1 . From the gardens of Iceland to the mountains of Nepal, here are four places to celebrate abundance and beauty in the natural world.

Keukenhof Gardens, the Netherlands

The Netherlands produces nearly 90% of the world's tulips, making it the unique destination for a wonderful spring experience. Cycle along the 25-mile Flower Route, where flower fields paint the countryside in bright colors. Travelers can also visit Keukenhof Gardens 16 miles southwest of Amsterdam. Considered the world's largest flower garden, Keukenhof features seven million flowering tulips from March to May.

Umm Qais, Jordan

Despite being 75% desert, Jordan's northern highlands burst with brightly colored flowers from March to May. Take a self-guided hike on one of the several ancient trails starting from the ruins of Umm Qais or hire a local guide who can offer cultural and historical context and help you identify wildflowers along the way, including Jordan's endangered national flower, the black iris.

Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina

Travelers can find a wealth of plant species in North Carolina's mountains—the most in any similarly sized area in North America. The best known may be the pink and purple rhododendrons that blanket the Blue Ridge Mountains in summer.

Numerous hiking trails leading to the amazing sights are just 30 miles from downtown Asheville. In June, travelers can take the hour-long drive from Asheville to Bakersville to enjoy the North Carolina Rhododendron Festival.

Ghorepani Poon Hill, Nepal

Travelling along the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek in spring offers breathtaking views of the country's iconic rhododendrons. March or April gives travelers the rhododendrons in full bloom, but November gives drier weather. Go with local Sherpa guides and cooks—it's part of the experience.

1. What is probably the best time to see the tulips in Keukenhof Gardens?

A．February.

B．April.

C．June.

D．November.

2. Which country considers the black iris as its national flower?

A．Jordan.

B．America.

C．Nepal.

D．The Netherlands.

3. What do the last two destinations have in common?

A．They are surrounded by deserts.	B．They have the most plant species.
C．They offer unique ancient ruins.	D．They are known for the same flower.

3 . The advantages of solo (独自) travel

● One benefit of solo travel is that it forces you to become independent, make decisions, and step out of your comfort zone on a regular basis — something you wouldn’t necessarily do if you weren’t traveling alone.

When you travel solo, you have nobody to rely on but yourself, and that pushes you to learn how to function in the world.     1     If something goes wrong, it’s up to you to figure out how to get out of the situation.

●     2     You can wake up whenever you want and eat whatever you want. When you’re traveling solo, you can be selfish and change your mind every few days and not have to consult anybody else.

● One of the biggest benefits of solo travel is how easy it is to meet people on the road. All you need to do is wander into a hotel room and within minutes, someone will strike up a conversation with you.     3     A lot of travelers will assume that if you’re already in a team, you don’t want to be disturbed, and will turn to the solo traveler almost every time.

● Solo travel can be helpful for your mental state, too. Solo travel builds confidence as you travel through an unfamiliar city, chat with strangers and figure out how to get from one place to another.     4    

● Another item in the “pro” column for solo travel is that it can be a time for reflection and can help bring peace to your mind.     5     You can learn what truly makes you happy and what you need to work on to improve as a person. It can often be challenging to face these truths but learning to overcome them is all part of the process of growing.

A．It’s sink-or-swim time!

B．You’ll get to know yourself better than you ever have before.

C．Solo travel is something everyone should try at some point in their lives.

D．Your social skills will be improved by meeting people and talking more.

E．Another benefit to solo travel is not having to compromise on your travels.

F．When traveling solo, you’re much more approachable than when you’re in a group.

G．Not having someone to share all those amazing experiences with can lead to depression.

4 . With so many options for short, beautiful walks in Queenstown, you are truly spoiled for choice. Here’s a list of local picks that will help you discover the best walks around Queenstown, a walkers’ paradise, for every age and ability.

Tiki Trail

For one of the best views of Queenstown and a decent workout, climb the Tiki Trail up to the Skyline Gondola building. Starting at the base of the Gondola, the Tiki Trail winds its way steeply through trees towards the lookout at the top.

Choose to hike back to Queenstown. Or if the climb has gotten the better of you, sit back, relax and catch a ride in the Skyline Gondola.

Queenstown Gardens

The Queenstown Gardens Trail is a wheelchair-accessible trail just a few minutes from central Queenstown. The flat, easy track has spectacular views of Lake Whakatipu, Cecil Peak, and Walter Peak and the manicured gardens are beautiful year-round.

You could spend hours here exploring the rose gardens or playing disc golf. If you’re tight on time, the loop around the shore of Lake Whakatipu takes less than an hour to complete.

Arrow River Trail

Starting in historic Arrowtown, a walk along the Arrow River Trail is a must-do for any visitor to Queenstown.

The track will have you filling your camera memory, especially in autumn due to the explosion of colours on the trees. From here, you can cross the bridge and walk back along the riverside or go back the way you came. Back in Arrowtown, it’s lovely to walk along the river and amongst the trees before rejoining Arrowtown’s quaint streets to admire the café culture, discover the region’s history or grab a pint in the sunshine.

Ben Lomond Track

Ben Lomond will greet you from the moment you arrive in town. Not for the faint-hearted or inexperienced, this demanding climb is a full-day mission with a spectacular reward.

Walkers aiming for the summit should be fully equipped and allow six to eight hours, depending on the conditions. Be prepared for snow and ice above the bush line from April to November.

1. Which place is a better choice for the disabled?

A．Tiki Trail.	B．Arrow River Trail.
C．Queenstown Gardens.	D．Ben Lomond Track.

2. What can visitors do in Arrow River Trail?

A．Appreciate the rose fragrance.	B．Experience demanding climb.
C．Have a bird-eye view of Queenstown.	D．Learn about the local history.

3. What is the purpose of the passage?

A．To compare things.	B．To inform readers.
C．To uncover the unseen.	D．To warn readers.

5 . The New Jersey State Botanical (植物学的) Garden (NJBG) is a part of Ringwood State Park, New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, Department of Environmental Protection. It appears on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

Membership

It’s easy to join NJBG or renew your membership—or a gift membership—online, by phone or by mail. And it’s very important to the Botanical Garden. Your membership dollars help to protect the Garden, and provide educational activities for the general public. Thank you for your support!

To join or renew, please click on the section below for safe and convenient online payment. If you prefer to join by phone or mail, call the NJBG office at (973)962-9534 to get more information.

Membership Benefits

NJBG is an exciting and beautiful place to visit, with formal gardens, native woodlands, and about 5,000 species and varieties of trees, shrubs and flowers. Your NJBG membership enables you to purchase plants at a reduced price at plant shops.

Join NJBG Today

New Member	Individual	Family	Student
Yearly	$35	$60	$25
Two Years	$60	$110	$40

Renew Membership

Membership Renewal	Individual	Family	Student
Yearly	$30	$50	$25
Two Years	$50	$90	$40

1. What’s one of the purposes of the money paid for membership?

A．To provide service for the public.

B．To build a new botanical museum.

C．To improve the educational level of the gardeners.

D．To update NJBG’s payment system.

2. What benefit does the NJBG members get?

A．Joining in activities for free.	B．Visiting the Garden anytime.
C．Learning to care for a garden.	D．Buying plants at a lower price.

3. How much do you need to renew the two-year membership for you and your parents?

A．$60.

B．$90

C．$100.

D．$110.

6 . Why are you doing this? I often hear that or similar questions. Many people don’t understand why I like travelling by bicycle.     1     But for me, it’s the best way to travel.

When I sit on the bike, I am free and flexible. I can stop at any time to eat or start the stove to enjoy a coffee with breathtaking views. I’m not dependent on bus or train.     2     I come to places I would never have seen. My bike makes it possible for me not to plan beforehand, which leaves space for adventure. Because adventures don’t come around the corner during a planned hotel-vacation.

I am in the nature the whole day. The wind blows across my face.     3     I see monkeys hanging directly above me in the tree, whales swimming along the coast, a bear waving at us and many more animals. Smelling the blackberries, I’m stopping to fill my stomach. In the car, bus or train, I would have missed all of these.

    4     Some long-term cyclists spend 4,000 dollars per year or less. And I spend about 350-450 dollars a month. This is due to two reasons: I have no transport costs. And I also have the freedom of wild camping, during which I can cook for myself. All these factors contribute to a cheap travel.

I could tell hundreds of stories. Because of getting to know so many people, I have experienced a lot. The travel form itself invites many to ask questions. And the best thing about it is that all these stories make me rich. I’m rich in memories, of which I always think with laughter.     5    

A．I listen to the birds singing.

B．And they think it’s so tiring.

C．It will change the way you see the world.

D．I can decide for myself when and where to go.

E．Before my start, I was fascinated by the bike touring community.

F．Nobody can ever take them away and they are of great value to me.

G．Compared to other travel forms, bike touring is one of the most affordable.

7 . Four of the Best Autumn Walks in Britain

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London

It houses the widest variety of living plants of any botanic garden (植物园) on the planet, including around 14,000 trees. Every autumn, its woodland delivers an extraordinary view of bright red and yellow as leaves of various trees begin to change. Join a guided trees tour and learn how different trees are dealing with the changing seasons.

Brechfa Forest, Abergorlech

Brechfa Forest covers some 16,000 acres in Carmarthenshire, Wales, making it easy for walkers to enjoy themselves in woodlands transformed (改变) by autumn’s finest colours. Follow the Gorlech Walk, which tracks the river Gorlech and passes Californian redwoods that become a mix of red and purple in November. After your walk, drive to Carmarthen, one of the oldest towns in Wales, for lunch.

Batsford Arboretum, Cotswolds

More than 1,300 different trees and bamboos are showcased at Batsford Arboretum, near the picture-perfect town of Moreton-in-Marsh. This private garden covers 60 acres, providing outstanding colours between late October and November. Highlights include its large areas of leaf shades ranging from red to purple. Pre-booking tickets during autumn is recommended to avoid a large number of visitors.

Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire

There are over 3,800 acres of parkland to explore at Clumber Park, a beautiful place featuring Sherwood Forest that shows different and changing colours in autumn. With over 20 miles of trails (小径), there’s plenty of ground to cover, so consider bringing your bike. Keep an eye out for the park’s birds, which is a main attraction for birdwatchers.

1. What can you do at Royal Botanic Gardens?

A．Admire Sherwood Forest.	B．Join a guided trees tour.
C．Enjoy Moreton-in-Marsh.	D．Have lunch in an old town.

2. What are you advised to do to visit Batsford Arboretum in autumn?

A．Ride a bike with friends.	B．Walk along a 20-mile trail.
C．Book a ticket in advance.	D．Set off early in the morning.

3. Where will you go if you love birdwatching?

A．Clumber Park.	B．Brechfa Forest.
C．Batsford Arboretum.	D．Royal Botanic Gardens.

9 . Whether you like history or simply learning something new, these four museums are worth paying a visit to.

Tenement Museum

Located in New York, the Tenement Museum showcases the stories of the immigrants and migrants (移民) who came to America between the 1860s and the 1980s. See how they pursued the “American dream.” Their determination and endless desire to carve out a better life not only reflects the depths of the human spirit, but also how America came to be the country it is today.

National Museum of the American Indian

Located in Washington, D.C., the National Museum of the American Indian contains one of the world’s largest collections of native artifacts (手工艺品), photographs and documents. Featuring both ongoing and temporary exhibits, the museum documents many ways American Indians integrated into American history and culture.

Mississippi Civil Rights Museum

The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson features eight galleries filled with interactive exhibits that tell the stories of black Mississippians and their fight for equality from 1945 to 1976. You’ll hear the stories of Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Vernon Dahmer, and you’ll also hear about many men, women and children who fought to be recognized as equals. Artifacts include a “colored” entrance sign, the gun used to shoot Evers, a burned cross, and a button from the 1966 March Against Fear.

The National WWII Museum

In New Orleans’ No. 1 attraction, the National WWII Museum, visitors can see why World War II was fought, explore key moments such as D-Day and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and put themselves in the shoes of those who had to make difficult decisions during the war. You even can take a 4D journey through the war in “Beyond All Boundaries.”

1. Which museum best suits visitors interested in ongoing and temporary exhibits?

A．Tenement Museum.	B．National Museum of the American Indian.
C．Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.	D．The National WWII Museum.

2. What can we learn about Medgar Evers from the text?

A．He organized the1966 March Against Fear.

B．He joined the army and fought in World War II.

C．He laid down his own life in the fight for equality.

D．He immigrated to the US to pursue his American dream.

3. What is the main purpose of the author writing this text?

A．To recommend people to visit the museums.

B．To make a comparison of the four museums.

C．To remind readers never to forget our past history.

D．To share his own experiences in visiting the museums.