1 . During the summer holiday, visiting museums has become a new fashion, with several famous museums being considered as “must-visit” places by visitors. Tourists were seen queuing for long hours in front of museums and getting entrance tickets became more challenging.
According to media reports, the Henan Museum received more than 12,000 visitors this summer, nearly double that of the same period in 2019. The Hangzhou Museum recorded 12,800 visitors on July 16, setting a new daily attendance record. In response to the growing need, 46 museums in Beijing canceled their Monday closures and remained open daily until August 31.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the “museum fever” can be caused by various factors, including the public’s increasing enthusiasm for traditional Chinese culture, the increasing market for youth educational tours and summer camps, as well as the continuous development of museums.
Lin Liugen, the director of the Institute of Archaeology at Zhejiang University, said the “museum craze” reflects a deep connection between the public and traditional culture. As the economy and society progress, more people want to have a deeper understanding of China’s rich culture and history.
Summer camps, family trips and educational tours have been the primary forms of tourism this summer, with museum visits becoming a must-do activity for travelers.
Besides, the application of new technologies has made cultural relics (遗物) easier to reach. For instance, 3D projection technology breathes life into those relics, enabling them to come alive before visitors’ eyes. AR glasses offer a special experience by allowing visitors to enjoy relics through voice orders and sight recognition. Additionally, an advanced intelligent lighting system helps display relics more clearly and vividly.
Liu Yanchang, the curator (馆长) of the Shandong Museum, said “In the future, more and more people will take visiting museums as a kind of habit and lifestyle.” On how to better meet museumgoers’ needs, Sun Mingli, deputy curator of the Suzhou Museum, says that popular museums may consider using hourly booking systems or hosting “cloud exhibitions” to improve visitor experience.
1. According to the text, what is one of the reasons for the increase of museum visits?| A．The public prefer traditional Chinese culture to modern culture. |
| B．The public see visiting museums as a good way to educate youth. |
| C．The museums remain open daily during the summer holiday. |
| D．The museums are the best places to understand China’s history. |
| A．To bring great convenience to modern museums. | B．To show the most advanced technologies. |
| C．To offer more real visitor experience. | D．To add some new traveling places. |
| A．Improve the booking system or online displays. | B．Include more technologies into museum displays. |
| C．Limit the number of daily visitors in museums. | D．Require museumgoers to make earlier bookings. |
| A．Museum visits improve youth education. | B．China sees museum fever this summer. |
| C．Cultural relics become easier to reach. | D．Visitors expect more from future museums. |
2 . In September, thousands of monuments, civic buildings and private homes throw open their doors to offer a rare glimpse of normally of-limits spaces. Here are some less-known treasures around the UK.
Guided tour of Gladstone’s Library, Hawarden
Gladstone’s Library in Hawarden will be running special tours as part of the Open Doors-Wales festival. It was built as a memorial to prime minister Wiliam Gladstope, Take a tour of beautiful Reading Rooms housing 150,000 books.
September 16, 10 am-2 pm, booking required.
Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, Glasgow
The atmospheric Britannia Panopticon will be showing off its collection of theatrical relics, props and costumes. Sample Victorian items at the world’s oldest surviving music hall without booking.
September 15 and 16, 11 am-5 pm and September 17, 12 pm-5 pm
Gothic Temple, Stowe Gardens
Visitors to Stowe Gardens will be offered a rare chance to see inside the 18th century Gothic Temple. Though it’s normally rented as a holiday let, its circular rooms and mosaic ceilings will be open to prebooked visitors for one weekend.
September 16 and 17, 10: 30 am-4: 30 pm, free of charge
Appleton Tower: School of Informatics, Edinburgh University
As part of Scotland’s Doors Open Days festival, Edinburgh University’s Appleton Tower will be offering tours of the world-leading School, including a visit to the study suite on Level 9 which offers far-reaching views of the Edinburgh skyline.
September 23, 11 am-2 pm, booking in advance.
1. What can visitors do at Britannia Panopticon Music Hall?
| A．They can appreciate theatre-related items |
| B．They can listen to the oldest surviving music |
| C．They can visit a study room with far-reaching scenery. |
| D．They can read in Reading Rooms with 150,000 books in store. |
| A．Gothic Temple. Stowe Gardens |
| B．Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, Glasgow. |
| C．Guided tour of Gladstone’s Library. Hawarden |
| D．Appleton Tower: School of Informatics, Edinburgh University |
| A．They both last for four hours. | B．They both require early reservations |
| C．They both honor world famous figures | D．They both offer special views to visitors. |
3 . Baltimore Woods Nature Center offers a wide variety of programs.
Earth Day Community Stewardship Project
Join the Baltimore Woods Nature Center Stewardship Team to plant tree seeds, tree seedlings, and protect them. This is the first exciting step to transform what is currently an open field to a diverse forest! Dress accordingly, as you will be working in muddy conditions.
April 23; 9;00 am-11:30 am; Free
Herb Gardening for the Body and Soul
With herbs grown right in your garden, you can create products that benefit body and soul. If you want to learn more, join us for a morning in the Baltimore Woods herb garden! We’ll get to know some herbs. Then, we’ll gather some herbs and use them.
May 28; 9:00 am-11:30 am; S1 0 members; $15 public
Forest Therapy Walk at Baltimore Woods
Forest Therapy, also known as “forest bathing”, arises from a Japanese practice. This program invites participants to open their senses to the surroundings of the forest. Your stress will disappear as your nervous system relaxes and you simply experience the medicine of the forest. You may want to bring a bottle of water as it can get very hot. The walk ends with a tea ceremony.
July 23; 10: 30 am-3: 30 pm; $30
Drawing Birds
As winter begins, the birds who stick around are becoming very active. This is an especially good time to practice drawing them. In this program, we will practice drawing some birds in action as they visit the Baltimore Woods feeders. In case we go for a brief outdoor exploration, consider bringing gloves.
December 16; 10: 00 am-11:30 am; $6 members;$9 public
1. What are participants expected to do in the Baltimore Woods herb garden?| A．Hold a tea ceremony. | B．Transform an open field. |
| C．Pick some plants. | D．Grow a favorite herb. |
| A．Spare waterproof clothing. | B．Some drinking water. |
| C．Emergency medicines. | D．Protective gloves. |
| A．Earth Day Community Stewardship Project. |
| B．Herb Gardening for the Body and Soul. |
| C．Forest Therapy Walk at Baltimore Woods. |
| D．Drawing Birds. |
4 . Be a Good Tourist
Tourism can be both good and bad. Yes, it brings in money for the local economy and creates lots of jobs for locals, but it may also bring some problems.
Another big problem in some places has been tourists disturbing (打扰) the local people and life.
The number of problems from tourists is endless. The only way to solve the problem of the terrible tourist is to make sure that you are not one!
| A．Be the best, kindest, most polite tourist possible. |
| B．I have three words for people like this: please stop it. |
| C．Another example is Sanlitun, a neighbourhood in Beijing, China. |
| D．Walk in large groups without considering others who need to walk by. |
| E．Thousands of tourist sites are being destroyed by tourists who “love them to death”. |
| F．One growing problem is tourists who want to prove that they have visited a destination. |
| G．Some tourists wander around and take pictures of local people without their permission. |
5 . Cathy Brennan calmly paddled (用桨划船) her bright yellow kayak (皮艇) down the Potomac River, continuing her voyage, the latest of her solo trips on major waterways. It was tough, but it allowed Brennan to let go of everything else, empty her brain of the everyday chores and focus on the now. “I’m in the moment, looking at the waves.” said Brennan.
The journey is a minimalist style: sleeping bag, small tent, rain jacket, change of clothes, first aid kit, apples and cheese sticks. When she’s thirsty, she scoops water from the rivers and pumps it through a filter (过滤器). “I always drink the river,” she says. Brennan loves being on the rivers, seeing the bald eagles above, deer on the banks and a fascinating array of bugs and insects that never find their way into homes.
However, every few days Brennan will find a hotel for the night where she can get a shower and eat a cheeseburger. She’ll also check in with her husband John, who has helped her select the river and research the trips at their home. “He’s my virtual Sherpa with benefits.” Brennan says, laughing. She has a phone with her but rarely calls or texts anyone. Her children usually keep track of her via the transponder that sends them her location ever 10 minutes or so.
Brennan knows that solo kayaking is not for everyone and she’s not reckless. Brennan grew up on a lake and was a strong swimmer and boater from an early age. When going through rough rapids, she watches the weather carefully. She is cautious about where she camps and who is around her. She has packed up her gear and headed back out on the river when she has felt unsafe.
Surely, she is alone on these journeys but she isn’t lonely. She suggested that we all need some disconnection from the wired world to find the wider world around us.
1. What can be learned about Cathy Brennan from paragraph 1?| A．She suffers from loneliness. | B．She is fond of travelling. |
| C．She seeks inner peace. | D．She is tired of housework. |
| A．Because he keeps track of her. |
| B．Because he arranges the route for her. |
| C．Because he accompanies her on the river. |
| D．Because he contacts her with calls and texts. |
| A．Helpless. | B．Tireless. | C．Faithless. | D．Thoughtless. |
| A．Painful but instructive. | B．Tough but rewarding. |
| C．Costly but relaxing. | D．Lonely but romantic. |
6 . The tourism market has witnessed a boom in both supply and demand in a “Golden Week” holiday. Yet it is both a blessing and a challenge for tourist spots. Overcrowding in scenic spots, difficulty in obtaining tickets for popular sites, potential risks, and limited tourism services are severe. To address these challenges, we put forward the following approaches:
It is important to estimate the potential number of tourists on any given day, and make proper arrangements in advance based on its capacity (承载量). With modern technology, the tourist spots can work out time slots and restrict ticket sales to better manage tourist inflow.
By adopting new technologies, the tourism industry can better ticketing channels, simplify the booking process, and make it more convenient. As for special groups such as schoolchildren, the elderly and people with disabilities, the tourist spots should offer offline ticket purchasing options. According to real-time visitor flow data, tourist spots can extend the opening hours and introduce nighttime options.
Besides hiring trained personnel to control the crowds, the tourist spots should also consider building multiple entrance and exit pathways to prevent overcrowding. To enhance visitors’ experience, tourist spots should consider open up more parking lots during peak tourism seasons, and they should reserve separate parking zones for buses and private vehicles.
With the boom come the increasing potential risks. Hence, a safety-oriented development approach is vital, such as, identifying vulnerable areas, working out emergency plans and conducting a thorough safety assessment of internal facilities, especially amusement park equipment, cable cars, slides, as well as shuttle vehicles and other facilities. Most importantly, they should keep all essential equipment ready to deal with extreme weather and keep emergency escape channels open and free of disorder.
The authorities, on their part, should tighten market management to protect the legal rights and interests of tourists, strengthen regulation of tourism companies and encourage them to respect business ethics (道德), without turning to price gouging or forced shopping. And they should ensure tourists can easily access complaint channels and their complaints are promptly addressed.
1. What does “it” refer to in paragraph 1?| A．The tourism market. | B．Supply and demand. |
| C．A “Golden Week” holiday. | D．A boom in tourism. |
| A．declining number of tourists | B．potential security threats |
| C．limited capacity of tourists | D．insufficient tourism services |
| A．Tourists can only obtain tickets through online purchasing channels. |
| B．Tickets should be purchased without any booking process or time limit. |
| C．Tourist spots can turn to advanced technology for the better arrangements. |
| D．Tourist spots should shorten the opening hours to limit the inflow of tourists. |
| A．To share the information. | B．To confirm the fact. |
| C．To promote the product. | D．To make the proposal. |
7 . While traveling in a group makes a journey fun, it can come with challenges. Unlike solo travel, you will probably have less control over the itinerary (旅程) when you travel in a group.
Be open to new experiences. If someone in your group suggests trying something you never considered before, whether it is sampling frog porridge in Singapore or riding an all-terrain vehicle(全地形车) in Mexico, be open to the new idea.
Stay in touch. Ensure everyone in your group has a way to communicate with each other.
Be patient.
| A．Vote on activities. |
| B．Create a balanced itinerary. |
| C．Thus, you might discover something new about yourself. |
| D．It’s ok to skip a group activity if you need some time alone. |
| E．Besides, you may be around people with different preferences. |
| F．If someone gets lost or the group break up, it’s easy to reconnect. |
| G．Traveling in a group means some activities will take longer than if you did them alone. |
8 . 5 European cities with the most castles
From Istanbul’s majestic Ottoman fortresses to Rome’s Roman Empire relics, and Berlin’s blend of modernity with medieval charm, these European cities are a paradise for castle lovers.
1. Istanbul, Turkey (12 castles)
Istanbul, the vibrant metropolis straddling (横跨) two continents, emerges as Europe’s unrivalled castle capital with a staggering 12 castles. These medieval (中世纪的) castles stand as protectors of the cit’s rich history, offering a captivating journey into the past.
Notable among them are the impressive Rumeli Fortress, guarding the Bosphorus, and Anadoluhisari, a picturesque lookout man on the Asian side. Visitors to Istanbul can enjoy not only the beauty of these castles but also the echoes of Turkey’s Ottoman legacy.
2. Rome, Italy (11 castles)
The Eternal City, Rome, enchants with its 11 castles, each a chapter in Italy’s illustrious history. Among these, Palazzo Brancaccio’s neo Romanesque charm, the towering Castel Sant’ Angelo, and the enigmatic Castello della Cecchignola stand as architectural wonders. Rome’s castles raise the grandeur (宏伟) of the Roman Empire, beckoning (吸引) travellers to explore their timeless secrets.
3. Berlin, Germany (9 castles)
Berlin, the dynamic heart of Germany, surprises with its nine castles nestled amid the bustling cityscape. Each castle showcases a unique facet of German history and architecture. Notable among them are the opulent Charlottenburg Palace, the historical Stadtschloss Berlin, and the dignified Bellevue Palace. Berlin’s castles, often adorned with distinctive dome-shaped roofs, provide a captivating contrast to the city’s modernity.
4. Ankara, Turkey (8 castles)
Ankara, Turkey’s bustling capital, shares its castle count with Vienna and Graz. Despite its urban sprawl, the city preserves eight historical castles, with Ankara Castle and the Estergon Turk Kultur Merkezi being outstanding highlights. These castles are like time capsules, providing glimpses (一瞥) into Turkey’s storied past.
5. Prague, Czech Republic (7 castles)
Prague, the enchanting Czech capital, boasts seven castles that tell the citys storied past. Among them, Prague Castle stands as an iconic symbol of the Czech Republic’s history and culture. These castles, set against Prague’s fairy-tale backdrop, beckon travellers to explore their medieval charm.
1. Which castle acts as a soldier on the Asian side?| A．Anadoluhisari in Istanbul. |
| B．Palazzo Brancaccio in Rome. |
| C．Ankara Castle in Ankara. |
| D．Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin. |
| A．Castel Sant’ Angelo in Rome and Rumeli Fortress in Istanbul. |
| B．Castello della Cecchignola in Rome and Bellevue Palace in Berlin. |
| C．Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin and Ankara Castle in Ankara. |
| D．Prague Castle in Prague and the historical Stadtschloss Berlin in Berlin. |
| A．The castles in the two cities are equal in number. |
| B．The castles in the two cities both straddle two continents. |
| C．The castles in the two cities both beckon travellers to explore their medieval charm. |
| D．The castles in the two cities both provide glimpses into their countries’ storied past. |
9 . Located about 10 km northeast of the city center, the Chengdu Panda Base is a popular place to see lots of pandas of different ages in what’s close to their natural habitat.
Highlights and Travel Tips
The Chengdu Panda Base is a nonprofit research and breeding (繁殖) facility for giant pandas that was originally founded in 1987 and opened to the public in 1993. The center began with a population of just six giant pandas and has since grown to more than 100 pandas.
For visitors, it is more like a nice park than a traditional zoo. The base is large and nice to walk around, since much of it is in a bamboo forest. There are also shops selling panda-related souvenirs, but the prices are usually higher than markets or shops outside the base.
Accessibility Information
While the main road is flat, the base is large, so it is better for visitors with mobility issues to ride the shuttle (往返) bus. Visitors who completely rely on wheelchairs may need help from others to guide. Most restrooms within the base are wheelchair accessible.
Opening Hours and Ticket Prices
| Opening hours | 7:30 am - 6:00 pm |
| Entrance fee | 55 CNY |
| Shuttle bus fee | 10 CNY |
| Average time for this activity | 2-3 hours |
How to Get There
It takes about a half hour and costs around 30 CNY to get to the Chengdu Panda Base from the city center by taxi. You can also get there by public bus or subway, although these routes require a few transfers.
1. What is special about the Chengdu Panda Base?| A．It offers tourists panda souvenirs. | B．It is a zoo with the features of a park. |
| C．It is the largest panda research base. | D．It has more pandas than anywhere else. |
| A．110 CNY. | B．75 CNY. | C．55 CNY. | D．45 CNY. |
| A．A guidebook. | B．A news report. |
| C．An announcement. | D．An exhibition guide. |
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. |
