1 . 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. |
2 . 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. |
3 . Eye Opener Volunteer
Description
For about 30 years, the Museum of Science Eye Opener Program has been working with the Boston Public Schools to bring the exciting world of science to second grade students from across the city. Each year, about 3, 000 students from over 45 Boston schools visit the museum to explore, ask questions and find answers. Since 1986, funds from the Germeshausen Family Foundation have supported the Eye Opener Program in providing a guided museum experience for second graders.
With the help of a large corps of volunteers, the program introduces these students to the museum and gives them a chance to engage in science. Eye Opener volunteers encourage exploration and the excitement of discovery as they share the museum with the children. They achieve these goals through conversation, hands-on experiments, exploration of exhibits, and Practicing scientific thinking skills with program participants.
Responsibilities
Each Tuesday morning, the students are grouped into sets of 4 to 6 with a pair of volunteers who give them a tour of the museum. Tours last about two hours and are tailored to the interests of the students.
Learn the lay-out of the museum to share and explore with second graders the exhibits which May be interesting to them.
Encourage children to observe, compare, describe, ask questions and share ideas.
Know museum emergence and safety procedures.
Work in close collaboration with a diverse group of volunteers.
Minimum Qualifications
● Patience, sensitivity, and understanding.
● Willingness to work with young children and high school students of all backgrounds and abilities.
● Interest in informal science education.
Additional details
Commitment: Four-to six-month commitment.
Time: Tuesday mornings (9:30-12:30) throughout the school year.
Training: Attendance at the New Volunteer Orientation session is required.
1. The Museum of Science Eye Opener Program aims at ________.| A．encouraging teenagers to visit the museum |
| B．guiding young girls fall in love with science |
| C．directing Boston schools to teach science |
| D．helping kids engage in science in the museum |
| A．Pay a visit to the museum any day they like. |
| B．Learn about what they are interested in. |
| C．Take a tour of the museum in a group of two. |
| D．Look around the museum for 4 hours each time. |
| A．work on Tuesday mornings | B．get a diploma in science |
| C．have a sense of humor | D．volunteer for at least one year |
4 . New England holds some special museums. They are devoted largely or entirely to the work of just one person. And they are the artists’ birthplaces or onetime homes. Here are four examples of such museums.
Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum
The name Cyrus E. Dallin (1861-1944) might not be familiar, but several of the artist’s sculptures (雕塑) are, especially those related to Native Americans. A good example is his “Appeal to the Great Spirit” standing in front of the Museum of Fine Arts. Born in Utah, he lived in Arlington for the final four decades of his life. The museum is in the Jefferson Cutter House, an 1830 Greek styled building.
Norman Rockwell Museum
Rockwell (1894-1978) was America’s well-known artist. The museum, founded in 1969, moved into its present location, Robert A.M. Stern-designed building in 1993. Its 998 paintings and drawings are the largest single collection of Rockwell's artworks.
Kids 16 and under: free; adults: $20; the old: at a 10% discount (折扣)
Edward Gorey House
Edward Gorey (1925-2000) was an artist, but he was also an author and clothes designer. Gorey bought this 18th-century house in 1979 and lived there for the rest of his life. Edward Gorey House is also known as the Elephant House. Gorey had respect for animals. The activities of the house, from art education to exhibits, show Gorey's support of animal well-being.
Gibert Stuart Birthplace and Museum
Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828) is responsible for what may well be the most familiar work of any American artist, His drawing of George is the basis of the first president’s portrait (画像) on the dollar. Stuart painted more than a thousand portraits throughout his life.
1. What do we know about Cyrus E. Dallin?| A．He built the Jefferson Cutter House. |
| B．He lived in Arlington for half a century. |
| C．He was best known for his Greek styled sculptures. |
| D．He created famous works related to Native Americans. |
| A．$36. | B．$40. | C．$60. | D．$72. |
| A．Edward Gorey House. | B．Norman Rockwell Museum. |
| C．Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum. | D．Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum. |
