1 . Governors Ball
One of the greatest summer concerts in New York City is Governor’s Ball, which takes place in early June at Randall’s Island Park. Some of the many artists playing include Tool, Phoenix, Lorde, Flume, and the Wu-Tang Clan.
Date: June 2-4, 2024
Location: New York City, New York, USA
Music Type: Rock, hip-hop, pop
Price: $105-$305
Recommended places to stay in New York City:
·Super 8 Long Island City LGA Hotel
·Courtyard New York Manhattan/Upper East Side
Primavera Sound
To kick off the summer, there’s no better place to be than Barcelona. On the concert lineup, you’ll find bands like The Zombies, Arcade Fire, and Bon Iver. Then take some time to soak up the local food wine, and culture.
Date: May 31-June 4, 2024
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Music Type: Indie, rock, hip-hop
Price: 80€ - 300€ (around $86-$323)
Recommended places to stay in Barcelona:
·Hotel 1898
·Hotel Barcelona Universal
Bonnaroo
Bonnaroo is another epic summer event that draws in crowds of around 60,000 each year. Some of the most iconic music legends will be playing this year, including U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Weekend, and Chance the Rapper.
Date: June 8-11, 2024
Location: Manchester. Tennessee USA
Music Type: Rock, hip-hop
Price: $210.50-$554
Recommended places to stay in Manchester:
·Country Inn & Suites Manchester
·The Ambassador Inn & Luxury
1. On which of the days can you enjoy Rock, hip-hop in Governor’s Ball?| A．June 1, 2024 | B．June 5, 2024 |
| C．June 3, 2024 | D．June 7. 2024 |
| A．Courtyard New York Manhattan. | B．Randall’s Island Park. |
| C．The Ambassador Inn & Luxury. | D．Hotel Barcelona Universal. |
| A．They take place at the same time. | B．They have some similar music style. |
| C．They provide visitors with food. | D．They invite the same performers. |
2 . Must-See Destinations in 2024
Are you ready to explore the world in 2024? Whether you dream of sailing down famous European rivers or exploring unique places, our list of must-see destinations is here to inspire your travels.
SpainThrow yourself into the rich culture and history of Spain. From the sunny beaches of Tenerife to the Moorish architecture (建筑物) of Andalucía, there’s so much to explore in this lively country. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage (遗产) city of La Laguna and become amazed at the beauty of Cordoba, Seville, and La Alhambra, or relax on a beach holiday to Majorca or Tenerife.
MontenegroDespite its size, Montenegro has beautiful beaches, rich history, and a breathtaking channel. Experience the beauty of the Montenegrin coast — Dalmatia’s jewel (宝石) is the UNESCO World Heritage listed oasis of Dubrovnik, famously praised by Lord Bryon as The Pearl of the Adriatic.
CroatiaDiscover the beauty that is Dubrovnik. Explore the 16th-century city’s defensive walls and red-roofed buildings. Sail along Croatia’s Adriatic Coast, where attractive villages and beautiful towns like Pula, Rovinj, and Poreč are just waiting to be explored...
South AfricaExplore the wonders of South Africa, from the Garden Route’s nature reserves to the thrill of a Safari drive in the Kariega Game Reserve. Discover the different plants and animals while searching for the “Big Five” on an unforgettable South Africa holiday.
With over 25 years of experience creating holidays for the curious, Travel Department ensures that your journey is in good hands. Plus as a trusted Reader’s Digest Travel partner, you can get special deals when you travel with them across lots of different 2024 holidays. If you want to know more information, please click here.
1. What do Spain and Montenegro have in common?| A．They are both praised by tourists. |
| B．They both have world heritage cities. |
| C．They are known for their architectures. |
| D．They both own beaches and rich history. |
| A．Spain. | B．South Africa. |
| C．Montenegro. | D．Croatia. |
| A．A website. | B．A guidebook. |
| C．A novel. | D．A magazine. |
3 . Mao’er mountain is abundant in rare animals and plants. Inhabited by 2,484 species of plants and 345 species of vertebrates (脊椎动物), this place can serve as a natural gene bank. And surprisingly, a rare alpine wetland featuring evergreen broad-leaved trees has found a way of surviving in the dwarf forest at a high altitude.
The “Millennium Kiss” Wonder
It’s a miracle that two trees have existed together and grown for around a thousand years. It’s even more breathtaking to see the two trees gradually getting close to each other and having a little “kiss”. What a lovely sight it is in the natural beauty of Mao’er mountain!
Two ways to get there
1. Take a train and get off at Xing’an Bei station, and take the shuttle bus that goes directly to the Mao’er mountain.
2. Take the Guilin-Xing’an bus from Guilin bus station, get off at Baizhupu station, and take the shuttle from Baizhupu to Gaozhai, which is at the foot of the Mao’er mountain.
Travel Tips
Entrance ticket: 160 yuan
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Recommended duration of visit: 2 — 4 hours
Location: northwest of Xing’an county, Guilin
Other suggestions: If you decide to go to Mao’er mountain, carry some thick clothes, for the temperature difference from the foot of the mountain to the peak is huge and it is humid in the mountain. If you are a foreigner, you need approval from the reserve administration before entering the area, since it is situated within the national reserve, which foreigners are not allowed to enter without the authorities’ permission.
1. What can tourists see on Mao’er mountain?| A．2,484 species of rare animals. | B．Two old “kissing” trees. |
| C．345 species of local plants. | D．A wetland at a low altitude. |
| A．By taking the Guilin-Gaozhai bus. |
| B．By taking a train directly to Gaozhai. |
| C．By getting on the shuttle bus in Baizhupu. |
| D．By getting on a train at Xing’an Bei station. |
| A．A ticket with additional fee. | B．A formal application letter. |
| C．Approval from the authorities. | D．Permission from local villagers. |
4 . Over the last century, engineers all over the world have spared no effort to achieve the unachievable in bridge design.
Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge
No bridge is as long as the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge in the world. The 164.8-kilometre-long bridge built in 2011 in China serves as part of the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway. The trip from Ningbo to Jiaxing that previously took 4.5 hours has been reduced to two, thanks to this bridge.
Rio-Niterói Bridge
Completed in 1974, the Rio-Niterói Bridge in Brazil is the second-longest bridge in all of Latin America connecting the cities of Rio and Niterói across the Guanabara Bay. The Rio-Niterói Bridge is technically known as a “box-girder (箱形梁)” bridge, made of special concrete. It receives an astonishing 140,000 (or more) vehicles per day.
Hartland Covered Bridge
The Hartland Covered Bridge is the world’s longest covered bridge. The 1,282-foot-long bridge was opened in 1901 and has been on Canada’s list of National Historic Sites since 1980. Although it was originally built without a roof, the bridge was capped with wooden materials during the repairs in 1921.
Jiaozhou Bay Bridge
The newly-built Jiaozhou Bay Bridge in China was named “world’s longest bridge over water” by Guinness Book of World Records in 2011, a title previously held by the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. The dispute was settled when the title of “longest continuous bridge over water” was given to the causeway, with the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge receiving the title of “longest bridge over water”.
1. On which of the following can trains pass?| A．Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge. |
| B．Rio-Niterói Bridge. |
| C．Hartland Covered Bridge. |
| D．Jiaozhou Bay Bridge. |
| A．It is a busy bridge. | B．It was built in 1980. |
| C．It has a roof. | D．It is a wooden bridge. |
| A．In America. | B．In Brazil. | C．In Canada. | D．In China. |
5 . Recently, a new kind of tourism has sprung up in China. Called “special forces style tourism”, this new kind of tourism features visiting multiple scenic interests in a short, intense period, most often on weekends. It is popular among college students, reported China Youth Daily.
Yu Yinghua in Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance is one of them. The 22-year-old started the “special forces style tourism” in March after she was attracted by such experiences of Xiaohongshu travel bloggers. “Confined (限制) to the school for almost three years due to the pandemic, I’m hungry to take trips in my spare time,” said Yu.
Her most recent trip was to Shanghai. Starting at 7 am, the 22-year-old visited nine local attractions. “That day, I walked almost 30,000 steps,” Yu said, “Though it’s a bit tiring, I enjoy the trip as much as day-long trips. It still lets me have a better understanding of the cities I go to.”
Unlike Yu who traveled in nearby cities, Chen Junjun, a doctoral student at Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, CAS, likes to travel far to rid herself of academic stress. In April, the 24-year-old took a two-day trip to Xi’an, Shaanxi. During her trip, she visited all the scenic sites in the city. “Juggling (同时应付) many academic responsibilities, such a trip can bring a splash of color (一抹亮色) to my stressful life!” said Chen.
Even so, the 24-year-old added that such tourism is not suitable for everyone. Chen said that it’s labor-consuming as visitors have to see as many sites as possible in an intensive (集中的) period. To some extent, such trips are not flexible as long-day trips in which you can change your plan as you like. “Thus, abundant energy and a calm mind are necessary for special forces style tourism,” said Chen.
1. What can we infer about special forces style tourism from the text?| A．It is exhausting but rewarding. |
| B．It is popular with all people in China. |
| C．It features visiting multiple scenic interests in a relaxing way. |
| D．It is flexible as long-day trips in which you can change your plan as you like. |
| A．It can bring relief to our stressful life. |
| B．It can contribute to learning more about the sites. |
| C．It can help save time and money while enjoying the sites better. |
| D．Confined for almost three years due to the pandemic, people long to take trips. |
| A．visit eight places in Beijing within one day |
| B．communicate with local people in Chengdu |
| C．stay in a comfortable hotel in Dali for three days |
| D．visit two famous places in Chongqing within one week |
| A．A new kind of tourism has sprung up. |
| B．Special forces style tourism is well-received worldwide. |
| C．College students like visiting scenic interests on weekends. |
| D．College students challenge themselves by traveling on a tight schedule. |
6 . Going against the tide of flocking (蜂拥) to well-known yet generally jam-packed tourist destinations on vacation, a growing number of holidaymakers in China tend to spend their leisure time at lesser known resorts to seek unique, relaxed holiday experiences. Reverse Tourism has emerged as a new trend among young holidaymakers in China.
Besides crowds, some vacationers chose less-traveled places to save on the cost of trips to popular destinations, which often require pricey tickets, meals and hotel stays. “Tourism used to be about sightseeing. Now it is about experiences,” said Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy. He said popular tourist spots are always packed and often raise their prices during holidays. As people become more mature travelers, they are increasingly unwilling to follow the herd. Some of them are simply looking to take a rest somewhere quiet for a couple of days, which is a good way to vacation.
In addition, lesser-known attractions are not as “commercial” and “standardized” as developed ones and are able to offer more genuine experiences and natural encounters, according to social media posts. And unlike popular destinations, some under-explored places with little online exposure can offer more surprises. COVID-19 is another key factor fueling Reverse Tourism. As precautionary measures continue, traveling has an unpredictable quality. A traveler has no way of knowing what lies ahead before departure, be it a perfect holiday or one interrupted by a sudden outbreak.
“The rise of Reverse Tourism is not a bad thing,” said an opinion piece in Zhengzhou Daily. It means that vacationers now have more options, which brings more possibilities to the tourism market, the article explains. More importantly, the trend is set to force popular destinations to improve themselves instead of resting on their achievements, it noted.
1. What is the feature of Reverse Tourism according to the passage?| A．Less-traveled places offer less attractive sightseeing. |
| B．Popular destinations often raise their prices during holidays. |
| C．Popular destinations are not welcomed by people nowadays. |
| D．Less-traveled places are increasingly valued among young holidaymakers. |
| A．Tourists spend less than usual. |
| B．It has already been commercialized |
| C．COVID-19 makes tourists more cautious. |
| D．Tourists can get a better sense of experience. |
| A．To create surprises on their own. | B．To escape the uncertainty in life. |
| C．To promote the local tourism. | D．To explore the original beauty. |
| A．The promising future of Nature tourism. |
| B．The challenges popular tourist spots are facing. |
| C．The reason why people prefer Reverse Tourism. |
| D．The way to explore the lesser-known attractions. |
7 . The Best Hiking near New York City
If you want to go hiking near New York City, you’re in luck. These trails (小径) can meet your needs.
Yellow Trail at Mount Beacon
Consider this 2.5-mile trail if you don’t have enough time. You can go on a quick but difficult hike there that sends you straight up the Mount Beacon. You can take in beautiful views similar to its more popular neighbors there. You can even watch the sunset. To get there, take Metro-North to Beacon and then take a 5-minute walk to the beginning of the trail.
Stairway to Heaven Trail
The trail lies about 50 miles outside the city, but it allows you to get everything you ever wanted in a hike. You’ll get good exercise if you choose the 7.3-mile “Stairway to Heaven”. Take NJ Transit bus route 196 or 197 to Warwick, New York, and it’s just a 10-minute taxi ride to the beginning of the trail.
Camp Smith Trail
This 3.5-mile hike is great for a day trip by yourself. With fairly easy landform (地形), even your four-legged friend can join you on the trail. Take the Metro-North Hudson line to Peekskill Station for free buses or trains to the Bear Mountain Inn. And you can hike up to see unbelievable Hudson Valley view.
Ice Caves and Verkeerderkill Falls Trail
Along the 7-mile trail, you will get through the passages of the Ice Caves and walk past Verkeerderkill Falls. The trail is the highest waterfall trail in the Shawangunks. Take the Short Line bus from New York to nearby Ellenville and then take a 14-minute taxi ride to Sam’s Point Preserve.
1. What can you do if you choose Yellow Trail at Mount Beacon?| A．Watch the waterfall. |
| B．Enjoy the beauty of nature. |
| C．Have team sports in the wild. |
| D．Experience mountain biking. |
| A．Yellow Trail at Mount Beacon. |
| B．Stairway to Heaven Trail. |
| C．Camp Smith Trail. |
| D．Ice Caves and Verkeerderkill Falls Trail. |
| A．They are easy to get to. |
| B．They are near the city center. |
| C．They are suitable for small kids. |
| D．They attract many hikers every year. |
8 . The World’s Most Popular Art Museums
Musee du Louvre in Paris, France
The largest and perhaps the most famous art museum in the world, this relic is best known for being the home of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
On a regular day, the Louvre would host up to 15,000 guests and display as many as 380,000 precious objects—a truly symbolic institution that has remained beloved by artists, art critics, and art-lovers alike for over 228 years.
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA
Informally referred to as “The Met,” this American art museum has 17 departments and over 2 million works within its permanent collection.
Opened in 1870, this slightly more contemporary museum contains works by the likes of Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh, Jackson Pollock, and Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze. It also houses the world’s oldest grand piano!
Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy
Before becoming a world-class art museum, Uffizi Gallery was a governmental building whose name means “offices” when translated to English.
Constructed between 1560 and 1580 and designed by Giorgio Vasari, this historic building houses Michaelangelo’s only free-standing painting, “Doni Tondo” and is visited by an average of over 2 million foreigners every year. If you ever find yourself there, don’t forget to search for the secret Vasari Corridor which stretches over the Ponte Vecchio river.
Tate Modern in London, England
Last but certainly not least on this list is the crowning glory of England’s art galleries, the Tate Modern where ever art lovers want to play Australian online games now. Founded by sugar businessman Henry Tate in 1897 Liverpool, the innovative (革新的) Tate displays symbolic works by more progressive artists such as Salvador Dali, Picasso, Rothko, Duchamp, and Parreno.
1. What is the most famous treasure in Musee du Louvre?| A．The Met. | B．Mona Lisa. | C．Doni Tondo. | D．Vasari Corridor. |
| A．Musee du Louvre. | B．Uffizi Gallery. | C．Tate Modern. | D．Metropolitan Museum of Art. |
| A．Learn to make sugar. | B．Enjoy traditional works. |
| C．Play online games. | D．Play the oldest piano. |
9 . Follow this four-day route, and you’ll lose yourself in the wizarding world of Harry Potter.
Day 1 Overview Edinburgh
It was in Scotland’s capital city that J. K. Rowling started to plot the adventures of Harry and his pals. With stoned streets, winding alleys and medieval (中世纪的) architecture, the city certainly has a few things in common with the settings from the books and films. She wrote the early chapters in various cafes around the city’s Old Towns.
Day 2 Overview travel to Fort William
Travel by train from Edinburgh to Glasgow. From there, you can take the West Highland Line toFort William. This is a great way to see some famous spots from the window, including the mysterious Rannoch Moor, the place where Death Eaters board the train in the movie Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.
Day 3 Overview all aboard the Hogwarts Express
Witness the sweeping cinematic scenery of the movie Harry Potter by booking a seat on the Jacobite Steam Train. Stop for lunch in Mallaig and then make the return journey to Fort William. Please be sure to book the steam train in advance, as it is exceedingly popular. By the way, it runs seasonally.
Day 4 Overview lakes and glens (峡谷)
In the films, mysterious, misty landscapes frame the background of Harry’s tale, so it’s no surprise that the film producers chose the Highlands for many scenes. Spend a day wandering through some of these beautiful spots and feel the magical atmosphere.
1. Where did J. K. Rowling create Harry Potter at first?| A．In Edinburgh. | B．In Mallaig. |
| C．In Glasgow. | D．In Fort William. |
| A．Reviewing the movie early. |
| B．Booking tickets in advance. |
| C．Bringing lunch ahead of time. |
| D．Buying one-way ticket specially. |
| A．Current Affairs. | B．Technology. |
| C．Tours. | D．Biography. |
Museum Day is here for one day and one day only — so you’ll need to hurry if you want to take advantage of the chance to get free Saturday admission to one of the hundreds of participating museums.
The yearly event is hosted by Smithsonian Magazine and involves museums and cultural institutions coming together to offer free admission for patrons(顾客) who would otherwise have to pay for entry.
You just need an email address to get a ticket
To get a ticket you’ll need to go to the Smithsonian Magazine website and pick which museum you want to go to. You’ll be able to search to see which museums near you are participating, and from there you just have to put in your email address and name. After that, you can download your ticket and head out for some fun.
A lot of museums are still feeling financial stress from the pandemic
The event is happening as museums are still struggling from the hits they took during the first few years of the pandemic.
The American Alliance of Museums estimated it will take years for museums to fully recover. In February, the group released survey results that detailed those financial losses.
AAM President and CEO Laura Lott noted that federal relief helped remove the threat of closure that many institutions were facing, but 2022 proved to be another painful year.
But there’s hope that a free day at the museums might spark subsequent(随后的) visits.
1. How often is Museum Day held?| A．Once a week. | B．Once a month. | C．Once a year. | D．Once a day. |
| A．To go to the nearest museum. | B．To buy Smithsonian Magazine. |
| C．To enter your email address and name. | D．To be a member of Smithsonian Magazine. |
| A．It will help people deal with stress. | B．It will make museums more famous. |
| C．It can help museums to fully recover. | D．It may attract more visitors to museums. |
