1 . China has seen a boom in glamping, a combination of “glamorous (迷人的)” and “camping”, since 2020.

Camping, in earlier years, was mostly for those exploring the rough outdoors. The equipment they used was more for survival than for enjoyment. The image of camping thus was a pretty tough one.

Urban explorers, in recent years, have turned their sights to camping as they grew tired of hotel-stay travel style. The views of tents in a grassland or by a river soon attracted growing public interest in camping. Facilities that allow people to get close to nature while still able to enjoy the comforts of modern luxury have given wings to glamping.

There are many glamping grounds where facilities are ready to use. People just need to buy a ticket to get in and don’t have to buy any further equipment. It is suitable for new campers who want to get some experience of spending time outdoors.

Zhang Zheming, a photographer in Beijing, got his first taste of glamping in June2019 at a campground in suburban Beijing. It was a very spacious site and campers needed to bring their own kits (装备).

Zhang and his wife brought their 4-year-old son with them. As they didn’t have any experience in picking the right equipment, they didn’t prepare the canopy (遮阳篷), a camping must to protect oneself from strong sunlight. But this didn’t affect their first experience.

“In the past, my wife and I only chose to stay at hotels while traveling,” he said. “We are very happy to have discovered glamping and it is also a new way of socializing. My son used to be a shy boy, but now he gets along quite well with other people.”

Zhang is also surprised to see how popular glamping has become. The first time he went there in 2019, only 500 people joined in. But when he went there for the second time in 2020, he saw over 5,000 people.

1. What can we infer about glamping?

A．It’s tough and adventurous.	B．It’s comfortable and attractive.
C．It’s a kind of field survival training.	D．It has changed the hotel-stay travel style.

2. What should one do to go glamping for the first time?

A．Get some camping experience.	B．Buy some necessary equipment.
C．Buy a ticket to the glamping ground.	D．Get some knowledge of nature exploration.

3. What problem did the Zhangs meet on the first glamping trip?

A．They forgot to bring their own food.	B．They were exposed to strong sunlight.
C．They failed to take good care of their kid.	D．They had to stay for a long time in the hotel.

4. How does Zhang’s son benefit from the glamping?

A．He has learned to take photos.	B．He has improved his camping skills.
C．He has made friends with a shy boy.	D．He has become more outgoing and active.

2 . First-time visitors to London often face the challenge of finding a convenient place to live in, which is why many choose to book a hotel near a tube (the underground) station. The following hotels are all close to a London tube station and many are in central London.

Best Western Victoria Palace Hotel

If you choose Best Western Victoria Palace Hotel, you are within walking distance of major attractions including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and more. What’s more, this hotel is just a short tube ride away from other major London attractions, shops and parks.

Holiday Inn Regents Park

Located just a short walk from beautiful Regents Park and the famous London Zoo, this hotel provides 4-star facilities, including a pool. The in-room fridge lets you keep cold drinks on hand. Breakfast is available for an extra charge.

Flexistay Aparthotel

If you’re looking for the most cost-effective hotel, look no further than Flexistay Aparthotel. It takes less than 30 minutes from the hotel to central London by tube. In addition to an all-day, self-serve breakfast, guests can use a common kitchen. The rooms are small but clean and comfortable. The service is good.

Studios 2 Let Apartments

Located in Bloomsbury, just minutes away by tube from the attractions in Central London, Studios 2 Let Apartments are ideal for a longer stay. Each unit features a fully equipped kitchen. In addition, you get free internet, over 30 television stations and a pleasant garden area to enjoy. Cleaning service is provided once a week.

1. What is probably the major concern of first-time visitors when booking a hotel in London?

A．Service.

B．Price.

C．Safety.

D．Location.

2. Which hotel will attract people fond of swimming?

A．Flexistay Aparthotel.	B．Studios 2 Let Apartments.
C．Holiday Inn Regents Park.	D．Best Western Victoria Palace Hotel.

3. What do Flexistay Aparthotel and Studios 2Let Apartments have in common?

A．They are perfect for garden lovers.	B．They offer good service at a low price.
C．They provide a place for cooking.	D．They offer cleaning service every week.

3 . Best Family Holidays for 2024

Are you looking for the best family holiday in 2024? Here is the beautiful island of Sardinia for you. Sardinia is a large island in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s part of Italy and has a population of around 1.6 million people. The island is famous for its attractive beaches, clear blue sea, and delicious food. Here are our top four suggestions for you.

Relax on the beach

With over 1,000 kilometres of coastline, there’s a beach for everyone in Sardinia. Some of the best ones are in the north, like La Pelosa in Stintino or Cala Brandinchi near San Teodoro. You can swim, sunbathe, and build sandcastles with your children.

Explore ancient ruins

Sardinia has a rich history and is home to many archaeological sites. One of the most famous is Su Nuraxi in Barumini, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your kids will love exploring this ancient fortress and learning about the Nuragic civilization.

Take a boat trip

Discover the island from the sea on a boat tour. You can visit the stunning Maddalena Archipelago or go snorkelling in the marine park of Tavolara. If you’re lucky, you might even see dolphins!

Go hiking in the mountains

If you enjoy outdoor activities, head to the Gennargentu National Park. This mountainous area is the best place for you to go hiking, and you can even climb the highest peak in Sardinia, Punta La Marmora. The park is home to various animal species, so keep your eyes open!

1. Where can you find some of the best beaches in Sardinia?

A．In the south.

B．In the north.

C．In the east.

D．In the west.

2. Which activity is suitable for Tom’s daughter who majors in archaeology?

A．Take a boat trip.

B．Relax on the beach.

C．Explore ancient ruins.

D．Go hiking in the mountains.

3. Which place below is the best one for David who likes climbing?

A．Su Nuraxi in Barumini.

B．The Gennargentu National Park.

C．The marine park of Tavolara.

D．The stunning Maddalena Archipelago.

4 . A walk along the Beijing Central Axis, joining the dots of the Drum Tower, the busy Nanluoguxiang Lane, the Jingshan Park and the Forbidden City — this was Zhao Xianghan’s maiden city-walking journey in the spring of 2022. Since then, the 21-year-old student from the Beijing Foreign Studies University has remained a city-walk enthusiast (爱好者), believing it to be the best way to “rediscover a city”.

With the increasing different kinds of travel choices, traditional group tours can no longer satisfy people who are looking for a more personalized and differentiated travel experience and hoping to explore every part of the city in a more immersive (沉浸式的) way. It is written in a blog on social media platform WeChat, which has got more than 100,000 views. Compared with tightly-scheduled travel plans and picture-taking tours, city-walking focuses on the free, relaxing and spontaneous (自发的) experience, read a recent article by the People’s Daily.

The city-walk culture to experience urban life with no transportation means other than one’s legs and feet has made sensations on different social media platforms. According to a report from China’s lifestyle-sharing platform Xiaohongshu, in the first half of 2023, searches about city-walk increased 30-fold from the previous year.

Netizens also share their city-walking experience on the Twitter-like Sina Weibo. One post recommended a classic city-walk path from Wukang Road to Fuxing Park in Shanghai. “The path offers a look into the culture and landscape of Shanghai in different historical stages as well as its beautiful natural scenery,” it wrote.

Following his experience in Beijing, Zhao hasalso explored Wuhan, Hangzhou and other cities through city-walking tours. “City-walk is all about doing whatever you want in your own exploration of a city, and it is actually a kind of slow-paced and low-carbon lifestyle that I relate to so much,” said Zhao.

1. What does the underlined word “maiden” probably mean in Paragraph 1?

A．First.

B．Formal.

C．Crazy.

D．Challenging.

2. What kind of travel experience is shown in the blog on WeChat?

A．More relaxing and simpler.

B．More natural and comfortable.

C．More traditional and safer.

D．More personalized and detailed.

3. Why is Shanghai’s city-walk path mentioned in Paragraph 4?

A．To prove the city-walk is popular.

B．To advertise for Shanghai tourism.

C．To share one city-walking experience.

D．To show problems of city-walking tours.

4. What is the suitable title for the text?

A．A Famous City-walk Lover

B．Social Medias Focus on City-walk

C．A Travel Way with Eyes and Souls

D．City-walk Brings a Green Lifestyle

6 . Romance, adventure, and excitement — all these words come to mind when travelers think of island getaways. Here are some islands for visitors to enjoy their charms in the National Park System.

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

As the largest island in Lake Superior, Isle Royale provides commercial accommodation, developed campgrounds, and undamaged wilderness. Travelers can hike through forest, boat along rocky shores, or camp beside beautiful lakes. Various boat services and ranger-guided trips give travelers the chance to explore the park.

Channel Islands National Park, California

Those people who do make the boat trip can explore five major island groups that are home to globally significant biodiversity. From rare birds to blue whales, the world’s largest animal, Channel Islands is a wildlife film. Even a brief visit will bring sightings of seals, sea lions, sea otters, whales, and the largest colonies of seabirds in southern California.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Isle au Haut is a small island in Acadia National Park. The island can be reached by a mailboat from the little town of Stonington, a circumstance that limits the number of visitors.

Much of the island can be seen on a day trip, exploring paths that wind through woodlands and the grass and along rocky shores. Sleeping on Isle au Haut makes it possible to enjoy sunrises and sunsets on the island.
Biscayne National Park, Florida

Travelers can take a commercial tour boat to see Elliott Key, a park site with camping, swimming, and a hiking trail (路线). Those with their own boats can tour Adams Key. The best way to explore Biscayne’s islands is via boat, which can help see wildlife such as sharks, wading birds, and sea turtles.

1. What can travelers do on Isle Royale?

A．Explore hiking trails along rocky shores.	B．Develop commercial restaurants.
C．Bike across a beautiful lake.	D．Join in a guided trip.

2. Which park is called a wildlife movie by the author?

A．Isle Royale National Park.	B．Channel Islands National Park.
C．Acadia National Park.	D．Biscayne National Park.

3. What can be the best transport to explore Biscayne National Park?

A．Cars.

B．Buses.

C．Boats.

D．Bikes.

7 . Milan’s most famous mural (壁画), Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, is hidden away on a wall of the dining hall adjoining the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie. It’s a masterful psychological study and one of the world’s most iconic images.

Centuries of damage has left the mural in a fragile state despite 22 years of restoration, which was completed in 1999. Da Vinci himself is partly to blame: his experimental mix of oil and tempera (蛋彩画) was applied between 1495 and 1498, rather than within a week as is typical of fresco (湿壁画) techniques. But the most damage was caused by restorers in the 19th century, whose use of alcohol and cotton wool removed an entire layer. Yet the work’s condition does little to lessen its astonishing beauty.

You may very well kick yourself if you miss it, so book in advance or sign up for a guided city tour. English-language guided tours (€3.50 on top of the regular ticket price) take place at 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday. Again, you’ll need to book ahead.

Details

Address: Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie, 2

Phone: 02 9280 0360

Website: https://www.cenacolovinciano.org

Hours: 8:15a. m. - 7 p.m., Tue-Sun

Price: adult €10， children €5 (children under 12 years accompanied by an adult are admitted free), plus booking fee €2.

1. What can be learned about The Last Supper?

A．It was finished in 1495.	B．It was hidden underground.
C．It was kept in bad repair.	D．It was damaged severely in 1999.

2. How much should an adult visitor with a kid under 12 years pay if he also wants a guided tour?

A．€3.5

B．€12

C．€13.5

D．€15.5

3. Where is this text most likely from?

A．A guidebook.	B．An announcement.
C．A news report.	D．An art show review.

9 . When it comes to Florida, most travelers think of its beautiful beaches. If you’re planning a trip to a beach in Florida with your kids, keep reading to find a lovely one.

St. Augustine Beach

This beach is one of the only beaches in the state where you can motor in certain places while enjoying the views. Along the beach, there are picnic areas, a sand volleyball court, and plenty of local restaurants to enjoy. St. Augustine Beach is extremely busy in spring and summer because of the nearby colleges on break, so be sure to get to the beach early for a good spot.

Fernandina Beach

Every year, thousands of people flood into the area during the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, where you can try shrimp (虾) cooked in as many ways as Bubba talks about in the film Forrest Gump. It’s also desirable for families to have a picnic and play games in Main Beach Park.

Cocoa Beach

Surf culture is a big part of the beach experience at Cocoa Beach. Every day, adults are out on the beach surfing together or watching their kids get lessons from the local instructors. There are various lessons such as wind-surfing and kiteboarding to choose from. If you want to get the skills quickly, you can sign up for private lessons. For even more fun, the Florida Surf Museum is close to the beach and worth visiting.

Fort Walton Beach

The beach is a fantastic spot for family vacations at any time of the year. Families are typically attracted by the green ocean with calm waters, white sand, and overall views of the beach. Besides the sun and surfing, the area has plenty to offer to families, like Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, where everyone is encouraged to interact with nature and animals by feeding turtles or meeting sea lions.

1. What’s special about St. Augustine Beach?

A．It hosts a yearly celebration event.

B．It is open only during warm seasons.

C．It offers free entry for college students.

D．It allows travelers to drive in some areas.

2. What do travelers have a chance to do at Fernandina Beach?

A．Watch open-air films.	B．Enjoy festive dishes.
C．Learn some water sports.	D．Do some volunteer work.

3. What can visitors do in the Cocoa Beach and Fort Walton Beach?

A．Go surfing.	B．Have lessons.
C．Feed animals.	D．Enjoy white sand.