1 . Here are some fantastic parks in San Antonio.

Brackenridge Park

The park was first established in 1899 and has been popular with both locals and visitors ever since. Towering trees and peaceful riverbanks will greet guests along the park’s paths, and the facilities include playgrounds, museums, a miniature train, a Japanese tea garden, and one of the oldest golf courses in the city.

Friedrich Wilderness Park

In the park, you’ll find about 10 miles of paved(铺过的)and unpaved trails(路线), with a little something for everyone. From rocky climbs to deep canyons, and enchanting forests to open views, there’s no shortage of natural beauty. The area is nationally famous for birdwatching.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

The park is the state’s only one on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers quite a large area, so it’s best to make it a full-day or at least a half-day trip so you can be sure to cover everything. While the Alamo is a separate attraction, you will get to enjoy the architectural wonders of Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. They’re all connected by a hike and bike trail, with plenty of stops along the way to picnic, climb trees, and refill water. Admission is free!

Eisenhower Park

Just a 20-to 30-minute drive from the city center, the park puts the best landscapes in the Texas Hill Country on full display, holding 6 miles of hiking trails, both paved and unpaved. Explore dried creek beds, look out over plunging canyons, and enjoy full views of San Antonio down below. You can also find playgrounds for the little ones, picnic tables, and barbecue facilities.

1. What is Friedrich Wilderness Park well-known for?

A．Birdwatching.	B．Ancient buildings.
C．A Japanese tea garden.	D．Unpaved hiking paths.

2. Which park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

A．Brackenridge Park.

B．Friedrich Wilderness Park.

C．San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.

D．Eisenhower Park.

3. What are some of the features of Eisenhower Park?

A．Golf courses and bicycle trails.

B．Museums and no entrance fee.

C．Birdwatching and playgrounds.

D．Hiking trails and barbecue facilities.

2 . Four Unique U.S. National Parks

Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

This national park is the site of the longest known cave system in the world,which is really proper for a park called “Mammoth(猛犸象).” It’s the ideal place for an adventure lover, with about 400 miles of caves and tunnels to explore. One of the most popular sections to visit within the caves is called Frozen Niagara, a special part of the caves that looks like a waterfall frozen in time.

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Even though it’s one of the least-visited national parks in the country, it’s definitely one of the best national parks in Florida. There’s no accounting for Dry Tortugas National Park’s amazing beauty. Located about 70 miles from Key West, this park is made up of several islands that feature blue waters and white-sand beaches, colorful marine life, and the historic Fort(堡垒) Jefferson, one of the largest 19th-century forts in U.S. history.

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 fascinating rock formations and hoodoos(石林), as well as its starry skies at night. 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 views 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.

1. What can you visit in Mammoth Cave National Park?

A．Frozen Niagara.	B．Fort Jefferson.
C．Natural Bridge.	D．Fairyland Canyon.

2. Where is the least-visited national parks in the U.S.located?

A．In Kentucky.	B．In Florida.
C．In Utah.	D．In Califomia and Nevada.

3. Which park will a fan of Star Wars movies visit?

A．Mammoth Cave National Park.	B．Dry Tortugas National Park.
C．Bryce Canyon National Park.	D．Death Valley National Park.

4 . I was born in Venice, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy, and studied designing at university here. Though I have also spent time away, I have always come back because it’s my home.

In Venice, there are no roads, only canals, so you have to get around on foot or by boat. I live on a canal in the Rialto area in a house that was built in 1588 for the Muti family, who were businessmen in the silk trade. In the mid-eighteenth century, it was home to the Vezzi family, who made things like plates and bowls in fine china and became rich by sending these around the world. These businessmen’s houses in Venice are like palaces. Their owners had to have space to show off their goods, but the building also had to be an office, a factory, a store and a home. My house came into our family in 1919, when it was bought by my grandfather. He died before I was born but he was the director of a museum where I often do research on old documents. On some of these, I’ve seen notes in his handwriting, so, in a way, I met him through these documents.

Sadly, the population of Venice has dropped from 120,000 in the 1950s to about 60,000 now. This doesn’t include the thousands of tourists who come to visit. I welcome the tourists but unless something is done to stop everyday shops like bakeries from disappearing, the city will die. I want people who love the city to come here to live and work and give Venice back a life that is not just about tourism.

1. What can we learn about the family who first owned the author’s home?

A．They were china dealers.	B．They made plates and bowls.
C．They used to buy and sell silk.	D．They helped to build the canals.

2. What does the author say about his grandfather?

A．He met his grandfather in an unusual way.

B．His grandfather taught him how to write.

C．His grandfather turned his home into a museum.

D．He found his grandfather’s handwriting hard to read.

3. What can we infer from the last paragraph about Venice?

A．It faces a difficult situation.	B．It can’t feed its population.
C．It needs more modern shops.	D．It has fewer tourists than before.

5 . The following destinations are highly recommended by Lonely Planet.

1.Bhutan

The Kingdom of Bhutan, located on the Silk Road in South Asia, claimed the No. 1 spot partly for its beauty and because it is set to become the first fully organic nation by 2021.

The kingdom has lush (郁郁葱葱的) plains in the south and sub-alpine Himalayan mountains in the north, which include Gangkhar Puensum, Bhulan's highest peak and believed to be the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.

2.Aruba

Tourists know this Caribbean getaway for its white-sand beaches, sparkling waters, and laid-back resorts. Aruba's temperatures usually stay around 27℃—making a dip in the water seem too good to pass up.

3.Costa Rica

Costa Rica is beloved for many reasons, from its coffee to its epic surfing.

It's also notable for its reliance on green energy sources. In fact, 90% of its energy is created by renewable sources, such as wind and hydro. It is also one of the world's most biodiverse countries—home to half a million species.

And of course, no trip to Costa Rica is complete without a visit to the Sloth Sanctuary.

4. Morocco

The Kingdom of Morocco, known as the place the sun sets, is a romantic and exotic destination, and it is known as a safe place to visit. Many people are drawn to its beaches, but its ancient cities, such as Casablanca and Marrakesh, attract the most visitors. In recent years, visitors have headed to the Atlas and Rif mountains and their hiking trails.

1. Why Bhutan is highly recommended by Lonely Planet?

A．Because it is on the Silk Road in South Asia.

B．Because it is a fully organic nation.

C．Because it has the largest plains.

D．Because it is near the sea.

2. What's Aruba known for?

A．Its mountain trails.	B．Its wildlife.
C．Its climate and beaches.	D．Its coffee.

3. What attracts most tourists in Morocco?

A．The sun sets there.	B．Its hiking trails.
C．Its beaches.	D．Its ancient cities.