The main structure of Notre-Dame cathedral (巴黎圣母院) — including the two bell towers — has been saved after firefighters worked through the night to put out the big fire.
Now that it has been put out, experts have been able to explain the difficulties fire crews faced as they fought to save such a large, historic building.
A complex flammable (易燃的) roof?
It’s not yet known exactly how the Notre-Dame fire began, but it appears to have started near the top, eventually spreading across the rest of the wooden roof.
Gregg Favre, former commander at St Louis Fire Department in the US, pointed out how flammable the building is. He explained on Twitter: “Let’s pause to remember how fires actually burn. It involves key elements like fuel, oxygen, heat and a chemical chain reaction.” Unfortunately, none of these elements are easy to remove in this case.
“To start with, removing the fuel is a no go. Churches have no shortage of things to burn. Although a huge oak beam(梁) is generally difficult to get burning, as smaller timbers (木材) fuel the fire and the temperature rises, the timbers will eventually ignite (点燃) in a phenomenon known as a flashover.”
“The heat that a fire this size is putting off is terrific. Little options for interrupting that. The chemical chain is off to the races.”
“That leaves the oxygen. Unsurprisingly, even if the roof had not burnt off, churches are nearly impossible to control ventilation (通风) in. Their design is to be open and airy. Great for Sunday worship, terrible for managing fire spread.”
Dumping water from above?
As the fire burned, US President Donald Trump suggested that flying water tankers (罐车) could be brought in to fight the flames from above.
Professor Rein, the head of Imperial College London’s fire-studying Hazelab said“ Trump wasn’t the first person to come up with the suggestion, however, it was not a good idea because it would have damaged the structure of the cathedral, collapsing the walls”.
The force of water coming from an air tanker is strong and no-one has been trained to use one in a city. He added that Monday’s fire was “not the time to test this”.
How safe can they make Notre-Dame?
Professor Rein says that “fire engineering” will need to be considered when reconstructing the cathedral. Fire engineering is now in place in modern landmarks such as the Shard in London.
“We keep seeing these buildings go up in flames like this. However, it’s relatively easy to prevent. Notre-Dame should install sprinklers (消防喷淋).” he said.
Much as the Notre-Dame fire is a tragedy, information from studying it will be priceless in protecting other buildings.
| Background | Despite difficulties, firefighters | |
Elements | The roof is made up of flammable wood, so Heat and chemical chain are also hard to get | |
Dumping water from above doesn’t make | The strong force of water would have put the structure of the cathedral at | |
| Conclusion | Fire engineering should be considered in the protection of heritage sites in an effort to avoid | |
Pretty much anyone can book a trip, but not everyone plan a perfect adventure that's affordable, accommodating, and fun for everyone in your group. Here are some insider tips that we'd like to share with you about Hotels.
Check Distance on a Map
It is not uncommon for hotels to advertise their proximity(邻近) to attractions and services around town. If being close to a particular airport or landmark important for your trip, verify distances on Google Maps before you book a hotel.
Skip the Package Deals
To attract new guests, sometimes these deals that sound exciting but may not be worth it. Just know that sometimes these packages include things you don't even want or need and that the special rate could be higher than the regular rate.
Don't Pay for the Mini Bar
Mini bar charges are frequently disputed because they are stocked by hand and often miscalculated. Carefully review your hotel's itemized bill and if you see any mini bar charges that aren't right, dispute them. Most front desk staff won’t hesitate to void the charges.
Understand Room Preferences Aren't Guaranteed
Hotel booking include preferences like bed size and the number of beds. But in many hotels, travelers should know that these preferences aren’t guaranteed. You’ll usually get what you asked for, but not always.
Mention Special Occasions
Many of us travel for birthday, anniversaries, and special events. Mention what you're celebrating to the hotel staff a week or more before you arrive and you might be surprised, like a bottle of champagne in your room.
Be Polite to the Staff
A little niceness goes a long way, especially with hotel staff that has to deal with difficult guests on a regular basis. When you check in, simply ask how the front desk clerk's day is going and say hello to the cleaning staff when you pass them in the hall. This isn't just common courtesy, but it also increases your chances of getting perks(额外待遇) during your stay.
Bundle(捆绑) a Hotel Stay with Airfare
If you've got your trip all planned out and know your itinerary, consider building your hotel room with your airfare for better price. Some websites offer travel packages that combine both accommodations and flights, which can help you save significantly on your hotel room.
Ask for a Corner Room
When you check in at a hotel, discretely ask if there's a corner room available. These are usually larger and quieter for the same price as ones in the middle of the hall. Upgrades are most often offered at the end of the day when hotels have a better sense of their occupancy.
Book a trip in a | |
Introduction | Booking a trip may not |
Tips | •Checking distances on Google Maps before making a •Try to avoid being cheated by hotel's themed package which may not •Having a clear •Gifts might come as •Showing •A •Asking for a corner room is highly |
Taking all these things into | |
3 . Nowhere is the place you never want to go. It’s not on any departure board, and though some people like to travel so far off the motherland that it looks like Nowhere, most wanderers ultimately long to get somewhere. Yet every now and then—if there’s nowhere else you can be and all other options have gone—going nowhere can prove the best adventure around.
Nowhere is entirely uncharted; you’ve never read a guidebook entry on it or followed others’ suggestions on a train ride through its suburbs. Few YouTube videos exist of it. Moreover, it’s free from the most dangerous kind of luggage, expectation. Knowing nothing of a place in advance opens us up to a high energy we seldom encounter while walking around Paris or Kyoto with a list of the 10 things we want—or, in embarrassing truth, feel we need—to see.
I’ll never forget a bright January morning when I landed in San Francisco from Santa Barbara, just in time to see my connecting flight to Osaka take off. I hurried to the nearest airline counter to ask for help, and was told that I would have to wait 24 hours, at my own expense, for the next day’s flight. An unanticipated delay is exactly what nobody wants on his schedule. The airline didn’t answer for fog-related delays, a gate agent declared, and no alternative flights were available.
Millbrae, California, the drive-through town that encircles San Francisco’s airport, was a mystery to me. With one of the world’s most beautiful cities only 40 minutes to the north, and the unofficial center of the world, Silicon Valley, 27 miles to the south, Millbrae is known mostly as a place to fly away from, at high speed.
It was a cloudless, warm afternoon as a shuttle bus deposited me in Millbrae. Locals were taking their dogs for walks along the bay while couples wandered hand in hand beside an expanse of blue that, in San Francisco, would have been crowded with people and official “attractions.” I checked in to my hotel and registered.
Suddenly I was enjoying a luxury I never allow myself, even on vacation: a whole day free. And as I made my way back to my hotel, lights began to come on in the hills of Millbrae, and I realized I had never seen a sight half so lovely in glamorous, industrial Osaka. Its neighbor Kyoto is attractive, but it attracts 50 million visitors a year.
Who knows if I’ll ever visit Millbrae again? But I’m confident that Nowhere will slip into my schedule many times more. No place, after all, is uninteresting to the interested eye. Nowhere is so far off the map that its smallest beauties are a discovery.
The Unexpected Joys of a Trip to Nowhere | |
| Passage outline | Supporting details |
| Introduction to Nowhere | ●Although many choose to travel beyond the ●Getting nowhere can be the best adventure when we are |
| ●You don’t have to be ●With limited information of a place and little expectation, we will encounter a | |
| The author’s experience of getting nowhere | ●The airline wasn’t ●He decided to visit the mysterious Millbrae, ●He |
| Conclusion | ●Though ●Nowhere is entirely uncharted with its beauties to be |
4 . Travelling feels good. Seeing new places and gaining new experiences make us feel happy. Feelings of contentment and wellbeing are, according to psychologists, more likely to be aroused by new experiences than material possessions. When we acquire new possessions, we quickly become accustomed to owning them and as a result they soon fail to give us the same sense of satisfaction as they did previously. Travel, on the other hand, is an experience that not only feels good in the moment, but also provides us with something to look forward to and something we can look back on.
Travelling can also make us feel inspired. Have you ever taken a trip away and come back with some new ideas, or even a whole new perspective(观点) on life? Being in a “holiday mood” makes us more likely to devise new concepts. Why is this? Dopamine(多巴胺), a chemical substance known to contribute to pleasure in the brain, arouses feelings of relaxation, which in turn encourage creativity.
Unfortunately, not all of us can afford the time or money required to travel often. However, you can make some adjustments to your daily life that will help you get the travelling feeling even when you’re stuck in your hometown. For instance, frequently stimulate(刺激) your five senses. To achieve this, you can make a point of trying out any new restaurant that opens near you, or cook at least one new recipe every week. Besides, you can go out of your way to experience new sights. Even if you have walked around your local area hundreds of times before, there will still be a few roads and pathways that you’ve never been to before.
Learning a new hobby or skill will copy the feeling that comes with travelling. Sign up for an evening course or check out events at your local community college. Along with the intellectual stimulation of the new activities, you will also get to meet new people, who can provide you with new ways of looking at the world.
In life, there are always some things that are there when you need them, but you never think they are important or useful. Actually you should learn to appreciate them. This will give you the feeling of having encountered something new and special that is usually reserved for trips to new places. Why not combine a daily “giving thanks” session with a period of deep thinking? Also relax your mind and body regularly, just as you do when away on vacation, which will increase your dopamine levels and in turn make you happier and more creative.
Getting the Travelling Feeling Even When You Are at Home | |
The magic of travelling | ·Compared with material possessions, travelling can offer more ·Travelling can give us something to |
| ·Travelling can also inspire us to come up with new ideas and even ·Dopamine, a chemical substance known to provide pleasure, is believed to be able to make people more | |
Tips on | ·To stimulate your five senses, you can try out nearby new restaurants, cook one new recipe on a |
| ·Attend an evening course or check out events to learn something new. · | |
| ·Appreciate what you usually take for ·Try to keep relaxed mentally as well as | |
On October 28th, we began our exciting trip to the world-famous sand island—Fraser Island, which is said to be the world largest sand island and it is one of the world cultural heritages (遗产). We were really amazed by the spectacular view there.
The road to the island is really tough and bumpy. The bus driver, who was also our guide was a very strong man. He was optimistic (乐观的) and helpful. I found he was all smiling on the way though the ride was not very smooth. We stopped for several times because the cars in front of us were blocked by sand. The road was completely sand about 50 centimeters high. We were thrown back and forth like taking a rollercoaster (过山车). All of us couldn’t help laughing when we were shaken from side to side. It took us more than an hour to arrive there. I guess this road is one of the most impressive things.
The beach is so wonderful and terrific! This was my first visit to the seaside. The broad sea made me speechless. We were really thrilled by the amazing view. We couldn’t stop taking so many pictures. The bus ran along the beach with the sea water on one side and bushes on the other side. The view outside the bus was really fantastic! The driver told us there were dingoes (野犬) in the bush. When we were sitting on the bus, we kept on searching the faraway bush for a dingo. Unfortunately, we didn’t see one.
The lake is the next destination we went to. This lake which is ringed by white sand beaches lies peacefully on the hill, which is 18 meters above the sea level. The crystal clear water from the rainfall is sparkling (闪光). Male students jumped into the lake without taking off the clothes. They played with water like small children. Nowhere else in the world can you find such a wonderful fairly land.
The forest is the last place we visited. Those towering rainforests grow on sands. There are many varieties of species. Some trees are so tall and have a history of 500 years. Some gum trees are quite strange because their barks (树皮) fall. The driver told us that this was because they wanted to protect themselves from worms or fires. This forest is home to many animals. We could hear bird singing when we were walking in the shade from the trees.
The tour to Fraser Island makes a deep impression on us. It provides us magnificent views. It is well worth a visit.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Yet, despite these benefits, many of us return home with a feeling that our last vacation was OK - but not great. In order to change this, some mistakes should be avoided. A classic one for vacation planners is attempting to maximize value for money by planning trips that have too many components (组成部分)• Perhaps you’re planning a trip to Europe, seven cities in 10 days，and you realize it will cost only a little more to add two more destinations to the list Sounds fine in theory, but hopping from one place to the next hardly gives an opportunity to experience what psychologists call mindfulness - time to take in our new surroundings, time to be present and absorb our travel experiences. Another mistake is that we worry too much about strategic issues such as how to find a good flight deal，how to get from A to B，or which destinations to add or subtract from our journey. These issues may seem important, but our psychological state of mind is far more important.
Actually, vacation happiness is based on the following top rules. First, choose your travel companions wisely, because nothing contributes more significantly to a trip than the right companions. Second，don’t spend your vacation time in a place where everything is too expensive so as to maintain a positive mood. Third, shop wisely, for meaningful experiences provide more long-term happiness than physical possessions.
One of the most popular tourist attractions in London is the Tower of London. Founded more than 900 years ago, the Tower of London is one of the world’s most famous towers and has changer a lot. Here, you can also find the seven raven（乌鸦）which live in the Tower. There is a story that says：If there are no ravens in the Tower, the Tower and the kingdom will fall. There are also lots of tours, exhibits and special events that you can enjoy throughout the year.
Another popular place to visit is Westminster Abbey. It was set up in 1065 by Edward the Confessor. Visitors to Westminster Abbey can enjoy its beautiful special Gothic architecture（哥特式建筑）. There are also lots of memorials of Kings and Queens to enjoy. Excellent transportation is available here by bus or tube from many locations in London.
Buckingham Palace is another place with a rich history to discover. It’s the official London residence（住处） of Queen Elizabeth II. During August and September, you can visit the State Rooms and see the Changing of the Guards. The Queen’s Gallery is opened to the public daily. Checking the official timetable before you make sure to visit the Palace is a must, because it is not open year round.
If you’re expecting to enjoy one of London’s most beautiful landscapes, Hyde Park is the place for you. There are many activities available here to enjoy, including guided walking tours, swimming, tennis, and horse riding. In addition, many concerts are performed in Hyde Park. There’s also a playground available for the kids.
Tourist attractions in London
| The Tower of London | *Built * There are many ravens living in the Tower. * During the |
| Westminster Abbey | |
| Buckingham Palace | * With a rich * * It’s |
| Hyde Park | As one of London’s most beautiful landscapes, Hyde Park is the palace for you to walk, play tennis, |
A. Mauritius, an island lying off the southeast Africa in the Indian Ocean. The pleasant tropical climate and scenery provides the perfect setting to enjoy everything. The sea is full of colorful life that lives around the coral reef. This makes Mauritius a wonderful place for swimming and diving.
B. Las Vegas is really a fascinating city, where you can dine in the finest restaurants, shop in the most chic stores, and watch world-class entertainment. Maybe you will become a millionaire or lose all your money overnight. What’s so clever about Las Vegas is that it makes absolutely certain that you have such a good time that you don’t mind losing a bit of money along the way. That’s why they don’t even call it “gambling” any more, but “gaming”.
C. Few cities leave the visitors with such vivid impressions, the whole city is something of a work of art. And annual film festival is held with a refreshing emphasis on art. Few cities can compete with the thousands of cafes, bars and restaurants that line every Parisian street. And along the street you will be fascinated by the beautiful window shows of various clothes.
D. Kitzbuhel is a paradise for all the skiers. With fine weather and breath-taking scenery, it is a world-class ski report. Every winter, thousands of people come from all parts of the world to challenge themselves.
E. Jerusalem is regarded as a holy place by Jews, Muslims and Christians. For Jews, it is where their ancestors built the first and second temples. For Christians, the city was the scene of Jesus’ life. However, since the war broke out, people there have suffered a lot, the situation has been tense, and peace is just a dream.
F. The old Nile brought about the civilization of Egypt; people there regard it as “the mother river” of them. On both sides of the Nile stand noble pyramids which were built as the tombs of the ancient pharaohs (法老). Along with the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, the Great Sphinx is one of the greatest and most studied monuments of human history.
现在，请阅读下面信息，根据他们的实际情况，进行相应的信息匹配。
1. Smith is a professor who does research on ancient buildings. This month, his university gives a reward to him for his great contributions. So now an idea of traveling to a new place to continue his study has come into his mind.
2. Though Lola is a woman reporter, she is brave enough to go deep into the places at war. This year, she was honored as “Rose of Front”. Next month, she will go to a place at war. She is confident to do her work well and give people the most brief and real reports.
3. Alice and Simon are going to get married. They want to hold an underwater wedding in a special place, which has beautiful scenery, silver sand, delicious seafood and luxurious hotels, where they can enjoy themselves.
4. Jane is a modern girl, who is a crazy fan of rock music and films. She has a romantic dream, that is, one day, she will go to a beautiful place to appreciate all the attractive music and films with a cup of coffee in her hand.
5. Tom is really depressed these days. Owing to his bad management, his company closed. He wants to go to a place to try his fortune so that he can start his business again in the near future.
