1 . Here are some beautiful classic road-tripping routes in California.
Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)There are wonderful options including dramatic sea cliffs, sun-soaked surfing towns, playful harbor seals and the Golden Gate Bridge. You’d better avoid driving here in the spring and summer months, when the central and northern coastline can be socked in by fog and the rainy season can lead to landslides. Instead, September and October will yield the sunniest skies and some of the best weather as you spend a week checking this beauty off your bucket list.
Highway 49 (Hwy 49)That highway number is significant: It is in memory of the 49 people who came seeking for fortune in California’s original Gold Rush. Today the route winds through Gold Country towns such as Placerville and Nevada City, past ghostly Old West mines and Victorian buildings. Hwy 49 comes mighty close to Yosemite National Park (15 miles) and Lake Tahoe (75 miles), both of which are good places for family camping.
Route 66Enjoy your trip on America’s “Mother Road”, which brought Dust Bowl refugees, Holly-wood starlets and hippies to California. Drive slowly from the desert to the Pacific Ocean, pulling up alongside retro relics, sleeping in a tipi hotel and fueling up in neon-lit diners. Avenue of the Giants
The incredible 32-mile road at Humboldt Redwoods State Park is canopied by the world’s tallest trees. It’s one of the most justifiably celebrated drives in California. The best time is in the morning when sunlight glints off dew-drenched ferns. Among the majestic (壮观的) woods along the Avenue, there is an interesting four-sided hearth, designed by renowned architect Julia Morgan. Walking trails wind through all the woods for proper tree-hugging.
1. Why should we avoid driving on the PCH in spring and summer?A.It is too hot. | B.It can be windy. |
C.It may be dangerous. | D.It is too crowded. |
A.Pacific Coast Highway. | B.Highway 49. |
C.Route 66. | D.Avenue of the Giants. |
A.To make people hug trees easily. | B.To attract more people to camp there. |
C.To make visitors walk around randomly. | D.To help people plant trees more conveniently. |
2 . Great Places to Spend New Year’s Eve
These destinations around the world have a good reputation for traditionally spending a great New Year’s Eve.
Dubai
The famous architecture Burj Khalifa holds the record for its top height worldwide and people gather at the footsteps to welcome a new year with an amazing fireworks show. Not too far away, Burj Plaza is a little quieter and popular with families. Dubai is building a repu- tation as a major food destination, so you may wish to enjoy in restaurants. And if you have shopping in mind,check out Dubai Mall,one of the world’s largest.
Rio de Janeiro
The citizens of Rio de Janeiro know how to throw a good celebration. The main gathering at Copacabana Beach,which starts even before dark, traditionally features a variety of musical acts and fireworks. If you want to party in classic Rio style,pay a visit to Jobi Bar,a social custom in the city. Looking for a great view? Hang out to the Vista Chinesa, a small Chinese style tower sitting to provide a fantastic bird view.
Bangkok
Bangkok often tops the lists of Asia’s best nightlife cities. Catch an amazing fireworks show at ICONSIAM, a major shopping and entertainment destination along the Chao Phraya River. You may want to continue the celebration at one of Bangkok’s attractive bars such as Sky Beach Bangkok, the city’s highest bar. If you want to escape from crowds,bright lights and noise, get some calming down time at a temple,Wat Pho.
Cape Town
Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in Africa. New Year’s Eve fireworks make it more wonderful. If you’re in the mood for a party, Aztecthemed Alcazar will feature 10 hours of performances on three stages. If you’re looking for a place to dine, consider Pier, featuring a vegetarian menu. It’s on the Victoria& Alfred Waterfront, which is a great spot to catch the fireworks.
1. What is special about Burj Khalifa in Dubai?A.It is the highest building in the world. | B.It is famous for wonderful restaurants. |
C.It has fantastic musical performances. | D.It is a best-known place for shopping. |
A.Dubai Mall,Dubai. | B.Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro. |
C.Wat Pho, Bangkok, | D.Alcazar,Cape Town. |
A.Having a vegetarian diet. | B.Enjoying waterfront activities. |
C.Visiting Chinese style buildings. | D.Watching amazing fireworks shows. |
3 . Mickey Mouse welcomed visitors to his new home in China on June 16, 2016 as Disney opened its first theme park in the country.
The park, located in the city of Shanghai, opened with fireworks.
Joe Schott, president and general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort, said, “I can promise you that there is still so much left to be revealed, and I cannot wait to share it all with you in the months and years to come.”
Tens of thousands streamed into Shanghai Disneyland for its debut(问世), an event that was nearly two decades in the making. The $ 5.5 billion resort(度假胜地) covers 963 acres, but Disney has already begun expansion.
Company officials said they tried to reflect Chinese preferences in the new park.
“We didn’t build Disneyland in China, we built China’s Disneyland,” said Bob Iger, Disney’s chairman.
There’s a traditional Chinese tea house featuring local food. The Lion King performed in Mandarin for the first time, features the Monkey King and characters dressed in Chinese opera garb(服装)to appeal to an Asian audience.
In the castle, guests not only walk through, as they do in other Disney parks, they can also eat and shop. When it was discovered that Chinese people didn’t have a favourite Disney princess, the company decided that the castle would feature all the princesses. Parks in California and France are based on the Sleeping Beauty story.
“The visitors can learn the princesses over time, and this gives them an opportunity to have an introduction to all of the princess stories,” said executive producer Ali Rubinstein.
However, China’s Disneyland sometimes are not closely related to China. Disney’s only animated film based on a Chinese story, Mulan, which tells the tale of a Chinese warrior woman, got neither its own ride nor stage show. The character appears only as a statue and afloat in the parade.
1. What’s Joe Schott’s attitude to Shanghai Disney Resort?A.Disappointed. | B.Concerned. | C.Doubtful. | D.Confident. |
A.They build the theme park in China. |
B.The theme park belongs to China. |
C.The theme park has Chinese elements. |
D.The theme park has a long Chinese history. |
A.Chinese people have no certain favourite Disney princess. |
B.Chinese people don’t know any princess characters in Disney movies. |
C.Chinese people believe “the more, the better”. |
D.Parks in other countries are based on the Sleeping Beauty story. |
A.To show the Chinese character of Disneyland. |
B.To show Mulan is an important part of Chinese culture. |
C.To show China’s Disneyland has not reflected enough Chinese culture. |
D.To show Disneyland has too few Chinese character films. |