baby beds. There's a mini kitchen so you can prepare your own light meals and snacks. The west London hotel is also close to two subway stations, making it easy to get around.
Cost £118
St James's Hotel and Club
Meet all your family's needs at St James's Hotel and Club, one of the best I child-friendly hotels in London. The hotel can help you plan family days out, and you can enjoy the hotel's quiet position in a peaceful cul-de-sac(死胡同)off St James's Street. Inter-connecting rooms at this fashionable hotel are available on request.
Cost £320
Melia White House
Let kids feel grown-up with their own check-in area at Melia White House, which is close to Regent's Park. There are also treats like an ice cream voucher(券)and activities in its kids club. Stay in a family room, which holds two adults and two children under the age of 11 for no additional charge.
Cost £ 140
1. What do we know about Athenaeum?A.It provides fee meals. | B.It has special rooms for kids. |
C.It helps guests find local tour guides. | D.It learns about kids' preferences ahead of time. |
A.Make your own food. | B.Teach your kids to cook. |
C.Get to bus stations quickly. | D.Ask for a baby bed with little money. |
A.Athenaeum. | B.The Nadler Kensington. |
C.St James's Hotel and Club. | D.Melia White House. |