1 . The Louvre is the most popular museum in the world. Last year, about 10 million visitors, more than 75% of whom were foreign tourists, came to the museum. About 80% of them were here for Mona Lisa-and most of them left unhappy.
According to a survey of British tourists earlier this year, Mona Lisa was voted the world’s most disappointing attraction, beating out Checkpoint Charlie, Spanish Steps, and Urinating Boy in Brussels.
If the museum thinks that it is inspiring the next generation of art lovers, it is in fact doing the opposite, thanks to the huge crowds in front of the picture. The overcrowding here was so bad that Jean-Luc Martinez, the museum’s director, has to admit, “We have to take steps to deal with the overcrowding in the coming years: new entrances and timed tickets for the museum.”
He misunderstands the problem-for the Louvre, with more gallery space than any museum on the planet, isn’t that crowed. On my last visit, the French painting wing had just a few visitors. Even Venus de Milo, perhaps the second most famous work of art in the museum, only drew a comfortable few dozen visitors. In other words, the Louvre does not have an overcrowding problem. It has a Mona Lisa problem. No other famous painting comes anywhere close to monopolizing (垄断) a museum like she does. It is time for the Louvre to admit its failure. The museum does not need new entrances or timed tickets.
Instead, it only needs to set up a moving walkway in front of Mona Lisa and let Samsung or another smartphone company to fix its cutest cameras around her. So visitors can strike a pose on the moving walkway, and download their cutest selfies (自拍像) with Mona Lisa later. I can even picture the moving walkway smoothly guiding tourists past the Mona Lisa into the gift shops, where millions of selfiers can take time to enjoy their pictures, and spend money.
It is time to set it up now since the 2024 Summer Olympics is around the comer.
1. Which was the most disappointing attraction according to the survey? ________| A．Mona Lisa. | B．Venus de Milo. | C．Spanish Steps. | D．Urinating Boy. |
| A．Amazing. | B．Practical. | C．Expensive. | D．Unworkable. |
| A．A lot of visitors stay there to appreciate it. | B．The room housing the picture is too small. |
| C．Too many visitors want to take a picture with it. | D．The ticket for the famous painting is too cheap. |
| A．To share his unpleasant visit to the Louvre. |
| B．To introduce a famous painting in a museum. |
| C．To offer a simple solution to the Mona Lisa problem. |
| D．To show the opportunity brought by the 2024 Olympics. |
2 . NEW DELHI—Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday inspected the bridge collapse site in the western state of Gujarat, where more than 100 people were killed, officials said. Ahead of the visit, Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Monday night during which he was briefed about rescue efforts.
The century-old British-era pedestrian suspension bridge (吊桥) collapsed on Sunday evening, with hundreds of people falling into Machchhu River in Morbi town, about 241 km west of the capital city, Gandhinagar. Reports said that 177 people were rescued and over 100 people were undergoing treatment at the Morbi civil hospital.
Soon after the bridge visit, Modi reached the civil hospital in Morbi to meet the injured. The prime minister was seen asking the survivors about their health. According to officials, search and rescue operations, carried out by teams of the State Disaster Response Force and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian navy, the Indian air force and the Indian army, were called off (取消) on Monday evening and began again on Tuesday morning. Officials said Modi also met with those involved in rescue and relief operations.
The local government of Gujarat has already ordered an investigation into the deadly collapse of the bridge. The bridge is a popular tourist attraction in the area. It was shut for renovation (整修) for seven months and was open for the public on Oct 26, the Gujarati New Year.
Reports said that around 500 people, much beyond its capacity, were on the suspension bridge at the time when it crashed into the river.
Police have arrested nine people including officials of Oreva, the company that carried out the repair work, ticket sellers and security men. However, the owners of the company have not been arrested. Oreva group is actually a Gujarat-based watchmaker company. Reports said that the watchmaker reportedly outsourced (转包) the “technical aspect of the renovation” to a smaller construction company, Devprakash Solutions.
Oreva has been accused of violating multiple safety rules, leading to the huge tragedy just four days after the bridge reopened to the public. Questions have been raised over why Oreva with no experience in construction was given responsibility for maintaining a bridge.
1. What did Modi first do after hearing the bridge collapse?| A．He paid a visit to the bridge. |
| B．He held and took charge of a meeting. |
| C．He went to see the injured in the hospital. |
| D．He met with those involved in rescue and relief operations. |
| A．It was too old to repair well. |
| B．It was maintained very well. |
| C．It had a safety risk. |
| D．It was solid enough. |
| A．Making. | B．Obeying. | C．Breaking. | D．Replacing. |
| A．Indian PM inspects site of deadly bridge collapse |
| B．Police arrest security men after bridge collapse |
| C．Modi is briefed about rescue efforts after bridge collapse |
| D．Around 500 people are on suspension bridge when it collapses |
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1. What do Tour Route 1 and Tour Route 2 have in common?| A．They have cycling activities. |
| B．They include a visit to Tibet. |
| C．Visitors enjoy the Three Gorges scenery. |
| D．Visitors pay the same amount of money. |
| A．Tourists can travel by bike. |
| B．Tourists can visit a huge dam. |
| C．Tourists can dine with a family. |
| D．It is the most expensive of the four. |
| A．Tour Route 1. |
| B．Tour Route 2. |
| C．Tour Route 3. |
| D．Tour Route 4. |
4 . Once it was aired on the Chinese online video platform, the Longest Day in Chang' an, a high-quality detective thriller web series, became an audience favourite. Set in Chang' an, China's ancient imperial capital and the world's most magnificent metropolis during the Tang Dynasty, the 48-episode series revolves around how detective-turned-prisoner Zhang Xiaojing and Li Bi, head of Chang'an's anti-terror department, teamed up to stop a terrorist attack on the eve of the Lantern Festival. The events in the drama series take place within a span of 24 hours.
Shot in the ancient Chinese city of Xi' an in Shaanxi Province, this popular TV drama has made the city a tourist hot spot. Thousands of tourists have been flooding into this city to experience the magnificence and glory of its scenic spots that have been portrayed in a fascinating manner in the TV serial. "In the first week of this month, online enquiries about flight ticket bookings to Xi'an recorded a 130-percent year-on-year peak," said Ctrip, China's largest online travel agency.
“Xi'an had been a hot tourist destination long before the TV drama became popular. The serial portrays the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty of Xi' an. This has made the city even more popular. The media exposure makes those sites attractive choices for vacations,” said a senior director at Ctrip.
It's not just Xi'an that is reaping the benefits of exposure via mass media contents. Suzhou, Chongqing and Bayanbulak Grassland have also become go-to destinations for domestic tourists as films such as Pegasus and TV dramas such as All Is Well were set or shot there. This trend of Chinese tourists flooding in places featuring in entertainment is extending to even destinations abroad. Thailand, Japan, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and Iceland have shone as tourist destinations among Chinese travelers, especially the younger lot, thanks to films and TV dramas that were shot there, Ctrip found.
Those born in the 1980s account for 32 percent of Chinese travelers. Those born in the 1990s and 2000s make up for 27 percent and 13 percent, respectively, according to Ctrip.
“They are the main viewers of some popular shows. They pay attention to the beautiful scenery as highlighted in entertainment shows. Combined with the impact of top stars in such shows, their fans would like to go on trips to those places. Some even travel while shoots at such places are on,” Ctrip introduced.
1. What can we know from the passage?| A．People like to travel to famous cities for sightseeing. |
| B．Large cities tend to be the shooting places of films. |
| C．Xi'an is the hottest tourist spot since the shooting. |
| D．Tourism in Xi'an developed faster for media exposure. |
| A．Suzhou. | B．Chongqing. | C．Bayanbulak Grassland. | D．Zhangjiajie. |
| A．Young people. | B．Old folks. | C．Film shooters. | D．Top stars. |
| A．China is heavily dependent on tourism promoted by films and TV dramas. |
| B．Tourist industry needs films and TVs to publicize it. |
| C．Shooting places of some popular dramas boost tourism. |
| D．Popular TV dramas lead to Xi'an's tourism development. |
5 . Paris is full of cultural significance. Yet, despite its wealth of cultural hotspots and architectural delights, some tourists who explore the City of Light experience “Paris syndrome (巴黎综合征), a psychological condition that often results in nausea (恶心) and increased heart rates. An interesting phenomenon is that Paris syndrome is “most common among Japanese tourists”. Why?
Many Japanese visitors go with a deeply romantic picture of Paris----the beauty of French women, the high culture and art. But when the reality of the modern city of Paris sets in, with its seemingly unfriendly service and confusing public transport, some tourists simply find their hope falling through.
“An encounter with a Parisian waiter who shouts at customers might be laughed off by those from other Western cultures. But for the Japanese —used to a society where politeness is valued and voices are rarely raised in anger-----the experience of their dream city turning into a nightmare (噩梦) can simply be too much,” said Rodanthi Tzanelli, a professor of cultural sociology.
So Paris syndrome should be regarded as an extreme form of culture shock, which is an illness resulting from the loss of meaning when people find themselves in a different symbolic reality, according to Rachel Irwin, a senior researcher. The symptoms (症状) associated with culture shock are similar to those experienced by someone who is feeling anxious. According to the analysis (分析) of Calm Clinic, a mental health resource platform, when someone is experiencing anxiety, signals that are related to the fight or flight response will be sent to the stomach. The signals change the way the body processes food, causing nausea.
Besides, Tzanelli points out that the syndrome is not specific to Paris and nobody can be free of culture shock as long as they go to new places. The syndrome is likely a “general phenomenon”, as younger generations tend to travel to different countries, and are likely to be more aware of what they’ll encounter at a destination. Therefore, they’re unlikely to be bitterly disappointed when they’re there.
1. Why do Japanese tourists experience great discomfort in Paris?| A．Paris lacks real historical and cultural hotspots. |
| B．Paris fails to meet their romantic expectations. |
| C．They find Paris’ public transport less modern. |
| D．They cannot adapt to the local climate. |
| A．How culture influences the behavior of tourists. |
| B．How Japanese tourists react to Paris syndrome. |
| C．Why Paris syndrome particularly strikes the Japanese. |
| D．Why the Japanese value politeness and avoid conflicts. |
| A．People’s inability to adapt to new cultures. |
| B．The methods of overcoming culture shock. |
| C．People’s varied attitudes to different cultures. |
| D．The physical discomfort caused by culture shock. |
| A．To be prepared for new encounters in advance. |
| B．To focus on the positive aspects of a destination. |
| C．To visit new places together with young people. |
| D．To avoid going to unfamiliar destinations. |
6 . Since the modern Olympics began in 1896, it has been held in more than 40 different cities. That gives Olympic fans quite a few possible travel destinations to choose!
Beijing, ChinaOlympic fans should consider visiting the Beijing Olympic Park to check out the special buildings of the so-called “Bird’s Nest” and “Water Cube”—the national stadium and aquatics center built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Popular historic places in Beijing include the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and Tian`anmen Square.
Innsbruck, AustriaLocated in the heart of the Alps, Innsbruck is known as a great winter destination—which explains why it has hosted not one but two Winter Olympics. Known for its mountainous views, Innsbruck is the perfect stop for outdoor adventurers.
Mexico City, MexicoThis wonderful travel destination offers a wide number of popular museums, historic buildings, and public parks. People will love shopping for fresh meat and produce at the markets, taking a cooking class, and generally eating their way through Mexico City, which is especially known for its culinary (烹饪的) experiences that include both globally well-known restaurants and locally favored street carts.
Melbourne, AustraliaNearly half a century before Sydney hosted the 2000 Summer Olympics, Melbourne became the first Australian host city in 1956. Head to the “cultural capital of Australia”, located in Victoria on the southeastern coast, for an energetic cafe culture and art scene, Melbourne offers something for every type of traveler and everyone can enjoy an evening at one of the city’s many rooftop bars or a day of wine tasting.
1. Where will you go if you are fond of adventure?| A．Beijing, China. | B．Mexico City, Mexico. |
| C．Innsbruck, Austria. | D．Melbourne, Australia. |
| A．Enjoy wonderful culinary classes. | B．Buy beautiful clothes and shoes. |
| C．Admire beautiful mountainous views. | D．Visit special stadiums for the Olympics. |
| A．It is famous for all kinds of wine. | B．It has many world-famous hotels. |
| C．It hosted the Summer Olympics twice. | D．It can satisfy different travelers’ needs. |
7 . Summer holidays are back on as the government has released a list of quarantine-exempt（隔离豁 免）countries Britons can travel to from July 10 without needing to self — isolate on their return.
France
Requirements include strict social distancing at bars, cafes and restaurants and face masks worn when walking inside. Beaches have reopened Masks are compulsory on public transports
Plane: Returns from £ 30 in August.
Drive： Eurotunnel Le Shuttle has resumed its Folkestone to Calais service and allows passengers to order food, drink and groceries to their car. From £ 72 per car one-way.
Ferry: Brittany Ferries has resumed its Portsmouth-Caen route from £ 42pp one-way.
Italy
British tourists can travel freely within the country, with the exception of Sardinia , Sicily, Apulia and Calabria. Beaches have reopened, with 1.5-metre social distancing. Most museums are open.
Plane: Returns from £ 17 in August.
Drive： Catch the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, or a ferry, to France and drive to Italy.
Spain
A royal law to wear lace masks has been issued for hotels, restaurants, museums and shops. Failure to obey will result in a £ 100 fine.
Plane: Returns from £ 25 in August.
Ferry: Brittany Ferries' service has resumed. From £ 350 per car.
Croatia
British tourists are welcome but need to fill out a form at enter Croatia before arrival. Restaurants ,hotels and beaches are open. Masks are required by law on public transport.
Plane: Returns from £ 35.
1. What can we learn about British tourists driving to Italy?| A．They can arrive before July 10. | B．It is cheaper than taking a plane. |
| C．They have to get to France first. | D．It is free to get food and groceries. |
| A．To travel the country freely. | B．Not to wear a mask in hotels. |
| C．To stand less than 1.5 meters away. | D．Not to obey self-isolation after arrival. |
| A．France. | B．Italy. | C．Spain. | D．Croatia. |
Mount Wuyi lies at the junction (交叉点) of Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces. It is among
With rich tourism
The Mount Wuyi scenic area
9 . Seagulls are flying overhead. Not far away, a boat is making a big noise. The sounds of people talking and laughing are everywhere. The smell of popcorn is carried on the fresh and pleasant wind blowing off the lake. Duluth is a city full of sights, smells, and sounds. My family visits it often, but each time it is a new adventure.
Duluth, Minnesota, was founded in 1870. Located at the southeast corner of the St. Louis County, on Lake Superior, Duluth is the third largest city in Minnesota, with a population of 86, 918. It was named after Daniel Sieur Du Lhut, a French explorer.
Native American settlements were first found in the area by French explorers in the late 1600s. Soon after, Duluth became an important trade and shipping center for the timber (木材) industry. In 1865, iron was discovered, making Duluth a major ore (矿石) shipping point. When the St. Lawrence Seaway opened in 1959, it became one of the Great Lakes’ leading ports for exporting grain.
Tourism is very important to Duluth. People are attracted to its natural scenery, as well as the museums, zoos, and of course, the many gift shops downtown. Duluth is the home of the Great Lakes Aquarium, which is the only allfreshwater aquarium in the United States. However, the Aerial Lift Bridge is the thing that most people want to see when they visit. Standing nearly 400 feet tall, it is a spectacular feat (功绩) of engineering. The Lake Superior Maritime Museum, where you’ll find more about ore boats, the lift bridge, and other things, is just a short walk away from the bridge. If you visit Duluth in the winter, you can go to Spirit Mountain to ski or snowboard.
From bridges to museums, zoos to shops, Duluth has it all. No matter what your interests are, Duluth has something for everyone.
1. How does the author introduce the topic of the text?| A．By giving examples. |
| B．By giving a summary. |
| C．By giving a description. |
| D．By making comparisons. |
| A．The leader of Native Americans. |
| B．The founder of Duluth, Minnesota. |
| C．The person who gave a name to Duluth. |
| D．One of the first French explorers to Duluth. |
| A．It is near a famous museum. |
| B．It is a masterpiece of engineering. |
| C．People can overlook Duluth on it. |
| D．It is the highest building in Duluth. |
| A．a news report | B．a tourist guide |
| C．a history paper | D．an art show review |
1. Which of the following built the space hotel?
| A．A French company. | B．An American company. | C．A British company. |
| A．Two. | B．Four. | C．Six. |
| A．Cook food. | B．Watch movies. | C．Have a video chat. |
| A．Expensive. | B．Dangerous. | C．Relaxing. |
