1 . With the attractive scenery and the possibility of a monster (怪物) sighting, Loch Ness is the one of those rare destinations that engages everyone.
Urquhart Castle
Captured by Edward 1 in 1246, this prized castle changed hands between the Scots and English on several occasions. Though ruined today, it’s still possible to climb the Grant Tower and visit the battlements and prison cells. A cafe and visitor centre offer modern facilities in historic surroundings.
The Loch Ness Centre
For those who wish to digest the complete history of Loch Ness, this centre is particularly3 good at documenting the history of this mysterious stretch of water, including many attempts to search for Nessie, the infamous monster. It also holds curious artifacts (古器物) such as the diving suit worn by Lloyd Scott when he undertook his underwater marathon.
The Clansman Centre
At the south end of Loch Ness, this attraction uncovers the truth surrounding 18th-century family life. Audience members get the opportunity to put on Highland dress and there’s a demonstration on how weapons were used. The presentations take place within the recreated interior of a Highland house, adding atmosphere and authenticity (真实).
South Loch Ness Trail
This 36-mile route invites hikers along the quieter south side of Loch Ness, passing through three villages, and taking in the Falls of Foyers. Walkers hike a mix of minor roads and forest tracks, with highlights including Suidhe Viewpoint (a mountainous view at 1,200 feet). If it sounds too easygoing, then consider the Loch Ness 360° Trail instead for a more challenging, 80-mile route.
1. Which place best suits visitors interested in Nessie?| A．Urquhart Castle. | B．The Loch Ness Centre. |
| C．The Clansman Centre. | D．South Loch Ness Trail. |
| A．It provides a genuine scene. | B．It displays fascinating scenery. |
| C．It exhibits entertaining artifacts. | D．It possesses modern conveniences. |
| A．Seeking the Falls of Foyers. |
| B．Walking along the quieter side. |
| C．Hiking the Loch Ness 360° Trail. |
| D．Searching a mix of minor roads and tracks. |
2 . Bangkok’s Grand Palace is the busiest tourist stop in the city. People keep coming because the Grand Palace could arguably be called the birthplace of Bangkok
How to Get to the Grand Palace
Making your own way to the Grand Palace in Bangkok is more enjoyable and rewarding. Moving around by river taxi is inexpensive. Additionally, you’ll have a good excuse to see the Chao Phraya River up close. Going by boat won’t make you caught in traffic jams. It will let you see beautiful river scenery!
People staying in the Khao San Road area may choose to walk (around 20 — 25 minutes) to the Grand Palace.
Opening Hours
The Grand Palace is open seven days a week from 8:30 a. m. until 3:30 p. m. Occasionally, the Grand Palace does actually close for official visits and state functions. However, this is rare. Don’t believe any driver who states the Grand Palace is closed. If the statement of closure is too convincing, confirm it by calling: +6626235500 ext.3100.
Entrance Fees
Considering that temples in Thailand are often free, the 500 baht (around $16) per person entrance fee at the Grand Palace is relatively expensive. Thai nationals do not have to pay. An audio tour can be rented for an additional 200 baht. Besides, human guides are available for hire. Choose an official guide rather than accepting someone’s offer on the outside.
Dress Standards at the Grand Palace
To show enough respect, you shouldn’t wear sleeveless shirts in any temple or state building in Thailand. But unlike many of the other temples, dress standards are strictly required at the Grand Palace.
Men must wear long trousers, women must cover legs to just above the knee.
Don’t wear shirts with religious themes or symbols of death on them.
You may be told outside that flip-flops (人字拖鞋) are unacceptable footwear.
1. What do you know about the river taxi to the Grand Palace?| A．It is the only way to get to the Grand Palace |
| B．It is difficult for visitors to jump on and off it. |
| C．It is safe, clean and affordable for most visitors. |
| D．It allows visitors to avoid traffic jams and enjoy river scenery. |
| A．They’d better call to confirm the information. |
| B．They should call off their trips immediately. |
| C．They should wait until the Grand Palace reopens. |
| D．They should believe the statements and change the trips. |
| A．The Grand Palace provides an audio tour free. |
| B．Not all people need to buy tickets to the Grand Palace. |
| C．Guides outside the Grand Palace are more professional. |
| D．The locals always guide visitors voluntarily during the holiday season. |
| A．Mr Green, from the USA, wearing flip-flops and a T-shirt. |
| B．Alice, 16 years old, wearing a sleeveless shirt and a miniskirt. |
| C．Mark, wearing a long-sleeved shirt, long trousers and sports shoes. |
| D．John, wearing a hat and a shirt with religious symbols. |
| A．To encourage more people to visit Bangkok. |
| B．To introduce some palaces in Bangkok to readers. |
| C．To introduce some activities of the Grand Palace. |
| D．To provide guidance on visiting the Grand Palace. |
More than 500 pieces of relics
The relics, discovered at the six new sacrificial pits of the ruins, include golden masks, jade and ivory artifacts and bronze wares
The new finds bring the total number of items discovered at Sanxingdui to nearly 2,000
“The new discoveries demonstrate once again that
Tang added that the excavation of the new pits has entered a critical stage,
Originally discovered in the late 1920s, the Sanxingdui Ruins have been referred to as one of the world’s greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century.
Located in the city of Guanghan, around 60 km from the provincial capital Chengdu, the ruins covering
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Dear Lily,
I’m glad to hear that you’ll visit China this summer vacation! Knowing that you’re amazing at traditional China, I’d like to recommend my most favourite city, Suzhou to you.
Suzhou, referring as the Venice of the East, is an attractively city located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province. It had been listed by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage. The Classical Gardens are the symbol of the city, there you can have better understanding of China. Because these gardens are not large, they’re unique to their designs. It bring together the beauty of nature, architecture and painting.
I believe you will enjoy your time in Suzhou.
Yours,
Lihua
“That is a sleeping dragon.” Napoleon,
Nowhere is China’s influence more apparent than Beijing. As China’s
6 . The Most Breathtaking Theaters in the World
Shakespeare's Globe Theater（London, UK）
The original Globe Theater was built by Shakespeare's company in 1599, but was destroyed by fire in 1613. A replica was built in 1997 just meters from the original site. The new 857-seat structure has several modern features. It has the first and only straw roof permitted in London since the great fire of 1666.
Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London; +44 20 7902 1400
Margravial Opera House（Bayreuth, Germany）
Built in 1745, the UNESCO-listed Mareravial Opera House is regarded as the finest baroque theater in Europe. The stage has a depth of 27 meters and was the largest in Europe until 1871. Much of the original materials remain, along with original structures, such as the twin staircases.
Margravial Opera House, Opernstrasse 14. Bayreuth, Germany; +49 9 21 7 59 69 22
Teatro Amazonas（Manaus, Brazil）
There can't be many theaters located in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, and the Teatro Amazonas is certainly the most breathtaking. The theater was built in 1895 and was designed by Italian architect Celestial Sacardim. Work took 15 years. largely thanks to the decision to source supplies from all over the world
Amazon Theater, Centro, Manaus, Brazil; +55 92 3622 1880
National Centre for the Performing Arts（Beijing, China）
The National Centre for the Performing Arts（NCPA）, built in 2007, is an arts centre in Beijing. Designed by French architect Paul Andreu, the NCPA is the largest theatre complex（建筑群）in Asia. The NCPA includes value in both ancient traditional Chinese architecture and modern architecture. It was specially designed to improve the red walls of ancient buildings and the Great Hall of the People in order to fit in with the surroundings.
NCPA, No. 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing; +86 010 6655 0989
1. Where does the theatre with its longest survival time lie?| A．In London. | B．In Bayreuth | C．In Manaus. | D．In Beijing |
| A．Shakespeare's Globe. | B．Margravial Opera House. |
| C．Teatro Amazonas. | D．National Centre for the Performing Arts. |
| A．It features modern architecture. | B．It receives worldwide supplies. |
| C．It is a multifunctional theatre | D．It matches its surroundings. |
Did you ever wish that you could foretell the future? Well, thousands of years ago, the people living in
The site of Gegharot is rather small in
The shrines at Gegharot offer archaeologists a rare glimpse into fortune-telling practices that would have been the closely
I have been in Taiyuan, the provincial capital of Shanxi, for two years since I
Over the two years, I found myself
The city has
I hope more international students come to study in Shanxi University and to live and work in China
| A．The population. |
| B．The man's experience. |
| C．The capital city. |
10 . The commonly held view is that people arrived in North America from Asia via a land bridge once connecting the two continents at the end of the Ice Age around 13,000 to 16,000 years ago. But recent discoveries have suggested humans might have been there earlier. Researchers studying fossilized human footprints in New Mexico say that humans were there at least 23,000 years ago.
Matthew Bennett, a specialist in ancient footprints and author of a study on the new findings published in Science, and his colleagues studied 61 footprints by radiocarbon(放射性碳) dating layers of aquatic (水生的) plant seeds preserved above and below the footprints and accurately dated they were made 21,000 to 23,000 years ago. The people who made the footprints were living there in the last Ice Age when two massive ice sheets covering the continent and cold temperatures would have made a journey between Asia and Alaska impossible, indicating humans must have been there much earlier than previously thought.
According to their analysis of the footprints, they were likely made in soft ground at the edge of a wetland by children who were sent to do the work like fetching and catching by adults. Wind probably blew dust over the surface, accumulating in the prints, thus, leaving footprints that previously recorded.
Their finding also makes it possible to explore the older and more controversial sites. One such site is Chiquihuite Cave in central Mexico, where stone tools dating back to 30,000 years ago have been found.
David Rachal, an experienced geoarchaeologist (地质考古学家) thought the footprint dates provided by Bennett and his team looked extremely solid, with seeds providing very reliable and precise ages through radiocarbon dating. “You could not ask for a better setup,” said Rachal. However, he was puzzled that no artifacts, such as stone tools, had been found in the area. “We need to be cautious and more research needs to be done.” Rachal said.
1. What is the most essential evidence dating the time in the passage?| A．The aquatic plant seeds. | B．The fossilized human footprints. |
| C．The unearthed tools. | D．The massive ice sheets. |
| A．To introduce a historical site. |
| B．To show the significance of the finding. |
| C．To compare geoarchaeological discoveries. |
| D．To explain the course of making a discovery. |
| A．Optimistic and trustful. | B．Conservative and cautious. |
| C．Negative but curious. | D．Favorable but confused. |
| A．The Discovery of Human Footprints. |
| B．Scientific Methods of Dating Footprints. |
| C．The Earlier Arrival of People in North America. |
| D．A Discussion on Human History Among Researchers. |
