1 . Lord Norman Foster, renowned as one of the world’s foremost architects, has devoted decades to redefining the concept of tall buildings. “What we’ve done is create a sense of identify drawn from real needs,” Foster said. “It’s not a fashionable idea, but generated from the realities we were in.” His masterpiece includes iconic structures such as the HSBC building in Hong Kong. Now, he’s set his sights on Qatar.
Currently nearing completion and set to reach a height of 301 meters, Foster’s Lusail Towers are ready to claim the title of Qatar’s tallest buildings. Lusail Towers are intended to serve as a center for Qatar’s financial institutions, with four distinctive blocks, two standing at 70 stories and two at 50 stories.
But the construction itself wasn’t all plain sailing. To address the unique challenges presented by Qatar’s hot climate, Foster’s team had to depart from the materials commonly used in skyscrapers in cooler countries — part of what Foster called a decades-long quest to “reinvent the tall building.” The design combines advanced shading with ventilation (通风), while the towers’ surfaces are coated with “marine-grade”aluminum (铝) that wraps around the buildings, protecting the glass from strong sunlight while maintaining the views and still letting in natural light. Central to the project are special shading fins (鳍), which not only optimize views and natural lighting for occupants but reduce solar radiation by 70% compared to traditional all-glass towers.
While the towers are ready to become a recognizable landmark for Lusail, Foster believes that a city’s skyline reflects what lies beneath the surface. It was crucial to integrate the towers into a “low-scale master plan.” They are strategically positioned on top of a subway line and at the end of a commercial avenue linking the waterfront (滨水区) to the nearby football stadium. According to Foster, the ground features of the plaza will play a significant role in the objective of transforming the area into a lively public space for the future.
1. According to Foster’s concept, what should tall buildings be like?A.Renowned. | B.Identical. |
C.Fashionable | D.Practical. |
A.They will function as a global financial center. | B.They are expected to be Qartar’s tallest building. |
C.They are Foster’s most renowned iconic masterpiece. | D.They have four blocks with the same style and height. |
A.Coating the tower with an unconventional material. |
B.Reducing the views and natural lighting with shading fins. |
C.Replacing the glass with “marine-grade” aluminum. |
D.Protecting the glass from natural light and solar radiation. |
A.To link the waterfront to the football stadium. | B.To create a remarkable plaza for the citizens. |
C.To offer a dynamic public space for the future. | D.To connect a subway and a commercial avenue. |
2 . Things To Remember On Your First Solo Travel Adventure
If you’ve ever thought about just taking a trip yourself instead of waiting for someone to join you, you’re not alone.
Don’t be afraid to talk to random people. Though there is someone who poses a threat, it’s important to remember that not everyone is out to get you.
It’s okay to have bad days.
It’s okay to start small.
A.You are the boss of your own adventure. |
B.You need to make an unusual travel choice. |
C.It’s no secret that solo travel is on the rise. |
D.Sometimes things can go incredibly wrong. |
E.People like you simply don’t know how to start. |
F.Most of the time people are just curious and try to be friendly. |
G.Remember, your first solo trip doesn’t have to be to a whole other continent. |
3 . The sun near the equator is never-ceasing, bearing down as I lead Elaine, a dark brown horse, through thick bushes. It’s been a long day on horseback. My legs ache and our camp signals across a ridge of ancient folding hills in the Lolldaiga Range of northern Kenya, a mosaic (马赛克) of twisted landscapes and communities.
Suddenly Elaine’s ears flick into alert, and the muscles of her body tense beneath me. Our guide Nicholus stretches out a lean arm toward a bush just meters away. My eyes focus, trying my best to see what the others already have: two amber balls glowing from a shadowed form. It’s a young lion, quick and strong, in the middle of the high grass.
A wild silence hangs between us.
Without the defensive hunting vehicle, I feel completely exposed. Peering into the bush, I’m suspended between wonder and terror, the distance between myself and the Savannah’s most notorious hunter unbelievably small. Usually, I’m the one tracking the lion, camera in hand. Now, the lion shifts in my consciousness from object to subject. I shift, too, strongly aware of the soft flesh of my own body.
Nicholus nods his head in the other direction, a safer distance away. He points to shallow holes in the dust. “Look, this is a big lion, and these are young ones, some cubs,” he says. “Probably a mother.” Pawprints marked the earth, each telling the story of more lions, moving in different directions.
It was time to go.
Horseback safaris are still the most immersive way to view wildlife in Kenya. To journey on horseback is to break down the walls — meant to protect, but also to separate us from the natural world. And as we’re absorbed in the thrill of the experience, we’re vividly reminded of the importance of protecting these wild spaces.
Out here your horse is your translator, responding to the low hiss of a leopard, the soft scent of an elephant herd, the cool morning breeze descending from Mount Kenya’s glacial peaks. Your job is to learn how to listen.
1. Which words can NOT describe my horseback journey?A.Thrilling. | B.Tiring. | C.Breathtaking. | D.Boring. |
A.I regretted not having driven a vehicle. |
B.I felt extremely tense in case of lions’ attack. |
C.There will be a big battle between lions and us. |
D.It was out of my expectation to break into a lion’s world. |
A.Horses are much cheaper than vehicles. |
B.Visitors will experience the wildlife anytime. |
C.It is a safe and exciting way to enjoy the wildlife. |
D.It offers a chance to reconsider the connection between humans and wildlife. |
A.Find more animals to feed. | B.Ask your horse for translation. |
C.Feel nature with your heart. | D.Listen to the sound of every animal. |
4 . Costa Rica is home to everything from steamy rainforests and misty cloud forests. And there’s enough action to satisfy the most demanding thrill-seeker. Below, we look at the places you won’t want to miss.
La Fortuna
You can get up close to its lava-covered lower slopes by taking the Las Coladas trail, one of several unforgettable hikes around Volcán Arenal National Park, about 7km west of La Fortuna.
Around 7km east of La Fortuna, there’s horseback riding, mountain biking, along with kayaking on Lake Arenal. The region’s natural hot springs make the perfect place to ease weary muscles.
Monteverde
Monteverde’s mist-wreathed cloud forest reserves sit high on the country’s mountainous spine. It’s one of the world’s biodiversity hot spots, with a shocking diversity of plants and animals.
For a bird’s eye view of the forest, take a thrilling ride on a zipline(滑索), skimming the canopy at high speed—Sky Trek Monteverde has an automatic braking system, useful for kids and anxious adults.
The Nicoya Peninsula
Famed for its postcard-perfect beaches and sweet Pacific swells, Nicoya has something for wave riders of all levels. There’s wildlife too: Grande Beach is a nesting site for leatherback turtles from October to March.
Further south, the remote, jungle-backed town of Santa Teresa is now a hip hangout with cool cafes, sushi restaurants and designer boutiques.
1. Who are the targeted readers?A.Scientists. | B.Travelers. | C.Researchers. | D.Guides. |
A.Outdoor activities. | B.Local snacks. | C.Wildlife watching. | D.Volcano views. |
A.La Fortuna and Monteverde. | B.La Fortuna and The Nicoya Peninsula. |
C.The Nicoya Peninsula and Monteverde. | D.Santa Teresa and Volcán Arenal National Park. |
Following Zibo and Harbin, Tianshui, an ancient Silk Road city in Northwest China’s Gansu Province, became the latest place that has caused
Tianshui not only has delicious spicy hot pot food, but also stands out for its distinctive
6 . The Best Maldives Island for Your Travel Style
Every resort (度假地) in Maldives is its own private island but choosing the right one for you can be difficult. Want to kick off your Indian Ocean holiday in style? Our guide will help you know what to look for in the hunt for your ideal island.
Waldorf Astoria Maldives IthaafushiYou’ll never go hungry at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, which has 11 restaurants, including ones specializing in garden-to-table cuisine. There are regular food-themed events, too — our favorites include Arabian Night and the Twilight Seafood Barbecue.
Four Seasons Resort MaldivesConsidered one of the best spots in the Maldives for honeymoons, the Four Seasons Resort Maldives has a huge range of room categories and offers a brilliant selection of packages, including Island Romance packages that feature fantastic extras designed with couples in mind.
Fairmont MaldivesThere are numerous reasons to visit the Fairmont Maldives, including the fact that it’s a great place to learn about sustainability, whether it’s at the Sustainability Lab, where guests can turn discarded plastic bottles into jewelry or during excursions with marine biologists from a charity created to protect sea turtles.
Heritance AarahHeritance Aarah recently opened its Live Maldivian Village Museum, which focuses on 4,000 years of Maldivian history. Guests can learn about the art of coral stone carving and find out why locals are known as some of the world’s best boat builders.
To ensure you experience the Maldives’ best bits, schedule a holiday every month without fail. We’re joking, but you get the point: think what you want to see and do, and brush up on the different areas’ seasonal selling points.
1. Who are the target readers of the article?A.Sports lovers. | B.Travel enthusiasts. |
C.Wilderness explorers. | D.Travel agents. |
A.They are the first four most-visited sites. | B.They have their own unique characteristics. |
C.They are just tailored for young couples. | D.They feature absolute peace and tranquility. |
A.To persuade you to journey to Maldives. | B.To urge you to start a holiday early. |
C.To remind you not to miss selling points. | D.To help you choose the ideal island. |
A.In Canada. | B.In New York. | C.In California. |
1. What are the speakers talking about?
A.Their trip abroad. | B.Vacation plans. | C.Cultural differences |
A.She’s afraid of flying. |
B.She hates the food there. |
C.She went there with her cousin last summer. |
A.It’s not easy to learn. |
B.He’s been learning it for a year. |
C.He can only say a few words. |
A.The beauty of the beaches in Mexico. |
B.The possibility of learning some Spanish. |
C.Many people speaking English in Mexico. |
9 . When looking for some vacation ideas to spread out and get some time and space to yourself, check out these great resorts (度假胜地) options.
Hyatt Ziva Cap CanaLocated in Punta Cana, this family-friendly vacation at an all-inclusive resort offers something for everyone in your party. Parents can enjoy relaxing by one of the resort’s swim-up bars in an infinity pool or head out for some deep-sea fishing. Kids, meanwhile, can head over to the kids’ club for a number of activities. Plus, all of the drinks and food across the 14 restaurants and bars is included.
Beaches Turks & CaicosThis resort has become the Caribbean’s popular go-to when it comes to all-inclusive family vacations that provide great value since there’s so much to do for guests of all ages. There’s a 45,000-square-foot water park, 24 restaurants, unlimited PADI-certified scuba diving and water sports, a 12-mile beach, a spa, 10 pools—whew!
The Alisal Guest RanchIf you live in the city and want to get back to nature, this luxury farm over nearly 11,000 acres in California’s Santa Ynez Valley is a perfect fit for a family. All that wide-open space means activities like horseback riding, scenic cycling, hiking, fishing, kayaking and, for the body-and-spirit-minded traveler in your group, yoga.
Montage Palmetto BluffThe 20,000-acre community includes a nature preserve with walking trails, but the real stars of the show here are the over 300 species of birds. The resort’s resident naturalist takes families on walks to Bird Island, sharing a history of the area. Plus, kids will love the kayak tours that get up close to the dolphins that live there year-round.
1. Which attracts those interested in horseback-riding?A.Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana. | B.Beaches Turks & Caicos. |
C.Montage Palmetto Bluff. | D.The Alisal Guest Ranch. |
A.They promise good food services. | B.They include various kids’ clubs. |
C.They provide parent-child activities. | D.They have large historic buildings. |
A.To organize some family parties. | B.To highlight some tourist resorts. |
C.To introduce some nature reserves. | D.To stimulate some domestic needs. |
10 . Bruce Museum
Consistently voted the “Best Museum” by area media, the Bruce Museum in Greenwich is an educational institution which, through its varied exhibitions and collections in the arts and sciences, provides programs for diverse audiences.
Bruce BeginningsTuesdays, 11:00 to 11:45 am
Bruce Beginnings programs are designed for children from 2.5-5 years of age and their adult caregivers, who will explore the museum’s collections and exhibitions through picture books and hands-on activities. Space for these programs is limited; participants must see the Visitor Service desk upon arrival to the museum.
Science Solvers or Art AdventureSelect Sundays, 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Drop-in monthly programs are designed for children over the age of 4 and their families to explore simple science and art concepts while taking part in kid-friendly experiments, projects, or crafts inspired by the museum’s exhibitions and collections.
Family Studio WorkshopsSelect Sundays, 1:00 to 2:30 pm
A program for children over the age of 4 with their families. Participants will create a work of art inspired by the museum’s collections and exhibitions! This program is $7 per person for members and $15 for non-members, plus the cost of Museum admission.
Afternoons at the BruceSelect school vacation days, 2:00 to 4:30 pm
Spend the afternoon off from school discovering, learning and creating! Workshops are designed for gradesK-5 and explore the museum’s collections and exhibitions. Members $15, and $25 for non-members. Snacks included! Advanced registration is required at brucemuseum.org/site/events.
1. What is special about the programs lasting less than an hour?A.Providing hands-on activities. | B.Taking place at weekends. |
C.Limiting the number of participants. | D.Targeting kids of different age groups. |
A.They cost nothing. | B.They include art appreciation. |
C.They are designed for kids only. | D.They are hosted on school holidays. |
A.Bruce Beginnings. | B.Afternoons at the Bruce. |
C.Family Studio Workshops. | D.Science Solvers or Art Adventure. |