1 . Macao is only forty miles from Hong Kong and it is easy to reach. You can get there by sea. It is an interesting place and it had a long history. Macao is part of China and most people living there are Chinese.
The first Europeans to go to Macao came from Portugal. More than four hundred years ago the Portuguese went there to trade with China. Some settled and made their homes there. They built strong forts to guard the city and the harbor. They also built churches, schools, hospitals and other places. Slowly the city grew. People from many countries came to live and work in Macao.
Today many people visit Macao. Some only go there to watch dog-racing or motor-racing or to gamble with their money. But Macao is a quiet and peaceful place. It is pleasant just to walk around and look at old buildings and forts. You feel you are back in the old days. Of course, some of the buildings are now in ruins. The Church of St. Paul has only the front wall with many steps leading up to it. But it is still interesting to see.
When you are hot and tired, there are small cool gardens to rest in. When you are hungry, there are good restaurants with many kinds of food. Nearby there are some islands, which are also nice and are easy to get to. There is certainly a lot to do in Macao.
1. Why is Macao is easy to reach?A.It is an interesting place. |
B.It is very fast and cheap by sea. |
C.It is not far away from Hong Kong. |
D.It is part of China and most people there are Chinese. |
A.It is a peaceful place. |
B.Almost all of the buildings are now in ruins. |
C.You can watch dog-racing or motor-racing. |
D.You can go around to see the old buildings and forts. |
A.In good restaurants. | B.In small cool gardens. |
C.On some islands. | D.In beautiful parks. |
A.People in Macao serve good food. |
B.Portuguese were willing to do business in China. |
C.People from many countries came to live and work in Macao. |
D.Macao is a quiet and peaceful place with a lot to see and to do. |
2 . 13-Day Arnhem Land Adventure
Nhulunbuy-Darwin
From $12, 395 pp twin share (pp=per person)
Fully accommodated
Trip lasts from May to Sep. 2023
Call 1800:688 222
outbackspirittours. com. au
Discover an unknown land on this special adventure through the heart of Arnhem Land. Travelling from Nhulunbuy to Darwin, you’ll journey through areas that no other tour company can take you, and that few outsiders have ever seen. Along the way, stay in our network of luxurious safari camps (豪华的游猎营地) and wilderness houses, including the Seven Spirit Bay on the Cobourg Peninsula. As part of the adventure, you’ll also enjoy real cultural activities with indigenous (土著的) guides, learning about this place from those who know it best.
Most exciting parts of the adventure include:
·Spend 7 nights in our network of safari camps and houses
·Discover the Arafura Swamp, location for the film “Ten Canoes”
·View ancient rock art galleries and sail in wetlands at Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris, Mount Borradaile
·Enjoy a Welcome to Country performance at Yirrkala
·Explore a historic Victoria Settlement at Port Essington, Circa 1838
·Discover the waters of the Cobourg Marine Park Sanctuary
·Fish for barramundi & enjoy breathtaking sea adventures
1. What do we know about this trip?A.It starts at Arnhem Land. |
B.It will be organised for September first. |
C.It requires every visitor to spend at least $12,395. |
D.It asks people to pay additional money for their accommodation. |
A.Exploring Amhem Land deeply like other companies do. |
B.Experiencing local culture with indigenous guides. |
C.Travelling with experienced outsiders. |
D.Making camp in the wild. |
A.Having chances to cook fish alone. |
B.Visiting historical sites at Yirrkala. |
C.Spending nights at safari camps. |
D.Taking part in making a film. |
3 . The cost of living in countries like the US, Britain, Australia or France has skyrocketed in recent years. However, if you’re willing to leave your country and explore life in other areas, there are many countries boasting an extremely cheap and low cost of living. Check out the following countries when planning your next move.
Ecuador
Ecuador is similar to the United States in many ways, and as a result has become a popular American getaway. They even use the US Dollar for their currency. In this country, it’s cheaper to eat out every day than cook for yourself on a budget in the US. You can even buy a building for around $ 50, 000 and hire someone to look after it while you’re away.
Mexico
Although the country is known for its poverty ridden streets, there $are many wealthier areas that provide every facility you might need. You can live off a mere $ 700 to $ 800 a month in Mexico, and this includes rent for a nice place, facilities, food, and any sightseeing.
Argentina
Argentina has been a popular tourist destination for many years. It has great restaurants, a rich history, and many places to explore. Not to mention, it’s not very expensive to live here. A decent sized home can cost around $ 139, 000, which is relatively cheap in relation to homes in the United States.
Vietnam
Vietnam has also become a popular tourist destination in recent years. There are many million-dollar luxury homes by the beach, but you can find a modest flat or a small home for around $ 25,000 to $ 50,000 if you search in the right areas.
1. In which country is the US Dollar used for its currency?A.Argentina. | B.Mexico. |
C.Ecuador. | D.Vietnam. |
A.About $ 7,000. | B.About $ 8,000. |
C.About $ 8,800. | D.About $ 12,000. |
A.They have great restaurants. |
B.The cost of living is expensive. |
C.The middle-sized homes cost around $ 139,000. |
D.Tourists enjoy travelling in the two countries. |
4 . The Alice Springs Desert Park
If you can spend only one day to know Australian Outback, come to the Alice Springs Desert Park.
Free audio guide
On entering the gate, a staff will hand you your free audio guide (available in English, German and Japanese). All through the desert park you come across signs with numbers. You enter the number into your audio guide and press start. Listen to explanations about the habitat you are looking at, sounds of the animals that live here, stories from the early days told by local natives and so on
You can replay it if you don’t get it all. Just listen to what interests you, if and when you feel like it.
Shows and presentations
The most popular show is the “Birds of Hunting Show” in the Nature Theatre. In the little round theatre the birds are totally free in their natural environment. You have to remain seated during the show. The birds come right in, sometimes leaving only a couple of centimeters between their claws and your head. And they’ re fast!
The other presentations include native weapons use, tracking, or rare and endangered animals like mala, emu, and kangaroo. There being a huge variety, just pick what interests you and show up at the meeting point.
Food
There is a cafe, which offers a variety of yummy foods to the visitors, meat pies, beef and lamb include. Don’t leave the park without trying the widely popular Vegemite, a dark brown paste made from yeast extract.
Admission
The Park is open seven days a week from 7: 30 am to 6 pm (except Christmas Day). The entry fee is $ 20 for adults and $ 10 for children. Children under five are free and there is a discount for students and old people.
1. For what is each visitor to the park given an audio guide?A.To know more about the park. | B.To find right roads for sightseeing. |
C.To look for help when in trouble. | D.To keep them from animals’ attack. |
A.Playing kangaroos. | B.Caged animals. |
C.Hunting birds. | D.Native weapons. |
A.$30 | B.$20 | C.$40 | D.$10 |
5 . Most Famous Libraries in the World
Trinity College Library
Designed by Thomas Burgh, the library is the largest in Ireland. Construction on the Long Room, the library’s 65-meter-long main hall, began in 1712 and lasted 20 years. The original structure only had books on the lower level, but when the library’s shelves were filled in the 1850s, the ceiling was raised to accommodate even more books. Today the Long Room holds 200,000 of the library’s oldest books.
Stuttgart City Library
Opened in 2011, the German library is a splendid light-gray cube consisting of glass blocks designed by Eun Young Yi. Inside it, you’ll find an airy central room, above which sits a multi-story stepped reading room lined with bookshelves. The library towers over the nearby buildings.
Library of Parliament
Taking the form of a Victorian Gothic chapter house complete with 16 flying buttresses, the 1876 Library of Parliament is one of Canada’s prized architectural treasures — it’s on the ten-dollar bill. Architects Thomas Fuller and Chilion Jones took inspiration from the British Museum Reading Room for the structure, lining the central hall with delicate wood shelves and wood carvings.
Rampur Raza Library
Founded in the late 18th century, the Indian library is home to a massive collection of Islamic and Asian texts and objects. The pink structure that houses the collection today was built in 1904 by Nawab Hamid Ali Khan as a mansion of Indo-European style, The Rampur Raza Library was later shifted to this grand building in 1957.
1. Of the following libraries, which is the oldest?A.Trinity College Library. | B.Library of Parliament. |
C.Stuttgart City Library. | D.Rampur Raza Library. |
A.Eun Young Yi. | B.Thomas Burgh. |
C.Nawab Hamid Ali Khan. | D.Thomas Fuller and Chilion Jones. |
A.They house the rarest books. | B.They were unusually designed. |
C.They were expanded as needed. | D.They overlook surrounding buildings. |