1 . As one of the city’s most popular free outdoor events, the Cape Town Carnival is a multicultural celebration which focuses on social inclusion and bridging the divide between the diverse communities of the Western Cape and specifically Cape Town. It’s a celebration of the many diverse cultures which makes Cape Town stand out from the most world-famous cities. The carnival is considered a community participation event by the Western Cape Government and draws bigger crowds each year.
The event serves a platform for local performance groups, designers, musicians and artists to showcase their talents to the world. Every year, it may create over 1, 000 part-time jobs. The long-term vision, however, is to create more programmes focusing on skills development, thus permanently employing people. Since 2010 when the carnival was held on Long Street, it has become the festival of the year, and has grown from 17, 000 spectators to as many as 55, 000. This year, the carnival will be held on the Fan Walk in Green Point.
And its theme is Mother City, Mother Nature, exploring two of Cape Town’s greatest assets, its natural beauty and its people. The festival will showcase what makes the Mother City one of the most unique cities in the world. Over 2, 000 shining costumed performers and musicians will take to Cape Town’s Fan Walk, entertaining viewers with floats (花车) and dynamic dance routines. The parade (游行) will be followed by a grand street party, showcasing some of South Africa’s hottest musical talent.
Fans and tourists are encouraged to join in the street festivities anytime from 16: 00, when it will turn into a pedestrian walkway with 2km of food stands and festive hospitality (好客) areas. Later in the evening Cape Town will up the pace with the most appealing and festive open air party, the Cape Town Carnival Street Party! This Culture Comer: A Glimpse of Cape Town, was contributed by Marilyn Steward. I’m Rich Claymount. Stay tuned and see you next time.
1. What sets the Cape Town Carnival apart?| A．Its friendly people. | B．Its unique landscape. |
| C．Its wide participation. | D．Its cultural diversity. |
| A．To build up a platform for local talents. | B．To create Africa-based businesses globally. |
| C．To expand programs to secure employment. | D．To deepen cultural links between countries. |
| A．Green Point is famous for floats and music. | B．Cape Town is proud of its nature and people. |
| C．The carnival happens on Long Street annually. | D．The street party is mostly favored by the tourists. |
| A．An interview. | B．A brochure. | C．A reality show. | D．A radio program. |
2 . Mexico is a great destination that attracts many tourists by its breathtaking landscapes (风景) and architecture of the ancient Mayan civilization. Here let’s take a look at the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.
Tulum Beach
In the south of the Riviera Maya, Tulum Beach is not only an amazing place for those who love the sea and sunshine, but also a great place for visitors who are crazy about understanding the ancient culture of mankind. Around the coast, there are many modern hotels to serve every of your needs.
Playa Norte
Playa Norte has a very clean blue water, so many tourists appreciate it. What makes Playa Norte so unique is the good combination of daytime relaxation and exciting nightlife. If you have the opportunity to set foot on this beautiful beach, you must watch the whole sunset on the sea. That scene is really romantic.
Cancun Beach
Near a busy city, the beach here impresses people by its wilderness. With deep blue water, fine white sand and a warm and mild climate all year round, Cancun Beach is known as a tourist paradise (天堂) in Mexico. In addition to sunbathing here, visitors also have the opportunity to play with lovely dolphins.
Akumal Beach
Akumal is known to be the great diving spot in Mexico. This Beach is home to many rare sea turtles as well as tropical marine (海洋的) species. Akumal beach is calm, so it is quite safe, suitable for relaxing activities. When diving at Akumal, visitors often swim with lovely sea turtles. So, spend a relaxing day on the beautiful beach and then go to a nearby restaurant to enjoy fresh seafood.
1. Where should you go if you want to learn about some ancient culture?| A．Cancun Beach. | B．Playa Norte. | C．Akumal Beach. | D．Tulum Beach. |
| A．Its clean water. | B．Its warm sunshine. |
| C．Its wonderful lifestyle. | D．Its good landscapes. |
| A．They are best known as diving spots. | B．Animals can be seen there. |
| C．They are in their natural conditions. | D．There are famous restaurants. |
1. How much does it cost to buy an adult ticket and a child ticket?
| A．About$36. | B．About$38. | C．About $40. |
| A．They’re confusing. | B．They’re interesting. | C．They’re special. |
| A．A small cafe. | B．An outdoor balcony. | C．A glass floor. |
| A．It’s on the 122ⁿd floor. |
| B．Its food is inexpensive. |
| C．It has good natural light. |
Built around 605 in China’s Sui Dynasty (581-618), Zhaozhou Bridge is the oldest
In the Sui Dynasty, Zhaozhou Bridge connected north and south as
The Zhaozhou Bridge bears two pairs of small arches (拱门) at each side of the central arch. All of the arches are circular and built of stone.
5 . Since I was born and brought up in a rural town, I have a great interest in nature. Having the chance of studying abroad in my second year at college, I decided to go to Canada just because I wanted to see the beautiful phenomena there. So after I finished the study, I went to Yellowknife in the Northwest. I clearly remember the sixth night in Yellowknife. Suddenly my host mother came to my room around 8 p. m. and told me to change clothes and go outside quickly carrying her camera.
The northern lights were flickering (闪烁) in the sky! I was amazed and just stood there with my mouth open. I forgot to take pictures of the mysterious lights.
Since that night, whenever it was sunny, I went outside at night and looked at the sky. It was so cold that my hands and feet were numb (失去知觉的) with cold. Actually, the time of my being able to be out was limited. I had to bring her camera back to the house in one hour at most, for the camera was going to be broken because of the cold temperature.
As I took pictures of the northern lights, I came to find a characteristic movement of the lights. They first appear in the north part of the sky and then they come down to the south. After that, suddenly, they come in the middle of the north and south only for a while, which is the time when the best northern lights can be seen. Since it is only a few seconds for the northern lights to come down to the middle of the sky, it is very hard to get good pictures.
The stronger the sun acts, the better and stronger northern lights flicker in the sky. That’s because they occur from the collision (碰撞) between atmospheric gases and solar wind. Much more solar wind comes to the earth when the sun is active, leading to the best northern lights.
1. Why did the author forget to take pictures?| A．His host mother didn’t remind him. |
| B．He was shocked by the wonderful sights. |
| C．He lost all the feelings in his hands and feet. |
| D．The lights flickering disappeared after a while. |
| A．The northern lights came out every night. |
| B．The author took lots of pictures with his camera. |
| C．The author could stay as long as he liked outdoors. |
| D．Camera s will be damaged if exposed too long to coldness. |
| A．They are between the north and south. |
| B．They rise in the east and set in the west. |
| C．They appear in the north part of the sky. |
| D．They come down to the south part of the sky. |
| A．The lights of the sun affect the northern lights. |
| B．The lights are caused by the collisions of gases. |
| C．The lights stay in the middle for a very short time. |
| D．The colours of the lights are determined by the height. |
6 . Festivals Around the World
Saint Patrick’s Day
Time: March 17
Place: Ireland
Saint Patrick’s Day is the traditional death date of Saint Patrick. In Ireland, celebrations include parades as well as dressing in green. The limitation on eating and drinking alcohol (酒)is canceled for the day, which has resulted in the holiday’s tradition of having various foods and drinking alcohol.
San Fermin Festival
Time: July 6-14
Place: Pamplona, Spain
The most famous event during the San Fermin Festival is the Encierro, or the Running of the Bulls (公牛), where the bulls are led through the street to the bull ring by runners at 8: 00 from 7 to 14 July. The week-long celebration includes many other traditions and events—you may also find yourself covered with flour and eggs and the streets are filled with music and dancing.
Burning Man
Time: Last Monday in August until the first Monday in September
Place: Black Rock City, Nevada, USA
You are expected to bring everything you will need for that week and you won’t spend money once you’re there and will take your rubbish with you when you leave. Over 60,000 people attend every year.
Oktoberfest
Time: 16 days from late August until the first weekend of September
Place: Munich, Germany
More than 6 million people from around the world attend Oktoberfest every year and drink large amounts of beer which has been made from 6 breweries (啤酒厂) in Munich. Attendees hang out in large beer tents dressed in Bavarian costumes and there are amusement rides and traditional foods.
1. What do people do on Saint Patrick’s Day?| A．They burn Saint Patrick. | B．They put on green clothes. |
| C．They throw eggs at each other. | D．They keep away from drinking. |
| A．Oktoberfest. | B．Burning Man. |
| C．San Fermin Festival. | D．Saint Patrick’s Day. |
| A．They take place in the same months. |
| B．They provide beer from Munich. |
| C．Attendees have no chance to spend money. |
| D．They have the same number of attendees every year. |
1. What made Maya Bay draw too many tourists since 1999?
| A．The convenient location. | B．A famous Hollywood movie. | C．Its first opening to the public. |
| A．To develop it. | B．To do research. | C．To protect the natural life. |
| A．300. | B．2,000. | C．4,000 |
| A．Surf the Internet. | B．Read some magazines. | C．Book a holiday. |
8 . Travel Tips for Holidays Abroad
Everyone loves holiday abroad. It is a good way for people to enjoy different scenery and cultures. However, holidays aren’t always a great experience.
Get organized
Every year, thousands of people miss flights because they’ve forgotten their passport, they arrive at the airport too late, or even go to the wrong airport.
Do some research about the place
You can help the local people a lot by staying in local hotels and eating in local restaurants. This means that your money will go to local people, rather than to a large international company. You can also try to reduce the pollution you cause.
Keep a good memory for your holiday
You don’t want to forget your holiday.
| A．So it is important to get organized |
| B．Here are some tips to make sure you enjoy your holidays |
| C．Help the local people |
| D．Wear warm coats |
| E．Know about the place you are going to visit |
| F．Travel with your parents |
| G．Write down interesting things about your holidays |
9 . Skiing in Switzerland: The Complete Guide
Switzerland, as the first place in Europe to develop winter tourism, has a long skiing tradition. A long ski season, excellent snow conditions, and large skiing areas make Switzerland a perfect destination for skiers from around the world.
Where to Ski as a Beginner
• Saas-Fee: You can find plenty of English-speaking ski schools in Saas-Fee and lots of bunny slopes(初学者滑雪道) on which to master your turns. The beginner ski area is separate, so you can practice without getting in the way of other skiers.
• Grindelwald: Grindelwald is a great choice for those looking for a kid-friendly skiing experience. There are plenty of ski schools and several bunny slopes, such as the Bodmi practice area, which is fit for children. Once you’re ready to head up the mountain, about 30 percent of Grindelwald’s runs are rated blue, meaning they’re on the easier side.
Summer Skiing
Zermatt is home to the Theodul Glacier(冰川) where it’s winter year-round. With 13 miles (21 kilometers) of runs, it’s the largest summer ski area in Europe and attracts professional skiers looking to train year-round. The glacier slopes here offer attractive views and allow skiers to get a close look at the Matterhorn.
Budget Travel Tips
• Avoid the busiest time of year: Visit during the start or end of the ski season. Accommodation and lift pass prices are often higher over the winter holidays.
• Prepare your own meals: By renting a small apartment or home with kitchen facilities, you can save on dining costs by cooking your own meals.
• Enjoy the snow without skiing every day: Ice skating, winter hiking, and just having a snowball fight are all more affordable ways to enjoy the Swiss winter landscape.
1. What makes Switzerland a perfect destination for skiers?| A．Its long skiing tradition. | B．its well-developed tourism. |
| C．Its unique natural conditions. | D．Its convenient location in Europe. |
| A．Having many ski schools. | B．Offering kid-friendly slopes. |
| C．Separating skiers of different levels. | D．Giving skiers a close Matterhorn view. |
| A．Avoiding taking the lift. | B．Eating at local restaurants. |
| C．Heading to smaller skiing areas. | D．Choosing the skiing low season. |
10 . My husband Wes and I and our two dogs have spent several years living in an RV (野营车) — calling it home and driving it all around the United States.
Wes and I had just sold our house outside of St. Louis, Missouri and moved to a town in Colorado. Though we enjoyed our new state, we were traveling back home for visits often. So at first the RV was intended for traveling in comfort: We could save money on hotels, travel at a more relaxed pace, avoid packing (打包行李) and unpacking, and be able to take our dogs with us. Plus, my husband had always wanted one.
We bought the first RV in July 2015 and by September of that year we were already considering living in it full time. Wes and I love traveling and being “location independent,” and our jobs allow us to work from anywhere. At first it did seem strange to live on the road, but once we officially made the decision, in February 2016, we never looked back.
I absolutely love living in an RV, so my list of “advantages” is long. I love being able to park my home right next to the best biking trails (小路), change the view from the windows, follow the good weather, and explore unusual destinations (目的地).
The biggest “disadvantage” is the planning that’s necessary. You do have to plan ahead where you are going to park because sometimes places are full. As a full-time traveler, you are often planning, moving, and trying new things. So once you arrive somewhere, it’s nice to stay a while and just sit still. That’s why I suggest that RVers park their RV every once in a while, or move a little slower.
1. What does paragraph 2 mainly tell us about the author and her husband?| A．Why they bought their first RV. |
| B．Where they traveled in their RV. |
| C．How they went on holiday in an RV. |
| D．How they gave up their house to get an RV. |
| A．They moved to a new city and found new jobs. |
| B．They began living in their RV full time. |
| C．They rebuilt their house in Colorado. |
| D．They sold their first RV. |
| A．It is busy and challenging. |
| B．It still needs some changes. |
| C．It is comfortable and satisfying. |
| D．It has made her more independent. |
| A．Try new types of RVs. |
| B．Head for thinly populated places. |
| C．Slow down and relax on the road. |
| D．Avoid making many plans ahead. |
