1 . Parisians have always been known for their courage and enthusiasm. They are very generous and trusting. The culture of communication is well developed among the local people, as they are taught to establish contact with others from early childhood. Here in Paris it is believed that a quiet and modest (谦逊的) person will never succeed even if he or she is very talented and smart.
Visitors are advised to learn at least a bit of French before their trip. If locals see a traveler who tries to communicate using the native language, they start respecting this person and are ready to help. It is worth remembering that even fluent English will cause only a sense of contempt (蔑视) among locals.
Paris is famous for its colorful celebrations and festivals. Various interesting events take place at Christmas and on New Year’s Eve here. June 21 is the day of a famous music festival in particular—this event attracts many music lovers from different countries of the world. All day long, the squares of the city are turned into concert spots, where free concerts are performed. Bastille Day is a very interesting holiday which is celebrated annually on July 14. A beautiful military parade (阅兵) is a necessary part of Bastille Day. The first mention about this celebration was made in 1789. The holiday ends up with grand fireworks.
In early February, the city of Paris is filled with collectors of antique (古董的) cars. The exhibition of antique (复古) cars is held in the center of Porte de Versailles, where you can see antique cars and details about them as well as communicate with interesting people.
Paris can impress anyone with its cultural richness and diversity. In this magical city, something interesting happens all the time. Once in the center of the city, almost every hour you will be able to attend one event or another, moving from the art center to the concert hall, admiring the performances of street artists on the way.
1. Who will be more welcome in Paris according to the text?A.Someone who is shy and quiet. | B.Someone who is talented and smart. |
C.Someone who knows a little French. | D.Someone who speaks English well. |
A.It takes place on Christmas Day. | B.It has a history of over 230 years. |
C.It includes a lot of free concerts. | D.It ends up with a military parade. |
A.Most Parisians are very wealthy. | B.Paris is a center of car manufacturing. |
C.Parisians like collecting antiques. | D.Paris is a city with colourful life. |
A.In a history book. | B.In a novel. | C.In a science report. | D.In a travel magazine. |
At a height of 556.36 meters, Heavenly Jin restaurant in Shanghai was certified by the Guinness World Records as the
“This record is
3 . Here we give you an introduction to several cities in the world that were lost in the past and discovered again after a long time.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a very mysterious city near the Urubamba Valley in Peru. It was discovered by the historian Hiram Bingham in 1911, and until then, no one knew of its existence. The city has special structures bordered by stone walls. It is said that the Incas built the city and it was abandoned 100 years later. The main reason is unknown, but some people believe it was due to a decreasing population.
Atlantis
It is still in debate whether this city exists in reality. The city first appeared in Plato’s fictional work in 360 BC. And since then, so many historians and scientists have been in search of the lost city. It is believed that the city sank into the Atlantic Ocean. But some say it was an island in the Mediterranean, an island in northern Europe, or even in Antarctica.
Mohenjo-Daro
Situated in the Indus Valley, the Indus Valley civilization is one of the oldest civilizations. It is believed that the science, art, trade, writing and agriculture of the city was in an advanced form and it had ordered streets and proper drainage (排水) systems. The city disappeared because of climate change. It was rediscovered in 1922.
Pompeii
The city, which is situated not far from Rome, was destroyed in AD 79 due to a volcanic eruption (火山爆发). The entire population was buried under 60 feet of ash. It had around 20,000 inhabitants at that time and the city was a quiet spot for vacation for the upper classes of Romans. After its loss, the ruins were buried and forgotten for 1700 years before being discovered.
1. Which city is possibly unreal according to the text?A.Machu Picchu. | B.Atlantis. |
C.Mohenjo-Daro. | D.Pompeii. |
A.Decrease in population. | B.Climate change. |
C.Volcanic eruption. | D.Years of war. |
A.It used to be a popular attraction for some Romans. |
B.Its exact position has been unknown to us so far. |
C.It was an advanced city in terms of urban planning. |
D.It is the most mysterious among the four cities. |
4 . Experience the Colorado River the Hualapai Way!
River Runners Offers the ONLY One Day White-water Trip ANYWHERE at the GRAND CANYON!
Since 1973, Hualapai River Runners has been conducting white-water rafting journeys on the Colorado River. Our experienced guides expertly sail along the river and share the history of the Canyon and the Hualapai people with you.
Visitors experience the excitement of whitewater rapids and then stop to enjoy the impressive beauty of Travertine Falls and a tasty lunch. No charge for children 2 years and under.
One-Day Trip
Retail $249.00 + $79.00 (helicopter and round-trip ground transportation)
White-water rafting tours begin in Peach Springs. Hualapai River Runners transports you to Diamond Creek, which is the starting point for the 37 mile rafting tour. Lunch is included and upon arrival at the rafting tour termination point (终点), fly out of the Grand Canyon by helicopter to Grand Canyon West.
Two-Day Trip
Retail $549.00 + $79.0 (helicopter and round-trip ground transportation)
Two-day rafting trips with one night on the Colorado River. All supplies and meals are included. Two days in the Grand Canyon, on the Colorado River, allows more time to explore one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Tours Include:
• Round-trip transportation from Peach Springs to the starting point and from the termination points back to Peach Springs.
• Snack, drinks and lunch (vegetarian meals available upon request).
• Waterproof dry bags for storing your cameras, sunscreen, dry clothes, etc.
The helicopter part of transportation is weather permitting. If the helicopter transportation is cancelled because of bad weather, the raft will continue an additional two hours to South Cove and a maximum $20.00 per customer will be given back.
Special website booking rate 15% off rafting in June 2011. So book now! Call us Toll Free Today! Tel: 1-888-868-9378
1. Where do white-water rafting tours start?A.Travertine Falls. | B.Diamond Creek. |
C.The Grand Canyon. | D.Grand Canyon West. |
A.the guides can help you learn sailing |
B.the cost includes snack, drinks and lunch |
C.the Grand Canyon is well-known for its history |
D.the helicopter transportation can save you three hours’ time |
A.The raft. | B.The train. | C.The boat. | D.The bus. |
A.The trip is not fit for children under 2. |
B.Hualapai River Runners provides dry clothes. |
C.You will get 20 dollars back if you are dissatisfied. |
D.Online booking has a better offer during certain time of the year. |
5 . Paris is the most wooded (树木茂森的) city in Europe, and around one quarter of its area is taken up by parks, gardens and other green spaces.
Jardin des Plantes: over 28 hectares
This impressive botanical garden is home to four museums, including the Natural History Museum, which houses a variety of African animals. The gardens themselves boast thousands of species of plants. This is a lovely place to relax and explore the beautiful surroundings.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont: over 24 hectares
If you want to get off the tourist trail and hang out with true Parisians, this park is the perfect spot for a relaxing picnic or a leisurely wander. It is in the 19th district and is one of the largest parks in Paris. Cross its lake on the suspension bridge, or admire the waterfalls and attractive temples.
Jardin du Luxembourg: over 25 hectares
These beautiful gardens were first laid out in 1612 as the gardens of the Luxembourg Palace. They include a geometric (结合图形的) forest, French and English style gardens, as well as a large pond. There is so much to see and do with activities especially for children, such as slides, rides and puppet shows, as well as leisure and sporting activities for adults. The gardens are home to more than one hundred sculptures.
Le Parc de la Villette: 55 hectares
This urban cultural park is so much more than just a park as it is home to numerous music venues, exhibition spaces and cafes. It is also home to no less than 12 gardens, which all follow different themes. The Passenger Gardens, for example, which are built on what was once the sheep market, support a variety of ecosystems, demonstrating the importance of biodiversity.
1. Which green space probably suits students who are interested in botany?A.Jardin des Plantes. | B.Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. |
C.Jardin du Luxembourg. | D.Le Parc de la Villette. |
A.They feature American style gardens. | B.They are favorite gardens for the French. |
C.They house a variety of African animals. | D.They used to be royal gardens. |
A.Visiting museums. | B.Attending concerts. |
C.Admiring waterfalls. | D.Watching puppet shows. |
6 . Some Sightseeing Tours
Tour A: Bath & Stonehenge, £39
It includes entrance fees to the ancient Roman bathrooms and Stonehenge. Visit the city with over 2,000 years of history and Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent and the Costume Museum. Stonehenge is one of the world’s most famous monuments dating back over 4,000 years.
Tour B: Oxford & Stratford, £36
It includes entrance fees to the University St Mary’s Church Tower and Anne Hathaway’s house. Oxford: It includes a guided tour of England’s oldest university city and colleges. Look over the “city of dreaming spires (尖顶)” from St Mary’s Church Tower. Stratford: It includes a guided tour exploring much of the Shakespeare wonder.
Tour C: Windsor Castle & Hampton Court, £37
It includes entrance fees to Hampton Court Palace, a guided tour of Windsor and Hampton Court, Henry Ⅷ’s favourite palace. Free time to visit Windsor Castle (entrance fees not included). With 500 years of history, Hampton Court was once the home of four kings and one queen. Now this former royal palace is open to the public as a major tourist attraction. Visit the palace and its various historic gardens, which include the famous maze (迷宫) where it is easy to get lost!
Tour D: Cambridge, £33
It includes entrance fees to the Tower of Saint Mary the Great. It also includes a guided tour of Cambridge, the famous university town, and the gardens of the 18th century.
1. Which tour is the most expensive?A.Tour A. | B.Tour B. | C.Tour C. | D.Tour D. |
A.They include a free tour of a church. |
B.They offer a chance to visit some gardens. |
C.They include a guided tour of a university. |
D.They encourage visitors to know Shakespeare. |
A.Meet a king. | B.Visit a palace. | C.Build a maze. | D.Live in a castle. |
7 . Affordable Beach Vacation in Corfu
Corfu, an island off the coast of Greece, offers visitors sun-kissed shores with clear water and lots of beaches.
Finding the Perfect Beach
Our first pick is Sidari Beach. It’s a blue flag beach perfect for couples looking for a more private feel, as it’s far from bigger tourist destinations. Issos Beach makes for the perfect place for watching the sunset. Dassia Bay has a bit more water sports. Paleokastritsa is an amazing West Coast village with six beaches on offer, including Rovinia Beach.
Getting around Corfu
Corfu offers bike rentals and bus service as a cheaper alternative to taxis. The best time to visit Corfu is during the “shoulder season” in April/May. The weather isn’t as warm as the high seasons but it remains perfect. It is not crowded in this period, but you still need to book ahead of schedule as Corfu stays popular throughout the year.
Eating Out For Less
There are a lot of well-priced restaurants but street food is also a big winner. Some popular choices are Souvlakia and Pita Gyros. There are also many cheeses special to Greece, including Tirokafteri and Ladotyri. Corfu also has many unbelievable desserts. Stazei Meli is a tourist favourite to give them a try.
1. Which place is probably the best choice for couples?A.Sidari Beach. | B.Dassia Bay. | C.Issos Beach. | D.Rovinia Beach. |
A.Rent a bike. | B.Book in advance. |
C.Wear warm clothes. | D.Set off in April/May. |
A.It cooks popular dishes. | B.It severs well-priced food. |
C.It produces special cheese. | D.It sells amazing desserts. |
A.A novel | B.A magazine | C.A historical book | D.A research report |
8 . It is the first day of the summer. George and his friend Carlos are
This year, they want to make a
Mountain climbing, hiking, fishing, and to play a few games of flag football are all on their
A.preparing | B.demanding | C.longing | D.applying |
A.cards | B.recommendations | C.invitations | D.connections |
A.game | B.success | C.surprise | D.fun |
A.hidden | B.starving | C.friendly | D.endangered |
A.avoid | B.create | C.mention | D.encounter |
A.rough | B.comprehensive | C.instant | D.further |
A.front | B.flat | C.strong | D.spare |
A.condition | B.place | C.method | D.chance |
A.children | B.elders | C.students | D.animals |
A.food | B.trip | C.summer | D.celebration |
A.excited | B.reliable | C.satisfied | D.relieved |
A.activities | B.jobs | C.tasks | D.exercises |
A.hands | B.agenda | C.nerves | D.initiative |
A.found | B.followed | C.received | D.made |
A.doctors | B.matches | C.drugs | D.bandages |
9 . At the age of eight, Leon Portz was gradually losing his eyesight due to a born condition when he was given his first computer. By the age of nine, he had figured out how to speed up the machine-generated voice that could read out texts on websites and some electronic devices, allowing him to get the information faster. He now listens to texts much more quickly than before.
But his love of science only truly developed when he moved from his hometown in central Germany to Marburg, a medieval (中世纪的) university town, to attend a school for the blind. As it turned out, that move transported him into a place of inclusive innovation.
Marburg proudly calls itself a city for blind people. As an educational institute for the blind, the Blista in German was founded here during World War I, to provide opportunities for young men blinded in the war. The institute has had countless inventions for blind people since then. It has also shaped the town around it, turning it into a place where “everything is ideal for blind people”.
Marburg is small and hilly, so you can easily find where you are. Different kinds of leisure facilities span the city, such as a horse-riding school for the blind, and blind rowing, football, climbing and skiing clubs.
The Blista and its students have driven many of these inventions. Law and psychology are among the most popular course choices, as the materials can be studied easily with aids such as screen readers. Now teachers and pupils from the institute are trying another field: the natural sciences. “I don’t feel like a pioneer, but I guess I am one,” says Portz.
1. Why is “Leon Portz” mentioned in paragraph 1?A.To praise the determination of Leon. | B.To show hardships of the disabled. |
C.To stress the advantages of technology. | D.To introduce the Blista in Marburg. |
A.People blinded in World War I. | B.People talented in innovation. |
C.Disabled teenagers in Marburg. | D.Blind youths across the world. |
A.Law. | B.Biology. | C.Psychology. | D.Rowing. |
A.Leon Portz: A Blind Pioneer | B.Courses Ideal for the Blind |
C.Marburg: A City for the Blind | D.The Blista Made by the Blind |
10 . It is now China that holds the crown of high-speed train capital of the world. Here are some of our picks for the greatest high-speed rail journeys.
The Shangri-La Train
Currently the longest high-speed rail route in the world and taking less than 11 hours to travel more than 2700 km on the quickest service, the Beijing to Kunming train is a truly epic high-speed train journey. The train is named in honor of one of Yunnan’s most famous cities, mythical Shangri-La.
The Panda Train
Taking between 12 and 13 hours to travel 1690 km, this train zips along from an ancient Chinese capital to the panda capital of the world. In route, the train passes through Yichang. It’s here that you can stop off for a glimpse of the massive Three Gorges Dam.
The Silk Road Train
The first high-speed train to extend out into China’s vast western regions connects the 1776 kilometers between Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, and Lanzhou, capital of Gansu, in a little under 12 hours. The train follows the ancient Silk Road via the town of Turpan, geographically the lowest place in China at 154m below sea level.
The Island Train
When it opened in 2015, this was the world’s first circular high-speed rail-way line, whirling 650km around south China’s tropical Hainan island, in about five hours, providing passengers with wonderful views of the South China Sea and the best beaches.
1. What do we know about The Shangri-La Train?A.It’s named after a city of Yunnan. |
B.It has the roughest route of the four. |
C.It runs at a speed of 245 km/h all the way. |
D.It travels along the longest railway in the world now. |
A.The Shangri-La Train. | B.The Panda Train. |
C.The Silk Road Train. | D.The Island Train. |
A.An agent | B.A traveller | C.A driver | D.A designer |