3 . American Unique Buildings

The country’s full of awe—inspiring natural wonders, but those made by man (and woman) are equally impressive. The architect behind a design or the creation’s history or purpose are all elements that may prove particularly attractive. These following buildings are all well worth visiting.

Bradbury Building

Los Angeles

Glancing at the Bradbury Building, built in 1893, the oldest commercial building in L.A., you may say: “OK, it’s a 19th-century relic.” Step inside and you will be surprised by the light-filled Victorian court, a wonder of open—cage elevators, marble stairs, and splendid iron barriers. Its architectural history is debatable — Sumner Hunt’s designs seem to have been completed by George H. Wyman, who monitored the construction.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Miami

Built in 1916, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, formerly Villa Vizcaya, is the one-time winter home of businessman James Deering. On Biscayne Bay in the Coconut Grove neighborhood, the early 20th-century property features Italian Renaissance (文艺复兴) gardens, native woodlands, and a complex of historic outbuildings. The property designed by Paul Chalfin is today operated by Miami-Dade County.

Rogers Building

Orlando

The 132-year-old, Queen Anne-style structure, now housing an art gallery but a one-time home to cocktail-and-gaming clubs, was donated to the City of Orlando in 2018 earlier by Ford Kiene. The restriction that it must remain an arts and culture center for at least 20 years ensures public access for the near future.

Griffith Observatory

Los Angeles

It’s possible to see the stars at this destination that includes sweeping views of the city and the Hollywood sign, and has a planetarium (天文馆) to boot. It’s been a draw for its construction style sign its 1935 opening, with a $93 million expansion completed in 2006.

1. Which of the following places has the shortest history?

A．Bradbury Building.	B．Griffith Observatory.
C．Rogers Building.	D．Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

2. What can we learn about Rogers Building?

A．It used to be an art gallery.	B．It was expanded in 1892.
C．It was once privately owned.	D．It has been a culture center for 20 years.

3. In which column can this text probably be read?

A．Business.

B．Travel.

C．Science.

D．Education.

4 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

It was a sunny day. Sophie and her parents decided to go boating in the park. Sophie was amazed by the calm lake in front of her when she reached the lake. It was so still that it reflected (映出) the clouds above like a mirror. But when Sophie walked excitedly to the shore of the lake, she saw small waves spread out. After a while, the lake became calm again, and the perfect reflection of the clouds returned.

Feeling adventurous, Sophie wanted to discover more about the lake. Her dad saw how excited she was and gave her a life jacket to put on. After they were both ready, they got into a boat to explore the quiet waters. The boatman (船夫) gave her a paddle (船桨) and showed her how to use it. At first, Sophie wasn’t good at using the paddle, but with the help of the boatman, she quickly mastered the technique of rowing.

As they moved further into the lake, they passed over some green and heart-shaped leaves floating on the water. Yellow flowers stood out among the leaves, shining in the sunlight. It looked like something from a beautiful painting.

Then, as they left the area with the flowers behind, a butterfly landed on Sophie’s paddle. “Hi, how beautiful,” she said before it flew away. Sophie tried to paddle softly. “Let’s stay close to the shore,” her dad suggested.

Sophie was excited when she saw a turtle (龟) swimming near them. It had short legs and red and yellow on its neck. “Hi, I’m Sophie. What’s your name? You’ve got four paddles. We only have two,” she told the turtle. She wanted to get a better look, but the turtle swam away. “Was I too loud, Dad? Do you think it’ll come back?” she asked. Her dad just smiled and nodded.

注意：
1.续写词数应为150左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

The lake had more surprises waiting for them.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Just then Sophie’s mother waved from the shore and called them back.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5 . Going on a solo travel is more than just a holiday; it’s a journey of self-discovery, growth, and transformation. However, it’s not easy to make a decision because of the potential risks.     1    ? These four ways that solo travelling will change your life will convince you to buy that plane ticket!

Self-discovery beyond your comfort zone

Solo travel forces you out of your comfort zone, pushing you into an environment where self-reliance becomes common. You do everything on your own, from choosing destinations to exploring unfamiliar streets.     2    . It will equip you to tackle challenges with a newfound confidence.

Cultural involvement and global view

    3    . Being alone makes you more approachable, making it easier for locals and fellow travelers to engage with you. Whether it’s striking up a conversation with a native or sharing a meal with locals, solo travel provides a unique window into the cultural tapestry (图景) of each destination.

    4    

From understanding foreign languages to managing unexpected changes in plans, you are regularly meet with challenges that demand creative solutions. The ability to think on your feet and find innovative solutions to unexpected issues equips you to tackle challenges in various aspects of your personal and professional life.

Mindfulness and living in the present

In busy daily life, it’s easy to lose sight of the present moment. Solo travel allows you to fully expose yourself to the experiences at hand. Whether it’s enjoying a breathtaking sunset, or simply wandering through the streets of an unfamiliar city, solo travel encourages a deep appreciation for the present.     5    .

A．Enhanced problem-solving skills

B．Still hesitate to lake a solo travel adventure

C．Increased self-confidence and independence

D．Solo travel is the opportunity to expose yourself lo diverse cultures

E．This newfound mindfulness helps you gain a more fulfilling existence

F．Enjoy the loneliness, and allow solo travel to bring a positive change to your life

G．Through these experiences, you’ll build a stronger, more self-aware version of yourself

6 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1. Who will the man go with?

A．With the woman.

B．With his pen friend.

C．Nobody.

2. What is Nanning?

A．The man’s hometown.

B．The UN’s liveable city.

C．The town of fruit.

3. What does the woman ask the man to do?

A．Have a trip with her.

B．Send emails.

C．Take some photos.

4. When will the man set off?

A．On December 22nd.

B．On December 20th.

C．On December 25th.

7 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。

1. How long do the fitness classes in Italy last?

A．A week.

B．Two weeks.

C．Nearly a month

2. What is the two-week holiday in Greece aimed at?

A．Building up muscles.

B．Reducing stress.

C．Losing weight.

3. What makes the two-week holiday in Greece so special?

A．The equipment of the gym.

B．The place for the exercise classes.

C．The personalized diet programme.

4. Where is the mountain biking holiday offered?

A．In Ireland.

B．In France.

C．In Morocco.

8 . New York City: the Big Apple

New York City is known by many nicknames—such as “the City that Never Sleeps” or “Gotham”—but the most popular one is probably “the Big Apple”. How did this nickname come about? Although uses of the phrase are documented in the early 1900s, the term first became popular in the 1920s when John J. Fitz Gerald, a sports writer, started a column about horse racing called “Around the Big Apple”.

Geneva: the Peace Capital

Geneva, the second most populous city in Switzerland, is a city known for its diplomacy. Geneva is not only home to the European headquarters for the United Nations but also where international organizations, such as the Red Cross, were founded and where the Geneva Conventions, a series of treaties (条约) for reducing the effects of war on soldiers and civilians, were signed. It seems fitting. then, that Geneva is known as ”the Peace Capital”.

Toronto: Muddy York

“Muddy York” sounds like a nickname that would be better suited for New York when it’s raining. But it’s actually a nickname for the city of Toronto in Canada. “Muddy York” is now not as popular as it used to be, but the nickname refers to a time in Toronto’s history when there was no drainage system or sewers. The “York” part actually goes back to when Toronto was first colonized, and its name was “Town of York” to honor Prince Frederick, duke of York. Now, the nickname “Muddy York” represents the early years of this Canadian city.

Sydney: Harbour City

Located on the southeastern coast of Australia, Sydney is a city that takes advantage of its location. Once a major port city, Sydney is sometimes called “Harbour City”, in honor of this prime real estate. People enjoy hitting the beach to go surfing or diving, and one of the most recognizable buildings, the Sydney Opera House, is right on the harbor!

1. Which city got its nickname because of its port location?

A．New York.

B．Geneva.

C．Toronto.

D．Sydney.

2. What can you learn about Geneve?

A．It’s the second most populous city worldwide.

B．It’s famous for some international organizations.

C．It’s home to the headquarters of the United Nations.

D．It’s the cause of conflicts between soldiers and civilians.

3. Why was Toronto once known as “Muddy York”?

A．Because it was reduced to a British colony.

B．Because it had a lot in common with New York.

C．Because it was muddy on a rainy day for lack of sewers.

D．Because it represented the early years of this Canadian city.

9 . If you asked anyone what they’d like to do after they ________—and you ________ them the chance to go on a trip to see all 63 national parks-most might consider it ________. While more than just saying it, an ________ lady has done it—all 63 parks in about 8 years, becoming the oldest person ever to do so.

But, Joy Ryan didn’t do it herself. She had her grandson Brad for ________, who described the adventure as “the greatest ________”. Their ________ began in October of 2015 and ended last Monday when they made it all the way out into the South Pacific. In American Samoa, the two people got to enjoy ________ views of the South Pacific.

Grandma Joy has taught the world that it’s never too old to learn and live the ________ life of your dreams. “It is the greatest privilege of my life to ________ in the driver’s seat, as Grandma Joy made ________ to become the oldest person to ________ this historic moment.” Brad said.

Brad said their national park adventure ________, but their travels would not. They plan to take it ________, visiting Kenya as the first stop to touch all seven ________.

1.

A．depress

B．collapse

C．retire

D．qualify

2.

A．offered

B．assisted

C．shifted

D．motivated

3.

A．prior

B．impossible

C．vivid

D．substantial

4.

A．wealthy

B．old

C．gentle

D．optimistic

5.

A．command

B．commitment

C．power

D．company

6.

A．privilege

B．way

C．preference

D．assessment

7.

A．barrier

B．assumption

C．journey

D．vision

8.

A．peak

B．severe

C．breathtaking

D．appropriate

9.

A．ideal

B．rich

C．tough

D．adventurous

10.

A．pour

B．handle

C．sit

D．fix

11.

A．history

B．money

C．life

D．dream

12.

A．tackle

B．secure

C．quit

D．realize

13.

A．has finished

B．has improved

C．has continued

D．has overcome

14.

A．financially

B．seriously

C．visibly

D．internationally

15.

A．passengers

B．continents

C．parks

D．vehicles

10 . It was July 2019 and Mum had taken me on a 120-km mother-and-son walking holiday as a treat for my birthday. Although I was still on my first special ________, I’d love to see some ancient civilisation.

“Why don’t we go to Egypt?” I said. “It sounds ________, but I’m not paying for it,” Mum smiled and replied.

“I’ll save up my pocket money, and get a ________,” I said. I started saving my $10-a-week pocket money and washed my parents’ car for ________ cash.

In 2020, we moved to Perth. One day, I ________ a brochure in the letter box which was advertising a job delivering catalogues (目录). I applied for the job, and ________ I got it a week later.

On a Monday, a mountain of catalogues were ________ at our house. It took me nine hours to sort through them, and then I ________ them to 430 houses. At first, I used my bike and ________ the catalogues in my backpack, but this wasn’t very ________ so I bought a trolley (手推车) which improved my speed. As time went by, people started ________ me and saying hello on my rounds.

After three and half years, I’d ________ a massive $6,500, and in January this year I flew to Egypt. I had a good time visiting the powerful pyramids at Giza, ________ local food and sailing down a river. I fully ________ that nothing can stop a person from following his ________.

1.

A．solution

B．topic

C．experiment

D．trip

2.

A．fantastic

B．terrible

C．anxious

D．confusing

3.

A．toy

B．summary

C．poster

D．job

4.

A．important

B．extra

C．unusual

D．formal

5.

A．saw

B．borrowed

C．published

D．exchanged

6.

A．slowly

B．secretly

C．finally

D．curiously

7.

A．cut off

B．given back

C．paid back

D．dropped off

8.

A．threw

B．delivered

C．applied

D．sold

9.

A．designed

B．carried

C．shared

D．trapped

10.

A．free

B．amazing

C．effective

D．common

11.

A．recognising

B．preventing

C．interviewing

D．investigating

12.

A．afforded

B．selected

C．donated

D．saved

13.

A．explaining

B．enjoying

C．testing

D．replacing

14.

A．believe

B．pretend

C．regret

D．worry

15.

A．system

B．supply

C．dream

D．duty