1 . England Tours
Rick Steves England tours provide the best value for your trip to Europe. Browse Rick’s best England tours and vacation packages.
Family Europe: London to Florence in 13 Days Tour
$4,485 per person
Family Europe: London to Florence in 13 Days delivers a colorful mix of must-see cities. Along the way, you will encounter some fascinating bits of art, history, and culture — as well as a couple of castles, a boat, plenty of hiking, and even a swimming pool or two. Our stress-free Europe vacation package provides great guides, central hotels, all sightseeing — and memories to last a lifetime. And on this tour, kids aged 8—19 get a $200 discount!
Best of London in 7 Days Tour
$4,495 per person
London has just what you need for a quick escape: direct flights, the best live theater scene on the planet, and an inviting pub on every corner. During your week-long stay in London, your Rick Steves guide will lead to the Tower, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s, and even take you on a train trip to Windsor Castle.
Best of England in 14 Days Tour
$4,395 per person
Our two-week tour of England offers a delightful mix of big-city thrills and village charm. Your Rick Steves guide will welcome you in the elegant Georgian town of Bath. From there you’ll be guided to King Arthur’s Glastonbury, flower-boxed Cotswold villages, and Caernarfon Castle. You’ll also be treated to the spectacular scenery of the Lake District.
Best of South England in 10 Days Tour
$4,595 per person
Starting in Canterbury and ending in Bath, our Best of South England tour brings you to the very roots of British history and culture. Your Rick Steves guide will introduce you to locals who have talents to share and stories to tell. You’ll also learn about and taste the delicious seafood and traditional Cornish pasties.
1. Which tour is probably the cheapest for a teenager?| A．Family Europe: London to Florence. | B．Best of London. |
| C．Best of England. | D．Best of South England. |
| A．Sea bathing. | B．Local school visits. |
| C．Local stories. | D．North Ireland’s history. |
| A．Direct flight. | B．Guided tour. |
| C．Village walk. | D．Delicious seafood. |
2 . In today’s classroom, homework is completed not only with the pen and paper, but also with computers and cell phones. How to make the best use of such digital products is an important question for teachers and students. The following top digital portfolio platforms (作品集平台) offer a broad range of functions. Most importantly, they provide a way to share students’ work with pride.
Google SitesCreating a digital portfolio could not be any easier than Google Sites makes it. It lets students quickly put in contents, such as text, images, videos, maps, and much more. Use one of the provided six themes or create a custom one, and then publish it as a public or restricted-view (限制浏览的) site.
Seesaw for SchoolsDesigned for education, Seesaw for Schools provides a platform through which students complete and share school projects. By recording the process of gradually improving their schoolwork, kids gain a sense of master y and pride, so it is popular among them. Plus, parents can be involved too—just download the Seesaw Family app.
ArtsoniaArtsonia is like a dream come true for art-minded students: a free, safe, educational space through which students show their digital creativity. Friends and family can view, comment on and buy objects. The site also provides a complete teachers’ guide. Just celebrate the artistic skills with Artsonia!
EdublogsOne of the oldest and best-known web platforms for education, Edublogs makes it easy for teachers and students to start building a free WordPress platform. The free plan offers 1 GB of storage space, class management tools, and no advertising. A set of educator guides and community participation is another big plus for Edublogs.
1. What is special about Google Sites?| A．It lets students learn from others’ work. |
| B．It is controlled by educators for safety. |
| C．It offers students online publishing rights for free. |
| D．It allows students to create contents in different forms. |
| A．It helps check their school work. |
| B．It can track their progress. |
| C．It requires teamwork with parents. |
| D．It protects their personal information well. |
| A．They offer professional advice. |
| B．They require support from teachers and parents. |
| C．They remind students to hand in homework on time. |
| D．They can store large amounts of information. |
3 . Plan your vacation. The following four places are your fantastic destinations. You can enjoy a completely different experience.
Israel
If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, National Geographic Travel says visitors should head to Jerusalem to celebrate Easter with thousands of pilgrims (朝圣者). If the crowds get too huge, visitors are told to take a boat ride to King Herod’s 2,000-year-old Masada fortress (要塞) or set off on a peaceful morning boat ride across the sea of Galilee.
Panama
Costa Rica and the Caribbean often enjoy much more popularity than Panama, but visitors should consider the centre American country if they want a “less-crowded paradise”. The travel site states, “Here, horses are still the primary means of transportation and local fishermen serve fresh seafood and fruit from their home kitchens for roughly $ 6 a plate.”
Svalbard
If you’re a fan of winter activities, but are in need of some sun, then perhaps a trip to Svalbard is a good choice. National Geographic Travel notes, “The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard is located about 620 miles south of the North Pole. In late spring, the sun never falls below the horizon—meaning you can take in all the Vitamin D you desire.” Popular activities in the area include hiking and wildlife spotting.
Namibia
During spring, Namibia is regarded as the perfect destination with reduced travel costs on cooler evenings. In late May, National Geographic Travel says that the watering holes start to dry up again, which attracts giraffes and black rhino from their hiding spots. If you’re fond of adventurous exploration, head to the Namibia Desert for a spot of sand boarding.
1. What can visitors do in Israel?| A．Taste fresh seafood. | B．Hike in the mountains. |
| C．Ride a boat across the sea. | D．Enjoy full-day sunshine. |
| A．They allow visitors to play in the sand. | B．They offer the chance to watch animals. |
| C．They help visitors to save more money. | D．They mainly focus on adventurous travels. |
| A．Expense. | B．Popularity. | C．Visitors. | D．Transportation. |
4 . Lying in Victoria, Australia, Phillip Island Nature Park is a beautiful seaside holiday destination. Phillip Island provides a relaxing, adventurous and memorable costal holiday. Full of family attractions, friendly wildlife, sheltered swimming spots and beautiful beaches and bays, it is really hard to find a reason not to take a holiday.
Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island Heritage Farm
A trip to Phillip Island wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island Heritage Farm. This amazing native wildlife attraction provides the opportunity to experience wild koalas in their natural environment. You will also enjoy very impressive water views, ancient buildings and lovely gardens. Perfect for a family day out!
Penguin Parade
The Penguin Parade on Phillip Island is Australia’s most popular wildlife attraction. Every sunset, wild little penguins appear from the sea and walk across the beach to their sand holes. Here you can experience this natural view that you will find nowhere else in the world.
OPENING TIME: 10 am
CLOSING TIME Varies. Closed on Christmas Day
3 Parks Pass
This ticket gives you entry to the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island Nature Park, as well as entry to the Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island Heritage Farm.
All tickets will have 12 months’ validity (有效期) from time of buying.
Tickets will be delivered to your e-mail box within 60 minutes of buying. Please print out all tickets and take them along with you to the attraction.
1. What can be enjoyed in Phillip Island Nature Park?| A．Fierce wildlife. | B．Charming beaches. |
| C．Outdoor swimming spots. | D．Various modern buildings. |
| A．It opens at 10 am every day. | B．It is opened to us all year around. |
| C．It is the most popular wildlife attraction. | D．It provides the chance to see wild penguins. |
| A．You must use it within a year. | B．You must print it out in 60 minutes. |
| C．You can have it delivered to your house. | D．You can take your family along to the park. |
5 . It can be really challenging to learn a language well without living in a country full of native speakers! You have to find something captivating! Here’s the solution: TV series.
Game of Thrones
You should really start watching it. The language is beautiful and easy to follow. Drama, love and good characters mark the show and there are actors from all over the world. You won’t know what’s going to happen at the ending. This is a must-see!
Sherlock
A British masterpiece. Is there any language learner who has not heard of Sherlock Holmes and his friend John Watson? The writers placed the stories into London in the 21st century, so it’s basically a modern version of the original stories. Here you have everything that an English language leaner could wish for. British accents, good acting, long and interesting conversations with a sense of British humour.
Friends
Everybody knows Friends, which couldn’t be missed off of this list. With many different accents to be heard and a variety of dialects, this is the perfect show for English learners. The plot is relatively simple to understand. Six friends battle with tough jobs, complicated relationships and life in Manhattan, New York. In parts of the show there are also British accents to listen to and learn.
How I Met Your Mother
It is one of the most successful situation comedies in the United States, attracting the audience all over the world. It’s about the life of five friends that live in New York, focusing on their work and their favourite leisure time activity: sitting in their favourite bar. You get to know many modern American expressions and can enjoy various dialects that make the show even more engaging.
1. Which of the following has an unexpected ending?| A．Game of Thrones. | B．Sherlock. |
| C．Friends. | D．How I Met Your Mother. |
| A．American dialects. | B．American humour. |
| C．British accents. | D．Complicated acting. |
| A．It is about five American students’ daily life. |
| B．There are many formal expressions in the show. |
| C．It’s the most successful situation comedy in the US. |
| D．It enjoys popularity among audience around the world. |
6 . Whether you are a lifelong bookworm or are trying to develop a love for reading in your kids, the 2024 Miami Book Fair is for you.
• When and Where Is the Fair?
This much-loved South Florida event will be held from May 12 to 18, 2024 at the MDC Wolfson Campus Plaza in Downtown Miami.
• What to Expect at the Fair?
This year, the fair will feature more than 400 celebrated authors from around the world. There will be a rich collection of writers and their works of almost every type under the sun. Readers can not only explore arts and crafts, but also experience face painting and book giveaways. For green writers, it’s a place to connect with their favorite editors. For book lovers, it’s an opportunity to get autographs (亲笔签名) from many popular authors and ask them some questions. During this week-long book feast, you will find a group of events running from morning to night.
• How Much Does the Fair Cost?
On Friday. the fair is free. On Saturday or Sunday, it is 10 for an adult for one day, or you can get a two-day pass for $15. Kids under age 12 can attend for free and the kid aged 13-18 is $5 per day.
So mark your calendars, head to Downtown Miami, and enjoy yourself in the heart of the city’s literary scene.
1. What can visitors do at the fair?| A．Donate used books. | B．Explore Downtown Miami. |
| C．Enjoy a dinner party. | D．Interact with popular authors. |
| A．$ 30. | B．$25. | C．$ 20. | D．$ 15. |
| A．To advertise a fair. | B．To raise money. |
| C．To introduce a city. | D．To recommend books. |
7 . Four YouTube channels you need to watch
Yes Theory 6.57m subscribersDriven by the motto (格言) “Seek Discomfort”, Yes Theory aims to spread a message of fearlessness through carrying out projects that help people step outside their comfort zones. There is no doubt that many of us may feel too scared to work towards challenging goals, which is why Yes Theory takes on some adventures to show people that discomfort helps achieve a great life.
Nas Daily 2.45m subscribersBeing a graduate from Harvard, Nuseir Yassin makes an effort to provide a YouTube channel that highlights the most incredible humans on Earth. His videos often feature individuals who are creating changes in the world, and he also covers some of the most important topics of discussion like climate change.
TED-Ed 13.7m subscribersTED-Ed is one of the most famous YouTube channels when it comes to learning and inspiration. The channel has no specific video producer as it features presentations from people all around the world. These videos feature a wide variety of topics, and there is no specific subject that the channel focuses on. Instead, it provides insight into anything that can benefit the viewers.
Be Inspired 7.4m subscribersBe Inspired is a YouTube channel that provides videos to help people improve their overall well-being. These videos include a wide variety of topics such as sleep, stress, jobs, and creating plans. The channel also includes short and inspirational videos that help people realize the mistakes they are making and ways to solve them.
1. Which channel is the most popular?| A．Yes Theory. | B．Nas Daily. | C．TED-Ed. | D．Be Inspired. |
| A．Learning the latest news. |
| B．Meeting incredible humans. |
| C．Having access to job opportunities. |
| D．Improving general health and happiness. |
| A．They are inspirational. |
| B．They are favored by students. |
| C．They encourage viewers to challenge themselves. |
| D．They have one specific video producer. |
8 . About Byron
Whether you’re in Byron for fun or work, there are plenty of things to do to fill your spare time.
Byron, Georgia makes travel sweeter with its slower pace and breathtaking attractions. It’s full of historic sites, museums, shopping malls, and more. In this city at the center of Georgia’s peach industry, you can take a vacation that leaves you rested, not annoyed.
EventsGeorgia Peach Festival-June
Fall Market Days-September
Georgia National Fair-October
Byron Christmas Parade-December
Local attractionsByron Welcome Center
Located in the Peach Shops, the Byron Welcome Center is your first stop in our area. The Byron Welcome Center is ready to help you make the most of your stay in Byron, Georgia.
North Peach Park
North Peach Park is the place for traditional festivals, movies in the park, and many other events. The park has picnic shelters, playgrounds, football fields and soccer fields all year round. North Peach Park also has an indoor, climate-controlled multi-purpose room.
The Big Peach Shopping Mall
One of Georgia’s major shopping malls, and Central Georgia’s biggest and best variety of goods, the Big Peach has something for everyone! Open seven days a week and located directly off I-75, the Big Peach is Central Georgia’s favorite shopping destination.
Party Playground Indoor Fun Center
Let the kids work out some energy with an hour or two at the Party Playground Indoor Fun Center. This room full of safe and soft play equipment will let your little ones run, jump and play, rain or shine. It’s also a great place to have a birthday party.
Contact usFor more information, contact us at (478) 956-2409
Email: byronwelcomecenter@gmail.com
1. When is the best time to enjoy delicious peach in Byron?| A．June. | B．September. | C．October. | D．December. |
| A．North Peach Park. |
| B．Byron Welcome Center. |
| C．The Big Peach Shopping Mall. |
| D．Party Playground Indoor Fun Center. |
| A．A course plan. | B．A travel brochure. | C．A journal. | D．An encyclopedia. |
9 . As far as fantastic drives go, few can compete with Highway 395. Here’s what you need to know before starting a road trip along it.
▲ What to Know About Driving on Highway 395
Highway 395 begins in Hesperia, a city about 90 minutes east of Los Angeles. It then continues for 1,300 miles until its end point at the Canadian border (边界). While the entire drive is beautiful, its most famous section runs from the Los Angeles area up to Reno, Nevada.
▲ Where to Stop Along Highway 395
CONVICT LAKE
Convict Lake, one of California’s clearest bodies of water, is a beloved destination for photographers. During your drive, you can pull over for a photo, or quickly hop on a boat and cast a fishing line to see what you can catch.
MAMMOTH MOUNTAINM
Just around the corner, you’ll find Mammoth Mountain, one of America’s best ski destinations. Mammoth is renowned for its extended ski season, often lasting until July, and offers excellent terrain (地形) for all skill levels.
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
During your drive, pay n visit to Yosemite National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you can watch climbers make their way up Half Dome, feel the power of Yosemite Falls, and enjoy the beauty of Tuolumne Meadows.
▲ When to Drive on Highway 395
Because many attractive places along Highway 395 are all-season destinations, there’s really no wrong time to depart on this road trip. However, it’s important to remember the road can get rather dangerous in winter. Check the highway website before leaving to ensure you’re aware of the conditions.
1. Where is this text probably taken from?| A．A travel website. | B．An official document. |
| C．A science report. | D．A geography textbook. |
| A．They are places suitable for sports fans. |
| B．They show the historical changes in America. |
| C．They have beautiful views and excellent terrain. |
| D．They offer chances for people to get close to nature. |
| A．It starts in Los Angeles and ends in Canada. |
| B．There isn’t a bad time to start a road trip along it. |
| C．No special preparations are needed before leaving for it. |
| D．Its most famous destinations are in the Los Angeles area. |
10 . Do you have a story to share?
Traces welcomes article submissions (提交)from historians, genealogists (系谱学者), family history researchers, and history lovers.
·Ancest or stories
·Historical research and news
·Research tips
·Character studies
·Historical building profiles
·Antiques, collections, and preservation
·Personal heirlooms
Please note that all article submissions will be reviewed by the editor. The editor has the right to refuse submissions.
Articles are between 1,000 and 1,200 words (except personal heirloom submissions, which are 100-200 words). If imagery is available, it must be high resolution (300 dpi).
Send your submissions to eden.cox@executivemeida.com.au.
1. Who decides whether your article will be accepted?| A．History lovers. | B．Historians. |
| C．Genealogists. | D．Editors. |
| A．An imagery with low resolution. | B．A research tip of around 200 words. |
| C．An ancestor story of around 1,100 words. | D．A personal heirloom of around 1,200 words. |
| A．A note. | B．A story. | C．An advertisement. | D．An encyclopedia. |
