1 . A famous magazine, Amusement Today, does a survey among park lovers every year both in the US and overseas, based on which, “Top 5 List of the Best Amusement Parks in the World” has come out as follows:
Disneyland, California
Disneyland is a theme park in Anaheim, California, the US. More than 515 million guests have traveled to this American landmark from around the world since the park first opened to guests on July 17, 1955. The park consists of many world-famous sections, such as Main Street, Adventure land, New Orleans Square, and so on.
Magic Kingdom, Disney World, Florida
Magic Kingdom is a theme park within the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, near Orlando opened on October 1, 1971. It is the most famous theme park in Florida. The park’s design and attractions don’t make much difference from Disneyland Park in Anaheim.
EPCOT, Disney World, Florida
EPCOT is the second theme park built at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. The park opened on October 1, 1982, and was named EPCOT Center from 1982 to 1993. It was the largest Disney theme park in the world until 1998, when Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened.
DisneyMGM Studios, Florida
MGM’s streets are the home for some great moviethemed attractions with a history of less than 30 years. With the addition of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the Rock and Roller Coaster, the park is now home to Disney World’s most thrilling rides.
Universal Studios, Florida
Go behind the scenes, beyond the screen and jump right into the action of your favorite movies at Universal Studios, the number one movie and TV theme park in the world.
1. Which of the following theme parks have similar attractions?| A．Disneyland & Magic Kingdom. |
| B．Disneyland & Universal Studios. |
| C．EPCOT & DisneyMGM Studios. |
| D．Magic Kingdom & Universal Studios. |
| A．Magic Kingdom, Disney World, Florida. |
| B．DisneyMGM Studios, Florida. |
| C．EPCOT, Disney World, Florida. |
| D．Disneyland, California. |
| A．To attract tourists to these theme parks. |
| B．To increase the sales of Amusement Today. |
| C．To introduce world’s best amusement parks. |
| D．To compare attractions in different theme parks. |
2 . Have you ever been into a cave? If not, please follow us and explore some of the most beautiful caves from around the world!
Marble Caves
Located in the center of Lake General Carrera, the Marble Caves in Chico, Chile, are only accessible by boat. The surrounding crystal clear waters allow visitors to see the rock formations beneath them while the rock ceilings above change color (depending on the writer levels and the season). The best time to visit: during sunrise and sunset, when the sun’s rays light up the cave walls, making it an experience to remember.
Reed Flute Cave
Reed F1ute Cave known as “the Palace of Natural Arts” is located in the northwest of Guilin in southern China. The limestone cave offers a grand fairyland of stalactites (钟乳石), stone pillars, stone curtains, birds, plants and animals in fantastic shapes and colors.
Fingal’s Cave
This incredible sea cave is located on the uninhabited island of Staffa in Scotland. The cave’s size, shape, and naturally – arched (拱形的) roof combine with the waves to create strange sounds that enhance its cathedral - like atmosphere.
The Blue Grotto
The Blue Grotto is the symbol of Capri. It is a sea cave found on the coast of the island and is a well-known spot to all who visit the area. This cave is unique for its brilliant blue light which comes from two sources: the entrance to the cave and a bigger hole beneath the entrance. When viewed from inside the cave, the entrance appears as a brilliant white light just above the waterline, while the underwater hole, which is the larger source of light, provides a blue light.
1. Why is sunset the best time to visit Marble Caves?| A．Because boats are only available at sunset. |
| B．Because it has the most beautiful scenery. |
| C．Because it is surrounded by clear waters. |
| D．Because it has enough light in it. |
| A．Reed Flute Cave. | B．Marble Caves. |
| C．The Blue Grotto. | D．Fingal’s Cave. |
| A．Bright blue light | B．Various plants and animals. |
| C．Unique underwater hole. | D．Strange sounds. |
3 . Welcome to Musée Rodin
The Musée Rodin, a hidden jewel in Paris, is actually the former residence of famed 19th-century sculptor Auguste Rodin. Here you can enjoy Rodin’s emotive sculptures, including The Walking Man, The Kiss and The Thinker, among many more. In addition to the sculptures, the museum houses 8,000 of the artist’s drawings in its collection — some of those are on display. Visitors will also get to view pieces from Rodin’s personal art collection, including paintings by Van Gogh.
Another big favorite for visitors, as much of a highlight as the art, is the beautiful on-site gardens. To travelers, the gardens create a peaceful atmosphere not found at other top Parisian museums.
Transport
The Musée Rodin is just a short walk from the Varenne stop and Saint-Francois-Xavier stop, both of which lie on Metro Line 13.
Opening times
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm.
Admission charges
Admission to the museum (including the gardens and permanent and temporary exhibits) costs 13 euros (around $14) per adult and is free for kids who are 17 and younger; audio guides cost an extra 6 euros (about $6). The museum is free to visit on the first Sunday of the month from October to March.
1. What makes Musée Rodin different from other top Parisian museums?| A．On-site gardens. | B．Many sculptures. |
| C．Personal art collections. | D．Famous artists’ drawings. |
| A．At 9:00 am on Monday. | B．At 3:00 pm on Thursday. |
| C．At 7:00 pm on Friday. | D．At 8:00 am on Sunday. |
| A．€39. | B．€32. | C．€26. | D．€13. |
4 . UNESCO World Heritage Sites were created to celebrate and safeguard the most unique places around the world. Below are my 4 favorite UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Cinque Terre, Italy
With cars banned here, you’ll really get to feel the unique history and character of the Cinque Terre’s five centuries-old coastal villages. The breathtaking views of harbors far below the wild coastline along with the rich colors will definitely make it a memorable holiday.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious (宗教的) monument and it contains impressive remains from the Khmer Empire (9th to 15th century). The site has dozens of iconic temples like Ta Prohm (a magnificent temple ruin hidden in the jungle). Hosting more than two million visitors annually, this artistic masterpiece is a must-see site.
Petra, Jordan
Petra’s rock-cut architecture has contributed to its nickname, the Rose City, based on the color of the stone it was carved from. The delicate constructions of temples and tombs along with the remains of churches and temples are only a couple of reasons why this world-famous site is a must-visit destination.
Yellowstone National Park, USA
Yellowstone’s vast wilderness includes mountain ranges, lakes and waterfalls. One of the main reasons for tourists to visit Yellowstone is to observe the amazing wildlife like grizzly bear, bison, bighorn sheep wander the plains and valleys.
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1. Where can tourists enjoy beautiful harbor views?| A．In Cinque Terre. | B．In Angkor Wat. |
| C．In Petra. | D．In Yellowstone National Park. |
| A．Colorful stones. | B．Religious relics. |
| C．Coastal villages. | D．Amazing wildlife. |
| A．A news report. | B．A wildlife brochure. |
| C．A travel blog. | D．An economic magazine. |
5 . Food festivals are a common occurrence in the UK and take place in all sorts of places and at all sorts of times. Whatever your taste, there’s a food festival to match — no matter how specialized.
1. Meatopia
This three-day, London-based festival takes place at the end of August and is a meat lover’s paradise. In addition to a range of legally sourced meat products, from juicy burgers to tender steaks, attendees can listen to live music, watch butchery demonstrations, and attend informal meat-based workshops.
2. The National Honey Show
If you have a sweet tooth, then it could be that the National Honey Show, which started in 1921 and is the largest event of its kind, is the place for you to be. This three-day event attracts many local entries who showcase their sweet golden honey, some of which is sold globally.
3. The Orange Sauce Festival
Have you heard about a festival that is devoted only to orange sauce? Held in Cumbria, this sweet, fragrant festival has been running for 3 years. What attracts people most is a competition to find the best homemade orange sauce. There are thousands of participants from over 30 different countries across the globe, bringing their local snacks to share here.
4. The Ginger and Spice Festival
If you’d prefer something with a little more kick to it, then you could attend The Ginger (姜) and Spice Festival held in Market Drayton. Unlike other food festivals, it celebrates its town’s historic connection to Robert Clive, who returned from India with ginger. Because of this, they specialize in baking gingerbread, but also sell a range of traditional spices from mild to hot.
1. What do Meatopia and the National Honey Show have in common?| A．Both of them last for three days. | B．Both of them hold workshops. |
| C．Both of them originated from London. | D．Both of them have a long history. |
| A．The Meatopia. | B．The Ginger and Spice Festival. |
| C．The National Honey Show. | D．The Orange Sauce Festival. |
| A．It has something to do with a historic figure. |
| B．The ginger used in the festival is from India. |
| C．It sells spicy food. |
| D．The food is cooked by Robert Clive. |
6 . Enjoy Fresh Air
Namba Parks, Osaka, Japan
Architects creating Namba Parks shopping mall in Osaka showed that you needn’t sacrifice (牺牲) green spaces for commercial (商业的) development.
The shopping center, built in 2003, provides eight floors of commercial space for cinemas, stores, events and restaurants.
The garden at its top begins at street level. Visitors are treated to green spaces and there is no money necessary to enjoy the simple pleasures.
Promenade Plantee, Paris, France
The space was developed on a disused railway line and runs from the Opera Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes in the city.
Around 1.5 km of the park is higher than the street, with other parts at street level, even passing through disused railway tunnels (隧道).
The project began in 1988 and finished in 1994 and the space is now home to many trees and plants, including bamboo and cherry trees.
Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore, Singapore
Jurong Lake Gardens is a 90-hectare green space in the heart of Singapore. Although some areas are still under development, the first part opened in 2019.
The gardens were developed with nature and community in mind — with a large 2.3-hectare play area for children. The park has also developed a learning program to help educate students about biodiversity (生物多样性).
The High Line, New York, USA
You’ve probably heard of Central Park in New York. But did you know this is only the fifth largest park in New York, a city that has 180 state parks in total?
Wanting to increase its biodiversity further, city planners also created a city park known as the High Line between 2009 and 2019. This 2-kilometer public park was built on a disused railway line and is now home to over 150,000 plants and trees.
1. Why is Namba Parks special?| A．It serves as a shopping center. | B．It is still under development. |
| C．It is the fifth largest park in Japan. | D．It includes different parks in Osaka. |
| A．They were created by architects from Singapore. |
| B．They are famous for learning programs. |
| C．They were private gardens at first. |
| D．They are ‘on old railway lines. |
| A．Namba Parks. | B．Promenade Plantee. |
| C．Jurong Lake Gardens | D．The High Line. |
7 . Four of the Best Autumn Walks in Britain
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London
It houses the widest variety of living plants of any botanic garden (植物园) on the planet, including around 14,000 trees. Every autumn, its woodland delivers an extraordinary view of bright red and yellow as leaves of various trees begin to change. Join a guided trees tour and learn how different trees are dealing with the changing seasons.
Brechfa Forest, Abergorlech
Brechfa Forest covers some 16,000 acres in Carmarthenshire, Wales, making it easy for walkers to enjoy themselves in woodlands transformed (改变) by autumn’s finest colours. Follow the Gorlech Walk, which tracks the river Gorlech and passes Californian redwoods that become a mix of red and purple in November. After your walk, drive to Carmarthen, one of the oldest towns in Wales, for lunch.
Batsford Arboretum, Cotswolds
More than 1,300 different trees and bamboos are showcased at Batsford Arboretum, near the picture-perfect town of Moreton-in-Marsh. This private garden covers 60 acres, providing outstanding colours between late October and November. Highlights include its large areas of leaf shades ranging from red to purple. Pre-booking tickets during autumn is recommended to avoid a large number of visitors.
Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
There are over 3,800 acres of parkland to explore at Clumber Park, a beautiful place featuring Sherwood Forest that shows different and changing colours in autumn. With over 20 miles of trails (小径), there’s plenty of ground to cover, so consider bringing your bike. Keep an eye out for the park’s birds, which is a main attraction for birdwatchers.
1. What can you do at Royal Botanic Gardens?| A．Admire Sherwood Forest. | B．Join a guided trees tour. |
| C．Enjoy Moreton-in-Marsh. | D．Have lunch in an old town. |
| A．Ride a bike with friends. | B．Walk along a 20-mile trail. |
| C．Book a ticket in advance. | D．Set off early in the morning. |
| A．Clumber Park. | B．Brechfa Forest. |
| C．Batsford Arboretum. | D．Royal Botanic Gardens. |
8 . 72 hours in Beijing
Traveling to China is no longer a luxury for many foreign passport holders. The Chinese government has permitted a 72-hour visa free policy that offers access to visitors from 53 countries including the US, France and Austria. Let’s start with the capital of China, Beijing. Here’s a pick of the best in Beijing.
The Forbidden City
Lying at the heart of the capital, the Forbidden City, or more accurately, the Imperial Palace, was home to 24 Chinese emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Twice the size of the Vatican, it consists of 999 rooms that served the emperors and their concubines (嫔妃). Also, it’s the largest and most well-preserved wooden palace complex in the world.
The Summer Palace
Located in northwestern Beijing, the Summer Palace is by far the city’s most well-preserved royal park. With its huge lake and hilltop views , the palace offers you a pastoral (田园的) escape into the landscape of traditional Chinese paintings. The Summer Palace was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998.
798 Art Zone
This would be on the top of my list! Named after the 798 factory that was built in the 1950s, the art zone is home to various galleries, design studios, art exhibition spaces, fashionable shops and bars. You could easily spend half your day wandering around the complex, feeling the contrast of the present and the past.
The Temple of Heaven
Originally constructed during the Ming Dynasty, the Temple of Heaven was a sacrificial temple used by emperors to appease (安抚)the heavens in order to bring prosperity to their people and ensure the harvest in the coming year. The ceremonial processions traditionally started from the south gate. Enter the long hall and navigate through the crowds, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests will soon come into view with its three-tiered roof and stunning blue glaze.
1. In which place can a traveller see the largest wooden palace complex in the world?| A．The Forbidden City. | B．The Summer Palace. |
| C．798 Art Zone. | D．The Temple of Heaven. |
| A．In 1950. | B．In 1987. | C．In 1998. | D．In 2014. |
| A．The tourists who prefer to travel for free. |
| B．The foreigners to stay in Beijing for 4 days. |
| C．The visitors coming from every corner of China. |
| D．The foreign passport holders to stay in Beijing for 3 days. |
9 . The UK is blessed with some 1,000 ancient woods, which are free to visit today. Here are just four of the most appealing.
Quick Fact
1. Duncliffe Wood, Dorset Age: 900+years old
This splendid ancient woodland sits on Duncliffe Hill and can be seen for miles around. Lots of butterflies, birds and wildflowers are dotted among the huge tree trunks.
2. Martinshaw Wood, Leicestershire Age: 900+years old
The vast, picturesque Martinshaw Wood is steeped in history and packed with wildlife. You could see a host of rare and interesting insects. Birds are also plentiful here, including woodcock and mistle thrushes. This wood can be traced back to at least the 13th century, when it was part of a large deer park. Historical features include banks, earthen dams and a wide sunken track that appears to lead to ancient places where large quantities of stones are dug out of the ground.
3. Aversley Wood, Cambridgeshire Age: 10,000 years old
This Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) has breathtaking views, plentiful birdlife and wild flowers. Wildlife species include the silver-washed fritillary butterfly, treecreeper and great crested newt. Much of Aversley Wood is ancient, which has been wooded since before the Middle Ages-some areas even since the Last Ice Age.
4. Dering Wood, Kent Age: 1,400+years old
Dering Wood is an impressive showcase for wildlife and history. You’ll discover distinctive features including well-preserved woodbanks and agricultural drainage(排水)systems.
Protecting Together
There’s no better way to ensure ancient woods can benefit future generations of both wildlife and people than by becoming a member of our organization. You’ll help keep living history safe, plant more trees to keep our planet healthy, and make sure more than 1,000 of our woods-like the ones mentioned here-remain open for everyone to enjoy. Visit woodlandtrust.org.uk to join us today.
1. How is Martinshaw Wood different from the other woods?| A．It once belonged to a park. | B．It has signs of human activity. |
| C．It has plentiful kinds of birds | D．It dates back to the 13th century. |
| A．In Kent. | B．In Cambridgeshire. |
| C．In Dorset. | D．In Leicestershire |
| A．To attract visitors to the website. | B．To raise funds for UK woodland. |
| C．To popularize some ancient woods. | D．To appeal for woodland conservation. |
10 . It is said that Shennongjia is the place where the mythical Emperor Yan once lived. In the remote mountains and primary forests, many visitors wish to encounter the legendary yeren (wild man), also called Bigfoot.
Visitors can hike in the forest.
The natural beauty of karst landforms is everywhere. There are waterfalls, pools and a 56-ft-high arch that resembles a bridge crafted by nature after centuries of rain erosion.
Shen Nong’s first top is attractive to people who like climbing. The highest elevation of 2,950 meters has a wonderful reputation, also Shennongjia major scenic areas.
Tourists may come across an area in which golden snub-nosed monkeys that are ill or injured are treated before they go back into the forest.
| A．They may not see any such creature. |
| B．Of them the most famous is the Dajiuhu Lake. |
| C．The special land forms create a wonderful climate here. |
| D．The most attractive is the discovery of “uncivilized man”. |
| E．Trips in such a mountainous region depend largely on the weather. |
| F．The nature of Shennongjia’s beauty varies colorfully all year around. |
| G．Visitors can enjoy listening to the sounds of swallows nestling while climbing. |
