4 . 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 Panoram a 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 or she is interested in stars?

A．Yellowstone Nation Park.	B．Joshua Tree National Park.
C．Grand Canyon National Park.	D．Virgin Islands National Park

2. What can we know from the passage?

A．The Bright Angel Trail is challenging in cold weather.

B．The four parks are all well-known for the sports on snow.

C．There is a slight drop in visitor numbers in winter in these parks.

D．Virgin Islands National Park lies in an area with rolling steam and hot springs.

3. What’s the best title for the passage?

A．The Ideal Spots for Adventures	B．The Rules to Follow in the Wild
C．The Big Attractions for Families	D．The Best National Parks in Winter

5 . Picnic Shelter Reservations

Vancouver Parks and Recreation maintains four covered picnic shelters that are available for reservation at the following parks:

● Fisher Basin Community Park

● Leroy Haagen Memorial Park

● Marine Community Park

● Marshall Community Park

Picnic shelters are available to reserve between May 1 and September 30 each year. Reservations are for the entire day with a reservation fee of $100. When not reserved, shelters are available for free. Reserve a picnic shelter by calling 360-487-7100.

Shelter Reservation Cancellation Policy

If canceled one month or more before the rental date, 100% of the fee will be refunded. If canceled 1-4 weeks before the rental date, 75% of the fee will be refunded. No refunds will be granted if the reservation is canceled less than one week prior to the rental date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there a way to find out if an event is already scheduled at a park?

Yes. Contact Marshall Community Center at 360-487-7100 to find out about events taking place in our parks.

Q: What amenities (are included with a picnic shelter reservation?

Reservations include use of all picnic tables located within the shelter and centricity (there is no electricity at Marine Park). Playground amenities and restrooms will be shared with the public.

Park Use Permits

Depending on the type of event you’re hosting, you will need to get a Park Use Permit from Vancouver Parks and Recreation. A Park Use Permit gives you permission to bring special items and equipment into the park.

1. According to the passage, Vancouver picnic shelters ________.

A．don’t allow visitors to host events

B．can be used for free when not reserved

C．are available to reserve all year round

D．don’t offer picnic tables or electricity

2. What is the main purpose of the passage?

A．To explain the rules of park management.

B．To recommend shelters of different parks.

C．To introduce the functions of picnic shelters.

D．To provide information of shelter reservations.

3. Where is this passage most likely from?

A．A book review.	B．A news report.
C．A travel brochure.	D．A science journal.

6 . A new study in the journal of Tourism Analysis shows frequent travelers are happier with their lives than people who don’t travel at all.

Chun-Chu Chen, an assistant professor at Washington State University, conducted a survey to find out why some individuals travel more frequently than others and whether or not travel and tourism experiences have a lasting effect on happiness and wellness.

The results of his analysis show individuals who pay more attention to tourism-related information and frequently discuss their travel plans with friends are more likely to go on regular vacations than those who aren’t constantly thinking about their next trip. Additionally, participants in the survey who reported regularly traveling at least 75 miles away from home also reported being about 7% happier when asked about their overall well-being than those who reported traveling very rarely or not at all.

“While things like work, family life and friends play a bigger role in overall reports of well-being. The accumulation (积累) of travel experiences’ does appear to have a small yet noticeable effect on self-reported life satisfaction,” Chen said.

Participants in the study were asked about the importance of travel in their lives, how much time they spent looking into and planning future vacations, and how many trips they went on over a year. They were also asked about their life satisfaction. Out of the 500 survey participants, a little over half reported going on more than four pleasurable trips a year. Only 7% of respondents did not take any vacations.

As travel restrictions (限制) due to COVID-19 pandemic begin to relax in the future, the research could have important effects on both tourists and the tourism industry. Based on the results of the study, Chen said travel companies, resorts and even airlines, could launch social media campaigns, such as creating signs about the scientific benefits of vacation, to spark people’s interest in discussing their opinions about travel.

1. What is the benefit of frequent travelling according to the study?

A．Getting more tourism information.	B．Making more friends.
C．Bettering tourism industry.	D．Improving one’s well-being.

2. What does Paragraph 5 mainly talk about?

A．Why the professor carried out the study.

B．How the participants felt about the survey.

C．What the participants were interviewed about.

D．What the participants panned to do in the future.

3. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．Tourism industry should improve their service.

B．The results of the study will benefit tourism industry.

C．COVID-19 pandemic will be more serious in the future.

D．People will live a happier life after COVID-19 pandemic.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Travel more and be happier	B．Make good use of travelling
C．Prepare for the tourism development	D．Make travel plans with friends

7 . When it comes to hiking, Greece has something for every kind of walker. The mainland boasts (拥有)well-maintained routes, while on the country’s islands you’ll find ancient paths dating back to Byzantine times connecting sleepy villages with beautiful sandy coves (小海湾). Here’s our pick of Greece’s best hikes.

 Samaria Gorge(峡谷), Crete

16 kilometers(10 miles), 4 hours

Hiking the 16-kilometer Samaria Gorge is considered one of Crete’s must-do experiences, which is why you’ll rarely be without company. Nevertheless, there’s an undeniable raw beauty to Samaria, where vertical (垂直的) walls soar up to 500 meters and are just 3.5 meters apart at the narrowest point (150 meters at the broadest).

The hike begins at 1,230 meters at Xyloskalo just south of Omalos and ends in the coastal village of Agia Roumeli. It’s especially scenic in April and May, when wildflowers brighten the route.

 Mt Ohi summit hike, Evia

8 kilometers(5 miles), 3 to 4 hours

The summit of Mt Ohi (Profitis Ilias; 1,398 m), lesser-visited Evia’s third-highest peak, is crowned by mysterious ancient dragon houses: 7th century BC architecture, made from rocks weighing several tons. From Myli, it’s an 8-kilometer hike to the summit (three to four hours).

It’s possible to stay overnight at the 1,000-meter-high refuge then hike up Mt Ohi to catch the sunrise(30 minutes), which makes for a magical experience. Contact South Evia Tours or Evia Adventure Tours for details.

 Delphi to Kirra Walk, Central Greece

14 kilometers (9 miles), 3 to 4 hours

This 14-kilometer downhill hike follows a centuries-old pathway from historic Delphi to the ancient port of Kirra, just east of modern Itea on the southern coast of mainland Greece.

The hike starts from the E4 long-distance starting point 100 meters east of the Hotel Acropole. Skirting the village of Crissa, it goes to the gulf (海湾) through Greece’s largest olive garden. After your three-to-four-hour hike, and lunch or a swim, you can return to Delphi by bus (around 2 euros).

 Hike to the Tomb of Kleobolus, Rhodes

5 kilometers(3 miles), 2 hours

An easy, enjoyable 5-kilometer(two-hour)round-trip hike escapes Lindos to reach the so-called Tomb of Kleobolus. Starting alongside Car Park 1 above the main beach, the route ends at a rocky hill topped by a circular tomb actually built during the 2nd century BC, long after Kleobolus ruled Rhodes.

1. What is the raw beauty of Samaria?

A．High and narrow gorges.	B．Magical sunset.
C．Wildflowers throughout the year.	D．Mysterious large rocks.

2. What will visitors see during the Mt Ohi summit hike, Evia?

A．Ancient buildings.	B．Evia’s highest peak.
C．A circular tomb.	D．Greece’s largest olive garden.

3. What can we learn about the Delphi to Kirra Walk?

A．It lets visitors experience the modern world of Greece.

B．Visitors are recommended to get back to Delphi by ship.

C．The route connects two places with a long history.

D．It is a challenging route through a rocky hill.

10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How many people is the man planning a trip for?

A．Two.

B．Three.

C．Four.

2. When will the man leave for Seattle?

A．This Wednesday.

B．Next Monday.

C．Next Wednesday.