1 . Welcome to Olympic National Park!
The park is located in the Western state of Washington. The park covers more than 400,000 hectares. It has several different ecosystems. Each area of the park offers visitors something special.
Elwha Valley
The Elwha Valley is in the central part of the park. It is the Olympic Peninsula’s largest watershed. A watershed is an area of land that separates waters that flow into different rivers or seas. The rivers in this area hold the most salmon (鲑鱼) outside of Alaska and is home to bears, eagles, and the Klallam Native Americans.
Hoh River Valley
The Hoh River is on the west side of the park. The river is formed from melted glacial ice on top of Mount Olympus. The river is 80 kilometers long. It flows into the Pacific Ocean. Because of the amount of rain, many different types of plants grow in the Hoh rainforest, from mosses and ferns to huge Sitka spruce trees. The Hoh River Valley is protected from any logging (伐术) or development.
Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane Ridge is a mountain area in the northern part of the park. It is easy to enter, and provides incredible views of the Olympic Mountains. The ridge has many hiking paths. In winter, people come here to ski. They also come here to take part in other fun winter activities, like sledding and snowboarding.
The Coast
The westernmost part of the park is Pacific coastline. Olympic National Park has many breathtaking beaches. Kalaloch Beach is known for its white sand. It also has three national wildlife reserves, which protect the area’s bird and fish species. The coastline areas offer hiking and camping. They are some of the most popular places in the park.
1. What is Elwha Valley special for?| A．White sand. | B．Plentiful salmon. |
| C．Various plants. | D．Wildlife reserves. |
| A．Both provide hiking areas. | B．Both offer winter activities. |
| C．Both have rare animals. | D．Both feature incredible beaches. |
| A．A news report. | B．A fashion magazine. |
| C．A tourism website. | D．An academic paper. |
2 . This year's Autumn Show promises both beautiful gardening plant displays and outstanding produce. Garden inspiration for both expert and occasional gardener will feature in abundance. Visitors to the show can also enjoy Newby Hall's award winning gardens, great garden shopping, and impressive plant art equipment within Newby Hall.
Dates: 15-17(Friday-Sunday)September 2023
Location: Newby Hall, Ripon, North Yorkshire
Explore the local area
For those wishing to explore the many attractions of North Yorkshire over a longer period, why not stay local to the show?
A wide range of accommodation is available throughout the area. Harrogate, Boroughbridge and Ripon are all within easy driving distance to the event, offering hotels, B&B's, and campsites.
Newby Hall itself will be offering camping for visitors during the show, located in the heart of this area.
Public Transport
Bus:
The event is located close to the city of Ripon, which is serviced by the No. 36 bus, running directly between Leeds, Harrogate and Ripon.(Please note, No.36 does not run on weekends.)
There are also regular buses on the No.22 service from York.(Please note, No.22 does not run on Sundays.)
There will also be a direct shuttle bus offering visitors direct transportation from Harrogate Bus Station to the show itself.
Train:
The closest train station to Newby Hall is in Harrogate which has good connections with many major national network routes.(Please note, the train to Newby Hall does not run on Sundays.)
To find out more information about the show and book, click here.
1. What can visitors do in the local area?| A．Stay in free hotels. | B．Explore various attractions. |
| C．Camp in distant places. | D．Enter gardening competitions. |
| A．On a No.36 bus. | B．On a No.22 bus. |
| C．On a direct shuttle bus. | D．On a train to Newby Hall. |
| A．A textbook. | B．A website. |
| C．A travel plan. | D．An art magazine. |
3 . The World’s Most Amazing Caves
Humans have been drawn to caves for thousands of years. Here are four of the world’s biggest caves.
Son Doong Cave, Vietnam
Son Doong Cave in the remote(偏远的)forests of Vietnam holds the title of the largest cave in the world. Son Doong is a spreading network of tunnels and caves, the largest of which could contain an entire New York City block with 40-story buildings. Parts of the cave’s top have fallen down，creating vast skylights that allow life to grow to a height of hundreds of feet beneath the forest floor.
Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, the United States
Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is the longest cave system in the world, with 426 miles explored—and scientists guess another 600 miles have yet to be discovered based on measurements of air movement within the caves. Mammoth Cave has drawn visitors since the 1800s, and 10 miles of underground passages are accessible to tourists today.
Sac Actun. Mexico
The longest underwater cave system in the world, Sac Actun winds(蜿蜒)more than 215 miles under Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Adventurers can take a drop in the Sac Actun system through more than 248 cenotes(天然井)—the natural swimming pools that form when sinkholes connect the surface to the underwater caves.
Veryovkina Cave, Abkhazia, Georgia
Veryovkina Cave is the deepest cave in the world, spreading 1.4 miles beneath the surface. It takes professionals a week to make a round journey to Veryovkina Cave, They have to brave waterfalls, tight presses and sharp drops. But the payoff is excellent—Veryovkina
Cave’s end is a beautiful blue lake about 50 feet long and 25 feet wide surrounded by black black rocks.
1. What is special about Son Doong Cave?| A．It lies far away from the forests. | B．It has some tall plants growing. |
| C．It is the longest cave in Vietnam. | D．It is the highest cave in the world. |
| A．They end up with beautiful lakes. | B．They attract few adventurers. |
| C．They stay unexplored at present. | D．They have long cave systems. |
| A．Half a week. | B．Two weeks. |
| C．One week. | D．Over two weeks. |
4 . Situated in the east of Shaanxi Province, 120 kilometers away from Xi’an, Mount Hua is the highest of China’s five great mountains. And it’s well-known as the most dangerous mountain in China. Having made reservations at a simple hotel on the West Peak ahead of time, my brother and I determined to spend a night in the mountain last week.
We went through the east entrance. Our plan was to climb, on foot and with hands, up to the West Peak, then take the cable car (缆车) down the next day.
We started the climb in the early afternoon. The path consists of many stone steps with rough chain link handrails (扶手) in the narrowest and steepest areas. Physically, it is more like climbing the narrow steps of a skyscraper than trails. The most dangerous 100-metre-long path is called “Plank Road in the Sky”. We had never seen that steep cliff. Most climbers were frightened to tremble. Holding the chains tightly, we didn’t dare to look downward, and had a very difficult time in inching that distance carefully.
Tired but excited, we reached the West Peak before 6 p.m. and rested at the hotel. After dinner, we spent some time talking with our guides, and picked up some interesting local stories. That night we watched the sky become spectacular with thousands of stars. This was the clearest sky that we had seen in our lives. The fresh air at Mount Hua was a treat!
Next my brother and I made sleep a priority. We did happen to wake up a bit before sunrise. At about 5, an incredibly splendid rising sun unfolded before our eyes. That scene, as well as the terrifying climbing, did leave an everlasting impression on us.
1. Where did the writer sleep that night?| A．At a luxury hotel in Xi’an. | B．In a small tent under the stars. |
| C．At a hotel on the West Peak. | D．On the mountainside Mount Hua. |
| A．Moving slowly. | B．Lying quietly. |
| C．Shaking violently. | D．Walking swiftly. |
| A．They watched the sky and observed stars. |
| B．They made friends with some local tourists. |
| C．They had a hard time climbing Mount Hua. |
| D．They enjoyed themselves having a good rest. |
| A．Different but relaxing. | B．Depressing and tiring. |
| C．Difficult but impressive. | D．Familiar and comfortable. |
5 . Shlagel Farms || Waldorf, MD
Less than 20 miles from DC, Shlagel Farms is one of the most popular pick-your-own (PYO) strawberry places in the area, their season beginning in early June. While there, you can also pick up something to cook for dinner — Shlagel also offers farm-raised beef, pork, and chicken! It’s open for PYO from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. seven days a week.
Wegmeyer Farms || Loudoun County, VA
With three locations in Northern Virginia, Wegmeyer offers varying strawberry picking experiences as the settings differ at each. The PYO season will begin at all three locations in May. Check the website for updates, hours, and directions. Picking reservations can be made through the website the night before.
Mackintosh Fruit Farm || Berryville, VA
The family-owned farm in the Shenandoah Valley will be open to the public in late May with access to their strawberry fields, then blueberries, peaches, and apples. Plan on lunch while you’re there — along with fruits and vegetables, the farm also offers a variety of menu items prepared fresh every day from their own produce. Hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
Larriland Farm || Woodbine, MD
About an hour’s drive from DC in Howard County, Larriland Farm always gets great reviews for both its produce and beauty. The PYO season is expected to start with strawberries in late May/early June this year followed by its full range of berries soon after, from June-October, too. Apple picking usually begins in late August. Summer hours are Tuesday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday to Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
1. How does Shlagel Farms differ from Wegmeyer Farms?| A．It is open earlier in summer. |
| B．It provides a full range of fruits for pickers. |
| C．It requires reservations. |
| D．It has animal produce available for sale. |
| A．Shlagel Farms. | B．Wegmeyer Farms. |
| C．Mackintosh Fruit Farm. | D．Larriland Farm. |
| A．8 a.m.-6 p.m. | B．9 a.m.-5 p.m. |
| C．9 a.m.-6 p.m. | D．9 a.m.-8 p.m. |
After cycling 2,000 kilometers in 18 days, Lan Huiyun and his 13 students finally reached their destination — Qinghai Lake in Qinghai province on August 17.
Lan, 35,
In early May, Lan began to plan a bicycle route
It was not the first time that Lan
7 . Are you looking for some good places for you and your four-leg friend? Here are some for you.
Tahmoor Gorge (峡谷)
The number and quality of swimming holes in this valley immediately take us back to some of our favourite places in Kakadu national park. The only difference here is that you don’t need a four-wheel drive, so the best way togo to the gorge is walking. This pet-friendly walk follows the Bargo River through an open gorge that gradually drops to a deep gorge. It is a popular place for locals on weekends. The further you run into the gorge, the less people there are.
Sirius Cove, Mosman
Sirius Cove is one of many quietly beautiful places along the Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach walking trail (路线). The deep, U-shaped bay, with a large grassy area, is popular with picnicking families and their dogs.
Kutti Beach, Vaucluse
We heard about it from a friend, but it is so hidden that it is not easy to find the entrance. Follow Wharf Road until it dead ends at the Vaucluse Amateur Sailing Club. Go right up to the building and look left. There is a very narrow set of stairs leading to the beach. Go down the steps and open the gate at the bottom. Follow the narrow road along the wall to the sand. The best bit? It’s dog-friendly.
MacKenzies Beach, Tamarama
From whale watching hot place MacKenzies Point, follow the sloped (斜的) road to MacKenzies Beach, a dog-friendly, short-time beach that only appears every couple of years when the right combination (结合) of wind and sand on the normal rocky reef. They say you aren’t a local until you’ve seen sand at MacKenzies.
1. What do we know about Tahmoor Gorge?| A．It’s a must to drive there. |
| B．It’s a popular place on weekdays. |
| C．It’s a good way to go there on foot. |
| D．It’s a popular place for foreign visitors. |
| A．Tahmoor Gorge. | B．Kutti Beach, Vaucluse. |
| C．Sirius Cove, Mosman. | D．MacKenzies Beach, Tamarama. |
| A．They are beside the sea. |
| B．They are dog-friendly. |
| C．They are places where whales are seen. |
| D．They are open to the public only on weekends. |
8 . The second-largest city in Switzerland after Zurich, Geneva has a good position on the south-western end of Lake Geneva, in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Visitors to Geneva will find a clean and elegant city. Here are some best things to do in Geneva.
Catch the Spray from the Jet d’Eau
Installed in 1886 to control the outflow of water from a nearby power station, the Jet d’Eau (water jet) soon became a symbol of the city of Geneva. It shoots water nearly 140 meters into the air and is one of the tallest fountains in the world. Unless winds are too strong, the Jet d’Eau runs every day and is illuminated (照亮) at night.
Tour the Palais des Nations
Constructed in the 1930s as the headquarters of the short-lived League of Nations, the Palais des Nations (Palace of Nations) is a major tourist attraction. Visitors are free to wander it or may jump in on an hour-long guided tour of several of the buildings.
Take a Break at the Jardin Anglais & the Flower Clock
All roads in Geneva seem to lead to the Jardin Anglais a small, prettily planted lakefront (湖边平地) garden in the center of Geneva. Crowds gather here for the flower clock, an oversized timepiece with seasonal flowers. Plenty of sitting areas, mature shade trees, and a central fountain make this a relaxing place to take a break from sightseeing.
Stroll (漫步) along the Lakefront and Riverside
The Jardin Anglais is just one of several places to admire the lake and the Jet d Eau. The entire lakefront is fit for strolling. There are 6 miles of footpaths and bike paths along the entire lakefront. Swans pass by during the day, and at night, the riverside and surrounding buildings are romantically lit.
1. Why did people build the Jet d’Eau?| A．To recycle water for a nearby power station. |
| B．To make it the tallest fountain in the world. |
| C．To control the outflow of water from a power station. |
| D．To make it a symbol of the city of Geneva. |
| A．Planting some flowers in the garden. | B．Going sightseeing for the flower clock. |
| C．Practicing their French in the garden. | D．Buying cheap seasonal flowers. |
| A．They have beautiful lights at night. | B．They have inviting fountains. |
| C．They have swans in the lake. | D．They have paths for bicycles. |
9 . Asia is the birthplace of the world’s three ancient civilizations: ancient China, ancient India and Babylon. Each gave the world different architectural styles and global landmarks.
The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is an ancient defense project with the longest construction time and the largest workload put into a landmark, stretching out to a total length of more than 50,000 kilometers. Only when you have been to the Great Wall and witnessed its majesty can you truly say you have visited China.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The Angkor Wat in Cambodia is one of the largest religious monuments in the world, built on a site measuring 162.6 hectares. It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yasodharapura, the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state temple and eventual mausoleum.
Taj Mahal, India
The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the river Yamuna in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1632 by Mughal emperor Shah to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage“.
The Borobudur, Indonesia
The Borobudur is a ninth-century Mahayana Buddhist temple in Magelang Regency, not far from the town of Muntilan, in Central Java, Indonesia. It is the world’s largest Buddhist temple. Evidence suggests that Borobudur was constructed in the ninth century.
1. Which of the following was built to protect its country?| A．Angkor Wat. | B．Taj Mahal. | C．The Borobudur. | D．The Great Wall. |
| A．It was built near a river. |
| B．It was a mausoleum for Shah. |
| C．It was completed in 1632. |
| D．It was the jewel of Buddhist art. |
| A．Culture. | B．Education. | C．Politics. | D．Entertainment. |
10 . As a newly-added Olympic sport, surfing is attracting more attention than ever before. Here are the top surfing destinations across America.
Delaware
Coastal Delaware offers plenty of fun waves along the shore of several cute towns. Due to the waves crashing close to the shore, Dewey beach is also a global skim boarding hotspot and happens to be the east coast capital for the sport. So planning a visit and joining in the popular Summer Vibes Festival for some beach fun every August can be your best choice.
Atlantic City, New Jersey
When world-famous surfer and Olympic Gold medalist Duke Kahanamoku, often referred to as "the father of surfing," visited the mainland United States in the early 1900s, he rode his longboard off the coast of Atlantic City. The beaches here are wide and beautiful-and locals catch waves year-round（especially during the winter）.
The Rockaways, New York
Located a short distance from Manhattan, the Rockaways attracts new and experienced surfers from across the globe. Be sure to come in winter with a wet suit or you can rent one, while summer brings much warmer water temperatures. Afterwards, explore the town as there are lots of cafes, boutiques, and restaurants steps from the sand.
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Situated about 45 minutes from Orlando, Cocoa Beach is a renowned surf town that's home to two of the world's best surfers（Caroline Marks and Kelly Slater）and a favorite for surfers of all levels. This family-friendly town has lots of activities for everyone. When you're not in the water, you can walk on the famous Cocoa Beach Pier or explore the Historic Cocoa Village and its shops, cafes, and galleries.
1. What is the best time for surfers to enjoy beach fun in Delaware?| A．January. | B．October. | C．August. | D．December. |
| A．Wear a wet suit. | B．Surf with Caroline Marks. |
| C．Join in the Summer Vibes Festival. | D．Ride with the Olympic Gold medalist. |
| A．In Delaware. | B．In New Jersey. |
| C．In New York. | D．In Florida. |
