1 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What does the speaker most probably do?

A．She is a tour guide.

B．She is a teacher.

C．She is an organizer of the exhibition.

2. How much is the ticket to the castle?

A．£2.

B．£3.

C．£5.

3. What time will the bus leave on Saturday?

A．At 8:40 am.

B．At 8:50 am.

C．At 9:10 am.

4. What can the listeners learn from the special exhibition?

A．When the castle was built.

B．What ancient people wore.

C．How the cars were invented.

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。

Next week, I’ll be traveling to Australia to visit a friend over the school holidays and I’m excited to explore this new country. I’ve already researched many iconic sites ,     1     (include) the Sydney Opera House and the Great Ocean Road, and animals like koalas and kangaroos. But as a social study student,     2     interests me most is experiencing the culture, food, and way of life of Australians and meeting new people. So far, my trip     3     (take) me to Sydney, where my friend took me to my first open-air barbecue and introduced me to many of the country’s delicious dishes. I’ve learned that many     4     (type) Australian foods, like the Sunday roast, have British origins, but Asian influences have also led to new food introductions like bean curd and dim sim. I have traveled to Katherine as well , a town in Australia’s Northern Territory,     5     (learn )about the customs and ways of life of the Aborigines, the native people of Australia.     6     their population may be small, their influence is still visible, as seen in the Aboriginal meaning of the name of Bondi Beach. The Aborigines’ close connection with nature is seen in their music, like the didgeridoo, which     7     (make) from a hollow tree branch and requires proper lip vibrations and air blowing techniques to play. I tried playing the didgeridoo but failed. As my trip comes to     8     close, I am most impressed by the multicultural influences that have shaped the unique Australian culture     9     (contribute) by immigrants and minorities. The warmth and     10     (friendly) of the Australian people have made me feel at home and I wholeheartedly agree with the tourism slogan, “There’s nothing like Australia”.

3 . The best places for wild sleeping in England and Wales

Challacombe Meadows, Devon

Best for: privacy

Challacombe Meadows is close to miles of walking trails near Widecombe. Basic toilet facilities and running water are a short walk away, and there’s a cosy pub and a farm shop also nearby, for when it’s time to return to civilization. Tents from £ 45 per tent.

Bush Farm, Cornwall

Best for: freedom of choice

At Bush Farm, campers are offered the freedom of choice. Map in hand, you can put up your tent wherever you please. Days can be spent wild swimming, wandering through the countryside and, come the evening, there’s star gazing beneath ink-black skies. Tents from £12 per person.

The Wildman Woods, Carmarthenshire

Best for: life on the riverbanks

At this little-known site, you can put your tent on the banks of the River Sawdde. The Wildman Woods are as simple as they sound, with leafy pitches scattered among the trees near the water. During the day, it’s the perfect place for a paddle. Tents from £10 per person.

Penrhos Isaf Bothy, Gwyned

Best for: packing light

Bothies, simple huts traditionally used as mountain refuges that are open to all and free of charge. They’re a great alternative to wild camping if the weather is looking unstable and you don’t mind sharing with other travellers, who can arrive at any time.

1. Which place best suits people who emphasize private camping?

A．Challacombe Meadows, Devon.	B．Bush Farm, Cornwall.
C．The Wildman Woods, Carmarthenshire.	D．Penrhos Isaf Bothy, Gwyned.

2. What can campers do at Bush Farm, Cornwall?

A．Swim indoors.

B．Go to the pub.

C．Appreciate stars.

D．Walk downtown.

3. What do the listed places have in common?

A．They are free of charge.

B．They are suitable for a paddle.

C．They were used as mountain shelters in the past.

D．They are favored by people enjoying wild sleeping.

4 . With a world full of fascinating destinations, choosing the perfect vacation spot can present a challenge. That’s why US News used expert opinions, reader votes and current trends to make this list of the world’s best places to visit.

South Island, New Zealand

New Zealand’s South Island has fantastic landscapes at every turn, from dramatic mountains to glaciers. Here, you can admire the mountains of Fiordland National Park. You can also enjoy yourself in Queenstown, exploring two of the most accessible glaciers in the world. At night, journey to the University of Canterbury’s Mount John Observatory to gaze at the starry skies.

Bora Bora

Though this small French Polynesian island may lack in size, it makes up for splendid tropical beauty. Here, the friendly locals can help you catch a glimpse of picturesque beaches. To relax, head to Matira Beach for crystal-clear water and soft sand. Although a trip to Bora Bora is very expensive, most travelers say it’s worth every penny.

Phuket

Located in southern Thailand, Phuket offers something for everyone, especially budget minded travelers. Activities like spa treatments and boat tours come with low price tags, as do accommodations. For stunning scenery, check out the limestone cliffs of Phang Nga Bay and lounges on Phukct’s gorgeous white sand beaches. Other must-sees include Wat Chalong Temple and the Big Buddha. Once the sun sets, take part in the island’s lively nightlife scene.

Maui

Whether you’re driving along the road, snorkeling with sea turtles or simply relaxing on the Hawaiian island you’ll find that Maui is unlike any other tropical destination. Don’t miss a chance to visit Haleakala National Park, which is home to the world’s largest dormant volcano.

1. Where can tourists observe the stars best?

A．At Mount John Observatory.	B．On Phang Nga Bay.
C．On Matira Beach.	D．In Haleakala National Park.

2. Which destination is located in Asia?

A．South Island.

B．Bora bora.

C．Phuket.

D．Maui.

3. What can tourists do in Haleakala National Park?

A．Explore glaciers.	B．Visit Wat Chalong Temple.
C．Enjoy lively nightlife scene.	D．Watch volcanic landscape.

5 . Do you want to see majestic lions roaring, rare rhinos running and colorful birds flying? You’ll find this incredible display of nature in the Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley.

First stop

Fly into Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. This great city is known for its fashion markets and beautiful art. And be sure to pick up some rich Kenyan coffee while you’re there! Then head for the countryside.

Plan your trip

The largest of the three lakes in the system, Lake Nakuru, is less than 175 kilometers from Nairobi. But Lakes Bogoria and Elementaita are equally worth a visit. You can stay at one of several choices of luxurious cabins in the valley. And if you sign up for a trip, be sure to put flamingos, the white and pink birds, at the top of your list.

Paradise

The Kenya Lake System is shallow and alkaline (碱性的). That means it supports vegetation such as green algae, a food source for many waterfowl. Hundreds of species of birds flourish here, using this area as a major breeding and nesting ground. Water buffalo, leopards, monkeys and the endangered Rothschild giraffe also make this area their home.

Other sights

Wildlife isn’t the only natural wonder in the Great Rift Valley. The valley marks a place where the earth is divided far below the surface. This rock separation below ground leads to noticeable features above ground. Walking around Lake Bogoria especially, you will see steam rising from hot springs.

Other activities include golfing, horseback riding and hiking. The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down, either. The river valley is far from city lights, so many visitors gaze at the stars shining above.

If you are ready for a wildlife experience, don’t hesitate!

1. Where can you buy fashionable gifts in Kenya?

A．Nairobi.

B．Lake Nakuru.

C．Lake Bogoria.

D．Lake Elementaita.

2. Which should be the first choice on your travelling list?

A．Living in a cabin.	B．Seeing flamingos.
C．Visiting hot springs.	D．Gazing at shining stars.

3. What can we learn about the Kenya Lake System?

A．It has countless lakes worth visiting.	B．It’s an ideal place for wildlife to live.
C．Its water is unsuitable for plant growth.	D．It’s famous for rich culture and history.

6 . Although fires are still a danger in every major city today, they were a much more serious problem in earlier centuries. The historic Fire of London was a serious example of the damage fire can cause. Finally, however, this disaster also positively affected the city.

In 1666, the Great Fire of London burned out of control for three days, destroying most of the central district of the city. The disaster caused a huge amount of damage — around seventy thousand people lost their homes. At the time, there were only about eighty thousand living in the city. There are no accurate records of how many people died in the fire because the worst damage happened in poor neighborhoods. Unfortunately, the government didn’t record the deaths of poor people in those early times.

When the fire happened, people in London were already struggling to survive a large plague (瘟疫) outbreak that had begun in 1665. London’s housing troubles were a major cause of the problem. At the time, much of central London consisted of closely packed and poorly made wooden buildings. This created an unhealthy environment because germs travelled freely from home to home. In addition, the buildings were on narrow, dirty streets where people threw their garbage. Rats were attracted by the garbage, and they brought fleas (跳蚤) — the carriers of the plague. Once people caught the plague from flea bites, the disease spread rapidly throughout the city especially in the cramped central district. It was in these terrible conditions that the Great Fire raged through London.

Despite the damage, the fire had a positive effect because it destroyed the old, poorly made wooden buildings. It also killed most of the rats and fleas, which slowed the spread of the plague. After the fire, the government rebuilt the damaged areas. Whenever possible, they used brick or stone. Thus, the new houses were much more solid and more difficult for rats to enter. Widened streets and improved garbage collection also helped to stop the disease from spreading from person to person because there was simply more room to walk.

1. Which of the following is TRUE about fires in the past?

A．They mainly happened in large cities.

B．They always had some positive effects.

C．They caused small amounts of damage.

D．They were more dangerous than fires today.

2. Why are there no accurate death records of the fire?

A．The numbers were beyond counting.

B．The government intended to hide the facts.

C．The records were destroyed in another fire.

D．The deaths of poor people were unrecorded.

3. What does the underlined word “cramped” in Paragraph 3 mean?

A．Ancient.

B．Crowded.

C．Damaged.

D．Popular.

4. Why did the government rebuild the city with brick and stone after the fire?

A．To reduce building costs.

B．To make houses stronger.

C．To keep fleas out of the city.

D．To stop the plague spreading.