1 . It is the first day of the summer. George and his friend Carlos are
This year, they want to make a
Mountain climbing, hiking, fishing, and to play a few games of flag football are all on their
A.preparing | B.demanding | C.longing | D.applying |
A.cards | B.recommendations | C.invitations | D.connections |
A.game | B.success | C.surprise | D.fun |
A.hidden | B.starving | C.friendly | D.endangered |
A.avoid | B.create | C.mention | D.encounter |
A.rough | B.comprehensive | C.instant | D.further |
A.front | B.flat | C.strong | D.spare |
A.condition | B.place | C.method | D.chance |
A.children | B.elders | C.students | D.animals |
A.food | B.trip | C.summer | D.celebration |
A.excited | B.reliable | C.satisfied | D.relieved |
A.activities | B.jobs | C.tasks | D.exercises |
A.hands | B.agenda | C.nerves | D.initiative |
A.found | B.followed | C.received | D.made |
A.doctors | B.matches | C.drugs | D.bandages |
2 . It is now China that holds the crown of high-speed train capital of the world. Here are some of our picks for the greatest high-speed rail journeys.
The Shangri-La Train
Currently the longest high-speed rail route in the world and taking less than 11 hours to travel more than 2700 km on the quickest service, the Beijing to Kunming train is a truly epic high-speed train journey. The train is named in honor of one of Yunnan’s most famous cities, mythical Shangri-La.
The Panda Train
Taking between 12 and 13 hours to travel 1690 km, this train zips along from an ancient Chinese capital to the panda capital of the world. In route, the train passes through Yichang. It’s here that you can stop off for a glimpse of the massive Three Gorges Dam.
The Silk Road Train
The first high-speed train to extend out into China’s vast western regions connects the 1776 kilometers between Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, and Lanzhou, capital of Gansu, in a little under 12 hours. The train follows the ancient Silk Road via the town of Turpan, geographically the lowest place in China at 154m below sea level.
The Island Train
When it opened in 2015, this was the world’s first circular high-speed rail-way line, whirling 650km around south China’s tropical Hainan island, in about five hours, providing passengers with wonderful views of the South China Sea and the best beaches.
1. What do we know about The Shangri-La Train?A.It’s named after a city of Yunnan. |
B.It has the roughest route of the four. |
C.It runs at a speed of 245 km/h all the way. |
D.It travels along the longest railway in the world now. |
A.The Shangri-La Train. | B.The Panda Train. |
C.The Silk Road Train. | D.The Island Train. |
A.An agent | B.A traveller | C.A driver | D.A designer |
3 . How to Travel a Long Distance With a Dog
Whether you are moving across the country or taking a road trip, traveling can be a stressful activity.
Make sure your dog has all of their vaccinations (疫苗).
Let your vet give your dog medicine for motion sickness (晕动症). If you’ve taken your dog on shorter car rides before, you may have noticed that it gets sick from the motion of the car. Ask your vet if it can help ease the dog’s stomach while in motion.
Pack up the necessary things for your dog in a bag that is easy to get. Every dog is different and needs different items.
A.Lay down a blanket to keep your dog comfortable. |
B.Give your dog a pill every few hours during a car ride. |
C.Traveling with your dog can even add more stress to your trip. |
D.So you should know how to manage your stress during the trip. |
E.Tire out your dog with a long walk before you start your journey. |
F.Make sure you have your dog’s food, some water and dishes in a bag. |
G.It is important to make your dog happy and healthy during their travels. |
1. What makes people walk easily in Berlin?
A.Its broad seaside. | B.Its wide street. | C.Its good designed building. |
A.Four. | B.Five. | C.Six. |
A.They will find the goods are cheap. |
B.There are varieties of shops in Berlin. |
C.The shops in Berlin offer the best services. |
A.Generally it is mild. | B.It’s rather hot in summer. | C.It’s rather cold in winter. |
5 . Parks around the world
Hyde Park, London, England
There are many parks in London. Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, which covers over 350 acres. There are paths for people on bicycles and there are often open - air concerts held in the park.
Park Güell, Barcelona, Spain
In this park, designed by Antony Gaudi, there are different houses in different colours. There are also things like a colourful dragon. At the top of the park is a terraced area where you can get a wonderful view of the city of Barcelona and the sea.
Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver is a city near the sea and mountains. There is beautiful Stanley Park in the city centre, covering an area of one thousand acres. It is the largest park in North America. There are First Nations totem poles (图腾柱) in the park.
Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan
Ueno Park is an old park in the city of Tokyo and there are hundreds of beautiful cherry trees. In April and May every year, the trees are pink or white.
Chapultepec Park, Mexico City, Mexico
This is the largest urban park in Latin America. It's a very important green space in this big city. Containing nine museums, a zoo, an amusement park, and a variety of green recreational spaces, Chapultepec Park is an invaluable place for the city residents and its visitors.
1. What can visitors do in Park Güell ?A.Enjoy cherry trees. | B.Feed animals. | C.See the sea. | D.Ride bicycles. |
A.London. | B.Barcelona. | C.Vancouver. | D.Mexico. |
A.Chapultepec Park. | B.Ueno Park. | C.Stanley Park. | D.Hyde Park. |
6 . If you’re finally thinking of taking a long-awaited trip to Hawaii, it will be a great time now to do the planning, as airline ticket prices are still relatively low.
1. Several great bathing suits.
2. A few shorts and T-shirts
You’re most likely going to be spending the majority of your time in Hawaii wearing a bathing suit. So don’t bother to pack too many shorts and T-shirts. Throw in just a few pairs of casual shorts and some T-shirts, and you’ll be outfitted just fine for almost any activity.
3.
You may pack plenty of high-quality sunscreen for your trip to Hawaii. But make sure that you choose a brand that’s considered to be safer for coral reefs. The chemicals from traditional sunscreen have done great damage to them. Keep your skin safe from the sun while also protecting the reefs by choosing environmentally-friendly cosmetics.
4. A waterproof phone case
It can be easy to get carried away by Hawaii’s natural beauty and forget that you’re holding your smartphone while standing in the ocean or a swimming pool.
A.Less frequent sunscreen use |
B.Really good reef-safe sunscreen |
C.Hawaii’s weather is warm and wet, making it ideal for a tropical vacation. |
D.Avoid having to spend your Hawaii vacation in repairing your smartphones. |
E.You should prepare a tie, a suit coat or other formal clothes for special occasions. |
F.With your time mostly on the beach, bathing suits are proper for practically everything. |
G.However you’re planning, there is no reason to pack a huge suitcase and use only a little. |
7 . There are about 100 beaches around the Sydney Harbor and along the coast. If you find it hard to pick the best destination, here are four waiting for you.
Freshwater Beach
Freshwater Beach is the location where surfing was first introduced to Australia in 1915. The beach is only 350 meters long and is a popular destination for surfers. The beach is protected and therefore provides a quiet swimming experience away from the hustle and bustle of its busy neighboring beaches.
Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach, Australia’s most famous beach, is more than 100 meters wide and over 3 kilometers long, which allows plenty of space for the large number of tourists and locals. On a sunny day every grain of sand is covered with bodies, with crowds pouring into nearby bars and cafes. Parking near the beach is impossible. It’s also the perfect spot to see a sunset and the scene of family parties during summer.
Clovelly Beach
As one of the best options for surfing and exploring what hides beneath the water’s surface, Clovelly, noted for its unique narrow bay between two rocky ridges, is a popular destination for swimmers. It’s a good base where you can check out diving routes through the waters, or take a coastal walk to Bondi.
Palm Beach
It’s the scene of the long-running Home and Away TV series and endless celebrity spotting. A salt water lake affords great views, typical of beaches on the north side of the harbor. On a nice day, Palm Beach is a postcard-perfect sand destination.
1. What do Freshwater Beach and Clovelly Beach have in common?A.They both have free training services. | B.They are both suitable for swimming. |
C.They are both the birthplaces of surfing. | D.They both provide underwater exploration. |
A.Have a sunbathing. | B.Hold a live concert. |
C.Park their cars at will. | D.Enjoy a sunrise watching. |
A.Freshwater Beach. | B.Bondi Beach. | C.Clovelly Beach. | D.Palm Beach. |
8 . Situated along the Pacific Flyway, a good migratory path that stretches from Alaskn to Patagonia, Santa Cruz plays host to hundreds of bird species. Just head to one of the spots listed below and see for yourself!
UCSC Arboretum
The diverse plants that attract a wide range of birds make these gardens a wonderful place to start. Mark your calendar for the Arboretum's popular Hummingbird Days, a family-friendly festival that celebrates the tiny birds on March 5th and 6th.
Natural Bridges State Beach
This scenic park is excellent for bird watchers due to its wide sampling of local habitats. Over 250 bird species have been recorded in the area.
Neary Lagoon
Birdsong fills the air at this peaceful oasis less than a 10-minute walk from the fun of the Santa Cruz Beach. A walkway allows visitors a front-row view of birds such as American Coots.
Watsonville Wetlands
The wetlands provide a year-round home for local birds and serve as a stop for migratory birds visiting from faraway. Drop by the Nature Centre for exhibits, maps, and suggestions for best spots to visit.
Birding Tips
●The early birder gets the worm. You’re likely to see more birds earlier rather than later in the day.
●No two visits are likely to be the same. Varying times and seasons bring different birds and behaviour.
●No matter how cute those little birds are, you should resist feeding them with your bread. It's unhealthy for the bird and the surrounding ecosystem.
How to Get More Involved
We recommend joining the Santa Cruz Birding Club for public events and abundant online guides. Contact us free at Birding & Wildlife Watch Kit for registration.
1. Why are there many birds in the UCSC Arboretum?A.The place is very family-friendly. |
B.There are many kinds of plants. |
C.There are Arboretum's Hummingbird Days. |
D.The place has wide sampling of local habitats. |
A.Neary Lagoon. | B.UCSC Arboretum. |
C.Watsonville Wetlands. | D.Natural Bridges State Beach |
A.In the morning. | B.In the noon. | C.In the afternoon. | D.In the evening. |
9 . If you were to rate the most walkable cities in the world, what would you look for? Would it be how shaded the sidewalks are? How many benches there are along the way to your destination? Or maybe how close you are to shops or local attractions?
Well, the researchers at the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), located in New York. US, wanted to know which of the world’s cities were the best for pedestrians (行人). So, they did just that.
To determine which cities were the most walkable, they rated cities based on factors such as how close citizens were to car-free areas like public parks, how close citizens lived in relation to schools and hospitals, and how short their journeys were overall.
According to the study, they found that the most walkable cities in the world are London, Paris, Bogota and Hong Kong. Overall, London was at the top of the list, outranking (超过) nearly 1, 000 cities around the world on these key factors.
“In order to provide safety and inviting walking conditions for all city residents, it is essential to shift the balance of space in our cities away from cars, providing more travel options for people,” CEO of ITDP Heather Thompson told the magazine Cities Today. She continued, “We have so much to gain-from cleaner air to better health to stronger local economies and deeper bonds within communities, and we all need that now more than ever. ”
Unfortunately, it seems that very few cities make pedestrians a priority, though.
“Our city streets across the planet are already full of cars. If you really want to see the worst for walkability, it is the really sprawling (杂乱无序伸展的) cities of the US, ” commented Taylor Reich, a research associate at ITDP and the primary author of the guide to making cities more walkable.
So, what can cities do to make their streets friendlier for pedestrians?
“There’s no one secret sauce; there’s no one thing you can do to make a city walkable, ” Reich said. “It’s many decisions that are made at all levels from individual streets all the way up to the city design.”
1. What’s the purpose of the study?A.To call on cities to make streets more walkable. |
B.To find out the most walkable cities around the world. |
C.To investigate pedestrians’ satisfaction with city life. |
D.To explore factors impacting the walkability of cities. |
A.The amount of green space on sidewalks. |
B.Traffic and road conditions for pedestrians. |
C.The number of public services for pedestrians. |
D.Accessibility of certain destinations to pedestrians. |
A.Increasing travel choices. | B.Developing local economies. |
C.Limiting the number of cars. | D.Connecting local communities. |
A.Cars are major contributors to reduced walkability. |
B.US cities are designed to give priority to pedestrians. |
C.It is everyone’s responsibility to make a city walkable. |
D.Both small and large scale measures are required to improve walkability. |
10 . Readers’ Favorite Running Routes
Paul Ghent, Belgium
I love running in Ghent. It is completely flat, so encouraging for beginners and people aiming for personal bests. There is a rowing lake with a 5km track. This connects with a nature reserve on an 8km loop. If that isn’t enough, there is another nature reserve, full of birds and canals surrounded by a 10km loop. I will be running my first marathon in Ghent in March 2022. Anyone?
Jennifer Nice, France
In Nice Provence, I really enjoyed joining the local joggers running along what is one of the most beautiful streets in the world—the Promenade des Anglais. You have the fresh salty sea breezes filling your lungs, the sun shining on the waves of the sea, and the beautiful buildings standing along the running route. Feel free to grab some fresh shellfish and a glass of wine on the beach as a reward.
Lisa Offa, UK
The Offa’s Dyke path, which runs from Prestatyn to Chepstow, provides stunning scenery and is just perfect to focus on the run. The sections of the route I like the most include the slopes (坡地) of Moel Famau and the section from Llangollen to Bodfari, where there is an excellent pub (The Dinorben Arms) to refuel in comfort. Perfect.
Richard Protaras, Cyprus
My favorite route is in Protaras, Cyprus. There is a path that runs from Fig Tree bay to Polyxenia beach and you have wonderful views of the bays and beaches while running. The amazing clear seas and sandy beaches make it very pleasant. The best time to go is early morning when the sun isn’t blazing and the paths aren’t too busy with holidaymakers.
1. Which route best suits people who enjoy nature reserves?A.Nice, France. | B.Offa, UK. |
C.Ghent, Belgium. | D.Protaras, Cyprus. |
A.They have beautiful streets. | B.They have lovely sea views. |
C.They are famous for seafood. | D.They are fit for morning runners. |
A.In a science paper. | B.In a history novel. |
C.In a sports magazine. | D.In a geography textbook. |