1 . Imagine this: You walk into a place and the atmosphere is light and airy. The subtle scent of coffee beans fills the air and everyone that approaches you is friendly and welcoming. You’re comfortable and feel like you belong. As in most cities, it’s a place where people meet, discuss ideas, and conduct business. After taking a few sips of that Caramel Macchiato, you immediately get that feeling of energy and optimism. Perhaps it’s partly due to the caffeine and sugar rush, or maybe it’s that the presence of a Starbucks typically indicates a city on the rise.

In December of 2017, Trenton’s first Starbuck’s café was opened to the public at 102 Warren Street. Walking in, people living in Trenton scream at everything about this café, from the diverse but local stuff to the Trenton themed décor (室内装饰) and art. To make things better, this Starbucks also serves as an “opportunity café” which essentially means the young people in our communities are recruited and offered job training and employment. This program not only uplifts our youth, but also increases the amount of minority business in the city.

In the interviews with customers, a trend in responses arose. To many, the Starbucks was a “favorite place to stop in after work” and provided “a very relaxing environment.” The staff were often highly praised, noted as being friendly, helpful, and working in harmony. The interior décor of the café struck a lot of people’s attention, given the familiarity of the atmosphere. Painted on the walls, all around the store, are murals (壁画) with bright, colorful, graffiti-like designs very sui generis in Trenton, showcasing local monuments like the State House and the famous “Trenton Makes” bridge.

This new Starbucks brings a sense of modernity to Downtown Trenton and reminds us that our city is always developing. Open from 6 a. m. until 7 p.m. every day, the building is hardly ever empty. This space is made for everyone in Trenton, even the non-coffee lovers.

Hangzhou, located in the north of Zhejiang province, is one of the seven ancient     1     (capital) of China. As a core city of the Yangtze River Delta, Hangzhou     2     (be)one of the most prosperous cities in China for more than 1, 000 years, and is home     3     a lot of natural attractions.

The West Lake is definitely a place people can never miss when visiting Hangzhou. The lake itself cowers 6 square kilometres, and some of Hangzhou’s most famous scenic places     4     (include). You can just walk along the Nanshan and Beishan roads, take a ferry on the boat to the islands on the lake,     5     simply sit in a lakeside teahouse.

Hefang Street is where you can experience how Hangzhou     6     (look) when it was the capital of China. The emperors’ palace was once located on the street,     7     (make) it the economic and political center of the city. Most of the shops there have     8     history of more than 100 years.

The Xixi wetland is not only China’s first national wetland park, but also a natural haven from the busy city life,     9     is listed as a cultural treasure.

As UNESCO says on its     10     (office) website, “With its famous natural beauty and cultural heritage, Hangzhou has already become one of the most important tourist venues in China.”

5 . How to Travel with Your Friends Without Hating Them

The only thing better than a vacation with friends is a well-planned vacation with friends.     1     Choose your friends, destination and activities wisely and your group will enjoy a fun and memorable holiday-and start getting ready to plan the next one.

Not sure how to plan a trip with friends?

Choose friends you get along well with. You’ll be spending a lot of time with your travel companions, so think of people who have similar general travel habits and are flexible and relaxed.     2     Also consider how much you’ll be willing to compromise.

Decide on a date. Ask your friends when they can take time off from school or work.     3     The larger your group is, the harder it will be to find a time that works for all of you. Be patient and flexible and make a deal when you can.

Discuss a budget early on. Ask your friends to be open about how much you’re each willing to pay for the trip between travel, accommodation, food and entertainment costs.     4     For example, you could say, “I know it’s awkward, bat we should talk about a budget before we start planning everything.”

Pick a destination wisely. A key step in planning a fun trip with friends is picking the perfect destination. Big cities are an excellent pick, as there will likely be activities to suit everyone’s interests.     5     Consider the activities you want to do, sites you want to see and the amount of time you have to travel, as these factors will decide your destination.

Chang’an Tower, also known as the Great Wild Goose Pagoda, is an architectural wonder     1     (locate) in Xi’an, China. With its rich historical significance and stunning beauty, this ancient tower stands as a masterpiece of China’s cultural heritage.

    2     (original) built during the Tang Dynasty in the 7th century, Chang’an Tower served as a Buddhist pagoda, housing Buddhist materials that the monk Xuanzang brought from India. Its construction     3    (order) by Emperor Gaozong to promote Buddhism and facilitate (使……便利) the translation of Buddhist scriptures (佛经)     4     Chinese.

Rising to a     5     (high) of 64 meters, the square-shaped, thirteen-storey tower showcases the splendid craftsmanship of ancient Chinese craftsmen, each storey of     6     exhibits unique architectural features,     7     (reflect) the cultural influences of the time. Visitors can go up the internal staircase to the top for magnificent     8     (view) of the city. Surrounding the pagoda, the serene gardens and the Da Ci’en Temple offer a peaceful retreat as well.

Whether it is for experiencing a piece of history     9     exploring cultural wonders, Chang’an Tower is     10     essential destination for those exploring China’s vast historical landscape.

7 . Opening Notice for the National Museum of China (NMC)

NMC is open from Tuesday to Sunday,9:00-17:30(no entry after 16:30), and is closed on Mondays(except for public holidays). All visitors are required to book online 1-7 days in advance via the NMC official website or WeChat platform.

Audio guide devices are available at the West Hall Service Desk for RMB40, with a RMB100 deposit. A valid ID is necessary. Damage to an audio guide causes a fee based on the level of damage. Lost devices are subject to payment of the full purchase cost.

Wheelchairs and strollers are available for free use on the day of visit at the Service Desk. A valid ID card and a deposit of RMB500 are required.

Photography is allowed in the NMC collection exhibitions without using flash, selfie sticks, or tripods. Temporary exhibits may have specific photo policies, indicated by clear signs put up at both the entrance and the corresponding exhibit halls.

Bus Route:

You can take the No.1, No.2, No.52, No.82, No.120 buses, or Sightseeing Line 2, Tourist Bus Line 1 and Line 2 and get off at Tian’an men East Station.

Metro:

You can take Metro Line 1, get off at Tian’anmen East Station, and exit the station through Exit C.

Cave tours are one of the main attractions of Mammoth Cave National Park, allowing visitors to explore the park’s extensive underground cave system. There are several different types of tours available, ranging from beginner-friendly walks     1     physically demanding adventures.

The most popular tour is the “Historic Tour”,     2     is a 2-hour walk that takes visitors through the park’s most famous caves and tunnels. This tour     3     (offer) a glimpse into the rich cultural history of the cave, including its use by early     4     (settle) and its role as a source of saltpeter during the war of 1812.

For those looking for a more challenging experience, the ”Wild Cave Tour“ is a 6-hour adventure that takes visitors off the     5     (beat) path and into some of the park’s less-explored areas. This tour involves     6     (climb) through narrow passages, and is recommended for experienced cavers and those in good physical condition.

In addition to the     7     (tour) mentioned above, there are several other options, including a “Domes and Dripstones” tour, which shows the cave’s unique geology,     8     a “Frozen Niagara” tour, which features a splendid display of frozen waterfalls and towering stalactites (钟乳石).

No matter     9     your choice is, it is definitely a unique and unforgettable experience to visit Mammoth Cave National Park. The     10     (world) most fascinating underground landscapes will never fail you.

9 . In 2015 my husband and I spent some days traveling in Sahara Desert. I was super ______ to ride a camel for the first time and spent a night in a tent in the desert.

______, the ride started with me hanging upside down from the saddle (鞍) with one ______ in the air. Bob, my camel, had decided to stand up ______ I could settle in. I held onto the saddle ______ as the guide pushed me up onto the camel’s back. Bob______a sound of disapproval and we rode off. I thought it would be bumpy (颠簸的); but it was a very ______ journey all the way ______ the fact that the camel in front was having a bad case of gas.

After dinner, we returned to the tent for sleep. Even in several thick blankets, I was _____ from head to toe while my husband fell asleep straight away. Thankfully, I drifted into dreamland gradually, only to be ______ by an unusual noise, followed by a(n)______ smell. I tried to go back to sleep, but another unpleasant smell and more _____, which went on for hours.

After what felt like a ______ night, it was time to rise to watch the sunrise. I dragged my sleepy body out. There, ______ just outside was Bob, who made direct eye contact with me and I promised I ______ a broad grin on his face.

10 . There’s hardly a dull moment in vibrant Istanbul. The city’s historic attractions can be appreciated any time of year, but its atmosphere does change dramatically with the seasons, and accommodation prices vary accordingly. Here are our picks for the best times to enjoy Turkey’s largest city.

June to August is best for outdoor dining and concerts in Istanbul. Summer is peak tourism season in Istanbul. Costs for accommodations can be high and lines long at major attractions. The weather is hot and humid, but the sun sparkling off the Bosphorus is glorious, and the outdoor seating at cafes, restaurants and bars makes for a lively urban scene. Concerts, festivals and other events are staged in the open air too.

The shoulder season is best for sightseeing and cultural events. The long, mostly pleasant spring and fall seasons are ideal for seeing the sights and wandering the neighborhoods of Istanbul, a city that rewards exploration by foot. There’s a drop off in tourist crowds, and local urban life is in full swing, including a busy calendar of arts and cultural events.

Istanbul in December? Winter is ideal for travel on a budget. The gray, rainy and chilly winter months aren’t the most appealing time to visit Istanbul, though they do lend the city a certain romantically sad mood. On the plus side, it won’t be difficult or expensive to find accommodations, and Istanbul’s many museums, mosques and other sights provide plenty of indoor activities.