1 . If you are looking for an amazing real-life castle, here are some good options for you.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

The beauty of Neuschwanstein, perched high on a hill in southwest Bavaria, inspired one of America’s most famous castles: Disneyland’s famed Sleeping Beauty castle. The slender spires and towering roofs are impressive, but nothing compared to the brilliantly decorated interiors.

Windsor Castle, England

This castle in the historic market town of Windsor that has been the family home to kings and queens for over 1,000 years. The castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. Guests are welcome to tour year-round. When the Royal Standard flag is flying from the castle’s Round Tower, the queen is home.

Eltz Castle, Germany

Medieval Eltz Castle, located in Wierschem of western Germany, was built in the 12th century and is named for the family that still owns it today. Surrounded by forest, it was erected on a 230-foot rock and features eight towers that sit 115 feet in the sky. Inside, the castle still includes many of its original furnishings.

Bran Castle, Romania

Some people call Bran Castle, located southwest of Brasov. Romania, by another name: Dracula’s Castle. It’s just one of many castles linked to that vampire (吸血鬼) legend, but its dramatic architecture built on a steep cliff helps it fill the part, and the castle does not shy away from the legend.

1. What do we know about Neuschwanstein Castle?

A．It is the highest castle in the world.

B．It is the blueprint of Sleeping Beauty castle.

C．It inspired a Disney movie.

D．It is plainly decorated inside.

2. Which of the following about Windsor Castle is true?

A．It is open throughout the year.

B．It has a history of less than 1000 years.

C．The royal family don’t live there any longer.

D．You can see the queen whenever you go there.

3. What do the last two castles have in common?

A．They are related to vampire tales.

B．They have special goods for sale.

C．They are both located on rocks.

D．They were built in the 12th century.

2 . The Cool 2022 Travel Destinations

National Geographic’s new list of the most amazing places to visit in 2022, “Best of World 2022” is an inviting mixture of global destinations that will inspire your appetite for travel in the New Year.

Nature

Our global editors picked the planet's 25 most exciting destinations for 2022! There is really something to appeal to everyone.

The best places to enjoy nature include Northern Minnesota, which offers skies filled with thousands of shining stars as it has little or no light pollution.

Adventure

One of the inspiring adventure ideas is an invitation to cycle a new bike trail. The route of the Paris to the sea La Seine à Vélo trail passes the house and famous water lilies (水仙) of Impressionist painter Claude Monet in Giverny.

Culture and History

This brand new 2022 list also celebrates several destinations recommended by UNESCO in honor of how UNESCO has been helping protect cultural and national treasures for 50 years.

This selection of cultural centers takes in Procida, an island city located 40 minutes southwest of Naples by boat. This city, famous for its colorful buildings, plans to use its year to bring people a sense of community. Its year-long festival aims to encourage responsible travel throughout the year, and to avoid a crowd of visitors during the summer as happened in the past.

Family

The best places for families include astonishing settings in the US and further away. One of these is Granada in Spain.

At this palace, kids of all ages and their parents can appreciate the unique patterns and designs that promise “A colorful classroom for age-appropriate exploration of math concepts such as shapes, proportion (比例), and measurement”.

1. Why does National Geographic offer the “Best of World 2022” ?

A．To attract people to enjoy delicious food.

B．To invite people to find amazing places.

C．To explore the most exciting destinations.

D．To increase people’s interest in traveling.

2. What is the disadvantage of visiting the cultural centers in the past?

A．It’s inconveniently located.

B．There were too many people.

C．Travelers were not responsible.

D．Its colorful buildings faded away.

3. What kind of destination best suits children who are interested in maths?

A．Nature.

B．Adventure.

C．Culture and History.

D．Family.

3 . Set at the entrance to beautiful bays and natural harbors, lighthouses have prevented ships from touching the ground in shallow water for hundreds of years. Sadly, however, many of them are not needed because of effective onboard navigational (导航的) systems. As they were designed to be visible, lighthouses often become very distinctive landmarks: their shapes and colors stand out against the surrounding landscapes. Consequently, they make for some fantastic photo opportunities and are usually set in impressive spots along rocky coastlines or wild seas.

Galle Lighthouse

Located within the ancient walls of Galle Fort, the lighthouse of the same name has protected the surrounding waters ever since it was first built in 1848. While it is the oldest lighthouse in the whole of Sri Lanka, the current lighthouse’s blindingly bright white walls only date back to 1939, when it was rebuilt after a devastating fire.

Hercules Tower Lighthouse

Ever since the second century AD, Hercules Tower Lighthouse has watched out over Spain’s North Atlantic coastline. This remarkably makes it one of the very few oldest lighthouses still in operation today. Such is its age that it is believed to have been modeled after the Lighthouse of Alexandria—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Big Red Lighthouse

Standing proudly at the south side of the Holland Channel, Big Red Lighthouse presents a striking red appearance to increase its visibility in the daytime. Another unusual quality of Big Red is that the rare lighthouse watches over two bodies of water—Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan.

1. Who are probably the fans of lighthouses nowadays?

A．Photographers.	B．Historians.
C．Sailors.	D．Scientists.

2. Which of the following is currently used for navigation?

A．Galle Lighthouse.	B．The Lighthouse of Alexandria.
C．Big Red Lighthouse.	D．Hercules Tower Lighthouse.

3. What is special about Big Red Lighthouse?

A．It has the same name as the ancient walls.

B．It borders Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan.

C．It gives off red light to increase its visibility.

D．It is modeled after the ancient wonder.

4 . Useful tips for budget-conscious travelers

Traveling can be an experience of a lifetime. Being in the center of another culture is both exciting and eye-opening.     1    . Still, here are four useful tips for the budget-conscious traveler.

Don’t Travel During the Peak Season

    2    . In Manhattan, New York, it’s during the winter holidays. In Cebu, Philippines, it’s the summer months. Traveling during these peak times certainly means higher prices and large crowds. A great way to avoid all of these is to simply go when it’s not high season.

    3    

Within most regions there are local airlines that provide inexpensive solutions to getting around. This is especially handy when you have multiple destinations in mind for your trip. All you have to do is look up Mango flight bookings and you’re on your way. Once you’re in a region, getting around gets much simpler and a whole lot cheaper.

Choose Economical Accommodations

Hotel chains and expensive options may be nice, but they’re the opposite of a budget-friendly experience.     4    . If you’re an app expert, you can also check out room rental apps like Airbnb. They have an extensive network of apartments and units in wonderful neighborhoods for those who prefer a more local feel.

Don’t Spend All Your Money on Food

One of the best things about travel is to enjoy all the wonderful food. Tasting the authentic versions of your favorite dishes is an absolute delight. But be careful. Having a few good meals out is to be expected, but having every meal at an expensive restaurant is a very quick way to drain your money.     5    .

A．Use Flight Bookings

B．Use Regional Airlines

C．Every region has a peak season.

D．It also allows us to relax our busy heads.

E．Instead, try and find hostel options.

F．But traveling can seem too expensive.

G．So feel free to try the local snacks.

5 . Travel allows us to experience the world. But as we travel, we are also leaving our footprint on every place we visit. This is why culturally immersive (沉浸) travel is so important. Because the wrong kind of travel negatively affects the world. One of the reasons we started this blog was to help others travel better and feel comfortable getting off the beaten path, interacting with locals, and take you “Beyond the traditional Bucketlist”, if you will.

People who only get 2-weeks off per year are often just looking for an easy destination with a beach to relax on. This isn’t travel. This is a vacation. But “Immersive Travel” or “Cultural Travel” is an entirely new type of trip. It is about experiencing and preserving the various traditions around the world. It’s about being open to new experiences and willing to step into another’s shoes. Cultural travel is jumping in with both feet and leaving your idea about what your trip should be behind you. It’s eating local dishes and sleeping in guesthouses. It’s building genuine connections with locals. It’s learning about the history of a country and leaving your trip with a greater understanding of the place you came to see and the people who live there.

Often times in today’s age, “travelers” will visit a country just to snap some photos of the famous sights to post on Instagram or to drink the night away, or even just to relax on a tropical beach. But that kind of vacation can be harmful to the very communities you’re traveling to.

Beyond supporting the local communities and the preservation of local customs and traditions, you’ll also experience some personal benefits through cultural travels. There’s simply no way to travel this way with a closed mind. You’ll get to know different cultures intimately and understand them a lot better. You’ll also become less judgmental of others the more you travel.

1. What’s the author’s purpose in writing the first paragraph?

A．To stress the negative influence of travel.

B．To describe the importance of cultural travel.

C．To recommend a totally different type of travel.

D．To convey his unique feelings about cultural travel.

2. According to the author, today's travelers tend to_________.

A．establish close connections with the locals during the travel

B．choose a tourist attraction for adventure and exploration

C．show more interest in the history of a travel destination

D．post the photos taken in the journey on the social media

3. What can be inferred about the culturally immersive travel?

A．It is focused on studying local people's lifestyle.

B．Its travelers should be open-minded and understanding.

C．It is a specific way to make judgments of other cultures.

D．Its major concern is preserving local traditions and customs.

4. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A travel brochure.	B．A blog post.
C．A historic magazine.	D．An encyclopedia website.

6 . The Northumberland coast may, not be Britain’s best-known seaside destination, but it has an attractive and interesting nature. This is a really special landscape.

The information below is meant to assist you book a place to put up while hiking along the coast.

Shoreside Huts, Alnmouth

Artistically designed camping huts（小屋）overlook the beach. Each hut has a wood, burner, super-comfortable double bed, small kitchen and toilet. Prices from £80 per hut.

0166 5830554; alnmouthhuts. com

Bamburgh Castle Inn, Seahouses

This friendly waterfront inn has a fine beer garden with amazing views of the Farne Islands. There’s even a spa and swimming-pool area for guests. Prices from £99 for a double.

0166 5720283; inncollectiongroup. com/bamburgh-castle-inn

The Lindisfarne Inn, Beal

A traditional country pub with comfortable rooms. This inn ideally lies, on the edge of the mainland causeway overlooking Holy Island. Doubles from £80.

0128 9381233; inncollectiongroup. com/lindisfarne-inn

Berwick YHA, Berwick-Upon-Tweed

Located on the dockside beside the River Tweed, this unique youth hostel mixes modern and original features and has an unusual Tower of Pisa-like lean. Rooms are basic and clean.

Doubles from £39.

0345 3719676; yha. org. uk/hostel/yha-berwick

1. If you want to cook by yourself, you can contact ______.

A．0166 5830554	B．0166 5720283
C．0128 9381223	D．0345 3719676

2. What is unique about Bamburgh Castle Inn?

A．It offers double beds.

B．It has an amazing view of the beach.

C．It enables guests to swim in the inn.

D．It has a mixture of modern and original features.

3. Which hotel best suits those who are tight on budget?

A．Shoreside Huts.	B．Bamburgh Castle Inn.
C．The Lindisfarne Inn.	D．Berwick YHA.

7 . 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。

I’ve had my fair share of travelling around China, and a recent week-long trip to Guizhou was my first time to the province. I tried looking up the meaning and significance of the name Guizhou before the trip,     1     (basic)to have a reasonable idea of what was in store for me. But that was     2     hard task so I inquired from a Chinese colleague on the trip. From what she said, initially the province     3     (name)after a famous mountain called “Gui”, sort of noble in literal translation and “zhou”, which simply means province in Chinese.     4     (keep)that in mind I set out on a journey of discovery and     5     I found was mind-blowing, a photographer’s paradise. Generally     6     (describe)as a mountainous province in southwestern China, with Guiyang as     7     (it)capital, the province is truly one of nature’s best kept secrets. Compared to other leading     8     (province)in China, with regard     9     development, Guizhou has some catching-up to do. However, the province remains unique not only for its amazing landscape,     10     for the role it played in the political history of modern China and the role it is to play in the world.

8 . 语法填空

Pompeii was     1     typical Roman Empire port city. Trading ships, busy fishing     2     (boat) and pleasure boats     3     (show) a prosperous city. But the last day of Pompeii ended with a volcanic     4     (erupt): the earth shook and buildings fell down     5     people ran away from an ash cloud that was rolling towards them. Then Pompeii was showered with ashes and     6     (burn) stones. Seventeen centuries later, Pompeii's ruins     7     (discover) with half-finished columns and paint on the walls     8     still looked fresh. The remains of Pompeii are a reminder that human life is short and vulnerable (易受伤害的)     9     the face of     10     (nature) disasters.

9 . They say that "travel is the best teacher" and there is no better example of this idea than the Ming dynasty travel writer and geographer Xu Xiake (1587-1641). His book The Travel Notes of Xu Xiake, not only encouraged a love of travelling among Chinese people but provided important scientific information about the country's land and geography.

Born into a wealthy Jiangyin family, Xu became interested in books about different places at an early age and wanted to travel. When he was 18, however. Xu's father died and so, it seemed, did his travelling dreams. He now was responsible for the family farm and taking care of his 60-year-old mother as tradition required.

But his mother had different ideas. Understanding her son’s love of travel and valuing the knowledge he could get from such experiences, this modern-thinking woman refused to keep her son at home. She agreed that Xu could travel for three months every year, when there was less farm work.

So at the age of twenty and with his mother's support, Xu set off for the first time, leaving behind not only his mother but his new wife as well. He would repeat this goodbye each year for most of the next 30 years. During this time, he travelled throughout the Ming kingdom, carefully studying the lands he passed through and recording his experiences and many discoveries in a diary. This diary, which once had over 500,000 words, would eventually become The Travel Notes of Xu Xiake.

Although rich, Xu avoided comfortable travel, preferring to go almost everywhere on foot. This way he could research the environment in detail and get a true picture of the natural world. Many of his trips were to hard-to-reach mountain areas, and through wild forests where few people lived. His willingness to face hardships came at a cost however. Progress was slow and tiring and he was frequently sick, robbed and beaten during his journeys

Sadly Xu became seriously ill during his last and longest journey, a 4-year trip through the Southwest of China. He died in 1641, soon after returning to his hometown for the last time. When his diary was finally printed years after his death, much of it had been destroyed or lost. Although incomplete, it still made Xu a travelling legend around the world.

1. What is the passage mainly about?

A．The influence of Xu's book The Travel Notes of Xu Xiake.

B．The difficulties Xu Xiake faced in his travels.

C．The important discoveries made by Xu Xiake.

D．The general details of Xu Xiake's life story.

2. Which of the following best describes Xu's mother?

A．Supportive and open-minded.	B．Kind but uneducated.
C．Helpful and hardworking.	D．Strict but interesting.

3. Why did Xu prefer walking during his travels?

A．It gave him the chance to meet different kinds of people.

B．It allowed him to see and study the environment in detail.

C．It helped him to save money and travel for a longer time.

D．It was the only way to reach the places he was interested in.

4. What is true about Xu's book The Travel Notes of Xu xiake？

A．It was mainly about the different people of China.

B．It made Xu very famous during his lifetime.

C．It was the first travel book ever written in China.

D．It was only made public after Xu died.

10 . These years traveling abroad is becoming more and more popular with ordinary Chinese people. If you want to enjoy such a wonderful travel, your travelling abroad truly requires the most careful of preparations.     1     This is a short list of some necessary things you should not forget to bring as you fly to a foreign land.

Passport. First, be sure to bring your passport along with several copies of it. Accidentally losing your passport can be a difficult experience you should always try to avoid. You may keep digital copies of this important document for backup purposes, too.     2    

Guidebook. Staying in an unfamiliar place doesn’t have to be a headache with the help of a nice guidebook. This one provides you with maps and information you can use as you move from one place to another.

Extra clothes. While travelling, “lightly” is always highly recommended; never make the mistake of bringing lesser than what you actually need.     3     This is a safety precaution that you can do to make sure that you have something to wear just in case your luggage is unknowingly lost.

Medicines. Make it a point to take good care of your health while you are away. Bring enough medicines because some of them may not be available outside your country.

    4    .For example, you should get as much information as you can about the country such as its local laws, culture, weather conditions, and more. This will allow you to fit in and make any necessary adjustments.     5     That’s because they’re very attractive to thieves. The same rule applies to devices such as cameras, smart phones, laptop computers and others.

A．Bringing cash is also must.

B．And when going outdoors, try not to wear expensive jewelry.

C．Also, try researching about the safety of the specific area you will visiting.

D．What’s more, you may consider putting your extra clothes inside your carry-on.

E．Whether you’re a tourist or businessman, there are certain things you must keep in mind.

F．That way, you’ll have no problems returning to your country once your trip is over.

G．Besides these must-haves, you also have to obey certain precautions to avoid any problems.