For the past 10 years I     1     (be) crazy about cycling on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (高原). Every summer vacation, I spend a month     2     (bike) across the plateau.

In 2014, I set out     3     a cycle route with five other people. Our 2,000-kilometer route started in the east, and     4     (end) in the west.

The Plateau has     5     (drama) landscapes. Travelers can see the snowy mountains, clean blue lakes, lots of animals during the day, and clear, starry skies at night.

The high altitude (海拔) and low level of oxygen make cycling     6     (extreme) challenging. With a sharp temperature difference between day and night, and unexpected rain,     7     is easy for cyclists to lose body heat.

The route consists of dirt, even broken stones, and paths, which have been formed over time by countless passing     8     (vehicle). One night, we had to camp near a forest     9     there were possible animal attacks, especially from wolves. We found a house in a     10     (lock) yard, but no one answered our calls from the gate. It was the time of the seasonal migration, so maybe the people had moved to another place for better water and grass.

7 . Is it any wonder that the Tower of London is the nation’s leading historic visitor attraction? Standing guard by the River Thames, the Tower is an impressive London landmark. Discover the secrets that lie within its walls, marvel (惊讶) at the breathtaking Crown Jewels, stand on the site where three English queens were beheaded (斩首) and explore the myths and legends that make a visit to the Tower a fantastic day out.

The Crown Jewels

Gain a fascinating insight into the role of the Crown Jewels in royal pageantry (盛大庆典) with our introductory films. Once inside the Treasury, marvel at Imperial State Crown worn at the State Opening of Parliament and be dazzled by the world’s largest, top-quality cut diamond, CullinanⅠ, set in the Sovereign’s Sceptre. The Jewel House Wardens will be on hand to answer any questions about this priceless collection.

Yeoman Warder “Beefeater” Tours

Nobody knows more about the history of the Tower than the Yeoman Warders (看守人) and no visit is complete without joining one of their tours. Having guarded (守卫) this royal (皇家的) palace and fortress (城堡) for centuries they will captivate you with amazing stories, passed on from generation to generation, and guide you to the infamous Traitor’s Gate and the execution (处决) site. Tours are held throughout the day.

The White Tower

The first stones of this structure were laid around 1078 by order of William the Conqueror. Its mighty walls are now home to displays from the Royal armouries (铠甲) including original armours worn by Henry VIII and Charles I plus a reconstructed display of massive collection of weapons once housed in the Grand Storehouse.

Ravens

The Ravens are one of the Tower’s most famous sights. These magnificent birds have lived within its walls for hundreds of years and legend has it that, if they leave, the kingdom will fall. Look out for these unique guardians around the Tower and make sure you visit their lodgings.

9 . 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.

10 . We had just come back home after a big trip. My 5-year-old boy, Baldwin, couldn't _________ to share our stories with his grandmother. Our final _________ is the Appalachian Trail, one of the longest footpaths in the world. We finished the route without any _________ in 209 days. The _________ was really hard work, but full of fun. The landscape along the way was _________, with green woods and wild animals like kangaroos. My husband and I had little time to _________ our own physical pain from walking so many kilometers, but tried hard to keep our little boy happy and excited. When we were tired, we got to eat Skittles, a colorful sweet treat, to make my son_________. We slept in a tent, _________ at 5: 30 in the morning and walking all day. Talking with other hikers along the way prevented _________ and brought extra joy.

My son was even several months __________ than “Buddy Backpacker”, a boy who once held the record for the youngest person for the route. We had been hiking __________ my son was two years old. We took every opportunity to go outside and __________ the world. It may seem like an impossible activity for a child. However, it turned out that he was strong enough to __________ it. My son's trip earned __________ from Dale, the oldest person to hike the route. He said, “It's going to change his life forever. Baldwin has gone through some hardships, making him stronger. This challenge contributes to his social and __________ development. He will smile through his life.”