1 . Must-See Destinations in 2024

Are you ready to explore the world in 2024? Whether you dream of sailing down famous European rivers or exploring unique places, our list of must-see destinations is here to inspire your travels.

Spain

Throw yourself into the rich culture and history of Spain. From the sunny beaches of Tenerife to the Moorish architecture (建筑物) of Andalucía, there’s so much to explore in this lively country. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage (遗产) city of La Laguna and become amazed at the beauty of Cordoba, Seville, and La Alhambra, or relax on a beach holiday to Majorca or Tenerife.

Montenegro

Despite its size, Montenegro has beautiful beaches, rich history, and a breathtaking channel. Experience the beauty of the Montenegrin coast — Dalmatia’s jewel (宝石) is the UNESCO World Heritage listed oasis of Dubrovnik, famously praised by Lord Bryon as The Pearl of the Adriatic.

Croatia

Discover the beauty that is Dubrovnik. Explore the 16th-century city’s defensive walls and red-roofed buildings. Sail along Croatia’s Adriatic Coast, where attractive villages and beautiful towns like Pula, Rovinj, and Poreč are just waiting to be explored...

South Africa

Explore the wonders of South Africa, from the Garden Route’s nature reserves to the thrill of a Safari drive in the Kariega Game Reserve. Discover the different plants and animals while searching for the “Big Five” on an unforgettable South Africa holiday.

With over 25 years of experience creating holidays for the curious, Travel Department ensures that your journey is in good hands. Plus as a trusted Reader’s Digest Travel partner, you can get special deals when you travel with them across lots of different 2024 holidays. If you want to know more information, please click here.

1. What do Spain and Montenegro have in common?

A．They are both praised by tourists.

B．They both have world heritage cities.

C．They are known for their architectures.

D．They both own beaches and rich history.

2. Which destination will attract people who are interested in creatures?

A．Spain.	B．South Africa.
C．Montenegro.	D．Croatia.

3. Where is this text most likely from?

A．A website.	B．A guidebook.
C．A novel.	D．A magazine.

2 . Traveling is a great way to experience new cultures and landscapes, learn about different ways of life, and simply have an adventure. It can also help you open your mind to new ideas and perspectives.     1     They provide insight, tips, and inspiration for people looking to explore the world around them. From detailed guides to personal stories, these books offer readers a way to experience the world without ever leaving their homes.

One book that perfectly captures (描述) the spirit of travel is The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande.     2     Through her moving writing style, Grande paints a vivid picture of the struggles and joys of crossing a physical and cultural border.

Her book has a great impact on readers.     3     By sharing her own experiences, Grande offers hope and inspiration to anyone looking to take the leap and explore the world around them.

One of the greatest benefits of traveling to places inspired by books for students is the opportunity to explore and learn about many different cultures. Immersing (使沉浸) yourself in unfamiliar surroundings can help open your eyes to different ways of life.     4    

Being able to communicate effectively with those from different backgrounds is essential for any student, especially in today’s international society.     5     It can further improve conversation and fluency (流畅).

Lastly, by traveling to places inspired by books, students will gain a deeper understanding of the works that inspired them to take the journey in the first place.

A．Meeting new people can be invaluable.

B．That’s why there are so many books about traveling.

C．Literary works often include ideas beyond a reader’s imagination.

D．It can even help you gain insight into why people live differently from you.

E．It’s an inspiring story that will stay with them long after they finish the last page.

F．Traveling abroad helps students practice using their language skills in real-life situations.

G．In this book, Grande describes her journey from Mexico to America and how it shaped her life.

3 . Welcome to American United Travel Company. We’ll help you spend a perfect holiday. For over 6 years, we have been organizing value for money summer holidays, whether it’s a late holiday deal or your main summer holiday. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a luxury 5-star holiday, or you just want to relax and soak up the sun, we’ve got access to the very best flight and hotel deals throughout the world. We are proud to offer you various services unlike other tour companies where we offer one-stop shop for complete tourism.

Our Services Include

Tours. Meet & Assist Services. Airport Transfer. MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Conferences, Exhibitions) private Jets. Ground handling (24 hours) VIP services on arrival & departure. Adventure Tour.

Means of Transportation Reservations

We operate for all means of transportation available in the country, starting with buses for groups to car rental to individuals.

Guidance

We have the most qualified guides who speak French, English, German, Italian, and Spanish. We bank on their communication skills as well as their knowledge in various fields.

Fancy Dinners

We prepare outdoor dinners in particular places such as castles, beaches, old and traditional houses, etc. Usually, these dinners are arranged according to the clients’ choices.

Luggage Concierge

Don’t worry about luggage size and weight when travelling. Give your bags to Luggage Concierge in advance and they will be waiting for you at your destination when you arrive.

Call one of our experienced travel consultants on 18884700610 to secure one of these fantastic deals.

1. What is special about United Travel company?

A．It provides one-stop complete tourism.	B．It supplies the best flight and hotels.
C．It offers transfer service.	D．Its guides speak various languages.

2. What can you do with your luggage before travelling?

A．Send it to your destination directly.	B．Carry it by yourself.
C．Keep it as light as possible.	D．Hand it to Luggage Concierge.

3. What’s the purpose of the text?

A．To diversify the economy.	B．To attract tourists.
C．To conserve the environment.	D．To entertain readers.

4 . For even the most city citizens, a quick escape into nature is always a welcome breath of fresh air. Try looking for an urban garden nearby — they often hide themselves just around the corner. Click here to know more of the coolest gardens in cities around the world.

Sky Garden

As London’s highest public garden, this social space offers splendid 360-degree views of the city. With a restaurant, observation decks and beautiful plant life, there is something for everyone in this city-center escape from urban life.

The BeltLine

In a massive, 22-mile loop (环线) around the city, the BeltLine connects many Atlanta neighborhoods with parks, trails, restaurants and art shows. Although it is still under construction, the sections that are open to the public act as alternative space to enjoy the outdoors.

Jardins de Rubió i Lluch

This walled, shady garden is in the courtyard of the historic Hospital de la Santa Creu. Decorated with lilac and mandarin trees — and string lights in the evenings — this small garden square is the perfect place to sip a coffee away from Barcelona’s crowded atmosphere.

Dumbarton Oaks

The garden at this historic estate in Georgetown was listed as one of the 10 best gardens in the world by National Geographic in 2014. It has both a formal, carefully manicured (修剪整齐的) garden as well as a naturalistic garden — allowing visitors the ability to choose what they want to see.

1. Where is the passage taken from?

A．A magazine.

B．A website.

C．A newspaper.

D．A book.

2. Which garden best suits people who enjoy overlooking the city?

A．Sky Garden.	B．The BeltLine.
C．Jardins de Rubió i Lluch.	D．Dumbarton Oaks.

3. What do the four gardens have in common?

A．They are all mixtures of entertainment and art.

B．They are all mixtures of urban and rural gardens.

C．They are all good places for people to get close to nature.

D．They are all quiet places for people to enjoy a relaxed dinner.

5 . The Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon

The Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon in Tibet is the deepest canyon in the world. With a total length of about 500 kilometers, its altitude spans from 7,782 meters at Namchak Barwa, the highest peak of the eastern Himalayas, to 550 meters around the Yarlung Zangbo River Valley in Metog county.

One unique feature of the spring sight here is that visitors can enjoy both the peach blossoms and the snow-capped mountains at the same time. The water Peach Blossom Fair is also an attraction in the area.

Bangong Lake National Forest Park

Bangong Lake National Forest Park is an ideal place for bird watching in Tibet in spring. Due to the good ecological environment, the island boasts a good variety of bird species. Every spring, warm winds from the Bay of Bengal blow into the Ngari Plateau, birds that fly from the plateau to the South Asian continent the previous winter would return here to lay eggs and breed.

Namtso will present its most attractive scenery in March and April, which makes it a great place to visit in spring. In April, when the weather warms up and the snow melts, Namtso slowly wakes up. Visitors could enjoy a stunning view of half lake and half ice.

Lake Manasarova

Lake Manasarova sits 4,500 meters above sea level in Purang county, Ngari prefecture. Snow melt from the Gangdise Mountains hugging the lake is the source for the nearby Yarlung Zangbo River as well as the mighty Ganges.

The Manasarova wetland is a key “climate regulator” on the plateau and home to more than 400 rare species including the black-necked crane and the Tibetan wild donkey. Enshrined as “holy lake and sacred mountain”along with Gang Rinpoche, Lake Manasarova in spring attracts a large number of pilgrims (朝圣者) as well as tourists from home and abroad.

1. What is special about visiting the Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon?

A．It is the longest and deepest canyon in the world.

B．You can enjoy peach blossoms and the snow mountains as well.

C．It runs through the highest mountain in the Himalayas in Tibet.

D．Brave visitors can do some white water rafting in the river.

2. Which place will you visit if you are fond of watching feathered friends?

A．The Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon	B．Bangong Lake National Forest Park
C．The Manasarova wetland	D．The Ngari Plateau

3. What do the three destinations have in common?

A．All three places have a great and beautiful lake.

B．We can enjoy beautiful peach blossom in all three.

C．All three have beautiful spring attractions in Tibet.

D．All three are rich in rare species.

7 . Unusual Castles Around the World

Whether a fantastic achievement of architecture or just a try to appeal to the public intentionally, the four curious castles below are far from ordinary.

Kelburn Castle, Largs, Scotland

When viewed from some sides, Kelburn Castle looks like a typical Scottish castle. But on the building’s south side, the stone tower and walls are covered in cartoon-style graffiti (涂鸦). The castle’s graffiti is the work of four artists. The graffiti took 1,500 cans of paint to create.

Predjama Castle, Predjama. Slovenia

Predjama Castle was built directly into the mouth of a cave located halfway up a little over 123-meter cliff (悬崖) face. Although the site dates back to at least the 13th century, the current building was reconstructed during the 16th century. The impressive castle holds the Guinness World Records for the largest cave castle in the world.

Swallow’s Nest, Gaspra, Crimea

It’s common for castles to be built near the edge of a cliff, but few look so unsafe as the Swallow’s Nest in Crimea, which extends out over the Black Sea. The foundation of this small castle, which measures 20 meters in length and 10 meters in width, extends beyond the edge of the 40-meter cliff. The current stone building was once a wooden structure.

Trosky Castle, Troskovice, Czech Republic

On the top of two volcanic mouths is Trosky Castle, which dates back to the end of the 14th century. Along with the towers on each peak, the castle is also built on the ridge (山脊) that connects the peaks. After a defensive stronghold during war time, the castle was abandoned. The government took control of the site in 1925 and the remains of its walls are now carefully maintained.

1. What highlights Kelburn Castle?

A．Its history.

B．Its location.

C．Its design.

D．Its function.

2. What do Predjama Castle and Swallow’s Nest have in common?

A．They were once rebuilt.	B．They were abandoned.
C．They are cave castles.	D．They are the same length.

3. Which castle lies on the volcanic rock?

A．Kelburn Castle.	B．Predjama Castle.
C．Swallow’s Nest.	D．Trosky Castle.

8 . If you have a list of destinations you want to visit, make your travel dreams a reality by taking a fully guided holiday with a travel agency.     1     For example, it’s ideal for anyone looking for stress-free experience especially in places where the culture or language may be unfamiliar.

    2     With each trip created carefully around the needs of different travellers, a travel agency’s guided tours offer the best of each destination, which can ensure you don’t waste a moment. Their local, expert guides have a huge wealth of local knowledge. This local knowledge will make your travel unique.

Additionally, knowledgeable guides can make your holiday even better. Accompanying you throughout your holiday, they will offer useful tips about your chosen destination. They can share wonderful facts that only locals know, recommend the best restaurants, and introduce you to the most interesting local characters.     3    

When you begin an adventurous trip, having a guided tour means you’re in safe hands. A travel agent takes care of everything from the start to the end of your holiday. It will also make sure every transfer and hotel check-in goes through smoothly.     4    

Usually, the people you meet on holiday are the highlight of the entire trip. On a guided tour, you’ll have amazing memories of the shared experiences you had together. The holiday mood includes group where everyone feels welcome.     5     After the trip, it’s likely that you will arrange to meet up on another holiday through a travel agency!

A．You may find one in the group you like well.

B．A guided tour can provide you with many advantages.

C．If something goes wrong, a guide will be on hand to help.

D．You won’t just come way from your trip with just a few photos.

E．A package tour means you can go economical during your holiday.

F．All this means you’ll have a deeper appreciation for the destination.

G．Guided tours with a travel agency can give you an enjoyable schedule.

9 . When places are well-known and popular— historical and modern alike— we might take it for granted that they’ll be around forever. But sadly, many of the world’s best known and culturally significant landmarks are in trouble.

Mount Kilimanjaro’s peak

This mountain, one of the Seven Summits, proves that even giants can fall to climate change due to the vast amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. While the mountain itself, located in Tanzania, isn’t in danger at present, its iconic snow cap might disappear—and shockingly soon. Research found that the snow cap had lost 85% of the total area of its ice fields between 1912 and 2007, and the remaining ice could be history as early as 2030.

Machu Picchu

Located in southern Peru, Machu Picchu is the remains of a huge stone castle that was built during the 15th century. These unbelievable Incan ruins are widely considered one of the must-see spots in South America. However, the site has been a victim of over-tourism, seeing the harmful effects of the crowds it gets as they wear down the structures. In addition, the area surrounding Machu Picchu has seen rapid development of the cities, as well as mudslides and fires, in recent years, leading UNESCO to work for its protection.

Everglades National Park

This stunning Floridian wildlife reserve has sadly found itself fighting for its life in recent years. As ‘the largest subtropical wilderness reserve’ in North America, according to UNESCO, it’s been a beloved travel destination for American citizens for decades, but the damage of time and human activity have not been kind to it. Its survival first came into question after it was destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in 1993. But it’s human influence that has become the primary threat, as water flow to the site has decreased and the impacts of pollution have increased, resulting in harmful algal blooms (赤潮). Its vast, diverse wildlife is more threatened than ever before.

1. Which problem does Mount Kilimanjaro face?

A．Global warming	B．City development.
C．Over-tourism	D．Ice pollution.

2. What do these three places have in common?

A．They are the impacts of pollution and mudslides.

B．They are destroyed severely due to over-tourism.

C．They are famous but affected by human activities.

D．They are considered as victims of global warming.

3. What is threatened by human activity in Everglades National Park?

A．Lack of popularity.	B．Hurricane Andrew.
C．Algal blooms.	D．Diverse wildlife.

10 . Bike Rental & Guided Tours

Welcome to Amsterdam, welcome to MacBike. You see much more from the seat of a bike! Cycling is the most economical, sustainable and fun way to explore the city, with its beautiful canals, parks, squares and countless lights. You can also bike along lovely landscapes outside of Amsterdam.

Why MacBike

MacBike has been around for almost 30 years and is the biggest bicycle rental company in Amsterdam. With over 2,500 bikes stored in our five rental shops at strategic locations, we make sure there is always a bike available for you. We offer the newest bicycles in a wide variety, including basic bikes with foot brake (刹车), bikes with hand brake and gears (排挡), bikes with child seats, and children’s bikes.

Prices

	Hand Brake, Three Gears	Foot Brake, No Gears
1 hour	€7.50	€5.00
3 hours	€11.00	€7.50
1 day (24 hours)	€14.75	€9.75
Each additional day	€8.00	€6.00

Guided City Tours

The 2.5-hour tour covers the Gooyer Windmill, the Skinny Bridge, the Rijksmuseum, Heineken Brewery and much more. The tour departs from Dam Square every hour on the hour, starting at 1:00 pm every day. You can buy your ticket in a MacBike shop or book online.

1. What is an advantage of MacBike?

A．It gives children a discount.	B．It offers many types of bikes.
C．It organizes free cycle tours.	D．It has over 2,500 rental shops.

2. How much do you pay for renting a bike with hand brake and three gears for two days?

A．€15.75.

B．€19.50.

C．€22.75.

D．€29.50.

3. Where does the guided city tour start?

A．The Gooyer, Windmill.	B．The Skinny Bridge.
C．Heineken Brewery.	D．Dam Square.