1 . Sydney Opera House Tours
We offer three different tours of this amazing building.
The Essential Tour
It brings to life the story behind the design and construction of one of the world’s most famous places. Using audio-visual technology, your guide will take you on a memorable journey inside the youngest building ever to be World Heritage listed. Afterwards, why not stay around and eat at the Studio Café, with its modern Australian menu? Not only can you enjoy the best views in Sydney, you can claim a 20% reduction on the total cost of your meal.
Takes place: Daily between 9 am and 5 pm
Prices: Adults $35 / Online $29.75
Prior(预先的) bookings are not necessary.
The Backstage Tour
It is a unique opportunity to experience the real-life plays behind the stage! You might even get to stand on the concert hall stage, take up a conductor’s baton(指挥棒) in the orchestra pit and imagine you are leading the performance. You will also get to see inside the stars’ dressing rooms. The tour includes with a free breakfast in the Green Room, the private dining area of performers past and present.
Takes place: Daily at 7 am
Prices: $155
Bookings are necessary. Limited to 8 people per tour. Online sales expire at 4:30 pm two days prior.
Opera High Tea
It consists of a tour where you will walk in the footsteps of world-class singers, dancers and musicians, followed by fine food and music in the great surroundings of the Bennelong Dining Room. What could be better than a treat of delicious light snacks and soft drinks followed by a live performance by a leading Australian singer? An unforgettable treat for young and old!
Takes place: Every second Wednesday, 2 pm
Duration: 1.5 hours
Prices: $145 per person
Book online or visit the Guided Tours Desk.
1. What is special about The Essential Tour?| A．Tourists can get a price reduction online. |
| B．It offers a free breakfast with famous singers. |
| C．Tourists need to book their tickets in advance. |
| D．It has limitation on the number of participants. |
| A．Learn the design of the building. | B．Perform with a leading singer. |
| C．Enjoy a world-class opera. | D．Pretend to be a conductor. |
| A．From 7 am to 9 am. | B．From 9 am to 2 pm. |
| C．From 2 pm to 3:30 pm. | D．From 4:30 pm to 6 pm. |
2 . The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, completed in 1436, is the most important landmark in Florence, Italy, and the fourth largest church in the world.
The most famous part of the church is the dome (穹顶). It was created by the genius of the Renaissance (文艺复兴), Filippo Brunelleschi, who showed a great mastery of technical knowledge. Interestingly, Brunelleschi had been a trained goldsmith (金匠) and had never built anything in his life before building the masterpiece. This may sound crazy, but in many ways we look at the relation between Brunelleschi and the church, it seemed that he was “the chosen one” to complete the construction.
When he was born in 1377, the church had been under construction for 80 years with no solution to the dome-shaped roof. The building of the church had grown so larger and grander than the original plans that no one had any idea how it would or could be done. In 1418 a public competition was announced for the construction of the dome. Of course, there was the possibility of building the dome with a wooden structure to support it, but that would end up being costly requiring over 400 trees, lots of manpower and time. When Brunelleschi entered the competition, he was the only one with an idea that did not use wood, which caught the attention of the judges. Brunelleschi did many mathematical calculations and invented a lot of new tools and machines for the project, which was started two years after he won the competition. He finished the dome in only sixteen years, which was shockingly fast back in his time.
Always known as a secretive person, Brunelleschi didn’t leave a single building plan, drawing, or even a letter behind on how he managed to come up with such an amazing design. For years, the structure was a huge mystery about how the dome was built.
1. Why did the church remain unfinished for a long time?| A．It was waiting for the chosen one for the task. | B．It went too far away from the original plan. |
| C．The wood, labor and time were not enough. | D．The tools and machines had not been invented. |
| A．He was a trained goldsmith. | B．He had a gift for invention. |
| C．He raised a different design. | D．He was good at calculation. |
| A．1418. | B．1420. | C．1434. | D．1436. |
| A．Not outgoing in personality. | B．Creative in imagination. |
| C．Not afraid when making decisions. | D．Energetic when working. |
1.推荐的地方;
2.推荐的理由。
注意：
1.写作词数应为80左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Dear Adam,
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
4 . Frequently Asked Questions for Yellowstone National Park
How much is the entrance fee?
| $85-Private, non-commercial vehicle; $30-Motorcycle or snowmobile (winter); $20-Visitors 16 and older entering by foot, bike, ski, etc. *This fee provides the visitor with a 7-day entrance permit for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. |
Your decision may depend on how much time you have and what you want to see the most. If you plan on visiting Yellowstone National Park for only a few days and want to experience some of the main attractions then West Yellowstone would be a good base. If you want to have the full park experience then perhaps lodging (住宿) at Old Faithful would be a good choice. If you want to view the most wildlife, then we suggest the Northeast Entrance. |
This depends on what your interests are. Spring has abundant wildlife, roaring waterfalls and wild weather. Summer has it all including the most crowds, so you’d better get out early and eat your breakfast on the road! Fall is a special time of year. Everything seems to be declining including the crowds. Winter is a time of being a bit of social isolation. In years past it was more “economical” to visit most of the park. Now it is more restricted unless you can afford a snow-coach or guided snowmobile tour. |
Free public Wi-Fi is available at Al-bright Visitor Center and at some park lodges for registered guests. Cell service is extremely limited, with reception only available in or near major developed areas. In summer, service often reaches its limit in these areas. Yet, it is sad to see the latest generation fade away from normal everyday activities and conversation. Get out, look around, admire the wonders. There’re plenty of natural and human distractions around every corner. The last thing we want to do is distract visitors from Yellowstone’s wonders especially while driving. |
| A．$50 | B．$85 | C．$105 | D．$125 |
| A．most of the park was restricted to visitors in winter in the past |
| B．visiting Yellowstone in winter is preferred by most local people |
| C．winter used to be the best time to visit the park in terms of expenses |
| D．nowadays most people choose to tour the park on a snow-coach in winter |
| A．the wireless connection is not satisfactory |
| B．Old Faithful provides a full view of the park |
| C．the entrance ticket applies to Yellowstone only |
| D．younger generations make up the majority of park visitors |
Considering the most beautiful seas, it’s worth paying attention to the southern water bodies, although, without doubt, each sea is attractive and charming in its own way.
The most beautiful sea in the world-Coral SeaIf we consider the beauty of the seas, and not their coasts, then the first place should be given to the Coral Sea. The Coral Sea is a dangerous place for sailors, and at the same time one of the most beautiful places for diving and all this is due to the unique coral reefs that are home to a wide range of creatures.
The second place-Red SeaThe Red Sea is a truly magnificent place. It has rich fish stocks, a huge number of amazing creatures live in it, and the underwater world is exceptionally rich, which makes it one of the most attractive destinations for divers around the world.
The third place-CaribbeanThis is the warmest exotic(异域风情的)place where not only the sea but also the plants on its coast please the eye. It’s located between North and South America, and on its shore there are a number of small countries. Many tourists come here, because rest here is inexpensive, and you can experience different cultural traditions.
The fourth place-Bali SeaThe Bali Sea is located in the Pacific Ocean. This is another paradise(天堂)for relaxation, receiving many tourists every season. The sea has a warm climate, creating ideal conditions for relaxing on the islands of Java, Sulawesi, Sumbawa and Madura.
1. Where should you go if you like diving and various sea creatures?| A．Red Sea and Bali Sea. | B．Caribbean and Bali Sea. |
| C．Coral Sea and Red Sea. | D．Coral Sea and Caribbean. |
| A．To appreciate different cultures at a lower cost. |
| B．To take a close look at a number of wild plants. |
| C．To look for more corals and the best places to dive. |
| D．To relax on the islands of Java, Sulawesi and so on. |
| A．Its coast. | B．Its islands. | C．Its tourists. | D．Its climate. |
内容包括：1.家乡概况；
2.介绍家乡景色、美食、传统等。
注意：
1.写作词数应为80左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your listening.
7 . China is a colorful country with amazing places and cultures. In this blog, we will introduce five most attractive places that you can’t miss if you are planning to go for a travel in China!
Beijing
Beijing, the capital of China for over 850 years, is the first choice for many travellers. A perfect combination of classic elegance and modernity, it is the best Chinese destination to give you a better understanding of the country. You can wander around the Forbidden City to feel the dignity of the city; or you can walk along the criss-crossing hutongs and enjoy yourself in everyday local life.
Xi’an
If you want to feel the history of China over the past 1,000 years, you can go to Beijing; however, if you want to experience the 5,000 years’ history of this ancient, oriental land, Xi’an is the best travel destination in China. As one of the four major capitals of ancient civilisation (together with Athens, Cairo, and Rome), Xi’an is the home of Chinese civilisation. The Silk Road starts from here, stretching through West China to the Mediterranean.
Guilin
Guilin, a peaceful city lying in the hilly south-western area of the country, is among the top Chinese destinations for its extraordinary natural scenery. The unique karst landscape with its four features, namely green hills, clear water, fantastic caves, and oddly-shaped rocks, makes it a famous tourist attraction.
Chengdu
Visiting the lovely giant pandas must be on everyone’s to-do list when planning a tour of the best Chinese destinations. Many cities have zoos with space for pandas, but the best place to get close to them is Chengdu for sure! Visiting Chengdu is also a treat for food lovers. Jin li Street is a great place to have a taste of well-known Sichuan food. Besides, you can also enjoy the comfortable atmosphere.
1. What can you do in Beijing?| A．Enjoy the oddly-shaped rocks. | B．Have a taste of Sichuan food. |
| C．Walk around the Forbidden City. | D．Learn the history of the Silk Road. |
| A．Beijing. | B．Xi’an. | C．Guilin. | D．Chengdu. |
| A．Another attractive place in China. | B．The introduction to karst landscape. |
| C．Tips for travelling around the world. | D．The contact information of a museum. |
8 . Family-Friendly Events in January
ZooLights: Glow Wild Jan. 1-19
The Phoenix Zoo’s yearly holiday light show is on until Jan. 19, allowing families one or more opportunities to enjoy the city’s zoo, with millions of lights giving an added dimension to the festivities.
Glow Wild, 455 N. Galvin Pkwy. , Phoenix, phoenixzoo.org, $11. 95 members, $13. 95 general admission.
Downtown Mesa Festival of the Arts Jan. 4-18
The Downtown Mesa Festival of the Arts features the work of established and emerging artists, including those who create woodwork, metal crafts, food items, art, photography and gifts.
On Macdonald, off of Main Street in Downtown Mesa, dtmesafest.com, free admission.
Family Fun Winterfest Jan. 4
OdySea Aquarium in the Desert is hosting the third annual Family Fun Winterfest in its Desert Courtyard, featuring real snow for the kids to play in. This free event features everything from bounce houses to rides, games, snowflake crafts and face painting to go with various stands set up by local sellers, with food and other offerings for sale at the event.
9500 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, odyseainthedesert.com, free.Youth Fine Arts Course Jan. 18-Mar. 7
Mesa Arts Center is hosting an eight-week youth arts course on Saturdays to teach artistic skills and knowledge through fun and challenging art classes in a wide variety of art materials, including painting, drawing, mixed media and sculpture, ensuring mentally stimulating sessions for all.
Mesa Art Center, 1 E. Main St, Mesa, mesaartscenter.com, $93.1. How can you get a discounted ticket to the ZooLights show?
| A．Bring a friend. | B．Get a membership. |
| C．Join a tour group. | D．Book a ticket online. |
| A．Have free food. | B．Take art classes. |
| C．Enjoy real snow. | D．Meet local artists. |
| A．ZooLights: Glow Wild. | B．Downtown Mesa Festival of the Arts. |
| C．Youth Fine Arts Courses. | D．Family Fun Winterfest. |
9 . A couple has completed a tiring 4,500-mile bike ride around Europe in the shape of an enormous bicycle, in a creative attempt to promote sustainable travel.
Accompanied by their dog Zola, David Smith, 35, and Arianna Saraghi, 40, rode through seven countries to create the striking image, motivated by their desire to raise awareness about climate change. After completing their 7237-kilometer journey earlier this week, the pair said they had narrowly beaten the Guinness World Record for the largest GPS drawing made by any mode of transport.
They are also, unsurprisingly, confident that they have traced the biggest ever GPS bicycle, estimating that theirs is roughly 600 miles wide. “Being able to see it on^ the map is mainly a relief,” Ms Saraghi said after recounting the problems they had along the way.
They initially set off in the summer of 2019, armed with a computer-designed route which they had followed to avoid cycling through Paris’Charles de Gaulle Airport. However, they were forced to stop after Ms Saraghi sustained a knee injury.
The Anglo-Italian couple tried again that winter, before giving up because it was too cold to camp. The Covid-19 pandemic then delayed the trip’s completion by another two years. “We had so many obstacles. When we started this time we were thinking—what can go wrong this time? We felt we had let people down by not completing it, and our life felt kind of stuck. So we’re very happy,” Ms Saraghi said.
The pair said they want people who see the GPS image to consider cycling shorter journeys rather than choosing to drive. “Cycling is cheaper, it’s healthy, it’s fun, and it’s often pretty fast. Please give it a second and consider if there is an alternative to the car- there may not be, but often there is,” Mr Smith told The Independent. The 35-year-old added that they also hope politicians, who come across their GPS bicycle are motivated to improve cycling infrastructure (基础设施) to encourage the public to travel sustainably where possible.
1. What was the purpose of the couple’s bike ride?| A．To enjoy a journey with their dog. |
| B．To encourage green travel on bikes. |
| C．To give warnings on climate change. |
| D．To create a striking means of transport. |
| A．Long and comfortable. | B．Creative and inspiring. |
| C．Relaxing and relieving. | D．Challenging and profitable. |
| A．They successfully improved public facilities. |
| B．They let people down due to many obstacles. |
| C．They realized the dream of changing their life. |
| D．They finally meet the expectation of the public. |
| A．In many cases cycling can be an alternative to driving. |
| B．The GPS bicycle can inspire people to give up driving. |
| C．Better urban infrastructure prevents sustainable travel. |
| D．Cycling is cheaper, funnier and faster than driving a car. |
10 . Earlier this month, I paid a visit to Baluran National Park in eastern Java with my family. This park, named after a dead volcano, is the only place in Indonesia that looks like an African savanna (热带草原). Therefore, it is called Africa in Indonesia. You can see deer, large water buffalo, small mice, peacocks, eagles, monkeys and much more animals.
When walking in the park, we really had the feeling that we were in Africa. This was mainly due to its climate. The air was hot and dry rather than warm and wet. It was completely different from what I got used to in Indonesia and I was so surprised.
In the park, you will never get bored because the whole neighborhood is full of monkeys. But thesemonkeys are rude and aggressive (好斗的). Monkeys guarded our house and wanted food. When we didn’t give them food, they would rob us of food. So each of us was offered a stick by the rangers (护林员). They taught us that when the monkeys were too aggressive we must lift the stick. And it worked perfectly.
In the late afternoon, we went for a walk to explore the area. On the way, we saw many species of trees that couldn’t be found anywhere else in Indonesia. Soon the sunset approached so we decided to go back. But darkness fell about halfway through the journey. We only had poor light from our phones. And we heard only the sounds of animals around us. It was possible that hungry animals might come close to us and take us as their dinner. We started to feel scared and quickened our steps. Just when we were about to reach our breaking point, we saw a ranger, who comforted us and led us to safety.
In the evening, we talked with the ranger about his life in Baluran. And after dinner, he invited us to fish with him at sunrise. We really had a great time in the park, and I always look forward to coming back and experiencing all the excitements again.
1. What do we learn about Baluran National Park?| A．It is a great place for wild animals. | B．It is located in the middle of Africa. |
| C．Tourists find its climate very pleasant. | D．Tourists usually visit it for its volcano. |
| A．To help them walk easily. | B．To drive away unfriendly monkeys. |
| C．To play games with monkeys. | D．To use it to give monkeys food. |
| A．The anxiety to charge their phones. | B．The desire to tell the rangers about their adventure. |
| C．The worry about being robbed at night. | D．The fear of being attacked by wild animals. |
| A．Encourage people to travel to Indonesia. |
| B．Give tips on how to visit Baluran National Park. |
| C．Share her experience at Baluran National Park. |
| D．Advertise Baluran National Park. |
