1 . National Parks in Utah

Zion National Park

It’s perfect for scenic drives and outdoor adventures. One of the park highlights is the Zion Canyons, which offers different hiking (远足) opportunities. Late spring or early fall is the best time to visit Zion National Park, since most facilities are open during this time. However, if you don’t mind cold weather, visit during the late fall and winter.

Bryce Canyon National Park

It’s home to the greatest number of hoodoos (石林) on earth, which are one of the natural wonders of the world. You can see most of Bryce Canyon’s highlights in one day by taking the scenic drive and making stops at various views. Most people visit the park between May and September since the weather is warmer.

Canyonlands National Park

Although it’s the 23rd largest National Park in the US, Canyonlands is the largest out of the four national parks in Utah. The best time of the year to visit is when the weather is pleasant in the spring and fall. The park has four main parts: The Maze, Island in the Sky, The Needles, and Horseshoe Canyon. If you plan to visit every part, you can go on a boat tour to explore it.

Arches National Park

Known as a red-rock wonderland, Arches National Park is popular for its stone arches (石拱).The park has over 2,000 stone arches, with Landscape Arch the largest. The park is busiest from March through October. However, the spring and fall temperatures are the most comfortable. So, the best time to visit is April, May, September and October.

1. When is the best time to visit Zion National Park?

A．Late spring.

B．Early summer.

C．Late fall.

D．Early winter.

2. What is special about Canyonlands National Park?

A．It features hike programs.	B．It is known for stone arches.
C．It is the largest one in Utah.	D．It requires advance bookings.

3. What can you do in Arches National Park?

A．Take a journey down a river.	B．Explore the Zion Canyons.
C．Tour Island in the Sky.	D．Admire the red rock.

3 . There are some palaces in Europe that you may be interested to know about.

Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain

It takes the title of the largest European palace by floor area and it is one of the largest palaces in the world. The Royal Palace of Madrid was built in the 18th century by order of Philip V on the site of the old Alcázar fortress, a former Moorish castle. With over 135,000 square metres and 3,418 rooms, it has seeded centuries of Spanish history. It is one of the few official seats of a head of state that is open to the public.

Royal Palace of Brussels, Belgium

It is a historic and the most wonderful building in Brussels, Belgium, next to Brussels Park. The Royal Palace of Brussels is the King’s main workplace, where he works daily with his staff. A tradition has been established since 1965 to open the Royal Palace of Brussels to the public normally from the 21 July until the beginning of September.

Pena Palace, Portugal

It is the most popular attraction in Sintra, Portugal, and the main reason why so many people visit the small mountain town less than one hour’s drive from the country’s capital city, Lisbon. The colorful palace perched upon a hill looks like something out of a fairy tale. Its yellow and bright red appearance makes Pena Palace one of the most picturesque places in Europe. The UNESCO World Heritage (遗产) site has a rich history that dates all the way back to the Middle Ages.

Palace of Venaria, Italy

It is a former royal living places and gardens located in Venaria Reale, near Turin in the Metropolitan City of Turin of the Piedmont region in northern Italy. It is one of the largest palaces in the world. It is one of the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.

1. Which palace covers the largest floor area in Europe?

A．Royal Palace of Madrid.	B．Pena Palace.
C．Royal Palace of Brussels.	D．Palace of Venaria.

2. When can tourists visit the Royal Palace of Brussels?

A．In February.

B．In June.

C．In August.

D．In October.

3. What do Pena Palace and Palace of Venaria have in common?

A．They are both in Asia.

B．They are both small palaces.

C．They are both forty minutes’ drive from the capital.

D．They are both listed in the UNESCO World Heritage.

4 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What does the man like to do?

A．Look at art.

B．See the castles.

C．Visit the football clubs.

2. Who may want to go to the Beatles Story?

A．The man’s mum.

B．The man’s dad,

C．The man’s sister.

3. What will the man’s family do tonight?

A．Check a map.

B．Enjoy some shows.

C．Buy a few paintings.

5 . 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。

Applause (掌声) rang across Zhaxizom town last month. The air was filled     1     excitement as players sang and danced     2     (happy). The event marked the beginning of the town’s music and food festival. Zhaxizom is at an altitude of 4,200 meters at the foot of Mount Qomolangma, the world’s highest peak, which is known in English as Mount Everest.

“I planned     3     (head) straight to Mount Qomolangma Base Camp, but when I arrived in this small town, the     4     (amaze) festival caught my eye and I decided to stay for several more days to enjoy the music and food here before     5     (continue) my journey,” said one traveler Zhang, who is from Liaoning province.

Migmar Lhamo, a college student     6     lives in Zhaxizom, said, “The festival will allow people to learn about our town. It will become a new     7     (attract) for people.” Migmar Lhamo believes the festival will play     8     important role in improving the development of the local culture and tourism.

According to the county government, more activities such as live music shows, firework displays and food fairs     9     (organize) as part of future festivals to provide both locals and     10     (tourist) with an extremely impressive experience of local culture. “The music and food festival will help the growth of the local economy,” Zhu said.

6 . 听下面一段短文，回答以下小题。
1. How long does the tour last?

A．One hour.

B．Two hours.

C．Three hours.

2. What does the speaker say about her houseboat?

A．It is large.

B．It is small.

C．It is the most expensive.

3. What is the speaker’s new book about?

A．Travel safety rules.

B．People’s lifestyle in the city.

C．The history of houseboats in Seattle.

4. What is the speaker mainly talking about?

A．A book.

B．A houseboat tour.

C．Her travel experience.

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What’s the weather like today?

A．Cold.

B．Hot.

C．Cool.

2. Which is the highest mountain in this area?

A．Mount Karen.

B．Mount Brown.

C．Mount Heather.

3. Which season does the man recommend for skiing in the mountain?

A．Winter.

B．Autumn.

C．Summer.

4. How many deer do the speakers see?

A．Two.

B．Three.

C．Four.

9 . Vacation often starts with a wonderful idea.     1     With a little bit of preparation and effort, travelers can overcome 90% of the difficulties they may face during a trip. Here are useful tips on how to plan a trip.

Picking the right destination according to the season is a key factor in planning a trip successfully.     2     Usually, the ideal season to visit beaches, mountains and forests is completely different. Also take the cost factor into consideration. Going to a luxury destination during the shoulder season can result in some good discounts on hotels and flights.

Another key aspect of a good trip planning is to correctly estimate the number of days required.     3     Some travelers like to see new cities every day, whereas some prefer taking it slow. You’d better leave an empty day in travel plans in which there are more than 7 days so that things like terrible weather won’t mess up the whole arrangement.

    4     Prices of flights and accommodations rise over time if you are planning for a vacation that falls during the peak season of that particular destination. So making a reservation a few months in advance will help you avoid additional costs.

Pack wisely and do necessary research. An extra shirt, sweater, or jumper can prove handy during trips where the weather is expected to be cold or rainy. As responsible tourists, travelers must know the destination they are visiting.     5     Because it helps them avoid conflict or disrespect to the locals.

A．Early booking is recommended.

B．Learn about the do’s and don’s.

C．Make the most of every traveling day.

D．But not everyone has a reasonable vacation plan.

E．It often depends on the travel plans and purpose.

F．Check out the best time to visit the place you like.

G．Something unexpected, however, makes it end up being a trouble.