1 . 72 hours in Beijing

Traveling to China is no longer a luxury for many foreign passport holders. The Chinese government has permitted a 72-hour visa free policy that offers access to visitors from 53 countries including the US, France and Austria. Let’s start with the capital of China, Beijing. Here’s a pick of the best in Beijing.

Mutianyu Great Wall

Your trip to Beijing isn’t really complete without seeing one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World” — the Great Wall of China. The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is by far the most well-preserved of all. Taking a one-hour bus ride, Mutianyu would be your ideal location for a half-day of hiking away from the large crowds in the city. Also, the authorities have allowed tourists to paint graffiti on a specific section of the Great Wall since 2014. The Great Wall was designated (把……定名为) a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

Summer Palace

Located in northwestern Beijing, the Summer Palace is by far the city’s most well-preserved royal park. With its huge lake and hilltop views, the palace offers you a pastoral escape into the landscape of traditional Chinese paintings. The Summer Palace was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998.

798 Art Zone

This would be on the top of my list! Named after the 798 factory that was built in the 1950s, the art zone is home to various galleries, design studios, art exhibition spaces, fashionable shops and bars. You could easily spend half your day wandering around the complex, feeling the contrast of the present and the past.

Sichuan Provincial Restaurant

While in Beijing, apart from trying the city’s best-known Peking duck, the Sichuan provincial restaurant is one of places where you can enjoy regional delicious food. It offers one of China’s eight great cuisines, Sichuan Cuisine, which ranges from Mapo tofu to spicy chicken.

1. When was the Summer Palace added to the UNESCO World Heritage List?

A．In 1950.	B．In 1987.
C．In 1998.	D．In 2014.

2. Which place is the author’s first choice when visiting Beijing?

A．Mutianyu Great Wall.	B．798 Art Zone.
C．Summer Palace.	D．Sichuan Provincial Restaurant.

3. Who is the passage intended for?

A．The tourists who prefer to travel for free.

B．The foreigners to stay in Beijing for 4 days.

C．The visitors coming from every corner of China.

D．The foreigners coming to Beijing for the first time.

2 . 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 Bicycle

To 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 Time

From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.

From 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Price

Entry to the Park is free. But if you visit some parts like Central Park Zoo, you need to buy a ticket.

Transport

Subway: Line 5, 6, 7, A, B, C and D．

Bus: Line M1, M2, M3, M4 and M10.

Nearby places

Metropolitan 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.

2. Which one of the following things is free?

A．Hiring a bicycle.	B．Entrance to Central Park.
C．Visiting Central Park Zoo.	D．Going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

3. Where can we find this text?

A．In a science report.	B．In a geography book.
C．In a fashion magazine.	D．In a travel guide.

4 . 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.

2. Which sees the most fairs and festivals on Long Island?

A．Spring.

B．Summer

C．Autumn.

D．Winter.

3. Where will science fans prefer to celebrate their birthday?

A．At Animal Exhibit.	B．At The Mattituck Strawberry Festival.
C．At Home Depot Kids Workshop.	D．At Chuck E. Cheese's.

6 . 4 Popular Places to Go This Winter

Harbin, China

China Harbin’s winter is for the brave ones—the average temperature is 1.8°F- but those who brave the cold will be rewarded with experiencing one of the world’s largest winter festivals. 2021 marks the 37th Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival (January-March), when massive frozen structures rise and are lit up, transforming the city into a winter wonderland.

Lyon, France

Paris may be called The City of Light,but every December, light takes center stage in Lyon, France’s third-largest city. That’s when the annual Festival of Lights (around December 8) takes over, with light installations (装置)that transform the city’s streetscapes into modern works of art. The city is also home to two Christmas markets (one in La Croix-Rousse; the other at the Place Carnot; through December 25).

Lima, Peru

Peru’s capital Lima is home to the world’s highest number of cooking schools per person. Aside from its delicate dining, the city also has great cocktail bars where you can taste classic or contemporary takes on the Pisco Sour.Combine that with the oceanfront setting and temperatures in the 80s, and you’ll understand why Lima should no longer be ignored this winter.

Vermont, US

Winter in Vermont means skiing and snowboarding, Many resorts (度假胜地)have greatly upgraded their snowmaking abilities as part of a $15 million statewide program that replaced many outdated snow guns with new, low-energy models.These new machines will also improve the quality of snow surfaces and lengthen the season, meaning this will be one of the best winters for skiing and riding in Vermont in recent memory.

1. What similarities do the first two places have?

A．They are decorated with lights.	B．They offer snow sculptures.
C．They have three-day festivals.	D．They are extremely cold.

2. Which provides a good chance to buy a Christmas gift?

A．Harbin.

B．Lyon.

C．Lima.

D．Vermont.

3. What’s new to the resorts in Vermont?

A．Skiing and snowboarding.	B．A longer winter.
C．Cooking schools.	D．Updated equipment.

7 . There are many places worth visiting in the world. Here are some of the places that almost every person wants to see in their life.

Santorini

This is one of the most amazing places in the world. It is said to have been destroyed in the 16th century. It has been rebuilt and its beauty increases with every passing day. There are a lot of islands in Greece and sunbathing on any of these would be an unforgettable experience.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge

An amazing place to visit in the world is the Capilano Suspension Bridge. This bridge is located in Vancouver in British Columbia, a province of Canada. Its beauty appeals to visitors from all over the world. It's almost 140 meters long and 70 meters above the river.

Rome

Another beautiful place to visit is the ancient city of Rome in Italy. It is also known as the center of Western civilization. This city was founded in 753 BC. The Colosseum (罗马斗兽场), which is one of the world's most symbolic monuments, is also in Rome.

The Taj Mahal

It is also a good choice to visit the Taj Mahal in India. It is called the monument of love and built to show Mughal Emperor Shah Jeha's love for his wife. It is located on the south bank of the Yamuna River. Its ivory-white color attracts many tourists and it is one of the miracles of the Mughal art of building.

1. What can visitors do in Santorini?

A．Go sunbathing.	B．Visit the monument of love.
C．Climb the suspension bridge.	D．Experience western civilization.

2. To which country does the Capilano Suspension Bridge belong?

A．Italy.

B．Greece.

C．England.

D．Canada.

3. What do we know about the Taj Mahal from the passage?

A．Its roof is made of ivory.

B．It is a typical Mughal style building.

C．It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah as his tomb.

D．It is located on the north bank of the Yamuna River.

8 . Mother Nature is a cruel mistress. Why? Read on to find the answer.

Venice

This iconic city is sinking rapidly. The canals that make up the streets of Venice rise 2mm every year, making relics of history go under the surface of water and destroying architecture. Experts warn that without intervention (干预) , this city will disappear back into the water at an even faster rate, consumed by rising sea level from melting polar ice caps.

Machu Picchu

These iconic ruins have drawn adventurous tourists into the mountains of South America. The forces of natural erosion (侵蚀) have been accelerated by tourism and this landmark faces severe influence from increasing foot traffic. The Peruviar government recently suggested a cable car that would cut out the intense hike up to the ruins, making the site instantly accessible to millions, but the future of Machu Picchu remains uncertain.

Glacier National Park

Perhaps you’ve heard that the ice caps are melting. But nowhere is more apparent in the United States than in Glacier National Park. Estimates indicate that the glaciers that are part of the beauty of this national landmark will disappear entirely in the next two decades.

The Great Barrier Reef

Hidden from view beneath the waves, the Great Barrier Reef has been rapidly dying off. Nearly fifty percent of coral which once occupied a large area is gone, destroyed by pollution and disease.

1. What can we learn about Machu Picchu?

A．It’s famous for cable cars.	B．It will soon turn away all visitors.
C．It bears a heavy burden of tourism.	D．It’s well preserved by the locals.

2. Which place probably needs visitors to dive into the water to enjoy its beauty?

A．The Great Barrier Reef.	B．Machu Picchu.
C．Glacier National Park.	D．Venice.

3. What do the above attractions have in common?

A．They all have a long history.	B．They’re all threatened by climate.
C．They’re all in danger of disappearing.	D．They’re all well-known for natural scenery.

9 . SWITZERLAND TRIP PLANNING

Best Time to Go

Like any other country, you can visit Switzerland at any time of the year and have a fantastic time. However, there’s always a ‘best’ time for what you want to do there so it is always worth checking the seasons. It all depends on what your planned activities are. If you are intending to ski and snowboard, best to go when the snow is at its peak time. Activity in Switzerland can be broken down into three tourist seasons: Low Season (Oct. —Mar.), Mid Season! Apr. —Jun. & Sep.) and High Season (Jul., Aug. & Dec. —Apr. / In this season, everything is open and busy, and watch your budget).

Rough Budget

Switzerland is an expensive country to travel around but it is possible to travel here for approximately $ 70—100 per day if you stay in hostels, cook most of your meals and use local transport only when necessary. You’ll find that food is quite expensive as well as accommodation. However, the entire experience is 100% worth it. Here’s a rough cost of basic commodities.

Accommodation
Budget: $ 30—60 dorms / $ 80—120 budget hotels
Mid-range: $ 150—200
Splurge: $ 250—350+

Food (Typical Meal For One)
Self-catering lunch; $ 10—25
Restaurant: $ 20 lunch / $ 40 dinner
Very nice restaurant: $ 60+

Transport
City Buses: $ 2. 50—5
Intercity Trains: $ 25—50

Exciting Things to Do in Switzerland

With so much to see and do in Switzerland, planning a trip can be tough. Here are the things that we highly recommend doing in Interlaken as it is the adventure capital of Switzerland!

Whether you like skydiving, paragliding, or going on a jet boat, Interlaken offers everything and more for all adventure-seekers and anyone who loves the outdoors. Skydiving in Switzerland is a BUCKET LIST come true for any adventure-seeker. It is absolutely incredible and is something we highly recommend. So check out our full article on things to do in Interlaken for some ideas and see all the adventurous activities available in the area this year!

1. Which can contribute to your budget of $ 70 — 100 per day when traveling in Switzerland?

A．Choosing hotels for accommodation.	B．Cooking meals as much as you can.
C．Adopting local means of transport.	D．Attempting to travel in peak seasons.

2. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A．You can enjoy yourself to the fullest when going skiing any time in Switzerland.

B．Interlaken also offers water activities besides adventure activities like skydiving.

C．Both accommodation and hiking in the mountain are expensive in Switzerland.

D．Planning a trip in Interlaken can be tough because the activities are dangerous.

3. Where is this article most probably from?

A．A geography book about Switzerland.	B．An English textbook.
C．A composition on Switzerland.	D．A travel brochure.

10 . My fifteen-year-old son has just returned from abroad with rolls of exposed film and a hundred dollars in uncashed traveler’s checks, and is asleep at the moment. His blue duffel bag lies on the floor where he dropped it. Obviously, he postponed as much sleep as he could: when he walked in and we hugged, his electrical system suddenly switched off, and he headed directly for the bed, where I imagine he beat his old record of sixteen hours.

It was his first trip overseas, so weeks before it, I pressed travel books on him, and a tape cassette of useful French phrases; drew up a list of people to visit; advised him on clothing and other things. At the luggage store where we went to buy him a suitcase, he headed for the duffels, saying that suitcases were more for old people.

During the trip, he called home three times: from London, Paris, and a village named Ullapool. Near Ullapool, he climbed a mountain in a rainstorm that almost blew him off. In the village, a man spoke to him in Gaelic, and, too polite to interrupt, my son listened to him for ten or fifteen minutes, trying to nod in the right places. The French he learned from the cassette didn’t hold water in Paris. The French he talked to shrugged and walked on.

When my son called, I sat down at the kitchen table and leaned forward and hung on every word. His voice came through clearly, though two of the calls were like ship-to-shore communication. When I interrupted him with a “Great!” or a “Really?”, I knocked a little hole in his communication. So I just sat and listened. I have never listened to a telephone so attentively and with so much pleasure. It was wonderful to hear news from him that was so new to me. In my book, he was the first man to land on the moon, and I knew that I had no advice to give him and that what I had already given was probably not much help.

The unused checks are certainly evidence of that. Youth travels light. No suitcase, not much luggage and a slim expense account, and yet he went to the scene, and came back safely. I sit here amazed. The night when your child returns with dust on his shoes from a country you’ve never seen is a night you would gladly turn into a week.

1. During the trip, the author’s son ______.

A．ran out of money	B．forgot to call his mother
C．had inadequate sleep	D．failed to take good pictures

2. Which of the following could best describe the author’s son?

A．Polite and careless.	B．Creative and stubborn.
C．Considerate and independent.	D．Self-centered and adventurous.

3. What does the underlined word “that” in the last paragraph refer to?

A．It is important to listen to your child’s story.

B．It’s easy to interrupt the chat with your child.

C．The author is proud of her son landing on the moon.

D．The son no longer needs much help from his mother.

4. What can we infer from the passage?

A．Good parents should protect their children from potential dangers.

B．The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.

C．It’s a win-win choice to give a child space to experience and explore.

D．Communication between parents and children is extremely important.