1 . Whether you are a fine art lover or history enthusiast, there are some museums that you should visit in your lifetime. Here’s a list of the best museums in the world.

LE LOUVRE, PARIS

A visit to the Louvre lets visitors discover ancient civilizations and Western art from the Middle Ages to 1848. The palace of the museum, dating back to the twelfth century and developed by architects from 1200 to 2011, is a lesson in architecture. The most famous art work is Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”.

THE UFFIZI GALLERIES, FLORENCE

The museum occupies a large building constructed between 1560 and 1580. It’s famous for its outstanding collections of ancient sculptures and paintings from the Middle Ages to the Modern period, and mainly known for its paintings by Italian artists.

THE BRITISH MUSEUM, LONDON

As the first national museum to cover all fields of human knowledge, it was founded in 1753 and opened its doors in 1759. Its eight million objects allow us to explore the diversity of human cultures, and discover the expressions in human being’s life. It boasts the world’s second finest collection of Egyptian antiques.

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, NEW YORK

Also known as “the Met”, it’s the largest art museum in the America. Presenting over 5,000 years of art from around the world, the museum lives in two sites in New York: The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Since its founding in 1870, it has been a treasury of rare and beautiful objects, ranging from European paintings, Egyptian collections to American paintings.

1. Which museum is best known for ancient statues in the Middle Ages?

A．The Louvre.	B．The Uffizi Galleries.
C．The British Museum.	D．The Metropolitan Museum.

2. What can visitors enjoy in both the British Museum and the Met?

A．Art works from Egypt.	B．Expressions around the world.
C．Rare objects of human culture.	D．Paintings from Europe and America.

3. Where is this text most probably taken from?

A．An introduction to arts.	B．An essay on architecture.
C．A guidebook to museums.	D．A review of Egyptian paintings.

2 . Whistler Travel Guide

Snow-capped peaks and powdered steeps; sparkling lakes and rushing waterfalls; challenging hiking routes and inviting restaurants — Whistler’s offerings suit every season.

Things to do

The entire town displays the ski-chic atmosphere, hosting dozens of ski and snow board competitions and festivals annually. In the warmer months, more outdoor enthusiasts come out to play. Visitors can try hiking or cycling up the mountains. While Whistler is an ideal vacation spot for the active types, other travelers can enjoy the local museums and art galleries filled within formative exhibits. Plus, there are family-friendly activities and attractions like summer concerts, along with plenty of shopping options.

When to visit

The best times to visit Whistler are from June through August and between December and March.

How to get around

The best ways to get around Whistler are on foot or by bike. Or, you can take the shuttlebuses from Whistler Village, which transport visitors to Lost Lake Park and the Marketplace. Meanwhile, having a car will allow you the freedom to explore top attractions like Whistler Train Wreck and Alexander Falls without having to spend a lot of cash on a cab.

What you need to know

●Whistler receives feet of snow each year. If you’re driving in winter, slow down and make sure to rent or come with a reliable SUV.

●Snowslides are likely to occur on Backcountry routes, so only advanced skiers should take to this off-the-map area.

●Whistler’s wilderness is home to many black and grizzly bears. Keep your distance and do not feed them.

1. What are active travelers recommended to do in Whistler?

A．Bike up the mountains.	B．Host ski competitions.
C．Go shopping at the malls.	D．Visit museum exhibitions.

2. Which of the following is the most popular among travelers?

A．Whistler Village.

B．Lost Lake Park.

C．The Marketplace.

D．Whistler Train Wreck.

3. What are travelers prohibited from doing in Whistler?

A．Driving a rented SUV.	B．Feeding grizzly bears.
C．Exploring the wilderness.	D．Skiing on Backcountry routes.

3 . 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。

Gather together a couple of good friends and take a leisurely walk through the streets—this is what many youngsters in China enjoy doing when they pay a visit     1     a new city. To them, Citywalk means “wandering around the city” on foot. Participants can follow a special urban route, exploring old     2     (building) or enjoying real local snacks.

The origins of Citywalk can be traced (追溯) back to London, England. Strictly speaking, this form of urban tourism     3     (be) not as casual and aimless as it may appear. In the beginning, Citywalk referred to tours where participants followed a     4     (plan) route under the guidance of tour conductors, exploring deep into the city’s history, culture, landscapes     5     other aspects. Gradually, the concept of Citywalk,     6     focuses on the quiet appreciation of urban lifestyle and cultural atmosphere, has gained popularity worldwide.

Up to now, the Citywalk trend     7     (spread) from first-tier cities like Beijing and Shanghai to second-tier and third-tier cities, encouraging more participants and event organizers to get involved. Some organizers invite folk culture researchers and enthusiasts (爱好者)     8     (act) as tour guides.

In short, Citywalk not only offers     9     way for young people to interact with a city but also provides them with a new social scene, where people wit the same interests and ideas can     10     (easy) make friends.

4 . An international design competition was held in 1955 for an art center to be built. There were 233 entries received from many countries. Danish architect Jorn Utzon won the competition with his unique design of shells that looked like sails on a boat.

The construction began on March 2, 1959 and was expected to be accomplished within 4 years. However, they quickly ran into trouble. The ground was not suitable to hold the weight of the building and huge concrete foundations (混凝土地基) had to be built. Mr Utzon had also made mistakes about how many columns (柱) would be needed to support the roof, thus making the concrete shells at the risk of falling down.

Mr Utzon figured out a new way to disperse the weight of the concrete by making each shell out of a part of a perfect globe. The 14 shells look like a single piece of concrete, but they are actually built across frames (框架) of concrete to hold them in place. They weigh as much as 15 tons each. The highest roof point of the building is 67 m above sea level — the same as a 22-storey high building.

This major correction saved the project but added one decade to the building time. The building consists mainly of two main halls, a number of smaller theaters, performance halls and other additional facilities. Both main halls are housed in relatively large sail-shaped structures, and the smaller performance halls are housed at the ground floor. In particular, the grand organ (风琴) in the concert hall is one of the world’s largest organs containing over 10,000 pipes.

The Sydney Opera House is a great success in the history of architecture. It is not only a world-famous performing arts center and the landmark of Sydney, but also recognized as one of the seven wonders of the world of the 20th century. In 2007, the Sydney Opera House was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

1. What was the difficulty when building Sydney Opera House?

A．Its columns were at the risk of falling down.

B．There was no satisfactory appearance design.

C．The foundation couldn’t support its huge weight.

D．No suitable site could be found for construction.

2. What does the underlined word “disperse” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Put on.

B．Spread out.

C．Cut down.

D．Look into.

3. How long did it take to build Sydney Opera House?

A．4 years.

B．6 years.

C．10 years.

D．14 years.

4. What does the last paragraph focus on about Sydney Opera House?

A．Its position.

B．Its history.

C．Its general shape.

D．Its inner structure.

5 . Canada is a vast and diverse country that offers plenty of incredible tourist destinations. From wonderful natural landscapes to lively cities, Canada has something for every traveler. Here’s a guide to some of Canada’s top tourist destinations.

Banff National Park, Alberta

Located in the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park is a breathtaking destination known for its turquoise (绿松石) lakes, snow-covered mountains, and plentiful wildlife. Explore the landmark-Lake Louise, hike to amazing viewpoints, and spend time in the natural hot springs.

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara Falls is one of the world’s most famous natural attractions. Witness the steep (陡峭的) power and beauty of the grand falls from various viewpoints. Take a boat tour, visit the Butterfly Conservatory, or enjoy the lively atmosphere of Clifton Hill.

Toronto, Ontario

As Canada’s largest city, Toronto offers an impressive experience. Discover the famous CN Tower, explore the busy neighborhoods of Kensington Market and Distillery District, and visit world-class museums such as the Royal Ontario Museum and Art Gallery of Ontario.

Whistler, British Columbia

Whistler is a well-known winter sports destination, famous for its world-class ski slopes and winter activities. In summer, enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and golfing in the impressive mountain scenery.

1. What can visitors do in Banff National Park?

A．Go boating.	B．Go skiing.
C．Appreciate waterfalls.	D．Enjoy hot springs.

2. Which destination offers all experience of lively cultural life?

A．Banff National Park, Alberta.	B．Niagara Falls, Ontario.
C．Toronto, Ontario.	D．Whistler, British Columbia.

3. In which part of a newspaper can we see the text?

A．Tourism.

B．Culture.

C．Fashion.

D．Sport.

6 . Beautiful, historic and easier to reach than they appear, Portugal’s Berlengas Islands and the coastal town of Peniche are worth a visit. However, the little city is also one of Europe’s best surfing sites. That’s why in the summer especially, the streets are filled with Portuguese and international visitors on the long, white beaches. And that has helped make Peniche famous.

Boat rides and hidden bays

Situated a half-hour boat ride from Peniche is the Berlengas archipelago: a collection of small islands visited only by scientists and a few tourists and local guides in the warmer months. Although they can hardly be found on many maps, I would argue that they are well worth adding to yours. The tickets for boat rides to the islands are only 20€ per person and senior people can have a 50% discount (折扣) so you really can’t miss that!

A place of natural heritage (遗产)

With few buildings and only a tree in sight, one could be forgiven for thinking there is “nothing there”. Yet one would also be wrong. The Berlengas Islands are home to an impressive amount of biodiversity (生物多样性). Walking around them is a delight even for the traveler who struggles to name common garden flowers.

A friendly local culture

Everyone you meet here proves patient, welcoming and kind. Because Peniche is a small city popular with lots of international surfers in the summer, the local people seem used to meeting tourists and willing to offer the right direction and to have a friendly chat.

1. What makes the Berlengas Islands and Peniche attractive to visitors in summer?

A．Costal beaches.

B．Fine weather.

C．Surfing places.

D．Beautiful scenery.

2. How much should an elderly couple pay to take a boat?

A．20 €.

B．10 €.

C．40 €.

D．60 €.

3. Where is this text most probably taken from?

A．A geographic textbook.	B．A traveler’s diary.
C．A scientific journal.	D．A tourist guide.

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题
1. Which place would the man like to go?

A．An exciting modern city.

B．A popular tourist attraction.

C．A quiet and far-away place.

2. What does the woman worry about?

A．The weather.

B．The food and water.

C．The language.

3. What does the woman plan to do now?

A．Travel with the man.

B．Do some gardening.

C．Go to the travel agency. .

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

A．Buying some works of art.

B．Writing a paper on museums.

C．Arranging a weekend trip.

2. Which is the most famous art museum in the world?

A．Musée d’Orsay.

B．Musée du Louvre.

C．Center Georges Pompidou.

3. How much should the woman pay?

A．$120.

B．$200.

C．$350.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Why did the speaker go to the rainforest(雨林)?

A．To do research for his degree(学位).

B．To enjoy the beauties of nature.

C．To learn survival skills in the forest.

2. What did the speaker first notice in the forest?

A．The village.

B．The trees and birds.

C．The colors and sounds.

3. What did the speaker think was the most important experience?

A．He collected a few plants.

B．He joined a hunt in the forest.

C．He learned some dances.

10 . Ancient builders across the world created structures that are still standing today, thousands of years later. Roman builders built thick concrete sea barriers against waves. Mayan builders created great sculptures, and Chinese builders constructed walls against foreign enemies.

A growing number of scientists have been studying materials since a long time ago. They 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 bark, volcanic ash, rice and beer. These unexpected materials can have the ability to get stronger over time. Figuring out how to copy these features can have real impacts today. While some of our modern concrete has the strength to hold up very tall buildings and heavy structures, it cannot compete with the durability of these ancient materials.

Many scientists have turned to the Romans. Starting around 200 BC, the Roman Empire was building concrete structures that have stood the test of time. Even in places where seawater has been hitting structures for ages, you will find concrete basically the way it was when it was poured 2,000 years ago. They think they have found an important reason why some Roman concrete has held up structures for thousands of years. That the ancient materials have an unusual power to restore themselves and “cure” cracks (裂缝) when they form is the most shocking for them. Exactly how is not yet clear, but scientists are starting to find the reasons.

Today’s builders cannot just copy the ancient processes. Even though Roman concrete lasted a long time, it couldn’t hold up heavy buildings. Instead, researchers are trying to take some of the ancient materials and add them into modern mixes. People don’t need to make things last quite as long as the Romans did. If we add 50 or 100 years to concrete’s lifespan, we’ll surely require less pulling down, less maintenance and less material in the long run.

1. What were the mentioned Roman and Chinese buildings both used for?

A．Travel.

B．Defence.

C．Soldier training.

D．Seawater control.

2. Which word can best describe the ancient buildings?

A．Long-lasting.

B．Energy-efficient.

C．Delicate.

D．Flexible.

3. What surprises the scientists most about the ancient building materials?

A．Their large cracks.	B．Their clear concrete.
C．Their internal structures.	D．Their self-repairing ability.

4. What is the author’s attitude to the future concrete?

A．Tolerant.

B．Expectant.

C．Suspicious.

D．Indifferent.