2 . Here, our selection of Britain’s strangest museums has something for everyone.

Glasgow Riverside Transport Museum

The museum houses steam engines, motorbikes, Glasgow buses and just about anything else that has a set of wheels, wrings or sails. One of the last tall ships in existence is moored (停泊) outside, and you can take a boat there from Govan. For those not in love with transport, there’s a copy of a 19th-century Glasgow street with traditional shops and an old subway station.

Entrance is free and for children of all ages.

The Natural History Museum, Hertfordshire

The Victorians were mad about collecting, and this is essentially the personal collection of just one home-educated boy, which began when he was 5 years old. But as a member of the Rothschild family, Walter took 40 years to do it. There’s just about every stuffed animal you could ever imagine, and quite a few you couldn’t: a polar bear; George, a mandrill (山魈) from London Zoo and a four-ton elephant seal.

Entrance is free.

The Pencil Museum1, Cumbria

It is a museum all about the history of the everyday pencil. There are free daily artists’ demonstrations and workshops, so you can enter from one end of the museum and go out with a drawing from another end. The lovely Lake District location adds to the experience and the wonderful shop is especially enjoyable for stationery (文具) lovers.

Entrance: adults £8, children £6.

The Time Machine Museum of Science Fiction, Hertfordshire

This is the result of 30 years of crazy collecting by Andy Glazzard. There are artworks from sci-fi classics, but most of the museum artworks center on Doctor Who.

Entrance: adults £4.25, children f3.25.

1. What can visitors see in Glasgow Riverside Transport Museum?

A．Stuffed animals.	B．Various vehicles.
C．Old bus stations.	D．Some modern shops.

2. How much would a couple with two children pay for admission to The Pencil Museum?

A．£14

B．£20

C．£28

D．£32

3. Where is this text probably taken from?

A．A news report.	B．A science fiction.
C．A history textbook.	D．A travel guidebook.

3 . Do you like traveling? Many people choose backpacking (背着背包徒步旅行) because it not only helps save a lot of money, but also gives them another kind of experience. When you are planning a backpacking adventure, the first thing to do in your opinion may be the decision on the places where you will visit. However, it is not the most important thing. Great adventures will make you face great danger. So you should not only imagine the enjoyment you will have on the trip, but also think about the possible danger you might face.

Making travel insurance (保险) is the most staple. It can make sure that you stay safe on the trip. So you should buy a backpacker travel insurance policy (保险单) before you leave. Backpacker policies are specially designed to meet your needs, by offering a high level of cover for a long time of travel. You can buy a backpacker policy from one week to two years or longer time. The backpacker insurance policy covers many activities such as swim and ski, and provides protection for these activities. So buying a backpacker travel insurance policy is very important.

It is a good idea to compare a few insurance companies before you make a decision. You should always carefully check the backpacker policy and make sure the activities you want to do are all covered by the policy.

1. The passage can interest the man who ________.

A．plans to go for a backpacking.

B．runs a company selling sports clothes.

C．wants to become a tour guide in the future.

D．is too busy to have a few days off.

2. The underlined word “staple” in the second paragraph may mean “________”.

A．very reasonable.

B．very difficult.

C．very important.

D．very interesting.

3. What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Backpacking insurance policies may cover sports protection.

B．We should find a good tour guide when backpacking.

C．We should take part in some activities such as swim and ski.

D．A lot of people want to spend some time backpacking.

4. What is the author’s attitude towards backpacking insurance?

A．Negative.

B．Positive.

C．Indifferent.

D．Objective.

4 . With so many options for short, beautiful walks in Queenstown, you are truly spoiled for choice. Here’s a list of local picks that will help you discover the best walks around Queenstown, a walkers’ paradise, for every age and ability.

Tiki Trail

For one of the best views of Queenstown and a decent workout, climb the Tiki Trail up to the Skyline Gondola building. Starting at the base of the Gondola, the Tiki Trail winds its way steeply through trees towards the lookout at the top.

Choose to hike back to Queenstown. Or if the climb has gotten the better of you, sit back, relax and catch a ride in the Skyline Gondola.

Queenstown Gardens

The Queenstown Gardens Trail is a wheelchair-accessible trail just a few minutes from central Queenstown. The flat, easy track has spectacular views of Lake Whakatipu, Cecil Peak, and Walter Peak and the manicured gardens are beautiful year-round.

You could spend hours here exploring the rose gardens or playing disc golf. If you’re tight on time, the loop around the shore of Lake Whakatipu takes less than an hour to complete.

Arrow River Trail

Starting in historic Arrowtown, a walk along the Arrow River Trail is a must-do for any visitor to Queenstown.

The track will have you filling your camera memory, especially in autumn due to the explosion of colours on the trees. From here, you can cross the bridge and walk back along the riverside or go back the way you came. Back in Arrowtown, it’s lovely to walk along the river and amongst the trees before rejoining Arrowtown’s quaint streets to admire the café culture, discover the region’s history or grab a pint in the sunshine.

Ben Lomond Track

Ben Lomond will greet you from the moment you arrive in town. Not for the faint-hearted or inexperienced, this demanding climb is a full-day mission with a spectacular reward.

Walkers aiming for the summit should be fully equipped and allow six to eight hours, depending on the conditions. Be prepared for snow and ice above the bush line from April to November.

1. Which place is a better choice for the disabled?

A．Tiki Trail.	B．Arrow River Trail.
C．Queenstown Gardens.	D．Ben Lomond Track.

2. What can visitors do in Arrow River Trail?

A．Appreciate the rose fragrance.	B．Experience demanding climb.
C．Have a bird-eye view of Queenstown.	D．Learn about the local history.

3. What is the purpose of the passage?

A．To compare things.	B．To inform readers.
C．To uncover the unseen.	D．To warn readers.

5 . The morning that Devanshi Mavani reached the top of Kilimanjaro, the conditions were bitter. She had set off, like most hikers, the night before to time her arrival at the summit (山顶) with the sunrise. Immediately, heavy snow began to fall. “Normally people see Kenya on the other side. When we got to the summit, we saw nothing,” she says. “It was like a ski slope (斜坡). But I was crying with happiness.”

Just 17 months earlier, this trip had seemed impossible. In May 2017, Mavani was diagnosed with type I diabetes (糖尿病). She says, “I felt so low, thinking, ‘What am I going to do now in life, stuck with this?’”

The news put in jeopardy all Mavani’s hopes of travelling. She retired the year before and her son eventually flew the nest. “I felt free. It was my chance. I thought, ‘Hooray, I can enjoy life.’” But her diagnosis made Mavani scared to leave the house. Her elder sister came to help, but Mavani “couldn’t walk to the local park” without feeling unwell. Very slowly, Mavani built herself up from walking around the block to taking gentle gym classes. It was there that she met Hazel, who invited her to a talk about climbing Kilimanjaro.

When Mavani returned home that evening, she told her husband that it was something she really wanted to do. “The hike was the following year, when I was turning 60. He said, ‘You’ve got time.’ It was the best thing I did. It took my focus away from worrying about my disease to something completely different. How am I going to get fit again? How am I going to cope with this huge hike so far outside my comfort zone?”

During the seven-day trek, Mavani had to inject (注射) herself five to eight times a day. “It was -16℃ outside; I had to take off all my clothes, lying on a snowy rock. I overcame all that,” she says. “I thought, I don’t fear the diabetes. If I can do this, I can do anything.”

Mavani recently completed the West Highland Way and the Cotswolds Way, and has booked a trip to Machu Picchu in Peru.

1. Why did Mavani cry at the top of Kilimanjaro?

A．She felt disappointed at not seeing the scene she had expected.

B．She was excited to finish something challenging.

C．She was afraid to be left behind by other hikers.

D．She couldn’t wait to ski down the mountain.

2. What does the underlined part “put in jeopardy” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Revealed.

B．Inspired.

C．Announced.

D．Threatened.

3. What is the attitude of Mavani’s husband to her decision to climb Kilimanjaro?

A．Supportive.

B．Doubtful.

C．Disapproving.

D．Worried.

4. How has the experience of climbing Kilimanjaro affected Mavani?

A．She has learnt a new way to connect with people.

B．Her physical health has recovered rapidly.

C．She has fallen in love with travelling.

D．Her confidence has been built up.

6 . Are you anxious about how to spend your holiday with your kids effectively? Are you at a loss due to not knowing how to stimulate your kids’ interest? Now just satisfy your teens’ desire for the unusual in Bristol with shopping and attractive art.

MAKING THEIR MARK

While it can be tough to persuade some teens to embrace art, you’ll find it easier in Bristol. You won’t have to rack your brains (绞尽脑汁) to encounter the handiwork of the city’s famous one, because there are more than 200-odd street artists in the city where The Wall offers a two-hour tour of the must-see works and Bristol’s 30 years of graffiti history. There are spray-painting workshops too, if your teens want to give it a shot.

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

If all that graffiti leads to a new-found interest in art, then the next step is Wake The Tiger, a new art experience. Through mysterious creative works, hidden forests and secret passageways, you and your family will enter the magic world. It’s perfect for teen fantasy fans.

ON LOCATION

Remember Skins? The 00s drama was a hit with teens for its realistic plot, and now a new one is discovering it on Netflix. Much of the show was filmed in Bristol and the Bristol Film Office has put together a map of all of the key locations. Visit Bristol and the Bristol Film Office have also mapped other hit shows, including Sherlock and Doctor Who.

VINTAGE FINDS

If your teens are keen to develop their vintage (复古的) rock style, take them to Park Street to discover the vintage shops, including Uncle Sam’s Vintage, perfect for everything from American varsity (校队的) jackets to Levi’s jeans, as well as The Vintage Thrift Store, Loot Vintage and Sobeys.

1. Why does the author recommend Bristol?

A．Because it is easier to learn art here.

B．Because artists here are more famous.

C．Because there are numerous great artists and works.

D．Because it has longer graffiti history than other cities.

2. What can’t teens do in Bristol?

A．Buy vintage jeans.	B．Be exposed to maps of film.
C．Encounter famous film stars.	D．Pay a visit to the splendid graffiti history.

3. Who is the target of this article?

A．Artists

B．Parents

C．Teenagers

D．Fans of painting

7 . Location

St Helena is one of the remotest islands on Earth. The subtropical (亚热带的) British Overseas Territory sits in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean, 1,200 miles from the west coast of Africa and 1,800 miles from the east coast of South America.

Size Population

St Helena is only 16 km long and 9 km wide and the population is 5,000. This is 1/3 the size of the Isle of Wight, and the same size as Disney World Orlando. This is also the same size as San Francisco―yet the island has just 0.5% of San Francisco’s population. With an extremely low-crime community, you can freely explore the island’s natural and built attractions in peace.

Climate

As a subtropical island, St Helena’s temperature is 15-28°C all year round. While the four seasons are not recognized on St Helena, the “cooler months” are generally June to September and the “hotter months” are December to March. St Helena is free from extreme weather events, with even thunderstorms only occurring perhaps once a decade.

Accessibility

Until 2017, St Helena did not have an airport and was only accessible by sea. Reaching the island meant a five-day ship voyage from Cape Town, South Africa. However, since October 2017, the island’s first and only airport has enabled passengers to reach the island in just a six-hour flight.

1. In what aspect are St Helena and San Francisco alike?

A．Area.

B．Population.

C．Climate.

D．Crime rate.

2. What can best describe the climate of St Helena?

A．Tropical.

B．Dry.

C．Extreme.

D．Mild.

3. How could visitors gain entry into St Helena before 2017?

A．By plane.

B．By ship.

C．By car.

D．By bike.

8 . London, with countless famous sites and all manner of food, drink, shopping, history, and culture, is definitely a wonderful city to visit.

Time Zone

Greenwich Mean Time during the winter, British Summer Time during the rest of the year (starting at Daylight Saving Time).

Best Time to Go

The best time to visit London overall is in spring, when the temperatures have warmed up, the sun has started to shine and London’s gardens and parks are looking their best. However, the reality is that the best time to travel to London depends a lot on what you’re looking for. If you’re all about taking a look inside Queen Liz’s palace, you’d better make it in summer, while winter is beautiful and festive for those looking to get their fill of Christmas markets and traditional cheer.

Things to Know

Londoners, and English people in general, have a much different manner of interacting with one another than Americans do while an American might think nothing of smiling at a stranger they pass on the sidewalk or asking about work in the first few minutes of a conversation, Londoners might consider it impolite or strange. Don’t mistake this for unfriendliness ;it’s just a cultural difference. Instead, talk about things like movies, TV shows, books, your travels, and the like, instead of work or family.

How to Get Around

Getting around London is unbelievably easy thanks to the well-maintained and extensive Underground. The Underground, unlike American transportation systems which often pay per ride or pay per length of trip, are paid in zones. Fare also varies based on time of day and the method you use to pay. It’s worth getting an Oyster card to make your life that much simpler.

1. Where is this text most probably taken from?

A．A survey.

B．A travel journal.

C．A research paper.

D．A guidebook.

2. When is the best time to visit London for people who enjoy a lively atmosphere?

A．Spring.

B．Summer.

C．Autumn.

D．Winter.

3. Which of the following is a suitable topic for starting a conversation with Londoners?

A．Daily entertainments.	B．Future plans.
C．Personal relationships.	D．Annual incomes.

10 . 4 Best Hikes in the UK by Train

The following four best hikes in the UK by train are recommended to try.

Name of hike: Golden Cap on the Southwest Coast Path
The nearest train station: Axminster

The Golden Cap Estate is famous for being the tallest point of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Following the Southwest Coast Path for about 7. 5km will take you along Charmouth Beach which is famous for the many fossils (化石) found there.

Name of hike: Aber Falls in the Snowdonia National Park
The nearest train station: Bangor

Aber Falls is an impressive 40m tall waterfall in the Snowdonia National Park. Following the 4km path through Aber Nature Reserve to reach the waterfall you will pass ancient woodlands. Additionally, you’ll be able to find a few smaller waterfalls on route.

Name of hike: Conic Hill in the Loch Lomond
The nearest train station: Balloch

The Conic Hill is one of the final parts on the West Highland Way route. After going through ancient woodlands, you’ll reach the impressive view of Loch Lomond and its many islands. Covering about 5. 5km, the path begins and ends in the small village of Balmaha.

Name of hike: Loch an Eilein in the Cairngorms National Park
The nearest train station: Aviemore

This 7.2 km walk passes Loch an Eilein and cuts through the endless ancient forest. The Loch is home to a small island and the beautiful Loch an Eilein Castle (城堡) which dates back to the 13th century. While walking, you can enjoy the sound of birdsong all around you.

1. Which place will you choose if you like natural heritage?

A．Aber Falls.	B．Golden Cap.
C．Conic Hill loop. .	D．Loch an Eilein loop.

2. Which station should you choose if visiting Aber Nature Reserve?

A．Axminster.	B．Bangor.
C．Balloch.	D．Aviemore.

3. What do Conic Hill and Loch an Eilein have in common?

A．Ancient forest.	B．Several islands.
C．Famous castles.	D．Beautiful birds.