1 . You should see the photo. I’m sitting in red dirt, wearing an ugly purple T-shirt. My face is pink and my hair is wet with sweat. Flies buzz around my head. I’m in the Outback of Australia’s Northwest Territory, on a school trip with 20 parents and 20 kids.
It was an odd choice for a holiday. I like sitting by the pool with a cola, not flies and frogs. I like being alone and quiet, not a busload of kids. I like freshly washed sheets, not dirty-looking blankets.
But here’s the thing about that photo: I am smiling!
The trip sounded good when I signed up. Guides would take us into the heart of the place, and I would see a new part of Australia, learn about local culture and bond with my youngest daughter. I would also bond with 40 strangers. I just hoped there would be good coffee.
In Darwin, we were herded onto a bus. It quickly became tiresome. The kids were loud and I hate making small talk. But later, when I looked out at the vast, empty land, I was surprised at and moved by its beauty. Our guide told us about the land and his culture. I felt far from home.
At a national park, we enjoyed a natural swimming hole. Kids and parents had a great time.
Then we got to the outback. The cabin I shared with my daughter was a brick cell, full of geckos (壁虎) and crickets (蟋蟀), but too dark to see them.
It didn’t matter. The next nine days were packed: waterfalls, lakes, community visits and a trip around Katharine Gorge. We even saw giant crocodiles and baby wallabies.
On our last night, a water pipe broke. We awoke to a mess. Usually, I would have complained and asked for a refund, but it just seemed normal to be dirty.
Indeed, it was impossible to stay clean. We were hiking in red dirt, with temperatures of 35 degrees. Still, I felt a kind of energy I hadn’t experienced in years.
Yes, the coffee was bad, but I was too focused on keeping crickets off my face.
I love that photo of me in the dirt. I look messy, but also happy. Sometimes, it’s another way of traveling. There is beautiful scenery, there is dirt. There was always someone to talk to, someone to laugh with.
1. What were the author’s previous trips like, according to the article?| A．Cheap. |
| B．Adventurous. |
| C．Peaceful and comfortable. |
| D．Packed with outdoor activities. |
| A．Their journey was relaxing without too much sightseeing. |
| B．Their living conditions were fairly poor during the trip. |
| C．The scenery on the trip disappointed them. |
| D．The parents seemed to enjoy themselves more than the children. |
| A．Impatient. | B．Positive. |
| C．Disappointed. | D．Exhausted. |
| A．To warn readers to choose their trips wisely. |
| B．To share the benefits of traveling with children. |
| C．To tell about her latest trip and explain what she learned from it. |
| D．To show the advantages of going to different places. |
| A．John. | B．David. | C．Craig. |
3 . No matter what your holiday wish is, you’ll find a home here in the Charleston area.
The Spectator Hotel — Holiday Cheers with Spectator Spirit
Toast to the good life at The Spectator Hotel, a favorite place during the holidays. All things are festive and bright this season. Enjoy a holiday cocktail carefully made by our award-winning mixologist (调酒师), a nightly $10 credit (积分) to The Bar, and a his & hers set from Brackish — one Gatsby bow tie and one pair of Delores Stud Earrings.
The Restoration Hotel — Spread Cheer Christmas Tree Package
The Spread Holiday Cheer Package includes a decorated tree in room along with a souvenir, Charleston book and holiday cookies. Dreidels, menorahs, and other items are available upon request.
Wild Dunes Resort — Sleigh (滑雪橇) the Holidays
Sleigh the holiday season with a getaway to Wild Dunes Resort! Make your Charleston holiday memorable with our exclusive offer (独家优惠), a fantastic getaway to Charleston’s island resort and receive the following inclusions: accommodations for two nights, two seasonal welcome cocktails at Coastal Provisions, Oyster Catcher, or Sippin’ Santa (only available in December), and $50 resort credit.
The Tides at Folly Beach — Light Up the Holidays
Unwrap the gift of pure holiday magic with our Light Up the Holidays package. Embrace the spirit of the season as you experience the charming Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park, a beloved annual tradition. Sip and enjoy the delights of the holidays with two insulated tumblers (水杯) perfect for enjoying steaming hot chocolate on cold nights. Our thoughtful package also includes a souvenir and a sweet treat, filling your getaway with memories to cherish.
1. What is served in both The Spectator Hotel and Wild Dunes Resort?| A．Earrings. | B．Cookies. | C．Cocktails. | D．Chocolate. |
| A．The Spectator Hotel. | B．The Restoration Hotel. |
| C．Wild Dunes Resort. | D．The Tides at Folly Beach. |
| A．Yearly. | B．Weekly. | C．Monthly | D．Daily. |
| A．A storybook. | B．A travel guide. |
| C．A health magazine. | D．A sports website. |
1. What might the speakers do in Warsaw?
| A．Co hiking. | B．Visit a museum. | C．See a baseball game. |
| A．For a week. | B．For five days. | C．For three days. |
5 . There are many amazing trails (路线) around the world that allow us to get close to nature. We will introduce four of the best hiking trails in the world here.
The Inca Trail, Peru
The Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu is considered one of the greatest hikes in South America. The Inca Trail is a guided three-day trip in Peru. The views of snowy mountain tops, great rivers, and cloud forests there are unforgettable. It also offers a chance to learn the rich history of the Inca empire in Peru.
The Dingle Way, Ireland
If you want to experience the beauty of Ireland, the Dingle Way trail is a great choice.
This trail can be completed in about eight days. Starting in the town of Tralee, the path follows narrow roads and offers great views of Inch Strand, a beautiful sandy beach.
Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
It is known for its wide variety of creatures, which will make you have the chance to see the unique birds, bats and bears up close with a six-day hike. The high cloud forest with amazing plants is the perfect place to explore the trail. It has a series of well-marked paths that are great for an easy walk.
Armenia & the Silk Road
Armenia is known for its beautiful natural landscapes, and the best way to explore them is on foot. The Armenia & the Silk Road trip is an eleven-day adventure that takes you through some of the country's most beautiful routes.
1. What can people experience along the Inca Trail?| A．Great views and rich history. |
| B．Narrow roads and a sandy beach. |
| C．Well-marked paths and an easy walk. |
| D．Various creatures and the high cloud forest. |
| A．Different clouds. | B．A pine forest. |
| C．Well-designed paths. | D．Attractive animals and plants. |
| A．The Inca Trail. | B．Armenia & the Silk Road. |
| C．The Dingle Way. | D．Monteverde Cloud Forest. |
6 . Places for the Weekend
◆The Whizz Sports Centre runs different activities each weekend. If you want a taste of something you have never tried before, come along on Saturday at 10 am and try out a spot of rock climbing on our5-metre high rock wall. Great instructors and safety equipment were supplied at a low cost. You will find us two blocks south of West Metro Station.
◆The Eldon Centre is in the city centre and offers cinemas and theatres. An arts cinema shows a variety of alternative foreign movies at weekends. The centre has fast food restaurants, but there are a few interesting ones down the road, the most notable being Carlucci's, serving great homemade Italian pasta(意大利面食) at reasonable prices, and Fungi, again Italian, but a bit expensive. Only two minutes from the nearest metro line.
◆Low cost fun for all the family! Treehouse Adventure Park offers amazing laughs at amazing prices. Everything from white-water rafting (急流漂筏运动) to water sliders! There's pony(矮马) riding and a farm for kids. If it's a nice day, you can have a picnic or go to the snack bar in the Jungle Park. The only drawback is that you need your own transport as it's five miles from the centre.
◆Have a great day at Greenhills Adventure Park, for those who are not scared of heights and speed. Go on the wheel or try bungee jumping! Well organized, great prices for groups over four people. The added bonus is an on-site fast food restaurant with a great variety of tasty foods. An hourly bus runs from the city centre.
1. What can visitors do in the Whizz Sports Centre?| A．Go rock climbing. | B．Try bungee jumping. |
| C．Get free instruction service. | D．Enjoy foreign sports movies. |
| A．It has a display of foreign foods. |
| B．People can go there by public transport. |
| C．It only shows foreign movies about arts. |
| D．People can enjoy the Italian Fungi at a low price there. |
| A．It doesn't provide activities for children. |
| B．It doesn't have interesting food restaurants. |
| C．It is not a suitable place for a picnic. |
| D．It is not convenient to go there by public transport. |
| A．The Whizz Sports Centre. | B．The Eldon Centre. |
| C．Greenhills Adventure Park. | D．Treehouse Adventure Park. |
7 . New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and other big cities are exciting places 10 live in. There are many interesting things to see and to do. You can go to different kinds of museums, plays and films.
But there are serious problems in big cities too. The cost of living is high, and there are too many people in some of big cities. Every year many people move to the cities because there are some chances to find jobs, to study at good schools, and to receive good medical care.
Some people enjoy living in big cities.
| A．Others do not. |
| B．Others can enjoy a high-quality life in big cities. |
| C．You can also go shopping to buy things from all over the world. |
| D．But sometimes these people cannot find work or a good place to live in. |
8 . Tours in Guizhou Province
Huangguoshu Waterfall Tour
Running: May 1st through November 10th
This tour transports you to one of Guizhou Province's most fantastic attractions, the largest waterfall in China? Here you can enjoy the magnificent waterfall and large cave landscape. Then we will take you to have a free taste of local food.
Departing from Guiyang: 7:30 am and 8:30 am
Duration (时长):7 hours
Price: 250 yuan
Xijiang Thousand Households Miao Village Tour
Running: April 6th through October 23nd
This attractive tour takes you to the most special Miao village scenes of Guizhou. Enjoy the unique multi-stories turret 角楼)as you go through the traditional wooden houses town. Elegant Miao dresses are provided for you to lake beautiful photos, and you can participate in their festivities if you are lucky enough.
Departing from Guiyang: 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm
Duration: 1.5 days
Advance preservations required.
Qianling Mountain Park Tour
Running: March 1st through December 30th
This tour goes through the whole mountain on its way to Hongfu Temple which is quite famous in the southern pan of China. Here you can enjoy the history) of the famous temple and the delicious vegetarian food (素食)offered.
Departing from the hotel: 8:00 am and 9:00 am.
Duration: 3 hours
Price: 40 yuan
Site of the Zunyi Conference Tour
Running: January 10th through December 31st
Join us for a history tour of China through the historical district. Enjoy the special design and construction of the site as you get into the historical spirit of the conference.
Departing from Guiyang: 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm
Duration: 2 hours
Price: Available upon request
1. Which tour do you need to book in advance?| A．Huangguoshu Waterfall Tour. |
| B．Qianling Mountain Park Tour. |
| C．Site of the Zunyi Conference Tour. |
| D．Xijiang Thousand Households Miao Village Tour. |
| A．Learn about Chinese history. | B．Enjoy the beautiful site. |
| C．Attend the important meeting. | D．Join in the special design. |
| A．A science magazine. | B．A travel journal. |
| C．A teacher's handbook. | D．A personal diary. |
9 . Bangkok Destination Guide
Travel in Bangkok is often described as a whirlwind—it’s hot, chaotic, crowded, and full of exotic energy. This popular tourism destination is a city of extremes with majestic temples, floating markets, romantic rooftop restaurants, and a wide range of accommodations to suit every budget. Read through our brief guide to learn about this exciting city and begin planning your journey.
| Peak (高峰) Season | Population | Language(s) | Currency | January Climate | July Climate |
| November to February | 8,280,925 | Thai | Thai Baht | Average high 33.2℃ | Average high 33.2℃ |
Bangkok is sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the East” because of its network of canals, so take a boat tour to see sights like the Khmer wats (僧院) and the riverside houses. While exploring the city, you’ll definitely want to sample some of the street food options—often fresher and more unique than in the surrounding restaurants! To get a dose of Thai culture, visit the Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, Wat Parkeaw, and Wat Pho.
TransportationThere are two airport that serve Bankok, Suvamabhmi Airport and Don Muang Airport, and both are located about 30 kilometers from city centre. Most travelers who fly into Suvarnabhumi take the airport rail link to get downtown. The most important train station is the Hua Lamphong Station, and railway lines extend in all directions. It’s not a good idea to travel around Bankok by car since traffic is very congested.
Recommended RestaurantsFood is a big deal in Thailand. and there are plenty of cheap eats, high-end restaurants, and street food delights to keep your taste buds satisfied every meal.
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Location | Price | Notices |
| Lung Yai | Isaan | Din Daeng | Budget | Off the beaten path and never touristy |
| Issaya Siamese Club | Thai | 4 Soi Sri Aksorn, Chuaphloeng Rd. | Pricey | Order a mix of chef recommendations to try something new |
| Bankara Ramen | Japanese | 32/1 Sukhumvit Soi 39 | Budget | Try the signature ramen with chashu |
| A．March. | B．July. |
| C．October. | D．December. |
| A．Venice’s. | B．Bangkok’s. |
| C．Khmer’s. | D．Thai. |
| A．It’s easy to get to the city center. |
| B．It’s easy to reach he railway station. |
| C．It’s easy to meet traffic jam. |
| D．It’s easy to go all directions. |
| A．In Din Daeng. |
| B．In Issaya Siamese Club. |
| C．In Lung Yai. |
| D．In Bankara Ramen Restaurant. |
10 . Built from 2011, Shanghai Disney Resort is the sixth Disneyland park in the world, and the first one on the Chinese mainland. Like other Disneyland parks, the one in Shanghai will have classic Disney characters and stories. But it will also have new attractions designed for Chinese people. It is open to the public now in 2016.
Enchanted Storybook Castle
Located at the heart of the theme park, the Enchanted Storybook Castle will be the tallest and largest Disney castle yet. Inside the castle, there are spaces for entertainment, dining and performance. There you can meet all the Disney princesses.
Treasure Cove
This is the first pirates-themed land in a Disney park. The land will have a major attraction, which is a high-technology boat ride attraction. The attraction will bring visitors along a pirate adventure. Are you ready to jump on the boat?
Garden of the Twelve Friends
In almost every other Disneyland park around the world, there is a “Main Street, USA” at the entrance. But Shanghai Disneyland park is the first without that attraction. Instead, it has the Garden of the Twelve Friends. Each friend stands for one of the 12 animal signs using popular Disney characters.
Toy Story Hotel
Living experience is also fun inside the park. Toy Story Hotel features the characters of the film Toy Story. There are about 800 rooms for visitors to stay in. In the restaurant of the hotel, you may even see the characters walking around and take photos with them.
1. How many Disneyland parks can people visit in the world now?| A．4 | B．5 | C．6 | D．7 |
| A．Enchanted Storybook Castle. | B．Garden of the Twelve Friends. |
| C．Treasure Cove. | D．Toy Story Hotel. |
| A．You can experience the pirates-themed activities. |
| B．You can see the characters of the film Toy Story. |
| C．You can enjoy entertainment, dining and performance. |
| D．You can meet twelve friends standing for the twelve animals. |
