1 . When it comes to family holidays in Australia, most people look to hot spots such as Sydney or the Gold Coast. However, Perth makes for a strong competitor, with plenty of museums and theme parks to keep the kids entertained, as well as historic sites and botanical gardens.
To give you a travel guide, we take a look at the best things to see and do in Perth.
King’s Park
Located in the heart of Perth’s business district, the four-square-kilometre park is perfect for spending an afternoon and making the most of the sunny weather. Here you’ll find plenty of picnic spots, play areas for little ones, and a host of activities and things to see. However, if you only visit one thing, make it the park’s impressive botanical gardens where you’ll find colorful plants.
Bibbulmun Track
Hikers, this one’s for you! This track is one of the world’s great long distance walks. Along the way you can expect amazing scenery, comfortable campsites, and a host of exciting wildlife and plants to look out for.
Perth Mint
You can discover a century’s worth of metals from gold to silver and even Coca-Cola bottle caps here. There are plenty of activities too from a live gold pouring session that you can watch to countless exhibitions.
Perth Zoo
The unusual creatures at the Perth Zoo are sure to keep small children’s attention! Giraffes, lions, elephants and monkeys are just some of the wildlife living in the zoo, which focuses on protecting various species.
1. What do we know about King’s Park?| A．It is in the hot spot Perth. | B．It is a good place for a picnic. |
| C．It is perfect for long-distance walking. | D．It is home to various plants and animals. |
| A．They have a lot of wildlife. | B．They have large exhibitions. |
| C．They are in a business centre. | D．They are noted for campsites. |
| A．To introduce Australia. | B．To celebrate some events. |
| C．To attract visitors to Perth. | D．To announce new activities. |
2 . Avebury is near the far more famous Stonehenge. What is interesting about it is that a village has grown up around the stones, unlike Stonehenge, which stands alone. Avebury and Stonehenge are just two of about 1,300 stone circles all over the UK. Many of them are in fantastic locations, like Castlering in Cumbria, from which you can see England’s highest mountain; and the Ring of Brodgar in the beautiful Orkney Island, off Scotland’s northern coast.
Some of them are UNESCO World Heritage sites, and several have local stories connected to them. For example, the Merry Maidens in West Cornwall is a group of nineteen stones. According to the story, they were young women — maidens — who were turned into stone for dancing on a Sunday.
Early historians thought that the stone circles were temples for the people who arrived in the UK in about 500 BC. Later research has shown that they are far older than that, at least 4,000 years old. Stonehenge could have been built 5,000 years ago, but it’s still nowhere near as old as the nearby wooden circle built about 10,000 years ago. Some experts believe they acted like calendars and have shown that some stones line up with sunrise or sunset on the longest and shortest days of the year. Others believe they were places for the dead bodies of the local rich and powerful.
We may never know why they were built, but each one leaves the visitor with a strong sense of the shortness of our existence in the sea of history. There are groups of stone circles and other prehistoric (史前的) monuments throughout the British Isles, so wherever you are staying you should include at least one in your tour.
1. What can we learn about Avebury?| A．It stands alone. | B．It is a part of Stonehenge. |
| C．It has a village around it now. | D．It consists of a couple of Merry Maidens. |
| A．Stone circles. | B．Mountains. |
| C．Temples. | D．Islands. |
| A．The local stories of stone circles. |
| B．The original purpose of stone circles. |
| C．The historic value of stone circles. |
| D．The time when stone circles were built. |
| A．Building more monuments. | B．Protecting World Heritage sites. |
| C．Learning more about our history. | D．Visiting some of those stone circles. |
3 . A lover of hiking? Then you must know the best hiking trails in some states.
Alaska: Winner Greek Trail
This northern state has many choices for hikes, and the family-friendly Winner Greek Trail pleases everyone who visits. Located 45 minutes south of Anchorage, the most popular part is Lower Winner Creek, a bike-friendly path through Alaska’s rainforest setting.
Arkansas: Lost Valley in the Buffalo River Wilderness District
You’ll see lots of pretty sights on the journey through Lost Valley in the Buffalo River Wilderness District. It’s a journey just over two miles round-trip, which means you can bring the entire family with you, plus, the first half-mile is wheelchair accessible.
Connecticut: Hike to Gillette Castle in Gillette Castle State Park
Just visiting Gillette Castle State Park, you’ll see pretty views of the Connecticut River. But following the 1.3-mile path to the medieval-looking stone castle, you’ll get to see the former home of actor William Gillette. A steam train and riverboat might also pass by as you hang around the area — riding them is a must for most visitors.
Hawaii: Makapuu Lighthouse Trail
This ocean-view state has some of the most amazing hikes in the country. But if we had to pick just one, on Hawaii’s most popular island, Oahu, the Makapu Lighthouse Trail would be it. On a two-mile trip, you’ll see wonderful sights of the island’s southeastern coastline, including the Makapuu Lighthouse with an eye-catching red roof.
1. What do Winner Greek Trail and Lost Valley in the Buffalo River Wilderness District have in common?| A．They are both wheelchair accessible. | B．They both have bike-friendly paths. |
| C．They are both suitable for family hikes. | D．They are both famous for rainforest views. |
| A．Enjoy lake views. | B．Visit a stone castle. | C．Meet famous actors. | D．Get into a lighthouse. |
| A．Lost Valley | B．Gillette Castle | C．Winner Greek Trail | D．Makapuu Lighthouse Trail |
4 . Paris is the most wooded (树木茂森的) city in Europe, and around one quarter of its area is taken up by parks, gardens and other green spaces.
Jardin des Plantes: over 28 hectares
This impressive botanical garden is home to four museums, including the Natural History Museum, which houses a variety of African animals. The gardens themselves boast thousands of species of plants. This is a lovely place to relax and explore the beautiful surroundings.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont: over 24 hectares
If you want to get off the tourist trail and hang out with true Parisians, this park is the perfect spot for a relaxing picnic or a leisurely wander. It is in the 19th district and is one of the largest parks in Paris. Cross its lake on the suspension bridge, or admire the waterfalls and attractive temples.
Jardin du Luxembourg: over 25 hectares
These beautiful gardens were first laid out in 1612 as the gardens of the Luxembourg Palace. They include a geometric (结合图形的) forest, French and English style gardens, as well as a large pond. There is so much to see and do with activities especially for children, such as slides, rides and puppet shows, as well as leisure and sporting activities for adults. The gardens are home to more than one hundred sculptures.
Le Parc de la Villette: 55 hectares
This urban cultural park is so much more than just a park as it is home to numerous music venues, exhibition spaces and cafes. It is also home to no less than 12 gardens, which all follow different themes. The Passenger Gardens, for example, which are built on what was once the sheep market, support a variety of ecosystems, demonstrating the importance of biodiversity.
1. Which green space probably suits students who are interested in botany?| A．Jardin des Plantes. | B．Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. |
| C．Jardin du Luxembourg. | D．Le Parc de la Villette. |
| A．They feature American style gardens. | B．They are favorite gardens for the French. |
| C．They house a variety of African animals. | D．They used to be royal gardens. |
| A．Visiting museums. | B．Attending concerts. |
| C．Admiring waterfalls. | D．Watching puppet shows. |
5 . You may have your favorite family spots on Long Island where you frequently take the kids. But there may be unexpected places you haven't explored yet.
Animal Exhibit
Not only will you see fish, reptiles and amphibians here, but you'll also see baby alligators and other rescued animals. Kids can also learn about science and participate in programs and workshops throughout the year. The Animal Exhibit is also a hotspot for science-themed birthday parties.
The Mattituck Strawberry Festival
The Mattituck Strawberry Festival kicks off the summer season with sweet treats and more. Long Island is known for numerous and extremely popular fairs and festivals that take place throughout the year. Other summer festivals include the Sayville SummerFest, St. Rocco's Feast, Brookhaven Fair and more. The fall season offers the largest abundance of fairs and festivals, such as the Pickle Festival, Oyster Festival, Long Island Fall Festival and many Hallo ween-themed festivals in Nassau and Suffolk.
Home Depot Kids Workshop
Does your kid enjoy making things by hand? You may want to take a trip to Home Depot Kids Workshop. Offered on the first Saturday morning of each month, workshops allow little ones to build and craft items, such as a skateboard pencil box that they can decorate and keep.
Chuck E. Cheesed
As soon as you. walk through the doors you're instantly greeted by the sounds of other kids laughing as they play arcade games to win prizes and enjoy an animatronic show. After hours of play, check out their restaurant with kid-friendly options.
1. Who is the text specially targeted at?| A．Children. | B．Tour guides. | C．Parents. | D．Students. |
| A．Spring. | B．Summer | C．Autumn. | D．Winter. |
| A．At Animal Exhibit. | B．At The Mattituck Strawberry Festival. |
| C．At Home Depot Kids Workshop. | D．At Chuck E. Cheese's. |
6 . To see the world is one ting. To have someone to share it with is another. Indeed, travel becomes more interesting when you have a travel partner.
You can have someone to talk to. Traveling alone is fun, but wouldn't you feel lonely?
You can meet a good friend.
You can have someone to watch out for you. When you're in a foreign land, you'll never be really safe. You don't know the rules as well as the culture of the people. A travel partner will be perfect to remind you of your duties in the country and to watch your back just in case you get lost.
| A．You can have someone to share the expenses with. |
| B．Here are some reasons why a travel partner is important. |
| C．You can have someone to turn to when you're in trouble. |
| D．Having a travel partner can remove the feeling of loneliness. |
| E．Traveling with a mate enables us to meet a new friend or even a lifelong partner. |
| F．Traveling is a good way to enrich our life. |
| G．So why don't you find a travel partner now? |
7 . The Best Free Tourist Attractions
Alaska: Anchorage Market and Festival
While Anchorage isn’t the capital of Alaska, it is the state’s largest and most populated city. The Anchorage Market and Festival is open and free of charge on weekends. Anchorage is also at the beginning of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, where walks and hikes can last between two hours and a half day. It’s free, of course.
Arkansas: Walmart Museum
In the northwest corner of Arkansas is Bentonville, which gave birth to a supermarket you may have heard of. It’s Walmart, which is currently one of the biggest companies in the world. Admission is free to the Walmart Museum. And just outside town is the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which is also free.
Colorado: United States Air Force Academy
Driving around and taking in the great natural beauty of Colorado is free. If you know some kids who might be interested in becoming a future police officer, then head to the United States Air Force Academy just outside Colorado Springs where free tours are offered daily. These are the cheapest months of the year to visit all 50 states.
Connecticut: Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut was the first place in the U. S to offer pizza by the slice to hungry customers, including students of a college called Yale University. While in New Haven, you can go on a tour of the campus, free of charge, every day of the week. This state has the alma mater of both President Bushes, Bill and Hillary Clinton, journalist Bob Woodward, and Sarnuel F. B. Morse, inventor of the Morse code to name a few.
1. What may especially attract visitors in Bentonville?| A．Buying things at a low price. | B．Visiting Walmart Museum for free. |
| C．Buying works from the art museum | D．Going to its downtown quickly. |
| A．Anchorage Market and Festival. | B．Walmart Museum. |
| C．United States Air Force Academy. | D．Yale University. |
| A．Its free visit. | B．Its historical development |
| C．Its social relations. | D．Its successful education. |
8 . Are you planning your family holiday in London? Book one of London's best family-friendly hotels, which can help your stay run smoothly.
Athenaeum
Rely on the Athenaeum's kids concierge(礼宾部)for the perfect family stay in London. Even before you arrive at the hotel in London, they’ll be in touch to make sure your kids have their favorite DVDs, treats and more to keep them happy. After you settle into your family room, they help plan your perfect routes.
Cost £79
The Nadler Kensington
Relax in one of the Nadler Kensington's large family rooms in London, which can sleep up to four people. Perfect for a reasonably-priced family holiday, it has no extra charge for baby beds. There's a mini kitchen so you can prepare your own light meals and snacks. The west London hotel is also close to two subway stations, making it easy to get around.
Cost £118
St James's Hotel and Club
Meet all your family's needs at St James's Hotel and Club, one of the best I child-friendly hotels in London. The hotel can help you plan family days out, and you can enjoy the hotel's quiet position in a peaceful cul-de-sac(死胡同)off St James's Street. Inter-connecting rooms at this fashionable hotel are available on request.
Cost £320
Melia White House
Let kids feel grown-up with their own check-in area at Melia White House, which is close to Regent's Park. There are also treats like an ice cream voucher(券)and activities in its kids club. Stay in a family room, which holds two adults and two children under the age of 11 for no additional charge.
Cost £ 140
1. What do we know about Athenaeum?| A．It provides fee meals. | B．It has special rooms for kids. |
| C．It helps guests find local tour guides. | D．It learns about kids' preferences ahead of time. |
| A．Make your own food. | B．Teach your kids to cook. |
| C．Get to bus stations quickly. | D．Ask for a baby bed with little money. |
| A．Athenaeum. | B．The Nadler Kensington. |
| C．St James's Hotel and Club. | D．Melia White House. |
9 . A Journey to the Yosemite Firefall
Each year, thousands of people are attracted to the Yosemite National Park in California for a chance of seeing —and photographing ——the unique “firefall”. The amazing “firefall” comes to life only when there is enough water from the melting（融化）snow to keep the Horsetail Fall flowing and when the light of the setting sun hits the waterfall at the right angle. It can only be seen for a short time in February on clear sunny days.
This year, the weather isn’t stopping the “firefall” from happening, but it is making the journey to see it more difficult.
“What would have been a 10-minute walk turned into a two-hour hike through deep snow,” photographer Ryan Fitzsimons said about his recent trip to see the phenomenon. “Our clothes were all wet by the time we got to a viewing site. But the heavy snow made the sight much more beautiful since the waterfall is much bigger this year.”
Another photographer Andy Heitz was making his first trip to see the “firefall”. He had to wait five hours in the extreme cold for his turn to take a picture.
“I got to the site at about 12:00 at noon. The place was already filled with hundreds of people waiting to see and photograph the ‘firefall’. I was so lucky that I shot a really wonderful burner! I was completely amazed with what I saw,” he said. “You know, only on a couple days of the year in February and when the sun sets down at the perfect angle to shine on Yosemite’s Horsetail Fall can we see the ‘Fire Fall’. I’ll never forget what I have seen.’’
The “firefall” should continue to be there from 20 to 24 February. But park officials said that there’s no guarantee（保证）that visitors will see it on any given day.
1. When might be the best time to take pictures of the “firefall”?| A．Early in the morning. | B．At noon. |
| C．Late in the afternoon. | D．At night. |
| A．There wouldn’t be enough snow. | B．It might be too cloudy. |
| C．The waterfall might not freeze. | D．The snow might melt too fast. |
| A．A worker in the kitchen. |
| B．The fire in the Yosemite National Park. |
| C．A part of a cooker or stove. |
| D．The unique Horsetail Fall in the setting sun. |
| A．To introduce an attraction. | B．To give suggestions for a trip. |
| C．To advertise a park in the US. | D．To explain what is a “firefall”. |
10 . Ten years ago, I went on a vacation in Italy. After climbing up a hill for a panoramic (全景的) view of the blue sea, white buildings and green olive trees, I paused to catch my breath and then positioned myself to take the best photo of this panorama.
Unfortunately, just as I took out my camera, a woman approached from behind, and planted herself right in front of my view. Like me, this woman was here to stop, sigh and appreciate the view.
Patient as I was, after about 15 minutes, I grew frustrated. Was it too much to ask her to move so I could take just one picture of the landscape? Sure, I could have asked her, but something prevented me from doing so. She seemed so content in her observation. I didn't want to mess with that. Another 15 minutes passed and I grew bored. The woman was still there. I decided to take the photo anyway.
Now when I look at the photo, I think her presence in the photo is what makes the image interesting. The landscape, beautiful on its own, somehow comes to life and breathes because this woman is engaging with it.
This photo, with the unique beauty that unfolded before me and that woman who "ruined" it, now hangs on a wall in my bedroom. What would she think if she knew that her figure is captured and frozen on some strangers bedroom wall? A bedroom, after all, is a very private space, in which some woman I don't even know has been immortalized (使永存). In some ways, she lives in my house.
Perhaps we all live in each other's spaces. Perhaps this is what photos are for: to remind us that we all appreciate beauty, that we all share a common desire for pleasure, for connection, for something that is greater than us. That photo is a reminder, a captured moment, an unspoken conversation between two women, separated only by a thin square of glass.
1. What happened when the author was about to take a photo?| A．Her camera stopped working. | B．A friend approached from behind. |
| C．Someone asked her to leave. | D．A woman blocked her view. |
| A．losing her patience | B．enjoying herself |
| C．waiting for the sunset | D．thinking about her past |
| A．The woman's existence in the photo. | B．The perfect positioning of the camera. |
| C．The rich color of the landscape. | D．The soft sunlight that summer day. |
| A．the need to be close to nature | B．the importance of private space |
| C．the shared passion for beauty | D．the joy of the vacation in Italy |
