2 . The Enchanting Scenery of Zhangjiajie

Located in China’s Hunan province, Zhangjiajie offers a unique and breathtaking landscape with nature’s unbound creativity. This region, famous for its rock formations and deep gorges (峡谷), is a popular destination for travelers to see the nature’s wonders.

Tianmen Mountain

Tianmen Mountain, the tallest peak in Zhangjiajie, stands tall at 1,518 meters. Its most famous Tianmen Cave, a natural arch which spans over 100 meters wide, offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. There is also a challenging glass walkway, offering visitors a thrilling walk above the clouds.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

This park is a shelter for nature lovers, with over 2,400 species of plants and animals. Its highlights include the “Avatar” Hallelujah Mountains, which were a filming location for the popular movie “Avatar”. The park’s hiking trails offer visitors the chance to explore its thick forests and breathtaking valleys.

Huangshi Village

Known for its traditional Tujia architecture, Huangshi Village offers a look into the rich cultural heritage of the local community. Visitors can enjoy the village’s peaceful atmosphere, admire the unique stone houses, and taste the delicious local cuisine.

Baofeng Lake

This beautiful lake, surrounded by lush green hills, offers a peaceful escape. Boating on the lake, one can appreciate the reflections of the surrounding mountains, creating a picture-perfect scene.

1. Which of the following is NOT a feature of Tianmen Mountain?

A．It is the tallest peak in Zhangjiajie.

B．Its glass walkway gives visitors a thrilling walk.

C．It is famous for its flat and plain landscape.

D．A natural arch called Tianmen Cave is the most famous.

2. Where was the movie “Avatar” filmed?

A．Tianmen Mountain.	B．Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
C．Huangshi Village.	D．Baofeng Lake.

3. What can visitors experience in Huangshi Village?

A．The beautiful lakes and green hills.	B．The traditional architecture and cuisine.
C．Various species of plants and animals.	D．The uniqueness of its rocks and mountains.

3 . Discover Xiamen’s Four Must-Visit Attractions

Join us on a fascinating trip through Xiamen’s beauty and culture as we visit four famous places like Gulangyu Island and Nanputuo Temple, each showcasing the city’s rich history andscenic charm.

Gulangyu Island: A Romantic Escape

Discover the charming beauty of Gulangyu Island.The island is famous for its unique buildings and romantic atmosphere. Take a leisurely (悠闲的)walk along the narrow streets，feel the refreshing ocean breeze,and immerse yourself in the island’s rich culture.

Hulishan Fortress: Historic Sentinel by the Sea

Hulishan Fortress is a historic marvel in Xiamen. It offers a glimpse into the city’s military past. The fortress has impressive architecture (建筑风格)and a strategic location by the sea.This makes it an attractive site for visitors to explore. It has a rich history and cultural significance.Both locals and tourists cherish it for its unique charm and heritage.

Island Ring Road: Scenic Coastal Drive

Experience the coastal beauty of Xiamen on the Island Ring Road. Whether on foot,bicycle,or by car,enjoy breathtaking views of the sea and cityscape. Discover parks,sculptures,and beautiful gardens along this picturesque route.

Jimei School Village: Fusion of Tradition and Innovation

Explore Jimei School Village and witness the integration of traditional Chinese and modern architectural styles.This combination of tradition and innovation provides a glimpse into the development of education and culture in this unique village setting.

Each destination promises a unique experience, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

1. Which place is known for its romantic atmosphere and unique buildings?

A．Hulishan Fortress.	B．Island Ring Road.
C．Gulangyu Island.	D．Jimei School Village.

2. What makes Hulishan Fortress special to visitors?

A．Its military history and location by the sea.

B．Its traditional and modern architecture.

C．Its romantic atmosphere.

D．Its education and culture.

3. What architecture can visitors expect to see in Jimei School Village?

A．European-inspired architecture.

B．Only modern architectural styles.

C．Only traditional Chinese architecture.

D．A mixture of traditional and modern architecture.

4 . With the development of technology, life is made much easier when you travel around. Here are some top travel apps for you to use.

Yelp When you are in a new location and need a quick recommendation, Yelp comes in handy. It gives insights into the quality of businesses and services, from restaurants to the way in which they work, based on user reviews. The users can certainly make unfair judgements for personal reasons at times, but Yelp often at least lets you get a sense of what to expect.

Zomato In China, there is a good chance you have never heard of Zomato. In some countries, however, it is more popular than Yelp, and it covers the same ground. Zomato is a remarkable crowd-sourced review website, mostly for restaurants. In some regions, you can order delivery food through Zomato, too.

Happy Cow If you are a person who doesn’t eat meat or fish, or even doesn’t use animal products such as meat, milk or eggs or if you are only looking for a healthy meal option after eating not-so-healthy meals for several days in a row, you are sure to appreciate Happy Cow. The app and web- site help you find restaurants, cafes, health food stores, and other places to get a meat-free meal.

Tripadvisor You can read different reviews of hotels, restaurants and even activities, written by members of the Tripadvisor community, as well as see photos they have uploaded so you know what to expect before you arrive. Tripadvisor has relationships with various booking sites, too, which means once you finish researching hotels or restaurants, you can usually reserve them with just a few extra clicks.

1. What do Yelp and Zomato have in common?

A．They provide delivery services quickly.

B．They expect users to promote their services.

C．They only recommend hotels and restaurants.

D．They base their recommendations on user reviews.

2. Which app suits the person who doesn’t eat meat?

A．Yelp.

B．Happy Cow.

C．Tripadvisor.

D．Zomato.

3. What sets Tripadvisor apart from other travel apps?

A．It is offered free of charge.	B．It is linked to booking platforms.
C．It recommends nearby attractions.	D．It gives correct hotel rating information.

6 . Apollo 15 was the first flight to the moon that included a spacewalk. On our return trip to Earth, we needed to recover film canisters (胶卷盒) from the service module. Because it was a new activity, an incredible amount of preparation went into it.

I evaluated the entire plan in terms of safety and results. During our pre-flight analysis, we installed a warning tone in the suit in case of low oxygen pressure. Once all this pre-flight work was accomplished, the actual spacewalk was easy and accomplished in a short time. I had the pleasure of being outside the spacecraft for 38 minutes, and here’s how we did it.

We started suiting up an hour or so before the actual spacewalk. I got a little rush as the Command Module was depressurizing because I was then completely dependent on the pressure in the suit to keep me alive. I had practised this procedure many times on Earth, but this was for REAL and I had to do it just right. Once the cabin pressure went to zero, we opened the hatch (舱口) and went out.

What a feeling to be free in deep space! I concentrated on reaching for the handholds as I made my way to the back of the service module so I would not float away. I had a small problem right away. The high-resolution camera was stuck out in its extended position. I reached the canister, put a safety clip (安全扣) on it, attached by a rope to my wrist. and pulled it out of the bay. Turning around again I made my way back to the hatch. So far, a piece of cake. After another two trips, I finished my task.

By turning my head just so I could position myself so that both the Earth and the Moon were in field of vision. I realized that no one in all of history had ever seen this sight before. What an honour it was.

1. What is the purpose of installing a warning tone in the suit?

A．To help recover film canister.

B．To assess the safety of the plan.

C．To improve the quality of the suit.

D．To inform astronauts of low oxygen pressure.

2. Why was the author feel nervous faced with his actual spacewalk?

A．His task was completely new for him.	B．He lacked full preparation in advance.
C．He was afraid to make any mistake.	D．He suddenly found his suit went wrong.

3. What happened when the author did his task in space?

A．He couldn’t find the canister.

B．He failed to handle the problem himself.

C．He experienced a narrow escape initially.

D．He met with some challenges when doing his task.

4. What does the author feel about his trip to the moon?

A．Tired.

B．Confused.

C．Proud.

D．Safe.

7 . Cultural tourism is a form of travel that focuses on exploring and experiencing the cultural heritage and traditions of a particular destination. Cultural tourism is a good way to enrich your experience as a tourist.     1    .

Cultural tourism helps to encourage the protection of culture and heritage by keeping endangered traditions alive. For example, heritage handicraft skills (手工技能) might be little practical, but outside interest could be enough to safeguard a tradition that might otherwise have been lost.

Cultural tourism also improves education.     2    , such as workshops, language lessons, or historical tours. They can learn about the traditions and customs of different cultures, and enrich their knowledge and experiences.

However, when cultural practices and traditions are presented only for tourism purposes, they may lose their true meaning and become superficial (表面的) performances aimed at entertaining tourists.     3    .

In addition, a lot of tourists can put a pressure on local resources.     4    , which leads to overcrowding, too much pollution and damage to historical sites.

Most importantly, cultural tourism may lead to the loss of cultural diversity. As destinations become more popular to mass tourism, there is a risk of homogenization, where cultural practices and traditions become standardized to the tastes and expectations of tourists.

    5    , can the benefits outweigh the downsides.

A．Only when culture tourism is managed properly

B．This can lead to a misunderstanding of the culture

C．It is important to improve cultural understanding and respect

D．Because cultural tourism often involves travelling to far areas

E．Travelers have the chance to take part in educational activities

F．But it’s worth noting that this type of travel has both benefits and downsides

G．Popular cultural destinations often experience an increase in the number of visitors

8 . Snow and ice festivals are something to look forward to in winter. All around the world, people make the most of the cold weather to compete in winter sculpting competitions. The results are works of art that inspire awe and wonder. Thousands of visitors want to enjoy the festivities. Here are some amazing winter festivals.

Geilo Ice Music Festival-Geilo, Norway

This unique ice music festival that began 19 years ago is truly unique and brings ice sculpting to an all-new level. Artists gather in Geilo to create musical instruments from ice. The performance takes place in an igloo(圆顶小屋). This year's festival will take place from February 19 to February 24.

International Ice and Snow Festival-Harbin, China

The annual festival in Harbin, the largest in the world, restarted in 1985. Some people actually compare it to a frozen Disneyland because the festival's actions are learned by several theme parks and include, thrilling rides. There's also a fantastic evening display of ice sculptures. The festival is open on January 5 this year.

Ice Magic Festival-Banff, Canada

The festival has been taking place in Banff National Park for over 20 years. This year's competition will run from January 26 to January 28 and from February 2 to February 4. The final artworks are displayed for visitors who can participate in other activities including freestyle ice sculpting and ice games. You must have tickets to attend.

Kiruna Snow Festival-Kiruna, Sweden

This snow festival held in Kiruna, which is deep inside the Arctic Circle, began in 1986. The main part of the festival is a snow sculpting competition that includes artists from around the world. But there are plenty of activities to keep visitors busy during the competition, including sledding(滑雪橇), figure skating and a snowblower contest where participants work to see who can clear a path through a 40cm deep pile of snow, This year's festival takes place from January 24 to January 28.

1. Where should you go to attend a festival if you are available in early January?

A．Kiruna, Sweden.

B．Harbin, China.

C．Banff, Canada.

D．Geilo, Norway.

2. What may visitors get at Ice Magic Festival?

A．Free tickets for the festival.	B．Unique musical instruments.
C．The chance to admire final ice artworks.	D．The permission to live in an igloo.

3. What can we know about Kiruna Snow Festival?

A．It has the longest history.	B．It is aimed at removing snow.
C．It is funded by several theme parks.	D．It features a snow sculpting competition.

9 . York Minster—The Best Cathedral in England

Commonly known as York Minster, the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York is one of the finest old-fashioned buildings in Europe and was completed in 1472.

In addition to daily services, there are many features to discover. York Minster has one of Europe’s biggest collections of stained glass, with 128 windows made from approximately 2 million individual pieces of stained glass. In the interactive underground chambers, you can discover the 2000-year-old history of York Minster. In the grounds outside the Minster, the Old Palace houses famous historical treasures, collections and a library.

For the best view in York, climb the Tower for a splendid view of the surrounding Yorkshire countryside. All year round there are special events, including performances by the York Minster Choir.

OPENING TIMES
Mon to Sat: 9:30 am—4:00 pm
Sun: 12:45 pm—2:15 pm
TICKET INFORMATION

MINSTER ONLY	MINSTER AND CENTRAL TOWER
Adult/Senior: £18 Child (17 and under)*: free with a paying adult *Up to four children with one paying adult	Adult/Senior: £24 Child (8-17): £6 To climb the tower you must be aged 8*

It costs £30,000 a day to run York Minster and your admission fee directly supports the future of the cathedral. We never charge for people to enter the cathedral to pray, light a candle or attend a service.

BOOKING

As a working church, we do need to close from time to time at short notice so we strongly recommend booking in advance so we can keep you informed of any changes in opening times.

For more information or to book, please contact our team using the details below or complete our enquiry form.

T: 01904 557275
E: bookings@yorkminster.org
1. What can visitors do in York Minster?

A．Stay in the Old Palace.	B．Explore its rich history.
C．Make windows from stained glass.	D．Climb the Tower to watch performances.

2. What’s the charge for a couple with their six-year-old twins visiting Minster only?

A．£24.

B．£36.

C．£42.

D．£48.

3. What do we know about York Minster?

A．It takes on a modern style.	B．It bans climbing of the Tower.
C．It may have temporary closures.	D．It charges people attending services.

10 . 阅读下面短文，根据题目要求用英文回答问题。请在答题卡指定区域作答。

I always wanted to be like explorers Marco Polo or Ibn Battuta. They traveled the world with curiosity and a desire to share with others the marvels they discovered. They had no Internet, guidebooks, social media, blogs, vlogs, reviews, or slideshows. And with so much information available, how can one possibly be like these travel writing pioneers?

The answer may shock you as it did my travel journalism students. I plan nothing in advance except for a place to stay and let the place reveal itself to me on its own terms. And how does that work out? I have contributed to 130 international publications with articles about what I discovered.

I do not recommend this approach to everyone. But what I do suggest is that you give up your desire to have everything planned in advance, and that you stop obsessing about all the trip details and trying to make it a perfect trip. Whether you are traveling with a tour group, friends, family, or solo, leave unstructured time, so magic can happen.

Many people I know approach travel like a job, and a stressful one at that. They want to make sure they cover all the bases and don’t miss anything. But in my opinion, they copy what others have done before them and check each site off on a list.

So how do you make your trip unique? I call it slow travel. It’s not just about slowing down. Instead of running from place to place, you look around you, you take your environment in, you notice things that perhaps no one has ever noticed before. You can start talking to people. Random people you meet and talk to are a key element you cannot plan for. They may tell you about places and events that will enrich your trip. They give you local insider tips. They may even accompany you or invite you to join them for an experience. They have enriched every trip I have taken. And the more you talk to people — even if you are shy — the more you develop the self - confidence to do more of it. And then you are really in the present, having an experience that is uniquely yours.

1. Why does the author’s way of travelling shock her students?
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2. What does the author think of most people’s way of travelling?
___________________________________________________________________________
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.

You can make your trip unique by making a detailed plan, noticing new things in the place and meeting local people to experience local life.

___________________________________________________________________________
4. Besides slow travel, in what other aspect （s） in our life do you think we should slow down? Why? （In about 40 words）
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