1 . Not every architectural landmark is grand in scale, with splendid decorations, or amazing colors. Suzhou Gardens may just be the opposite.
When a group of monks during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) first constructed Lion Grove Garden, they may have just wanted to enjoy a quiet place, hidden away from urban noise, while in the following centuries, this charming garden - most notable for its waterside rockeries resembling the shape of lions—has attracted a constant stream of celebrity guests, who have left a long list of poems, paintings and historical anecdotes (轶事).
In recent years, nine of the best-known classical gardens of Suzhou, including Lion Grove Garden, Humble Administrator’s Garden and Great Wave Pavilion, were registered into the World Heritage List. As UNESCO remarks, “Classical Chinese garden design, which seeks to recreate natural landscapes in miniature (缩略图), is nowhere better illustrated than in the nine gardens, which reflect the profound natural beauty in Chinese culture and inspire people to pursue harmony with the world.”
Nowadays, relevant administrations have been trying to restore the historical landscapes of Suzhou’s classical gardens. Consequently, last year, a new project was launched allowing tourists in small groups to reserve places to enter the garden in the early morning before the regular opening time. Their visit ended with them completing the last step in making a traditional folding fan, adding a poem about the garden on its surface. The experience was also regarded as a way to help people understand the wisdom, elegance and philosophical worldview of the ancient Chinese literati (文人).
The delicate beauty of the gardens still flows via the canals that snake across Suzhou. Hardly felt, their strength in shaping the city’s character seems to last forever.
1. What’s the purpose of building the Lion Grove Garden?A.To share historical anecdotes. |
B.To attract celebrity guests. |
C.To enjoy the beautiful scenery. |
D.To stay far from the madding crowd. |
A.Splendid decorations. |
B.Grand beauty. |
C.Human-nature harmony. |
D.Amazing colors. |
A.It featured traditional Chinese elements. |
B.Small groups without reservation were welcome. |
C.Its main aim was to help people approach poems. |
D.It was launched when the gardens were open to the public. |
A.Suzhou Gardens, a place of national pride. |
B.Suzhou Gardens, a place with natural beauty. |
C.Suzhou Gardens, a place that shows the decorations and colors. |
D.Suzhou Gardens, a place that reflects the philosophy and culture. |
2 . I’m a hiker — “born to hike”. It does my heart and soul good to take a pack and head out on a trail (小路), especially when I’m alone and can let my mind wander where it will.
Hiking keeps your brain sharper than many other forms of exercise. As a professional writer, although I am busy with my work, I often spare some time to hike.
Hiking can increase our creativity. I’m sure I’m not alone in finding that walks in nature let my mind wander freely in creative directions.
Hiking helps strengthen a positive relationship with the natural world. Besides being good for us, hiking may also help the world around us. After all, if we stick to walking and covering longer distances, we could use cars less and reduce our carbon footprint.
So, grab a water bottle, a backpack... and head out on the trail.You won’t be sorry you did.
A.Hiking helps to keep you calm and happy |
B.Beyond that, hiking benefits our planet indirectly |
C.Following are the benefits you can get from hiking |
D.In fact, I’ve written many of my songs while hiking on a trail |
E.It’s easy for me to come up with creative ideas while sitting alone |
F.It not just makes me feel good, but also helps me keep the brain in top shape |
G.This all goes to show that hiking maybe one of the best ways to move your body |
3 . It was summer, and my dad wanted to treat me to a vacation like never before. He decided to take me on a trip to the Wild West.
We took a plane to Albuquerque, a big city in the state of New Mexico. We reached Albuquerque in the late afternoon. Uncle Paul, my dad’s friend, picked us up from the airport and drove us up to his farm in Pecos.
His wife Tina cooked us a delicious dinner and we got to know his sons Ryan and Kyle. My dad and I spent the night in the guestroom of the farm house listening to the frogs and water rolling down the river nearby. Very early in the morning, Uncle Paul woke us up to have breakfast. "The day starts at dawn on my farm," he said. After breakfast, I went to help Aunt Tina feed the chickens, while my dad went with Uncle Paul to take the sheep out to graze(吃草). I was impressed to see my dad and Uncle Paul riding horses. They looked really cool.
In the afternoon, I asked Uncle Paul if I could take a horse ride, and he said yes, as long as my dad went with me. I wasn’t going to take a horse ride by myself anyway. So, my dad and I put on our new cowboy hats, got on our horses, and headed slowly towards the mountains. "Don’t be late for supper," Uncle Paul cried, "and keep to the track so that you don’t get lost!" "OK! " my dad cried back. After a while Uncle Paul and his farm house were out of sight. It was so peaceful and quiet and the colors of the brown rocks, the deep green pine trees, and the late afternoon sun mixed to create a magic scene. It looked like a beautiful woven(编织的) blanket spread out upon the ground just for us.
Suddenly a little rabbit jumped out in front of my horse.
注意:
(1)所续写短文的词数应为l50左右;
(2)至少使用5个短文中标有下划线的关键词语:
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Paragraph 1: Suddenly a little rabbit jumped out in front of my horse. ____________
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Paragraph 2: We had no idea where we were and it was getting dark. _____________
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4 . The United Kingdom is a land of natural beauty and history, with many of its finest attractions discovered through hiking. Now, dust off your boots, plan according to the following routes presented by a survey of senior hikers and an incredible experience will wait for you.
Wales Coastal Path
Wales is the only country in the world that has an official walking path covering its whole borders. The Wales Coastal Path is a footpath stretching 870 miles from Chester to Chepstow. Walking the whole thing might be demanding, but there are plenty of stretches that can be enjoyed over a day or two.
Southwest Coast Path
You need a fair amount of annual leave, a casual 52 days or so, to undertake this in one go. The route runs from Somerset all the way to Dorset, via rugged cliffs, cute fishing villages and surfing spots along the coastline. You can surely jump on to any point as you like, but you can't afford to miss all the pubs full of jokes and laughter on the way!
Coast to Coast Walk
This long-distance trail isn’t official, but popular in the country, taking hikers from the Irish Sea to the North Sea as it rolls into historic Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire. Following local footpaths, the route takes you through three UK National Parks: the Lakes, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.
Cleveland Way
You’ll want nine days to folly complete this hike, which explores both the North York Moors and the county’s world-famous coastline. Just make sure you allow enough time to properly enjoy spots like Roseberry Topping hill and pick up a gentle afternoon walk at Whitby’s clifftop church.
1. Who will be more interested in the routes?A.Explorers in the UK. | B.Hiking lovers. |
C.Nature photographers. | D.Field researchers. |
A.Fishing villages. | B.Surfing spots. |
C.Local pubs. | D.National parks. |
A.They include cliffs worth visiting. | B.They are official and demanding. |
C.They run along the coast. | D.They can be completed in a month. |
5 . Some travelers are itching to escape the season’s bitter weather. If you want to find the locale that best suits your winter vacation, use these ideas to start planning your getaway.
Honolulu - Oahu
As temperatures begin to drop in other parts of the world, Hawaii’s capital city remains comfortable thanks to average highs in the low to 80 degrees. Visit Chinatown for festive Chinese New Year celebrations, or marvel at the Honolulu City Lights, a month-long Christmas display at Honolulu’s city hall. Keep in mind that winter is the island’s high season, so make your reservations early and expect to share the sand with lots of other sun-seeking travelers.
Sydney
Sydney’s summer begins in December and lasts through February, making this a popular destination for tourists escaping the Northern Hemisphere’s chilly winter weather. Average daytime temperatures hover between the mid-70s and low 80s. This time of year also features a packed events calendar, with can’t-miss sporting events and celebrations like the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix and Sydney’s famed New Year’s Eve fireworks display. Remember to book your tickets early, as this can be a pricey and popular time to visit Australia.
Galápagos Islands
Winter in the Galápagos Islands is marked by warm weather and ample opportunities to view wildlife, snorkel and scuba dive. Although this is technically the wet season, the sun shines most days and rain showers are brief. Plan on visiting in December to see newly hatched giant tortoises and male marine lizards displaying vivid colors. For a bit more action, arrive in February to celebrate Carnival on Santa Cruz Island. To read more, click here.
1. What do Oahu and Galapagos Islands have in common?A.International sports events. | B.Warm sunshine. |
C.Diverse wildlife. | D.Festive city lights. |
A.Book your tickets early to Australia. | B.Arrive in Galápagos Islands by February. |
C.Visit Chinatown in the city of Honolulu. | D.Make your reservations early to Hawaii. |
A.An entertainment magazine. | B.A tourist brochure. |
C.A travel agency website. | D.A pre-travel checklist. |
6 . Walled Cities Of The World
There are numerous historical walled cities across the world, whose walls date back several centuries. These walls were fortification (碉堡), a necessity throughout medieval eras for defense. They have been preserved as historical monuments and popular tourist attractions in the modern time.
York, England
The city of York is a medieval city situated in the north of England. Historically, the city was ruled by the Romans, Angles, and the Vikings before being incorporated as part of the Kingdom of England in 954. Located in the city are walls built in 71 AD which have been restored and extended with time.
Xi’an, China
The city of Xian is one of the oldest cities in China. It prospered economically as the eastern last station of the Silk Road. The existing walls were originally built in 770 BC and reconstructed in the 14th century under the Ming Dynasty. The walls are well preserved and are a major tourist attraction in the city.
Quebec City, Canada
Quebec City was a colonial (殖民地的) town which was fortified by the settling Europeans. The walls began to be built in 1608 under both British and French regimes (政权). A fort was constructed by the British as an additional defensive measure and remains undamaged to date. The city’s fortifications were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
Mexico City, Mexico
Historically, the City of Mexico gained importance as the Aztec Capital. The Spanish then drove out the Aztecs and rebuilt it as the Spanish Capital. The walls protecting the city were built in 1521. Mexico City is also home to numerous colonial-era buildings which together with the walls are major tourist attractions in the city.
1. Which city has walls of the longest history?A.York, England. | B.Xi’an, China. |
C.Quebec City, Canada. | D.Mexico City, Mexico. |
A.They were once colonies of other countries. |
B.They were once the capital of the Aztec empire. |
C.Their walls were once built under British regime. |
D.Their walls were once damaged after construction. |
A.Culture. | B.Entertainment. | C.Science. | D.Society |
7 . Borneo is home to some of the most extraordinary wildlife. Several years ago, I decided to go there for a visit. A local person offered to be my guide, which was a great bonus for me.
One day, my guide turned off the smooth road and took me across a
As I
The world out there is so fascinating. Don’t let work run your life. Why not step outdoors and enjoy the wonders nature offers to you?
1.A.rolling | B.spectacular | C.rough | D.breathtaking |
A.suddenly | B.literally | C.definitely | D.ultimately |
A.alarmed | B.pleased | C.concerned | D.upset |
A.Nevertheless | B.Besides | C.Instead | D.Therefore |
A.desires | B.motivations | C.destinations | D.highlights |
A.suspended | B.suspected | C.approached | D.valued |
A.hold onto | B.pick up | C.reflect on | D.hunt for |
A.width | B.length | C.height | D.size |
A.emerged | B.paused | C.continued | D.declined |
A.mud | B.surface | C.ground | D.shore |
A.crocodiles | B.mouths | C.eyes | D.teeth |
A.moved | B.sank | C.hid | D.escaped |
A.work out | B.let out | C.figure out | D.make out |
A.victims | B.opponents | C.folks | D.guides |
A.challenged | B.encountered | C.terrified | D.chased |
8 . Before our round-the-world trip we always thought that in Peru visiting Machu Picchu would be our most amazing experience.
Although Machu Picchu is simply indescribable, it
He said we could
We were
A.figured | B.went | C.turned | D.pointed |
A.impression | B.understanding | C.sense | D.message |
A.questioned | B.informed | C.interviewed | D.asked |
A.suitable | B.possible | C.right | D.necessary |
A.try | B.stop | C.fail | D.wait |
A.tourists | B.communities | C.ancestors | D.regions |
A.More importantly | B.Sure enough | C.Worse still | D.Strange to say |
A.applying | B.longing | C.changing | D.looking |
A.leave | B.manage | C.save | D.visit |
A.really | B.mainly | C.reasonably | D.relatively |
A.heard | B.worried | C.learned | D.complained |
A.made use of | B.took part in | C.paid attention to | D.got used to |
A.gestures | B.words | C.writings | D.mails |
A.plans | B.brochures | C.tips | D.stories |
A.remind | B.remember | C.forget | D.get |
9 . Famous for its sunny beaches and natural wonders, Miyako Island welcomes many visitors during holidays.
Unique beaches
Yonaha Maehama Beach is the most famous beach in Miyakojima, where white sand stretches for seven kilometers. Sunayama Beach, known for its arch-shaped rock, is tucked away in a small cove, and is accessed by walking through a narrow tunnel of trees.
Diverse and colorful fish
Snorkeling is a must-try in Miyakojima. Dense coral reefs, schools of tropical fish, sea turtles and plenty of space to free dive to depths of 8 to 15 meters close to the shore are standout features. For beginners, Aragusuku and Shigira are a good choice but advanced snorkelers may see Waiwal Beach and Shimojishima as their ultimate spots.
Scuba diving
Miyako Island is a diving mecca, with a wealth of dive sites to explore, including many underwater caves and caverns. Even those without a diving license need not be held hack. Dive shops and tour operators also offer tours for beginners to explore Miyako Island’s abundant underwater environment.
Fresh island food
Delight your senses with juicy, melt-in-your-mouth Miyako beef, delicious Miyako soba (noodles served in broth), or fresh fruit. Okinawa prefecture boasts the highest mango yield in Japan, and Miyako Island’s warm subtropical climate is optimal for growing fresh, juicy mangoes.
1. Where is the text probably taken from?A.A travel report. | B.A travel guide. |
C.A diary. | D.A text book. |
A.Miyako Island. | B.Waiwai Beach. |
C.Shigira. | D.Sunayama Beach. |
A.White sand. | B.Blue ocean. |
C.Enough rainwater. | D.Warm climate. |
10 . Traveling itself is an experience hard to be described in words.
Having grown up and lived all my life in a single place, I had a small set of friends since my school days which continued till my college days.
I totally agree that traveling with family and friends is fun and enjoying. But traveling alone is satisfying too. It’s among those few things that you do for yourself and nobody else.
A.I want to experience more. |
B.But all this changed with my first solo trip. |
C.I never thought I would travel alone in my life. |
D.I was so scared when I went to school first time. |
E.Every journey prepares you for the journey of life. |
F.The farther you travel, the more independent you become. |
G.After all you need to take care of yourself a bit too at times. |