1 . Our adventure started in March 2019 when our daughter got engaged. She and her then fiancé lived in Chicago but grew up in Asia, so a destination wedding in Phuket sounded perfect.
Fast forward a year. The wedding arrangements were set, but then the COVID-19 started affecting everything. Travel restrictions began in some countries, so some guests had to cancel their journey. But we pressed ahead and took off for Thailand.
The pre-wedding activities were fun, and the wedding and reception were beautiful. But our adventure had only just begun! The morning after the wedding, my husband and I took off for the northeast coast of Malaysian Borneo, home to some of the world’s most unique wildlife and recognized for harboring iconic animals. We flew to the town of Sandakan, a gateway to wildlife adventures and our destination was the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort on the Kinabatangan River. This area, an hour by boat from Sandakan, is one of Malaysia’s most important wildlife refuges. As we cruised along the riverbank our first afternoon, we observed an orangutan building a treetop nest. Next we caught sight of proboscis monkeys swinging from trees. We also spotted red and silver langurs and watched kingfishers diving for fish. But what amazed us most was that we encountered Bornean pygmy elephants with their calves wading through the river. What a harmonious scene!
Elephants are often said to make loud noise and angrily paw the ground, warning us off. And stories of tourists whose jeeps are overturned or who are even killed because of getting too close are not uncommon. It seems elephants often make our life unpredictable and threatened. But I’ve heard city people say “Actually we humans are damaging their forests.”
1. Why didn’t some guests go to attend their daughter’s wedding?| A．Because they were placed on lockdown. |
| B．Because they suffered from airsickness. |
| C．Because travel was limited due to the COVID-19. |
| D．Because the long journey to Thailand was exhausting for them. |
| A．By plane. | B．By train. | C．By tricycle. | D．By boat. |
| A．Watching an orangutan building a nest under a tree. |
| B．Meeting pygmy elephants with their young walking through the river. |
| C．Seeing proboscis monkeys jumping from one tree to another. |
| D．Watching fishermen dive for fish. |
| A．It’s typical of elephants to get angry and scare people. |
| B．Elephants will die out one day. |
| C．It must be risky for tourists to approach elephants. |
| D．It is humans that are ruining elephants’ natural habitat. |
2 . The Tai Mahal (泰姬陵) is a love story, a sad and beautiful one. If it didn’t exist, we would easily imagine that the story of its construction was simply a fairy tale. Three hundred years ago, there lived an Indian emperor called Shah Jahan. His wife was a beautiful and bright woman whom he loved greatly. Her title was Mumtazl Mahal: its shortened form TaMahal, means “pride of the palace”. In the year 1630 this beloved wife of the emperor died.He was so brokenhearted that he thought of giving up his throne. He decided, out of his love for his wife, to build her the most beautiful tomb.
He summoned the best artists and architects from India, Turkey, Persia and Arabia and finally, the design was complete. It took more than twenty thousand men working over a period of 18 years to build the Taj Mahal, one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
The building itself stands on a marble platform 29 metres square and 6-7 metres high. Towers rise from each of the four corners. The Taj itself soars another 61 metres into the air. It is an eight-sided building made of white marble.
The emperor planned to build an identical tomb of black marble for himself on the other side of the river connected by a silver bridge. However, his son put him into a prison in the palace before he could finish, and for the rest of his life, he could only gaze across river at the tomb of his beloved wife.
1. What can we know about Mumtazl Mahal?| A．She was once an emperor. | B．She’s Shah Jahan's wife. |
| C．She was ugly but very bright. | D．She was a little proud. |
| A．The emperor was very disappointed. |
| B．The emperor fell ill and died. |
| C．The emperor wanted to honour his wife. |
| D．The emperor made his wife beautiful. |
| A．It’s a huge project. | B．It’s an interesting project. |
| C．It’s a livelihood project. | D．It’s a money saving project. |
| A．His sudden illness. | B．His lack of money. |
| C．His people’s opposition. | D．His son’s fight against him. |
3 . Situated along the Pacific Flyway, a good migratory path that stretches from Alaskn to Patagonia, Santa Cruz plays host to hundreds of bird species. Just head to one of the spots listed below and see for yourself!
UCSC Arboretum
The diverse plants that attract a wide range of birds make these gardens a wonderful place to start. Mark your calendar for the Arboretum's popular Hummingbird Days, a family-friendly festival that celebrates the tiny birds on March 5th and 6th.
Natural Bridges State Beach
This scenic park is excellent for bird watchers due to its wide sampling of local habitats. Over 250 bird species have been recorded in the area.
Neary Lagoon
Birdsong fills the air at this peaceful oasis less than a 10-minute walk from the fun of the Santa Cruz Beach. A walkway allows visitors a front-row view of birds such as American Coots.
Watsonville Wetlands
The wetlands provide a year-round home for local birds and serve as a stop for migratory birds visiting from faraway. Drop by the Nature Centre for exhibits, maps, and suggestions for best spots to visit.
Birding Tips
●The early birder gets the worm. You’re likely to see more birds earlier rather than later in the day.
●No two visits are likely to be the same. Varying times and seasons bring different birds and behaviour.
●No matter how cute those little birds are, you should resist feeding them with your bread. It's unhealthy for the bird and the surrounding ecosystem.
How to Get More Involved
We recommend joining the Santa Cruz Birding Club for public events and abundant online guides. Contact us free at Birding & Wildlife Watch Kit for registration.
1. Why are there many birds in the UCSC Arboretum?| A．The place is very family-friendly. |
| B．There are many kinds of plants. |
| C．There are Arboretum's Hummingbird Days. |
| D．The place has wide sampling of local habitats. |
| A．Neary Lagoon. | B．UCSC Arboretum. |
| C．Watsonville Wetlands. | D．Natural Bridges State Beach |
| A．In the morning. | B．In the noon. | C．In the afternoon. | D．In the evening. |
1. 交通：58路公交
2. 准备：网上提前订票随身带护照带少量现金
3. 游览期待：
a. 观蒙山大佛连理塔（象征爱情） b. 赏森林小河 c. 远足 d. 拍照 e. 品当地美食
注意：1. 词数100左右；
2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
参考词汇：蒙山大佛 Giant Buddha in Meng Mountain 连理塔 Lianli Tower 护照 passport
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Last summer, I was lucky enough spend two weeks in Xiamen. That was a travel experience what made a deep impression on me. When I first arrived here, I was unfamiliar with the surroundings and felt like we didn’t belong to the city. That’s why I didn’t know my way around. I was anxiously all the time. However, when I finally got relaxing enough, I was able to appreciate the buildings and the richness the city offered. I finally felt at the home, regardless of be in a strange city. Everything I saw and all those happy memory have stayed with me until today.
6 . Xi'an enjoys a reputations as a “Living History Museum” due to its rich, diverse collection of historical and cultural treasures. Apart from the Terracotta Warriors, there are also some other attractions in the city. Here are some of them.
Ancient City Wall
Xi'an City Wall was built in the 14th century in the Ming Dynasty as a military defense system. Now it is one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls. The wall is now a landmark, dividing the city into inner and outer areas.
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda （塔）
Situated in an ancient temple, the pagoda built with layers of bricks was built in the Tang Dynasty. It is traditional Chinese architecture. One of the main functions of the pagoda was to store Buddhist scriptures（经文） and figurines brought to China from India by the famous monk and traveler Xuan Zang, who stayed here for 19 years translating Buddhist scriptures.
Shaanxi History Museum
The Shaanxi History Museum, built in 1991，is home to over 370,000 precious relics unearthed in Shaanxi over the years, The museum consists of three main sections. Its collections range from bronze ware（器血）to pottery ware, gold and silver ware and mural paintings from the Tang Dynasty tombs.
The Muslim Quarter
One of the highlights is its local snacks when you tour Xian. The best food destination is the Muslim Quarter，which has a history of several hundred years. Consisting of a number of food streets, the area has become a famous attraction in the city for its rich and authentic Muslim cultural atmosphere.
1. In which place can you know more about Buddhism?| A．Ancient City Wall. |
| B．Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. |
| C．Shaanxi History Museum. |
| D．The Muslim Quarter. |
| A．Great some bronze wares. |
| B．Eat diverse delicious snacks. |
| C．Visit some watchtowers. |
| D．Translate Buddhist scriptures. |
| A．The Shaanxi History Museum has exhibits made of gold. |
| B．Xuan Zang died in the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. |
| C．The Xi'an City Wallis the oldest Chinese city wall. |
| D．The Muslim Quarter has a history of 100 years. |
7 . Guideline for Travelling to Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is the flagship of the National Park Service and a favorite to millions of visitors each year. For the active visitors, the park has thousands of miles of trails from day-hikes to backcountry explorations. Here is some information about the park.
2022 Opening Dates
·April 16~November 8: West Entrance
·May 14~November 8: East Entrance, South Entrance, Northeast Entrance
·Open Year Round: North Entrance
The Entrance Fee
$35—Tourists taking public vehicles
$30—Tourists riding motorcycles or snowmobiles (winter)
*The fees provide visitors with a 7-day entrance permit.
$70—The Annual Pass (Senior: $20)
The Main Attractions
·World’s first national park with more than 300 springs and over 290 waterfalls.
·Wildlife—2 species of bears and 67 other mammals, 322 species of birds, 16 species of fishes.
·9 visitor centers and 12 campgrounds (over 2, 000 campsites).
Other Tips
If you plan to have a short stay, West Yellowstone would be a good base. If you want to have a full experience of the park, perhaps Old Faithful would be a good choice. The weather here can change quite a bit even in a single day. It can snow during any month of the year, so remember to bring a range of clothing options, including a rain cover. Park policies vary based on local health conditions. Before starting out, please check the park website again.
1. How many entrances are available if you visit the park in summer?| A．One. | B．Three. | C．Four. | D．Five. |
| A．$35 for taking a public vehicle. | B．$30 for a motorcycle ride. |
| C．$70 for a 7-day Pass. | D．$20 for an Annual Pass. |
| A．Avoid camping in case of dangerous wildlife. | B．Bring proper clothing according to the seasons. |
| C．Make sure to stay long to have a full experience. | D．Figure out the updated park policies before the visit. |
8 . We had just come back home after a big trip. My 5-year-old boy, Baldwin, couldn't
My son was even several months
| A．regret | B．wait | C．promise | D．decide |
| A．agreement | B．edge | C．movement | D．destination |
| A．vehicle | B．direction | C．luggage | D．supply |
| A．jogging | B．surfing | C．hiking | D．hunting |
| A．available | B．normal | C．awful | D．dramatic |
| A．pay attention to | B．put on | C．add to | D．live up to |
| A．brave | B．concerned | C．grateful | D．energetic |
| A．lying | B．waking | C．talking | D．settling |
| A．laziness | B．sadness | C．boredom | D．injury |
| A．shorter | B．younger | C．earlier | D．quicker |
| A．if | B．since | C．until | D．because |
| A．change | B．recognise | C．explore | D．photograph |
| A．make | B．feel | C．know | D．find |
| A．prize | B．lesson | C．praise | D．harvest |
| A．emotional | B．intellectual | C．imaginative | D．magical |
9 . The United Kingdom is a land of natural beauty and history, with many of its finest attractions discovered through hiking. Now, dust off your boots, plan according to the following routes presented by a survey of senior hikers and an incredible experience will wait for you.
Wales Coastal Path
Wales is the only country in the world that has an official walking path covering its whole borders. The Wales Coastal Path is a footpath stretching 870 miles from Chester to Chepstow. Walking the whole thing might be demanding, but there are plenty of stretches that can be enjoyed over a day or two.
Southwest Coast Path
You need a fair amount of annual leave, a casual 52 days or so, to undertake this in one go. The route runs from Somerset all the way to Dorset, via rugged cliffs, cute fishing villages and surfing spots along the coastline. You can surely jump on to any point as you like, but you can't afford to miss all the pubs full of jokes and laughter on the way!
Coast to Coast Walk
This long-distance trail isn’t official, but popular in the country, taking hikers from the Irish Sea to the North Sea as it rolls into historic Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire. Following local footpaths, the route takes you through three UK National Parks: the Lakes, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.
Cleveland Way
You’ll want nine days to folly complete this hike, which explores both the North York Moors and the county’s world-famous coastline. Just make sure you allow enough time to properly enjoy spots like Roseberry Topping hill and pick up a gentle afternoon walk at Whitby’s clifftop church.
1. Who will be more interested in the routes?| A．Explorers in the UK. | B．Hiking lovers. |
| C．Nature photographers. | D．Field researchers. |
| A．Fishing villages. | B．Surfing spots. |
| C．Local pubs. | D．National parks. |
| A．They include cliffs worth visiting. | B．They are official and demanding. |
| C．They run along the coast. | D．They can be completed in a month. |
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Our class visited the City Folk Museum last week. To begin, we searched for as more information as possible on the Internet. Feeling excitedly, we gathered at the entrance on Friday morning. Then a guide was showed us the exhibition of paper cuts designing for different uses. After that, we watched a digital film, what made us know our folk culture better. Finally, we go to the do-it-yourself area. We learned to make some paper cuts or painted a couple of fantastic mask there. We all felt it was a unforgettable experience and the museum was certainly worth a visit.
