1 . Bioluminescence (生物荧光) is to California as the Aurora Borealis is to the Arctic. These events occur when single-celled organisms, known as dinoflagellates (甲藻), suddenly give off a kind of light after being disturbed. They’re most common in spring and into summer, especially during years with a combination of good rains and warm weather. Here are a few tips to help you witness bioluminescence:
Monitor Social Media
The first reports of a bioluminescence event are likely to show upon Instagram and Twitter, which are easily searchable. You can also setup a warning on Google that will round up news coverage.
Check With Aquariums
Such institutions as the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla, the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey might post updates on their websites or social media feeds, especially if bioluminescence is happening locally.
Find a Dark Location
If bioluminescence is ongoing, try to find a stretch of coast that’s as far away from light as possible. Get out before the moon rises for the best conditions and some experts also suggest that two hours after sunset is a good bet Give your eyes time to adjust and use your flashlight’s red light, which will keep your vision adjusted to the darkness.
Track Hotspots
The best displays can vary from night tonight, so check again on social media for updates. The environmental website Treehugger named San Diego one of the world’s eight best places to see bioluminescence. Meanwhile, north of San Francisco at Point Reyes National Seashore, To males Bay is a dependable spot for bioluminescence and you can go out on guided trips with Blue Waters Kayaking.
1. What kind of condition is better for witnessing bioluminescence?| A．Hot dry weather. | B．Warm rainy weather. |
| C．Cold rainy weather. | D．Cold dry weather. |
| A．Water. | B．Sunset. | C．Darkness. | D．Light. |
| A．In La Jolla. | B．In Long Beach. | C．In San Diego. | D．In San Francisco. |
2 . Looking for a true out-of-this-world vacation? Then you are in luck! Texas-based start-up Orion Span announced they were taking reservations for Aurora (极光) Station, the world’s first luxury hotel in space.
The pill-shaped space station will measure 43.5 feet long and 14.1 feet wide—about the size of a large private jet’s cabin—when completed. It will accommodate four guests in two private suites and two crew members, most likely former astronauts. Hovering about 200 miles above the Earth, Aurora Station will circle the planet once every 90 minutes, enabling guests to enjoy 16 spectacular sunrises and sunsets daily, as well as scores of the breathtaking northern and southern auroras that the hotel is named after.
While admiring the beauty of our planet, tourists can have non-astronaut food and drinks or entertain themselves with playing cards. Those hoping to do something more worthwhile will be able to engage in astronaut-like experiments such as growing food in a special environment. The Wi-Fi-enabled spacecraft will make it easy for guests to share their experiences with friends and family members on Earth. At the end of the week and half-long vacation, returning guests will be treated to a special “hero’s welcome”, similar to the one experienced by astronauts returning from a real mission.
Before the once-in-a-lifetime trip, guests will have to undergo a three-month special training learning how to move in a weightless environment, along with the basics of space flight and orbital mechanics. Also, before you start packing your bags, you will have to pay $9.5 million for the 12-day round-trip vacation.
While several companies are planning to build hotels in space, Orion Span hopes to transform sections of used rockets floating in space into hotel rooms, instead of crowding the already messy skies with additional man-made objects.
1. What can we learn about Aurora Station?| A．People can visit it now. |
| B．Its construction will last for about 5 years. |
| C．It can only hold four people. |
| D．It looks like a pill about the size of a large plane. |
| A．Guests can enjoy spectacular auroras of the Earth. |
| B．The station will give off auroras while travelling. |
| C．The station will run round the auroras of the Earth. |
| D．The hotel is lit up by the auroras of the Earth. |
| A．Stay there as long as they like. |
| B．Cook meals as they do at home. |
| C．Communicate with their family. |
| D．Receive a welcome as a real hero. |
| A．There is little room for people to live on Earth. |
| B．Too many spacecrafts have aroused peopled concern. |
| C．Space hotels will be necessary in the near future. |
| D．Used rockets floating in space are easy to be recycled. |
3 . Experience Native American Culture
If you'd like to experience native American culture and appreciate its staying power, the followings can be your best choices.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the IPCC highlights the culture of the state’s 19 pueblos (印第安人村庄 ). Every weekend, dancers of Zuni pueblo perform in the center’s square. There's a museum, an annual film festival, a cafe serving authentic pueblo food like fry bread, and a world-class research library open to the public.
American Indian Film Festival
The oldest and best known festival in the country mainly shows movies about the stories of America's original people. There are screenings, group discussions and an awards ceremony. Past guests have included director Chris Eyre, actors Adam Beach, and Chaske Spencer. The festival runs for nine days in November in San Francisco. Tickets are reserved at AIFF's website or by e-mail.
Berkeley Indigenous Peoples Day Powwow
Among two dozen U.S. cities and one state observing Indigenous Peoples Day currently, Berkeley, California was the first city in the country to turn Columbus Day into a celebration of Native Americans. The annual event features traditional dancing, retailers selling native crafts and food, and a blessing of the grounds.
Petroglyph National Monument
One of the largest petroglyph ( 岩刻 ) sites in North America is on a cliff overlooking the suburbs of Albuquerque, New Mexico. There, native peoples scratched thousands of mysterious shapes and drawings of animals and humans into the stones between 400 and 2,000 years ago. When the Spanish traveled through in the 16th century, they added their initials to the Indians' sacred stones. It's a visual record of the conflict of cultures.
1. Where can visitors interested in films and dancing go?| A．India | B．Berkeley | C．Albuquerque | D．San Francisco |
| A．By booking online. |
| B．By making a call. |
| C．By going there in person. |
| D．By sending a text message. |
| A．It's located below a cliff in Albuquerque. |
| B．The sculptures are easy to understand now. |
| C．The Spanish once destroyed some sculptures. |
| D．The sculptures reflect the conflict between cultures. |
4 . You may have heard of Niagara Falls, one of the biggest waterfalls in the world. But do you know about the Niagara Escarpment（断崖）?
Earlier this month, our school went on a hiking trip to this beautiful place. The weather was cold, cloudy and windy, so we wore many layers to stay warm. We were separated into two groups and went on different routes（路线）. The whole escarpment is 725 kilometers long.
My favorite part of the routes was the cave. The cave was formed from many different shaped rocks.
| A．Hiking is very interesting |
| B．We chose the easier route to climb |
| C．We covered 8 km in our four-hour journey |
| D．Another exciting moment was lunch |
| E．Some were huge while some were small |
| F．It was a challenging task indeed |
| G．It's a long, steep slope that runs through the US and Canada |
5 . Travel Safe
You’ve always wanted to go to Alishan. The Alishan Scenic Area has so many marvelous places to explore. Now you’re finally going to take that trip!
If you choose to work with a travel agency, choose a qualified one. Note what is included in the trip and what is not. If you are not sure, ask questions. Make sure everything is clear before you agree to the trip and pay your money. When you purchase your trip, also buy travel insurance.
If you are arranging your own accommodation, book a safe and legal hotel. For your own safety, choose one that meets the standards of department for tourism administration. After you arrive in the Alishan area and check into your hotel, look around. Locate the emergency exits.
There are many delicious restaurants around Alishan. Enjoy your food, but protect yourself from food poisoning.
| A．As you visit the famous sites of Alishan, keep an eye on your belongings. |
| B．Always keep a balanced diet and keep away from junk food. |
| C．But don’t get so excited about your trip that you forget to plan carefully. |
| D．You may never need them, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. |
| E．Always wash your hands with soap before eating. |
| F．The trip is bound to be an unforgettable experience. |
| G．You want to be protected if something unexpected happens and you can’t travel. |
1. 著名旅游景点信息；
2. 当地特色(如小吃、节日等)；
3. 注意事项。
注意：1.词数80左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
7 . Ecotourism has become increasingly popular in recent years.Travelers visit natural environments funding conservation efforts or promoting local economies.In many cases, ecotourism involves close interaction with wildlife.
Now, scientists have analyzed more than 100 research studies on how ecotourism affects wild animals.They find the presence of humans changes the way animals behave, and those changes may put them at risk.Therefore, they have concluded that such trips can be harmful to the animals.
When animals interact in seemingly kind ways with humans, they may let down their guard.As animals learn to relax in the presence of humans, they may become bolder in other situations.If this transfers to their interactions with predators (捕食者), they are more likely to be injured or killed.
The presence of humans can also discourage natural predators.It creates a kind of safe place for smaller animals that may make them bolder.For example, in Grand Teton National Park, elk and pronghorns in areas with more tourists are less watchful and spend more time eating.
Interacting with people can cause great changes in the characteristics of various species over time.“If animals become accustomed to tourists, we might create unintended consequences — affecting the behavior or population of a species and influencing the species’ function in its community,” the researchers write.
Ecotourism has effects similar to those of animal domestication (驯养) and urbanization.Research has shown that domesticated silver foxes become more obedient and less fearful.Fox squirrels and birds that live in urbanized areas are slower to flee from danger.The phenomena result from evolutionary changes, but also from regular interactions with humans.
Scientists hope the new analysis will encourage more research into the interactions between people and wildlife.It is essential to develop further understanding of how various species in various situations respond to human interaction and under what conditions human exposure may place them at risk.
1. We can learn from the passage that ___________.| A．ecotourism causes damage to the natural homes of wildlife |
| B．it is easy for eco-tourists to build up trust with wild animals |
| C．the effects brought by ecotourism may be harmful to the animals |
| D．wildlife interactions with humans strengthen their function in community |
| A．shyer | B．braver | C．wiser | D．swifter |
| A．wild animals become more relaxed due to evolution |
| B．animals’ reactions to humans vary from species to species |
| C．smaller animals tend to be in harmony with natural predators |
| D．the presence of humans reduces their awareness of potential danger |
| A．Ecotourism Can Put Wild Animals at Risk |
| B．Ecotourism Has Become A Popular Trend |
| C．Wildlife’s Reactions to Human Activities |
| D．Latest Research Findings on Ecotourism |
8 . Tours in Guizhou Province
Huangguoshu Waterfall Tour
Running: May 1st through November 10th
This tour transports you to one of Guizhou Province's most fantastic attractions, the largest waterfall in China? Here you can enjoy the magnificent waterfall and large cave landscape. Then we will take you to have a free taste of local food.
Departing from Guiyang: 7:30 am and 8:30 am
Duration (时长):7 hours
Price: 250 yuan
Xijiang Thousand Households Miao Village Tour
Running: April 6th through October 23nd
This attractive tour takes you to the most special Miao village scenes of Guizhou. Enjoy the unique multi-stories turret 角楼)as you go through the traditional wooden houses town. Elegant Miao dresses are provided for you to lake beautiful photos, and you can participate in their festivities if you are lucky enough.
Departing from Guiyang: 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm
Duration: 1.5 days
Advance preservations required.
Qianling Mountain Park Tour
Running: March 1st through December 30th
This tour goes through the whole mountain on its way to Hongfu Temple which is quite famous in the southern pan of China. Here you can enjoy the history) of the famous temple and the delicious vegetarian food (素食)offered.
Departing from the hotel: 8:00 am and 9:00 am.
Duration: 3 hours
Price: 40 yuan
Site of the Zunyi Conference Tour
Running: January 10th through December 31st
Join us for a history tour of China through the historical district. Enjoy the special design and construction of the site as you get into the historical spirit of the conference.
Departing from Guiyang: 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm
Duration: 2 hours
Price: Available upon request
1. Which tour do you need to book in advance?| A．Huangguoshu Waterfall Tour. |
| B．Qianling Mountain Park Tour. |
| C．Site of the Zunyi Conference Tour. |
| D．Xijiang Thousand Households Miao Village Tour. |
| A．Learn about Chinese history. | B．Enjoy the beautiful site. |
| C．Attend the important meeting. | D．Join in the special design. |
| A．A science magazine. | B．A travel journal. |
| C．A teacher's handbook. | D．A personal diary. |
9 . The bus screamed to a stop in Nazareth, Israel. Five Australian backpackers boarded and struck up a conversation with me. They asked typical travelers’ questions—where was I going and why was I traveling alone? My plan was to travel with a friend of a friend, I explained, but when I called her that morning, she didn’t pick up and I had no other way to reach her. My stomach was in knots, but I decided to head out anyway, thinking I might run into her if I traveled to Tiberius, where we had planned to go together.
“Why don’t you travel with us?” one of the backpackers offered. They were experienced adventurers who would work for a few months, save, then travel for as long as they could. Their current plan was to explore the Middle East and Europe in three months while working in London.
It seemed risky to travel with strangers, but my instinct said yes. For the next two weeks, I explored Israel with the backpackers and learned to trust my instincts in all types of new and interesting situations. When they hook a ride, I took the bus, but when they wanted to steal into the King David Hotel’s swimming pool, I led the way. The world opened up to me because I chose to travel alone. I joined complete strangers, who become close friends. Years later, one couple from the backpacking group even flew from Sydney to Phoenix to be in my wedding. The trip was such a special experience that it gave me confidence in all areas of my life. Since then, I’ve backpacked alone across South Africa, sky-dived from 12,000 feet in New Zealand and even moved across the U.S. with no job lined up.
On my third day wandering in Israel with my new friends, I bumped into the woman I was supposed to meet. Though I was happy she was all right, I was grateful she hadn’t picked up the phone.
1. By “My stomach was in knots” (in paragraph 1), the author most likely means that she was ______.| A．sick of riding on a bumpy bus | B．nervous of meeting strangers |
| C．upset about the sudden change | D．sorry about the impractical plan |
| A．Courageous but disrespectful. | B．Jobless and poorly educated. |
| C．Warmhearted and trustworthy. | D．Homeless but lighthearted. |
| A．she would get along with the backpackers | B．it might cause trouble to have a swim |
| C．she ought to stay away from the backpackers | D．it could add excitement to get a free ride |
| A．Most of the backpackers became the author’s lifelong friends. |
| B．The author gathered the courage to be a fulltime backpack traveler. |
| C．The woman missed the phone call with the purpose of traveling alone. |
| D．The author considered it the best decision of her life to travel on her own. |
10 . Most travelers face the language difficulty in Italy nowadays.
There's no such thing as "Italian food".
In Italy each area has its own personality,its own dialect,and its own food.
Most Italians pay for things on a day-to-day basis with cash from their morning coffee to dinner.Those of you who have grown used to paying for milk and bread at the grocery store with a card find it very difficult to travel.
The waiter isn't being rude when he leaves you alone to eat.
In Italy,after your meal is served,you may not see the waiter at your table again until it's time to clear your plates.This is not the waiter being rude.
An empty restaurant doesn't mean the place is bad.
Many times I've gone into restaurants in Italy at what I thought was dinner time only to find the place nearly empty.
| A．Cash is king in Italy. |
| B．Trains are always late in Italy. |
| C．Later,I learned Italians eat late. |
| D．If so,traveling to Italy can be an attractive experience. |
| E．However,it's still a very easy and comfortable country to visit. |
| F．This is the waiter letting you enjoy your meal as long as you want. |
| G．It's a shock to those of you who think you've already known what Italian food is. |
