1 . Friends always ask why I, a middle-aged woman with no athletic (运动) talent (天赋), travel to perilous places — the jungles (丛林) of Thailand or Borneo, for example, where the water is often unsafe and the food risky; places with infectious diseases, poisonous snakes and the wildest animals.
I never know how to answer. Nine years ago I suffered a stroke (中风). To prevent another stroke, my doctors told me, I’d have to take dangerously high levels of blood thinner (血液稀释剂) for the rest of my life and any travel would be risky (冒险的).
I had to think about what was important to me: family, of course, and friends. But then what? No matter how many times I thought about it, I could not be happy without travel. Then I had to decide how I might manage the risk.
The first real test of my travel courage came nine months after my stroke when I joined my husband, Jack, on a business trip to China. After we’d toured the remains of a Tang dynasty temple on a high mountain, Jack wanted to ride down on a toboggan (长雪橇).
Before the stroke it would’ve seemed like fun. But now? I hesitated. My mental klaxon (高音喇叭) screamed warnings about the consequences of a cut, a fall, and a crash. Then, gaining confidence from who knew where, I lowered myself carefully into the toboggan, which marked my adventure (冒险) travel come back.
In the years since then, I’ve traveled about twenty-five percent of the time. Through it all, my lucks held out — no deadly falls, no car accidents or serious infections. For me, adventure travel is a risk worth taking. Travel broadens my world and keeps me connected to nature. What’s more, saying “yes” to travel keeps me connected to myself.
1. What does the underlined word “perilous” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Energetic. | B．Dangerous. | C．Romantic | D．Famous. |
| A．Do proper exercise. | B．Enjoy the rest of her life. |
| C．Spend more time with her family | D．Keep away (远离) from traveling |
| A．It was her last adventure. | B．She recovered (恢复) her courage (勇气) through it. |
| C．She liked the beautiful scenery in China. | D．It was the most dangerous experience in her life. |
| A．A business trip to China | B．Stroke, a dangerous disease |
| C．How I overcame the fear of disease | D．Why I still travel to the wild |
2 . Travelling with friends can be an amazing experience where you could make lifelong memories or it could ruin your friendship.
Communicate and respect each other. Everyone has personal preferences when travelling— from getting the bed closest to the bathroom or sitting in the airplane’s window seat. But sometimes things don’t go as you like. In this case, share your requirements directly with your travel companions.
Don’t disappear. When travelling with a group — or even just one other person — you may want some alone time. That’s completely fine, but make sure your friends know where you are and have a way of contacting you.
Get off your phone. Of course, your friends will understand if you need to take a call from a family member, or in the event of a work emergency, but other than that, try to stay off your phone.
| A．Give each other some space. |
| B．Include at least one activity for everyone. |
| C．So it’s important to make sure you and your friend(s) are on the same page. |
| D．At the same time, listen to their concerns and be respectful of them. |
| E．Don’t respond to less important work contact or send messages frequently. |
| F．It’s especially true of travelling in foreign countries or unfamiliar places. |
| G．And remember that consideration and respect go a long way. |
3 . If you could travel in time, where would you go? Perhaps you would watch an original performance of a Shakespeare’s play in Elizabethan England? What about hanging out with Laozi in the Spring and Autumn Period? Or maybe you’d voyage far ahead of the present day to see what the future holds.
The possibility of time travel is indeed appealing. Stories exploring the subject have been around for hundreds of years. Perhaps the best known example is the science fiction novel The Time Machine, which was written by H. G. Wells and published in 1895 for the first time. It was adapted into at least two feature films of the same name, as well as two television versions, and a large number of comic book adaptations. It is generally credited with the popularization of the concept of time travel using a vehicle that allows an operator to travel purposefully and selectively. The term “time machine”, coined by Wells, is now universally used to refer to a vehicle transporting people into the far future.
But could time travel actually be possible? Some scientists say yes, in theory. They propose using cracks in time and space called “wormholes”, which could be used as shortcuts to other periods. Einstein’s theory of relativity allows time travel in extreme circumstances. And British physicist Stephen Hawking said you could travel into the future with a really fast spaceship—going at nearly the speed of light. Though building such a spaceship would of course be no simple task.
Even if you could travel into the past, there is something called the “grandfather paradox”. It asks what would happen if a time traveller were to go back in time and have his own grandfather killed for some reason, and therefore prevent himself from being born. If the time traveller wasn’t born, how would he travel back in time?
And would you really like to visit the future? In H. G. Wells’ book, the main character travels into distant time where he arrives at a beach and is attacked by giant crabs. He then voyages 30 million years into the future where the only living thing is a black object with tentacles (触角). If that’s what’s in store, maybe we are better just living in the present day after all.
1. The novel The Time Machine mentioned in Paragraph 2 aims to show .| A．people’s interest in time travel |
| B．the special features of the book |
| C．the long history of time travel |
| D．the contribution of H. G. Wells |
| A．have similarities in many ways |
| B．push the invention of the first spaceship |
| C．have proved wrong by some time travellers |
| D．suggest the possibility to invent the time machine |
| A．the traveller is prevented from meeting his grandfather |
| B．the traveller goes back in time to seek for his grandfather |
| C．the grandfather’s death makes the traveller’s birth impossible |
| D．The reunion of the traveller and his grandfather brings happiness |
| A．Unclear. | B．Skeptical. |
| C．Supportive. | D．Unconcerned. |
4 . Recently, my husband and three kids were playing in the Mediterranean, swimming and floating in the picture-perfect sea. It was ridiculously beautiful in Majorca, Spain. The way the sun danced across the water and how the blue horizon was dotted with storybook sailboats were such beautiful scenes. I almost couldn’t believe my eyes.
My husband and I always dreamed about taking our kids on a trip around the world. It was something we always wanted to do “one day”. It was one of the things we talked in detail about, when we imagined our life with the children we hoped we would have.
Fourteen years later, we had three boys who were growing up faster by the day. It was time to make good on (兑现，实现) those plans.
We spent dozens of hours discussing, researching and planning.
We had to learn how to “road school” our kids and arrange time off from work. We renewed our passports, and then packed our bags.
We showed our kids the world. It was about experiencing the dozens of flights and trains and taxis together. We showed them how wonderful, how diverse, and how fascinating the world is. We wanted them to learn all that we had learned ourselves, through our own travels as young adults.
But there was something more than that: What we really wanted is to slow down time. We wanted the days to last a bit longer and the weeks to take their time. The years with our children are going too fast. We wanted to put the brakes on our busy lives for a year, and just be with our kids. We wanted a break from the daily morning routine of making lunches, eating breakfast and rushing out the door in time for school. We needed a family time-out (休息时间).
It was a wonderful two months in Europe, full of incredible moments. And when we look back at our lives, I know we’ll be glad we did it. I know we’ll be happy that this is a chapter of the story of our family.
1. What was the author’s attitude toward the trip when planning it?| A．Calm. | B．Expectant. | C．Stressed. | D．Worried. |
| A．Preparing for the vacation. |
| B．Having fun in the picture-perfect Mediterranean. |
| C．Experiencing a different and beautiful world. |
| D．Learning to study during trips as young adults. |
| A．To allow her children to see the world. |
| B．To teach her kids to value life. |
| C．To teach her kids what they can’t learn in school. |
| D．To enjoy a family break away from their usual busy life. |
| A．Exhausted. | B．Satisfied. | C．Disappointed. | D．Proud. |
5 . Planning a visit to the UK? Here we help with ways to cut your costs.
AVOID BIG EVENTS Big sporting events, concerts and exhibitions can increase the cost of accommodation and make it harder to find a room. A standard double room at the Thistle Brighton on the final Friday of the Brighton Comedy Festival (19 Oct.) cost £ 169. 15 at Booking.com. A week later, the same room cost £ 118.15.
If you can be flexible and want to know dates to avoid--- or you're looking for a big event to pass your time--- check out sites such as Whatsonwhen.com, which allow you to search for events in the UK by city, date and category.
STAYAWAY FROM THE STATION If traveling to your destination by train, you may want to find a good base close to the station, but you could end up paying more for the sake of convenience at the start of your holiday.
Don't be too choosy about the part of town you stay in. Booking two months in advance, the cheapest room at Travelodge's Central Euston hotel in London for Saturday 22 September was £ 95.95 . A room just a tube journey away at its Covent Garden hotel was £ 75.75 . And at Farringdon, a double room cost just £ 62.95 .
LOOK AFTER YOURSELF Really central hotels in cities such as London. Edinburgh and Cardiff can cost a fortune, especially at weekends and during big events. As a choice consider checking into a self-catering flat with its own kitchen, where you can cook. Often these flats are hidden away on the top floors of city centre buildings. A great example is the historic O'Neill Flat on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, available for £ 420 for five days in late September, with room for four adults.
GET ON A BIKE London’s "Boris bikes' have attracted the most attention, but other cities also have similar programs that let you rent a bicycle and explore at your own pace, saving you on public transport or car parking costs.
Among the smaller cities with their own programs are Newcastle (casual members pay around £ 1.50 for two hours) and Cardiff (free for up to 30 minutes, or £5 per day).
1. The Brighton Comedy Festival is mentioned mainly to show big events may ________.| A．help travelers pass time |
| B．attract lots of travelers to the UK |
| C．allow travelers to make flexible plans |
| D．cause travelers to pay more for accommodation |
| A．a hotel away from the train station | B．the tube line to Covent Garden |
| C．an ideal holiday destination | D．the name of a travel agency |
| A．lies on the ground floor |
| B．is located in central London |
| C．provides cooking facilities for tourists |
| D．costs over £100 on average per day in late September |
| A．half an hour | B．one hour |
| C．one hour and a half | D．two hours |
| A．to tell visitors how to book in advance |
| B．to supply visitors with hotel information |
| C．to show visitors the importance of self-help |
| D．to offer visitors some money-saving tips |
6 . Shakespeare once wrote that all the world is a stage, but these days it’s more like a movie set. Get to know some films to find fantastic film locations(地点）you should check out on your travels.
The Sound o f Music
Austria’s hills are certainly alive with the sound of music and tourists. Mozart may have been born in Salzburg, but The Sound of Music really put it on the map and now about 70 percent of people visit it because of the movie. Cross Residenzplatz Square and visit the Palace of Leopoldskron where the children in the film fell into the lake.
Troy
Although the Palace of Troy was filmed on sets built at Shepperton Studios in the UK, most of the 2004 movie was shot in Malta and Baja California, Mexico, Malta with historic sites arid beautiful blue waters was a good choice to replace Greece. Troy was shot at a host of locations, including Golden Bay, Hal Far as well as Fort Ricasoli (where the city of Troy was constructed). The Trojan horse from the film is now lying on the waterfront in Canakkale, Turkey.
Bridget Jones's Diary
Bridget Jones is brought to life as we watch the work and romance in London. Her special corner flat is above the Globe Tavern by Borough Market, one of the city’s oldest and biggest food markets. According to The Telegraph, it would be highly unlikely that she could afford to buy a place like that today since it has risen in value by more than 240 percent.
Harry Potter
J. K. Rowling started writing the Harry Potter books while she was living in Edinburgh, Scotland, so it’s no surprise that she set most of the story there. The Hogwarts Express travels through the Scottish Highlands and along the 31 meters high Glenfinnan Viaduct. The second highest waterfall in the UK, Steal Falls can be seen during Quidditch matches.
1. What does the author mean by saying “Shakespeare once wrote that all the world is a stage, but these days it’s more like a movie set”？| A．More movies will need more sets. |
| B．More and more films are being made. |
| C．All the world has become a huge stage for arts. |
| D．Many places have become famous because they were used as movie sets. |
| A．The Sound of Music. | B．Troy. |
| C．Bridget Jones's Diary. | D．Harry Potter, |
| A．Both of them are mainly about romance. |
| B．Both authors lived in the same house. |
| C．Most of their stories were set in the UK. |
| D．They cause the prices of houses to rise. |
7 . There are many places worth visiting in the world. Here are some of the places that almost every person wants to see in their life.
Santorini
This is one of the most amazing places in the world. It is said to have been destroyed in the 16th century. It has been rebuilt and its beauty increases with every passing day. There are a lot of islands in Greece and sunbathing on any of these would be an unforgettable experience.
The Capilano Suspension Bridge
An amazing place to visit in the world is the Capilano Suspension Bridge. This bridge is located in Vancouver in British Columbia, a province of Canada. Its beauty appeals to visitors from all over the world. It's almost 140 meters long and 70 meters above the river.
Rome
Another beautiful place to visit is the ancient city of Rome in Italy. It is also known as the center of Western civilization. This city was founded in 753 BC. The Colosseum (罗马斗兽场), which is one of the world's most symbolic monuments, is also in Rome.
The Taj Mahal
It is also a good choice to visit the Taj Mahal in India. It is called the monument of love and built to show Mughal Emperor Shah Jeha's love for his wife. It is located on the south bank of the Yamuna River. Its ivory-white color attracts many tourists and it is one of the miracles of the Mughal art of building.
1. What can visitors do in Santorini?| A．Go sunbathing. | B．Visit the monument of love. |
| C．Climb the suspension bridge. | D．Experience western civilization. |
| A．Italy. | B．Greece. | C．England. | D．Canada. |
| A．Its roof is made of ivory. |
| B．It is a typical Mughal style building. |
| C．It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah as his tomb. |
| D．It is located on the north bank of the Yamuna River. |
8 . Beautiful Islands in the World
Waiheke Island, New Zealand
Waiheke is just a 35-minute ferry ride from Auckland. Join a wine test and relax over a delicious vineyard (葡萄园）lunch. Visiting Waiheke is a great journey, where you can either take a relaxing walk explore the beaches or fly smoothly in the forest with a zip-line（飞索）.
If you want to stay on the island overnight, we advise you to stay at the “Delamore lodge”, where you will enjoy relaxing spa treatments, delicious food and wine and a wonderful swimming pool with a good view.
Madagascar. Africa
Madagascar is the fourth largest island on our planet and a dream destination for outdoors lovers where you can see rare animals, rain-forests and great white sandy beaches. The Avenue of the Baobabs is a must- see if you are traveling to Madagascar. You must also visit one of Madagascar’s natural parks to see its wild animals. From July to October, pass by “Nosy Be” to see one of the rarest animals on the planet, Omura’s whales(鲸).
Kauai. Hawaii
Kauai is part of the Hawaiian Islands and is also named “the Garden Island”. It is indeed an island made up of sharp mountains and waterfalls. On the south shore, you'll find sites of cultural, historical and geological importance alongside beautiful beaches. The island of Kauai has been well-known for more than seventy Hollywood movies and television shows, such as Indiana Jones , Jurassic Park and Jurassic World.
Jamaica
In Jamaica, you will fall in love with the warm Caribbean weather, beautiful beaches, amazing sunsets and great waterfalls.
Our favorite spots: the romantic “Reach Falls” in Portland and “Negril town” for its great concerts and beautiful sunsets. Walk into Floyd’s Pelican Bar, named after the birds that like to sit on its roof. It’s one of the world’s coolest bars and is lying in the middle of the sea!
1. When can you see Omura’s whales in Madagascar?| A．In January. | B．In June. | C．In September. | D．In November. |
| A．Kauai. | B．Madagascar. | C．Jamaica. | D．Waiheke Island. |
| A．Talking with film stars. | B．Attending great concerts. |
| C．Having a vineyard lunch. | D．Playing with wild birds. |
9 . Not all walks need be a forced march. Here are 4 of Britain's gentlest routes, both urban trails and countryside meanderings（曲径）.
The Grand Union Canal, Birmingham
Start Point:The Bordesley Centre
The original Grand Union Canal runs for 137 miles, taking you through an industrial area to discover the hidden world of canals, with narrow boats, wildlife and fishermen. Along the canal, look out for wildflowers and birdlife, and narrow boats negotiating the locks. The walk can be extended along the canal at either end to make it flexible in length.
Warley Woods, Keswick
Start point:Keswick Youth Hostel
Starting in the centre of Keswick, this walk takes you up through Castlehead Wood, the perfect place for a woodland adventure, and to a wonderful viewpoint over Derwentwater and the surrounding mountains. The route then takes you down to the lakeshore and returns across Crow Park to the market square.
Chester-le-Street, County Durham
Start point:Chester-le-Street Amateur Rowing Club
A lovely riverside walk along the banks of the River Wear, through Riverside Park and past Durham county football club. The circular route follows a curve in the river, meaning you'll have beautiful views along the way. Watch the rowers on the river or stop in the park to feed the swans and ducks. This walk is wheelchair-friendly.
Hathersage Flower Meadows（草地），Derbyshire
Start point:Hathersage Railway Station
There are attractive views to be appreciated throughout this scenic walk and two sites of protected meadow offer a real treat to summertime walkers. Fans of the works of great masters, like Charlotte Bronte, will enjoy spotting several places that are closely associated with the authors.
1. What can you do in Warley Woods?| A．Enjoy mountain scenery. |
| B．Walk along the canal. |
| C．Go boating on the lake. |
| D．Do shopping in the park. |
| A．It is attractive to shoppers. |
| B．It is available to the disabled. |
| C．It is friendly to foreign tourists. |
| D．It is popular with football fans. |
| A．The Grand Union Canal. |
| B．Warley Woods. |
| C．Chester-le-Street. |
| D．Hathersage Flower Meadows. |
10 . Popular Attractions in San Francisco
San Francisco is a famous city in northern California on America's west coast. There are beautiful landmark sites such as the Golden Gate Bridge and winding Lombard Street.
Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge is the symbol and landmark of San Francisco. The Bridge spans the entire San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate strait of the Pacific Ocean, making it an important transportation hub linking San Francisco and cities to the north. Many US movies and TV shows have been filmed here.
Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman s Wharf is a strip extending from Ghirardelli Square all the way to Pier 35 and close to popular destinations such as Chinatown and the Lombard Street. Famous sites such as Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay Bridge can also be sighted in the distance. This is home to a wealth of shops and restaurants and lively street shows can be seen everywhere.
Lombard Street
Lombard Street is so named for its multiple hairpin turns. The 40 degree inclination here Poses a serious challenge to driving skills. The whole street is paved with bricks and lined on either side with foliage as well as multicolored flowers, offering diverse views all around the year.
Palace of Fine Arts
The San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts was originally built to display works of art for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915, but was mostly rebuilt in 1965. The lake and surrounding trees are also home to wildlife, such as ducks, birds and raccoons. On top of the dusky red stone pillars stand sculptures of nymphs, which are a favorite subject of many photographers.
1. Where should visitors go if they are movie fans?| A．Palace of Fine Arts. | B．Fisherman's Wharf. |
| C．Lombard Street. | D．Golden Gate Bridge. |
| A．Multicolored flowers. | B．The bricks. |
| C．Its sharp turns. | D．Diverse views. |
| A．Take Pictures of sculptures. | B．Improve their driving skills. |
| C．Appreciate lively street shows. | D．Enjoy delicious food. |
