1 . 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 |
2 . By the time the British adventurer Ash Dykes reached Chongqing 178 days after starting to trek (长途跋涉) along the Yangtze River from its source to the sea, the most difficult part of the journey was over. Dykes had completed about 2,430 miles, and all he needed to do was cover the next 1,550 miles in 187 days or less to complete the whole journey.
On August 26 last year, a three-man team, including two guides and a horse, hit the road at the starting point, the source of the Yangtze River in the south of Qinghai Province. Then at different times for the next two months, different people had come to join them.
In order to cross the plateau (高原) and mountains in good weather, the journey was planned to start in summer. However, because of the problems in preparations, Dykes arrived in Qinghai in late August as the days were becoming shorter and colder. Not wanting to wait for another year, he decided to continue.
Within a few days three of the adventurers experienced serious high altitude sickness (高原反应). In the mountains, the team had to light fire to scare off bears, and once they had been followed by a group of wolves for two days. They were forced to quit the journey. In fact, Dykes has been walking alone since late October.
“The rest of the trip would be much easier,” Dykes said. He started from Chongqing on the second half of the journey on March 11. At the same time,he called on more people to join him in some parts of the trek as a way to encourage environmental protection.
“Travelling along the Yangtze River is not only a great act, it’s also a chance to enjoy the true beauty and wonders of China, and attract people’s attention to the environment and good work to protect it,” he wrote on his Weibo. “However, the kindness and warmth of the local people have struck me so much that it is they that make the journey unforgettable.”
1. What do we know about Dykes’ journey along the Yangtze River?| A．It will cover about 3,980 miles. |
| B．It will be joined by more and more people. |
| C．It began in Qinghai and will end in Chongqing. |
| D．It’ll take him over a year to finish the whole journey. |
| A．Bad weather conditions. |
| B．Not enough preparations. |
| C．No partners. |
| D．High altitude sickness. |
| A．The importance of protecting the Yangtze River. |
| B．The best way to travel along the Yangtze River. |
| C．People’s effort to protect the Yangtze River. |
| D．Dykes’ journey along the Yangtze River. |
3 . The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017 ranks Singapore 13th out of 136 countries overall, which was the third best in Asia. The report ranks Singapore’s business environment, international openness, also travel and tourism policy as the best in the world.
The Orchard Road district
The Orchard Road district, which is full of multi-storey shopping centres and hotels, can be considered the center of tourism in Singapore. The first shop of note on Orchard Road was Tangs founded in 1934. Orchard Road is crowded with hotels and shopping centres housing numerous restaurants, coffee chains, cafés, nightclubs.
The Singapore Zoo
The Singapore Zoo has received the “open zoo” idea where animals are kept in enclosures, separated from visitors by hidden dry or wet moats (壕沟), instead of caging the animals. There are about 315 species of animal in the zoo, of which some 16 percent are considered to be endangered species.
The River Safari
It is the first of its kind in Asia and features freshwater exhibitions and a river boat ride as its main highlights. The River Safari, features 10 different ecosystems around the world, including the River Nile, Yangtze River, Mississippi, Amazon as well as the Tundra and has 300 species of animals, including numerous endangered species.
Sentosa
The tourist island of Sentosa, which attracted 19 million visitors in 2011, lies in the south of Singapore and consists of about 20 — 30 landmarks, such as Fort Siloso, which was built to defend against the Japanese during World War II.
1. Where would the tourists interested in food like to go?| A．The Orchard Road district. | B．The Singapore Zoo. |
| C．The River Safari. | D．Sentosa. |
| A．All the animals there are threatened species. | B．There are about 315 animals in the zoo. |
| C．Animals there are not caged. | D．People can play with animals. |
| A．A text book. | B．A travel handbook. |
| C．A website about science news. | D．An entertainment magazine. |
4 . Six Best Places for ________ in Paris
| Le Closerie des Lilas This restaurant/cafe/brasserie is a true literary location. On the terrace, F. Scott Fitzgerald apparently first revealed the manuscript for The Great Gatsby to Ernest Hemingway. This spot in Montparnasse was also frequented by Paul Verlaine, Max Jacob and Henry Miller, among others. 171 Boulevard du Montparnasse |
| Les Deux Magots Located in Saint-Germain-des-Pres on the Left Bank, Les Deux Magotx gets a mention in Nabokov's novel Lolita. It was also frequented by such heavyweights as Albert Gamus, James Joyce, Bertolt Brecht and Ernest Hemingway. Even Julia Child liked the food enough to plant herself at one of its famed outdoor tables. Today, tables are occupied by tourists instead of typists, but it's worth paying a few euros for a coffee here. 6 Place Saint-Germain Des Pres |
| Pere Lachaise Cemetery Perhaps the world's most famous resting place, Pere Lachaise is the home of Marcel Proust and Oscar Wilde, among scores of other famous people buried here. Singer and 'poet' Jim Morrison is, of course, famously six feet under in this verdant (郁郁葱葱的), ambient cemetery as well. 8 Boulevard de Menilmontant |
| Polidor Ernest Hemingway, Paul Verlaine, James Joyce, Victor Hugo, Henry Miller, Arthur Rimbaud and Jack Kerouac all enjoyed classic French dishes like steak, beef Bourguignon, steak tartare, escargot, and foie gras at this sixth-arrondissement restaurant. In the 2011 Woody Allen film, Midnight in Paris, the protagonist meets Hemingway and Salvador Dali here. 41 Rue Monsieur Le Prince |
| Bar Hemingway F. Scott Fitzgerald used to put 'em back at this fashionable and expensive bar in the Ritz. Musician Cole Porter would spend hours nursing cocktails at the bar and even composed a tune or two here. And, of course, the bar's namesake. Mr Ernest Hemingway, was a regular and even likened the drinking space to heaven. He also mentions the bar in The Sun Also Rises. 15 Place Vendome |
| Shakespeare & Company Since 1951, this Left Bank bookshop has been a central meeting point for the city's English-language lovers of great literature. It's also attracted many legendary writers as well. Williams Burroughs, Anais Nin, James Baldwin, Henry Miller, Paul Auster, Martin Amis and Zadie Smith, among countless others, have shopped for books or participated in literary events here. 37 Rue de la Bucherie |
1. Your friend Jenny plans to go to Paris for travelling and she is a big fan of the famous movie director Woody Allen. Which place would you recommend that she visit?
| A．171 Boulevard du Montparnasse | B．41 Rue Monsieur Le Prince |
| C．8 Boulevard de Menilmontant | D．37 Rue de la Bucherie |
| A．Pere Lachasise Cemetery | B．Les Deux Magots |
| C．Bar Hemingway | D．Polidor |
| A．Literature Lovers | B．Experienced Tourists |
| C．Cuisine Enthusiasts | D．History Researchers |
5 . The ancient Lake Baikal has a wealth of beautiful surprises. Nature aside, the region is also rich with culture — home to the Buddhists and the Buryat ethnic minority. Here are some more highlights.
Explore Olkhon Island
Absorbing your wilderness — conquering fantasies in hiking and camping wild on the dramatic cliffs and sandy bays of Olkhon, Lake Baikal’s largest, sparsely-inhabited island. Visit the Olkhon Island in an old Soviet army jeep to view the largest of the shaman ritual sites and spot some Baikal seals sunbathing on the rocks below.
Visit the Ivolginsky Datsan
The Ivolginsky Datsan is the largest and most important Buddhist center in Russia. As you walk around this complex of brightly-colored temple buildings and simple monastic (僧侣的) dwellings, keep a look out for white towers and trees decorated with colorful prayer flags. Spin the prayer wheels, admire the giant Buddha statue with the offerings of coins, colored silks and rice and listen to the chanting of the monks amid clouds of smoke.
Hike the Great Baikal Trail
The Great Baikal Trail project aims to eventually surround Baikal with a series of paths. You can currently hike through a pine forest between the villages of Listvyanka and Bolshiye Koty, or from the picture—perfect fishing village of Baikalskoye to the cold Lake Slyudyanskoye via a striking cliff edge path.
Dive in
Legend has it that Baikal’s waters have miraculous properties, a swim in which gives you five extra years of life. The best places to take a dip include the golden sandy beaches along the northern shore of Olkhon Island, where the water of Maloye Morye(Little Sea)is at its shallowest and warmest, and at the long pebble beach in Severobaikalsk.
Hit the hot springs
The land around Lake Baikal is alive with hot springs, particularly in the small spa town of Arshan, situated in the picturesque foothills of the snowpeaked Eastern Sayan Mountains. The town itself is shabby, but the 1920s Arshan Spa still has the power to cure all kinds of ills with the mildly sulphureous (硫磺的) mineral water, according to the local legend.
1. If you believe in Buddhism, which place will you most possibly visit?| A．Olkhon Island. | B．The Ivolginsky Datsan. |
| C．The Great Baikal Trail. | D．Arshan. |
| A．You can drive an old Soviet army jeep around Olkhon Island. |
| B．You can hike through all forests with the Great Baikal Trail project. |
| C．The water near Olkhon Island is the deepest so visitors can dive safely. |
| D．The medical benefits of the hot springs in Arshan have not been proven. |
| A．In a medical magazine. | B．In a geography textbook. |
| C．In a travelling brochure. | D．On a science website. |
This 7,000-square-foot museum aims to entertain and educate children up to age 9. In its Global City exhibit, people can go shopping for groceries, order lunch at a diner, pretend that they’re doctors or construction workers, and more. In other fun exhibits, they learn about Austin’s history, explore the world of water, and experience life on a large Texas farm.
Open time: From Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m.～5:00 p.m.
On Sunday, 12:00 a.m.～5:00 p.m.
Address: 201 Colorado St, Austin, Texas 78701
Phone: 512-4722499
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Founded in 1899, it is the world’s oldest children’s museum, featuring interactive exhibits, workshops, and special events. The Mystery of Things teaches children about cultural and scientific objects and Music Mix welcomes young virtuosos (名家).
Open time: From Wednesday to Friday, 2:00 p.m.～5:00 p.m.
On Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m.～5:00 p.m.
Address: 145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, New York 1213
Phone: 718-7354400
Children’s Discovery Museum
This museum’s hand-on exhibits explore the relationships between the natural and the created worlds, and among people of different cultures and times. Exhibits include Streets, a 5/8-scale copy of an actual city, with streets lights, and waterworks, which shows how pumps can move water through a reservoir system.
Open time: From Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m.～5:00 p.m.
On Sunday, from noon. Closed on holidays.
Address: 180 Woz Way, Guadalupe River Park, San Jose, California 95110
Phone: 408-2985437
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
This museum is the largest of its kind. Exhibits cover science, culture, space, history, and explorations. Among them are the Space Quest Planetarium (additional fee), the 33-foot-high Water Clock, the Playscape gallery for preschools, and the Dinosphere exhibit, along with hand-on science exhibits.
The largest gallery, the Center for Exploration, is designed for ages 12 and up.
Open time: From Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m.～5:00 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving Day and December 25.
Address: 3000 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208
Phone: 317-3343322
1. Suppose that December 25 is Tuesday, which of the following museums can you visit?| A．Austin Children’s Museum. | B．Brooklyn Children’s Museum. |
| C．Children’s Discovery Museum. | D．Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. |
| A．Texas | B．New York | C．California | D．Indiana |
| A．the Center for Exploration | B．the Space Quest Planetarium |
| C．the Global City exhibit | D．Waterworks |
| A．culture | B．history | C．explorations | D．special events |
| A．ask adults to visit museums |
| B．compare some museums and decide which one is the best |
| C．introduce some museums and encourage parents to visit them with their children |
| D．introduce some exhibits and museums to foreigners |
7 . 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. |
8 . Whether it’s your first time in the Big Apple or you’re returning to the city, it's not just the main sights that are worth checking out. There are plenty of amazing sighs that you won't want to miss.
Empty Met Tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Empty Met Tour is a 1.5-hour tour of the museum before it opens to the public. You're given the VIP treatment as a museum guide will take you around the famous exhibits before anyone else sets foot through the door. Just try not to look particularly proud when you leave and pass the long line of people waiting to get inside!
Iconic New York Photography Tour
The tour lasts 2.5 hours and is led by a professional photographer ready to share some tips and tricks for the perfect photo. And you'll learn everything you need to know for taking the best shot of the city
Bateaux New York Dinner Cruise
Bateaux New York Cruise will offer you a fantastic trip and a delicious dinner! In fact, here you can combine delicious food with sightseeing! As you have a meal, the all-glass boat means you can get a better view of the Statue of Liberty and other landmarks, not to mention New York's world-famous skyline.
Ultimate Central Park Picnic Experience
Chances are you've seen the picnic in Central Park shown in movies over the years. However, you don't need to be a famous actor to have the full experience and this luxurious（豪华的） service offers you much more than your typical egg sandwiches! In fact, you can choose from a selection of meats, cheeses and fresh fruit. Pillows and blankets are provided and even a clean-up is included!
1. What can you enjoy doing on the Empty Met Tour?| A．Being led by a professional tourist guide. |
| B．Gaining the respect of the general public. |
| C．Avoiding the normal crowded visiting hours. |
| D．Learning about the building's early history. |
| A．Empty Met Tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. |
| B．Ultimate Central Park Picnic Experience. |
| C．Iconic New York Photography Tour. |
| D．Bateaux New York Diner Cruise. |
| A．Only famous people can attend it. |
| B．People have to book it in advance. |
| C．It is well-known for its egg sandwiches. |
| D．People don't have to worry about cleaning up. |
9 . Extremely low temperature, strong winds and endless white snow are just a few of the challenges explorers must face in the Polar areas. But a 16-year-old British girl didn't let these worry her. On April 15 Alicia Adams became the youngest person to walk to the North Pole.
She completed the adventure with her geology teacher and two other companions. Each of them carried 30 kilograms of supplies. At times temperatures fell to -45C during the 320-kilometre trip. But they made it in ten days, two days less than her famous father, David Adams' time record for the same walk.
“It is a really good feeling, more of an achievement,” said Alicia Adams after coming to the end of her adventure. “The winds were like angry beasts roaring behind us. The trip seemed endless and there was nothing in sight: no buildings, no people, and no animals. Sometimes we had to walk across lakes covered with thin ice, which is the deadliest threat.”
David Adams is a top British explorer, who reached both the South and North poles on foot. He also set a series of hot air-balloon records and climbed the highest mountain on every continent. “I take pride in what she has achieved but a bit annoyed that she has beaten my time,” her father said playfully.
Asked if there would be any future joint adventures, the dad joked, “I think I would be struggling to keep up with her now.”
Alicia returned to Britain last week where she faces a more normal task of going to school. And she said her achievement would not necessarily mark the start of a life-long exploration. “Going to school is on top of my list,” she said.
1. How long did it take David Adams to complete the same adventure?| A．6 days. | B．8 days. | C．10 days. | D．12 days. |
| A．The lack of equipment and supplies. |
| B．The angry wild animals in the polar areas. |
| C．The strong icy winds and endless white snow. |
| D．The need to cross the lakes covered with thin ice. |
| A．Angry. | B．Proud. | C．Worried. | D．Sad. |
| A．To go back to school to study. | B．To start more explorations by herself. |
| C．To challenge more of her father's records. | D．To have an adventure together with her dad. |
10 . At 12, 139 feet above sea level, Potala is the highest palace in the world. The 1, 300-year-old palace was originally built by Tibetan king Songtsen Gambo for Princess Wencheng of the Chinese Tang Dynasty. Eventually it was expanded and changed into the house for the Dalai Lama. Since 1959, it has been turned into a museum of Buddhism. In 1994, Potala Palace was named a World Heritage by UNESCO.
The building is divided into two parts—the Red Palace and the White Palace. They are really colored red and white. A fresh coat of paint made up of milk, honey, and sugar is applied every autumn.
The neighboring Jokhang Temple and Norbulingka Temple were rebuilt in 2000 and 2001. The Jokhang Temple is considered the most sacred (神圣的) temple in Tibet and thousands of Buddhism believers travel thousands of miles by foot just to pay their respects to it all year around. In addition to the two temples, many other temples, including the Ramoche Temple and Palkhor Temple, are symbols of Tibetan culture.
HOW TO VISIT
All foreign visitors must visit the Potala Palace with a tour group. Groups are allowed an hour inside the palace and photos are not permitted. While the palace and its nearby temples are very much tourist attractions, many of the guests are Tibetan people who come to pray.
WHEN TO VISIT
As one of the highest cities in the world, Lhasa can get quite cold during the winter. Summer is the best time to visit. June to August is the busiest tourist season.
1. What was Potala first built for?| A．A museum of Buddhism. |
| B．A home for the Dalai Lama. |
| C．A burying place for Songtsen Gambo. |
| D．A palace for Princess Wencheng. |
| A．The Jokhang Temple. | B．The Palkhor Temple. |
| C．The Norbulingka Temple. | D．The Ramoche Temple. |
| A．Spring. | B．Summer. | C．Autumn. | D．Winter. |
