1 . Be a Better Traveler in the Over-tourism Era
Travel has become as accessible as McDonald’s, reaching a new high as global tourist arrivals reached 1.4 billion last year. In 1995, global arrivals numbered only 525 million.
As a father of two kids, I am the first to celebrate the drop in costs brought on by air-travel market liberalization, the rise of discount airlines, a revolution in accommodations thanks to the likes of Books.com and Airbnb, and mobile devices installed with the best maps and travel guides the world has ever known. I’m also happy for the retailers, hoteliers, museum keepers and others who have benefited financially from the tourism boom.
I can’t help but wonder, though, what we are actually seeing as we travel these days. More people are travelling, but many are visiting the same places. Is a forest of selfie sticks what I wanted to show my daughter at the Louvre? When was the last time I set food on Prague’s main square without being elbowed a dozen times? Is a trip to Barcelona complete if you have to avoid every famous location for fear of being trampled (踩踏)?
Cities can not do much about this — they can’t very well close airports, force airlines to fly less frequently or increase their prices. Raising the cost of air travel, overall or to specific destination, will never be popular. Many will object it on the grounds that travel shouldn’t be just for the rich, and it’ll hurt the residents of cities troubled with over-tourism.
So what should travelers do? Stay home? That’s unlikely. But if you are heading for some of the world’s most popular destinations, rethink your bucket list (愿望清单). You should be open to venturing beyond the obvious. Even if you are set on visiting an iconic site, consider going at an off-peak time.
The biggest thing to keep in mind, no matter where you travel, is to be well-researched, respectful and genuinely curious about the destination. Don’t fall victim to what people call “selfie culture” and “bucket list culture”. Treat the destination as you would do to your own home - not as a “hidden gem” that you throw money at to get certain experience you feel entitled to.
1. Which of the following is NOT the cause of the drop in travelling costs according to the author?| A．The rise of discount airlines. |
| B．The freedom to choose transport |
| C．The popularization of mobile devices. |
| D．The appearances of Booking.com and Airbnb. |
| A．It would result in a decrease in airport security. |
| B．It would lead to fewer people travelling overall. |
| C．It would hurt the residents of tourism-dependent cities. |
| D．It would encourage a “bucket list culture.” |
| A．Facing the trouble of over-tourism, cities lack feasilbe measure. |
| B．Those cities as famous tourist destinations are not only for the rich. |
| C．Cities with over-tourism can’t deal with protests among travelers. |
| D．Cities with over-tourism can stop people making trips there. |
| A．Set on a journey at an on-peak time. | B．Avoid visiting an iconic site |
| C．Raise the cost of air travel. | D．Be willing to explore new sites. |
2 . What to See in Langkawi
Underwater World Langkawi
Set along the Pantai Cenang beach town, Underwater World Langkawi houses more than 500 species of sea creatures including harbour seals, rockhopper penguins, seahorses, as well as mandarin ducks. One of the highlights is a 15-metre walkthrough underwater tunnel, where you can enjoy close-up views of sharks, giant stingrays, and green turtles.
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 09: 30-18: 30, Saturday-Sunday 09: 30-22: 30
Price Range: RM40 (adults)and RM30(children aged 3 to 12 years old)
Langkawi Wildlife Park& Bird Paradise
Great for families and animal lovers, Langkawi Wildlife Park &Bird Paradise houses over 2, 500 unique birds from 150 species such as canaries, parakeets, owls, eagles, ,hornbills and flamingos. The park is fitted with a walk-in aviary(鸟舍)and a 15-metre-tall man-made waterfall, where some of the birds are free to roam about and interact with visitors.
Opening Hours: Daily 08: 30-18: 00
Price Range: RM28 (adults) and RM18 (children aged 3 to 12 years old)
Langkawi Arts in Paradise 3D Museum
Langkawi Arts in Paradise 3D Museum features more than 200 impressive artworks that appear almost lifelike when photographed. As the largest 3D art museum in Malaysia and second largest in the world, there are nine interactive zones within this three-story building, including optical illusion, fantasy, classic 9 castles, landscapes, Egyptian and Malaysian zones.
Opening Hours: Daily 09: 00-18: 00
Price Range: RM38 (adults) and RM28 (children aged 3 to 12 years old)
Taman Lagenda Langkawi
Located beside the Kuah jetty, Taman Lagenda is a beautifully landscaped folk-themed park where you can explore on foot or hire a carriage to take you around. The open-air garden museum, faces the Kuah waterfront and has a total of 17 colourful sculptures showing Langkawi legends including tales of heroic giants, mythical birds, evil ogres and beautiful princesses.
Opening Hours: Daily 09: 00-19: 00
Price Range: RM5 (adults)and RM2.50(children aged 3 to 12 years old)
1. In which attraction can visitors get close to animals at night?| A．Taman Lagenda Langkawi. | B．Underwater World Langkawi. |
| C．Wildlife Park & Bird Paradise. | D．Langkawi Arts in Paradise 3D Museum. |
| A．Enjoy close-up views of sea creatures. |
| B．Play with birds in the interactive zones. |
| C．Take pictures of the great artworks. |
| D．Appreciate the sculptures in the open air. |
| A．RM 12. 5. | B．RM 74. | C．RM 110. | D．RM 104. |
| A．In an introduction to pet houses. | B．In a list of souvenirs. |
| C．In an operation guideline. | D．In a tourist handbook. |
3 . If you’re planning a visit to Universal Studios Japan, you’re in for a treat! To help you make the most of your time in the park, we’ve compiled a list of 5 USJ tips to ensure a memorable and enjoyable experience.
1. Buy your tickets in advance and arrive an hour early
The big thing you should know to start if visiting Universal Studios Japan anytime soon is that the park has been quietly opening around an hour before the published time. Since this early opening is unadvertised and unpublished, it could stop happening at any time.
2. Download the USJ app
If you want to check ride wait times, show schedules, the park map, and more, download the USJ app. With the app on your phone, you can time when to go on certain rides and know about current ride closures. Additionally, if you are lucky, you might also be able to receive digital timed- entry passes for free!
3. Purchase Universal Express Passes
A game-changing USJ tip is purchasing Universal Express Passes, so you can save time on queuing for rides and different attractions. This is especially useful for popular areas, like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World, as they have limited capacity.
4. Take advantage of the Single Rider lines
A USJ tip: Take the Single Rider lines! These tend to be shorter than regular lines as single riders are used to fill up each rollercoaster train. If you’re travelling alone or simply don’t mind riding with strangers, line up here, and get to your ride faster!
5. Visit during weekdays or off-peak seasons
If you find Express Passes too costly or want to avoid large crowds and long wait times, visit on weekdays or off-peak seasons! Another insider USJ tip is to visit on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The weekend will naturally have more people visiting, but what others don’t know is that local school trips are scheduled on Mondays and Tuesdays!
Universal Studios Japan Ticket Prices 2023
| Ticket Type | Adult (12+) | Child (Ages 4—11) | Senior (65+) |
| 1-Day Studio Pass | ¥8,900 (weekdays) ¥9,800 | ¥5,400(weekdays) ¥6,300 | ¥7,600(weekdays) ¥8,500 |
| Twilight Pass (After 3 PM) | ¥5,900(weekdays) ¥6,200 | ¥3,500(weekdays) ¥3,700 | N/A |
| 1.5-Day Studio Pass | ¥13,400 | ¥8,600 | N/A |
| A．You can check the waiting time for the popular rides. |
| B．You can find a park map on the app. |
| C．You can check the show schedules on the app. |
| D．You can always receive digital timed-entry passes for free. |
① arrive an hour early before the official opening time on weekdays
② use the USJ app to book a ride whenever you want
③ purchase Universal Express Passes for the popular areas
④ take the Single Rider lines with your friends
| A．①③ | B．①②③ | C．①③④ | D．①②③④ |
| A．¥28500 | B．¥29600 | C．¥32000 | D．¥39200 |
假设你是李华，你所在班的班长正向全班征集主题为“探索世界文明古迹”的海报创意，目前有金字塔(the pyramids of Egypt)，巨石阵(Stonehenge)，兵马俑(the Terra Cotta Warriors)三个古迹作为备选。给班长写信提出自己的想法，内容必须包括：
1. 你所选择的一处古迹以及你的理由。
2. 简要介绍海报的主要内容。
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5 . Out of London Tours
Stratford, Oxford, Christ Church and the Cotswolds with Lunch
Length of time
About 10 hours
Days of operation
April 2009 to March 2010—Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
This tour starts at 8:45 am and finishes at around 6:30 pm
Description
* Oxford
Enjoy the magnificence of Oxford! Well-known for over 900 years as a centre of academic excellence. Follow in the footsteps of its famous students, from Bill Clinton to Lewis Carroll. Uncover the university town of Oxford at a leisurely and relaxing pace.
* Christ Church
Lights, camera, action! A treat for all Harry Potter fans—see where many scenes from the films have been shot! Wonder at the magnificence of Christ Church, including the Great Hall which Hogwarts Hall is based upon.
* Cotswolds
Discover the fascinating Cotswolds! Full of history and heritage(历史遗留物), the Cotswolds is a charming combination of breathtaking natural beauty, busy market towns and sleepy villages.
Lunch in the Cotswolds
Treat yourself in a traditional English pub(酒吧) and admire the charm of this old wool town. The lunch will be taken in the Cotswolds village of Burford.
* Stratford
Shakespeare’s birthplace
A market town with a difference! Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the half-wooded house, where the world’s greatest writer was born, to gain a fascinating insight into his childhood.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Satisfy yourself with an eye-opening experience at the childhood home of William Shakespeare’s wife! Wander around the half-wooded house and its eye-catching surroundings.
Price guide
Adult: £74.00
Child (3—18): £64.00
Senior citizen / College student: £69.00
1. The Greens are planning to book the tour. They are Mr. and Mrs. Green, George Green, who is 15 years old, and Grandpa, who is 70 years of age. How much will they pay?| A．£296 | B．£286 | C．£281 | D．£276 |
| A．Cotswolds | B．Oxford | C．Stratford | D．Christ Church |
| A．You may eat in the Cotswolds village of Burford and then buy a woolen scarf. |
| B．You can book this tour as a Mother’s Day gift for your mother in May 2010. |
| C．Shakespeare and his wife were born in the same town called Stratford. |
| D．Oxford University has a long history of more than 900 years. |
| A．hurried | B．gentle | C．easy | D．unrushed |
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7 . 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. |
| A．The location. | B．The scenery. | C．The seafood. | D．The culture. |
| A．Attract whales to the closer shore. | B．Tell people where to see whales. |
| C．Warn people to stay away from shore. | D．Go around to gather enough visitors. |
| A．It is held every other year in summer. |
| B．It helps Whale Crier to show his talents. |
| C．It guarantees everyone to find something to enjoy. |
| D．It is one of the best eco-arts festivals in South Africa. |
| A．The origin of shopping malls. | B．The location of shopping malls. |
| C．The inventor of shopping malls. | D．The prospect of shopping malls. |
| A．They were roofless buildings. |
| B．They mainly housed specialty shops. |
| C．They had a certain kind of landscape. |
| D．They provided indoor parking service. |
| A．People loved wandering from shop to shop. |
| B．The shops didn’t need to keep out bad weather. |
| C．Shoppers were more comfortable in such shops. |
| D．Malls could contain much more than just shops. |
10 . Tips to Keep Your Personal Items Safe While Travelling
You might be surprised to hear that even in the limited space of an airplane, thefts still do occur. In a case reported, two men on board a flight were arrested after being suspected of stealing cash from fellow passengers’ mid-flight.
Keep your valuables such as cash, your ID and passport, and jewellery in a small bag that you can place under the seat in front of you. Rest your feet on your bag to make sure no one gets close to the bag.
| A．To ensure you get enough storage room, try to board the flight early. |
| B．Bring it with you whenever you leave your seat. |
| C．Thieves won’t spend too long on locked bags as it may draw attention to themselves. |
| D．Cases like this are known as in-flight, or mid-flight thefts. |
| E．Keep your cash or credit cards in different hiding places. |
| F．Make sure your bag is easily recognizable so thieves can’t just switch it out with a similar looking bag. |
