1 . From December 1st, 2023 to November 30th, 2024, visitors can stay in China for up to 15 days without a visa. Below are several easy steps for planning a first China tour.

Decide How Many Days to Stay

We suggest you take at least a week for your first trip to see the highlights in the top three cities: Beijing (3–4 days), Xi’an (2 days), and Shanghai (1–2 days).

To discover more of China, like charming Guilin and lovely Chengdu pandas, you would need a few more days.

Consider When to Travel to China

Things to do in Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai are seldom affected by the seasons.

Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are generally the most comfortable and recommended times for a China tour. They are neither too hot nor too cold, but fall is generally drier and warmer than spring.

A more ideal travel time for you could be March and early April or September when there are smaller crowds, favorable prices, and still good weather.

China is a good summer holiday destination too.

Consider Your Budget

The biggest cost could be international airfares. The cost of airfares from the US or Europe to China varies a lot depending on when you fly and which airline you use, from around US$1,200 to US$3,000 for an economy round trip.

The biggest price difference between the off and peak seasons is in the price of hotels and airfares. Prices in peak seasons can go up by 50 to 100%.

For a private tour, the average cost per day is about US$220–350 per person, including flights/trains within China, 4- or 5-star hotels, lunches, attractions, guides, and private transport.

We Believe Private and Tailor-Made Tours Are Best

With our private tours, you would have much more personal choice in how your tour goes. You could have more hand-picked and interactive experiences, like visiting a local family with your own local guide.

With private guiding and transport, we would make full use of your time. You could focus on the sightseeing you want to do, skipping what’s not of interest and the long queues in the most crowded attractions.

1. If you have a tour in China in winter, which places are suitable for you?

A．Beijing and Guilin.	B．Xi’an and Chengdu.
C．Shanghai and Chengdu.	D．Beijing and Xi’an.

2. What can we know from the text?

A．A visa is needed for a 12-day tour.

B．The highest expense is the accommodation fee.

C．Travelling in March can save tourists money.

D．Prices in peak seasons usually go up by 150%.

3. Which of the following is NOT the reason why a tailor-made tour is recommended?

A．You have more choices about your route.

B．Your time will be maximized.

C．You are likely to interact with locals in person.

D．You will spend less on the tour.

2 . 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。

Tourism is the lifeblood of the communities that call popular holiday destinations their homes. It allows service industries     1     (grow) consistently. These industries, in turn, give jobs to the local population,     2     welfare depends on tourism. However, booming business is not always a bed of roses. More nature-centred tourist attractions, where man and nature live in harmony, can be greatly impacted or even destroyed by the flood of tourists. As resources are used     3     (rapidly) than they can be sustained, wildlife habitats are likely to suffer.

3 . It seems every country has one major event on the annual calendar that claims to please all others. Here we’ve boiled down the options to the absolute top 4 events to add to your travel bucket list.

La Tomatina Buñol, Spain August

Tomato lovers get their fill on the last Wednesday of August as over 100,000kg of tomatoes are thrown, pressed and splattered (飞溅) in the town square. It’s the climax of a week-long celebration of Buñol’s patron saint, which leaves the town in a bright red smattering like a horror film scene. We don’t envy whoever has to clean up that mess!

Songkran Thailand April

A water fight on a national scale, Songkran in Thailand is the celebration of the Buddhist New Year. Wherever you are in Thailand — anywhere from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, Krabi or Koh Samui — you can expect to get thoroughly wet with everything from water guns to elephant trunks being employed for the purpose.

Snow & Ice Festival Harbin, China January — February

Harbin is transformed into a winter wonderland with ice sculptures across the city, decorated with lights and lasers, drawing thousands of artists and art enthusiasts alike. And if that’s not enough to appeal to you, there’s also the Ice Lantern Art Fair, dog sledding to watch and our favourite, “winter swimming watching”.

Holi Festival India February — March

A rainbow of colour and Hindu traditions combine to create this celebration of love, springtime fun and good triumphing over evil. Kicking off with a night-time bonfire where people gather, sing and dance, the next day is a carnival of colours where everyone plays about throwing dye powder, shooting water guns and coloured water-filled balloons, uniting rich and poor, children and big kids at heart.

1. A visitor who will only be free in summer holiday can go to _________ to attend the festival.

A．Thailand

B．India

C．China

D．Spain

2. What do Songkran and Holi Festival have in common?

A．They are both in celebration of the New year.	B．They both include water battles.
C．They both provide a bonfire party.	D．They both involve casting color powder.

3. Where does the text probably come from?

A．A research plan.

B．A news report.

C．A travel magazine.

D．A book review.

4 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

For Fang Rui, walking the streets of Nanjing and taking in the buildings and culture of the historical city is almost a     1     (day) routine. The 28-year-old landscape designer found that walking through the city while     2     (observe) cultural and historical sites gave her life new meaning.

The city-walk pastime of following     3     (plan) routes to explore a city’s history, culture and urban environment originated in London. The pastime is now attracting a growing number of followers in China, with many young people taking part. The scale of the trend is hard     4     (measure), but widely shared social media posts document different routes in various metropolises with vivid descriptions and pictures. For tourists as well as locals not     5     (full) familiar with a city’s history and culture, the organized walks are     6     authentic and immersive experience. Walk organizers have a more personalized and deeper understanding of their city,     7     goes beyond just visiting iconic landmarks.

In May, Fang organized a free city walk for around 50 people who came from all over the country to experience a deeper connection with Nanjing. She chose to walk in Cinna Lane, or Xinan Li, a tourist area not as popular or famous     8     other Nanjing landmarks like Fuzimiao Confucius Temple or Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. In terms of its grand scale and layout, it     9     (believe) to be the largest and most complete ancient residential building compound in China. “One of the aims of our city walks is to also let     10     (participate) become witnesses to the transformation of the city itself,” Fang said.

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What can we learn about the man?

A．He’s lost his way.

B．He’s lost something.

C．He’s going to the hospital.

2. Where does the man work?

A．In a town.

B．In London.

C．In a hospital.

3. Why does the man come to the town?

A．To do business.

B．To have a holiday.

C．To find a job.

4. Where are the speakers now?

A．On the way to the hospital.

B．On the way to London.

C．On the way to a town.

6 . Many of us are familiar with the excitement of planning a vacation to an exotic destination. As the departure date approaches, anticipation builds, and the possibilities seem endless. However, upon returning home, the experience often fades quickly as we settle back into our routines. That incredible experience becomes like a dream — similar to watching a movie, but a lot more expensive. But does it have to be like this? What if it could be a transformative experience that enriches our lives?

Over 200 years ago, Mary Wollstonecraft, a philosopher and feminist, started a journey to Scandinavia during a difficult period in her life. Despite her initial intentions to win back her lover, she found comfort in documenting her travels in “Letters Written During a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.” Through her observations and reflections, she not only revolutionized travel writing but also healed herself emotionally.

Wollstonecraft’ s approach to travel offers valuable insights for modern-day travelers. Instead of simply sightseeing, she actively engaged with her surroundings, learning about local customs and history, and questioning her own assumptions. She embraced the unpredictability of travel, allowing herself to explore without strict plans.

Here are some goals we can construct from Wollstonecraft’s approach to travel: Try to actively know the place you are in. Observe the customs. Interact with the locals. Learn the whys behind the observation. Explore the history. Try to understand the answers in relation to what you are experiencing now. setting aside any previous assumptions. Notice how the journey is affecting you. What new insights do you have? Are your opinions and beliefs challenged? Don’t plan out every detail. Embrace uncertainty and explore.

So how do we put those goals into practice? Here is where mental models can enhance the travel experience. Exposing ourselves to diverse cultures and perspectives to broaden our worldview. Challenge confirmation bias (认知偏差) by engaging with ideas that differ from our own. Recognize that happiness and fulfillment can be achieved in various ways.

By including these principles into our travels, we can transform them from mere entertainment into profound end enriching experiences that leave a lasting impact on our lives.

1. What word best describes our feelings upon returning home from a vacation?

A．Excited.

B．Inspired.

C．Disappointed.

D．Astonished.

2. What is the function of the example of Mary Wollstonecraft in Paragraph 2?

A．To show the transformative power of travel.

B．To highlight the challenges of traveling alone.

C．To emphasize the importance of documenting experiences.

D．To prove the possibility of finding comfort in strict travel plan.

3. Which of the following is in line with Wollstonecraft’s approach to travel?

A．The map is not the territory.	B．Travel brings love back to your life.
C．Create your own sunshine every day.	D．Believe in miracles, trust the journey.

4. How can mental models enhance the travel experience?

A．Ignoring differing ideas to avoid bias.

B．Limiting exposure to new perspectives.

C．Seeking entertainment rather than enrichment.

D．Broadening worldview through diverse cultures.

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What are the speakers planning?

A．Where to get married.

B．Where to go on vacation.

C．Where to have a business trip.

2. Where would the man like to go first?

A．Manila.

B．Hanoi. .

C．Hong Kong.

3. How will the speakers go to Vietnam?

A．By plane.

B．By boat.

C．By train.

4. Why is the woman upset?

A．She won’t see her grandmother.

B．The man wants to visit his relatives.

C．The man doesn’t want to go to Thailand.

8 . Harbin has witnessed a significant boom that has caused it to trend on social media this winter. By December 30, 2023, the city airport’s annual passenger throughput had gone beyond 3000 million. According to a new report, during the three-day New Year holiday, Harbin received 3.05 million tourists and made income of 5.91 billion yuan, both of which reached record highs.

Harbin, also known as China’s “ice city”, is famous for its ice and snow culture. For over 60 years, the city has had a tradition of holding an annual ice lantern exhibition, presenting the creativity and skill of its artists. Recently, the Ice and Snow World, recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest ice and snow park, is just one of many attractions in the city. It features amazing ice and snow sculptures, including replicas(复制品) of famous landmarks, animals, and cartoon characters. In addition, visitors can also enjoy different kinds of snow sports, such as ice skating, ice fishing, and sledding.

Harbin spared no effort to show its sincerity and hospitality(热情好客) to tourists. At the Ice and Snow World, a lot of new experiences have been provided, such as hovercrafts and bicycles on ice, Ferris wheels, and hot air balloons. Tourists were welcomed with live performances at the airport, and dressing rooms were set up for them to change into warm clothing. Local residents supported by traveling during off-peak hours to reduce traffic and offering tourists free rides. For those unable to book hotels, the government opened the Provincial People’s Congress Service Center for low-cost stays.

“For individual travelers, a city’s infrastructure(基础设施) and public services form the foundation of tourism competitiveness. It is only when tourists feel the warmth of the city and the goodwill of its citizens that they blend into the lives of a travel destination,” said Dai Bin, president of China Tourism Academy.

1. What are the figures in the first paragraph mainly about?

A．The boom in Harbin’s tourism industry.

B．The popularity of Harbin’s new attractions.

C．The big investment in Harbin’s Ice and Snow World.

D．The local people’s great passion for the New Year holiday.

2. What do we know about the Ice and Snow World from Paragraph 2?

A．It is famous for its ice lantern exhibition.

B．It is the first ice and snow park in the world.

C．It offers various snow-centered activities for visitors.

D．It holds snow sculpture competitions for skilled artists.

3. What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．New sporting events in the Ice and Snow World.

B．The measures to ensure tourists’ safety in Harbin.

C．Kind residents’ support for relieving traffic pressure.

D．Harbin’s efforts to improve tourists’ travel experiences.

4. Where does this text probably come from?

A．A diary of cultural tours.	B．A news report on tourism.
C．An advertisement for scenic spots.	D．A review of newly emerging cities.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1. What did David do on his most recent holiday?

A．He had a boat trip.

B．He took a balloon flight.

C．He climbed a mountain.

2. What is on David’s list?

A．Gifts he needed to buy.

B．Things he wished to do.

C．Dates he had to remember.

3. Where does the woman suggest David go for his next holiday?

A．Australia.

B．California.

C．The Amazon.

10 . 你的英国朋友Jim打算暑假来你的家乡旅行，请你写一封电子邮件给他做一个旅行计划。内容主要包括：
1.陈述这封邮件的目的；
2.简要介绍你的家乡(如美食、美景、文化等)；
3.对客人的到来表示欢迎。
注意：
1.词数80左右；     
2.适当发挥，不要简单翻译。
Dear Jim,
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua