1 . Once home to kings and queens, palaces were built not only to act as royal residences (皇家官邸), but to project power. Due to their artistic, cultural and historical value, palaces now make for some of the most popular tourist attractions and museums around. Let’s get close to the most famous four.
Forbidden CitySince it was built in 1406, the Forbidden City has been the center of Beijing, as well as China. Protected by a high wall, the palace holds some 980 different buildings. These show lots of amazing Chinese palatial (宫殿式的) architecture, of which the Hall of Supreme Harmony and Palace of Heavenly Purity are must-see sights. Now it has become the Palace Museum and visitors can enjoy various artworks there.
Winter PalaceOnce the living place of the Russian tsars (沙皇), the Winter Palace now houses the world-famous Hermitage Museum. Built in an Elizabethan Baroque style, its seemingly never-ending green and white walls are said to house over 1.500 rooms, with each of them beautifully decorated. The size of the palace, not to mention the beautiful art and architecture on show, perfectly shows the power of Imperial Russia.
AlhambraLocated on the top of a mountain, Alhambra has long been one of the best-known and recognizable palaces on Earth. Built by the Nasrid sultans in the 13th century, the palace proudly exhibits lots of delicate(精美的) Andalusian architecture, with unique designs and patterns wherever you look. Walking around its gardens is enjoyable, and it will leave you a deep impression.
Palace of VersaillesAlthough Versailles started out as a hunting shelter, it was turned into one of the grandest palaces under Louis XIV. The Sun King decorated and enlarged it, eventually turning it into his royal residence and these at of his government. Many precious artworks were removed and placed in the Louvre following the French Revolution. Now, many repairs have seen the palace returned to its former glory.
1. Which is on the mountaintop?| A．The Forbidden City. | B．The Winter Palace. |
| C．Alhambra. | D．The Palace of Versailles. |
| A．It has always been well protected since the very beginning. |
| B．It was not designed to serve as a royal residence. |
| C．It has the largest number of rooms of the four. |
| D．It was built in an Elizabethan Baroque style. |
| A．News. | B．Education. | C．Culture. | D．Fashion. |
Hopscotch Music Festival
Where: Downtown Raleigh
When: Today — Saturday
Highlights: This music festival features performances by more than 175 national and international bands playing in 15 different places, all within walking distance. Music genres will include rock, hiphop, heavy metal, dance, classical, folk and so on.
Admission: $10 — $30
Details:www.hopscotchmusicfest.com
Flatwoods Festival
Where: 451 Peach Tree Road, Bennett
When: 10 am Saturday — 5 pm Sunday
Highlights: This annual festival, which is in its 15th year, features family fun, food and horse rides. There will also be musical entertainment and a grand parade with cars, trucks, tractors, horse-drawn vehicles, floats, farm equipment and many other things.
Admission: On Saturday, free; on Sunday, $10; $5 for children aged 13 and under.
Details: Telephone number: 919-548-5192;www.visitpittsboro.com
NC Mountain State Fair
Where: 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher
When: Today — Sept. 16
Highlights: In celebration of the people, agriculture, art and traditions that make our region great, the fair offers performances and even a man who carves artwork with a saw.
Admission: $7; $3 for kids aged 6 — 12
Details: Telephone number: 828-687-1414;www. mountainfair. org
1. What does the underlined word “genres” refer to?
| A．types. | B．activities. | C．lessons. | D．programs. |
| A．By surfing the website: www. mountainfair. org. |
| B．By dialing the telephone number: 828-687 — 1414. |
| C．By dialing the telephone number: 919-548-5192. |
| D．By surfing the website: www. hopscotchmusicfest. com. |
| A．Flatwoods. | B．Downtown Raleigh. | C．Bennett. | D．Fletcher. |
Lijiang Old Town, also known as Day an Old Town, was a former trading town and as top for traders carrying goods on the Ancient Tea and Horse Road. It
In Lijiang Old Town, you’ll find a mix of architectural style influenced by several
The Mufu is one of Lijiang’s famous attractions. It was the residence of the Naxi People’s Mu clan (宗族) who were in charge
What are you waiting for? Come to explore Lijiang right now!
4 . From the deserts to the rocky coastline, the United States offers a breathtaking range of natural landscapes. Here are some of its top picks, one in each state.
Massachusetts
Book an overnight stay at the Borden Flats Lighthouse in Massachusetts’ Taunton River for a taste of lightkeeper life. The tower wan built in 1881 to guide ships through the Mount Hope Bay, near the town of Fall River, Book months in advance for this self-catering flat with wonderful views.
Connecticut
With 650 feet of vertical (垂直的) drop, Connecticut’s Mohawk Mountain So Area might look modest, but its eight chairlifts provide access to 26 sidewinding trails (小径), many of which can be skied after dark thanks to night lighting. Toward the mountain top several trails connect with snowshoe and cross-country ski paths that go deeper into Mohawk State Forest.
Colorado
The Centennial State has nearly a hundred developed and undeveloped hot springs.The heated natural water is said to relieve pain and reduce stress. For the wellness road trip, start with the 720-mile Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop from Denver to Pagosa Springs to Steamboat Springs, which highlights 17 destinations, including Glenwood Hot Springs Resort with its 405-foot-long main pool.
Montana
Helena, Montana’s laid-back capital, is often overlooked. But its location, at 3, 875 feet of elevation on the eastern slope (斜坡) of the Continental Divide, makes it a mountain biker’s dream. Seventy-five miles of trails include the Mount Helena Ridge Trail, where you’ll get views of the valley below. You might see wildflowers or a black bear.
1. What are you required to do to taste lightkeeper life?| A．Buy a ticket to an old tower. | B．Make reservations in advance. |
| C．Follow ships in Taunton River. | D．Take a boat tour in Fall River. |
| A．In Massachusetts. | B．In Connecticut. |
| C．In Colorado. | D．In Montana. |
| A．Mountain biking. | B．Rock climbing. |
| C．A natural pool. | D．A lighthouse. |
5 . A study has shown how ecotourism in the Philippines has transformed people’s attitudes towards marine (海洋的) conservation.
Researchers from the University of Victoria in Canada and other institutes in Philippines, visited three sites where tourists pay to swim with whale sharks in the wild. They interviewed range of locals in Oslob, Donsol and Pintuyan, including fishers and ex-whale shark hunters. At Oslob, the largest of the three sites, people were more likely to speak about the resulting improvements to their quality of life and an increase in job opportunities. At the smaller, less profitable sites, responses were more likely to be about the changes in how people behaved towards the sharks.
Dr. Jackie Ziegler, who led the team from the university’s Marine Protected Areas Research Group, said, “Many of the people we spoke to reported they now care about and value whale sharks because of tourism activities. They also expressed the community’s emotional connection to the species and the strong need to protect them. Before the introduction of tourist activities, most of the locals admitted to harming the sharks by hitting them with stones, harpoons, paddles, dynamite or riding them.” In terms of attitudes towards the wider marine environment, the majority of respondents now actively encourage others to care for the ocean and they also use more sustainable (可持续的) fishing practices.
The study also acknowledged the potential negative effects of tourism on the marine environment, such as impacts on the health of local coral reefs and of the sharks. It concluded that further studies were needed to assess these impacts before firm conclusions could be drawn regarding the positive impact of whale shark tourism on ocean conservation.
Nevertheless, the researchers say their work suggests ecotourism can be an effective means of strengthening protection. “It was fascinating to hear the importance so many local Filipino communities place on whale shark tourism. Bringing in the views of the local tour operators to the study was imperative (必要的) in uncovering the true impact of whale shark tourism and the wider benefits to ocean conservation in the Philippines,” Dr. Ziegler added.
1. What do the local people concern least according to paragraph 2?| A．Improvements of life. |
| B．Behaviors towards sharks. |
| C．Increases of work chances. |
| D．Relationships between people. |
| A．Protective. | B．Satisfying. | C．Unsustainable. | D．Beneficial. |
| A．Influences on the health of other marine species. |
| B．Strategies for carrying out marine ecotourism. |
| C．Benefits from ocean conservation. |
| D．Importance of protecting the local whale sharks. |
| A．Ecotourism Has Brought Large Benefits to People |
| B．Ecotourism Transforms Locals’ Attitudes to Marine Conservation |
| C．Marine Ecotourism Gives Rise to a New Kind of Business |
| D．Ecotourism Does Much Good to Marine Life as Before |
6 . The world’s most brilliant museums provide their visitors an awesome experience of observing the greatest works of art close up, while safeguarding their impressive collections for future generations.
THE VATICAN MUSEUMS, VATICAN CITY, ITALY
While Vatican City is home to the Roman Catholic Church’s governing body and its head, the pope (教皇), this small sovereign city-state (主权城市国家) within Rome offers a we alth of cultural attractions open to visitors of any faith. A must-visit is the Vatican Museums, showcasing masterpieces from the Catholic Church’s extensive collection, including renowned Roman sculptures and vital works of Renaissance art.
Highlights: famous for its beautiful ceiling painted by Michelangelo.
THE BRITISH MUSEUM, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
The British Museum was the first national museum to cover all fields of human knowledge. No other museum is responsible for collections of the same depth and significance. Its eight million objects allow us to explore the extraordinary diversity of human cultures.
Highlights: the world’s second finest collection of Egyptian antiquities (古物) outside Egypt.
THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, NEW YORK, USA
“The Met” is the largest art museum in the United States. Presenting over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy, the Met is always eager to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects.
Highlights: its European sculptures and American paintings.
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, WASHINGTON DC, USA
The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 19 museums and the National Zoo. The Institution was founded in 1846 with funds from the Englishman James Smithson (1765-1829) according to his wishes “under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase of knowledge.”
Highlights: the Apollo 11 command module is on the bucket list of most visitors.
1. What is a notable feature of the Vatican Museums?| A．Largest art museum in the world. |
| B．First national museum in the world. |
| C．Famous for its Michelangelo-painted ceiling. |
| D．Storing the world’s finest collection of American paintings. |
| A．Roman sculptures. | B．Egyptian antiquities. |
| C．The Apollo 11 command module. | D．European sculptures and American paintings. |
| A．To house a vast collection of European sculptures. |
| B．To rival the Vatican Museums in cultural significance. |
| C．To protect the world’s largest collection of Egyptian antiquities. |
| D．To fulfill the wishes of James Smithson for the increase of knowledge. |
7 . Some places are to be appreciated and visited during the winter months, with fresh layers of snow transforming already beautiful landscapes into wonderlands. Read on to discover these winter resorts around the world that are enough to wake you up.
Gullfoss Waterfall, Iceland
The falls are especially impressive in winter. It has two impressive layers, reaching up to 36 feet and 69 feet, and it’s quite dramatic to see the golden light reflected off its steep water at sunset. If you want to catch a sight of the polar lights on your trip, you can also see it from September to mid-April in Iceland.
Tromso, Norway
Tromso is a charming fishing village and energetic university town. Located on the Norwegian Sea off the northern coast of Norway, Tromso is particularly suitable for winter holidays as it is a popular gateway to the Arctic Circle. Surrounded by picturesque glaciers (冰川), the winter landscape of this region is unforgettable. You can also take part in many guided tours designed around the local Sami culture and maritime history.
Banff National Park, Canada
As Canada’s first national park, Banff National Park offers excellent views of the snow- covered Canadian Rockies. Located about two hours’drive from Calgary, the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with cross-country skiing opportunities.
Crater Lake National Park, United States
Crater Lake National Park, about a four-hour drive south of Portland, Oregon, is especially notable during the winter when the volcano lake is covered in snow. Crater Lake was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption some 7,700 years ago and is now a must-see for travelers seeking natural experiences, such as camping and cross-country skiing.
1. Where will you go if you are interested in Sami culture?| A．Gullfoss Waterfall. | B．Banff National Park. |
| C．Tromso. | D．Crater Lake National Park. |
| A．They feature the polar lights. | B．They offer cross-country skiing. |
| C．They are formed by volcanic eruptions. | D．They are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. |
| A．To share winter travel tips. | B．To ask us to enjoy delights of nature. |
| C．To persuade people to come to Iceland. | D．To recommend winter tourist attractions. |
1.当天的活动;
2.收获与感想。
参考词汇：展品exhibit
注意：1.写作词数应为80个左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
A Family Day Out
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________9 . BE A GOOD TOURIST
Tourism can be both good and bad.
One growing problem is tourists who want to prove that they have visited a destination. Tourists have used paint, rocks, or even keys to write on the Luxor temple in Egypt, the Colosseum in Rome, Stonehenge in the UK, memorial stones at the bottom of Qomolangma, and many, many other places.
The number of problems from tourists is endless: walking in large groups without considering others who need to walk by, crossing roads without thinking of local traffic laws, and many more. The only way to solve the problem of the terrible tourist is to make sure that you are not one!
| A．Be smart, curious and creative tourist. |
| B．Be the best, kindest, and most considerate tourist possible. |
| C．Here are examples of traveling without permission |
| D．Thousands of tourist sites are being destroyed by tourists who love them to death. |
| E．I have some words for tourists like this: please be considerate towards the local people. |
| F．Another big problem in some places has been tourists disturbing the local people and life. |
| G．Yes, it brings in money for the local economy and creates lots of jobs for locals, but it may also bring some problems. |
10 . 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. |
| 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. |
| A．Clumber Park. | B．Brechfa Forest. |
| C．Batsford Arboretum. | D．Royal Botanic Gardens. |
