1 . The Sanxingdui Museum in southwest China’s Sichuan Province enjoyed huge popularity during the threeday Qingming Festival holidays by receiving nearly 20, 000 visitors on the peak day, after the new archaeological discoveries brought international attention.
According to media reports, the museum saw over 15, 000 visitors on Saturday, the first day of the Qingming Festival, breaking its record for daily visitors. And on the next day, more visitors swarmed into the museum to exceed (超过) 19, 800. To cope with the large flow of people, on Sunday afternoon, the official Weibo account of the Sanxingdui Museum released the message to remind visitors of avoiding rush hours or rescheduling their visiting time.
The Sanxingdui Museum showcases various kinds of precious cultural relics unearthed at the site, such as the 2. 62metertall standing statue, 1. 38meterwide bronze mask, 3. 95meterhigh bronze tree. Earlier on March 20, Chinese archaeologists announced some new major discoveries made during the 37th excavation (挖掘) since its last excavation 35 years ago. The ruins were first discovered in the late 1920s and first excavated in 1934. More than 500 important cultural relics have been unearthed in the six newlyfound pits. Since the new discoveries were known to the public, the number of people visiting the Sanxingdui Museum has increased sharply.
The museum said although they are open as usual, the newlyfound pits have not opened to the public yet and the newlyexcavated cultural relics are still under restoration and cannot meet the public currently. But a hall for cultural relic conservation and restoration will be in pilot operation in April and officially open on May 18. Visitors to it can see how the relics are restored, according to Zhu Yarong, vice director of the Sanxingdui Museum.
Dating back about 3, 000 years, the Sanxingdui Ruins have shed light on the ancient Shu civilization and cultural origins of the Chinese nation, and have been regarded as one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the 20th century.
1. What mainly brought about a surge in tourists visiting the Sanxingdui Museum?A.Tourists’ enthusiasm. |
B.Sichuan Province’s policy. |
C.Qingming Festival holidays. |
D.New archaeological discoveries. |
A.The official Weibo account linked the museum with the public. |
B.Newlyexcavated cultural relics on display attracted tourists very much. |
C.The Sanxingdui Museum reacted immediately to the large flow of tourists. |
D.Tourist numbers reached the peak on the first day of the Qingming Festival. |
A.Trial. | B.Private. | C.Official. | D.Personal. |
2 . I live in Xizhou in Yunnan Province, on the historic Tea Horse Road. I have to admit that when I first heard that Paul Salopek was going to walk the entire globe on his own two feet, I was blown away. I couldn’t imagine that there could be such an unusual person in the world.
Last May, I met Paul. He told me that it was his first time in China. He talked to me with great excitement about the history, migrations, and discoveries in my region of China. He spoke of the Shu-Yandu Dao (the Southern Silk Road), the travels of the 17th-century Chinese explorer Xu Xiake, the Tea Horse Road and the early 20th-century American botanist Joseph Rock. He also talked of Xuanzang. Paul considered many of them heroes and in a sense Chinese pioneers of slow journalism.
I decided to accompany Paul on his walk toward Yunnan. On September 28, 2021, we set out. Our days were simple: walk, eat, sleep, and repeat. We woke up at sunrise, set off in high spirits, and rested at sunset, dragging ourselves into exhausted sleep.
We met many people on the road. Some were curious, surrounding us and watching us; some gave us directions; some invited us into their home to take a rest; some spoke of the charm of their hometown. We met many beautiful souls, simple souls and warm souls. We were walking with our minds.
Together, we were impressed by the biodiversity of the Gaoligong Mountains. As I walked on ancient paths through mountains, I seemed to hear the antique voices of past travelers urging me to be careful on the road.
Looking back on the more than 200 miles I walked with Paul, I came to a realization. Walking for its own sake, while healthy and admirable, is only a small part of the benefit of moving with our feet. A deeper reward is rediscovering the world around us, shortening the distance between each other, and sharing each other’s cultures.
1. How did the writer first respond to Paul’s travel plan?A.Scared. | B.Puzzled. |
C.Disappointed. | D.Surprised. |
A.He was a western journalist. | B.He had a knowledge of China. |
C.He came to China several times. | D.He was Joseph Rock’s acquaintance. |
A.They honored the ancestors. | B.They set off in high spirits. |
C.They satisfied the locals’ curiosity. | D.They built bonds with people. |
A.To share and reflect on a journey. | B.To suggest a new way of travel. |
C.To advocate protection of biodiversity. | D.To introduce and promote Chinese culture. |
One of the most remote destinations on the planet, Antarctica is not an easy (or affordable) endeavor. Perhaps the difficulty is part of the attraction — the seventh continent remains on the top of many travelers’ wish lists. The striking white desert, with its dramatic, snowy peaks and vibrant turquoise waters, as well its exotic wildlife, including Emperor penguins and Weddell seals, is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
HawaiiHawaii is underrated. To be sure, it is a gorgeous place, with breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, and every beach seemingly prettier than the next, but its beauty goes much deeper than its preternatural appearance. Extraordinary beaches — some even boast black and green sand (Papakolea Beach and Punalu’u Beach, respectively)—have their expected appeal, but visitors who take time to venture out and away from the coast quickly discover Hawaii’s charms are everywhere.
CanadaSkiing, surfing, hiking and Northern-lights sighting. Eclectic cuisine, world-class shopping, a diverse and rich culture. This is Canada. The 13 provinces and territories that make up the world’s second-largest country by total area. It has something wonderful for every type of traveler. Nature lovers take so lace in mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and Atlantic or Pacific coastlines while sophisticated palates nosh at Michelin-starred restaurants and hole-in-the-wall mainstays alike.
SingaporeTravelers don’t want to spend any more time in an airport than they have to. But Singapore’s Changi is not an ordinary airport. While the rest of the world was staying at home, Singaporean locals were paying to hang out at Changi, whether it was co-working in one of the lounges or camping alongside the world’s tallest indoor waterfall at the Changi Jewel, which opened in 2019.
1. Which place would you like to choose if you are an animal lover?A.Hawaii. | B.Canada. | C.Singapore. | D.Antarctica. |
A.It is the second most beautiful place in the world. |
B.It can almost satisfy all kinds of travelers. |
C.It has some extraordinary beaches. |
D.It attracts many locals. |
A.They can appreciate the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. |
B.They can experience Michelin-starred restaurants. |
C.They can decorate the lounges together. |
D.They can enjoy world-class shopping. |
4 . There are thousands of incredible trails that allow us to get up close to nature and here are 4 of the best hiking trails in the world.
Pennine Way, the United Kingdom
Stretching 268 miles from the Derbyshire Peak District to the Scottish Borders, the Pennine Way is the United Kingdom’s most famous long-distance path. The entire walk takes around three weeks, passing over wild east of Manchester and through the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, before crossing the ancient border of Hadrian’s Wall and moving on toward Scotland.
Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Rather than following a single path, the Camino, also known as the Way of St James, is actually a series of different pilgrimage (朝圣) routes. The most popular modern route follows a line across northern Spain from the French Pyrenees. While some choose to stay at monasteries (修道院) along the way, plenty of operators offer hotel stays and luggage transfers.
Appalachian Trail, the United States
Extending for 2,200 miles, the Appalachian Trail is billed as the longest hiking-only footpath in the world. It runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, passing through some of the most remote places in the United States. Those keen on comfort can use companies like Go Shenandoah, which offers pre-booked accommodation and packed lunches.
The Basho Wayfarer, Japan
This self-guided trip follows a route taken by the poet Matsuo Basho over 300 years ago. The six-day hike starts in Sendai and works its way through the northern Toboku region, passing through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hiraizumi and along the ancient Dewa Kaido path, with its wonderful forests, before heading into the mountains of Natagiri-toge and finishing at the temple of Yamadera.
1. Which hiking trail will allow hikers to see the old wall?A.Pennine Way. | B.Appalachian Trail. |
C.The Basho Wayfarer. | D.Camino de Santiago de Compostela. |
A.They have more than one popular route. |
B.They have beautiful scenery along the way. |
C.Hikers on the two trails can get the desired help. |
D.Hikers on the two trails may get across two countries. |
A.Stay at a monastery. | B.Visit famous ancient sites. |
C.Find a guide to accompany him. | D.Pre-book accommodation and lunches. |
5 . Salt Lake City Tour
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah’s capital city is surrounded by the mountains of the American Southwest on the shores of the breathtaking Great Salt Lake. The city is rich in history and architecture besides wonderful scenery.
Duration (持续时间): About 50 Minutes
The Utah State Capitol
As a member of the National Register of Historic Places, the Utah State Capitol has been opening since 1916. Decorated with columns and a dramatic dome (圆屋顶), the style is the same as the famous national Capitol building in Washington.
Duration: About 45 Minutes
The Salt Lake Temple
This temple took 40 years to build, and was opened in 1893. It sits in 10-acre Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, and it is a popular tourist destination even though the inside is off-limits.
Duration: About 30 Minutes
The Great Salt Lake
Located in the northern part of Utah, the Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. Its level of salinity is actually even higher than the ocean.
Duration: About 1 Hour and 30 Minutes
Departure & Return
Departure: The free airport pickup is only available during 11 am-6 pm. Please wait for your tour guide at Terminal 2 Door 10. (the phone number for the pickup: 626-522-6791; suggested tips:$10)
Return: Please schedule flights to depart from Salt Lake City International Airport after 12 pm. If you want to return to Las Vegas from Salt Lake City on the last day, you shall pay $ 20 per person.
Price Includes: hotel accommodations for 3 nights
The airport pickup & drop-off: If arriving outside this period, you should take the free shuttle to the hotel on your own.
1. Which takes the most time to visit?A.Salt Lake City, UT. |
B.The Utah State Capitol. |
C.The Salt Lake Temple. |
D.The Great Salt Lake. |
A.10 am. | B.11 am. |
C.2 pm. | D.4 pm. |
A.In 1840. | B.In 1853. |
C.In 1916. | D.In 1933. |
6 . What is the 15-minute city? It’s the urban planning concept that everything city residents need should be a short walk or bike ride away—about 15 minutes from home to work, shopping, entertainment, restaurants, schools, parks and health care. Supporters argue that 15-minute cities are healthier for residents and the environment, creating united mini-communities, boosting local businesses, and encouraging people to get outside,walk, and cycle.
Many cities across Europe offer similar ideas, but Paris has become its poster child. Mayor Anne Hidalgo has sought to fight climate change by decreasing choking traffic in the streets and fuel emissions. In 2015, Paris was 17th on the list of bike-friendly cities; by 2019, it was 8th. Car ownership, meanwhile, dropped from 60 percent of house holds in 2001 to 35 percent in 2019. The 15-minute city figured largely in Hidalgo’s successful 2020 re-election campaign. The idea has also gained support in the U.S.
It clearly won’t work everywhere: Not every city is as centralized and walkable as Paris. Some car-dominated cities like Los Angeles and Phoenix would be hard-pressed to provide everything people need within walking distance. In addition, some urban planners argue that the 15-minute city could increase the separation of neighborhoods by income. Neighborhoods equipped with all the conveniences required by the 15-minute city also tend to have high housing costs and wealthier residents.
Despite some resistance, the basic principles behind the 15-minute city are influencing planning in cities around the world, including Melbourne, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Singapore, and Shanghai. Urban designer and thinker Jay Pitter says cities where basic needs are within walking distance create more individual freedom than needing to drive every where. “In a city where services are always close by,” he says, “mobility is a choice: You go where you want because you want to, not because you have to. My fight is not against the car. My fight is how we could improve the quality of life.”
1. Which best describes the 15-minute city?A.Modern. | B.Convenient. |
C.Entertaining. | D.Smart. |
A.To address climate issues. | B.To beautify the city. |
C.To promote the bike industry. | D.To help Hidalgo get re-elected. |
A.It slows the city’s expansion. |
B.It represents a setback for society. |
C.It may widen the gap between neighborhoods. |
D.It can cause the specialization of neighborhoods. |
A.Doubtful. | B.Favorable. |
C.Critical. | D.Uninterested. |
7 . Traveling itself is an experience hard to be described in words.
Having grown up and lived all my life in a single place, I had a small set of friends since my school days which continued till my college days.
I totally agree that traveling with family and friends is fun and enjoying. But traveling alone is satisfying too. It’s among those few things that you do for yourself and nobody else.
A.I want to experience more. |
B.But all this changed with my first solo trip. |
C.I never thought I would travel alone in my life. |
D.I was so scared when I went to school first time. |
E.Every journey prepares you for the journey of life. |
F.The farther you travel, the more independent you become. |
G.After all you need to take care of yourself a bit too at times. |
8 . Everyone loves a holiday! A little time off for some much-needed R& R (rest and relaxation) can be exactly the thing to rejuvenate and refresh you from work. So if you’re struggling to think of your next destination, then look no further. Don’t waste time debating where to go, but let your blood decide.
Everybody has a lineage (家系). Recently, finding out more about our family origins has become popular. By the start of 2019, 26 million people had taken an ancestry DNA test at home, according to a report by MIT Technology Review. They believe by 2021 this number will have risen to 100 million.
This trend has been noticed by opportunistic travel operators. Some are looking to provide a service that allows people to both track their family roots and travel to the destinations where their ancestors originated.
Airbnb, an online boarding marketplace, recently partnered with 23andMe, a DNA testing company, to offer recommendations that encourage travellers to walk in the footsteps of their forefathers. And they aren’t the only ones.
The Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin has its own“genealogy butler (宗谱管家)”. Hellen Kelly offers advice to help guests track their Irish lineage using official records. This allows them to “fill in the blanks of their Irish ancestry”, she told Good Morning America.
The Conte Club, a luxury travel company, offers custom routes of travel based on DNA tests. “These experiences are about going deeper into who we really are,” says the Conte Club CEO Rebecca Fielding in an article in the Condé Nast Traveler. “It might be the most meaningful trip we can take.”
So next time you think of going on vacation, why not take a DNA test first? Once you know how far you are from your family, take time to holiday back.
1. What does the underlined word “rejuvenate” in Paragraph 1 mean?A.Make one take a holiday. |
B.Make one feel lively again. |
C.Make one do a DNA test. |
D.Make one return to work. |
A.The creativity of the travel agency. |
B.The report by MIT Technology Review. |
C.The competition of the boarding market. |
D.The rising number of people tracking their lineage. |
A.By making comparisons. |
B.By analyzing information. |
C.By giving examples. |
D.By offering reasons. |
A.Negative. | B.Supportive. |
C.Uninterested. | D.Doubtful. |
9 . Museums become the next stop many students want to visit at their leisure.
Have you ever started your visit by waiting in line in front of the museum for a few hours just to get in? And that’s the sad reality when visiting many of those world-famous museums. Thus, be smart to browse the instructions for visiting and book in advance online.
What if you don’t like some museums? Then don’t visit them! I’m not a massive fan of parks, so I would hardly ever end up in any park while travelling.
There is nothing worse than impolite manners while visiting. We’ve all witnessed that guy being yelled at by the security for touching or taking flash photos.
All of these ground rules are often neglected by us. Bear them in mind before setting off, and you will enjoy your museum tour!
A.It’s the same with the museums |
B.But most of them do it all wrong |
C.If you haven’t, don’t let it be you |
D.That way you can have an easy access |
E.The first step is to research how to enjoy everything |
F.Sometimes you may sigh museum tiredness is a real thing |
G.Generally, there is no right or wrong way to visit a museum |
10 . Los Angeles native Randall Bartlett sat under the rooftop of a traditional Chinese scholar’s studio, occasionally turning a page of his book. The scene was in the reopened Liu Fang Yuan garden at the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens. For him, the garden brings to life the Chinese philosophies he learned from books.
Phillip E. Bloom, director of the Center for East Asian Garden Studies, said the idea for Liu Fang Yuan goes back to the 1980s with the initial aim of creating a collection of Chinese plants, but after research, they realized plants alone were not sufficient to demonstrate the essence of a Chinese garden. Eventually, it was decided to model a garden on 16th and 17th century scholarly retreats(隐居处)in Suzhou.
The decision was made partly due to the fame of Suzhou classical gardens, but also because similarities were found between the Huntington and Suzhou gardens. Bloom said that Henry Huntington, founder of the Huntington Library, was a successful US businessman who used his fortune to collect rare books, artworks and to create gardens. “Many Suzhou gardens were also created by rich people who tried to pursue a scholarly lifestyle,” he added.
To preserve the character of the Suzhou gardens, the Huntington Library sought help from Suzhou, giving rise to collaboration between US and Chinese architects, contractors and designers. In all stages of construction, artisans(工匠)from Suzhou came to work on details of the venue.
After three years of expansion from 2018 to 2020, Liu Fang Yuan reopened to the public with 4.6 hectares of new landscape, making it one of the largest classical-style Chinese gardens in the world. The additions include courtyards displaying penjing, a scholar’s studio, a pavilion(亭子)situated at the garden’s highest point, etc.
Now, it is meaningful to see how people from local communities interact with the garden. “A lot of volunteers come to different lectures and exhibitions about Chinese culture hat we hold regularly,” Bloom said. By exposing its visitors to arts and literature, Liu Fang uan goes beyond international boundaries and bridges the cultural gaps between the two ountries.
1. What do we know about Liu Fang Yuan?A.It used to be a scholarly retreat in Suzhou. |
B.It was constructed by Suzhou artisans alone. |
C.It became the largest garden after being expanded. |
D.It promotes cultural exchanges between America and China. |
A.The introduction to the founder. |
B.The fame of Suzhou classical gardens. |
C.The features of a scholarly lifestyle. |
D.The reasons for modeling a Suzhou garden. |
A.negotiation | B.cooperation | C.inspiration | D.contradiction |
A.To show its cultural significance. |
B.To detail its architectural features. |
C.To promote its diverse activities. |
D.To boost its international fame. |