1 . Whether you’re after a quiet beach holiday or an adventure-packed trip, with over 700 islands and 30 territories, the Caribbean offers many choices. Here we will provide practical tips to help you plan your dream Caribbean vacation.
Choosing the Best Time to Visit
Generally speaking, the Caribbean has a tropical climate with hot and humid weather year-round. Hurricanes are common during the summer months, so it’s advised to avoid travel during this season if possible. The best time to visit typically starts in November and runs through April. Be sure to check local weather forecasts before your trip.
Experiencing the Local Culture
The Caribbean is home to a variety of cultures. The local culture is a key part of the Caribbean experience, so make sure to soak up as much as you can. Visit museums and historical sites to get a deeper understanding of the local heritage, or explore local festivals for a display of music, dance, and art. Moreover, the people of the Caribbean are well known for their friendliness, so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation.
Planning Your Activities
Whether you’re into diving, hiking, shopping, or simply lying on the beach, you will be able to pick between endless activities. Besides, you can try your hand at deep-sea fishing, horseback riding, or even bungee jumping. If you’re looking for something more laid back, take a guided tour of the island’s botanical gardens or explorer its national parks. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to review safety guidelines and pack all the necessary equipment before your adventure.
In conclusion, the Caribbean offers a diverse travel experience that caters to different preferences and budgets. With careful planning and a bit of research, you can plan a vacation that is truly unforgettable. So don’t wait — start planning your dream Caribbean trip today!
1. Which month is the best time to visit the Caribbean?| A．July. | B．December. | C．August. | D．June. |
| A．Visitors can experience different cultures and activities. |
| B．Visitors can have the opportunity to play local music. |
| C．Visitors have to be concerned about the safety of accommodation. |
| D．Deep-sea fishing is not allowed for the reason of ocean protection. |
| A．A fashion magazine. | B．A shopping guide. |
| C．A geography textbook. | D．A travel brochure. |
2 . Most parents are worried the first time they catch their kids out in a lie. According to child and teen psychiatrist Gayani DeSilva, lying can actually be a sign of healthy development in young children. “Kids lie for many reasons, and much of it is normal,” DeSilva says. “People are not born with the knowledge of communicating with others and getting their needs met. They’ll experiment with different communication styles and techniques until they find the ones that work best for them. Lying is one of those techniques.”
As kids get older, they become more aware of how their actions affect others, and many will lie less frequently. In spite of this, parents still need to lead their kids to form a habit of not lying. According to DeSilva, when children lie, look at them directly and ask what they need. After they tell you, gently remind them that telling you directly will be more effective than lying.
It’s also a good idea to model the behavior you want to see in your kids. In other words, don’t lie to your children. This will set you and your children on a course of open communication and trust.
In some cases, lying is a sign of a deeper issue. A child who is neglected will lie more than a child who has attentive and responsive parents. He’s not sure whether he’s loved. He may lie to please others. The same goes for a child who has experienced something unpleasant. He may lie to try to hide his shame, avoid admitting his needs, or to control his surroundings to ensure his safety.
By paying attention to the reasons behind a lie, parents can figure out what need to be done. For example, while Jack might lie about completing his homework in order to play video games, he also might be trying to avoid negative feelings connected with school work, and this is just where parents should start, says therapist Gideon Javna.
1. What can be inferred about lying from DeSilva’s words?| A．It has certain benefits for the healthy growth of kids. |
| B．It shows the understanding between kids and parents. |
| C．It can be an effective means of communication for kids. |
| D．It is so common for kids that parents can completely ignore it. |
| A．By pretending to trust them at first. |
| B．By encouraging them to admit their needs. |
| C．By telling them directly the harm of lying. |
| D．By punishing them for their lying in a safe way. |
| A．It’s common for children to lie |
| B．It’s important to be a generous parent |
| C．lying can damage family relationships |
| D．lying is a reflection of one’s mental trouble |
| A．Ask him to avoid playing video games. |
| B．Turn his attention to other positive things. |
| C．Give him a second chance to finish homework. |
| D．Listen to and help solve his problem related to school work. |
3 . If you want to know something about British life, their spirit, and even their humor, watching some classic British films will certainly help. Here are some recommended to you.
Notting HillAfter the success of his film Four Weddings and a Funeral, writer and producer Richard Curtis captured the essence of being British in 1999’s Notting Hill. Set against the background of affluent (富足的) West London, the film became popular for its charming and funny portrayal(刻画) of a British nobody trying to impress a Hollywood star.
The Full MontyThis 1997 film is a Sheffield-based comedy about six unemployed men who form a group to make money for a better life. Despite its hummer, the film dives deeper into some serious issues surrounding working-class culture. The Full Monty is an uplifting film that gives an insight into the work and life of the working class in Britain.
TrainspottingDanny Boyle’s 1996 comedy-drama Trainspotting is about a group of Scots in the 1980s, based on the book by Irvine Welsh. With a cast of truly great actors including Ewan MeGregor, the tale impressed the audience globally. It rapidly became a critical success.
Monty Python’s Life of BrianFeaturing a jam-packed cast of comedic stars. Monty Python’s Life of Brian tells the story of a young man who is in a case of mistaken identity. The film reflects the unusual and wonderful British sense of humour. As a film guaranteed to entertain, Monty Pythons Life of Brian is not to be missed by those looking for an insight into what makes the British laugh.
1. What can the audience learn about by watching The Full Monty?| A．Hardships of comedic stars | B．Daily life of people in West London |
| C．Unique experiences of some Scots. | D．Life of the British working class. |
| A．A comedy film. | B．A science fiction film. |
| C．An action movie | D．A horror movie. |
| A．Notting Hill. | B．The Full Monty. |
| C．Trainspotting. | D．Monty Python’s Life of Brian. |
| A．The man’s wife. | B．The man’s mother. | C．The mother of the man’s wife. |
| A．At 4:00 p.m. | B．At 5:00 p.m. | C．At 6:00 p.m. |
| A．His father. | B．His mother. | C．His sister. |
7 . Inside the World's Largest Flower Show
The RI IS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is the largest annual garden and flower show in the world. The showground covers 33 acres and most visitors stay for about 5 hours. It takes place in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace each July and is organized by the Royal Horticultural Society（RHS）.
Getting There
The nearest train station is Hampton Court. Full information of all travel options can be seen on the Getting to Hampton Court Palace page.
Tickets
Ticket prices start from £21.50.
Prices vary depending on the time and date of your visit.
Each full paying adult may bring two children aged 16 and under free of charge to the show.
Tickets are available on the door.
Opening Times
10a.m. until 7:30p.m.. It closes at 5:30p.m. on Sunday.
Tuesday and Wednesday: RHS Members only.
Official Website:www.rhs.org.uk
Tips for Visiting
● You could visit Hampton Court Palace on the same day but allow plenty of time as it takes 3-5 hours to visit the flower show and 1-3 hours to visit the palace.
● This is a temporary outdoor event on open parkland and is subject to varying weather and ground conditions. A temporary walkway is laid but it can still get pretty muddy if there's been heavy rain. Open-toed shoes and high heels are not usually appropriate footwear.
● Left Luggage and a drugstore service are both available on the show site.
● The Advisory Service offers free gardening advice to visitors. Check the information boards for locations.
● Plant and Product Deposit: There is a plant and product deposit service available where you leave your purchases while you enjoy the rest of your day out.
1. Where can you get the tickets?| A．On the website. | B．At the station. |
| C．At the entrance. | D．In the garden. |
| A．Drugs. | B．Flowers. |
| C．Gardening advice. | D．Transportation. |
| A．Sparing sufficient time. | B．Consulting the information desk. |
| C．Wearing whatever shoes they like. | D．Making good use of deposit service. |
8 . The cost of living in countries like the U.S., Britain, Australia or France has skyrocketed in recent years. However, if you're willing to leave your country and explore life in other areas, there are many countries boasting an extremely cheap and low cost of living. Check out the following countries when planning your next move.
Ecuador
Ecuador is similar to the United States in many ways, and as a result has become a popular American getaway. They even use the U.S. Dollar for their currency. In this country, it's cheaper to eat out every day than cook for yourself on a budget in the U.S. You can even buy a property for around $50,000 and hire someone to tend to it while you're away.
Mexico
Although the country is known for its poverty-ridden streets, there are many wealthier areas that provide every facility you might need. You can live off a mere $700 to $800 a month in Mexico, and this includes rent for a nice place, facilities, food, and any sightseeing.
Argentina
Argentina has been a popular tourist destination for many years. It has great restaurants, a rich history, and many places to explore. Not to mention, it's not very expensive to live here. A decent sized home can cost around $139,000, which is relatively cheap in relation to homes in the United States.
Vietnam
Vietnam has also become a popular tourist destination in recent years. There are many million-dollar luxury homes by the beach, but you can find a modest flat or small home for around $25,000 to $50,000 if you search in the right areas.
1. Why has Ecuador become a holiday destination for Americans?| A．Because housing is very cheap. |
| B．Because it has a low cost of living. |
| C．Because it is similar to America in many ways. |
| D．Because it has lots of nice places for sightseeing. |
| A．All of them have great restaurants. |
| B．All of them have a low cost of living. |
| C．All of them are poor developing countries. |
| D．The middle-sized homes are a little expensive. |
| A．Ecuador. | B．Mexico. | C．Argentina. | D．Vietnam. |
9 . Below you will find a list of streaming services and channels that focus on TV and movies, various sports, documentaries, and more.
Netflix
Cost: $8.99/month for a basic plan that allows a single screen in standard definition (清晰度); $ 12.99/month for a standard plan that allows two screens at once and HD streaming.
Watch it on: Android mobile devices and tablets; Windows phones; Amazon Fire TV devices; Apple TV.
Notes: Netflix subscribers can download select programming for offline viewing, and the number of devices you can download is equal to the number of screens you can use at one time.
Hulu
Cost: $5.99/month for a basic plan that features limited commercial: $11.99/ month for an ad-free plan.
Watch it on: Android mobile devices and tablets Nintendo Switch; PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.
Notes: Ad free subscribers can download programming for offline viewing.
Amazon Prime
Cost: $ 12. 99/month; $ 6.49/month for student membership; $ 119/year for an annual membership; or $ 59/ year for an annual student membership.
Watch it on: iOS mobile devices and tablets; Android mobile devices and tablets; Amazon Fire TV devices.
Notes: An Amazon Prime subscription includes access to all other benefits of Prime membership.
Apple TV+
Cost: $4.99/month after 7-day free trial; free for 1 year with purchase of an Apple device and if redeemed (赎回) within 90 days; free with Apple Music Student Plan.
Watch it on: Android mobile devices and tablets; Amazon Fire TV devices; Apple TV.
Notes: Apple TV+ is available through Apple TV Channels.
1. What device can you use in watching Netflix?| A．Nintendo Switch. | B．Windows phones. |
| C．iOS mobile devices and tablets. | D．PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. |
| A．$4.99/month. | B．$12.99/month. | C．$ 59/year. | D．$119/ year. |
| A．Netflix. | B．Hulu. | C．Amazon Prime. | D．Apple TV+. |
10 . On the first day of my new high school, I almost had a nervous breakdown. Everything about the school seemed so difficult. On that first day I was late for every class and was constantly lost. The school seemed like a puzzle that I couldn't figure out. Was this how the whole year was going to be? I didn't think I could rise to this challenge, especially carrying a huge backpack that I could hardly lift. It was so big that I could knock someone out with it! The schoolmates seemed to regard me as a fool, and they were probably right.
Despite my fears, after the first week I finally had my schedule figured out. With the exception of falling up and down the stairs a couple of times and getting laughed at, high school was turning out to be not so bad. It was actually much better than middle school and much more challenging.
Since then, I've been elected vice monitor of my class, which wasn't much of a victory since only three people ran for the four positions.
It is normal to be scared about a new school. Take a deep breath and relax. High school is something that any student can overcome. Make sure you participate in some out-of-class activities because you'll find it easier to make friends. Try to do your best, even if it isn't straight A's.
Most important of all, be who you are, whether you're a "fool", an athlete, or a lower grader. Don't try to pretend to be someone you're not. Now you know the true secrets of high school.
1. The main reason for the author's fear on his first day is that .| A．he was not familiar with the new surroundings |
| B．his schoolmates were unfriendly to him |
| C．he was unable to work out the puzzle |
| D．his schoolbag was too heavy for him to carry |
| A．his home was far away from the school |
| B．he got to school after classes began |
| C．he didn't get any school schedule |
| D．he didn't know the right way to class |
| A．gradually adjusted himself to the new school |
| B．was still not accustomed to the schedule |
| C．found high school not so challenging as he had imagined |
| D．ran for monitor of his class against three other students |
| A．making more friends | B．getting more A's at school |
| C．being who he really is | D．joining in out-of-class activities |
