1 . As a boy, I was a little ashamed of my hometown. Visitors almost always made unfriendly: remarks about the distinct smell as they approached the town. However, since I am now working in the tourism industry, I have realized the significance of that smell to the town and even to the world. This is where the Canadian oil industry originated, growing from oil springs to a local miracle in Petrolia.
The “black gold” those first pioneer drillers pumped (用泵输送) out of the ground in the 1860s was the foundation on which our little town was built. In the 1880s, with a population of 5, 000, Petrolia was one of the richest towns in Canada, all because of the foul-smelling substance extracted (提取) from the ground.
Many amazing stories about these great people have been written. Those adventurous individuals brought their hard-earned industry skills to the far corners of the globe, and assisted in the development of major oil fields around the world. Past richness can be seen through out the town There is a story hidden behind each street.
A few historical industrial buildings also remain complete, as they’ve been preserved for a century. Fairbank Heavy Hardware and the Oil Well Supply Company continue to provide the tools and materials required to serve many oil wells in the area that are still pumping and producing the: precious goods. These are just a few of the amazing structures built in a time of wealth and glory.
The present atmosphere of the town is inviting and enthusiastic. Walking tours, a variety of restaurants, unique stores and professional summer theatres and special events throughout the year make it a popular destination for many people.
No longer ashamed, I now smile with pride when I think of my hometown. As our new slogan states, “You’ll Be Surprised!”
1. What does the author probably do?A.A teacher. | B.A guide. | C.An engineer | D.A policeman. |
A.There are oil fields in it. | B.There is a famous spring in it. |
C.Its smell attracts visitors. | D.It is hated by many people. |
A.To prove the two companies’ richness. |
B.To show the contribution of the oilmen. |
C.To tell us the adventurous stories of the drillers. |
D.To introduce the historical evolution of the town. |
A.His love for work. | B.Local people’s help. |
C.The town’s development. | D.The world’s change. |
2 . The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10028
211-535-7710 www.metmuseu.org
Entrances
Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
Hours
Open 7 days a week
Sunday-Thursday 10:00-17:30
Friday and Saturday 10:00-21:00
Closed Thanksgiving Day, December 25, January 1, and the first Monday in May.
Admission
$25.00 for adults, a discount of 30% for students above 12, includes the Main Building and the Cloisters (回廊) on the same day; free for children under 12.
Free with Admission
All special exhibitions, as well as films, lectures, guided tours, concerts, gallery talks, and family/ children’s programs are free with admission. Ask about today’s activities at the Great Hall Information Desk.
The Cloisters Museum and Gardens
The Cloisters Museum and Gardens is a branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to the art and architecture of Europe in the Middle Ages. The extensive collection consists of masterworks in sculpture, colored glass, and precious objects from Europe dating from about the 9th to the 15th century.
Hours: Open 7 days a week.
March-October 10:00-17:15
November-February 10:00-16:45
Closed Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1.
1. How much may they pay if a 13-year-old girl and her parents visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art?A.$32.5. | B.$50. | C.$57.5. | D.$67.5. |
A.it opens all the year round |
B.it has a modern European-style garden |
C.its collections date from the Middle Ages |
D.it sells excellent European glass collections |
A.On Sundays. | B.On May Day. |
C.On January 1. | D.From Thanksgiving Day to Christmas. |
1. What happened on the speakers’ last trip?
A.They were stuck in traffic. | B.They lost their sleeping bags. | C.They forgot to bring the power bank. |
A.Snacks. | B.Beef. | C.Bottled water. |
4 . Astrotourism: Travel to a place where you can see stars
Few sights are as breathtaking as the night sky full of stars. But you can’t get a good view of the stars in cities. Nowadays, increasing numbers of people are participating in astrotourism — traveling to destinations where they can focus on viewing stars, planets and other space-related phenomena.
Star party in Nebraska, USA
In north-central Nebraska, a week-long Star Party has been held annually for almost 30 years. Held at the Merritt Reservoir (水库), the party features classes teaching beginners about astronomy, along with some programs especially for children. The party features challenges such as a photo contest. During the day, visitors can swim in the reservoir and go fishing and boating.
Jasper National Park, Canada
The second-largest dark sky preserve in the world, Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, covers 11,000 square kilometers. In October each year, visitors show up there for the Jasper Dark Sky Festival, making Jasper National Park one of Canada’s top astrotourism destinations. During the day, visitors can enjoy the beauty of the park’s glaciers (冰川), streams, lakes and mountains.
Chile
With an average of 300 nights with clear skies per year, Chile is a great destination for astrotourism. The clear skies mean visitors are very likely to be able to see stars and planets without clouds blocking their view.
Finland
Northern Finland is one of the best places in the world to take in the northern lights. They are usually green but can be pink and more rarely red and violet In Finland’s Lapland region, they are visible 200 nights a year.
Wherever you go, astrotourism provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on the wonders of the universe.
1. Which destination is most beginner-friendly?A.Nebraska. | B.Jasper National Park. |
C.Chile. | D.Finland. |
A.Swim in the reservoir. | B.Enjoy beautiful scenery. |
C.Boat on streams. | D.Climb glaciers. |
A.Star views. | B.The second-largest dark sky preserve. |
C.Northern lights. | D.300 nights with clear skies. |
Traveling to foreign countries
Since the coronavirus pandemic
According to Forbes, Google
Currently, the pandemic
6 . North West Ireland has the best theatres in the country. It offers you a warm Irish welcome with music, art, fun and life at an enjoyable pace.
Colmans Music Centre
The Colmans Music Centre is a visitor centre with a difference. It contains a comprehensive exhibition area about the history of traditional Irish music via audio visual presentation and touch screen. It has a lovely 120-seat theatre in which a varied programme is presented. A music archive (曲库) is available and tea or coffee is served on site.
The Dock Arts Centre
The Dock is housed in the beautiful 19th-century former Courthouse Building. It houses a 100+ seat performance space, three art galleries, and artist studios. The centre offers something for everyone, from performances and exhibitions, to classes and workshops.
The Corn Mill Theatre
The tradition of drama in Carrigallen goes back to the second last century. The present group was founded in 1963 as “The Community Players” and there has been no break in activity since that time. In 1998 the company won the Esso All-Ireland Drama Finals with Billy Roche’s play Belfry directed by Killian McGuinness.
The Glens Centre
The Glens Centre is a wonderfully unique venue (地点). It has a performance space with seating for 140 people. It has superb technical facilities. The Glens also houses recording facilities and self board and accommodation for visiting performers. The centre hosts a wide ranging programme including the best of contemporary, world, trad, folk and jazz music as well as a feast of theatre, readings, children’s events and world cinema.
1. What can visitors do in Colmans Music Centre?A.Give a live performance. | B.Enjoy traditional Irish music. |
C.Buy audio visual equipment. | D.Discover the history of tea or coffee. |
A.To earn a high reputation. | B.To direct a play like Bel fry. |
C.To encourage interest in dramatics. | D.To win the Esso All-Ireland Film Finals. |
A.The Glens Centre. | B.The Dock Arts Centre. |
C.The Corn Mill Theatre. | D.Colmans Music Centre. |
7 . Yosemite National Park has long been a place of inspiration for artists, climbers, and nature lovers.
Yosemite Falls
Repeatedly popping into view over treetops and around comers as you drive through the valley, the falls look different from every angle, and it’s impossible to take your eyes off. You don’t have to hike or even get out of your car to appreciate this waterfall, but the most complete view of the falls is from the start of the Yosemite Falls hike, along the route on the left side of the river. You can walk right to the base of the falls with minimal effort and feel the mist sweeping over you.
Half Dome
Half Dome is one of Yosemite’s most famous sites and particularly well-known in the climbing world for being one of the first “big climbs”. This granite icon looks much different depending on the angle you arc viewing it from. Looking up at the sheer rock face from the valley, the enormity of the wall is obvious, and you can appreciate why climbers have been drawn here. The best place to view it is from the lookout at Glacier Point. From here, you get a true picture of the rock and how much higher it stands than the surrounding mountains.
El Capitan
Popular among climbers, El Capitan is a 3,000-foot sheer rock face on the north side of Yosemite Valley. Although it may not seem like it, El Capitan is actually 1,000 feet higher than the face of Half Dome. El Capitan gained interest with the free solo climb of Alex Honnold in June of 2017, and the Academy Award winning documentary film, Free Solo. He became the first person to climb El Capitan without ropes, and completely unaided.
Tunnel View
The most classic view of Yosemite Valley is from Tunnel View. This vista, which will feel very familiar to most visitors, stretches out to El Capitan on the left, Bridalveil Fall on the right, Half Dome in the distance, and also takes in the lush valley at the base of the huge granite walls. The best time to appreciate this scene is in the afternoon, when the walls are bathed in sunlight.
1. Which one would you prefer to go to if you want to experience the mist sweeping over you?A.Yosemite Falls. | B.Half Dome. | C.El Capitan. | D.Tunnel View. |
A.Both of them are at the same height. |
B.Both of them are popular among climbers. |
C.Both of them can be best viewed from Glacier Point. |
D.Both of them become famous because of Alex Honnold. |
A.Tourists seldom visit it. |
B.Bridalveil Fall is on its left. |
C.You can appreciate Yosemite Valley from it. |
D.Visitors can walk from Half Dome to it in a short time. |
8 . The world awaits. Where will you go next? The following are among the most exciting destinations to visit. Grab your bags and go!
Prague Castle, Czech Republic
Sitting atop a hill across the river from the center of the city, Prague Castle casts a spectacular atmosphere over its surroundings. The castle is an incredible collection of buildings constructed from the 9th to 14th century. It is one of the largest castles in the world, and around almost every corner is a historical building, church, or open square.
Chichen Itza, Mexico
The ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza have been drawing curious tourists since they were first brought to light by a popular book by John Lloyd Stevens in 1843. Today the site, located near the center of the Yucatan Peninsula, is one of the top tourist attractions in Mexico and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll witness the ruins of the once powerful Mayan people and visit the sacred Cenote where sacrifices took place.
Glacier National Park
Named for the remains of glaciers from the ice age, Glacier National Park is located on the border of Canada and Montana. It is often called the “Crown of the Continent,” because of its natural beauty. Aside from its breathtaking geological features, it’s also home to a fair amount of history. The Going-to-the-Sun Road—a scenic, 50 mile drive through the park—is a National Historic Landmark and an engineering marvel that offers spectacular views, as well as access to popular hiking trails.
Istanbul, Turkey
Turkey’s capital city is another destination that offers a great mix of culture, food, and history. There are thousands of years of history here, starting with Ancient Greeks and Ancient Romans and leading up through the Ottoman Empire. You can spend the day shopping and the night at a wonderful restaurant eating great Turkish food and dancing to Turkish music.
1. Which destination will you visit if you are interested in constructions?A.Prague Castle. | B.Chichen Itza. | C.Glacier National Park. | D.Istanbul. |
A.It was first found by John Lloyd Stevens. | B.It became famous on account of a book. |
C.Tourists can meet Mayan people in the Cenote. | D.It has been ruined by Mayan people. |
A.They were once destroyed. | B.They are in central America. |
C.They were discovered recently. | D.They have historic sites. |
9 . 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. |
10 . The Boot at Jester House, New Zealand
Phone: +3 526 6742
No, your eyes aren’t fooling you. It really is a giant boot. This two-story hotel is set on the Tasman Coast, an area of natural beauty and rocky coastline. Your accommodation is comfortable, with large open fireplaces inside and out, homemade treats, and your own private yard.
The Guitar Hotel, America
Phone: +1 866 502 7529
Rock lovers will be able to do more than just play instruments at this hotel. They’ll be able to sleep in one, the world’s first guitar -shaped hotel. The 450-foot -tall building is designed to look like back-to-back guitars complete with guitar faces and brightly-lit strings. With 638 guest rooms, the hotel is sure to wow you as much as the star acts that are booked to perform there.
Elephant Villa, Sri Lanka
Phone: + 9477 7686511
Elephants might eat grass and twigs, but this one is built of them and looks like a big elephant. The two-story hotel is one of the four fantastic accommodations on the banks of the Kumbukkan River. The lower level serves as a dining room with views of the forest through is open sides. During your stay, you can take a mud bath, ride on a fisherman’s raft, and see elephants walking in the forest nearby.
Espejo de Luna, Chile
Phone:+56 9 9040 5888
The hotel looks like an upside-down boat on the island of Chiloe in Chile. The rooms are spaced out in the woods so that privacy is well protected. The beachside is a good place to hang out with friends and play water sports. Family-run, the owners are there to provide fireside laughs.
1. At which hotel may you watch star acts?A.The Boot at Jester House. | B.The Guitar Hotel. |
C.Elephant Villa. | D.Espelo de Luna. |
A.+35266742. | B.+18665027529. |
C.+94777686511. | D.+56990405888. |
A.They are all unusually shaped. |
B.They are all run by a small family. |
C.They are all popular among wildlife lovers. |
D.They are all perfect places to experience nature. |