1 . I was fortunate to spend every summer camping with my parents when I was a kid. By the age of 18, I’d visited every province in my home country of Canada. Even today I can still recall an impressive tour vividly.
It took us six people a long time to drive to Newfoundland from Ontario. When we arrived on the island, it poured rain every day. We just kept driving north, hoping to outrun it. We jumped on a ferry to Labrador Peninsula, crossing the Strait of Belle Isle, and moved our way up the coast of this northerly and thinly-populated region.
The scenery in Labrador is beautiful. We saw long white sand beaches along the Atlantic coast that looked inviting, but the water was cold year-round. While standing at the top of a lighthouse, my dad said, “This will be the new Caribbean once global warming hits.”
We soon discovered Battle Harbor, a historic fishing village that can only be reached by ferry. In the mid-1800s it had a population of 350 people and was considered the unofficial capital of Labrador. Now it was more like a deserted town, and I distinctly remember feeling the furthest from anything that I’ve ever felt. Multiple ferry rides and 600 miles separated me from the nearest major city of St. John’s.
If you’re curious about Newfoundland & Labrador (NL), I highly recommend a 2013 film called The Grand Seduction. It’s a delightful comedy about a small fishing village called Tickle Head that’s struggling to figure out its future.
Travelling made me get to know my country so well, which has had a tremendous influence on shaping the person I am now. I hold a solid mental picture of Canada, stretching from sea to sea, which I’ve taken with me to other parts of the world because I have great passion for it.
Why does the author recommend the movie The Grand Seduction?| A．It is mostly set in NL. |
| B．It describes NL in detail. |
| C．It offers clues to NL’s situations. |
| D．It implies NL’s promising future. |
BEAUTIFUL IRELAND AND ITS TRADITIONS
Ireland’s beautiful countryside has always had a great influence
1. What creates a magical atmosphere in the Glowworm Caves?
| A．Starlight |
| B．Glow-in-the-dark paint |
| C．Thousands of glowing creatures |
| A．Australia |
| B．New Zealand |
| C．Canada |
| A．Walking tours |
| B．Boat tours |
| C．Helicopter rides |
| A．Waterfalls |
| B．Glowing stalactites |
| C．Thousands of glowworms on the walls and ceilings |
| A．Because of the dark atmosphere |
| B．Due to the presence of magical creatures |
| C．It resembles a medieval castle |
| A．The smell of caves |
| B．The sound of dripping water |
| C．A mesmerizing, glow-in-the-dark experience |
8. Describe the type of tour visitors can take to explore the Glowworm Caves.
9. Why is the experience of visiting the caves compared to stepping into a fairy tale?
10. What country is home to the Glowworm Caves?
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Temple of Confucius | Kong Family Mansion | Cemetery of Confucius |
5 . Journey Back in Time with Scholars
Classical Provence(13days)
Journey through the beautiful countryside of Provence，France，with Prof. Ori Z. Soltes. We will visit some of the best-preserved Roman monuments in the world. Our tour also includes a chance to walk in the footsteps of Van Gogh and Gauguin. Fields of flowers, tile-roofed(瓦屋顶)villages and tasty meals enrich this wonderful experience.
Southern Spain(15days)
Spain has lovely white towns and the scent(芳香)of oranges，but it is also a treasury of ancient remains including the cities left by the Greeks，Romans and Arabs. As we travel south from Madrid with Prof. Ronald Messier to historic Toledo，Roman Merida and into Andalucia, we explore historical monuments and architecture.
China’s Sacred Landscapes(21days)
Discover the China of “past ages,” its walled cities，temples and mountain scenery with Prof. Robert Thorp. Highlights(精彩之处)include China’s most sacred peaks at Mount Tai and Hangzbou’s rolling hills，waterways and peaceful temples. We will wander in traditional small towns and end our tour with an exceptional museum in Shanghai.
Tunisia(17days)
Join Prof. Pedar Foss on our in-depth Tunisian tour. Tour highlights include the Roman city of Dougga，the underground Numidian capital at Bulla Regia, Roman Sbeitla and the remote areas around Tataouine and Matmata，uique for underground cities. Our journey takes us to picturesque Berber villages and lovely beaches.
What can visitors see in both Classical Provence and Southern Spain？| A．Historical monuments. |
| B．Fields of flowers. |
| C．Van Gogh’s paintings. |
| D．Greek buildings. |
6 . 观察图片，预测下列问题的答案。
7 . Where to Eat in Bangkok
Bangkok is a highly desirable destination for food lovers. It has a seemingly bottomless well of dining options. Here are some suggestions on where to start your Bangkok eating adventure.
Nahm
Offering Thai fine dining. Nahm provides the best of Bangkok culinary (烹饪的) experiences. It’s the only Thai restaurant that ranks among the top 10 of the world’s 50 best restaurants list. Head Chef David Thompson, who received a Michelin star for his London-based Thai restaurant of the same name, opened this branch in the Metropolitan Hotel in 2010.
Issaya Siamese Club
Issaya Siamese Club is internationally known Thai chef Ian Kittichai’s first flagship Bangkok restaurant. The menu in this beautiful colonial house includes traditional Thai cuisine combined with modern cooking methods.
Bo.lan
Bo.lan has been making waves in Bangkok’s culinary scene since it opened in 2009. Serving hard-to-find Thai dishes in an elegant atmosphere, the restaurant is true to Thai cuisine’s roots, yet still manages to add a special twist. This place is good for a candle-lit dinner or a work meeting with colleagues who appreciate fine food. For those extremely hungry, there’s a large set menu.
Gaggan
Earning first place on the latest “Asia’s 50 best restaurants” list, progressive Indian restaurant Gaggan is one of the most exciting venues (场所) to arrive in Bangkok in recent years. The best table in this two-story colonial Thai home offers a window right into the kitchen, where you can see chef Gaggan and his staff in action. Culinary theater at its best.
1. Which restaurant offers a large set menu?| A．Gaggan. | B．Bo. lan. | C．Siamese Club. | D．Nahm. |
| A．It hires staff from India. |
| B．It puts on a play every day. |
| C．It serves hard-to-find local dishes. |
| D．It shows the cooking process to guests. |
8 . Where to Eat in Bangkok
Bangkok is a highly desirable destination for food lovers. It has a seemingly bottomless well of dining options. Here are some suggestions on where to start your Bangkok eating adventure.
Nahm
Offering Thai fine dining. Nahm provides the best of Bangkok culinary (烹饪的) experiences. It’s the only Thai restaurant that ranks among the top 10 of the world’s 50 best restaurants list. Head Chef David Thompson, who received a Michelin star for his London-based Thai restaurant of the same name, opened this branch in the Metropolitan Hotel in 2010.
Issaya Siamese Club
Issaya Siamese Club is internationally known Thai chef Ian Kittichai’s first flagship Bangkok restaurant. The menu in this beautiful colonial house includes traditional Thai cuisine combined with modern cooking methods.
What do Nahm and Issaya Siamese Club have in common?
| A．They adopt modern cooking methods. | B．They have branches in London. |
| C．They have top-class chefs. | D．They are based in hotels. |
9 . 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 (解决).”
What does Shirley Fitzgerald think of Sydney?| A．It is losing its traditions. |
| B．It should speed up its progress. |
| C．It should expand its population. |
| D．It is becoming more international. |
Experience the iconic features of Australia
25 Sep
Next week I’m travelling to Australia to visit a friend there over the school holidays. I plan to keep this blog to record my experiences and what I learn. I have already done some research on the country. Located to the south of the equator, below many other countries on the globe, it’s often informally referred to as “down under”.
I have also read about some iconic sites, such as the Sydney Opera House and the Great Ocean Road, and animals like the cute koalas and kangaroos. I can’t wait to see all of them! However, as I major insocial studies, I’m more interested in meeting people in Australia and experiencing their culture, food, and way of life.
1 Oct
I’m here in Sydney! Since I arrived, my friend has brought me to my first openair barbecue and has also shared many different but yummy meals with me, so my first impressions of Australia have been all about food! A lot of typical Australian food, such as the Sunday roast, is originally British. Bakeries, fastfood joints, butcher shops, cafes, and restaurants everywhere provide some of the premier food experiences in the world. The influence of Asian cultures, on the other hand, led to the introduction of bean curd and Asian herbs, along with Australian versions of foods like the Chineseinspired dim sim.
3 Oct
My friend and I have arrived in Katherine, a town in Australia’s Northern Territory. We’re here to learn about the life and customs of the Aborigines，who are native to Australia. The Aboriginal population might be small, but its influence is still visible. For example, “Bondi” in “Bondi Beach” is an Aboriginal word meaning “water breaking over rocks”.
To survive in this vast land on the ocean, the Aborigines had to be in close contact with nature. This shows in their music, too, which celebrates the natural world and the spiritual world around them. Most of their musical instruments are really just sticks found on the ground, among which there is an amazing instrument called the didgeridoo.
The didgeridoo is made from a tree branch which is hollow. To play the didgeridoo, you put your mouth on one end and blow while vibrating your lips. Unlike a horn, there are no finger holes. The didgeridoo player has to change the shape of his mouth in order to change pitch. A skilled player can play for a long time without stopping to breathe. He does this by continually breathing in through his nose while breathing out through his mouth and into the didgeridoo. I tried to learn how to play it, but after trying for hours, I was convinced that I could never make a musical sound with this instrument!
6 Oct
It’s almost time for me to say goodbye to Australia. I’ve enjoyed my time here very much. After being here for a while, my biggest impression is the complicated mix of peoples and cultures that make up the nation. Although the main cultural influence since 1788 has been Western culture, minority cultures have also played a part in shaping the unique Australian culture, with many of the new cultural influences contributed by immigrants. It is said that now nearly half of all Australian citizens were either born overseas or have parents who were born overseas.
Personally speaking, what I like most about Australia is the people themselves. They have a straightforward and freeandeasy attitude towards life, and their friendliness and warmth made me feel at home wherever I went.
After experiencing Australia, I have to say that I agree with the tourism slogan: “There’s nothing like Australia.”
1. What’s the main idea of the text?| A．The author’s impression of the food and music of Australia. |
| B．The author’s experiences in Australia. |
| C．The author’s impression of the people and culture of Australia. |
| D．The author’s impression of the attractions of Australia. |
| A．First impressions on Australia. B．Preparations before going to Australia. C．Reflections on multiculturalism. D．The culture of Aborigines. |
Blog entry 3
3. What does the phrase “down under” mean?
| A．Australia is surrounded by oceans. |
| B．Australia lies to the south of the equator. |
| C．Australia will be swallowed by rising sea water. |
| D．Australia has a lower ground level than other countries. |
| A．Love. | B．Nature. |
| C．History. | D．Food. |
| A．By changing his mouth shapes. |
| B．By breathing in more air. |
| C．By pressing the finger holes. |
| D．By closing his mouth tightly. |
| A．To show his disappointment at travelling. |
| B．To praise the effect of the advertising. |
| C．To remind visitors not to go to Australia. |
| D．To stress the beauty of Australia. |
Located to the south of the equator, below many other countries on the globe, Australia is often
A lot of typical Australian food originally comes from the UK. The influence of Asian cultures, on the other hand, resulted in the
The Aborigines are native to Australia. Their population might be small,
What impresses me most is the complicated mix of peoples and cultures. While the main cultural influence since
（1）Located to the south of the equator, below many other countries on the globe，it's often informally referred to as “down under”.
（2）To survive in this vast land on the ocean, the Aborigines bad to be in close contact with nature.
（3）Most of their musical instruments are really just sticks found on the ground, among which there is an amazing instrument called the didgeridoo.
