1 . Scotland is packed with beautiful places to visit and you could honestly spend months and months exploring everything this wonderful country has to offer! Next I’m going to take you through some of the best place to visit in Scotland, based on where we have personally visited so far!
Glen Coe
If you asked me where my favourite place to visit in all of Scotland is... I would say, Glen Coe. The whole area of Glen Coe constantly had my face in shock due to the beauty that I was witnessing1 was witnessing (亲眼看见). It’s just a stream of dramatic mountains, lakes, rugged (崎岖的) beauty and more.
Fort William
Fort William is probably one of the most well-known places to visit in Scotland. It’s a popular tourist destination thanks to being home to the UK’s tallest mountain: Ben Nevis. Fort William is also the starting point for one of the world’s most famous train rides: The Jacobite. Harry Potter fans will recognize it as the Hogwarts Express, and this train ride will take you through the beautiful countryside, crossing some iconic Harry Potter filming locations such as the Dumbledore’s Grave and the Glenfinnan Viaduct!
Isle Of Skye
This island feels totally different from other parts of Scotland and is truly rugged and ready! There are many hot spots to explore including the Old Man of Storr, the Fairy Glen. I even stayed on a private island with its very own lighthouse, which was one of the coolest places I’ve ever visited and one of the most romantic places stay in Scotland.
Cairngorms National Park
This is the largest national park in the UK so it’s another popular place to visit in Scotland and it’s no surprise why. It’s absolutely beautiful and there’s so much happening at the Cairngorms National Park! From skiing or meeting local reindeers, you’ll not go bored and you’ll be surrounded by beauty the entire time.
1. Which place probably attracts Harry Potter fans most?| A．Glen Coe. | B．Isle Of Skye. |
| C．Cairngorms National Park. | D．Fort William. |
| A．The Jacobite. | B．Local reindeers. |
| C．The UK’s tallest mountain. | D．A cool lighthouse. |
| A．A geography textbook | B．A science journal. |
| C．A travel blog. | D．A diary. |
2 . Scientists near San Francisco work to identify a type of endangered fish using a tool that was originally made for treating cancer.
Currently, CRISPR is used to change the genetic material in specific cells. By changing the structure of immune cells, it helps recognize and fight cancer. The same technology is now used in a special machine called Sherlock, which, of course, is named after the famous investigator Sherlock Holmes. They do not, however, use Sherlock to change fish cells. Instead, the ocean researchers catch the fish, collect a small amount of mucus(粘液) and then test the cells to find the genetic makeup of the fish. It can be done in about 30 minutes. In the past, the researchers would have to wait weeks or months to get test results.
The researchers have found that the technology is extremely helpful when looking at different species of Chinook salmons, because they look nearly the same. However, some of them are endangered, and the scientists need to keep track of them.
In the past, the scientists would catch the Chinook salmon and measure them to tell them apart. “It’s not very accurate,” said Andrea Schreier, an associate professor at the University of California in Davis. Now she is working on the salmon. Schreier said when they catch the fish, the Sherlock machine can quickly tell them if they have one of the special salmons. It’s important because it allows the scientists to do things that will help the endangered salmon live longer. For example, they can catch them in lakes far away from the coast and take them by truck to the San Francisco Bay. In the past, the fish might have tried to make it to the Bay by swimming in rivers. However, due to climate change, the river water is sometimes too warm for the fish to make the trip safely.
Schreier said she feels good about the project because she likes being able to assist with conservation. “I really want to work to maintain our ecosystems and our native populations, given the pressures humans place on them through our different activities.”
1. Which of the following best describe the technology?| A．Efficient. | B．Immature. | C．Inaccurate. | D．Economical. |
| A．They test the fish’s mucus to tell them apart. |
| B．They are carried out by researchers in the lab. |
| C．They help researchers tell different salmons apart. |
| D．They aim at better protecting salmons in San Francisco. |
| A．They will die out soon. |
| B．They are of the same size. |
| C．They are now well protected. |
| D．They are used to cool water. |
| A．She thinks humans are greatly pressured. |
| B．She can now spend less time on her work. |
| C．She is rather devoted to the conservation. |
| D．She thinks her work is of great importance. |
| A．His studies. | B．World affairs. | C．His health. |
4 . After finals, I was ready to move out. It wasn’t too hard for me, but for a lot of my friends, it was a big event. After packing my suitcase and helping my friends move, it was time to say goodbye. I had reached the end of my first year in the university!
A friend from Shanghai who is studying in Washington D. C. came to visit, so my brother and I took him sightseeing. But these were not this month’s highlights. The high point was coming back home, a moment I’d been expecting since the day I left.
I arrived home early on the morning of May 15th. When I saw my parents, I gave them a big hug and kiss. Being at home with my parents, standing on this land, and feeling the humid and hot air, I knew I was home. The first thing I did was to go to Mei Mei for a big breakfast. It was so much better than the school cafeteria! Mei Mei was just a start. There are so many foods I have to eat and so many friends I want to see.
The hot air is burning my face and there is sweat on my skin. I love this feeling. This is where I belong.
1. The writer went home _________________.| A．after a big event | B．after one year studying |
| C．after one semester | D．at the end of a year |
| A．The writer’s friend was studying in Shanghai. |
| B．The writer took a friend sightseeing with his brother. |
| C．The writer stayed far away from his home. |
| D．The writer had been expecting back home since the day he left. |
| A．at the time when the weather was humid and hot | B．when he was tired of the school cafeteria |
| C．because he missed his parents | D．to have a big breakfast |
5 . Have you been dreaming of taking a vacation, but wonder whether it’s better to take a solo journey, or have an adventure with friends? In my opinion, there are advantages in both travelling alone and in a group.
Group travel is generally much cheaper. You can get group rates on accommodations, certain modes of transportation, or tickets to tourist attractions. If you’re able to reduce costs, you’ll have extra money to see and do more things.
It is also safer to travel in a group. Do you remember when you were little your parents or teachers used the “buddy system”? It doesn’t only apply to children. It’s especially true when travelling, particularly in unknown places. Nobody can forecast problems or dangers on the way, such as traffic accidents and conflicts with strangers. When you travel with a friend or within a group, you have someone to watch your back.
Travelling with other people can also create shared experiences. For many people this is the best part of travelling — there’s always someone to do things with, laugh with, share stories with, and make memories with. These are just some of the reasons why travelling with friends can be more fun.
However, if you travel alone, you are the boss. There’s no one to tell you where to go or what to do, and you don’t have to make compromises. You can do things at your own pace, on your own timetable. For some people, meeting other travellers is part of the fun of travelling alone. A lot of solo travellers seem to end up in the same spots, so you have a chance to meet other people with the same interests. You can join them and spend some time together, then go your separate ways. Some people take trips alone because they want time to reflect. If you simply enjoy being on your own, or want to be with your own thoughts, without anyone else bothering you, then solo travel might be the way to go.
In general, whether you choose to travel solo or in a group mainly depends on your personality. Think of how you are in your everyday life — do you value your time alone, or do you prefer to be in the company of others? It might not seem like a big deal, but if you’re travelling for any length of time, it could mean the difference between an enjoyable, memorable vacation, and an unhappy trip.
1. What is the advantage of group travel, according to Paragraph 2?| A．You can save money by sharing a hotel room with friends. |
| B．You can choose what kind of transportation you want to take. |
| C．You can do many fun activities and laugh happily with friends. |
| D．You can visit a lot more places with friends for less money. |
| A．A rule you should follow at school. | B．Your parents’ suggestion for making friends. |
| C．A way to ensure your safety when going out. | D．A rule of not travelling to unknown places. |
| A．You can decide where to go, when to go, and what to eat. |
| B．You can join other travellers based on your interests. |
| C．You can have time to reflect and think alone. |
| D．You can share memories with your friends after the journey. |
| A．Group travel is better than solo travel. |
| B．Travelling alone has more positive factors. |
| C．The way you like to travel depends on your personality. |
| D．It is not a big deal to choose to travel alone or in group. |
Lucy is 12 years old. She sews (缝制) blankets for children
Lucy
One of her favorite parts is learning about each child. “I’m
On each of her creations, Lucy adds a handsewn heart. “That’s to let whoever gets the blanket know they
7 . A record of 6.15 million trips was made by Chinese mainland tourists to overseas destinations during the seven-day Spring Festival holiday, which ended on Sunday, according to the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA). That is an increase of 7 percent compared with the last year’s Spring Festival. About 374, 000 trips were organized by travel agencies, a 2.5 percent increase.
The CNTA also reported growth from individual and high-end(高端的) travelers and said that in addition to top and coastal cities, inland cities such as those in Guangxi — became important source markets. With many Chinese now traveling abroad during the Spring Festival, their choice of destinations has expanded along with their growing interest in foreign cultures and services.
“Chinese tourists are increasingly willing to experience local cultures and services, including staying in private homes, appreciating plants and watching monkeys,” Li Xuejing, an agency’s marketing manager, said.
Miss Guo, a Chinese tourist, who was vacationing on an island in Philippines, said, “I now pay more attention to relaxation and enjoyment during the holidays instead of shopping or choosing gifts for relatives.”
Another choice is Britain. Though the devaluation(货币贬值) of the pound is a factor, Britain’s rich history and famous education tradition have caught the eye of Chinese.
1. How many trips were made to foreign countries during the seven-day Spring Festival holiday?| A．6,150,000. | B．2,500,000. | C．7,000,000. | D．374,000. |
| A．They’re reported to have become important tourist attractions. |
| B．They’re famous for all kinds of plants and monkeys. |
| C．They have many hot springs. |
| D．They have become important source markets. |
| A．Go shopping for gifts. | B．Study foreign cultures. |
| C．Relax and enjoy herself. | D．Chat with her relatives. |
| A．A guide book. | B．A newspaper. |
| C．A science magazine. | D．An advertisement. |
1. Where is the park located?
| A．In West Africa. | B．In Southeast Asia. | C．In South America. |
| A．There are over 5, 000 types of plants. |
| B．Visitors can’t get close to the birds. |
| C．It has much room to walk around. |
| A．30 meters. | B．60 meters. | C．100 meters. |
| A．At 9:00 am. | B．At 11:00 am. | C．At 5:00 pm. |
9 . Today, roller skating(滑旱冰) is easy and fun. But many years ago, it wasn’t easy at all. Before 1745, people never tried skating on wheels. That changed because of a man named Joseph Merlin. Merlin’s work was making instruments(工具). In his free time, he liked to play the violin. Merlin was a man with many ideas and dreams. People called him a dreamer.
One day, Merlin received an invitation to go to an important party. He was very pleased and a little excited. As the day of the party came near, Merlin began to think. He wanted to make a wonderful entrance at the party. Merlin had an idea. He thought that he would attract a lot of attention if he could skate into the room.
Merlin tried different ways to make himself roll(滚动). Finally, he decided to put two wheels under each shoe. These were the first roller skate shoes. Merlin was very proud of them. He dreamed of arriving at the party and skating into the room while playing the violin. He was sure that everyone would be very surprised.
On the night of the party Merlin rolled into the room, playing his violin. Everyone was really surprised to see him. There was just one problem. Merlin had no way to stop his roller skating. He rolled on, playing the violin. Then, with all eyes on him, Merlin hit into a huge mirror on the wall. The mirror broke into many pieces with a very loud noise.
Nobody forget Merlin’s wonderful entrance after that.
1. What kind of a person was Joseph Merlin?| A．He was a man without any friends. |
| B．He was a man with lots of money. |
| C．He was a man with many ideas and dreams. |
| D．He was a man in a wheelchair. |
| A．His work. | B．His violin. |
| C．A huge mirror. | D．An important party. |
| A．He couldn’t stop his roller-skating. |
| B．He couldn’t attract a lot of attention. |
| C．He couldn’t make everyone remember him. |
| D．He couldn’t play the violin while rolling. |
10 . Music festivals in Europe
Visiting a festival abroad can be a great reason to travel and a way to experience different cultures. These days there is such a number of choices that it’s possible to spend the whole summer watching live music in exciting places. Of course, it’s also a chance to meet people from across the world.
Melt! Festival, Germany
This festival takes place on the site of an open air museum for industrial machinery. There’s also a lake which can be used for swimming when it’s hot. This year’s line-up has over 120 different bands (乐队). Around 90% of the people attending the festival are German providing a perfect chance to practise speaking the language.
Exit Festival, Serbia
Set on the banks of the Danube in an old fortress (城堡), the festival began as a way to show people’s dissatisfaction with the government. These days it’s less political (政治的) but still worries about people who are poor, ill, old, etc and tries to help them. This year’s festival will host many famous bands. From electronic music and dance music to hard rock, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Open’er Festival, Poland
Held in an airfield near the northern city of Gdansk, each year Open’er has a seriously good selection of bands. This year is no exception, with many famous bands set to play. Not only are there amazing artists, but both Poland and the festival itself also provide very excellent value for money.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Scotland
Set on a Scottish estate (庄园) near Inverness, this year Belladrum will welcome artists from around the world. The most enjoyable part of the weekend is the ceilidh (traditional Scottish dance and party) which is always a lively event. It doesn’t even matter if you’re a beginner because the band teaches you each dance.
1. What is special about Melt! Festival?| A．It provides German lessons. | B．It is held by a local museum. |
| C．The bands are from 120 countries. | D．Most of the festival goers are German. |
| A．For political reasons. | B．For personal reasons. |
| C．To help stop a fight. | D．To offer help to the poor. |
| A．It falls in summer. |
| B．It is a live music festival. |
| C．It teaches people Scottish dances. |
| D．It invites the most famous bands. |
