1 . Travelling with friends can be an amazing experience where you could make lifelong memories or it could ruin your friendship.     1     Here are some rules you should follow to make sure your next trip with friends goes as smoothly as possible.

    2     Sure, you and your friends probably have some similar interests, but that’s not always the case. In an effort to keep everyone happy, go over travel plans and expectations ahead of time. Have each person categorize activities or sights into “must-see”, “want to see” and “would go if we have time”. Plan accordingly and make sure everyone can see some of their top attractions.

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.     3     Have a conversation when problems arise, for communication is the key.

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.     4    

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.     5     After all, the appeal of this type of trip is to spend time with friends. Just enjoy it!

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.

2 . A famous magazine, Amusement Today, does a survey among park lovers every year both in the US and overseas, based on which, “Top 5 List of the Best Amusement Parks in the World” has come out as follows:

Disneyland, California

Disneyland is a theme park in Anaheim, California, the US. More than 515 million guests have traveled to this American landmark from around the world since the park first opened to guests on July 17, 1955. The park consists of many world-famous sections, such as Main Street, Adventure land, New Orleans Square, and so on.

Magic Kingdom, Disney World, Florida

Magic Kingdom is a theme park within the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, near Orlando opened on October 1, 1971. It is the most famous theme park in Florida. The park’s design and attractions don’t make much difference from Disneyland Park in Anaheim.

EPCOT, Disney World, Florida

EPCOT is the second theme park built at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. The park opened on October 1, 1982, and was named EPCOT Center from 1982 to 1993. It was the largest Disney theme park in the world until 1998, when Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened.

Disney­MGM Studios, Florida

MGM’s streets are the home for some great movie­themed attractions with a history of less than 30 years. With the addition of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the Rock and Roller Coaster, the park is now home to Disney World’s most thrilling rides.

Universal Studios, Florida

Go behind the scenes, beyond the screen and jump right into the action of your favorite movies at Universal Studios, the number one movie and TV theme park in the world.

1. Which of the following theme parks have similar attractions?

A．Disneyland & Magic Kingdom.

B．Disneyland & Universal Studios.

C．EPCOT & Disney­MGM Studios.

D．Magic Kingdom & Universal Studios.

2. Which park has the longest history?

A．Magic Kingdom, Disney World, Florida.

B．Disney­MGM Studios, Florida.

C．EPCOT, Disney World, Florida.

D．Disneyland, California.

3. What’s the purpose of the passage?

A．To attract tourists to these theme parks.

B．To increase the sales of Amusement Today.

C．To introduce world’s best amusement parks.

D．To compare attractions in different theme parks.

3 . Top Silk Road Attractions

Terracotta Warriors (兵马俑)

Type: History Museums, Historic Sites

Recommended Length of Visit: 3 hours

As the eighth wonder of the ancient world, it has a history of more than 2, 200 years. Oriental mummies (东方木乃伊) wait for you to discover their mystery.

Mogao Grottoes (莫高窟)

Type: Buddhism, Historic Sites

Recommended Length of Visit: 3 hours

Considered as the eastern Louvre Museum, Mogao Grottoes is a glorious treasure of ancient Buddhist cave art. The history of Mogao Grottoes can be traced back to the “Five Hu — 16Kingdoms” period (AD 304-439).

Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔)

Type: Culture & History, Buddhism

Recommended Length of Visit: 2 hours

For hundreds of years, this great pagoda has always been the symbol of Xi’an. It is famous for the great traveler Xuanzang of Tang Dynasty who traveled from China to India to learn the Buddhism and got back to China with many precious Buddhist scriptures (佛经).

Qinghai Lake

Type: Lake

Recommended Length of Visit: 5 hours

Known as the largest inland lake, as well as the largest salt water lake in China, it is the most visited and famous attraction in Qinghai Province. Here, you not only enjoy the fantastic natural beauty, but also experience the amazing culture here.

Please click here to add the attraction to your favorite list. Let us plan a private Silk Road Tour for you!

1. What do Mogao Grottoes and Big Wild Goose Pagoda have in common?

A．Both contain ancient Buddhist cave art.

B．Both are related to history and Buddhism.

C．Both are known as the symbol of Xi’an.

D．Both were constructed during the Tang Dynasty.

2. Which of the following provides tourists with breathtaking natural scenery?

A．Terracotta Warriors.	B．Mogao Grottoes.
C．Big Wild Goose Pagoda.	D．Qinghai Lake.

3. Where is this text most likely from?

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

4 . Panama City, Panama

For beach vacations that get you out of town and invite you and your family to dive into culture, consider a trip to Panama City. Here, you will enjoy beaches and city exploring. Book your stay at the Westin Playa Bonita, where you can book a room starting at $222 a night. There are various programs, including beach Olympics, star observation and Spanish lessons.

Jupiter, Florida

This place offers you quality time you can spend with your loved ones. Book your stay at Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa, with rates for a family of four starting at $207 a night. Here, you can shoot baskets at the basketball courts, take a dip in the pool or teach your children beach yoga.

San Diego, California

The West Coast is a great spot for cheap beach vacations, so tell your family to pack their bags for a visit to San Diego. A cheap $10 Uber ride from the airport will have you pull up at the Kona Kai Resort & Spa. Here, a family of four can stay in a Deluxe Guest Room starting at $159 per night. Your kids can practice cannonballs at the pool after a visit to the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

Kihei, Hawaii

For west coasters who are growing bored with their background, fly to the islands of Hawaii. Stay at the Aston at the Maui Banyan, with a charge of $179 a night for a family of four. Here, you’ll see some of the best sunsets of your life while your kids play in the Pacific. And if you set about cooking a fancy meal, you’ll enjoy suites that come with a full kitchen.

1. Which of the following charges you least a night?

A．The Westin Playa Bonita.

B．The Kona Kai Resort & Spa.

C．Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa.

D．The Aston at the Maui Banyan.

2. What can you do at the Aston at the Maui Banyan?

A．Observe fantastic stars.

B．Visit a world-famous zoo.

C．Admire beautiful sunsets.

D．Play some beach sports.

3. What is the common feature of the four tourist attractions?

A．They are all intended for family trips.

B．They all offer rooms with a full kitchen.

C．They all pick up visitors from the airport.

D．They all provide basketball courts on the beach.

5 . 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

2. Einstein’s and Hawking’s theories 　　　.

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

3. In Paragraph 4, “grandfather paradox” probably refers to the idea that 　　　.

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

4. What is probably the author’s attitude towards time travel?

A．Unclear.	B．Skeptical.
C．Supportive.	D．Unconcerned.

6 . 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.

2. Which is special about Jardin du Luxembourg?

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.

3. What can visitors do in Le Parc de la Villette?

A．Visiting museums.	B．Attending concerts.
C．Admiring waterfalls.	D．Watching puppet shows.

7 . Since the modern Olympics began in 1896, it has been held in more than 40 different cities. That gives Olympic fans quite a few possible travel destinations to choose from!

Beijing, China

Olympic fans should consider visiting the Beijing Olympic Park to check out the special buildings of the so—called “Bird’s Nest” and “Water Cube”—the national stadium and aquatics center built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Popular historic places in Beijing include the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and Tian’anmen Square.

Innsbruck, Austria

Located in the heart of the Alps, Innsbruck is known as a great winter destination—which explains why it has hosted not one but two Winter Olympics. Known for its mountainous views, Innsbruck is the perfect stop for outdoor adventurers.

Mexico City, Mexico

This wonderful travel destination offers a wide number of popular museums, historic buildings, and public parks. People will love shopping for fresh meat and produce at the markets, taking a cooking class, and generally eating their way through Mexico City, which is especially known for its culinary(烹饪的)experiences that include both globally well—known restaurants and locally favored street carts.

Melbourne, Australia

Nearly half a century before Sydney hosted the 2000 Summer Olympics, Melbourne became the first Australian host city in 1956. Head to the “cultural capital of Australia”, located in Victoria on the southeastern coast, for an energetic cafe culture and art scene. Melbourne offers something for every type of traveler and everyone can enjoy an evening at one of the city’s many rooftop bars or a day of wine tasting.

1. Where will you go if you are fond of adventure?

A．Beijing, China.	B．Mexico City, Mexico.
C．Innsbruck, Austria.	D．Melbourne, Australia.

2. What can visitors do in Mexico City?

A．Enjoy wonderful culinary classes.

B．Get profit from making delicious food.

C．Admire beautiful mountainous views.

D．Visit special stadiums for the Olympics.

3. What can we know about Melbourne?

A．It is famous for all kinds of wine.

B．It has many world—famous hotels.

C．It hosted the Summer Olympics twice.

D．It can satisfy different travelers’ needs.

8 . The cost of living in countries like the US, Britain, Australia or France has skyrocketed in recent years. However, if you’re willing to leave your country and explore life in other areas, there are many countries boasting an extremely cheap and low cost of living. Check out the following countries when planning your next move.

Ecuador

Ecuador is similar to the United States in many ways, and as a result has become a popular American getaway. They even use the US Dollar for their currency. In this country, it’s cheaper to eat out every day than cook for yourself on a budget in the US. You can even buy a building for around $ 50, 000 and hire someone to look after it while you’re away.

Mexico

Although the country is known for its poverty ridden streets, there $are many wealthier areas that provide every facility you might need. You can live off a mere $ 700 to $ 800 a month in Mexico, and this includes rent for a nice place, facilities, food, and any sightseeing.

Argentina

Argentina has been a popular tourist destination for many years. It has great restaurants, a rich history, and many places to explore. Not to mention, it’s not very expensive to live here. A decent sized home can cost around $ 139, 000, which is relatively cheap in relation to homes in the United States.

Vietnam

Vietnam has also become a popular tourist destination in recent years. There are many million-dollar luxury homes by the beach, but you can find a modest flat or a small home for around $ 25,000 to $ 50,000 if you search in the right areas.

1. In which country is the US Dollar used for its currency?

A．Argentina.	B．Mexico.
C．Ecuador.	D．Vietnam.

2. How much does it cost to live in Mexico for a year?

A．About $ 7,000.	B．About $ 8,000.
C．About $ 8,800.	D．About $ 12,000.

3. What do Argentina and Vietnam have in common?

A．They have great restaurants.

B．The cost of living is expensive.

C．The middle-sized homes cost around $ 139,000.

D．Tourists enjoy travelling in the two countries.

10 . As the capital city of Thailand, Bangkok is also the country's most populous city with more than 8 million people. Over the years, Bangkok has established itself as one of the most important regional centers for arts, entertainment and fashion. It is also a major regional force in business and finance.

Bangkok is one of the most popular travel destinations for people all over the word. This is primarily due to its energetic city life and its incredible cultural landmarks. Bangkok has much to offer to tourists. From dazzling temples to magnificent palaces, from its well-known floating market to its traditional Chinatown, Bangkok is a city that should not be missed.

There are also numerous hotels, guesthouses and hostels available for travelers that are commit-ted to making their stay pleasant and comfortable. There are many that are located right in the center of the city enabling tourists to have access to shopping centers, restaurants, bars and popular land-marks.

Most accommodations in Bangkok offer 24-hour free Internet access, daily newspapers, theaters, luggage rooms and comfortable bedrooms. For example, Lubd is located in Bangkok's best hangout area. You will have access to all that this city has to offer, be it culture, entertainment, bars, restaurants, clubs or shopping. At Lubd, you will find high-quality accommodation and fun and friendly staff. It has been picked as one of the seventeen coolest hostels to stay for backpackers by The Observer, UK.

The people of Bangkok are extremely convivial and that is why there is always something going on in the city. These include royal anniversaries, Buddhist rites, lunar religious festivals and other cultural events. Foreign festivals are also celebrated with great passion in Bangkok. These include Christmas and Halloween. Overall, if you're looking for an exciting travel destination in Asia, Bangkok is a city that should definitely not be missed.

1. Why do so many people come to Bangkok?

A．Because it is the capital city of Thailand.	B．Because people go after fashion in the city.
C．Because of its rich culture and fullness of life.	D．Because of the mysterious temples and palaces.

2. How does the author describe the accommodation in Bangkok?

A．It can meet different people's needs.	B．All the hotels are located downtown.
C．It is convenient but a little expensive.	D．Most of the hotels are famous in the world.

3. What does the underlined word “convivial” mean in the last paragraph?

A．Busy

B．Cheerful.

C．Curious.

D．Cautious.

4. What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Lubd is considered the best hotel in the world.

B．Most of the star hotels are situated in the city center.

C．Bangkok is the author's preferred city in Asia.

D．Bangkok provides visitors with cheap accommodations.