City Walks step up in popularity
For Fang Rui, walking the streets of Nanjing and taking in the buildings and culture of the historical city is almost a daily routine.
Born and raised in Nanjing, the 28-year-old works as a landscape designer in the city
In May, Fang organized a free city walk for around 50 people
The origins of city walks
For tourists
The appeal of city walk is particularly resonant (共鸣) with the younger generation, who frequently find
2 . 
Zion National Park in Utah has plenty of trails, but Angels Landing may be the most breathtaking. Picture this. You begin the hike on the wide and well-maintained West Rim Trail. It follows the river and then crosses the bottom of the canyon, surrounded by 270-million-year-old layers of rock. Relaxing, right? Just wait for it. The trail then starts to climb via a series of switchbacks (急转弯) leading up the side of the mountain. Then more switchbacks: 21 tighter turns, called “Walter’s Wiggles,” where elevation levels rapidly increase. Your heartbeat is probably rapidly increasing at this point, too.
On top of Walter’s Wiggles, you can stop for a stunning view (perhaps with a marriage proposal) and a restroom stop while you contemplate (仔细考虑) the final stretch of the hike. If you’re afraid of heights, it’s best to turn back now. The last stretch is the real test of bravery.
The last half mile of the hike is what really ranks it as one of the nation’s most dangerous. Angels Landing itself is a fin-like formation jutting (突出) 1,500 feet out of the canyon, and this is where you make the final 500-foot climb. Guardrails and chains bolted (拴住) into the cliff help you keep from tumbling over the extremely steep ledge. You’re literally living on the edge, and you don’t want to trust the “angels” down there to catch you. Once you reach the top, however, it’ll all be worth it: 360-degree views of the canyon make a great backdrop for kicking back and having a meal before you come back down the way you came.
Angels Landing might be dangerous, but thankfully, not too many people have had fatal falls. According to the park website, seven people have died in the 100 years the park has existed. Still, this is a very vigorous hike. If you’re out of shape, bringing young children along, feel ill or prone to fainting, or are just plain afraid of heights, opt for an easier trail.
Angel’s Landing is a great hike for most of the year, besides the cold winter months when the trails could become dangerously slippery. Summer is the most popular time of year — and therefore the most crowded — but it can also get extremely hot, so opt for an early morning hike while the temperatures are still mild.
Sure, it’s dangerous, but there’s a reason this is one of Zion ‘s most popular hikes. If you’re up for the challenge, Angels Landing will definitely deliver rewards.
This article first appeared on Curiosity.com.
1. What geological feature surrounds the hiker during the initial part of the hike?| A．Plenty of trails in the park. | B．Mountain Peaks. |
| C．270-million-year-old layers of rock. | D．Grass Meadows. |
| A．The challenging hike with switchbacks. |
| B．The 360-degree views of the canyon. |
| C．The well-maintained West Rim Trail. |
| D．The river crossing and rock formations. |
| A．If a tourist is afraid of heights, it’s best to turn back onto Angels Landing. |
| B．Seven people have died so far due to slippery trails in winter. |
| C．Bringing young kids along to climb onto Angels Landing will be appreciated. |
| D．Taking a break with the views of the canyon as background is absolutely worth the trip. |
| A．Unveiling the Hidden Beauty: Exploring Zion National Park’s Trails |
| B．Zion’s Ultimate Thrill: The Adrenaline-Pumping Angels Landing Expedition |
| C．Chasing Heights: Angels Landing Adventure in Utah’s Zion National Park |
| D．Angels Landing: Conquering Utah’s Breathtaking and Daring Hike in Zion National Park |
| A．Keep all copies in hotel safe for important documents |
| B．Make copies and leave one set with someone back home |
| C．Don’t make copies to avoid misplacement |
| D．Share copies with fellow travelers |
| A．Use local SIM cards so as to get touch with family quickly |
| B．Check in only when changing countries |
| C．Use messaging apps and a local SIM card for emergencies |
| D．Avoid communication to focus on the trip |
| A．Always carry large amounts of cash |
| B．Use RFID-blocking wallets and backpacks |
| C．Avoid crowded areas entirely |
| D．Trust strangers to watch your belongings |
| A．Avoid vaccinations and bring your own food for health purpose. |
| B．Eat and drink anything available, especially those with local flavors. |
| C．Explore information on vaccinations and health guidelines. |
| D．Don’t worry about staying thirsty. |
| A．Paris | B．Tokyo | C．Rome | D．Athens |
5 . Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.
Perhaps even more incredible is that it’s smack bang in the middle of Kentucky.
Mammoth Cave National Park preserves this unique and historical natural wonder. As large as the limestone cave system is, park officials, estimate there
The incredible rock formations have resulted in the park
The caves were created naturally by the process of limestone erosion, which is known as “karst topography”. Rain and rivers slowly dissolve and shape soft limestone, which creates the vast underground network. The system is still being shaped and carved today. Not only are they a stunning destination to visit, but the system also provides drinking water for roughly 40% of the US population — and they’re
The caves act as a time capsule that preserve over 5,000 years of human history — and the caves’ first explorers were Native Americans, who
Mammoth Cave was established as a national park thanks to strong local support. Back in the 1920s, Secretary of the Interior Hubert Work created the Southern Appalachian National Park Commission in 1925 to survey
Pioneering African Americans were some of the first cave guides, and are responsible for some of the more recently discovered passageways. Stephen Bishop, who was a slave, worked in the cave from 1838 to 1856 and ventured beyond the tour routes that
The park now receives around 2 million visitors a year, with roughly a quarter taking a tour of the caves – everything from a cultural tour to the more adventurous scrambling tours on offer. The cave supports more than 130 wildlife species, such as the eyeless cavefish,
Mammoth Cave National Park is also much more than just a cave; its surrounding forest contains one of the
| A．Engine trouble. | B．Poor weather. |
| C．Tall waterfalls. | D．Tight budget. |
| A．Amazing as well as tough. | B．Funny while incredible. |
| C．Disappointing but rewarding. | D．Fascinating and well-paid. |
| A．A mechanic. | B．A photographer. |
| C．A travel writer. | D．A weatherman. |
| A．Go on a trip. | B．Take a long sail. | C．Run a restaurant. | D．Prepare a meal. |
8 . Tips to Keep Your Personal Items Safe While Travelling
You might be surprised to hear that even in the limited space of an airplane, thefts still do occur. In a case reported, two men on board a flight were arrested after being suspected of stealing cash from fellow passengers’ mid-flight.
Keep your valuables such as cash, your ID and passport, and jewellery in a small bag that you can place under the seat in front of you. Rest your feet on your bag to make sure no one gets close to the bag.
| A．To ensure you get enough storage room, try to board the flight early. |
| B．Bring it with you whenever you leave your seat. |
| C．Thieves won’t spend too long on locked bags as it may draw attention to themselves. |
| D．Cases like this are known as in-flight, or mid-flight thefts. |
| E．Keep your cash or credit cards in different hiding places. |
| F．Make sure your bag is easily recognizable so thieves can’t just switch it out with a similar looking bag. |
9 . Many of the world’s most famous landmarks now offer virtual tours, meaning people can visit museums, world heritage sites and other attractions from the comfort of the sofa. Such virtual travel experiences, as some experts have considered as an eco-friendly solution to the problem of overtourism, are seeing an increase in popularity. For overcrowded destinations, virtual reality experiences can help divert (使改道) some tourists, easing the burden on the location’s infrastructure (基础设施).
However, there’s a big gap between using virtual reality to “try before you buy” and treating virtual reality like the destination itself.
To start with, the technology isn’t ready yet. 360-degree virtual reality videos are usually experienced through a headset or an app. The headsets are expensive and heavy, and aren’t comfortable to wear for more than 30 minutes. The apps have none of these problems, but simply aren’t as impressive.
Limited physical feelings are another problem. The videos focus on sounds and sights but can’t do much with smell, touch, or taste, and VR experiences tend to only be a few minutes long—hardly equal to a two-week vacation in Spain. Some researchers are creating a full-body suit with enhanced sensory experiences, but it still doesn’t satisfy the deeper needs that make people travel.
What’s more, tourists on virtual tours see a world only to the extent that someone was able to film and construct it. In a virtual experience, visitors can’t choose to wander down a side street and discover a charming café—unless those options have already been programmed. It can definitely disappoint those who tend to be less directed in their explorations and more focused on new experiences and discoveries.
Virtual reality may never replace traditional travel, but it still offers possibilities. If the technology becomes advanced enough, those who are more environmentally conscious among us—especially those aiming to reduce our carbon footprint—might prefer this form of escape. Also, VR travel does bring parts of the world to people who are physically unable to visit certain landmarks.
1. The followings are the benefits brought by virtual travel experiences EXCEPT that _______.| A．people can tour some dreamed sites without dealing with lines and crowds |
| B．the impact of tourism on the environment can be minimized |
| C．people are able to explore the world without leaving home |
| D．the travelers’ financial burden can be relieved to some extent |
| A．The full-body suit meets the deeper needs of the tourists. |
| B．An expensive headset is a must for experiencing virtual tours. |
| C．People can only see what is constructed and programmed on virtual tours. |
| D．Virtual tours satisfy those who are fond of adventuring at will. |
| A．Indifferent. | B．Pessimistic. | C．Critical. | D．Optimistic. |
10 . Out of London Tours
Stratford, Oxford, Christ Church and the Cotswolds with Lunch
Length of time
About 10 hours
Days of operation
April 2009 to March 2010—Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
This tour starts at 8:45 am and finishes at around 6:30 pm
Description
* Oxford
Enjoy the magnificence of Oxford! Well-known for over 900 years as a centre of academic excellence. Follow in the footsteps of its famous students, from Bill Clinton to Lewis Carroll. Uncover the university town of Oxford at a leisurely and relaxing pace.
* Christ Church
Lights, camera, action! A treat for all Harry Potter fans—see where many scenes from the films have been shot! Wonder at the magnificence of Christ Church, including the Great Hall which Hogwarts Hall is based upon.
* Cotswolds
Discover the fascinating Cotswolds! Full of history and heritage(历史遗留物), the Cotswolds is a charming combination of breathtaking natural beauty, busy market towns and sleepy villages.
Lunch in the Cotswolds
Treat yourself in a traditional English pub(酒吧) and admire the charm of this old wool town. The lunch will be taken in the Cotswolds village of Burford.
* Stratford
Shakespeare’s birthplace
A market town with a difference! Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the half-wooded house, where the world’s greatest writer was born, to gain a fascinating insight into his childhood.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Satisfy yourself with an eye-opening experience at the childhood home of William Shakespeare’s wife! Wander around the half-wooded house and its eye-catching surroundings.
Price guide
Adult: £74.00
Child (3—18): £64.00
Senior citizen / College student: £69.00
1. The Greens are planning to book the tour. They are Mr. and Mrs. Green, George Green, who is 15 years old, and Grandpa, who is 70 years of age. How much will they pay?| A．£296 | B．£286 | C．£281 | D．£276 |
| A．Cotswolds | B．Oxford | C．Stratford | D．Christ Church |
| A．You may eat in the Cotswolds village of Burford and then buy a woolen scarf. |
| B．You can book this tour as a Mother’s Day gift for your mother in May 2010. |
| C．Shakespeare and his wife were born in the same town called Stratford. |
| D．Oxford University has a long history of more than 900 years. |
| A．hurried | B．gentle | C．easy | D．unrushed |
