1 . The Complete Guide to Alberta’s Icefields Parkway
Introduction
The 144-mile Icefields Parkway, or Highway 93, is one of Canada’s most scenic road trip routes and is a must for visitors to Alberta. It is popular among visitors, and has a lot of viewpoints where you can see glaciers (冰川), waterfalls, lakes, rivers, forests, and valleys. The parkway starts in the town of Jasper, in Jasper National Park, and travels south to near Lake Louise, in Banff National Park. Some travellers will go to the parkway from the southern end, though. The Icefields Parkway is open throughout the year, but most travellers will prefer to drive it in the warmer months.
Stops to Make Along the Way
Athabasca Falls: The 75-foot waterfalls are not exceptionally high, but they roar with a large volume of water, making them some of the most impressive falls in the Canadian Rockies.
Sunwapta Falls: Fed by the Athabasca Glacier, the Sunwapta Falls are divided into the upper and lower sections. The upper falls are easily accessible, but you need to hike a short distance to get to the lower falls. The lower falls are definitely worth the walk if you want to escape (逃离) the crowds in the summer. Sunwapta Falls are about 34 miles from Jasper.
Where to Get Supplies
If you’re spreading this road trip over more than one day, stock up on snacks in Jasper or Lake Louis and fill up your tank there, too. There are no major towns between Jasper and Lake Louise. In the summer, there are a few places to eat and stay along the way, but prices tend to be high because of the lack of competition and the area’s remoteness.
Want to go there to have fun? Please contact us for more information.
1. Why do many people go to the Icefields Parkway?| A．It’s a famous scenery. | B．It has a long history. |
| C．It’s 144-mile long. | D．It’s the famous road to Alberta. |
| A．By boat. | B．By car. | C．By cable. | D．On foot. |
| A．There are no towns along the way. | B．The food in Jasper is very expensive. |
| C．There are no places to eat along the way. | D．The prices are not cheap for the remoteness. |
2 . Earlier this month, I paid a visit to Baluran National Park in eastern Java with my family. This park, named after a dead volcano, is the only place in Indonesia that looks like an African savanna (热带草原). Therefore, it is called Africa in Indonesia. You can see deer, large water buffalo, small mice, peacocks, eagles, monkeys and much more animals.
When walking in the park, we really had the feeling that we were in Africa. This was mainly due to its climate. The air was hot and dry rather than warm and wet. It was completely different from what I got used to in Indonesia and I was so surprised.
In the park, you will never get bored because the whole neighborhood is full of monkeys. But thesemonkeys are rude and aggressive (好斗的). Monkeys guarded our house and wanted food. When we didn’t give them food, they would rob us of food. So each of us was offered a stick by the rangers (护林员). They taught us that when the monkeys were too aggressive we must lift the stick. And it worked perfectly.
In the late afternoon, we went for a walk to explore the area. On the way, we saw many species of trees that couldn’t be found anywhere else in Indonesia. Soon the sunset approached so we decided to go back. But darkness fell about halfway through the journey. We only had poor light from our phones. And we heard only the sounds of animals around us. It was possible that hungry animals might come close to us and take us as their dinner. We started to feel scared and quickened our steps. Just when we were about to reach our breaking point, we saw a ranger, who comforted us and led us to safety.
In the evening, we talked with the ranger about his life in Baluran. And after dinner, he invited us to fish with him at sunrise. We really had a great time in the park, and I always look forward to coming back and experiencing all the excitements again.
1. What do we learn about Baluran National Park?| A．It is a great place for wild animals. | B．It is located in the middle of Africa. |
| C．Tourists find its climate very pleasant. | D．Tourists usually visit it for its volcano. |
| A．To help them walk easily. | B．To drive away unfriendly monkeys. |
| C．To play games with monkeys. | D．To use it to give monkeys food. |
| A．The anxiety to charge their phones. | B．The desire to tell the rangers about their adventure. |
| C．The worry about being robbed at night. | D．The fear of being attacked by wild animals. |
| A．Encourage people to travel to Indonesia. |
| B．Give tips on how to visit Baluran National Park. |
| C．Share her experience at Baluran National Park. |
| D．Advertise Baluran National Park. |
3 . Follow this four-day route, and you’ll lose yourself in the wizarding world of Harry Potter.
Day 1 Overview Edinburgh
It was in Scotland’s capital city that J. K. Rowling started to plot the adventures of Harry and his pals. With stoned streets, winding alleys and medieval (中世纪的) architecture, the city certainly has a few things in common with the settings from the books and films. She wrote the early chapters in various cafes around the city’s Old Towns.
Day 2 Overview travel to Fort William
Travel by train from Edinburgh to Glasgow. From there, you can take the West Highland Line toFort William. This is a great way to see some famous spots from the window, including the mysterious Rannoch Moor, the place where Death Eaters board the train in the movie Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.
Day 3 Overview all aboard the Hogwarts Express
Witness the sweeping cinematic scenery of the movie Harry Potter by booking a seat on the Jacobite Steam Train. Stop for lunch in Mallaig and then make the return journey to Fort William. Please be sure to book the steam train in advance, as it is exceedingly popular. By the way, it runs seasonally.
Day 4 Overview lakes and glens (峡谷)
In the films, mysterious, misty landscapes frame the background of Harry’s tale, so it’s no surprise that the film producers chose the Highlands for many scenes. Spend a day wandering through some of these beautiful spots and feel the magical atmosphere.
1. Where did J. K. Rowling create Harry Potter at first?| A．In Edinburgh. | B．In Mallaig. |
| C．In Glasgow. | D．In Fort William. |
| A．Reviewing the movie early. |
| B．Booking tickets in advance. |
| C．Bringing lunch ahead of time. |
| D．Buying one-way ticket specially. |
| A．Current Affairs. | B．Technology. |
| C．Tours. | D．Biography. |
4 . Architects have long turned to the past for inspiration. In this age of concrete and steel, however, they’re more likely to look for aesthetic(美学的)influence than technical know-how. But an ancient Chinese construction technique called dougong is a remarkable exception.
Consisting of a series of wooden brackets(支架)with no nails or fasteners, it’s over 2,500 years old and commonly found in Chinese architecture, such as Beijing’s Forbidden City. Many structures built during the Tang and Song dynasties featured “curtain walls” which were non-load-bearing. As a result, the unsupported wood shouldering the weight might break. Designers needed a technique which would more evenly spread the burden across their structures. Their solution was dougong.
Engineering has come a long way since the ancient Chinese building technique was in fashion. But there’s a timeless quality to it. Modern-day designers in many areas are adopting it to produce amazing and stable work of architecture. Among them is Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, who used dougong-inspired methods for his recent buildings: Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum and Café Kureon, a 2,120-square-foot restaurant.
For architect Terrence Curry, the attraction of using ancient methods is about finding something that can “speak to Chinese identity”. His structure Dougong Cube, now part of the School of Architecture, Tsinghua University in Beijing, was constructed using classical-style brackets and over 2,000 boards. “It has fundamental structures of dougong, but we just aren’t using it in the way it was intended to be used. We’re really pulling it out-emphasizing its beauty and complexity, and the way it works,” said Curry. “The shape and function of dougong is directly related to properties of wood, and the ability of people who make these buildings. In this way, there’s little need for decoration because the structure and design give it its distinctive look.”
1. Why is dougong considered an exception?| A．It has existed for a very long time. |
| B．It meets both structural and decorative needs. |
| C．It was ignored by architects in the past. |
| D．It keeps stable with no concrete or steel. |
| A．To distribute weight of buildings. |
| B．To avoid nails and fasteners. |
| C．To beautify the structures. |
| D．To replace unstable curtain walls. |
| A．Dougong deserves wide recognition. |
| B．Dougong makes for great buildings. |
| C．Dougong holds lasting appeal. |
| D．Dougong plays a big role in engineering. |
| A．It aims to explore Chinese identity. |
| B．It’s more complex than common structures. |
| C．It reproduces traditional use of dougong. |
| D．It’s a combination of tradition and innovation. |
5 . The world is full of beauty in every corner. Here are four world’s top breathtaking and beautiful travelling destinations for you to explore.
Boiling Lake, Dominica
Dominica is known as “nature island” for a reason. This tiny Caribbean state focuses on hot springs and long distance walking in the rainforest rather than playing on the beach. Boiling Lake, in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, can be reached by mountainous paths, a body of water that is well worth a visit.
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Lake Bled is one of the largest freshwater lakes on the earth. At its center lies a small island, surrounded by deep blue water. It’s no surprise that Lake Bled has developed into one of the hottest destinations in Europe in recent years. Suitable for walking and diving adventures, this is a corner of Slovenia that needs to be explored.
Samburu, Kenya
As a hard-to-reach place in the heart of Kenya, Samburu provides a quiet and safe environment, which is good enough for some of Africa’s most unique wildlife to live in. The rich grassland of its national nature protection area is home to the endangered giraffe, as well as the pioneering Elephant Watch Camp.
Positano, Italy
Located on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Positano is one of the most beautiful villages in Europe. Famous for its special small gift shops and waterside restaurants, not to mention the Byzantine Church, it makes for the perfect summer getaway. For divers, with its colorful plants and fish, it’s a really perfect place. Make sure to see its full form by taking a boat out from the beach for excellent sunset views.
1. What can tourists do in Dominica?| A．Relax themselves at hot springs. | B．Enjoy excellent sunset views. |
| C．Go shopping at the gift shops. | D．Walk on the grassland freely. |
| A．Boiling Lake. | B．Samburu. | C．Lake Bled. | D．Positano. |
| A．They both have diving activities. |
| B．They both offer camps. |
| C．They are both famous for waterside restaurants. |
| D．They are both rich in fresh water. |
6 . Ghibli Park (ジブリパーク) is a theme park about the popular animated movies by Studio Ghibli. It opened in November 2022, and unlike other theme parks does not feature any rides, but rather let visitors explore into the atmospheric fantasy worlds presented in the various popular Ghibli movies. Just let your imagination run wild in this fantastic park!
Located in Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park, Ghibli Park is less than two hours from Kyoto by train. The theme park will be about 17.5 acres when completed.
The theme park currently consists of three areas. The main one is “Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse”, an indoor facility that will house exhibits including the Robot Soldier from Castle in the Sky, the Catbus from Totoro, and another recreation out of The Secret World of Arrietty. A second area, “Hill of Youth”, features a shop from Whisper of the Heart and another recreation from The Cat Returns. The third is “Dondoko Forest” with a full recreation of the house from My Neighbor Totoro and a Totoro-themed playground. One of the two areas that will open later (“after 2023”, the park’s press office said) is “Mononoke Village”, referencing Princess Mononoke and her adventure among large forest animal gods. The other is “the Valley of Witches”, which will include some parts from Howl’s Moving Castle, and Kiki’s Delivery Service, about a hardworking young witch.
There is currently no pass that allows visitors to see all areas of Ghibli Park. You must buy separate tickets for each attraction you want to visit.
●Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse: 2000-2500 yen
●Hill Of Youth: 1000 yen
●Dondoko Forest: 1000 yen
●Children under 3 are free of charge; children aged 4 to12 cost half.
The pass of Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse cost 500 yen more on weekends and national holidays than on weekdays.
1. What can tourists experience while visiting Ghibli Park?| A．The amazing Ghibli world | B．The exciting rides. |
| C．The dreamlike parades. | D．The history of Ghibli. |
| A．¥12,455 | B．¥9,750 | C．¥13,455 | D．¥11,250 |
| A．In a news magazine. | B．In a travel guide. |
| C．In a novel. | D．In a storybook. |
7 . Spring is just around the corner, but if you are tired of sunflowers, tulips (郁金香) and other standard gardens, why not head to one of these mysterious and wonderful botanical gardens？
Butchart Gardens, British Columbia, Canada
One of the rarest flowers you’ll find at Butchart Gardens is the Meconopsis, otherwise known as the Tibetan blue poppy. The most impressive flowers can be found in the borders, where you’ll find over one million bedding plants. And although the gardens are famous for their perennials (多年生植物), 300,000 spring-flowering plants are grown every year, and over 900 varieties of plants are grown for the summer gardens alone.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is one of a handful of botanic gardens to grow only native plants. Some of the most popular varieties include the king protea, which produces enormous flowers between autumn and summer, and the rare silver tree, a silky-leaved plant, which experts believe could become extinct in the next 50 years.
Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado, US
Once native to South Africa, these oddly-named flowers are famously drought-hardy, making them perfect for this part of North America. This garden is one of the few to focus on draught-tolerant plants from Colorado and the grasslands of Africa, Mongolia and Argentina. In fact, Colorado is home to nine species of endangered plant, and several can be found here.
Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden, Tromso, Norway
Visit the world’s northernmost botanical garden and you’ll find a breathtaking collection of plants from the world’s polar and mountainous regions including, in the Himalaya section, the rare giant Tibetan blue poppy, with its huge flowers and metre-high stem. You’ll also see the Wilander buttercup, which can only be found in the quite terrible areas of Svalbard’s unforgiving icy islands.
1. Which botanical garden only plants local species?| A．Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden. | B．Denver Botanic Gardens. |
| C．Butchart Gardens. | D．Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. |
| A．Rare and hot-tolerant. | B．Smelly and ill-looking. |
| C．Large and tall. | D．Endangered and colorful. |
| A．To analyze the features of plants. | B．To make an advertisement. |
| C．To protect the endangered plants. | D．To introduce some fantastic gardens. |
8 . Calming, relaxing, full of greenery and beautiful plants, and usually with water features or other wonderful decorations thrown into the mix—that’s botanical gardens (植物园).
Here are four of the best botanical gardens in the world. Explore them now!
Brooklyn Botanic Garden （USA）
Do you want to experience cherry blossoms in New York? If so, the 52-acre Brooklyn Botanic Garden built in 1910 is the perfect one for you. This wonderful place treats its 900，000 annual visitors with more than 200 cherry trees and a wide range of plant species every spring. It also includes a number of specialty gardens and an art gallery.
Chicago Botanic Garden （USA）
The Chicago Botanic Garden consists of a collection of 27 attractive gardens covering 385 acres and exhibiting millions of flowers, trees, and plants. Many colors including pink, purple, and yellow will make you fall in love with it at first glance.
Denver Botanic Garden （USA）
The Denver Botanic Garden is another leading botanical garden and one you don’t want to miss if you’re in the area. Want to find something adventurous? This one ranks high in our hearts! The Corn Maze at Chatfield Farms garden is so special. You can completely involve yourself in a 7-acre field of corn plants and try to navigate your way out.
Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden （Thailand）
Thailand is known for its attractive culture, traditions, and structures. This botanical garden covers over 500 acres and, many would say, gets the spirit of the country. People flock (蜂拥) to this garden for the mix of the Thai landscape with European-style gardens.
1. What do the first two botanic gardens have in common?| A．They enjoy a quite long history. |
| B．They receive millions of visitors yearly. |
| C．They include many different gardens. |
| D．They mainly have rare flowers and plants. |
| A．Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden. | B．Brooklyn Botanic Garden. |
| C．Chicago Botanic Garden. | D．Denver Botanic Garden. |
| A．It combines Thai and European styles. |
| B．It provides cherry picking activities. |
| C．It exhibits plants from western countries. |
| D．It offers guided tours to first-time visitors |
9 . London is home to forty-two theatres known worldwide for their great entertainment (娱乐活动). The theatres give all kinds of performances from musicals to dramas (戏剧).
The theatres have performances starting at 3:30 pm and the evening performances start between 7:30 pm and 8 pm.
Getting tickets can be done in many ways.
If you’re staying in another city and going to London, travel shops and tour companies offer special deals for theatre trips to London. Check the nearest shop to you or some of the tour companies to see what is available (可获得的).
Leicester Square is known for having many ticket booths (售票亭) offering half-price tickets to the ‘Day of the Performance’ shows. If in London, I highly recommend that you take the chance to see one of the many plays on offer.
| A．A lot of online sits allow booking. |
| B．Most of the hotels offer ticket services. |
| C．You feel you could reach out and touch the actors. |
| D．It’s an experience you’d love sharing with others. |
| E．Star actors can also be seen on a number of stages. |
| F．Most only take cash, so don’t expect to use a credit card. |
| G．Note that once a show starts most theatres will not seat you until the break. |
10 . When we first rented (租) a home on Seven Mile Island, in Avalon and Stone Harbor in Southern New Jersey, I never thought that my family would continue to go there every summer for more than twenty years. But that is exactly what happened. The thing is something fabulous happens when you get into a vacation routine (惯例); it becomes part of family culture.
Traveling to different places is great for learning new things, and we do enjoy exploring new parts of the world . But for a comfortable getaway, knowing what to expect when traveling to favorite place is priceless. My family takes vacations during spring break and other holidays as well. But during our repeat beach vacation, I don’t feel the need to see a world wonder or spend an entire day in a museum because it’s my only chance to see wonderful works of art. All that’s required of me is to bring a book and a beach chair, with no fear of missing out.
My two daughters were in grade school when we started going to the Jersey Shore; now they’re both married and their husbands come along, too. My son wasn’t born yet the first time we rented a beach house; now he’s a teen learning to surf (冲浪) . As the family grows. We add to our list of family activities. There are games ranging from basketball to competitive card games.
One added advantage of repeatedly visiting the same place is being able to explore it in a way we could never do with only a one-time visit. On our seven-mile beach island, this means we’ve had time to spend exploring the wet lands and bird-wildlife refuges (保护区) that are unique (独特的) to the area but don’t necessarily make the list of top beach activities for list-timers. We’ve explored up and down the coast and found our favorite places to bike, fish, and eat.
1. What does the underlined word “fabulous” in paragraph 1 mean?| A．successful | B．Wonderful. |
| C．Easy. | D．Similar. |
| A．It costs less honey. | B．It’s comfortable and relaxing. |
| C．It doesn’t need careful planning. | D．It’s great for learning new things |
| A．Starting renting a beach house. | B．Asking some strangers to join there. |
| C．Keeping adding to family activities. | D．Doing it at different seasons every year. |
| A．It has an unexpected result. | B．It saves people a lot of time. |
| C．It offers a chance to do unique things. | D．It allows people to explore the place well. |
