1 . Mammoth Cave National Park, in the state of Kentucky, is a unique and historical natural wonder. It has the world’s longest cave system. There may be another 600 miles of cave passageways that have yet to be explored. In addition, more than 200 caves that are disconnected from the larger system can be found in the park.

The underground caves were created naturally by the process of limestone (石灰岩) erosion. Rain and rivers slowly dissolve (溶解) and shape soft limestone. The system is still being shaped today. Not only are they an amazing destination to visit, but the system also provides drinking water for about 40% of the US population.

The caves’ first explorers were Native Americans, who mined (采矿) the upper levels of Mammoth Cave. Later, the sites were left in great shape and began to draw public interest.

Mammoth Cave was made into a national park thanks to strong support. Back in the 1920s, the Southern Appalachian National Park Commission was set up in 1925. After years of work, as well as building roads and public facilities, the park was completed on July 1, 1941.

The park now receives around 2 million visitors a year, with about a quarter taking a tour of the caves—everything from a cultural tour to the more adventurous tours on offer. The cave supports more than 130 wildlife species (物种). The park is also much more than just a cave; the forest around has a diverse (多种多样的) range of species. There are miles of trails open for horseback riding, with canoe trails and great fishing spots. There are also more than 1,300 flowering species in the forest, and animals like wood warblers, thrushes, and bald eagles can regularly be seen.

1. What can we learn about Mammoth Cave from the first two paragraphs?

A．It was made by ancient people.	B．It has the length of 600 miles.
C．It is made up of 200 connected caves.	D．It has a large underground system.

2. How do the caves form?

A．Explorers mine the upper levels.	B．The government searches for drinkable water.
C．Water dissolves limestone.	D．People build roads and public facilities.

3. What can we learn from the last paragraph?

A．More than 1,300 flowers grow in the caves.

B．The park offers visitors diverse experiences.

C．Most visitors come to the park just for caves.

D．Two million people have visited the park till now.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Planning cave tours around the world

B．Exploring the world’s longest cave system

C．Learning about the explorers of Mammoth Cave

D．Predicting the future of Mammoth Cave National Park

2 . Standing on a hill at Cliveden Gardens on a sunny winter day, its dark-green lake surrounded by centuries-old trees took my breath away.     1     It’s just a local park near London that I’d never heard of during my eight years living in the UK. As I admired the serene garden, it taught me a lesson about the British culture of understatement.

“The English landscape is more beautiful because its beauty is understated,” my friend Will said to me later as we walked through an exhibition at Tate Britain. He pointed to a painting of a peaceful countryside. “This is the landscape I grew up with”, he said. Unlike grand waterfalls or wild forests, this scenery doesn’t shout about its beauty.     2    

I wonder if Chinese tourists will explore beyond London.     3     Indeed, Oxford and Cambridge and the beloved Lake District National Park are some iconic symbols of Britain. But it would be a pity if they miss out on the lesser-known parts of the English landscape.

    4     I remember a straight-A classmate once telling me he “survived exams” and another friend from Oxford introducing himself as “studying in the countryside”. This modesty also has its mirror in Chinese culture. I remember my parents’ telling me to work hard but not to brag about my achievements. Chinese culture is full of proverbs such as “real gold will shine sooner or later”, to encourage long-term dedication to one’s chosen area of expertise.

Experiencing both cultures, I’ve realized that the English and Chinese both express achievements with understatement.     5     It reflects the unspoken charm in both British and Chinese traditions. And it’s an off-the-beaten-path attraction well worth exploration.

A．Cliveden isn’t a famous holiday place.

B．Rather, its beauty is reserved for the locals only.

C．I’ve been impressed by British humor all the time.

D．They tend to prefer places with a strong reputation.

E．But the more I looked, the more I saw its quiet elegance.

F．Over the years, I’ve become familiar with British modesty.

G．This mix makes me appreciate the unusual beauty of Cliveden.

3 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What kind of books does Kate want to read?

A．Ones about a country.

B．Ones about holiday plans.

C．Ones about computer programming.

2. What does Jerry probably want to do?

A．Go to the library.

B．Build a computer.

C．Go on a holiday.

4 . Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

Venice, one of Europe’s most historical, romantic, and unique cities, is in danger of drowning — not in one of its famed canals but under the weight of people. Since 1980, there have been more tourists than residents in Venice and right at present the number     1     (climb) rapidly. As tourists arrive, so do businesses to support them. Small, local stores are being replaced by souvenir shops and fast-food joints; Lately, accommodations     2     (transform) to Airbnbs, driving the cost of living here forever upwards. As locals leave the city, the vacuum (真空) is filled with yet     3     (much) tourist investment and before you know it, the charm and culture of old Venice that attracted us here in the first place has been transformed and lost. It’s no wonder that     4     World Heritage Committee has made a plan to add “Venice and its Lagoon” to its World Heritage in Danger list.

Venice is not alone. Croatian favourite Dubrovnik, with history and cultural excellence, is suffering the same fate. There were 5,000 residents in 1991, but in 2017 only 1,157 people were living in the Old Town     5     it became overcrowded with tourists and businesses flooding to them. Dubrovnik is a convenient stop for cruise ships moving around the waters of the Adriatic and its popularity has grown further following the success of Game of Thrones,     6     was filmed there.

Many popular locations have started to apply strategies     7     (fight) the rising tide of tourism using a combination of legislation and financial instruments. Barcelona is limiting the number of licenses for tourist accommodation     8     reducing the number of cruise ships allowed to dock (停泊). A smaller number of tourists are allowed to visit the Old Town and     9     will need to pay a city entry fee. The tourist tax is being increased to a price higher than     10     (expect). Venice has recently introduced a tourist fee to discourage day-trippers.

5 . Best Family Vacations in the Caribbean

Choosing a Caribbean vacation that meets the needs of young children, preteens and adults might seem like a challenging task. The following introduction may provide you with some choices.

U. S. Virgin Islands

With three islands to choose from, U. S. Virgin Islands appeal to families who like to combine beach time with a bit of exploration. Virgin Islands National Park on St. John offers this combination — and more — with 20-plus trails and access to popular Trunk Bay beach. Kids will also enjoy Coral World Ocean Park on St. Thomas, where they can swim with dolphins and sea lions.

Bahamas

Beautiful beaches, magnificent reefs and opportunities for horseback riding and surfing lessons make the Bahamas a family favorite. Plus, this string of 700 islands boasts plenty of budget- and family-friendly resorts. One of the most famous resorts — Atlantis Paradise Island — even has its own 141-acre water park and the world’s largest open-air marine habitat for the young to enjoy. At the marine habitat, travelers can enjoy watching various aquatic animals swim by.

Cayman Islands

Grand Cayman, the largest and most popular of this three-island chain, offers families tons of ways to enjoy their time together. Adults and kids can sunbathe, build sandcastles and float in the Caribbean Sea at Seven Mile Beach, or swim with stingrays (刺魟) in the shallow water of Stingray City. To get up close and personal with more sea life, head to the Cayman Turtle Centre to interact with turtles of all shapes and sizes.

British Virgin Islands

Calm waters and pollution-free beaches attract travelers of all ages to the British Virgin Islands. While the destination can be pricey, families can save money by splashing around Smuggler’s Cove, a free beach known for its sea turtles and relaxing atmosphere. Visitors will also enjoy themselves in the Baths National Park.

1. What is special about the U. S. Virgin Islands?

A．The beaches are free of pollution.

B．Water sports courses can be taken.

C．Exploration lovers may be interested in it.

D．Kids can learn to communicate with dolphins.

2. How can families save money on the British Virgin Islands?

A．By going to a free beach.

B．By exploring a national park together.

C．By swimming only in shallow water.

D．By getting close to the marine habitats.

3. What do the recommended vacations have in common?

A．They all have a special park.

B．Beautiful reefs can be appreciated.

C．Visitors have access to sea animals.

D．Places for building sandcastles are provided.

6 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. When did Erden probably start his journey?

A．In 2007.

B．In 2012.

C．In 2015.

2. Why didn’t Erden climb all the six highest mountains?

A．He was short of money.

B．His health condition was bad.

C．The weather on the mountains was terrible.

3. How did Erden travel around the world most of his time?

A．On foot.

B．By boat.

C．By car.

4. What does Erden want to do right now?

A．Plan for more trips.

B．Study Spanish.

C．Have a rest.

7 . In 1983, Ski Rixen USA became the first water ski cable park in the United States. Located in Deerfield Beach, Florida, the park offers riders a chance to experience all kinds ofwater sports.

In the past 40 years, Six Rixen USA has welcomed more than 1.5 million visitors. The park was the brainchild of engineer Bruno Rixen. Born in 1931 in Germany, Rixen grewfrustrated with the sport of water skiing, which required pulling by a motor boat.

“He used to wait for four hours in line to do three laps around the lake, ” explained Allan Wlodarczyk, the manager of Ski Rixen USA. He added that riding five minutes and waiting another four hours sparked Rixen’s idea of cable parks. Rather than relying on a boat, Rixen considered his own cable way. He also designed skis and set up a power source.

“The first cable was actually an old farm tractor, ” Wlodarczyk said. “Rixen took the wheels off, attached some ropes to the wheel disks, and started pulling people back and forth around the lake.” Over the years, Rixen improved his design and earned several patents. He opened the world’s first commercial cable water park in 1966 in Benidorm, Spain.

The sport grew from entertainment to international contests. Rixen died in 2020, but his idea has taken hold around the world. Today, there are more than 500 cable water parks on different continents. Typically, the cable tows riders at a speed of about 20 miles per hour.

But for beginners, who can take lessons, the speed is about 15 miles per hour.

Ski Rixen USA also offers riding opportunities and events to people with special needs to ski effortlessly. “We have a specially designed ski, called a sit ski,” Wlodarczyk said. “It’s a larger board with a lot of surface area. The riders are completely seated in the water and don’t actually have to hold onto the rope.”

1. What does the underlined word “brainchild” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Idea.

B．Area.

C．Birthplace

D．Destination

2. What did Wlodarczyk mainly intend to tell us in paragraph 3?

A．How Rixen protected the lake.

B．How Rixen set up a power source.

C．How much Rixen liked water skiing.

D．How Rixen created his cable water park.

3. In what way is Rixen the pioneer of the cable water park?

A．He brought fun to visitors.

B．He invented a cable tractor.

C．He turned it into a business.

D．He made cables travel fastest.

4. What do we know about the sit ski?

A．It is easy to ride.	B．It runs extremely quickly.
C．It offers a narrow board.	D．It is dangerous for the riders.

8 . Leave-No-Trace Camping

For those of us who love spending time in the great outdoors, wild spaces are very special. These are places we visit to recharge, or to fill our hearts with natural beauty.    1    If you feel this way, then you’re the perfect person to promote and practice Leave-No-Trace camping.

Its principles are to treat the wilderness the way a decent visitor would and leave everything just as you found it, with no evidence that you passed through.    2    That’s because your visit makes a minimal impact on the environment.

You can carry out these ideals in a number of ways. Begin by packing out all your litter. Whenever you go camping, take an empty trash bag with you and put all garbage into the bag. In addition, try not to damage vegetation.    3    Wherever you go, think about what your heavy shoes or boots are doing to the plants underneath and try to keep damage to a minimum.

It’s also important that you should not take things away from the wilderness. Rocks, plants, flowers and seashells are all part of the natural landscape.    4    Plus, many animals find homes and food in abandoned shells and flower-heads, and these are things they would miss if you collected them.

Leave-No-Trace camping is about being respectful and thoughtful. It’s about honoring the natural world and the creatures that live in it. If you love seeing an untouched mountain stream or a lovely field of wildflowers, then you’ve already taken the first step.    5    

A．This means not stepping into a wild animal’s space.

B．This is also called “low impact” or “no impact” camping.

C．Once taken away, they won’t be there for others to enjoy.

D．An increasing number of people take up camping in the wilderness.

E．When you put up your tent, try to find a place that’s already bare of plants.

F．We hate to see them littered with rubbish or any reminders of previous visitors.

G．Follow these basic practices and you can be models of the Leave-No-Trace philosophy.

9 . It’s getting close to midnight, and close to my destination—mile marker 133 on Alaska’s Glenn Highway, where I’m on the road to realize a lifelong dream. I’m going to see the northern lights.

I am Scott’s only customer tonight, but whether it’s one person or a bridal party from Japan, the professional photographer and videographer loves to come put here to witness one of nature’s most spectacular shows — and to share it with others. “I can’t tell you how much joy I get from seeing the smile on people’s faces. That’s worth it right there. That’s the reason why I do tours,” he says.

I emerge from the van into minus 6 degrees. A bazillion stars sparkle, and the Milky Way pours overhead. What looks like a gray stream of cloud arches low over the horizon. “That’s it!” says Scott. Really? That’s it? I spent 13 hours in planes and airports, and then drove 2.5 hours to see a gray belt? “Patience,” he says. “It will get better. Wait till 2 am. That’s usually the best time.”

Aurora (极光) tourism is combined with winter activities like ice fishing, snow machine rides, and hot springs. As aurora guides and scientists will tell you, there’s no guarantee of a sighting. But Fairbanks is a statistically good bet because of its northern location and freedom from coastal clouds, which can be a challenge for Anchorage. Travelers are recommended to put aside at least three nights to improve your chances of viewing, with the idea that you’ll be up much of the night each time.

Each time he wakes me and I step outside, it appears more glorious. At first, a fuzz the size of a honeydew floats along the horizon. Another time, a broad green line stretches across the sky, followed by a short tail. “Do you see the red?” Scott asks. He has me look through his camera. It can see more color than the naked eye. Finally, as if playing a visual symphonic tune, a giant line of phosphorous (发磷光的) green seems to swoop down to the treetops and dollop them with a curlicue swirl. I’m smiling inside and out. We can go now.

1. What makes Scott like to do aurora tourism?

A．The chance to take spectacular photos.	B．The happiness of tourists.
C．The party to enjoy the norther lights.	D．His lifelong dream.

2. What can we infer about the author from Paragraph 3?

A．She felt very angry.	B．She was quite thrilled.
C．She was a little disappointed.	D．She gradually lost her patience.

3. Why is Fairbanks an ideal place to enjoy the northern lights?

A．It offers visitors a guaranteed sighting.

B．It’s located in the Antarctic Circle.

C．It has winter activities for travelers.

D．It’s free from coastal cloudy weather.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The beauty of aurora.	B．Scott’s camera.
C．The author’s departure.	D．The shapes of northern lights.

10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What will the woman do next month?

A．Visit the man.

B．Make a business trip.

C．Do shopping in Mexico City.

2. Where can the woman see amazing paintings?

A．At outdoor markets.

B．At the Palace of Fine Arts.

C．At the Museum of Modern Art.