1 . Returning to nature
Imagine getting the chance to go camping for five days. It would be an adventure (冒险) in the wild. You could row on a lake every day and leave your smartphone at home. Would you want to try this?
In June, four teenage girls from Minnesota, US, went camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (边界水域泛舟区). They had a great time——even without their smartphones.
Julia Ruelle, 16, put the group together. Earlier this year, she won an essay contest sponsored (赞助) by a company. The award was a five-day canoe and camping adventure with up to three friends. No parents or guides would be there. This award was supposed to encourage kids to be less dependent on technology.
Ruelle had been to the area before, but she had always gone with her parents. Sharing the experience with friends would be very different. She invited three friends: Anna Wander, Madeline Wilson, and Julianna Torelli.
They came up with a daily plan. “We would wake up early every day. We were done paddling (划桨) by noon. We ate lunch at the campsite. Then it was time for hammocks (吊床), reading, writing, making friendship bracelets (手链), talking and napping,” Ruelle said.
“I’m a lot less worried about things,” Wander said when asked how she felt without her cellphone. Her favorite thing to do was lie in her hammock and look at the lake. Torelli enjoyed cooking. She made blueberry pancakes and sandwiches.
No one felt hungry or homesick. “Mental (心理的) health can be improved so much. It really helps to get away and reconnect with yourself,” Ruelle said.
1. The camping trip was unique because the girls _____.| A．had to live on a boat for several days |
| B．needed to finish many tasks |
| C．had to live without their smartphones |
| D．needed to find a guide on their own |
| A．not using her smartphone at school |
| B．asking her parents for help |
| C．working in a company |
| D．winning an essay contest |
| A．Worried. | B．Happy. |
| C．Hungry. | D．Homesick. |
| A．It is easy to get lost without our phones. |
| B．The girls didn’t make any camping plans. |
| C．Wilson enjoyed making pancakes and sandwiches. |
| D．Using smartphones less can improve our mental health. |
2 . Best Four Washington, D.C. Museums
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
ADDRESS: 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560, the USA
PHONE: +1202-633-1000
This museum is the most popular Washington, D.C. museum and is worth taking your parents and children to visit. And there are so many artifacts(手工艺品) that you can’t possibly see them all in one visit. The dinosaur exhibits are fascinating and great for kids.
Visiting Tips: Arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds. If you are visiting with kids, be sure to see the Discovery Room where there are lots of hands—on activities.
Newseum
ADDRESS: 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, the USA
PHONE: +1202-292-6100
The six-level, high-tech and interactive attraction traces(追溯) the history of news reporting from the 16th century to the present day. Some favorite exhibits are the Pulitzer Prize Photo Gallery, Today’s Front Pages and the 9/11 Gallery. This is a fascinating attraction and well worth the entrance fee(费用).
National Gallery of Art
ADDRESS: Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20565, the USA
PHONE: +1202-737-4215
This museum spans(跨越) two buildings, with an East and West Wing and countless priceless artworks from Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, John Singleton Copley, Johannes Vermeer, Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse and more famous artists. Check out the schedule of daily, free docent(讲解员)-led tours here.
The Phillips Collection
ADDRESS: 1600 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20009, the USA
PHONE: +1202-387-2151
Dupont Circle’s The Phillips Collection is not to be missed for art lovers, with pieces by Paul C zanne, Edgar Degas, Winslow Homer, Georgia O’Keeffe, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh. Tickets run from $8 to $12 per visitor, and visitors aged 18 and under are free. The first Thursday of every month is “Phillips after 5,” a popular event that runs from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
1. What do you know about Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History?| A．It is free to the public the whole year. |
| B．It is a museum that is suitable for all ages. |
| C．It is the most popular museum around the world. |
| D．It provides practical activities for kids to explore oceans. |
| A．is worth visiting |
| B．also functions as a television station |
| C．only collects fun and exciting news |
| D．has an advantageous geographical location |
| A．have to book tickets ahead of time |
| B．can create artworks with artists together |
| C．have the chance of taking a free docent—led tour |
| D．can enjoy the performances of famous artists |
| A．“Phillips after 5” is held every Thursday. |
| B．“Phillips after 5” features original creation. |
| C．The Phillips Collection’s opening hours are three hours. |
| D．Not all visitors need to buy tickets when visiting the Phillips Collection. |
a. They both have valuable pieces.
b. They are both suitable for art lovers.
c. They both provide free docent-led tours
d. They are both free for the public to visit.
e. They are both far away from the center of Washington.
| A．abc | B．ad | C．ab | D．bce |
3 . Edinburgh is the world’s festival city. There are 12 festivals throughout the year, half of which are celebrated during the months of July and August.
Hundreds of thousands of people visit the Scottish capital during the summer.
Here are some of the events:
The Edinburgh International Festival
This is the original Edinburgh festival, which began in 1947. Actors, musicians, dancers and opera singers from all over the world perform to huge audiences. You need tickets for most events which take place in theatres around the city.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe
This is the largest arts festival in the world with thousands of shows taking place across the city. More than 20,000 artists take part, as the festival is open to anyone. Visitors can choose from a huge variety of acts.
Join thousands of visitors and locals at the Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s main street, to watch all kinds of performers and shows.
The Edinburgh International Book Festival
The largest book festival in the world began in 1983 and takes place every year in Charlotte Square Gardens, in the center of Edinburgh. There are more than 700 events for children and adults who love books. You can meet many authors, talk to them, ask them to sign a book or listen to them talk about their stories. Children can listen to stories and watch illustrators (插图作者) draw pictures.
The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival
Music lovers come to this festival to enjoy music shows around the city. One of the highlights of this musical event is the street carnival (嘉年华), which is free to all. Artists perform street theatre, dance and circus shows in amazing costumes, and everyone can join in the dancing.
1. Which is true about Edinburgh?| A．It’s the Scottish capital city. |
| B．It’s the largest city in the world. |
| C．The festivals are celebrated every month. |
| D．Tourists around the world come to the city after winter. |
| A．It’s free to Scottish people. |
| B．It’s held at the Royal Mile. |
| C．It takes place in July every year. |
| D．The artists mainly perform in theatres. |
| A．The Edinburgh International Festival. |
| B．The Edinburgh Festival Fringe. |
| C．The Edinburgh International Book Festival. |
| D．The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival. |
| A．They can try on different costumes. |
| B．They can join a singing competition. |
| C．They can take part in a street carnival. |
| D．They can get pictures from famous painters. |
| A．an advertisement |
| B．a tour journal |
| C．a news report |
| D．an announcement |
4 . Recently, my husband and three kids were playing in the Mediterranean, swimming and floating in the picture-perfect sea. It was very beautiful in Majorca, Spain. The way the sun danced across the water and how the blue horizon was dotted with sailboats were such beautiful scenes. I 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 about when we imagined our life with the children.
Fourteen years later, we had three boys who were growing up faster by the day. It was time to make good on 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 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 control our busy lives, and just be with our kids. We wanted a break from the daily morning timetable of making lunches, eating breakfast rushing out the door in time for school. We need a family time-out.
It was a wonderful two-month trip in Europe, full of wonderful moments. And when we looked back at our lives, I know we’ll be glad we did it. I know we’ll be happy that this is a part of the story of our family.
1. How do you understand “one day” in the 2nd paragraph? (no more than 10 words)2. How long was their trip in Europe? (no more than 5 words)
3. What does the underlined word “that” refer to? (no more than 10 words)
4. What’s the main idea of the 5th paragraph? (no more than 10 words)
5. Think about the trips you’ve taken with your parents. Do you have the similar feelings to the author? What did you learn from those trips? (no more than 25 words)
5 . Better China Trip aims to be a bridge for you in China. Whether you are here on business or simply for sightseeing, we offer you a city-to-city transportation, tour guide, and interpreter service. We can also try to assist you in answering any questions you might have with your business in China. For sightseers, we aim to ensure you see the highlights of any particular city or location you want to visit. You can either research your trip by yourself and bring us a preferred itinerary, or make use of our expert local knowledge to suggest one to you. You’d better discuss it with us before you start out; simply email or ring us up. You can also register your personal information, and book any service you need. The following are our services that you can order.
We have Beijing car rental, Beijing van(货车) rental, and Beijing driver services. Better China Trip provides car rental services in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xi’an, Guilin, etc.
Services available:
1. Car, van and bus rental for business/shopping/sightseeing.
2. Translators and interpreters from Chinese to English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Russian, etc.
3. Beijing airport transfers(pick-up and drop-off).
4. Hotel and air or train tickets booking.
5. Tour guides& services for the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, the Ming Tombs, etc.
6. Tickets booking for Kungfu shows, magic, Peking Opera, etc.
7. Health care: traditional Chinese massage(按摩), foot massage, body massage.
8. Experiencing local Beijing Hutong life by tricycle.
Contact us:
You can visit our website at: www.betterchinatrip.com.
Tel: 010 84026538(within China); 008610 84026538(outside China);
Email: bctrip01@gmail.com
MSN(Microsoft service Network):bctrip01@gmail.com
1. Whom will Better China Trip serve mainly?| A．The citizens who live or work in Beijing. |
| B．Whoever has language difficulty in China. |
| C．Whoever travels or does business in China. |
| D．The athletes coming to Beijing for big games. |
| A．Living condition. |
| B．A plan for a journey. |
| C．A perfect working plan. |
| D．A shopping arrangement. |
| A．Before you set out. |
| B．When you arrive in Beijing. |
| C．When you have any trouble. |
| D．After you start your travel. |
| A．getting a passport to go abroad |
| B．tour guides who speak many languages |
| C．driving you to any place at any time |
| D．getting the tickets to a Kungfu show |
| A．this passage probably comes from a car magazine |
| B．you can visit places of interest with expert tour guides |
| C．you can ride a tricycle to any tourist attraction in Beijing |
| D．Better China Trip only provides car rental services in Beijing |
6 . Gold Coast family holidays are always great fun whether you are from Australia or from abroad. There are beautiful beaches, adventure parks, nature parks and so many more.
There are so many sights to see here. It is a pity to drive in a car and you’ll miss a great part of it. Australia is home to many animals and birds that can only be seen when moving slowly and going into the areas where they live.
When you are on a bicycle, you have the advantage of being able to stop whenever you want to see an interesting animal or bird that you have never seen before. It is a quieter mode(方式) of transportation as well, so you might even be able to take a picture. When you are on the beach you can breathe that clean air and view the beauty of the water and sand. It is a totally different experience from either simply sunbathing or passing it in a car.
There are many choices of hiring a bicycle to experience the Gold Coast attractions. There are stores that will fit a bike perfectly to your size. These bikes for both adults and children are in many styles and colors to please any taste. If you have ever wanted to try a tandem bike(双人单车), now is your chance, because they have those too.
A bicycle hire on Gold Coast is something that everyone should try at least once. This is a wonderful chance for anyone who likes to cycle and it is also a cheap way to travel with your family.
1. Driving in a car on Gold Coast is not suggested because ________.| A．you will break the traffic rules |
| B．you can't enjoy the beautiful scenery well |
| C．you will cause much noise |
| D．you can’t drive into some parks |
| A．It is a good way to do sunbathing. |
| B．It is a cheap way of travelling. |
| C．You can get a clearer sight of animals. |
| D．You can take photos of animals. |
| A．How to hire bikes on Gold Coast. |
| B．What kinds of bikes there are in stores. |
| C．What bikes are the most popular. |
| D．Who can hire bikes on Gold Coast |
| A．He doesn’t like this way of travelling. |
| B．He thinks it is a personal choice |
| C．He supports it very much. |
| D．He thinks it is only good for adults. |
7 . When it comes to choosing the best ski field for an unforgettable winter vacation, there are plenty of choices.
Okemo, Vermont
About two and a half hours’ drive from Boston, this Vermont ski field has 98 percent snow coverage with a ski season going from early November all the way through mid-April. The field also offers intermediate (中级的) and advanced skiers and snowboarders free mountain tours on weekends and during the holidays so you can get to know the mountain’s 121 different trails(滑雪道), slopes, and glades(林间空地).
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Combining fun and easy-to-ski trails, this New Hampshire field offers visitors 97 trails and glades to explore over 464 skiable acres. After a day of skiing, head to the Slopeside Pub for a cup of hot coffee. There is a special snow park for children, where professional coaches can teach children how to ski. And children can enjoy the joy of the winter.
Sugarloaf, Maine
More than 1,200 skiable acres wait at this Maine field, with 163 trails and glades. Looking for even more of a challenge? Try cat skiing, where a snowcat will take you to the top of Burnt Mountain for a unique skiing experience. For a different kind of adrenaline(肾上腺素) rush, try fat biking through the snowy woods or head indoors to the Anti-Gravity Complex, where you can jump on large trampolines (蹦床) and climb a climbing wall.
Loon Mountain Resort, New Hampshire
A huge 80 percent of trails at this New Hampshire field are set aside for beginners and intermediate skiers and snowboarders, making it one of the best East Coast skiing destinations for those just starting learning to ski. When you’re not skiing, try zip-lining (滑索道) 700 feet across the Pemigewasset River (open all four seasons), or channel your inner kid and go snow tubing.
1. What do you know about the Okemo ski field?| A．It is especially for advanced skiers. |
| B．It is the second largest ski field in Vermont. |
| C．The opening hours of it last about five months. |
| D．Visitors aren’t satisfied with its skiing area conditions. |
| A．Okemo. | B．Sugarloaf. |
| C．Bretton Woods. | D．Loon Mountain Resort. |
| A．ski freely on 163 glades |
| B．jump on trampolines with your kids |
| C．have no chance of visiting Burnt Mountain |
| D．experience different challenging ski activities |
| A．is one of the best places on East Coast for ski beginners |
| B．features snow tubing and zip-lining |
| C．can meet the needs of all kinds of skiers |
| D．offers outdoor and indoor skiing service all year around |
| A．To attract attention to a sport. |
| B．To introduce four ski fields to readers. |
| C．To share some helpful skiing experience. |
| D．To analyze some possible risks when skiing. |
8 . There are almost limitless things to do at the seaside. For an enjoyable summer day or night, some that are the most fun can be simple, inexpensive or absolutely free.
Frolic: Summer at the seaside is for as many activities as you can stand in the sand. Play frisbee (飞盘), sand volleyball or any beach-free sport. Jog or run while you feel the soft sand each step. If it’s nice and windy, go fly a kite!
Picnic: If you’re a bit lazy as you sun and relax on the beach, you can buy take-out from nearby shops. If you’re there with a big family outing, you may prefer to pack and bring baskets of your favorite foods and drinks.
Sand castles: For anyone who wishes they were still kids, building castles in the sand is fun at the seashore. If you’re feeling really creative, add fishes, frogs and whatever else your modeling skills can construct.
Explore: If there are hiking or biking trails along the shore or nearby, take an action to discover what’s around to be collected. Seashells and washed-up ocean flora (植物群) are fun to hunt, although finding a valuable diamond ring in the sand is much more satisfying.
Socialize: Meet all kinds of people. If kids are with you, they’re natural socializers, and will easily join others in games and other fun things to do together. Set up a volleyball net on the beach, and soon others will join the game.
Nothing: For some people the top activity at the seaside is inactivity. That means doing absolutely nothing. After all, you’ve come to the beach to relax on the warm sand, and nowhere in the world is there a more comfortable place for it.
1. In the first paragraph the author ________.| A．advertises a scenic spot |
| B．describes the beautiful seaside |
| C．shows visitors can do many things at the seaside |
| D．introduces the things that can be brought to the seaside |
| A．Tips on safety. | B．Full preparation. |
| C．Famous players. | D．Lively and enjoyable activity. |
| A．Having a picnic with your family. |
| B．Making friends with all kinds of people. |
| C．Playing many kinds of games at the beach. |
| D．Searching for valuable jewelry in the sand. |
| A．you can still relax yourself |
| B．you might feel uncomfortable |
| C．you miss a chance to enjoy yourself |
| D．you are not advised to go to the seaside again |
| A．a diary | B．a report | C．a textbook | D．a guidebook |
9 . Biking is an amazing family activity, but finding a route that can accommodate a wide-range of ages can be a challenge.
Lee McNeil and his family are crazy about biking. They have seven children, from 4 to 24 years old. When looking for a route, they look for enough protection from traffic, good surface condition, easy access and interesting views.
With that in mind, here are some great routes for biking with your whole family, as are suggested by McNeil.
Iron Horse Trail
This is the McNeil family’s favourite ride. The route is 26 miles and goes through the 2.1mile Snoqualmie Tunnel.
“Beautiful views, the thrill the tunnel, and places to stop and watch the rock climbers make it special,” McNeil said. “All our kids have taken their turn at braving the black tunnel bravely for the first time, which we celebrate it at the end of the ride.”
How to get there: If you prefer, check http://bit.ly/Mlt9y4 for more information.
Centennial Trail
The Centennial Trail runs for 23 miles from Snohomish to Bryant. The trail is wide and smooth, and is safe for kids as it is off the roads. A nice stop is Lake Cassidy east of Marysville. A dock on the lake is fun to explore. It also has picnic tables and washrooms for a convenient lunch time stop.
How to get there: The trail can be accessed from a number of trailheads. For a map, go to http://bit.ly/L5qCeY.
Cascade Trail
The Cascade Trail follows an abandoned Burlington Northern railroad grade for 23 miles between Sedro-Woolley and Concrete. Because it’s on a railroad grade, the slope is gentle and it makes for an easy family ride.
McNeil said it is a “beautiful ride up the Skagit Valley, with lots of places to watch wildlife along the river.”
How to get there: Go to http://bit.ly/PR4wOW to see a map showing the trail, parking areas and bus stops .
Other good choices
Snoqualmie Valley Trail: http://l.usa.gov/nWGWO
Guemes Island: http://bit.ly/LJ3RxL
Burke-Gilman Trail: http://l.usa.gov/s33li
1. We can learn from the passage that Lee McNeil ________.| A．has a large family |
| B．often travels with his family |
| C．teaches his children how to bike |
| D．spends lots of money on bike rides |
| A．Cascade Trail | B．Iron Horse Trail |
| C．Centennial Trail | D．Burke-Gilman Trail |
| A．see a small valley | B．go through a tunnel |
| C．have a picnic for lunch | D．watch the rock climbers |
| A．http://bit.ly/Mlt9y4 | B．http://bit.ly/LJ3RxL |
| C．http://bit.ly/L5qCeY | D．http://bit.ly/PR4wOW |
| A．ask people to learn from Lee McNeil |
| B．tell people how to make a family ride |
| C．introduce some routes for family rides |
| D．encourage more people to ride bikes |
10 . Beaches are not only great for lying on and doing water sports, and in fact one of the best ways of enjoying them is a classic beach walk. Here at iWantSun.co.uk we’ve been searching the globe to find you the world’s best and most famous beach walks, and here’s our pick of the top. Click on the most interesting walks and join our tourist program.
The Footpath of the Gods, Amalfi Coast, Italy
The name says it all really and you truly feel excited there, walking along this wonderful mountain path, which offers some of the most striking views on the planet. The path begins at the town of Bomerano to charming Positano along the UNESCO World Heritage area of the Amalfi Coast. The whole walk will take you about four and a half hours to complete and pass over narrow rocky paths.
Sydney’s Great Coastal Walk, Australia
Sydney’s coastline is one of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in the world. Here you have national parks, historic sites, shining and quiet beaches all in one place. Sydney’s Great Coastal Walk runs all the way from Barren Joey in the north to Royal National Park in the south and takes an unbelievable seven days to complete. However, if you’re not up to doing the full walk, there are many different parts of the walk that you can do right in the city itself. Walking from the city’s famous Bondi Beach to the sweeping curve(大半径曲线) of Bronte Beach takes just an hour, which takes in some top sceneries.
Great Ocean Walk, Australia
The Great Ocean Walk covers 104km along Victoria’s famous Great Ocean Road, located on the southern coast of Australia, from the holiday town Apollo Bay to the splendid Twelve Apostles. The Twelve Apostles are the area’s famous stone landmarks which stand out like giants from the sea. The walk passes through a range of landscapes and sights, from national parks, famous surfing spots and deserted beaches, to wild coastlines, waterfalls, lush(茂盛的) forests, historic lighthouses and ghostly(幽灵似的) ship wrecks(残骸). Day walks and shorter three-hour walks such as The Wreck Beach Walk or the Lighthouse Cemetery and Lookout Walk can also be enjoyed.
So next time when you’re looking for a beach holiday, don’t just think about the holiday towns and the sand, but consider a more active sun holiday. If you have interest in any of the above places, please contact us, and we can give you the best services.
1. When you arrive at Amalfi Coast, _____.| A．the scenic beauty can fill you with charm |
| B．the walking can be started from Positano |
| C．you must be fed up with the footpath |
| D．narrow rocky paths may trap you |
| A．It takes more than a week to complete. |
| B．It really has the longest coastline in the world. |
| C．It provides visitors with a variety of great landscapes. |
| D．It starts from Barren Joey in the south. |
| A．Apollo Bay is at the end of the Great Ocean Walk |
| B．visitors have various walking choices in the Great Ocean Walk |
| C．the Twelve Apostles stand below the surface of the sea |
| D．most visitors have to finish the 104 km walk quickly |
| A．an online advertisement | B．travel magazines |
| C．a handbook to tourists | D．a poster in a foreign travel agency |
