1 . “Leave no track” is popular among many campers who are concerned about our environment and favor sustainable (可持续的) travel. Its goal is simple; to minimize human-created impacts on the natural world.
Reject plastic and paper. First and foremost, one of the easiest ways to reduce the impact of camping on the planet is to go plastic and paper-free. Instead of single-use plastics and paper plates, choose bamboo or other recyclable camping dinnerware and food packages.
Rent or buy a used tent. Instead of brand-new equipment, consider renting camping equipment instead. Outdoor retail (零售) brands like REI offer a wide variety of camping products to rent, including tents.
Only camp in designated (指定的) camping areas.
| A．Pack with the planet in mind. |
| B．Sort out what you really need when camping. |
| C．They even carry other outdoor essentials for rent. |
| D．Learn how to sustainably upgrade the summer camping here. |
| E．Campers can also buy reusable paper towels in order to genuinely leave no track. |
| F．Eco-friendly campers can learn how to update their skills with these simple tips. |
| G．Although backpacking off the beaten path sounds fascinating, it may not be eco-friendly. |
历史 | 700 多年 | 性质 | 民间艺术盛会; “中国十大民俗”之一 |
时间 | 每年阴历正月十一至十三 | 地点 | 河南宝丰马街 |
演员 | 来自全国的曲艺艺人 | 内容 | 40多种曲艺和其它传统曲目 |
2. 可以适当增加细节, 以使行文连贯。
Dear Tom,
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
3 . People who visit Huangsiyang village in Huizhou, Guangdong province, are shocked by the grand scale of its ancient residential buildings. Covering an area of 220,000 square meters, the village was named “Huangsiyang” to express gratitude for the emperor’s kindness. With a history of over 500 years, the village’s architecture dates back to the late Ming Dynasty.
As part of a Guangdong provincial project that targets the high-quality rural (乡村的) development, Huangsiyang has made great efforts to promote its heritage protection and cultural tourism, which have breathed new life into the village. Yang Shouqiang, a village official, explained that the ancient village has more than 20 historical sites, making it the most well-preserved and largest ancient residential group in Huidong county. Yang said the village has attached great importance to education and culture, having produced over 20 examinees who passed the provincial-level exams after being invited to sit for the imperial examinations — the ancient form of the gaokao, China’s college entrance exam.
From 2022 to last year, a total of 65million yuan was invested in the protection and development of Huangsiyang ancient village. Recent surveys have shown significant improvements in the village’s surroundings and internal environment after it took measures to restore architecture and rivers, and improve lighting and other basic facilities. At the same time, the village introduced high-quality homestay (民宿) projects. These homestays preserve the original architectural style of the ancient buildings.
The village has attracted many tourists from the Guangdong — Hong Kong — Macao Greater Bay Area, who take part in team building activities and enjoy unique experiences. The increasing number of visitors to the village is also increasing sales of local snacks and agricultural products. Online promotions of these products have also brought in more tourists to nearby villages.
1. What surprises visitors to Huangsiyang village?| A．Tasty local snacks. |
| B．A history of over 500 years. |
| C．The rural landscape. |
| D．A large number of ancient buildings. |
| A．Prepare for. | B．Go through. | C．Participate in. | D．Put off. |
| A．It benefits a lot from tourism. |
| B．Its education system develops fast. |
| C．It is famous for agricultural products. |
| D．Its environment is damaged due to tourists. |
| A．Old village comes to life |
| B．Old village draws visitors |
| C．Old village values education |
| D．Old village shows traditional culture |
4 . When I was in third grade, my family and I took on an unforgettable trip across the country. It turned out to be more than just a/an
One day, while hiking through the Grand Canyon, I
As Dad showed me footholds, Mom coached me with calming
From then on, every evening, we’d gather around a campfire for what we
The trip taught me that the true meaning of travel isn’t merely about reaching the destination but about the personal growth that happens on the route, and the family bonds formed when facing
| A．crowded | B．physical | C．creative | D．necessary |
| A．relationships | B．potentials | C．dreams | D．inspirations |
| A．guided | B．encouraged | C．comforted | D．attracted |
| A．events | B．stations | C．locations | D．shows |
| A．cultures | B．landscapes | C．groups | D．countries |
| A．imagined | B．constructed | C．smoothed | D．encountered |
| A．froze | B．flew | C．fell | D．forgot |
| A．reached down | B．stood aside | C．stepped in | D．turned back |
| A．words | B．worries | C．noises | D．thoughts |
| A．lost | B．maintained | C．demonstrate | D．restored |
| A．left | B．broke | C．found | D．dug |
| A．nicer | B．tougher | C．braver | D．closer |
| A．originally | B．affectionately | C．frequently | D．simply |
| A．sympathy | B．conflict | C．tears | D．profits |
| A．challenges | B．defeats | C．opposition | D．uncertainty |
5 . Four of the Best Ski Resorts (胜地) For the Holidays
Kitzbuhel, Austria
It’s known for the most prized but frightening downhill on the ski racing calendar. By day, you can enjoy 230 kilometers of runs over the Kitzbuhel Alps, and drop into numerous mountain huts to fill up on hearty Tyrolean classics such as dumplings and cheese spatzle.
Holidays hotel: The Tennerhof is a good place for you to stay.
Griesenauweg 26, 6370 Kitzbuhel, Austria; +43 535663181
Courmayeur, Italy
The historic town at the foot of Mont Blanc is a foodie (美食家) heaven with beautiful huts and mountain restaurants across its 41 kilometers of ski runs.
The atmospheric center around the Viale Monte Bianco is a mix of cozy cafes and designer shops, and is a perfect place to wander.
Holidays hotel: The Hotel Chalet Svizzero is a great option in a good location. Perfect for couples.
Strada Statale 26, 11, 11013 Courmayeur, Italy; +39 016584817
Val Thorens, France
A four-time winner of the “World’s Best Ski Resort” award, it combines high-class hospitality (好客) with more skiing than most can handle, at a starting altitude of 2,300 meters, stretching through the famous resorts of Les Menuires, Meribel and Courchevel.
Holidays hotel: The five-star Hotel Pashmina is a wonderful choice.
Place du Slalom, 73440, Val Thorens; +33 479000999
Wengen, Switzerland
Wengen, reached by rack railway, shares a ski area with Grindelwald — not the dark wizard from Harry Potter but the scenic village at the foot of the Eiger’s infamous North Face.
Just across the valley is the old village of Murren, home to Piz Gloria on the Schilthorn (2,971 meters), where the cable car station and revolving restaurant are familiar to James Bond fans as baddie Blofeld’s mountain-top hideaway in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Holidays hotel: The Maya Caprice is your best choice.
Schonegg 1333D, 3823 Wengen; +41 338560606
1. Which hotel is suitable for a couple skiing in Italy?| A．The Tennerhof. | B．The Hotel Chalet Svizzero. |
| C．Hotel Pashmina. | D．The Maya Caprice. |
| A．Kitzbuhel. | B．Courmayeur. | C．Val Thorens. | D．Wengen. |
| A．+43 535663181 | B．+39 016584817 |
| C．+33 479000999 | D．+41 338560606 |
6 . Ancient builders across the world created structures (建筑物) that are still standing today, thousands of years later. Roman engineers built thick concrete barriers (混凝土屏障), for example. Mayan builders created structures to their gods, and Chinese builders raised walls against enemies.
But there are many recent structures that are already starting to fail. The concrete that makes up much of our modern world lasts around 50 to 100 years.
A growing number of scientists are breaking apart pieces of buildings and reading historical texts, hoping to learn how they have stood for thousands of years. The research has turned up a surprising list of materials that were mixed into old buildings. They include tree skins, volcanic ash, rice and even beer. These unexpected materials could have the ability to get stronger over time and “repair” cracks when they form.
Is ancient Roman concrete better? Many researchers have turned to the Romans. Starting around 200 BC, the Roman Empire was building concrete structures that have stood the test of time. Now, scientists think they have found an important reason why some Roman concrete has held up structures for thousands of years.
Admir Masic, an environmental engineer said this power comes from thick pieces of limestone (石灰石) throughout the Roman material that is not mixed in well. Researchers used to think these thick pieces were a sign that the Romans were not mixing up their materials well enough. Instead, the scientists found when cracks form, water enters the concrete. That water causes the leftover lime to create new chemical changes that can fill in the broken sections.
Finding out how to copy these features (特征) could have real influences today. Today’s builders cannot just copy the ancient processes. Even though Roman concrete lasted a long time, it could not hold up heavy buildings. “If we add 50 or 100 years to concrete’s lifetime,” Admir Masic said, “we will pull down less and require less material in the long run.”
1. Why are Mayan and Chinese builders mentioned in the first paragraph?| A．To present some facts. | B．To explain a rule. |
| C．To introduce places. | D．To make a comparison. |
| A．Replace broken parts. | B．Improve their style. |
| C．Learn about their history. | D．Study their materials. |
| A．They couldn’t mix up easily. | B．They created new chemicals in time. |
| C．They had an ability to repair themselves. | D．They would take in the nearby water. |
| A．By making the past serve the present. | B．By trying to find the ideas behind them. |
| C．By making use of them without any change. | D．By accepting the good and throwing the bad. |
7 . When visiting Athens, museums and ancient sites usually come first. However, there are several very interesting places to visit without spending money, such as parks and various attractions.
Lycabettus Hill
Lycabettus Hill is one of the most important attractions in Athens. The view (风景) from Lycabettus Hill is wonderful, reaching down to the sea and the closest islands, which is certainly not to be missed. The parking lot is close to the Lycabettus Theater, where performances are held every summer.
Museum of Popular Instruments
The museum hosts a collection of about 1,200 Greek popular musical instruments which date from the 18th century. The collections are shown in four sections (部分) according to the material of the instruments, and visitors can also listen to the sound made by each type. Visitors can buy books, CDs and musical instruments at the museum shop.
National Garden of Athens
The National Garden of Athens, one of the most beautiful parts of this big city, was designed in 1836 by the German building designer Friedrich von Gaertner. Visitors to the garden can see an interesting variety of plants and trees, some ancient remains and statues of famous writers and scientists. Children can play in the specially designed playground or visit the children’s library, and adults can enjoy a coffee or a light lunch at the coffee shop.
Museum of the History of Greek Costume (服装)
In this small, attractive museum, visitors can see various sides of Greek Costume from the past. Visitors can also see the costumes which were worn in celebrated dance performances in many countries. Educational events are held for children of all ages, bringing them closer to this important tradition of Greece.
1. Where will popular music lovers prefer to go?| A．Lycabettus Hill. | B．Museum of Popular Instruments. |
| C．National Garden of Athens. | D．Museum of the History of Greek Costume. |
| A．Admire interesting collections. | B．Learn about Greek historical facts. |
| C．Talk with a building designer. | D．Get close to some writers’ statues. |
| A．They’re liked by all kids. | B．They have a festive air. |
| C．They’re free for visitors. | D．They hold performances. |
8 . Although travelling alone may sound discouraging, solo travel is continuing to rise in popularity. There may be numerous reasons why someone is travelling independently. Here are our top reasons to travel by yourself.
Time for you
Some people say solo travel is the comfort and relaxation of having your very own. However, for those looking for some more adventurous “me-time,” solo tours also typically offer plenty of free time to go it alone. During your time at leisure, you have the freedom to do your own exploration, see the sights you want to see or simply relax and take it easy. With no-one to compromise with, it’s totally up to you.
Meet like-minded people
Solo travel doesn’t mean you have to travel alone. Solo travelers come from all walks of life, but they usually all share the same passion — a desire to see the world! It’s often the people you meet on holiday that are the max highlight of the entire trip and, even though you’re travelling alone, you’ll have amazing memories of the shared experiences you had together with people in your group. Take plenty of pictures to remember forever.
You’ll never be alone
Group travel is ideal for solo travelers as it offers the opportunity to a group of like-minded people, each interested in their chosen destination. Being part of a group provides extra security (especially key for independent female travelers who may feel anxious about being on their own) and for everyone there is the benefit of an expert local guide who is keen to share their knowledge. The guides also accompany you on tours and can offer suggestions on what to see and do in your leisure time to ensure you have an authentic and enjoyable experience.
So, if your friends and family are unable to join you on your dream holiday, don’t let that stop you. Travel Department is delighted to partner with Reader’s Digest and offer their readers an exclusive discount on 2023 & 2024 holidays. To discuss any questions or make a booking simply call 0203 966 0527.
1. What is the best part of the entire solo trip?| A．The beautiful scenery on the way. | B．The freedom to choose your destination. |
| C．The people you meet during the trip. | D．The pictures you take along the way. |
| A．Protection and security measures. | B．Company and personalized suggestions. |
| C．Knowledge and leisure activities. | D．Freedom and enjoyable experience. |
| A．To educate. | B．To explain. | C．To advertise. | D．To instruct. |
1. How much should a couple with a child aged four pay to visit The Beatles Story?
| A．£22.95. | B．£27.95. | C．£31.90. | D．£38.90. |
| A．It’s closed on weekends. | B．It’s open to the public for free. |
| C．It puts on a play every day. | D．It was designed and built in 2008. |
| A．Watch a football match. | B．Take a boat tour. |
| C．Find out about The Beatles. | D．Enjoy some coffee. |
10 . Longmen Grottoes
As one of the three most notable Buddhist sculptures in China, the Longmen Grottoes have approximately 1,400 caves with over 100,000 statues. The grottoes were first dug and carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty. Representing the high point of Chinese stone-carving, the Longmen Grottoes are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Opening hours: 8:00 a, m. — 5:00 p. m.(Feb. 1st to Mar. 31st); 7:30 a. m. — 5:30 p. m.(Apr. 1st to Oct. 7th)
Entry: 100 yuan/adult 30% off each teen
White Horse Temple
Originally established under Emperor Ming during the Eastern Han Dynasty, White Horse Temple is the first officially-built temple in China after the introduction of Buddhism. As the cradle of Chinese Buddhism, it holds a vast collection of Buddhist statues and classic sutras. The temple is also famous for interior architecture inspired by the Buddhist styles of Thailand, India and Burma.
Opening hours: 7:30 a. m. — 7:00 p. m.
Entry: 50 yuan/person
Millennium City Park
The Millennium City Park in Kaifeng is a large-scale historical and cultural theme park which copies scenes from the famous ancient painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival. Visitors can watch folklore performances like those of the Song Dynasty and see reconstructions of grand imperial halls and gardens.
Opening hours: 8:30 a. m. — 6:00 p. m.(winter); 8:30 a. m. — 10:00 p.m.
Entry: 120 yuan/person(Mar. 1st to Nov. 30th); 90 yuan/person(Dec. 1st to Feb. 28/29th)
Kaifeng Prefecture
Kaifeng Prefecture was once the country’s political, economic and cultural center as well as one of the most booming cities in the world during the Northern Song Dynasty. Today, the rebuilt Kaifeng Prefecture is a scenic area built according to the architectural standards of the Song Dynasty. Visitors can read historical documents and watch performances.
Opening hours: 7:30 a. m. — 5:30 p. m.(winter); 7:00 a. m. — 7:00 p. m.
Entry: 60 yuan/person
1. How much will a parent with two teens have to pay to visit Longmen Grottoes?| A．100 yuan. | B．160 yuan. | C．240 yuan. | D．340 yuan. |
| A．Longmen Grottoes. | B．White Horse Temple. |
| C．Millennium City Park. | D．Kaifeng Prefecture. |
| A．They are tours about Chinese civilization. | B．Visitors can see ancient paintings. |
| C．They can be visited all year round. | D．The United Nations speak highly of them. |
