1 . Dark Sky Parks Around the World
Warrumbungle National Park
Situated in the central west slopes of New South Wales is Australia’s only dark sky park, Warrumbungle. The park has served as a dark sky park since July 2016. Its crystal-clear night skies and high altitude (海拔) make it a natural, educational and astronomical heritage site in the southern half of the earth. Tourists can use Australia’s largest optical telescope within the park boundaries to view the auroras (极光), the Milky Way and faint shooting stars.
Sark
Sark is a Channel Island near the coast of Normandy under the protection of the UK. It was the World’s First Dark Sky Island set up in January 2011. Its historical and cultural blend (交融) attracts over 40,000 tourists annually. With no motor vehicles and public lighting on the island, there is an exceptional view of the dark skies. A rich Milky Way is visible in the dark night skies from the shores of the island.
Pic du Midi de Bigorre
Pic du Midi de Bigorre in France was designated as a dark sky park in December 2013 making it the second largest dark sky park in the world. The park covers 3,112 square kilometres spread across the Pyrenees National Park and UNESCO’s World Heritage site, Pyrenees-Mont Perdu. The park attracts over one hundred star watchers every year. The Observatory Midi-Pyrenees, which was built in 1870,is one of the world’s highest museums at a height of 2,877 metres above sea level.
Ramon Crater/Makhtesh Ramon
Ramon Crater is a unique1,100-square-kilometre nature reserve located in the Negev Desert in Israel. In 2017, Ramon Crater became the first designated dark sky park in the Middle East. Its location, rough climate and forbidding landscape that are characteristic of the Negev have largely defeated historical attempts for human settlement, making it a great place to view the night skies. Stargazers usually camp in the desert to have an uninterrupted view of the stars, planets and the Milky Way.
1. Which was the first to be designated as a dark sky park?| A．Sark. | B．Pic du Midi de Bigorre. |
| C．Warrumbungle National Park. | D．Ramon Crater / Makhtesh Ramon. |
| A．The auroras. | B．The planets. |
| C．The Milky Way. | D．Shooting stars. |
| A．It’s a natural heritage site. | B．It covers 3,112 square kilometres. |
| C．Its geographical conditions are tough. | D．It’s a great place for humans to settle in. |
2 . Many travelers often ignore small places in Europe, but there are some hidden ones that offer impressive architecture and natural scenery. Here are four places in Europe that are worth a visit.
Eguisheim, France
If you want to see a perfect French village, go to Eguisheim. It has beautiful half-timbered (露明木架的) houses, stone streets and churches in the Middle Ages. You can also visit a lovely Christmas market in December. Be sure to check out the Chapelle Saint-Léon IX. which has painted ceilings and colorful windows with scenes from Alsace.
Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Lauterbrunnen is a beautiful town with wooden houses and small village churches. But its towering rocks, high mountains, and some of the tallest waterfalls really stand out in Europe. And please don’t forget this fun fact that J. R. R. Tolkien was ever inspired by Lauterbrunnen when he was writing about the Rivendell valley in The Lord of the Rings.
Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
If you dislike the crowds, enter Český Krumlov, an incredibly pretty town. This charming town in the South Bohemia region has red-roofed houses, attractive fountains in the squares, and a well-known castle where you can have a view of the Vltava River. And you can explore the town in less than half-an-hour walk.
Guimarāes, Portugal
Afonso Henriques, the country’s first king, was born in Guimarāes. The city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has great examples of Portuguese architecture with beautiful tiles (瓷砖) from 600 years ago. Even though Guimarāes is a bit bigger than the other places on this list, it still has a charming feel with small shops and open areas.
1. What is Eguisheim special about?| A．Tiled buildings. | B．High mountains, |
| C．Half-timbered houses. | D．Red-roofed churches. |
| A．An artist. | B．An architect. |
| C．A businessman.. | D．A writer. |
| A．Eguisheim. | B．Lauterbrunnen. |
| C．Český Krumlov. | D．Guimarāes. |
3 . Come to Adrian to Escape Heatwave
The July heatwave is coming. Here are some places to help you beat the heat and get some needed relief in Adrian.
The Bohn Pool
To provide comfort from the elements, Adrian will not charge admission to the Bohn Pool on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Young children under 9 years old must be accompanied by an adult at all times while at the pool. To contact the pool director, dial 517-264-4886.
The Splash Pad (喷水池)
The newly installed splash pad at Parish Park is open daily to the community at no cost from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. People can cool off while enjoying the splash. Those with questions about the splash pad should call the pad director at 517-264-4807.
The Christian Family Centre
The Christian Family Centre is a good spot where people can go to get out of the heat. It is open to the public in the event of extreme weather and offers public showers, restrooms and locker rooms as well as Wi-Fi for those affected by heat and weather emergencies. To contact the centre, dial 517-263-6232.
The Lenawee Intermediate School District
The Lenawee Intermediate School District offers a cooling centre for those of the community who are seeking the means to stay cool during weather emergencies. Members of the community are encouraged to call ahead and check the availability of services. Calls should be placed between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday at 517-265-1709.
1. What can visitors enjoy in the Bohn Pool this July?| A．The splash all morning. |
| B．Free restrooms at all times. |
| C．The opportunity to book at any time. |
| D．Free access from Wednesday to Friday. |
| A．517-264-4886. | B．517-264-4807. |
| C．517-263-6232. | D．517-265-1709. |
| A．An art magazine. | B．A travel brochure. |
| C．An academic paper. | D．A science storybook. |
4 . China Small Group Tours
◆Tour Route 1: 11 Days Private Beijing - Lhasa - Xi’an - Shanghai
Tour Highlights:
Must-see sights in China — the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors
Follow us on a Buddhist pilgrimage to Tibet & appreciate the profound culture
Have a leisurely walk or an exciting bicycle ride on the time-honored City Wall of Xi’an
View the soaring city skylines and feel the pulse of modern Shanghai
From $ 2, 459 per person
◆Tour Route 2: 11 Days Private Bejing - Xi’an - Chonqing - Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai
Tour Highlights:
Must-see sights in China — the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Wariors
Try biking on the Ming Dynasty City Wall of Xi’ an, or tour by electric car
Enjoy the Three Gorges (三峡) scenery on Yangtze River & feel totally relaxed
From $ 1, 879 per person
◆Tour Route 3: 12 Days Private Bejing - Shanghai - Xi’an - Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin - Hong
Kong
Tour Highlights:
Must-see sights in China — the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors
Experience the Bund, classical garden, modern and old in contrast in Shanghai
Feel the lively atmosphere & explore busy markets freely in Hong Kong
Walk into a local family, learn to cook Chinese food & dine with the hosts in their home
From $ 2, 499 per person
◆Tour Route 4: 12 Days Private Bejing - Xi’an - Chengdu - Guilin - Shanghai
Tour Highlights:
Must-see sights in China — the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Giant Pandas
Come to Chengdu, the hometown of giant pandas to visit and observe the cute creature
Cruise on the meandering Li River & admire Guilin landscape
Walk into a local Chinese family, interact & dine with the hosts in their home
From $2, 079 per person
1. What do Tour Route 1 and Tour Route 2 have in common?| A．They have cycling activities. |
| B．They include a visit to Tibet. |
| C．Visitors enjoy the Three Gorges scenery. |
| D．Visitors pay the same amount of money. |
| A．Tourists can travel by bike. |
| B．Tourists can visit a huge dam. |
| C．Tourists can dine with a family. |
| D．It is the most expensive of the four. |
| A．Tour Route 1. |
| B．Tour Route 2. |
| C．Tour Route 3. |
| D．Tour Route 4. |
5 . On March 15, 2022, Francis Kéré was awarded the Pritzker Prize, otherwise known as the Nobel Prize for architecture, becoming the first African architect ever to obtain this prize.
His path to success was not smooth. When he was 7 years old, Francis Kéré left his family home to attend school because his village, Gando in Burkina Faso, did not have one of its own. Thirteen years later, he moved to Germany on a carpentry scholarship, with a dream of returning home one day to build the classrooms that didn’t exist then. Kéré achieved just that, becoming an architect and completing his first building, Gando Primary School, in 2001.
Casting mud like concrete and using local materials over imported ones, Kéré proposed a particular vision of structure that both strengthens communities and responds to the climate crisis. As such, Tuesday’s Pritzker Prize announcement is not only a nod of approval for him, but for “vernacular” architecture — a term used to describe designs that directly respond to local climates, materials and building traditions — itself. He also let the whole village participate in the design, encouraging them to construct the school, using local wood to press the stone floors and local clay to make bricks. The result was a welcoming structure with a “floating” roof that allows natural winds in a hot climate, and wall openings that bring light for students to learn even without electricity. Mr. Kéré showed the villagers that ideas to deal with climate or other challenges are always at hand.
Though, Kéré has since designed bigger projects, including many national-scale projects differing in size, his approach remains grounded in Gando. “That’s how I’m trying to translate the work I have started in Gando to structures that present national pride,” says the newly-awarded architect.
Kéré will officially be named Pritzker winner at a ceremony in London later this year. As with previous winner, he will be awarded a $ 100,000 grant and a bronze medal.
1. What does the author intend to do in paragraph 2?| A．Speak highly of Kéré’s efforts. |
| B．Introduce Kéré’ s childhood dream. |
| C．Bring a new topic for discussion. |
| D．Add some background information. |
| A．Economizing labour force. |
| B．Having a fancy appearance. |
| C．Highlighting sustainability. |
| D．Using imported building materials. |
| A．Creative and caring. |
| B．Optimistic and humorous. |
| C．Humble and ambitious. |
| D．Stubborn and adventurous. |
| A．An award speech. | B．A news report. | C．A novel. | D．A review. |
6 . Four Unique U.S. National Parks
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
If you’re looking for interesting red and pink rocks, you can’t do better than Bryce Canyon. The national park is known for its attractive rock formations and hoodoos (石林). Some of the best places to visit in the park are the Natural Bridge, Fairyland Canyon, or any of the scenic viewpoints throughout the park.
Death Valley National Park, California and Nevada
It’s the hottest and driest national park in the country, but it’s also a place of beautiful desert sights and interesting natural phenomena, like the sailing stones on the Racetrack Playa. Depending on where you are in the park the climate can be extreme—it's home to snowy mountains, dry desert, colorful flower fields, and cool lakes. You might also recognize it as the planet of Tatooine from the original Star Wars movies.
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Arizona offers way more than just the Grand Canyon. This ancient forest in the middle of the desert isn’t what you’d typically expect-it’s way more interesting. The forest became fossilized (石化) over time as minerals like quartz slowly replaced the wood remains. The result is multi-colored stone logs (原木) that are too amazing to pass up. Just don’t take home any free souvenirs-many visitors are fined by taking rocks.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Great Basin National Park might be one of the best parks in the state of Nevada. Just a visit to the Lehman Caves or the Lexington Arch (a rare, giant, above-ground limestone arch) will have you convinced. It’s also known for having some of the darkest skies in the continental U.S., so astronomy lovers will jump at the chance to see the night sky when they visit.
1. What is Bryce Canyon National Park famous for?| A．Rock formations and hoodoos. | B．Beautiful desert sights. |
| C．Multi-colored stone logs. | D．The darkest night sky. |
| A．In Utah. | B．In California and Nevada. |
| C．In Arizona. | D．In Nevada. |
| A．Bryce Canyon National Park. | B．Death Valley National Park. |
| C．Petrified Forest National Park | D．Great Basin National Park. |
7 . National Parks Recreational Vehicle Trips
Trip 1: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands&Capitol Reef
Visit the five Utah’s national parks. Activities include going boating on the Colorado River, and hiking Angels Landing for an impressive view of Zion Canyon. One thing is guaranteed：you’ll see the Milky Way, the pale white band of stars across the sky at night, like never before in this beautiful area of the country.
Available: Apr. 1 to Oct. 23; Duration: 8 to 13 nights
Price（for up to 4 guests): $4, 990-9, 840
Trip 2: Banff&Jasper
Travel along the Icefields Parkway which connects the parks and towns of Banff in Alberta, Canada, Lake Louise and Jasper Lake. Book a ride in a big snowcoach（雪车）onto the Athabasca
Glacier, and take a flight-seeing tour over the huge icefields that cover the area of the Rocky Mountains.
Available: Jun. 15 to Sept. 15; Duration: 8 to 13 nights
Price (for up to 4 guests): S5, 260-6, 080
Trip 3: Mount Rushmore & Colorado
This trip is perfect for anyone interested in America’s history, from forts to huge rock carvings of historical figures. Starting in Denver, your journey will take you through Colorado and into Wyoming.
Available: Start as early as Feb. 1 to Oct. 10; Duration: 8 to 13 nights
Price（for up to 4 guests): $5, 124-7, 880
Trip 4: Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon
Start your journey in the Bay Area and then head cast to Yosemite with its impressive waterfalls, and towering cliffs（悬崖）. Combine your visit to Yosemite with stops at Sequoia National Park to see the five largest sequoia trees in the world, and Kings Canyon.
Available: May 19 to Oct 8; Duration: 8 to 13 nights
Price（for up to 4 guests): $5, 224-9, 540
1. What’s special about the five Utah’s national parks?| A．The beautiful starry sky. | B．The impressive waterfalls. |
| C．The rich history of America. | D．The adventurous activities. |
| A．Banff & Jasper. |
| B．Mount Rushmore & Colorado. |
| C．Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon. |
| D．Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands & Capitol Reef. |
| A．The location. | B．The tourist activities. |
| C．The nights included in the trip. | D．The target groups of tourists. |
8 . No matter how you get there, you’re sure to find a nearby adventure just a few hours from Melbourne. Here are the top trips.
Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is a 150-mile road along Victoria’s southern coast. Along the way, there are stops for wildlife meeting, waterfalls, and surfing. If you’re doing a self-guided road trip, be sure to stop at Bells Beach to watch the surfers. This beach is where the Rip Curl Pro Surfing Competition is held each year during Easter.
Ballarat
Ballarat is a lovely town known for the 1850s Victorian gold rush. Sovereign Hill is an outdoor museum where you can take a guided tour of the gold mine and search for real gold. The best part? The whole museum is in character, including actors in costume, horse-drawn carriages, and Wild West-style buildings.
Dandenong Ranges
The Dandenong Ranges are a set of mountains east of the city. It’s an excellent spot for hiking, cycling, or bush walks. The Kokoda Track Memorial is a popular path known for its challenging stairs to the top of a hill. It’s set in a wet and cool rainforest environment and offers a peaceful escape from the big city.
Mount Buller
If you’re visiting Victoria from late June to early October, consider a trip to the snow. Skiing in Australia is quite family-friendly. You can rent equipment at Mount Buller, and lift passes can be as cheap as AU$66, depending on the time of year. It is one of the largest ski villages in Victoria, with over 30 restaurants and bars, plus plenty of accommodation options.
1. Why would tourists like to stop at Bells Beach?| A．To meet with wild animals. | B．To enjoy surfing performances. |
| C．To join in surfing competitions. | D．To escape from the busy city life. |
| A．It is an open-air museum. | B．It is suitable for family tour. |
| C．It is being mined by gold rushers. | D．It’s the nearest destination from Melbourne. |
| A．A sports lover. | B．A history researcher. |
| C．A mountain climber. | D．A wildlife protector. |
9 . The “happiest place on earth” is a top destination on many families' bucket lists (人生目标清单). But taking a vacation to Disney World can be difficult to do on a budget. There are some considerations that you can make to reduce the cost of your Disney World vacation.
1. Come Prepared
Plan ahead so that you don't have to purchase a necessity at Disneyland that you could have brought from home. For example, check the weather so that you don't need to buy a raincoat or an umbrella.
2. Buy Souvenirs in Advance
Disney has influenced practically every industry, which makes it easy to find Disney items anywhere, from Walmart, Target, and your local grocery stores to department stores and Amazon. You can save a lot of money by purchasing items before your trip at these less expensive places than at Disneyland.
3. Make an Autograph Book
An autograph book is seen as a musthave by many Disneyland enthusiasts and is a memory you can take home with you. These books can cost anywhere from 7.95 to 19.95 at the Disney Store and up to $30 for the latestandgreatest autograph book at Disneyland, such as the park's 60th anniversary editions. Other choices can get the job done for under $5. For example, you can buy a small photo album, cute pads or notebooks.
4. Take Advantage of Discounts Offered to Special Groups
Disney offers a wide variety of discounts, including military service members, college students, teachers, and youth groups. If you think you might qualify for a special discount or group rate, call the Disneyland Resort to book tickets.
1. Where can it take you more money to buy souvenirs?| A．At Amazon. | B．At Disneyland. |
| C．At Walmart. | D．At department stores. |
| A．$30. | B．$19.95. |
| C．$7.95. | D．$5. |
| A．All the young people. | B．All the doctors. |
| C．All the students. | D．All the teachers. |
10 . Singapore is a city full of fun and adventure through the modernization and natural wonders. Come to see and explore the popular landmarks(地标) of Singapore and know the interesting facts and stories behind them.
Esplanade
One of the famous public parks in Singapore, Esplanade is a performing art center where different kinds of performances and shows are held every day. Built in 1970, the Esplanade hub(中心) is famous for shopping, dining and entertainment.
Merlion Park
Merlion of Singapore has two elements(元素) and each element represents a different meaning. The downside fish sculpture(雕塑) symbolizes(象征) the fishing villages of Singapore's past while the lion head is a Singapura, which means "lion city” in Sanskrit. The water comes out of the mouth of Lion and falls down in Singapore River.
Chijmes
Now, it is famous for its shops and entertainments; once Chijmes was a Catholic Convent School in the 1800s. This famous compound (大院) is home to several buildings of their unique architectures. The compound got a new name of Chijmes in 1990 for its amazing sound of tower bells. Now, Chijmes has been turned into a perfect nightlife entertainment place for tourists.
Singapore Flyer
Standing at a breathtaking height of 165 meters, Singapore Flyer is Asia's largest observation wheel, which was launched in 2008. The beautiful panoramic(全景的) views of Marina Bay and the city can be observed from its top height.
The Cenotaph
Built in the year of 1922, The Cenotaph is a war memorial(纪念碑) telling the stories of the 124 British soldiers who fought and died in World War II. The Cenotaph is standing in the Esplanade Park with a proud inscription (碑文）at its base which reads "They died so that we might live”.
1. Which of the following has the longest history?| A．Esplanade. | B．Chijmes |
| C．Singapore Flyer. | D．The Cenotaph |
| A．See panoramic views of Singapore | B．Observe all kinds of sea creatures. |
| C．Eat out with friends and family. | D．Visit old and unique architectures. |
| A．It is a fish sculpture with a lion head. |
| B．It is an old fishing village of Singapore. |
| C．It is Asia's largest observation wheel. |
| D．It is an amusement park on Singapore River |
| A．Music lovers. | B．Sports fans. |
| C．Painting lovers. | D．History lovers. |
