1 . I. M. Pei, one of the world’s most famous building designers, died at age 102. Mr. Pei created buildings which are known and appreciated around the world. Mr. Pei’s style of architecture is called “modern” or “modernist”. This style of architecture makes use of newer building materials, such as concrete(混凝土), glass and metal. Modernist buildings are often designed with straight lines, without a lot of decorations. Modern architecture appeared at the end of the 19th century from changes in technology, engineering and building materials, and from a wish to break away from historical architectural styles and to invent something that was totally functional and new.
Mr. Pei designed many different kinds of buildings, including libraries, concert halls, office buildings, hotels, hospitals and skyscrapers. But he’s probably famous for some of his museums, like the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Perhaps Mr. Pei’s best-known building is the Pyramid he created as a new entrance to the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. Like many of Mr. Pei’s designs, it wasn’t all that popular at first, but over time, people came to love it. Now it is one of the main reasons why people visit the museum. Another famous building of his is the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, China. Mr. Pei said he wanted it to look a bit like bamboo.
Mr. Pei put a lot of thoughts into his designs. He studied carefully before he designed each building. For example, he didn’t like rock and roll music, but he went to rock concerts before he designed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. He read books, studied music and visited many musicians. He preferred his students or teammates who came from different cultural backgrounds.
Not all of Mr. Pei’s buildings were triumphant. The Hancock Tower in Boston is one example. The huge glass-covered skyscraper was nearly finished when the bad thing happened. Some glass began falling out of the building. They had to be replaced with plywood(胶合板) until a solution could be found. The problem was a headache and took years to fix.
1. What does Mr. Pei’s architecture look like?| A．Simple. | B．Strange. | C．Traditional. | D．Classical. |
| A．The East Building of the National Gallery of Art. |
| B．The new entrance to the Louvre Museum. |
| C．The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. |
| D．The Bank of China Tower. |
| A．To enjoy the music. | B．To meet the singers. |
| C．To ask for advice on his design. | D．To prepare himself for a design. |
| A．Unique. | B．Successful. | C．Completed. | D．Famous. |
2 . 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. |
3 . The Huaqing Palace Heritage Site
Star Pool
It was built in 644 AD for Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty (朝代). It is said that at first there was no cover for the pool so that he could enjoy the shining stars of the night while taking a bath.
Huaqing Hot Springs
They were named "The First Hot Springs in the World" in the Tang dynasty by Emperor Xuanzong. The water temperature stays at 43°C all year round. It was first used as an imperial pool during the Zhou dynasty (1046 BC-256 BC)
Tang Well
It has a long history of over 1,300 years and measures 1.9 metres long, 1.26 metres wide and 8. 3 metres deep. It was used just by Yang Yuhuan for drinking water.
Imperial Concubine Pool (贵妃池)
It was built in 747 AD for the famous beauty Yang Yuhuan. It takes the shape of a Chinese crab apple (海棠) flower, and is where Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Yuhuan took baths every winter.
Address: At the foot of Lishan Mountain in Litong, 30 kilometres east of Xi'an.
Opening hours: From March to November: 7:00 - 18:00
From December to February: 7:30 - 18:30
Bus routes: 914, 915, U5, and 306
1. Which of the following has the longest history?
| A．Star Pool. | B．Huaqing Hot Springs. |
| C．Tang Well. | D．Imperial Concubine Pool. |
| A．It is half-divided. | B．It is flower-shaped. | C．It is for drinking. | D．It has no cover. |
| A．It is on the mountain top. | B．It is 30 kilometres west of Xi'an. |
| C．It has five bus routes travelling along. | D．It stays open for eleven hours a day. |
4 . Green architecture is designed in an environmentally-friendly way. Many people think interest in green architecture has only begun in recent years.
To make it, much of green architecture focuses on building intelligently. For example, plumbing systems (管道系统) may be designed to use less water while still functioning normally.
Many architects build environmentally to show people that it’s possible. And they want to show the fact that being environmentally-friendly does not have to make a building bad-looking.
The green design can be kept in mind when we build various future buildings, ranging from a private home to a tall office building. Green designs can also be applied to remodeling (改造) and repairing existing buildings.
| A．The goal is to make a building prettier. |
| B．Not many buildings have great green designs. |
| C．A green building’s design need solve many problems. |
| D．In fact, humans have tried green architecture for thousands of years. |
| E．After all, pulling down a building can quite damage the environment. |
| F．Actually, many of the green designs can make a building more beautiful. |
| G．And smart lighting would turn off when people are not around to save energy. |
5 . America’s Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Spring
Washington, D. C
Every spring, Washington, D. C. is blanketed in pink with cherry blossoms. To celebrate the event, come to the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which takes place from the last week in March to the second week in April. You can view the flowers or take part in festival events.
Charleston, South Carolina
No list of beautiful spring cities would be complete without mention of Charleston, South Carolina. Delight in hanging plants, cobblestone streets, and historic castles. And because of year-round pleasant temperatures, you might even hit a beach day in March or April.
North Caseades National Park, Washington
The North Caseades is home to everything from mountains to forests to grassland, and the scenery changes seasonally. In spring, the snow disappears to bring strong waterfalls, and wildflowers spot the land. Different areas will present totally unique plants, so give yourself a few days to take in the sighs.
Central Park, New York
New York is the city that never sleeps, no matter what the season, but springtime is the best time to take a walk through Central Park. It is one of the most filmed locations in the world. A springtime walk past Victorian houses a brief visit to ancient shops, and of course long walks by the lake.
1. Which is the right time to attend the National Cherry Blossom Festival?| A．March 8. | B．March 15. | C．April 3. | D．April 28. |
| A．Wonderful cherry blossoms. | B．Year-around pleasant temperatures. |
| C．Victorian houses and old shops. | D．Strong waterfalls and wildflowers. |
| A．Washington, D. C. | B．Central Park, New York |
| C．Charleston, South Carolina | D．North Caseades National Park |
6 . Where would you like to go for your New Year vacation? Here are the best ski resorts of comfort and joy during the holidays and the rest of the ski season.
Kitzbuhel, Austria
The most prized downhill on the ski racing calendar, Kitzbuhel also attracts a host of festive fans with its fairy lights, and performances of jazz bands. By day, you can enjoy 230 kilometers of runs over the Kitzbtihel Alps, and fill up on hearty Tyrolean classic foods.
Val Gardena, Italy
This attractive valley is a New Year present waiting to be unwrapped. The three towns that make up Val Gardena—busy Ortisei, peaceful Santa Cristina and the higher Selva—traditionally go big on the festive season, combining their Italian, Austrian and Ladin heritage. The 175-kilometer skiing takes place below the towering Sassolungo mountain.
Alpbach, Austria
Alpbach is often considered Austria’s prettiest village. Low at 1,00 meters, it may not always have snow on the ground. There are 91 kilometers of runs stretching up to 2,025 meters with a beautiful spread of mountain huts.
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe will celebrate its 85th winter of lift service this season and it’s a fine place to enjoy New Year. The skiing, up the road at Stowe Mountain Resort, offers options for all levels through forests from Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont.
1. What can visitors enjoy in Kitzbuhel?| A．Firework display. | B．Running race. | C．Spicy food. | D．Live music. |
| A．The new year gift. | B．The busy towns. |
| C．The diverse culture. | D．The traditional industry. |
| A．Alpbach. | B．Val Gardena. | C．Kitzbuhel. | D．Stowe. |
7 . China Small Group Tours
◆Tour Route 1: 11 Days Private Beijing - Lhasa - Xi’an - Shanghai
Tour Highlights:
Must-see sights in China — the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors
Follow us on a Buddhist pilgrimage to Tibet & appreciate the profound culture
Have a leisurely walk or an exciting bicycle ride on the time-honored City Wall of Xi’an
View the soaring city skylines and feel the pulse of modern Shanghai
From $ 2, 459 per person
◆Tour Route 2: 11 Days Private Bejing - Xi’an - Chonqing - Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai
Tour Highlights:
Must-see sights in China — the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Wariors
Try biking on the Ming Dynasty City Wall of Xi’ an, or tour by electric car
Enjoy the Three Gorges (三峡) scenery on Yangtze River & feel totally relaxed
From $ 1, 879 per person
◆Tour Route 3: 12 Days Private Bejing - Shanghai - Xi’an - Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin - Hong
Kong
Tour Highlights:
Must-see sights in China — the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors
Experience the Bund, classical garden, modern and old in contrast in Shanghai
Feel the lively atmosphere & explore busy markets freely in Hong Kong
Walk into a local family, learn to cook Chinese food & dine with the hosts in their home
From $ 2, 499 per person
◆Tour Route 4: 12 Days Private Bejing - Xi’an - Chengdu - Guilin - Shanghai
Tour Highlights:
Must-see sights in China — the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Giant Pandas
Come to Chengdu, the hometown of giant pandas to visit and observe the cute creature
Cruise on the meandering Li River & admire Guilin landscape
Walk into a local Chinese family, interact & dine with the hosts in their home
From $2, 079 per person
1. What do Tour Route 1 and Tour Route 2 have in common?| A．They have cycling activities. |
| B．They include a visit to Tibet. |
| C．Visitors enjoy the Three Gorges scenery. |
| D．Visitors pay the same amount of money. |
| A．Tourists can travel by bike. |
| B．Tourists can visit a huge dam. |
| C．Tourists can dine with a family. |
| D．It is the most expensive of the four. |
| A．Tour Route 1. |
| B．Tour Route 2. |
| C．Tour Route 3. |
| D．Tour Route 4. |
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. |
Holiday and ski destination, Tremblant welcomes-families, couples, friends; and groups in the heart of the Laurentians, in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada.
Lake Cruise
Get an extensive tour in just an hour. Listen-to guided commentary (解说) from your captain on the lake’s history and ecology while taking some of good shots of the picturesque shoreline. The boat offers space to spread out or take shelter from poor weather, as well as a cash bar. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Dune Buggy 4 x4 Tours
Head out on a thrilling adventure on this guided tour and equipped with three-point seatbelts, this 4-seat model is perfect for the whole family. Duration is 1h30 minutes including a 15 min, briefing. Drivers must be 18 years old with a valid driver’s license.
Dogsled Adventure
Experience the cheerful joy of being pulled by a team dogs racing across the snow on a 1 hour dog. sledding (雪橇) adventure. Take in the amazing winter scenery and suck hot chocolate with your guides. Learn to drive the sled or take in the excitement as a passenger. Children 15 years old and under need to be accompanied by a participating adult.
Guided Snowmobile Tours
Upon arrival, suit up, get familiar with your vehicle, and set off with your guide. Hit the trails and lose yourself in Quebec’s wintery scenery in the next 2 hours. Must be 18 and over and have a valid driver’s license in hand.
If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number: +1 855 275 5071.
1. What do we know about Lake Cruise?| A．Children can play shooting games. | B．It is a guided tour. |
| C．Tourists can learn history of Canada. | D．It’s a skiing tour. |
| A．Lake Cruise. | B．Dune Buggy 4 x4 Tours. |
| C．Dogsled Adventure. | D．Guided Snowmobile Tours. |
| A．A travel brochure. | B．A book review. |
| C．An adventure diary. | D．A dictionary entry. |
10 . 2022 Synchronous Fireflies Viewing Event
In order to protect critical firefly (萤火虫) habitat and provide the best visitor experience, we limit the viewing to 120 vehicles per night. Tickets will be required to enter the park in the evenings on those dates and will be available through a lottery (抽签) system hosted at www. recreation.gov/ticket/facility/320008.
The lottery system will open at 10: 00 a. m. on March 31 and will remain open until 10: 00 a. m. on April 6, with results to be announced on April 14. A non-refundable service fee of $1 will be charged by Recreation. gov to enter the lottery system. Participants selected through the lottery system will be required to pay a $19 non-refundable event fee to secure tickets ( $20 in total). Tickets will only be issued for passenger vehicles up to two axles (轮轴) that can fit in standard parking spaces (i. e. no motor homes, vehicles with trailers, buses or mini-buses).
Because of the large number of participants expected for this event, the following are prohibited on the Fireflies Trail:
● Dogs ( service dogs allowed)
● Flash photography
● Headlamps
● Using smartphones as flashlights
● Chairs, hammocks (吊床) or blankets
● Smoking
● Alcoholic beverages (酒水)
Participants are asked to observe the following viewing rules：
● Keep noise levels to a minimum so that everyone can enjoy this special natural occurrence.
● Capturing fireflies is not allowed within Congaree National Park.
● Stay on the designated trail ( walking off the trail can do harm to firefly habitat).
● Only use flashlights when absolutely necessary, pointing them straight down in order not to disturb other participants ( small penlights are recommended).
1. How much will a participant pay to join in the event?| A．1 dollar. | B．19 dollars. | C．20 dollars. | D．21 dollars. |
| A．Take their pets. | B．Walk on the Fireflies Trail. |
| C．Use flash for photographing. | D．Stay in a motor home for the night. |
| A．Something about an event concerning watching fireflies. |
| B．Something about how to protect firefly habitat. |
| C．The importance of firefly habitat. |
| D．The condition of firefly habitat. |
