1 . Sometime in the early 1960s, a significant thing happened in Sydney, Australia. The city discovered its harbor. Then, one after another, Sydney discovered lots of things that were just sort of there — broad parks, superb beaches, and a culturally diverse population. But it is the harbor that makes the city.
Andrew Reynolds, a cheerful fellow in his early 30s, pilots Sydney ferryboats for a living. I spent the whole morning shuttling back and forth across the harbor. After our third run Andrew shut down the engine, and we went our separate ways — he for a lunch break, I to explore the city.
“I’ll miss these old boats,” he said as we parted.
“How do you mean?” I asked.
“Oh, they’re replacing them with catamarans. Catamarans are faster, but they’re not so elegant, and they’re not fun to pilot. But that’s progress, I guess.”
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.”
On the other hand, being young and old at the same time has its attractions. I considered this when I met a thoughtful young businessman named Anthony. “Many people say that we lack culture in this country,” he told me. “What people forget is that the Italians, when they came to Australia, brought 2000 years of their culture, the Greeks some 3000 years, and the Chinese more still. We’ve got a foundation built on ancient cultures but with a drive and dynamism of a young country. It’s a pretty hard combination to beat.”
He is right, but I can’t help wishing they would keep those old ferries.
1. What can we know about Sydney’s harbor?| A．It is a culturally respected area. | B．It used to be a striking architecture. |
| C．It’s crucial to Sydney’s development. | D．It was a famous tourist attraction in 1960. |
| A．Anxious. | B．Negative. | C．Doubtful. | D．Supportive. |
| A．Controlling. | B．Discovering. | C．Solving. | D．Distinguishing. |
| A．A city being young and old is more attractive. |
| B．A city built on ancient cultures is more dynamic. |
| C．Modernity is usually achieved at the cost of elegance. |
| D．Italians bring Australians more cultures than Chinese. |
2 . Along Florida’s Northern Gulf Coast, there’s a year-round coastal oasis with shining beaches, peaceful bay waters and scenic rivers and streams known as Franklin County.
Named “Florida’s Forgotten Coast” for its quiet, laid-back atmosphere, the scenic coastal communities of Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Eastpoint, Alligator Point and St. George Island are also perfect late winter getaway destinations.
Trip Ideas
Enjoy a mid-winter holiday that can include fishing, kayaking, swimming, diving, hiking or eating fresh Apalachicola Bay seafood. Over 80 percent of Franklin County’s 1,412 square kilometres are publicly owned, giving adventurers ample rivers, creeks and coastal shallows to explore. With over 40 camping areas and campgrounds that range from luxury waterfront RV parks to basic woods sites there are many boat launches and hiking opportunities in the county.
Take a relaxing sunset tour of Apalachicola’s historic waterfront aboard one of several adventure tour boats or charter an offshore trip in Carrabelle. Enjoy birdwatching and pet-friendly beaches on St. George Island.
There are many fun winter and early spring events along the Forgotten Coast including the annual St. George Island Chili Cookoff, Eastpoint Rib Cookoff, Carrabelle Riverfront Festival and Apalachicola’s Artwalk.
To Know
• The average winter temperatures along the coast hover around 16 Celsius.
• Off-season lodging (住宿) prices are generally lower and the beaches are less crowded than in the spring and summer.
Travel Planner
Download the Florida’s Forgotten Coast app and stay up to date on events, activities, lodging specials and getaway deals at: Floridasforgottencoast.com.
1. What can we know about Franklin County?| A．It contains over 80 campgrounds. |
| B．It is named as St. George Island. |
| C．It is famous for its leisurely atmosphere. |
| D．It’s a perfect summer getaway destination. |
| A．Have an offshore trip. | B．Take the dog for a walk. |
| C．Enjoy an awesome sunrise. | D．Take a relaxing sunset tour. |
| A．On a travel website. | B．On a science report. |
| C．In an exhibition guide. | D．In a business newspaper. |
| A．Paris. | B．Rome. | C．Vienna. |
4 . Travelling with friends can be an amazing experience where you could make lifelong memories or it could ruin your friendship.
Communicate and respect each other. Everyone has personal preferences when travelling— from getting the bed closest to the bathroom or sitting in the airplane’s window seat. But sometimes things don’t go as you like. In this case, share your requirements directly with your travel companions.
Don’t disappear. When travelling with a group — or even just one other person — you may want some alone time. That’s completely fine, but make sure your friends know where you are and have a way of contacting you.
Get off your phone. Of course, your friends will understand if you need to take a call from a family member, or in the event of a work emergency, but other than that, try to stay off your phone.
| A．Give each other some space. |
| B．Include at least one activity for everyone. |
| C．So it’s important to make sure you and your friend(s) are on the same page. |
| D．At the same time, listen to their concerns and be respectful of them. |
| E．Don’t respond to less important work contact or send messages frequently. |
| F．It’s especially true of travelling in foreign countries or unfamiliar places. |
| G．And remember that consideration and respect go a long way. |
5 . With so many Ireland’s cities, charming small towns and countryside wonders to choose from, it may be hard to decide exactly what should be on your route. Here are four best places to visit in Ireland.
Cork
Cork is the largest county in Ireland. Located at the southwestern end of the country, this city of more than 200, 000 residents is famous for being home to the Blarney Stone. According to local legend, the stone will give you the gift of eloquence(流利的口才), if you dare kiss it.
Killarney
For the Irish countryside experience, travel to Killarney. The town is surrounded by evergreen hills and valley on all sides, affording plenty of opportunities to become one with nature. Visitors are attracted by Killarney National Park, which features Ireland’s highest mountain range, MacGillycuddy’s Reeks.
Dublin
If you only have time to visit one place in Ireland, go to Dublin. Not only is Dublin the country’s center for politics, culture and music, but it also offers easy access to Blarney Castle, one of Ireland’s top points of interest. While here, do as the Irish do and taste some beer either at the popular Guinness Storehouse or at the Temple Bar.
Killarney
Kilkenny offers a hearty amount of historical attractions for travelers to explore. This is largely thanks to the town’s prior distinction of being the medieval capital of Ireland, which today lives on in the Medieval Mile, Kilkenny’s top attraction. Within the Medieval Mile you’ll find several interesting sights, such as Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice’s Cathedral and the Medieval Mile Museum.
1. Which best suits people who are interested in the Irish countryside?| A．Cork. | B．Kilkenny. | C．Dublin. | D．Killarney. |
| A．Taste local beer. | B．Enjoy historical scenic spots. |
| C．Do creative things. | D．Explore the highest mountain. |
| A．In a novel. | B．In a history book. | C．In a guidebook. | D．In an art magazine. |
1．交通方式等；
2．活动过程；
3．表达感想。
注意：1．词数100左右；
2．可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.
NahmOffering 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 ClubIssaya 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.lanBo.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.
GagganEarning 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. 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. |
| A．Gaggan. | B．Bo. lan. | C．Issaya 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 . Bike Rental & Guided Tours
Welcome to Amsterdam, welcome to MacBike. You see much more from the seat of a bike! Cycling is the most economical, sustainable and fun way to explore the city, with its beautiful canals, parks, squares and countless lights. You can also bike along lovely landscapes outside of Amsterdam.
Why MacBike
MacBike has been around for almost 30 years and is the biggest bicycle rental company in Amsterdam. With over 2,500 bikes stored in our five rental shops at strategic locations, we make sure there is always a bike available for you. We offer the newest bicycles in a wide variety, including basic bikes with foot brake (刹车), bikes with hand brake and gears (排挡), bikes with child seats, and children’s bikes.
Prices
Hand Brake, Three Gears | Foot Brake, No Gears | |
1 hour | €7.50 | €5.00 |
3 hours | €11.00 | €7.50 |
1 day (24 hours) | €14.75 | €9.75 |
Each additional day | €8.00 | €6.00 |
Guided City Tours
The 2.5-hour tour covers the Gooyer Windmill, the Skinny Bridge, the Rijksmuseum, Heineken Brewery and much more. The tour departs from Dam Square every hour on the hour, starting at 1:00 pm every day. You can buy your ticket in a MacBike shop or book online.
1. What is an advantage of MacBike?| A．It gives children a discount. | B．It offers many types of bikes. |
| C．It organizes free cycle tours. | D．It has over 2,500 rental shops. |
| A．€15.75. | B．€19.50. | C．€22.75. | D．€29.50. |
| A．The Gooyer, Windmill. | B．The Skinny Bridge. |
| C．Heineken Brewery. | D．Dam Square. |
Beijing is a city bridging the ancient and the modern. From Buddhist temples to museums, narrow hutong
But for all its ancient buildings, Beijing is also a place
It is a distinct visual contrast (反差) that shouldn’t work,
The
10 . Yellowstone National Park offers a variety of ranger programs throughout the park, and throughout the year. The following are descriptions of the ranger programs this summer.
Experiencing Wildlife in Yellowstone (May 26 to September 2)
Whether you’re hiking a backcountry trail (小径), camping, or just enjoying the park’s amazing wildlife from the road, this quick workshop is for you and your family. Learn where to look for animals and how to safely enjoy your wildlife watching experience. Meet at the Canyon Village Store.
Junior Ranger Wildlife Olympics (June 5 to August 21)
Kids can test their skills and compare their abilities to the animals of Yellowstone. Stay for as little or as long as your plans allow. Meet in front of the Visitor Education Center.
Canyon Talks at Artist Point (June 9 to September 2)
From a classic viewpoint, enjoy Lower Falls, the Yellowstone River, and the breathtaking colors of the canyon (峡谷) while learning about the area’s natural and human history. Discover why artists and photographers continue to be drawn to this special place. Meet on the lower platform at Artist Point on the South Rim Drive for this short talk.
Photography Workshops (June 19 & July 10)
Enhance your photography skills — join Yellowstone’s park photographer for a hands-on program to inspire new and creative ways of enjoying the beauty and wonder of Yellowstone.
6/19 — Waterfalls &Wide Angles: meet at Artist Point.
7/10 — Wildflowers &White Balance: meet at Washburn Trailhead in Chittenden parking area.
1. Which of the four programs begins the earliest?| A．Photography Workshops. | B．Junior Ranger Wildlife Olympics. |
| C．Canyon Talks at Artist Point. | D．Experiencing Wildlife in Yellowstone. |
| A．Works of famous artists. | B．Protection of wild animals. |
| C．Basic photography skills. | D．History of the canyon area. |
| A．Artist Point. | B．Washburn Trailhead. |
| C．Canyon Village Store. | D．Visitor Education Center. |
