This past summer, my family went on our annual vacation in a cottage on a lake. There were various activities to keep everyone busy: swimming, fishing and building sand castle on the beach. In the evenings, we gathered on the beach, having great fun.
However, by the third day of our vacation, I noticed my sister, Jane, spent most of her time watching videos and looking through online shops indoors. She was so addicted to her cellphone! Over dinner, I told Jane we would hike to the top of the mountain across the lake the following morning. I stared at her, “Put your phone away and enjoy the scenery. It’s really amazing.”
“Well,” Jane shrugged her shoulders and answered unwillingly, “there are some bargains tomorrow in several online shops, so I’ll not be available.”
“Come out to enjoy the fresh air and many views. Hiking is fun!”
“Sounds more like punishment than a vacation,” she didn’t look up from her soup and mumbled (嘟囔), “I can’t walk that far.”
When I said it only took half an hour of steady walking to climb to the top, she nodded, “OK, I’ll go.”
The next morning was perfect for a hike, with sunny clear skies and gentle winds. I got up early and packed some sandwiches and bottles of water into my backpack along with the camera. Jane came slowly downstairs, and announced in a very unenthusiastic voice, “I’m ready to go, Jim.”
Anyway, we stepped out of our cottage and quite a different view unfolded before our eyes. Against the blue skies, a rough path wound to the top of the mountain across the lake with wild flowers and grass on both sides. The sunlight brightened on the glassy surface of the lake. We began from the path. “I’m still wondering if this is a good idea, but if you could do it, I could also do.” She complained, frowning.
注意：1. 续写词数应为150左右；
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She followed me, her mind wandering.
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Reaching the top, Jane widened her eyes, shouting, “How wonderful!”
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2 . Swimming Holes in America
In America, these secret swimming holes are hidden and hard to reach but well worth the adventure.
Cummins Falls
Looking for the best place to escape the summer heat in the heartland of America? For more than 100 years, Cummins Falls, a scenic,75-foot waterfall located in Jackson County, TN, has been a treasure for Tennessee natives. But now, the secret is out! Although it’s a bit tough to get to, once in the park, the mountains and river provide unmatched beauty on your way to taking a swim in Tennessee's eighth-largest waterfall.
Sliding Rock
A popular place to cool off during those hot North Carolina summers, Sliding Rock waterfall is located in the Pisgah National Forest in Transylvania County. A flattened rock about 60 feet lies in a nearly 7-foot-deep pool at the bottom, making this natural waterslide a great place to visit with people of all ages.
Mooney Falls
It is the tallest water feature in the Grand Canyon, rising 190 feet above the surface. Named after an explorer in the 1800s, Mooney Falls is accessible only by crawling（爬）through 2 underground passages and then climbing down a sheer cliff（峭壁）face with just a couple of chains to hold on to. Although it is tough to get to, the view and the cool alone make it worth the trip.
Lihue Estate
A private swimming hole at the old Lihue Sugar Farm on Kauai, HI, was changed into an inner-tube water ride by Kauai Backcountry Adventures in 2003 and opened to adults. The waters for this 2.5-mile journey, which come from near the top of Mount Waialeale—one of the wettest spots in the world—are channeled through ditches（沟渠）that were hand-dug by farm workers over a century ago.
1. Which hole may be the favourable destination for families?| A．Lihue Estate. | B．Sliding Rock. | C．Mooney Falls. | D．Cummins Falls. |
| A．It was found by an explorer. | B．It was hand-dug in the 1800s. |
| C．It is dangerous to arrive there. | D．It is the tallest fall in the world. |
| A．It is man-made. | B．It is a private area. |
| C．Its water is from underground. | D．It lies on the top of Mount Waialeale |
3 . Tips of travelling cheaply
Thinking about an overseas trip but concerning you might make a less worthy choice because you can’t afford to visit all the places on your wish list before you make your final decision?
Keep your needs to a minimum .People need fresh air, exercise, creative stimulation, companionship and self-esteem, etc.
Go slow. If you live in New York and want to take a two-week vacation to Africa, it will be very difficult to travel for free. Time is not money. Time is free. Instead of buying a place ticket, take a train or bus, or just hop on your bike and ride away from town.
Try to get your accommodation for free or next-to-nothing. Find kind souls around the world who agree to offer an extra bedroom, couch，or corner of the floor to travelers in exchange for the same kindness when they visit your town.
| A．Embrace the simple joy of travel. |
| B．The slower you travel, the less money you will spend. |
| C．Things like air and water are much cheaper once you get outside. |
| D．All of these things are simple to obtain and most of them are free. |
| E．Just because you 've little money doesn't mean you have to stay at home . |
| F．This scheme involves trading homes for an agreed–upon amount of time. |
| G．If you can do what needs to be done around the house, then you stay for free. |
4 . Mother Nature is a cruel mistress. Why? Read on to find the answer.
Venice
This iconic city is sinking rapidly. The canals that make up the streets of Venice rise 2mm every year, making relics of history go under the surface of water and destroying architecture. Experts warn that without intervention (干预) , this city will disappear back into the water at an even faster rate, consumed by rising sea level from melting polar ice caps.
Machu Picchu
These iconic ruins have drawn adventurous tourists into the mountains of South America. The forces of natural erosion (侵蚀) have been accelerated by tourism and this landmark faces severe influence from increasing foot traffic. The Peruviar government recently suggested a cable car that would cut out the intense hike up to the ruins, making the site instantly accessible to millions, but the future of Machu Picchu remains uncertain.
Glacier National Park
Perhaps you’ve heard that the ice caps are melting. But nowhere is more apparent in the United States than in Glacier National Park. Estimates indicate that the glaciers that are part of the beauty of this national landmark will disappear entirely in the next two decades.
The Great Barrier Reef
Hidden from view beneath the waves, the Great Barrier Reef has been rapidly dying off. Nearly fifty percent of coral which once occupied a large area is gone, destroyed by pollution and disease.
1. What can we learn about Machu Picchu?| A．It’s famous for cable cars. | B．It will soon turn away all visitors. |
| C．It bears a heavy burden of tourism. | D．It’s well preserved by the locals. |
| A．The Great Barrier Reef. | B．Machu Picchu. |
| C．Glacier National Park. | D．Venice. |
| A．They all have a long history. | B．They’re all threatened by climate. |
| C．They’re all in danger of disappearing. | D．They’re all well-known for natural scenery. |
