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 . Amsterdam is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, famous for its beautiful canals, top art museums, cycling culture and so on. It is the capital city of the Netherlands and often referred to as the “Venice of the North” because of its expansive system of bridges and canals. Here are some of the key points to remember as you plan your trip to Amsterdam.
Must-See Attractions
Most visitors begin their Amsterdam adventure in the Old Centre, which is full of traditional architecture, shopping centers, and coffee shops. You’ll also want to check out Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter in the South District, which is great for shopping at the Albert Cuyp Market and having a picnic in the Vondelpark. The top museums to visit there are the Rijksmusuem, the Ann Frank House, and the Van Gogh Museum.
If You Have Time
There are several other unique districts in Amsterdam, and you should try to explore as many of them as time allows. The Canal Ring is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was originally built to attract wealthy home owners and is a center for celebrity spotting and nightlife today. The Plantage area has most of the city’s museums and the botanical gardens.
Money Saving Tips
●Unless you really want to see the tulips(郁金香) blooming, avoid booking between mid-March and mid-May. This is when hotel and flight prices rise.
●Look for accommodations in Amsterdam’s South District, where rates are generally cheaper than in the city center.
●Buy train tickets at the machine instead of the counter to save a bit of money.
●Instead of hiring a tour guide, hop on a canal boat. They’re inexpensive and will give you a unique point of view of the city.
Check out our homepage to view price comparisons for flights, hotels, and rental cars before you book.
1. What can be learned about Amsterdam from this passage?A.The Van Gogh Museum lies in the South District. |
B.The Canal Ring is a place to attract garden lovers. |
C.The Old Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
D.Amsterdam is called the “Venice of the North” because of its location. |
A.arrange a guided tour | B.buy train tickets at the counter |
C.reserve a hotel in the South District | D.book flights between mid-March and mid-May |
A.A magazine. | B.An essay. | C.A report. | D.A website. |
3 . Travelling can be a fun way to gain life experience, but what if you’re a student and don’t have enough money for a trip? Don’t worry. Here are some useful tips.
Save: This probably is the most important preparation for travelling. Cut expenses (花费) to fatten your wallet so you’ll have more choices about where to go and how to get there.
Plan ahead: Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your trip. Giving yourself several months to get ready can mean security and savings.
Do your homework: No matter where you go, research the places you will visit. Decide what to see. Travel books will provide information on the cheapest hotels and restaurants.
Plan sensibly: Write down how much you expect to spend on food and hotels. Stick to (坚持) your plan, or you may not have enough money to cover everything.
Travel in groups: Find someone who is interested in visiting the same places. By travelling with others you can share costs and experiences.
Work as you go: Need more money to support your trip? Look for work in the places you visit.
Go off the beaten path: Tourist cities may be expensive. You may want to rethink about your trip and go to a less known area. Smaller towns can have many interesting activities (活动) and sights.
Pack necessary things: The most important things to take are not always clothes. Remember to take along medicine in case you get sick and snacks in case you cannot find a cheap restaurant.
By planning sensibly, even students can enjoy their travel. Your travel experiences will be remembered for a lifetime.
1. Before your trip, the first thing you should do is________.A.to make a plan of the route |
B.to get information on the Internet |
C.to save money by spending less |
D.to buy tickets ahead of time |
A.not to share costs with other people |
B.not to go to well-known places |
C.not to visit dangerous places |
D.to buy anything you want to buy |
A.you need more medicine than clothes |
B.you should look for work all the way |
C.you should remember to do your homework |
D.you can gain valuable life experience |
A.How to Plan Your Travel Wisely |
B.Travel Can Be Great Fun |
C.Different Kinds of Travel |
D.How to Save Money |
4 . With the summer holiday just around the corner, it seems like everybody is busy planning their vacations.
Travel off-season.
Go to your desired destination (目的地) while the demand is low and make use of huge discounts (折扣). During the peak season, the hotel and flight prices increase quickly.
Save on hotels.
Look for places that do not charge (收费) extra for children if they use the existing (现有的) bedding.
Planning your meals is another way to reduce your travel costs. During your family trip, try new food the locals eat, which will save money.
Don’t hesitate (犹豫) to bargain (讲价).
Tourist-heavy places are known for overcharging for just about everything. Clothes, travel goodies, souvenirs, etc., are very expensive at these places.
Choose local transportation.
A.Eat like a local. |
B.Stay with the locals. |
C.Surf the Internet while traveling. |
D.Therefore, avoid buying anything there. |
E.So it’s best to find out when the off-season starts. |
F.For this reason, you shouldn’t feel ashamed to ask for bargains. |
G.As a tourist, avoid taking taxis whenever possible, since they are expensive. |
Going to Antarctica, one of the remotest destinations on the planet, is not an easy (or affordable) endeavor. Perhaps the difficulty is part of the attraction—the seventh continent remains at the top of many travelers’ wish lists. The striking white desert, with its dramatic, snowy peaks and vibrant turquoise water, as well as its exotic wildlife, including emperor penguins and Weddell seals, can truly offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Hawaii
Hawaii is underrated. To be sure, it is a gorgeous place with breathtaking sunrise and sunset, and every beach is seemingly prettier than the next, but its beauty goes much deeper than its preternatural appearance. Extraordinary beaches—some even boast green and black sand (Papakōlea Beach and Punalu’u Beach, respectively)—have their expected appeal, but visitors who take time to venture out away from the coast quickly discover Hawaii’s charms are everywhere.
Canada
Skiing, surfing, hiking and the Northern Lights, eclectic cuisine, world-class shopping, diverse and rich cultures—this is Canada. The 13 provinces and territories make up the world’s second-largest country by the total area. It has something wonderful for every type of traveler. Nature lovers take solace in mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and the Atlantic or Pacific coastlines while sophisticated eaters nosh at Michelin-starred restaurants and hole-in-the-wall restaurants alike.
Singapore
Travelers don’t want to spend any more time in an airport than they have to. But Singapore Changi Airport is not an ordinary airport. While the rest of the world was staying at home, Singaporean locals had paid to hang out at Changi Airport, whether it was co-working in one of the lounges or camping alongside the world’s highest indoor waterfall, which opened in 2019.
1. Which place would you like to choose if you are an animal lover?A.Hawaii. | B.Antarctica. | C.Singapore. | D.Canada. |
A.It can almost satisfy all kinds of travelers. |
B.It attracts many locals. |
C.It has some extraordinary beaches. |
D.It is the second most beautiful place in the world. |
A.They can decorate the lounges together. |
B.They can enjoy world-class shopping. |
C.They can appreciate the world’s highest indoor waterfall. |
D.They can experience Michelin-starred restaurants. |
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. |
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. |
7 . Central Park
Explore Central Park, one of the largest city parks in the world and one of the most famous symbols of New York. Let’s have a look at its main sights.
Central Park is New York’s largest city park and one of the biggest in the world, with an area of 843 acres (about 3.4km2). This park is home to man-made lakes, waterfalls, grass and wooded areas. You will also find the Central Park Zoo, among other attractions in this greenspace of New York.
Besides being the city’s primary green lungs, Central Park is also a favorite spot for many New Yorkers. It is perfect for sunbathing, going for walks, or doing any outdoor sports. Something that we found curious is seeing so many people running with their babies in prams (婴儿车).
On Foot or by BicycleTo get to know some of the wildest parts of Central Park we suggest walking. However, to get a general feel for the whole park, the best thing to do is hire a bicycle and enjoy the scenery.
If you decide to hire a bike, you will find lots of bike rental stores around Central Park that are not very expensive.
Open TimeFrom 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.
From 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays.
PriceEntry to the Park is free. But if you visit some parts like Central Park Zoo, you need to buy a ticket.
TransportSubway: Line 5, 6, 7, A, B, C and D.
Bus: Line M1, M2, M3, M4 and M10.
Nearby placesMetropolitan Museum of Art (447 m)
Guggenheim Museum (564 m)
American Museum of Natural History (688 m)
Whitney Museum of American Art (1 km)
The Frick Collection (1.3 km)
1. What can we learn about the Central Park from the text?A.It is home to lakes and waterfalls. |
B.It is perfect for doing outdoor sports. |
C.It is the largest city park in the world. |
D.It is the most famous symbol of New York. |
A.Hiring a bicycle. | B.Entrance to Central Park. |
C.Visiting Central Park Zoo. | D.Going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. |
A.In a science report. | B.In a geography book. |
C.In a fashion magazine. | D.In a travel guide. |
8 . Philadelphia is a city known for many things. It is where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, and it was also the first capital of the United States.
More than 20 years ago, a New Jersey artist named Jane Golden started a program pairing troubled youth with artists to paint murals on a few buildings around the city.
Take a walk around some of the poorest neighborhoods in Philadelphia and you will find beautiful works of art on the sides and fronts of buildings. Of course the murals are not just in poor neighborhoods, but richer ones as well. Special buses take tourists to different parts of the city to see the various murals, which show the diverse ethnic groups that call Philadelphia home.
A.How did this come to be? |
B.What happened to the murals on Earth? |
C.They also learned to take pride in their community. |
D.But one fact about Philadelphia is not so well-known. |
E.From this small project, something magical happened. |
F.The program encouraged troubled youth to paint together with their teachers. |
G.As a result of its success, the murals program has now become the nation’s largest public art program. |
9 . The New York See It All Tour is exactly what it sounds like: an all-inclusive guided tour of New York City.
Central Park
One of the most famous parks in the world, Central Park is a man-made wonder. Not only is it the first public park built in America, but it is also one of the most frequently visited parks, with over 25 million guests per year. Set in the middle of busy Manhattan, its grounds serve as a safe harbor, not only for athletes, and musicians but also for lots of migratory birds each year. One can spend an entire peaceful day wandering its grounds, gazing upon nearly 50 fountains, monuments, and sculptures or admiring its 36 bridges.
Hudson River Park
Hudson River Park is a waterside park on the Hudson River that extends from 59th Street south to Battery Park in the New York City district of Manhattan. Bicycle and pedestrian paths, including the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, span the park north to south, opening up the waterfront for the public to relax. The park includes tennis and soccer fields, children’s playground, dog run, and many other features.
Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park, located in the heart of Greenwich Village, is a very popular and often crowded square. People from all backgrounds gather to this large square dotted with trees.
Central Park Zoo
The Central Park Zoo is a small 6.5-acre zoo located on Central Park in New York City. The zoo began in the 1860s, making it the first official zoo to open in New York. The zoo was improved in 1934, with the addition of many new buildings ranged in a quadrangle around the sea lion pool. Finally, the zoo was repaired in the mid-1980s and reopened in 1988, replacing the old-fashioned cages with naturalistic environments.
1. What can we learn about Central Park?A.It is the first public park built in the world. |
B.It is a man-made park. |
C.It especially attracts pedestrians and artists. |
D.It was the most crowded park when first built. |
A.Central Park. | B.Central Park Zoo. |
C.Washington Square Park. | D.Hudson River Park. |
A.In the 1860s. | B.In 1934. |
C.In 1988. | D.In the mid-1980s. |
10 . We all have heard terrible stories about taking children out on holiday---everything from unfriendly hotels to boring activities. Luckily, this is not likely to be a problem here in Thailand. Now allow me to suggest some special activities to you.
Phuket Aquarium
This has to be an exciting visit for kids of any age. It provides different exhibitions and kids can learn a lot about Southeast Asian freshwater and wildlife. There, you will find a map which can take you to the door, or you can follow the signs to Cape Panwa. Call 0876933965 or go to www.phuketaquarium.org.
Sailing
Phuket Yacht Club offers a Junior Sailing Program on the first three Sundays of every month. To get there from Phuket City, you can follow the Chao Fa East road, turn left at the Aquarium sign and follow the Novotel Cape Panwa signs. If you drive please park your car on the roadside and walk down. Call 0852159185 or e-mail phuketyachtclub@gmail.com.
Phuket Zoo
It’s set in tropical gardens shaded by big trees. The zoo has a large number of workers who can speak several languages. They are happy to answer “why” questions of everyone. If you get hungry on the tour, there are different foods for you, but you must pay for them. For more information, go to www. phuketzoo. com.
Whitewater Rafting
As a small island, Phuket has no rivers, but after a two-hour drive, you can arrive at neighboring Phang Nga Province, where you can enjoy great fun. Go to the whitewater rafting link on www.phuket.net.
1. What can we learn about Phuket Aquarium?A.It offers visitors freshwater. |
B.It gives out maps of Cape Panwa. |
C.It teaches kids something about animals. |
D.It only provides exhibitions for small kids. |
A.every Sunday | B.the first three Sundays of every month |
C.any day they like | D.the fourth Sunday of every month |
A.like to ask visitors questions | B.come from different countries |
C.can cook different foods for visitors | D.can communicate with visitors well |