1 . Although travelling alone may sound discouraging, solo travel is continuing to rise in popularity. There may be numerous reasons why someone is travelling independently. Here are our top reasons to travel by yourself.

Time for you

Some people say solo travel is the comfort and relaxation of having your very own. However, for those looking for some more adventurous “me-time,” solo tours also typically offer plenty of free time to go it alone. During your time at leisure, you have the freedom to do your own exploration, see the sights you want to see or simply relax and take it easy. With no-one to compromise with, it’s totally up to you.

Meet like-minded people

Solo travel doesn’t mean you have to travel alone. Solo travelers come from all walks of life, but they usually all share the same passion — a desire to see the world! It’s often the people you meet on holiday that are the max highlight of the entire trip and, even though you’re travelling alone, you’ll have amazing memories of the shared experiences you had together with people in your group. Take plenty of pictures to remember forever.

You’ll never be alone

Group travel is ideal for solo travelers as it offers the opportunity to a group of like-minded people, each interested in their chosen destination. Being part of a group provides extra security (especially key for independent female travelers who may feel anxious about being on their own) and for everyone there is the benefit of an expert local guide who is keen to share their knowledge. The guides also accompany you on tours and can offer suggestions on what to see and do in your leisure time to ensure you have an authentic and enjoyable experience.

So, if your friends and family are unable to join you on your dream holiday, don’t let that stop you. Travel Department is delighted to partner with Reader’s Digest and offer their readers an exclusive discount on 2023 & 2024 holidays. To discuss any questions or make a booking simply call 0203 966 0527.

1. What is the best part of the entire solo trip?

A．The beautiful scenery on the way.	B．The freedom to choose your destination.
C．The people you meet during the trip.	D．The pictures you take along the way.

2. What can a local guide offer?

A．Protection and security measures.	B．Company and personalized suggestions.
C．Knowledge and leisure activities.	D．Freedom and enjoyable experience.

3. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To educate.

B．To explain.

C．To advertise.

D．To instruct.

2 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Bathed in warm sunshine, the newly restored Jingfu Ge,     1     is part of the Summer Palace in Beijing, is like an elderly person     2     a youthful face. It possesses the solemnity and magnificence of a royal building, and the gentle elegance of time.

After a yearlong work, the ancient building was reopened, enabling     3     public to see the results during a special open day on Oct 30.

Located on the eastern ridge of Wanshou Mountain in the Summer Palace, the building was initially a two-story pavilion     4     (construct) during the reign of Qing Dynasty Emperor Qianlong from 1736 to 1796,     5     known as the Tanhua Pavilion.     6     (fortunate), it was burned to the ground by Anglo-French forces in 1860, and it     7     (rebuild) between 1891-93 during the reign of Emperor Guangxu. Historical records show that Empress Dowager Cixi often went there     8     (appreciate) the views and the weather, and received foreign envoys and their family members in the building, which was not far from     9     (she) residence in the Summer Palace.

This round of     10     (restore) covered the main hall and the surrounding courtyard, with the aim of minimizing interference with the building and not changing its original facade and features.

3 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Where is the Base located?

A．10 km away from the city center.

B．Less than 30 km from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.

C．No.1357 Panda Road.

2. Which action is allowed when visiting the Base?

A．Feeding the animals using bamboo.

B．Chatting loudly with friends.

C．Taking pictures for pandas without flashes.

3. What service can you get for free at the Base?

A．Refilling a cup of hot coffee.

B．Buying food for dinner.

C．Using an umbrella when it rains.

4. Who are the target listeners of this article?

A．Tourists visiting the Base.

B．Volunteers taking care of the wild animals.

C．Scientists doing research at the Base.

4 . Four of the Best Autumn Walks in Britain

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London

It houses the widest variety of living plants of any botanic garden (植物园) on the planet, including around 14,000 trees. Every autumn, its woodland delivers an extraordinary view of bright red and yellow as leaves of various trees begin to change. Join a guided trees tour and learn how different trees are dealing with the changing seasons.

Brechfa Forest, Abergorlech

Brechfa Forest covers some 16,000 acres in Carmarthenshire, Wales, making it easy for walkers to enjoy themselves in woodlands transformed (改变) by autumn’s finest colours. Follow the Gorlech Walk, which tracks the river Gorlech and passes Californian redwoods that become a mix of red and purple in November. After your walk, drive to Carmarthen, one of the oldest towns in Wales, for lunch.

Batsford Arboretum, Cotswolds

More than 1,300 different trees and bamboos are showcased at Batsford Arboretum, near the picture-perfect town of Moreton-in-Marsh. This private garden covers 60 acres, providing outstanding colours between late October and November. Highlights include its large areas of leaf shades ranging from red to purple. Pre-booking tickets during autumn is recommended to avoid a large number of visitors.

Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire

There are over 3,800 acres of parkland to explore at Clumber Park, a beautiful place featuring Sherwood Forest that shows different and changing colours in autumn. With over 20 miles of trails (小径), there’s plenty of ground to cover, so consider bringing your bike. Keep an eye out for the park’s birds, which is a main attraction for birdwatchers.

1. What can you do at Royal Botanic Gardens?

A．Admire Sherwood Forest.	B．Join a guided trees tour.
C．Enjoy Moreton-in-Marsh.	D．Have lunch in an old town.

2. What are you advised to do to visit Batsford Arboretum in autumn?

A．Ride a bike with friends.	B．Walk along a 20-mile trail.
C．Book a ticket in advance.	D．Set off early in the morning.

3. Where will you go if you love birdwatching?

A．Clumber Park.	B．Brechfa Forest.
C．Batsford Arboretum.	D．Royal Botanic Gardens.

5 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Known for its beautiful scenery, Mount Wuyi is the only place in the country     1     is home to Wuyi rock tea.

With tea farming dating back over 1,000 years, the mountain’s tea industry has a rich history. The area     2     (provide) tea for people at home and abroad since the first century CE, and in the     3     (eighteen) century, Wuyi rock tea was the most popular tea in Europe. However, its     4     (popular) was gained at the cost of the local environment. Illegal land reclamation (开垦) of tea mountains and the destruction (破坏) of plant resources have occurred frequently,     5     (damage) the environment in the area around Mount Wuyi.

The need to strike a balance between farmers’ livelihoods and the local environment has appeared as     6     unique challenge for the Wuyishan National Park, which covers 1,280 square kilometers as it straddles (横跨) the eastern provinces of Fujian and Jiangxi.     7     (found) in 2021, it was among the first batch of China’s national parks.

The park has a tea farming area of 34.54 square kilometers, accounting     8     2.7 percent of its total expanse. The     9     (authority) have cooperated with tea experts to develop measures for the protection and improvement of the Mount Wuyi tea industry and biodiversity, ensuring the sector’s sustainability for generations     10     (come).

6 . 请你用英语写一篇导游词，向外国游客介绍一个中国著名的旅游城市，内容包括：
1. 地理位置；
2. 城市特征及著名景点。
注意: 1. 词数 80 左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the famous tourist city—

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7 . 听下面一段长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What does the man think of visiting art galleries?

A．Costly.

B．Worthwhile.

C．Disappointing.

2. Where did the woman go recently?

A．To Washington.

B．To Seoul.

C．To Paris.

3. How old is the woman now?

A．22 years old.

B．26 years old.

C．28 years old.

4. What art gallery does the man want to visit again?

A．Musee d’Orsay.

B．Centre Pompidou. gin ol

C．The National Gallery of Art.

8 . It is said that Shennongjia is the place where the mythical Emperor Yan once lived. In the remote mountains and primary forests, many visitors wish to encounter the legendary yeren (wild man), also called Bigfoot.     1     Instead, they are attracted by Shennongjia’s rich biodiversity and karst (喀斯特地形) land forms.

    2     Tourists can enjoy flower blossoms in spring, be shaded from the summer heat, appreciate red leaves in autumn and go skiing in winter.

Visitors can hike in the forest.     3     An early rise by visitors may be rewarded with an extremely attractive view of a sea of clouds beneath.

The natural beauty of karst landforms is everywhere. There are waterfalls, pools and a 56-ft-high arch that resembles a bridge crafted by nature after centuries of rain erosion.     4     Located in the southeast region of Shennongjia, it is the largest and highest wetland in central China. The Dajiuhu Lake is surrounded by mountains, where a total of nine different lakes are connected by a flowing stream. The nine lakes pose the Dajiuhu Lake, which means “nine big lakes” in Chinese.

Shen Nong’s first top is attractive to people who like climbing. The highest elevation of 2,950 meters has a wonderful reputation, also Shennongjia major scenic areas.     5    

Tourists may come across an area in which golden snub-nosed monkeys that are ill or injured are treated before they go back into the forest.

A．They may not see any such creature.

B．Of them the most famous is the Dajiuhu Lake.

C．The special land forms create a wonderful climate here.

D．The most attractive is the discovery of “uncivilized man”.

E．Trips in such a mountainous region depend largely on the weather.

F．The nature of Shennongjia’s beauty varies colorfully all year around.

G．Visitors can enjoy listening to the sounds of swallows nestling while climbing.

9 . 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.

2. What is special about Playa Norte?

A．Its clean water.	B．Its warm sunshine.
C．Its wonderful lifestyle.	D．Its good landscapes.

3. What do Cancun Beach and Akumal Beach have in common?

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.

10 . An adventurous Indian Ocean break can easily capture the imaginations of the whole family. Here are the best option, with trips to suit pre-schoolers to teens.

Mauritius   

A ride through the waters of northwest Mauritius in Blue Safari’s 10-seater submarine gives children (aged nine months and up) the rare chance to explore beneath the surface to a depth of 35 meters. Everyone gets a window to the underwater world.

The Maldives   

The Maldives is a good place to inspire young minds to dig deeper into the ocean. At Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, in the Baa Atoll north of Male, your teens can learn what is happening and why, and also help a scientist to create new reefs; back home, they can watch their reef flourish online.

Kerala     

The rivers of the southern coastal state of Kerala are an ideal introduction to India for young imaginations. Setting sail on a houseboat, kids will find the village life along the waterways fascinating, and they can play a part in it on trips to local markets to pick up souvenirs (guided by houseboat staff).

Réunion   

Covered in green, with plunging waterfalls and black-sand beaches, small Reunion is not a typical Indian Ocean island. Hike up to the Piton de la Fournaise, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, with over 600 miles of trails to occupy excited teenagers, or ‘aqua hike’ the Langevin River, which involves a mix of canyoning and whitewater swimming.

1. What do trips to Mauritius and the Maldives have in common?

A．They are home to reefs.	B．They have online practice.
C．They own special souvenirs.	D．They offer underwater projects.

2. Where can kids experience the village life near rivers?

A．Mauritius.

B．The Maldives.

C．Kerala.

D．Reunion.

3. What is about Réunion?

A．It is a coral island.	B．It suits teenagers best.
C．It is near an active volcano.	D．It has water sports events.