1 . The following are a series of new parks that have opened around the world in the last two years.
Katmandu Park, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Opened in March 2023 on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, the park is full of mystery. According to legend, explorer Kilgore Goode was on an adventure through Nepal when he came across the “Desirata” jewel, protected by a fierce yeti(雪人).
Tickets from $120 for adults; $85 for children.
Ghibli Park, Japan
Located outside of Nagoya, Japan, Ghibli Park opened in late 2022. Within the 17.5 forested ground of the Expo 2005, guests will find five areas that recreate several animated(栩栩如生的)famous scenes.
Tickets from $15 for adults; $7.50 for children.
Peppa Pig Theme Park, Florida
The world’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park opened in 2022 in Winter Haven, Florida, and has been delighting children ever since. Dedicated to the classic British animated TV show, where little Peppa has everyday adventures with her friends and family, the 4.5-acre park welcomes pint-sized guests with well-designed, multi-sensory activities across six playscapes.
Tickets from $34 for adults; $25 for children.
Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park, Malaysia
Located within Resorts World Genting, about an hour’s drive from Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur, Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park opened in February 2022. Across the 26-acre park, which cost $800 million and took nearly 10 years to create, visitors will find 26 attractions across nine areas inspired by movies and explorations.
Tickets from $34 for adults; $29 for children.
1. How much will the Smiths with their two children pay to visit Ghibli Park?| A．$30. | B．$37.5. | C．$45. | D．$118. |
| A．It is located in Asia. | B．It has been opened for ten years. |
| C．It is the biggest theme park in the world. | D．It has nine attractions in all. |
| A．They were all built in the same year. | B．They are all involved in adventures. |
| C．They all took a long time to create. | D．They are all family-friendly parks. |
2 . Travel allows us to experience the world. But as we travel, we are also leaving our footprint on every place we visit. This is why culturally immersive (沉浸) travel is so important. Because the wrong kind of travel badly influences the world. One of the reasons we started this blog was to help others travel better and feel comfortable getting off the beaten path (常规路), communicating with locals, and take you “Beyond the traditional Bucket”, if you will.
People who only get 2-weeks off per year are often just looking for an easy destination with a beach to relax on. This isn’t travel. This is a vacation. But “immersive Travel” or "Cultural Travel" is an entirely new type of trip. It is about experiencing and protecting the various traditions around the world. It’s about being open to new experiences and willing to step into another’s shoes. Cultural travel is jumping in with both feet and leaving your idea about what your trip should be behind you. It’s eating local dishes and sleeping in guesthouses. It’s building genuine connections with locals. It’s learning about the history of a country and leaving your trip with a greater understanding of the place you came to see and the people who live there.
Often times in today’s age, “travelers” will visit a country just to snap some photos of the famous sights to post on Instagram or to drink the night away, or even just to relax on a tropical beach. But that kind of vacation can be harmful to the very communities you’re traveling to.
Beyond supporting the local communities and the protection of local customs and traditions, you’ll also experience some personal benefits through cultural travels. There’s simply no way to travel this way with a closed mind. You’ll get to know different cultures intimately and understand them a lot better. You’ll also become less judgmental (评头论足的) of others the more you travel.
1. What’s the author’s purpose in writing the first paragraph?| A．To describe the importance of cultural travel. | B．To stress the harmful influence of travel. |
| C．To recommend a totally different type of travel. | D．To express his unique feelings about cultural travel. |
| A．build close connections with the locals during the travel. |
| B．show more interest in the history of a travel destination. |
| C．post the photos taken in the journey on the social media. |
| D．choose a tourist attraction for adventure and exploration. |
| A．It is concentrated on studying local people’s lifestyle. |
| B．Its major focus is protecting local traditions and customs. |
| C．Its travelers should be open-minded and understanding. |
| D．It is a specific way to make comments on other cultures. |
| A．A travel brochure. | B．A blog post. |
| C．A historic magazine. | D．An encyclopedia website. |
3 . Teenagers who travel around the world alone have been making headlines quite often. A young person alone in a dangerous situation attracts attention and supporters. Young sailors also attract various views. For example, Jessica Watson was asked by the government to call off her solo trip across the ocean, yet the Prime Minister (总理) called her “a hero for young Australians” when she returned. It seems views are poles apart on the ability and independence of young people.
Some experts tell us that teenage brains are likely to make wrong judgments. But such ideas often do not apply to specific individuals (个体) . Between the ages of 14 and 18, teenagers differ greatly in their abilities. The amount of independence that each is allowed should be determined not simply by their ages but by discussion with the related, responsible adults. Some teens are certainly inexperienced and make childish mistakes, but the ones who attempt dangerous journeys normally do so by winning the confidence of hard-headed and experienced adult supporters.
But it’s also wrong to think that any 16-year-old can make a hit as Jessica Watson. Watson calls herself “a common girl who had a dream”. Her purpose is to encourage teenagers but this idea can have the opposite effect of making them feel not good enough because great achievements are beyond them. Should all teens have such wild dreams? Actually, individuals face different conditions that limit their dreams.
Teenagers who travel around the world alone should not be judged by preconceived (先入为主的) views about young people. Nor should young “common” teenagers feel pressure to long for extraordinary personal goals. In fact, I believe the example of solo sailing overstresses what an individual can do. The teenage years are when most of us “common” people learn that we can achieve great things in cooperation with others.
1. Why is Jessica Watson mentioned in the first paragraph?| A．To set a heroic example for teenagers. |
| B．To point out the public’s interest in young people. |
| C．To introduce different opinions on teenagers’ adventures. |
| D．To show the Prime Minister disagreed with the government. |
| A．Different journeys. | B．Brain development. |
| C．Communication with adults. | D．Confidence in themselves. |
| A．She likes dangerous journeys. | B．Teenagers can make success. |
| C．She can accept she is common. | D．Teenagers should go travelling. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Supportive. | C．Uncaring. | D．Uncertain. |
4 . Travel should be enjoyable. It makes you take a break somewhere different, away from all the usual worries of life. However, your travel is often stressful.
Book well.
Find fun in your air travel.
We know that sometimes air travel can be annoying. In fact, airports are amusing places. There’s so much to explore.
The best things in life are simple and free. Make simple travel plans that make your travel more interesting! You learn about the culture and engage with (互动) the locals as well. Most of the time, you wouldn’t just walk with the tour guides who make you go through some places that just aren’t to your liking.
Stay fit
There’s little fun in travelling if you don’t feel well. If you wish to make your travel more enjoyable, take good care of your health before you mean to travel.
| A．See a doctor and get yourself checked if it is necessary. |
| B．Mix with the crowd. |
| C．You need to keep an eye open. |
| D．There’s so much to do to make your trip a successful one. |
| E．Keep it simple |
| F．The places you book will surely determine the kind of trip you’ll end up with. |
| G．Also, you can get a fair idea about the advantages and disadvantages of the place. |
5 . Japan’s biggest airline is betting that the future of travel isn’t traveling at all. For the last month, a married couple has been interacting with a robot—called an Avatar—that’s controlled by their daughter hundreds of miles away. Made by ANA Holdings Inc., it looks like a vacuum cleaner with an iPad attached. But the screen displays the daughter’s face as they chat, and its wheels let her move about the house as though she’s really there.
“Virtual travel” is nothing new, of course. Storytellers, travel writers and artists have been stimulating the senses of armchair tourists for centuries. It’s only in recent decades that frequent, safe travel has become available to the non- wealthy.
Yet even as the world’s middle classes climb out of the armchair and into economy-class seat, there are signs of a post-travel society emerging. Concerns about environmental sustainability cause loss to airlines which release much carbon. And the aging of abundant societies is both restricting physical travel and creating demand for alternative ways to experience the world. For the travel industry, virtual reality offers an attractive response to these trends.
Of course, new technologies encourage far-out claims. ANA doesn’t plan to start selling Avatars until next year. Profits, too, will probably be difficult to make: By one estimate, the global market for this kind of technology will be worth only about $300 million by 2023. By contrast, ANA’s traditional travel business brought in more than $19 billion last year.
But if the business value for virtual vacations is still weak, the market for technologies that bridge physical distances between families and coworkers seems likely to only expand. ANA’s robots may not replace its airplanes any time soon, but they’ll almost certainly be a part of travel’s high-tech future.
1. Why does the author use the example of a couple interacting with a robot?| A．To show the Japanese are crazy about travel. |
| B．To indicate virtual travel begins to enter people’s real life. |
| C．To show the couple are very enthusiastic over robots. |
| D．To express the close relationship between the couple and their daughter. |
| A．Storytellers, travel writers and artists have been using it for centuries. |
| B．Frequent and safe travel has become available to the ordinary people. |
| C．People are worried about the air pollution caused by airlines. |
| D．More and more people lose interest in travel. |
| A．Visibility. | B．Availability. |
| C．insignificance. | D．Continuousness |
| A．Your Next Travel May Be Virtual. |
| B．Easy Travel in the Future. |
| C．Virtual Travel Benefits. |
| D．Air Travel Disappearing. |
6 . There are so many beautiful places in the world that wait for you to explore, but some of them won’t wait around forever.
The Dead Sea, for example, known for being one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world is in danger of disappearing. Tourists are in the rush to the lake to float（漂浮）in its waters and put its mineral-rich mud on their skin. However, the water level has been dropping more than three feet per year in recent years. In fact, if nothing is done by 2050, it will be too late.
Madagascar’s rainforests could also be gone in about 30 years. They once covered 120,000 square miles, but due to logging（伐木）and forest fires, only 20,000 square miles remain today. This is sad for many animals that call Madagascar home. About 80 percent of the species（物种） that live there can’t be found anywhere else in the world, and there are even many more yet to be discovered.
There are also many man-made places of interest with long history around the world that are at risk of disappearing. One of these is Machu Picchu. A trip to these Inca ruins is on many people’s plan lists. However, Machu Picchu has been in danger, too. If steps are not taken to protect the ancient site, it could be gone in the near future.
Another place in danger is the Great Wall of China. Around one-third of the wall, built over centuries and completed in the Ming dynasty, is already gone. Wind and rain have weathered it and plants that grow in the wall have weakened it further. Also, poor villagers have stolen its bricks in order to sell them or build homes with them.
It’s hard to believe that so many amazing places could soon be gone for good. If you have your heart set on visiting any of these places, pack your bags and get to them before time runs out!
1. What is the problem with the Dead Sea?| A．It is polluted seriously. | B．It attracts too many tourists. |
| C．Its water is drying up. | D．Its water is too salty for people. |
| A．It has a great influence on people’s lives. | B．It is important to some special species. |
| C．It is of great value in human history. | D．It serves as a name card for its country. |
| A．They are under good protection now. |
| B．They are important to the environment. |
| C．They are famous man-made places of interest in the world. |
| D．They are in danger of being impossible to see one day. |
| A．In a travel magazine. | B．In a science report. |
| C．In a personal diary. | D．In an adventure novel. |
7 . Best spring destinations in Tibet
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has long been an ideal and mysterious destination for visitors who are passionate about exploring remote lands. Here we recommend some of the best tourist destinations in Tibet.
Peach Blossom Valley, Nyingchi
The peach blossoms in Nyingchi have been dubbed as “the most beautiful peach flowers in the world”. The annual festival has become a signature tourism event on the plateau. Peach trees bloom depending on the altitude and climate, so visitors will have the chance to enjoy the blossoms.
Ranwu Lake
Ranwu Lake is renowned for its tranquility (平静) and its purity of blueness. Scenery along the lakeside varies a good deal with grass, forest, autumn leaves, white waterfowl and snow mountains clearly reflected in the mirror-like water. Spring coming, a reflection of green trees dances on the lake and people feel like they are walking into a romantic dreamland.
The Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is the deepest canyon in the world. With a total length of about 500 kilometers, its altitude spans from 7,782 meters to 550 meters around the Yarlung Zangbo River Valley. Visitors can enjoy both the peach blossoms and the snow-capped mountains.
Nanyi Valley
Nanyi Valley is known as “the highest green mysterious place on Earth”. Surrounded by mountains and shrouded in clouds, Nanyi Valley is an ideal spring destination for visitors, where you can find peach and azalea blossoms everywhere.
There are some other attractions. For more information, please click the following link http://en.chinaculture.org/.
1. If you are a festival lover, which destination will you choose?| A．Nanyi Valley |
| B．Ranwu Lake |
| C．The Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon |
| D．Peach Blossom Valley, Nyingchi |
| A．Admiring snow mountains. |
| B．Watching white waterfowl. |
| C．Enjoying peach blossoms. |
| D．Appreciating azalea flowers. |
| A．A book review | B．A website |
| C．A magazine | D．A travel brochure |
8 . In most places a traffic signal in the middle of the desert, especially one for camels, may well be a mirage, but in this case it is all too real. At the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring Scenic Spot in Gansu Province, northwest China, the world’s first traffic light for camels was set up to manage traffic in the popular tourist area.
According to a Chinese state-owned wire service, the problem was that the walking paths for human beings often crossed camel paths, creating traffic chaos (混乱). As a solution, workers cut a gap in the walkway and created a separate route for the camels. The traffic light now manages the flow of traffic at the new crossing.
Camel-riding tours are a big attraction for visitors to the area. But visitors to the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring Scenic Spot will now be safe from camel crashes, thanks to the new traffic signal, which turns green to let the animals cross and red to make them stop.
The Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring Scenic Spot is already a tourist hot spot thanks to its breathtaking sand dunes (沙丘), an oasis (绿洲) and even the occasional snowstorm which create otherworldly scenery. The strange camel traffic signal could well become another attraction to enjoy on a visit to the scenic area.
The area is close to Dunhuang City on the edge of the Gobi Desert, and it used to be an essential resting point for travellers on the Silk Road. Dunhuang’s best-known tourist attraction is the Mogao Caves. The traffic signal is unlikely ever to reach the significance of the Mogao Caves, but at least it might help prevent a few camel traffic jams.
1. What does the underlined word “mirage” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Reality. | B．Fantasy. | C．Scenery. | D．Mistake. |
| A．To solve the traffic chaos. | B．To have camels go through. |
| C．To attract visitors to the area. | D．To protect the visitors’ safety. |
| A．It has become a tourist hot spot. |
| B．It has prevented camel traffic jams. |
| C．It could improve the tourism of the scenic area. |
| D．It could greatly increase the camels’ population. |
| A．To criticize the traffic jam. | B．To tell us a travel experience. |
| C．To introduce a camel traffic light. | D．To analyze a natural phenomenon. |
9 . While temperatures continue to climb, visitors are still coming to see Death Valley National Park on the California-Nevada border. The park is known as the hottest place on Earth. This past weekend, the temperatures climbed to 53.33℃. Most visitors at this time of year make it only a short distance to any area in the park before returning to the cool air in their vehicles.
Early information from the park service shows that across the nation’s 424 national parks, at least four people have died this year from heat-related causes. That includes a 65-year-old man from San Diego who was found dead at Death Valley earlier this month.
Death Valley National Park suggests visitors be careful and not have expectations of rescue. While park rangers (护林员) drive on park roads and can aid tourists in need, it is unsure that lost visitors will get help in time.
Physical activity can make the heat feel even worse and leave people exhausted. Alessia Dempster, who was visiting from Edinburgh, Scotland, said, “It’s very hot especially when there’s a gentle wind. You would think maybe that would give you some slight relief from the heat, but it just really does feel like an air blow dryer just going back in your face.”
Death Valley is a narrow area that is below sea level and surrounded by high mountains, the park service’s website says. The dry air and small plant coverage let sunlight heat up the park surface. The heat then becomes trapped in the valley.
Still, several areas in Death Valley continue to draw tourists. Badwater Basin, made up of salt flats, is considered the lowest point in all of North America. The 183-meter Ubehebe Crater dates back over 2,000 years. And Zabriskie Point is a great sunrise viewing spot.
Josh Miller, a visitor from Indianapolis who has been to 20 national parks so far, shared that feeling. “It’s hot, but the scenery is awesome,” he said.
1. What do most visitors do in Death Valley?| A．Cool themselves in time. | B．Do lots of physical exercises. |
| C．Stay away from park rangers. | D．Carry dryers with themselves. |
| A．To encourage the elderly to travel more. |
| B．To express admiration for mountain climbers. |
| C．To advise people to tour Death Valley more often. |
| D．To show the danger of traveling in Death Valley. |
| A．Its covering area. | B．Its attractive spots. |
| C．The reason why it is so hot. | D．The service of its park’s website. |
| A．It has a short history. | B．It is worth visiting. |
| C．It draws fewer and fewer tourists. | D．It is unsuitable for viewing sunrise. |
10 . France has the most beautiful castles throughout Europe. Here are some of the best French castles to visit. You’ll surely want to visit one of them during your travels in France. Have a look and enjoy!
Versailles Castle
The Versailles Castle is about 20km southwest of Paris. When the castle was built, Versailles was a small village. Today, however, it is a famous area in Paris. The castle was originally built as a small hunting lodge (乡间小屋) for Louis XIII in the 1620s.Years later, he made it bigger. Later, Louis ⅩⅣ also made it larger, making it one of the largest palaces of the world.
Chambord Castle
The Chambord Castle is one of the largest castles around the world. It sits in the Loire Valley. Being at the heart of Europe’s largest enclosed wooded park, Chambord, it was built for King Francis I to serve as a hunting lodge. It is one of the most well-known castles in the world because of its French Renaissance (文艺复兴) unique building.
Chenonceau Castle
As one of the most famous castles in the Loire Valley, the castle was built during the 11th century on the River Cher. It was passed through many hands. The castle was not destroyed during the French Revolution because it was the only bridge across the river for many miles.
Chantilly Castle
This historic castle sits in the town of Chantilly, France. This beautiful castle is made up of two buildings: the Petit Château built around 1560 for Anne de Montmorency, and the Grand Château which was destroyed during the French Revolution and rebuilt in the 1870s. There are many interesting pieces of 17th century history concerning the castle. Every two years a fireworks competition is held in the castle gardens.
1. What do we know about the Versailles Castle?| A．It sits in a small village. | B．It was first built for Louis XIII. |
| C．It serves as a hunting place now. | D．It was the largest castle in the 1620s. |
| A．Its long history. | B．Its building style. |
| C．Its wealthy owner. | D．Its important position. |
| A．Versailles Castle | B．Chambord Castle |
| C．Chantilly Castle | D．Chenonceau Castle |
