1 . Whether you are travelling for business or pleasure, every trip needs a little planning. Travel planning doesn’t have to be stressful, though. Here are some simple steps for you.

Start planning in advance.

    1     International trips can take months to plan. Trips during high seasons, like summer vocations, need to be planned further out than trips during low seasons.

    2    

Before you do anything, you need to know how much money you will have for this travel. It is easy to overspend when you are travelling if you don’t plan ahead. So start your planning by working out how much you want to spend on transportation, food, sightseeing and hotels.

Make reservations.

Booking transportation and accommodations in advance is quite necessary. Things like flights, trains and even car rentals can be quite different depending on when and where you book them. It’s worth considering booking accommodations online. There are many reliable websites for booking hotels.     3    

Make a tour routine.

Make your routine simple and clear. You don’t need to plan out every minute of every day.     4     Researching and planning these before you leave allows you to see and do more of you want.

Pack your essentials.

    5     For example, your ID card and mobile phone charges. Check the night before you depart. Check the weather and pack proper clothing for your trip.

A．Get ready to go.

B．Set a travel budget.

C．See your doctor for health concerns before your trip.

D．The longer you wait, the more expensive these will get.

E．The further away you want to go, the earlier you need to plan.

F．But schedule time for the things you really want to see and do.

G．No matter where you’re going, there are some necessities to take.

2 . Did you know you can visit the Great Wall of China, see famous paintings or check in on your favourite zoo animals without leaving home? That’s good news any time. Here are some of explore-the-world-from-home ideas.

THE GREAT WALL, CHINA

This incredible landmark is a collection of walls. It’s often said it’s the only human-made structure that can be seen from the Moon but that claim was made many years before anyone had been to the Moon. Today, the Great Wall is generally recognized as one of the most impressive architectural feats in history.

VISIT thechinaguide.com/ destination/ great-wall-of-china

CINCINNATI ZOO, US

This famous zoo is offering virtual home safaris. “We’re bringing the zoo to people who are stuck at home,” said zoo director Thane Maynard. “The goal of the daily live sessions is to provide fun and educational content to people who are staying at home.”

VISIT cincinnatizoo.org/home-safari-resources

SMITHSONIAN, US

The Smithsonian Museum and National Zoo has a large range of exhibits available to view online, including Animal Cams—live streams of their animal enclosures so you can get up close with lions, pandas, elephants and more.

VISIT si.edu/kids

MUSEE D’ORSAY, FRANCE

Take some time to study the paintings of Monet, Cezanne, and Gauguin at the Musee D’Orsay, Paris.

VISIT m.musee-orsay.fr/ en

MARS

And for a truly out-of-this-world experience from the comfort of your own home, take a virtual tour of Mars. The tour images are recorded by NASA’s Curiosity rover.

VISIT accessrmars.withgoogle.com

1. How can we describe the Great Wall according to the second paragraph?

A．Antique.	B．Tremendous.
C．Well-organized.	D．Popular.

2. What do CINCINNATI ZOO and SMITHSONIAN have in common?

A．They require visitors to fill out forms.

B．They educate people to protect animals.

C．They provide live streams of their paintings.

D．They offer visual feasts about animals.

3. Which one is suitable for those who are interested in astronomy?

A．THE GREAT WALL	B．MUSEE D’ORSAY.
C．MARS.	D．SMITHSONIAN.

3 . Jaw-dropping architecture isn’t new. We’re still fascinated by the Great Pyramid built 4,500 years ago! Read for more recent examples of innovative buildings constructed using modern technology.

Crooked House (Poland)

COMPLETED: 2004

With its curved (弯曲的) walls and roof, it is popular with photographers. However, staring at it for too long might make you dizzy! Inside is a typical mall and office building. A favorite feature is the Wall of Fame, with signatures from Polish celebrities (名人). It’s modeled after the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Cube Houses (Netherlands)

COMPLETED: 1984

The Cube Houses are a popular attraction, but they are also real houses that people live in! The furniture is tailor-made to fit the strange angles where the walls meet. Architect Piet Blom designed the homes based on the idea of “living as an urban roof,” with the housing above and the courtyards, shops, and even a chess museum below.

Wonder Works (US)

COMPLETED: 2006

Looking at the cracks in this building, you might think, is it about to collapse? But it’s all an illusion (幻觉). This indoor amusement park is actually pretty normal. The upside-down features are just for show. Inside are more than hands-on science exhibits and activities, including a laser-tag zone and a hurricane-force wind tunnel!

Guangzhou Opera House (China)

COMPLETED: 2010

It was designed by Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid. She said she let natural places inspire her buildings, such as this opera house on the Pearl River. She used latest construction and design methods to make her design a reality. GPS positioning and laser techniques helped shape the structure, which includes tons of steel and glass.

1. What makes Cube Houses different from the others in the list?

A．Its latest techniques.	B．Its residents inside.
C．Its famous signatures.	D．Its upside-down features.

2. Which building might best suit science majors?

A．Crooked House

B．Cube Houses

C．Wonder Works

D．Guangzhou Opera House

3. What is the purpose of this passage?

A．To introduce amazing architecture.	B．To advertise specifically-designed programs.
C．To inspire students to make innovations.	D．To urge people to protect historical buildings.

5 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. When did the students get to school?

A．At 4:30.

B．At 5:00.

C．At 5:30.

2. How did the speaker feel when the coach arrived?

A．Excited.

B．Tired.

C．Sad.

3. What did the speaker get for her sister?

A．A dress.

B．A bag.

C．A T-shirt.

4. What did the speaker like best about this trip?

A．The boat trip.

B．The comfortable hotel.

C．The shopping experience.

7 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。

1. What does the voice guide provide?

A．Directions to each room.

B．Descriptions of exhibits.

C．Schedules for key events.

2. How many exhibition rooms are there in the museum?

A．7.

B．10.

C．15.

3. What gift can voice guide users get?

A．A digital record of their tour.

B．An e-book about the museum.

C．A picture of a popular exhibit.

8 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1. Where did Owen live while in Masai Mara?

A．In a tent.

B．In a boat.

C．In a treehouse.

2. What does the woman think of Owen’s vacation?

A．Comfortable.

B．Expensive.

C．Exciting.

3. Why does Owen suggest going to Masai Mara between August and September?

A．The bushes are most colorful.

B．The animals are on the move.

C．Plains are good for driving.

9 . 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.