2 . Best U. S. National Parks for 2023

Today, 63 national parks in the U. S. draw millions of visitors a year to witness jaw-dropping natural wonders. To determine the best national parks, we considered the opinions of both travel experts and recent visitors. Do you have a favorite park? Cast your vote below.

#1 Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is called the “Crown of the Continent” for its breathtaking beauty. A favorite spot among hikers, it features a variety of trails for all levels, ranging from the easy Trail of the Cedars to the challenging Grinnell Glacier. Besides, the park boasts numerous lakes and two mountain ranges, sheltering a variety of wildlife.

#2 Grand Canyon National Park

Measuring approximately 277 river miles in length, up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep, this canyon is truly a natural wonder. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grand Canyon always leaves its visitors impressed. But if you’re seeking an escape to Mother Nature, be prepared: The Grand Canyon can be very crowded.

#3 Yellowstone National Park

With dramatic peaks and pure lakes, Yellowstone National Park is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Multicolored pools, hot springs, stretching meadows, and steaming geysers (间歇泉). While you cross its 3,000-plus square miles of mountains, geysers and waterfalls, be prepared to share the trails with residents like buffalo (水牛).

#4 Yosemite National Park

Enjoying extraordinary landscapes, Yosemite National Park features towering waterfalls, millennia-old sequoia trees (红杉树), striking cliffs and unique rock formations. Most tourist activities take place within the Yosemite Valley. Here you’ll find the park’s most famous landmarks—Half Dome and El Capitan—as well as excellent hiking trails.

1. What can you do in Yellowstone National Park?

A．Appreciate waterfalls.	B．Join wildlife preservation.
C．Camp at mountain peaks.	D．Swim in colorful pools.

2. Which park might appeal to wildlife enthusiasts?

A．Yosemite National Park and Glacier National Park.

B．Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

C．Yosemite National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

D．Grand Canyon National Park and Glacier National Park.

3. Where can you probably find this passage?

A．In a research paper.	B．On a tourist website.
C．In an ecology journal.	D．In an instruction book.

3 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。

China Post recently issued a special collection of stamps featuring Pingyao, an ancient city in Shanxi Province, to mark its 26th anniversary as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The special stamp collection, which     1     (comprise) of three distinct stamps and a souvenir (纪念品) sheet, displays overall scenes and representative architecture of     2     ancient city.

Each stamp in the collection is a window into the world of Pingyao,     3     (offer) a visual journey through its well-preserved streets and structures     4     (combine) in a collage (拼贴画) style. The complex designs on the stamps highlight the narrow streets winding through the city, the traditional buildings with distinctive architectural features of Han era,     5     the historical walls, which stand as silent witnesses     6     centuries of history.

The souvenir sheet accompanying the stamps is a masterpiece in     7     (it). It provides a bird’s-eye view of the city, emphasizing the     8     (harmony) combination of architecture and urban design as well as     9     (constant) reminding us of the significance of promoting cultural heritage.

As stamp collectors and history enthusiasts explore these stamps, they are invited to appreciate the architectural wonders and urban planning,     10     have made Pingyao a timeless diamond in the crown (皇冠) of Chinese heritage.

4 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. How much should an adult pay for the tour?

A．£ 55.

B．£ 110.

C．£ 240.

2. Which is not included from the tour?

A．Hotel pickup.

B．Drinks.

C．Meals.

3. When did the British Museum open to the public?

A．In 1747.

B．In 1753.

C．In 1759.

4. What do we know about the British Museum?

A．The entrance to the museum isn’t free.

B．It contains about two million objects.

C．There is a subway station nearby.

5 . Ah, Paris the incomparable ! Whether you've suddenly found yourself with travel brochures in your hand or you prefer to travel from your armchair, Paris is one of those cities with wide open arms. Where to begin? Well, follow me!

Louvre

Many people lose interest when you talk about museums, but you know where we are heading, don't you? This is one of the top 10. Wear comfortable shoes, prepare enough water, and know what you want to see. The Mona Lisa may not be your cup of tea, but we recommend at least Liberty Leading the People, The Raft of the Medusa, and so on.

Musée d’Orsaya

If you can do without art-although we doubt anyone can—we'd recommend that you walk inside this museum. The light inside is worth your attention. Once a train station, the Musée d’Orsay has been repurposed and is now a pleasing wonder with Postimpressionist paintings and more to suit most tastes.

The Seine River

All you have to do is decide which bank you prefer, left or right. Each has its unique pleasures. Home to cultural, fashion and artistic riches, the left bank is lined with cafés, which are a good place to meet your hero or heroine. But also consider the right bank, especially the Picasso Museum, an excellent place to hang around.

Giverny

Lying about 45 miles from Paris, this village is the hometown of the late artist Claude Monet. It is as if you've stepped into one of his paintings—a perfect blue-green bridge with water lilies (睡莲) fully open below and a warm peach-pink brick house. The whole scene is designed to please the eye.

1. What can visitors do in the Louvre?

A．Ride on a train.	B．Drink a cup of tea.
C．Appreciate Mona Lisa.	D．See Picasso paintings.

2. If you are a fan of Monet, which place probably attracts you most?

A．Louvre.

B．Musée d'Orsaya.

C．The Seine River.

D．Giverny.

3. What do the four attractions have in common?

A．They are suitable for art lovers.

B．They are all famous museums.

C．They are in the center of Paris.

D．They are the most popular places.

6 . When someone tells me that they’re going to spend just 3 days in Paris, I feel like they’re most likely not going to love it. I mean, it’s possible to have a great time if you do it right and put what you want to see at the first place. During such a short visit most tourists head to see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre and some other tourist attractions, and therefore experience crowds, long lines and not the real local Paris.

Take your pick and spend some time actually enjoying these things instead of rushing through everything. I’m not telling you not to see these famous landmarks, but in order to fully feel the Paris atmosphere, you need to stay in the city longer. A stay in Paris just for a weekend seems far from seeing all the great things.

Almost everyone is dreaming of getting to the top of the Eiffel Tower. But the moment you start approaching the tower you might realize that it’s not very romantic, as it’s surrounded by a ton of visitors and annoying vendors (小贩). The place is crowded, and lines take forever no matter when you visit it.

It’s hard to find a romantic spot unless you book a dinner on top of the Eiffel Tower. It’s something you will only do once, as it’s not the best fine dining you’ve ever had — you’re doing it just for the experience. However, if you climb the stairs behind the Croatian Embassy you may be able to find a quiet spot overlooking the tower. The view is wonderful and definitely worth it, especially at night when the tower starts blinking!

I recommend you to see the city from up high from the top of the Tour Montparnasse, Arc de Triomphe, or even a carousel (旋转木马) in Tuileries, and actually have the Eiffel Tower in your view.

1. What can be inferred from the first paragraph?

A．You can only see crowds at tourist attractions.

B．He who has a short visit doesn’t love Paris.

C．Visitor can have a good time traveling in Paris in three days.

D．It takes more time to experience the real Paris.

2. What is TRUE about visiting Paris according to the author?

A．Fully feeling the atmosphere of the city.

B．Only visiting the famous landmarks of the city.

C．Seeing the whole city at the weekend.

D．Rushing through all attractions in the city.

3. How does a tourist usually feel after visiting the Eiffel Tower?

A．Delighted.

B．Sad.

C．Exhausted.

D．Romantic.

4. Which can be the best title for the passage?

A．The atmosphere of Paris.

B．The tips of visiting Paris better.

C．The view of the Eiffel Tower.

D．The tourist attractions in Paris.

9 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. How did the speaker travel around the South Island?

A．By car.

B．By bus.

C．By motorbike.

2. Where is Christchurch?

A．On the east coast.

B．In the northwest of the island.

C．150 kilometers north of Kaikoura.

3. What would the speaker like to see most?

A．Ocean birds.

B．Whales.

C．Dolphins.

4. What did the speaker buy at Nelson Saturday Market as a souvenir?

A．A mask.

B．Paintings.

C．Jewellery.