1 . This week, the French cruise (游船) operator shared a picture of the newest ship in its fleet, which is set to become the first passenger ship to sail to the North Pole. Alongside that distinction comes several other impressive firsts: Le Commandant Charcot will be the first passenger ship to use a satellite ice routing system, allowing the ship to sail along new ice pathways and be the first ship with built-in polar survival equipment for up to five days.
After a day of exploration on trips such as skiing, kayaking (皮艇运动), and, for the brave of heart, polar swimming, guests can enjoy the pleasure in French opulence (豪华), relaxing at the ship’s spa or drinking a glass of Veuve Cliquot on a private balcony before getting ready for evening dinners designed by French chef Alain Ducasse. Topping out at a maximum number of 245 guests per ship with service in all suites, the ship has a 1:1 guest/crew ratio (比例), one of the highest ratios among expedition ships today.
As it travels through fragile environments such as the North Pole and Antarctica, Le Commandant Charcot will be the first passenger ship to run entirely on natural gas, currently the most environmentally friendly sea fuel available.
Sound like a dream trip? Room rates vary by route, with suites for the geographic North Pole expeditions — set to launch in July 2022 — beginning at $40,000.
1. What is special about Le Commandant Charcot?| A．It will be the first to use satellite phones. |
| B．It will be the first ship equipped with polar survival equiment. |
| C．It will be the newest ship throughout the world. |
| D．It will be the first passenger ship to sail to the South Pole. |
| A．Skiing. | B．Kayaking. | C．Polar swimming. | D．Veuve Cliquot. |
| A．It’s much cheaper. | B．It’s convenient to get. |
| C．It’s more powerful. | D．It’s environmentally friendly. |
2 . Sometime in the early 1960s, a significant thing happened in Sydney, Australia. The city discovered its harbor. Then, one after another, Sydney discovered lots of things that were just sort of there — broad parks, superb beaches, and a culturally diverse population. But it is the harbor that makes the city.
Andrew Reynolds, a cheerful fellow in his early 30s, pilots Sydney ferryboats for a living. I spent the whole morning shuttling back and forth across the harbor. After our third run Andrew shut down the engine, and we went our separate ways — he for a lunch break, I to explore the city.
“I’ll miss these old boats,” he said as we parted.
“How do you mean?” I asked.
“Oh, they’re replacing them with catamarans. Catamarans are faster, but they’re not so elegant, and they’re not fun to pilot. But that’s progress, I guess.”
Everywhere in Sydney these days, change and progress are the watchwords (口号), and traditions are increasingly rare. Shirley Fitzgerald, the city’s official historian, told me that in its rush to modernity in the 1970s, Sydney swept aside much of its past, including many of its finest buildings. “Sydney is confused about itself,” she said. “We can’t seem to make up our minds whether we want a modern city or a traditional one. It’s a conflict that we aren’t getting any better at resolving.”
On the other hand, being young and old at the same time has its attractions. I considered this when I met a thoughtful young businessman named Anthony. “Many people say that we lack culture in this country,” he told me. “What people forget is that the Italians, when they came to Australia, brought 2000 years of their culture, the Greeks some 3000 years, and the Chinese more still. We’ve got a foundation built on ancient cultures but with a drive and dynamism of a young country. It’s a pretty hard combination to beat.”
He is right, but I can’t help wishing they would keep those old ferries.
1. What can we know about Sydney’s harbor?| A．It is a culturally respected area. | B．It used to be a striking architecture. |
| C．It’s crucial to Sydney’s development. | D．It was a famous tourist attraction in 1960. |
| A．Anxious. | B．Negative. | C．Doubtful. | D．Supportive. |
| A．Controlling. | B．Discovering. | C．Solving. | D．Distinguishing. |
| A．A city being young and old is more attractive. |
| B．A city built on ancient cultures is more dynamic. |
| C．Modernity is usually achieved at the cost of elegance. |
| D．Italians bring Australians more cultures than Chinese. |
3 . Last July, I visited Cambridge, a historical university town in England. It is well known that Cambridge University is one of the best universities in the world, but few people know its unique university system. The trip made me know more about the school. It turned out so different from what I had expected!
At Cambridge, there are 31 colleges. These colleges are places where students live, enjoy entertainment, study at libraries and use leisure equipment. Once you enter a college, it becomes your community. Each college is different in terms of places, equipment and atmosphere (氛围). This is why, when applying to Cambridge, applicants (申请人) take great care to choose the right college for themselves. Sometimes, it is just a matter of whether it “feels right” for you.
I also had the chance to visit their Museum of Classical Archaeology (考古学). For someone who is crazy about classics (经典), Cambridge is the perfect place to come and learn from their museums. Classics have been interesting me since I was a kid, and I have developed a deep love for Greek mythology (神话) in comic books. In most museums that Cambridge has, it is easy to find exhibits (展品) that enable you to gain knowledge in any area of interest. There is a museum for almost everything you can think of, including earth sciences, art and — of course — classics.
If you ever have the chance to visit Cambridge, I would suggest visiting their museums as part of your trip. Not only would you be able to immerse yourself in the studying atmosphere, but you could enjoy the wonderful exhibits each museum offers.
1. How did the writer learn more about Cambridge University according to the passage?| A．By reading books. | B．By visiting it. |
| C．By watching TV. | D．By surfing the Internet. |
| A．Students have different interests. | B．Not all colleges are open to them. |
| C．The colleges are similar to each other. | D．Each college is different in its own way. |
| A．The writer’s deep interest in classics. |
| B．The great advantages of visiting Cambridge’s museums. |
| C．The large collection of exhibits in Cambridge’s museums. |
| D．The writer’s visit to the Museum of Classical Archaeology. |
| A．Put. | B．Teach. | C．Value. | D．Dress. |
4 . Along Florida’s Northern Gulf Coast, there’s a year-round coastal oasis with shining beaches, peaceful bay waters and scenic rivers and streams known as Franklin County.
Named “Florida’s Forgotten Coast” for its quiet, laid-back atmosphere, the scenic coastal communities of Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Eastpoint, Alligator Point and St. George Island are also perfect late winter getaway destinations.
Trip Ideas
Enjoy a mid-winter holiday that can include fishing, kayaking, swimming, diving, hiking or eating fresh Apalachicola Bay seafood. Over 80 percent of Franklin County’s 1,412 square kilometres are publicly owned, giving adventurers ample rivers, creeks and coastal shallows to explore. With over 40 camping areas and campgrounds that range from luxury waterfront RV parks to basic woods sites there are many boat launches and hiking opportunities in the county.
Take a relaxing sunset tour of Apalachicola’s historic waterfront aboard one of several adventure tour boats or charter an offshore trip in Carrabelle. Enjoy birdwatching and pet-friendly beaches on St. George Island.
There are many fun winter and early spring events along the Forgotten Coast including the annual St. George Island Chili Cookoff, Eastpoint Rib Cookoff, Carrabelle Riverfront Festival and Apalachicola’s Artwalk.
To Know
• The average winter temperatures along the coast hover around 16 Celsius.
• Off-season lodging (住宿) prices are generally lower and the beaches are less crowded than in the spring and summer.
Travel Planner
Download the Florida’s Forgotten Coast app and stay up to date on events, activities, lodging specials and getaway deals at: Floridasforgottencoast.com.
1. What can we know about Franklin County?| A．It contains over 80 campgrounds. |
| B．It is named as St. George Island. |
| C．It is famous for its leisurely atmosphere. |
| D．It’s a perfect summer getaway destination. |
| A．Have an offshore trip. | B．Take the dog for a walk. |
| C．Enjoy an awesome sunrise. | D．Take a relaxing sunset tour. |
| A．On a travel website. | B．On a science report. |
| C．In an exhibition guide. | D．In a business newspaper. |
5 . Norway: Wonders of the Arctic
Norway has some of the most beautiful natural experiences, home to the northern lights as well as a rich diversity of marine life in its fjord(峡湾) coastline.
HIGHLIGHTS
·Lectures by Helen Scales, Melanie Windridge and local experts
·Guided tour of Bergen
·Fjord boat cruise(乘船观光)
·Whale watching tour
·Aurora(极光) Borealis observatory stay
·Huski dog sled ride
ACCOMMODATION
Grand Terminus Hotel, Bergen
A 4-star hotel with a famous whiskey bar dating back to 1928 and recently restoration throughout. Located in the heart of Bergen and just a 10-minute walk to the UNESCO-listed Bryggen Wharf and 950 yards from the Fløibanen Funicular.
Hotel Clarion the Edge, Tromso
A contemporary stylish 4-star hotel overlooking Tromso Sound and the Arctic Cathedral that opened in 2014．It has great views of the harbour and is only 5-minutes’ walk from the Polaria Aquarium and the 19th-century wooden Tromso Cathedral.
Aurora Borealis Observatory, Senja Island
A purpose-built set of apartments where every room has extra-large windows facing the aurora. The staff have in-depth understanding of the aurora and will help you with photography. Bringing a tripod(三脚架) is highly recommended while travelling. You can also enjoy the aurora from an outdoor hot tub or in the loft-style restaurant set in a converted barn. The observatory is surrounded by lakes and forest which along with the snow, set an amazing background from which to stare at the aurora.
1. What might visitors do in Norway?| A．Train dogs. | B．Deliver speech. |
| C．Go sightseeing by boat. | D．Stay overnight in Bergen. |
| A．Tromso Sound. | B．The Arctic Cathedral. |
| C．Hotel Clarion the Edge. | D．Grand Terminus Hotel. |
| A．Buy a map. | B．Carry a tripod. | C．Learn photography. | D．Fish in lakes. |
6 . A Norwegian fjords (峡湾) adventure
An InterRail Norway pass (interrail.eu) allows three days of travel in any one month for £144. Double rooms in hotels in the fjord areas start from about £130, pension (guest house) from £60 to £100. There are more than 1,000 fjords in Norway where you get the best views. This is the case with the Sognefjord, which is the longest in the country and known as the “king of the fjords”.
Top tip
Norway is a natural playground. The best way to save money is to keep active. Bike hire (租), kayaking (皮划艇) trips and even guided walks are not especially expensive.
Do it yourself
You can fly direct to Oslo from London or Manchester. Ryanair (ryanair.com) is offering October returns from Manchester for £33. Travel from Oslo to Sogndal by Vy Express bus (vybuss.com); return tickets in September start at £78. There are also trains from Oslo to Flam, and while it is around twice as expensive as the bus, it is a famously scenic journey.
Perfect package
Newmark et Holidays (0333 060 5898; newmarketholidays.co.uk) has an eight-day holiday in the fjords of Western Norway, including Sognefjord, from £977 for October, including flights from Gatwick, and accommodation (住宿) at the Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand.
1. What is the Sognefjord famous for?| A．Its length. | B．Its hotels. | C．Its history. | D．Its traffic. |
| A．Find a native guide. | B．Tour around by boat. |
| C．Travel there in summer. | D．Ride a bike to save money. |
| A．It’s very cheap. | B．It’s worth a try. |
| C．It’s not convenient. | D．It’s much too crowded. |
7 . UNESCO World Heritage Sites were created to celebrate and safeguard the most unique places around the world. Below are my 4 favorite UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Cinque Terre, Italy
With cars banned here, you’ll really get to feel the unique history and character of the Cinque Terre’s five centuries-old coastal villages. The breathtaking views of harbors far below the wild coastline along with the rich colors will definitely make it a memorable holiday.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious (宗教的) monument and it contains impressive remains from the Khmer Empire (9th to 15th century). The site has dozens of iconic temples like Ta Prohm (a magnificent temple ruin hidden in the jungle). Hosting more than two million visitors annually, this artistic masterpiece is a must-see site.
Petra, Jordan
Petra’s rock-cut architecture has contributed to its nickname, the Rose City, based on the color of the stone it was carved from. The delicate constructions of temples and tombs along with the remains of churches and temples are only a couple of reasons why this world-famous site is a must-visit destination.
Yellowstone National Park, USA
Yellowstone’s vast wilderness includes mountain ranges, lakes and waterfalls. One of the main reasons for tourists to visit Yellowstone is to observe the amazing wildlife like grizzly bear, bison, bighorn sheep wander the plains and valleys.
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1. Where can tourists enjoy beautiful harbor views?| A．In Cinque Terre. | B．In Angkor Wat. |
| C．In Petra. | D．In Yellowstone National Park. |
| A．Colorful stones. | B．Religious relics. |
| C．Coastal villages. | D．Amazing wildlife. |
| A．A news report. | B．A wildlife brochure. |
| C．A travel blog. | D．An economic magazine. |
8 . 
Over eight million people live in London and it has about 26 million visitors each year. So what can you see in three days? Here are some must-see places.
DAY 1
THE RIVER THAMES is the heart of the city. There are 104 bridges—London Bridge and Tower Bridge are the most famous. Cross the new Millennium Bridge on foot. It’s London’s first bridge in 100 years.
SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE THEATER was built in 1997! (A) In the summer you can see plays there. (B) You can shout during a performance just like in Shakespeare’s time! (C) Shakespeare is one of the greatest writers in the world. (D)Take an umbrella—there’s no roof!
TATE MODERN is the world’s largest modern art gallery. Located in an old power station, it’s a fantastic place to visit. However, don’t miss the British Museum with its collection of over 8 million objects. Follow the museum’s three-hour guide of the highlights.
DAY 2
THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT and BIG BEN are London’s landmarks, so don’t forget your camera. You can go inside and watch the politicians in the two chambers (会议厅) — the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Big Ben, which has four faces, sits at the top of the clock tower in the Houses of the Parliament. So no matter where you stand, you can read the face of the clock.
The King’s or the Queen’s official London home is BUCKINGHAM PALACE. It’s got 775 rooms! About 50,000 guests a year come to parties and events-sorry, invitation only! But you can see the Changing of the Guard.
THE LONDON EYE is the world’s largest sightseeing wheel and the most popular UK tourist attraction with about 3.5 million visitors a year. You can often see distances of 40 kilometers.
DAY 3
London’s cathedral, ST PAUL’S is 108 meters tall and over 300 years old. The entrance ticket isn’t cheap, but the cathedral is impressive, and the dome has got amazing views. At 309 meters tall, the new Shard building is the second tallest building in Europe. You can’t miss it!
Where’s the best place to go when it’s sunny or to relax? One of London’s many large parks such as HYDE PARK, KENSINGTON GARDENS or REGENT’S PARK. There isn’t time for LONDON ZOO, but it’s in Regent’s Park.
The best place for shopping is CAMDEN MARKET. You can find vintage (优质的) clothes, jewelry, great food and all sorts of things. Or go to Harrod’s, the world-famous department store. It’s got over 330different departments and an unbelievable Food Hall.
1. When was Shakespeare’s Globe Theater built?| A．In 1699. | B．In 1837. | C．In 1997. | D．In 2000. |
| A．On the bank of the River Thames. | B．In an old power station. |
| C．On Tower Bridge. | D．In Regent’s Park. |
| A．Businessmen. | B．Scholars. | C．Police officers. | D．Politicians. |
| A．The Millennium Bridge is the first bridge on the River Thames. |
| B．You can only attend the King’s or the Queen’s parties with an invitation. |
| C．St. Paul’s Cathedral in London is over 300 years old. |
| D．For many people Camden Market is the best shopping place in London. |
| A．In the summer you can see plays there. |
| B．You can shout during a performance just like in Shakespeare’s time! |
| C．Shakespeare is one of the greatest writers in the world. |
| D．Take an umbrella—there’s no roof! |
9 . Travelling with friends can be an amazing experience where you could make lifelong memories or it could ruin your friendship.
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.
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.
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.
| 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. |
10 . With the approaching of New Year, more and more visitors will come to China. Don’t know where you should go? Here are some places recommended for you.
Shanghai Expo Culture Park
The Shanghai Expo Culture Park will soon open its northern section to the public, in which the major attractions include a traditional garden that is similar in design to Shanghai’s famous Yuyuan Garden and a 400-meter avenue exhibiting the history of the area, while in the southern section lies a grand theater.
Macao Tower AJ Hackett Bungee Jump
The Macao Tower, 338 meters tall, is the world’s 10th highest tower, with a variety of activities, such as eating and entertainment. One of the activities which enjoy good fame is the bungee jump. The AJ Hackett Macao Tower Bungee Jump is 233 meters high, making it a Guinness World Record as the highest commercial (商业的) bungee jump in the world. Raise your arms and off you go!
Harbin’s Frozen World
For those who have never been to Harbin, there is an almost endless list of things to do. At Harbin Ice—Snow World, you can not only see the world—famous ice architecture, but also have great fun! You can have hotpot at the restaurants which are made of ice, enjoying the product of both ice and fire, go down the world’s longest ice slide (滑梯) and join in the popular Ice and Snow Electronic Music Festival to welcome 2024.
The winter is cold and the night is long, so why not go to the theatre? Harbin was listed by the United Nations as a “music city” in 2010. Harbin Grand Theater is where artistic souls defrost (化霜) a little to share their love of art.
1. Where should visitors go if they want to do extreme sports?| A．Shanghai Expo Culture Park. | B．The Macao Tower. |
| C．Shangha’s Yuyuan Garden. | D．Harbin Ice—Snow World. |
| A．Attend a famous music festival. | B．Play with both ice and fire. |
| C．Turn water into instant ice. | D．Learn to make ice architecture. |
| A．They have a high tower. | B．They have a long ice slide. |
| C．They have a grand theater. | D．They have traditional architecture. |
