1 . My name is Wang Kun. Ever since middle school, my sister Wang Wei and I have dreamed about taking a great bike trip. Two years ago she bought an expensive mountain bike and then she persuaded me to buy one. Last year, she visited our cousins, Dao Wei and Yu Hang at their college in Kunming. They are Dai and grew up in western Yunnan Province near the Lancang River, the Chinese part of the river that is called the Mekong River in other countries. Wang Wei soon got them interested in cycling too. After graduating from college, we finally got the chance to take a bike trip. I asked my sister, “Where are we going?” It was my sister who first had the idea to cycle along the entire Mekong River from where it begins to where it ends. Now she is planning our schedule for the trip.
I am fond of my sister but she has one serious shortcoming. She can be really stubborn (固执的). Although she didn’t know the best way of getting to places, she insisted (坚持) that she organize the trip properly. Now I know that the proper way is always her way. I kept asking her, “When are we leaving and when are we coming back?” I asked her whether she had looked at a map yet. Of course she hadn’t; my sister doesn’t care about details. So I told her that the source of the Mekong is in Qinghai Province. She gave me a determined look — the kind that said she would not change her mind. When I told her that our journey would begin at an altitude (海拔) of more than 5,000 meters, she seemed to be excited about it. When I told her the air would be hard to breathe and it would be very cold, she said it would be an interesting experience. I know my sister well. Once she has made up her mind, nothing can change it. Finally, I had to give in.
Several months before our trip, Wang Wei and I went to the library. We found a large atlas with good maps that showed details of world geography. From the atlas we could see that the Mekong River begins in a glacier on a Tibetan mountain. At first, the river is small and the water is clear and cold. Then it begins to move quickly. It becomes rapids as it passes through deep valleys, traveling across western Yunnan Province. Sometimes the river becomes a water fall and enters wide valleys. We were both surprised to learn that half of the river is in China. After it leaves China and high altitude, the Mekong becomes wide, brown and warm. As it enters Southeast Asia, its pace slows. It makes wide bends or meanders (蜿蜒) through low valleys to the plains where rice grows. At last, the river delta enters the South China Sea.
1. How many people would go on the trip?| A．2. | B．3. | C．4. | D．5. |
| A．By boat. | B．By bike. | C．By bus. | D．On foot. |
| A．Grateful. | B．Favorable. | C．Doubtful. | D．Praising. |
| A．Wang Wei insisted that she organize the trip because she was well prepared. |
| B．They gave up their plan because they would meet many difficulties on the way. |
| C．Wang Kun successfully persuaded Wang Wei not to start the journey in Qinghai. |
| D．Glacier, rapids, valleys, waterfalls, plains can be seen along the journey. |
| A．Journey Down the Mekong | B．The Importance of a Plan |
| C．A Research on the Mekong River | D．Fans of Cycling and Travelling |
I was one of the people
Tanggula Station,
I’m proud that we built our “impossible” railway. It truly is an extraordinary “Sky Railway”.
3 . We are so used to the beauty of trees, plants and flowers that we may even take it for granted without realizing how much inspiration it has given us. For instance, an open flower might make us think how
Nature has inspired many of the most fascinating designs around us, those in architecture included. Today, architects continue to
People whose interest is exploring the
Watching a nature documentary in which termites were constructing their nests inspired Zimbabwean architect Mick Pearce to create the Eastgate Centre. The design
The world’s first algae-powered building is in Hamburg, Germany. The
Creating buildings such as these enables us to live
| A．nearly | B．hardly | C．closely | D．narrowly |
| A．discover | B．explore | C．tend | D．support |
| A．polishes | B．shares | C．respects | D．works |
| A．relationship | B．discussion | C．balance | D．friendship |
| A．painted | B．shaped | C．sculptured | D．translated |
| A．pleased | B．disappointed | C．amazed | D．annoyed |
| A．truly | B．fiercely | C．suddenly | D．slightly |
| A．increases | B．forms | C．reduces | D．creates |
| A．fewer | B．less | C．more | D．much |
| A．surface | B．foundation | C．bottom | D．background |
| A．light | B．steam | C．radio | D．heat |
| A．keeps off | B．sticks to | C．comes up with | D．responds to |
| A．attack | B．damage | C．quality | D．amount |
| A．in need of | B．beyond control of | C．on basis of | D．in harmony with |
| A．simplest | B．mildest | C．worst | D．latest |
Imagine a world with no more wild animals: no elephants, no giraffes and no lions.
To some people, that thought is too terrible, so they are doing something about it. Being surrounded by wild animals — feeding them and caring for them — is all Tiffany Soechting has ever wanted to do all her life. And that is exactly what she does.
Soechting is the human “mother” to the 500 animals that live on her family’s wildlife farm. On the farm, she cares for creatures from every continent except Antarctica (南极洲).
Visitors get a chance not only to see these creatures there, but also to feed them, And the animals are not against that. For them, people and the special vehicles used on the farm are part of their natural environment. “When you come here, the animals are walking around freely like they would if they were in their native homeland. And you can touch them,” said Soechting. “For the most part, the majority of them were born and grew up here. But even when we bring them in — like if we bring a new male in the rest of the herd (兽群) is comfortable with what is going on.”
Tourists are not the only people to visit the farm. Many schools come for field trips all throughout the year, so it is a place of education as well as conservation. But for Soechting, the farm is simply home, and it has been for many generations.
As the animals walk peacefully around, it is easy to forget that a busy city is just a few minutes away. Tiffany Soechting and the 500 animals do not seem to give it a second thought.
1. What does Tiffany Soechting do?2. What can visitors do on Soechting’s family farm?
3. How do animals feel about the visit?
4. Apart from animal conservation, what else can people do on the farm?
5. What does the sentence “Tiffany Soechting and the 500 animals do not seem to give it a second thought” in the last paragraph mean?
This 7,000-square-foot museum aims to entertain and educate children up to age 9. In its Global City exhibit, people can go shopping for groceries, order lunch at a diner, pretend that they’re doctors or construction workers, and more. In other fun exhibits, they learn about Austin’s history, explore the world of water, and experience life on a large Texas farm.
Open time: From Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m.～5:00 p.m.
On Sunday, 12:00 a.m.～5:00 p.m.
Address: 201 Colorado St, Austin, Texas 78701
Phone: 512-4722499
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Founded in 1899, it is the world’s oldest children’s museum, featuring interactive exhibits, workshops, and special events. The Mystery of Things teaches children about cultural and scientific objects and Music Mix welcomes young virtuosos (名家).
Open time: From Wednesday to Friday, 2:00 p.m.～5:00 p.m.
On Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m.～5:00 p.m.
Address: 145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, New York 1213
Phone: 718-7354400
Children’s Discovery Museum
This museum’s hand-on exhibits explore the relationships between the natural and the created worlds, and among people of different cultures and times. Exhibits include Streets, a 5/8-scale copy of an actual city, with streets lights, and waterworks, which shows how pumps can move water through a reservoir system.
Open time: From Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m.～5:00 p.m.
On Sunday, from noon. Closed on holidays.
Address: 180 Woz Way, Guadalupe River Park, San Jose, California 95110
Phone: 408-2985437
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
This museum is the largest of its kind. Exhibits cover science, culture, space, history, and explorations. Among them are the Space Quest Planetarium (additional fee), the 33-foot-high Water Clock, the Playscape gallery for preschools, and the Dinosphere exhibit, along with hand-on science exhibits.
The largest gallery, the Center for Exploration, is designed for ages 12 and up.
Open time: From Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m.～5:00 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving Day and December 25.
Address: 3000 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208
Phone: 317-3343322
1. Suppose that December 25 is Tuesday, which of the following museums can you visit?| A．Austin Children’s Museum. | B．Brooklyn Children’s Museum. |
| C．Children’s Discovery Museum. | D．Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. |
| A．Texas | B．New York | C．California | D．Indiana |
| A．the Center for Exploration | B．the Space Quest Planetarium |
| C．the Global City exhibit | D．Waterworks |
| A．culture | B．history | C．explorations | D．special events |
| A．ask adults to visit museums |
| B．compare some museums and decide which one is the best |
| C．introduce some museums and encourage parents to visit them with their children |
| D．introduce some exhibits and museums to foreigners |
6 . The Royal Edinburgh Pass
Explore the royal splendors of Edinburgh with a single ticket, valid for 48 hours and including fast-track admission (进入权) to three wonderful attractions in Scotland’s capital: Edinburgh Castle, Royal Yacht Britannia and Holyrood Palace. Your ticket allows the use of all of Edinburgh Hop-On, Hop-Off (随上随下) buses for an unlimited amount of times.
At Edinburgh Castle, enjoy fast-track entry and unlimited time within the walls to explore this historic site. On the Queen’s former floating palace, Royal Yacht Britannia, you will have a tour of the ship including all of her personal rooms and learn about the history of the ship with an audio tour available in 30 languages. The Queen’s official residence (住所) in Scotland, the Palace of Holyrood house, offers an audio tour in nine languages and original artworks and furniture taken from Edinburgh Castle when the royal family moved.
Departure point
Waverley Bridge, Edinburgh. EH1 1BQ
Time: 9:00 AM—6:00 PM (10:00 AM—6:30 PM on Wednesday)
Tours begin at Waverley Bridge, just off Princes Street where you can get back the tickets for the sites. You can join at any stop and hop on and off during the time when your ticket is valid.
What You Need to Know
◆ During periods when the Palace of Holyrood house is closed, entry to The Queen’s Gallery and a “Palace of Holyrood house Guidebook” will be provided instead. In 2022 the Palace of Holyrood house is closed: 14-25 May, 24 June-5 July and during Royal visits.
◆ Both the Palace and the Queen’s Gallery will be closed on 25-26 December.
◆ Children under five years old travel for free (at most two per paying adult).
◆ Bookings for this attraction are non-refundable.
What is said about the experience
Paul (Australia):
This was a great combination of 3 amazing features of Scottish history in Edinburgh. The 2 castles and Britannia, plus the 3 tourist bus options for hopping on and off when you need to. Great value. Remember not to go alone.
1. Visitors for this tour ________.| A．can enjoy three attractions within two days |
| B．start their visits from Royal Yacht Britannia |
| C．are recommended to buy tickets upon arrival |
| D．will get a free guidebook to the three attractions |
| A．Live in the rooms where the Queen used to live. |
| B．Take the Hop-On, Hop-Off buses as many times as you like. |
| C．Enjoy an audio tour of Holyrood Palace in 30 languages. |
| D．See copy pieces of furniture the royal family is using. |
| A．Six o’clock. | B．Half past six. | C．Nine o’clock. | D．Ten o’clock. |
| A．People visit it during the last week of June, 2022. |
| B．A woman only buys one ticket with her 4-year-old twins. |
| C．Getting your money back if you can’t make the tour. |
| D．Visiting the Palace and the Queen’s Gallery on Christmas Day. |
| A．He has a great interest in Scottish history. |
| B．The 2 castles and Britannia are the best Scottish attractions. |
| C．You’d better make the tour with someone else. |
| D．There’re five tourist bus options in total. |
7 . A night in the African rainforest camping under the stars is just one of the many never-to-be-forgotten experiences of our latest offer to Weekly News readers.
Day 1: The 5* Victoria Falls Hotel will meet your needs during your first day in Africa after the 30 km drive from the international airport. Located only minutes from the falls, the hotel has splendid views of the breathtaking waters.
Day 2: Your night under the stars, within few minutes’ walk of the Victoria Falls. Our purpose-built campsite offers our guests a chance to feel the atmosphere of the rainforest. Your evening starts with a great barbecue cooked by our head chef, followed by a program of African music and dance. Then, as moon rises and the stars shine, you retire to your tent to sleep or to listen to the fascinating sounds of the African rainforest.
Days 3-4: The 5* Zimbabwe National Hotel will accommodate you in the heart of the Zimbabwean wilderness. By jeep from your campsite near the Falls, you arrive at midday via the Zambezi river. The hotel offers you everything you would expect from 5* luxury hotel. In the evening, enjoy our international menu, or relax in the gardens. Those who love adventure can join our specially arranged rafting trip down the Zambezi river.
Days 5-6: Arrive by helicopter at the 5* Plaza Hotel, only 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. Day 5 includes an amazing safari to see some of the world’s most unusual animals in their natural habitats. On the final day, you can make shopping trip into town.
Included in this special offer: 6 nights in 5* hotel accommodation. Depart from London Heathrow Airport. Bed and breakfast meal basis. Price (£1, 355) is per person based on two people sharing a room.
1. During Day 2, the tourists will have a chance to _________.| A．cook a barbecue | B．dance African dances |
| C．have a sleep outdoors | D．walk around the rainforest |
| A．helicopter | B．ship | C．jeep | D．raft |
| A．Day 1 | B．Day 2 | C．Day 3 | D．Day 6 |
| A．can enjoy free meals during the whole trip |
| B．have to pay extra money for a single room |
| C．should book in advance to get a discount |
| D．are required to be London locals |
| A．A travel guide. | B．A geography textbook. |
| C．A hotel advertisement. | D．An introduction to Weekly News. |
8 . Planning a visit to the UK? Here we help with ways to cut your costs.
AVOID BIG EVENTS Big sporting events, concerts and exhibitions can increase the cost of accommodation and make it harder to find a room. A standard double room at the Thistle Brighton on the final Friday of the Brighton Comedy Festival (19 Oct.) cost £ 169. 15 at Booking.com. A week later, the same room cost £ 118.15.
If you can be flexible and want to know dates to avoid--- or you're looking for a big event to pass your time--- check out sites such as Whatsonwhen.com, which allow you to search for events in the UK by city, date and category.
STAYAWAY FROM THE STATION If traveling to your destination by train, you may want to find a good base close to the station, but you could end up paying more for the sake of convenience at the start of your holiday.
Don't be too choosy about the part of town you stay in. Booking two months in advance, the cheapest room at Travelodge's Central Euston hotel in London for Saturday 22 September was £ 95.95 . A room just a tube journey away at its Covent Garden hotel was £ 75.75 . And at Farringdon, a double room cost just £ 62.95 .
LOOK AFTER YOURSELF Really central hotels in cities such as London. Edinburgh and Cardiff can cost a fortune, especially at weekends and during big events. As a choice consider checking into a self-catering flat with its own kitchen, where you can cook. Often these flats are hidden away on the top floors of city centre buildings. A great example is the historic O'Neill Flat on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, available for £ 420 for five days in late September, with room for four adults.
GET ON A BIKE London’s "Boris bikes' have attracted the most attention, but other cities also have similar programs that let you rent a bicycle and explore at your own pace, saving you on public transport or car parking costs.
Among the smaller cities with their own programs are Newcastle (casual members pay around £ 1.50 for two hours) and Cardiff (free for up to 30 minutes, or £5 per day).
1. The Brighton Comedy Festival is mentioned mainly to show big events may ________.| A．help travelers pass time |
| B．attract lots of travelers to the UK |
| C．allow travelers to make flexible plans |
| D．cause travelers to pay more for accommodation |
| A．a hotel away from the train station | B．the tube line to Covent Garden |
| C．an ideal holiday destination | D．the name of a travel agency |
| A．lies on the ground floor |
| B．is located in central London |
| C．provides cooking facilities for tourists |
| D．costs over £100 on average per day in late September |
| A．half an hour | B．one hour |
| C．one hour and a half | D．two hours |
| A．to tell visitors how to book in advance |
| B．to supply visitors with hotel information |
| C．to show visitors the importance of self-help |
| D．to offer visitors some money-saving tips |
9 . Enjoy your stay in Louisiana
Plan you triptothe Sheraton Newreans Hotel.Weertravera well-placed downtown location,a variety of facilities,and accommodation in New Orleans,Louisiana.
*TRANSPORTATION
Airport Shuttle
Fee: 24 USD per person one way and 48 USD round trip
Tel: (877) 592-2226; reservation (预定) required
United Cab
Fee: 40-50 USD, depending on the number of guests and luggage
Te1: (504) 522-9771
*ROOMS
Guest Room
32 Square Meters
Each of our Guest Rooms reflects a contemporary, warm style and classic New Orleans charm. Located on floors 9-41, many of our rooms offer views of the Mississippi River and French Quarter. High-speed Internet access is available for a fee.
Sheraton Club Room
32 Square Meters
Our Sheraton Club Rooms are located on floors 42 and 45-49 and include access to the Club Lounge on the 42nd floor, where you can take in spectacular views of the Mississippi River and French Quarter. Sheraton Club Room guests also enjoy free bottled water and comfortable bathrobes (浴袍), High-speed Internet access is available for a fee.
*AT THIS HOTEL
Roux Bistro
While many of the world’s finest restaurants are located just outside of doors, you are guaranteed an extraordinary breakfast or lunch without having to leave the hotel. Using only the freshest local ingredients, our talented chefs (主厨) create an original experience second to none in a city famous for dining.
Cuisine (菜品): Local
Hours of operation: Daily: 6:30 am-2:00 pm
Atmosphere: Breakfast & Lunch
Outdoor Pool
Our outdoor pool is located on the 8th floor. The pool is open as weather permits. No lifeguard (救生员) is on duty. Seasonal offering includes a full food menu and bar service Friday — Sunday from 11 am — 6 pm as weather permits.
1. Which floor is the Club Lounge located on?| A．The 9th floor. | B．The 42nd floor. | C．The 45th floor. | D．The 49th floor. |
| A．Bathrobes. | B．Breakfast. | C．Bottled water. | D．Internet access. |
| A．Fresh, local food. | B．Cuisines from around the world. |
| C．Afternoon cocktails. | D．A whole-day dining experience. |
10 . Sightseeing In London
Worried about the time available. Zhang Pingyu had made a list of the sites she wanted to see in London. Her first delight was going to the Tower. It was built long ago by the Norman invaders of AD 1066. Fancy! This solid stone, square tower had remained standing for one thousand years Although the buildings had expanded around it, it remained part of a royal palace and prison combined. To her great surprise, Zhang Pingyu found the Queen’s jewels guarded by special royal soldiers who on special occasions, still wore the four-hundred-year-old uniform of the time of Queen Elizabeth I.
There followed St Paul’s Cathedral built after the terrible fire of London in 1666 looked splendid when first built! Westminster Abbey, too, was very interesting. It contained statues in memory of dead poets and writers, such as Shakespeare. Then just as she came out of the abbey, Pingyu heard the famous sound of the clock, Big Ben, ringing out the hour. She finished the day by looking at the outside of Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s house in London.The Tower of London Oh, she had so much to tell her friends!
The second day the girl visited Greenwich and saw its old ships and famous clock that sets the world time. What interested her most was the longitude line. It is an imaginary line which is very useful for navigation. It passes through Greenwich, so Pingyu had a photo taken standing on either side of the line.
The last day she visited Karl Marx’s statue in Highgate Cemetery. It seemed strange that the man who had developed communism should have lived and died in London. Not only that, but he had worked in the famous reading room of the Library of the British Museum. Sadly the library had moved from its original place into another building and the old reading room was gone. But she was thrilled by so many wonderful treasures from different cultures displayed in the museum. When she saw many visitors enjoying looking at the beautiful old Chinese pots and other objects on show, she felt very proud of her country.
The next day Pingyu was leaving London for Windsor Castle. “Perhaps I will see the Queen?” she wondered as she fell asleep.
1. What is the great surprise to ZhangPingyu while visiting the Tower?| A．The shape of the tower. |
| B．A royal palace. |
| C．The guards’ uniform. |
| D．The Queen’s jewels. |
| A．The Tower. |
| B．St Paul’s Cathedral. |
| C．Big Ben. |
| D．Greenwich. |
| A．Karl Marx’s works |
| B．Karl Marx’s reading room |
| C．treasure of different cultures |
| D．Chinese pots |
| A．Windsor Castle. |
| B．Karl Marx’s statue. |
| C．Greenwich. |
| D．Buckingham Palace. |
