1 . Welcome to Santa Cruz County. It is home to rough coastline and it’s the main destination for many hiking adventurers!
California King Tides Are Coming!
California King Tides are coming back to Santa Cruz County, and this season you have even more opportunities to enjoy these impressive tides! These naturally occurring and predictable events are when the highest and lowest tides hit our shores and create an even more dramatic coastline.
Winter Wildlife Getaway!
This season marks the start of the best wildlife watching on the California coast! Migrating whales and many special birds make December and January the perfect time for a wildlife adventure.
Magic Monarch Butterfly!
In Santa Cruz, we like to celebrate all creatures great and small, especially those of the migrating variety. On one hand, we are attracted by the sight of a whale surfaceing from the depths of the sea and, on the other hand, we delight in the attractive magic of a flying monarch butterfly.
County Shores!
Explore Santa Cruz County shores, and you’ll delight in rock y tide pools full of unique sea creatures. While exploring local tide pools, remember to have respect for your surroundings.
Care & Safety
Never turn your back on the ocean. Sleeper waves are a real phenomenon, and can sweep you away at any time.
We know how wonderful it might be to touch a plant or catch a fish from its waters, but disrupting tide pool life harms its inhabitants. Even if you think you’re saving a fish that appears to be pushed out of water, it’s best to leave it be. The tide will finally return it.
1. What are California King Tides like?A.Unpredictable. | B.Splendid. | C.Ordinary. | D.Destructive. |
A.Spring. | B.Summer. | C.Autumn. | D.Winter. |
A.Handle them gently. | B.Catch them immediately. |
C.Leave them where they are. | D.Take them back to the ocean. |
2 . Coming up with a list of places to visit can be challenging. To save your trouble, we have completed a list of the top tourist attractions in the world.
Eiffel Tower, Paris
Built in 1887, it’s the symbol of Paris and one of the most photographed buildings in the world. A visit to the Eiffel Tower is a must for all travelers. No other landmarks in the world inspire such a strong feeling of love for travel as this single iron structure (钢铁建筑).This is a city where travelers of all kinds can find the experience they're after.
The Statue of Liberty, New York City
America is full of great sights and places to visit, but it's the Statue of Liberty that symbolizes the United States. This symbol of freedom in New York City was gifted by the French to the American people in 1886. The best thing to do is to take a ride up to her crown (王冠) and get the view over the city.
The Acropolis, Athens
Standing above present-day Athens, the Acropolis draws you up and in. Follow in the footsteps of the ancients as you walk up the same steps that have been walked on since 438 BC. Views out over the city are amazing as you walk between the ancient buildings. Near the end of the day, you'll want to watch the sunset from the stairs near the entrance.
Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
If you’ve visited places like the Colosseum in Rome or the Acropolis in Athens, built over 2,000 years ago, you may think you have a good handle on ancient sites. But the Pyramids of Giza take ancient to a whole other level. These were built over 4,500 years ago. A sunset camel (骆驼) ride around the buildings is a wonderful experience.
1. Which can best describe the Statue of Liberty?A.It’s the highest in the world. | B.It’s designed in 1886. |
C.It’s a present from France. | D.It’s a single iron structure. |
A.Take a camel ride. | B.Enjoy the sunset. |
C.View New York City. | D.Explore ancient Rome. |
A.Eiffel Tower. | B.The Acropolis. |
C.Pyramids of Giza. | D.The Statue of Liberty. |
1. Why did the speaker go to the rainforest?
A.To do research for his degree. |
B.To enjoy the beauties of nature. |
C.To learn survival skills in the forest. |
A.The village. | B.The trees and birds. | C.The colors and sounds. |
A.He collected a few plants. |
B.He went on a hunting trip. |
C.He learned some dances. |
1. How long has the woman traveled?
A.For half a year. | B.For one year. | C.For two years. |
A.Asia. | B.Australia. | C.South America. |
A.Her arm was hurt. | B.Her father fell ill. | C.Her money was stolen. |
5 . 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. |
Stepping outside the railway station early
Yet, the breath taking beauty
After 1966, the year of the worst flooding in Venice’s history, the Italian Government started a project to save the city.
But Venice still needs attentive care. The city remains threatened on several fronts—mass tourism, the possible damage of city development
7 . A famous magazine, Amusement Today, does a survey among park lovers every year both in the US and overseas, based on which, “Top 5 List of the Best Amusement Parks in the World” has come out as follows:
Disneyland, California
Disneyland is a theme park in Anaheim, California, the US. More than 515 million guests have traveled to this American landmark from around the world since the park first opened to guests on July 17, 1955. The park consists of many world-famous sections, such as Main Street, Adventure land, New Orleans Square, and so on.
Magic Kingdom, Disney World, Florida
Magic Kingdom is a theme park within the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, near Orlando opened on October 1, 1971. It is the most famous theme park in Florida. The park’s design and attractions don’t make much difference from Disneyland Park in Anaheim.
EPCOT, Disney World, Florida
EPCOT is the second theme park built at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. The park opened on October 1, 1982, and was named EPCOT Center from 1982 to 1993. It was the largest Disney theme park in the world until 1998, when Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened.
DisneyMGM Studios, Florida
MGM’s streets are the home for some great moviethemed attractions with a history of less than 30 years. With the addition of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the Rock and Roller Coaster, the park is now home to Disney World’s most thrilling rides.
Universal Studios, Florida
Go behind the scenes, beyond the screen and jump right into the action of your favorite movies at Universal Studios, the number one movie and TV theme park in the world.
1. Which of the following theme parks have similar attractions?A.Disneyland & Magic Kingdom. |
B.Disneyland & Universal Studios. |
C.EPCOT & DisneyMGM Studios. |
D.Magic Kingdom & Universal Studios. |
A.Magic Kingdom, Disney World, Florida. |
B.DisneyMGM Studios, Florida. |
C.EPCOT, Disney World, Florida. |
D.Disneyland, California. |
A.To attract tourists to these theme parks. |
B.To increase the sales of Amusement Today. |
C.To introduce world’s best amusement parks. |
D.To compare attractions in different theme parks. |
1. What are the speakers talking about?
A.The hotel in the city center. |
B.The woman’s trip to Kingston. |
C.The woman’s plan for a summer event. |
A.Unsatisfying. | B.Comfortable. | C.Wonderful. |
9 . Amazing China in 60 Seconds is a short-video series covering cultural and scenic hotspots across the country. If you are curious about China, then here are two selections from the series .
Tibet
Tibet autonomous region in Southwest China, home to the highest highland on Earth, is known as the “roof of the world”. It’s a paradise for tourists with its towering snow mountains, vast grasslands, quiet and peaceful lakes and breathtaking views. Must-visit places include the Potala Palace — a UNESCO world heritage site, Mount Qomolangma, Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon and more.
Tibet is also famed for its rich ethnic culture, including the Tibetan dance, age-old thangka painting and Lum medicinal bathing of Sowa Rigpa — traditional Tibetan bathing for a medical purpose which was put onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2018.
Jiangsu
East China’s Jiangsu province is a land of abundance where the symphony (交响乐)of the mountains and rivers echoes (回响). The hustle and bustle (熙熙攘攘) of daily life reflects its prosperity, and running rivers define its magic beauty.
Jiangsu province is home to several UNESCO world heritages sites, including the Classical Gardens of Suzhou, the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum in Nanjing and part of the Grand Canal. Jiangsu is also known for its graceful Chinese-style gardens, water towns, the Kunqu Opera and Nanjing brocade — an age-old silk handicraft that represents the highest achievement in silk weaving in China.
1. Which of the four locations should you visit if you are a big fan of the the highest scenic spot?A.Tibet. | B.Suzhou. | C.Jiangsu. | D.Nanjing . |
A.They are on the coast. | B.They show glorious sights to tourists. |
C.They saw commercial and cultural exchanges. | D.They are famous for UNESCO World Heritage site. |
A.Admire a Buddhist paradise. | B.Visit the ancient trade routes. |
C.Climb up the snow mountains. | D.Buy the silk-weaving products. |
10 . Who says you have to stay indoors when the temperatures drop? Here are favourite places to explore this winter.
Athens, Greece
In Athens, every November temperatures stay around the mid-20s, so have a trip to the Parthenon and Acropolis. A full afternoon is also necessary for exploring the Museum of Cycladic Art and its exhibitions — recently it has hosted Picasso’s.
In the streets of the Pysrri district is a hidden hole in the wall, from which one can go down to the basement restaurant, Diporto.
Huaraz, Peru
To some, Peru gives people images of students in printed shorts on a tour of Machu Picchu. There’s obviously so much more to do in the UNESCO World Heritage (遗产) site. Any hike through the surrounding Huascaran National Park will make you feel like you’ve stepped into The Lord of the Rings.
April and November are considered “shoulder season”, which means fewer clear days but you can enjoy the trails (路线) with fewer people.
Edinburgh, UK
Yes, it’s probably going to be freezing cold. Hot coffee steam up in a pleasing, romantic fashion in cafes. People can take a few minutes’ walk from the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
For simple Scottish dishes there’s neighbourhood inn, the Little Chartroom. And the Sheep Heid Inn has been long enough to have served Mary, Queen of Scots. In the eight bedrooms at the 18th century Rock House, each is a mixture of ancient details and current fashion.
Valletta, Malta
Flights from the UK to Malta’s capital are only around £30, making it one of the best destinations for a November trip. This tiny city has a temperature of 17 or so and has changed itself into a year-round city break with artistic cafes, hotels and newly opened galleries — Muza opened last year and houses the former National Gallery collection.
For more information, please click here.
1. Which place has exhibited Picasso’s works lately?A.Muza. | B.National Gallery. |
C.The Museum of Cycladic Art. | D.Scottish National Portrait Gallery. |
A.You can appreciate ancient culture. | B.The Lord of the Rings was filmed here. |
C.It’s a good place for hiking. | D.There are fewer people on April. |
A.Athens. | B.Valletta. | C.Huaraz. | D.Edinburgh. |
A.It served the Queen of Scotland. | B.It combines ancient and modern styles. |
C.It has at least eight kinds of rooms. | D.It offers Scottish local specialties. |