1 .

Over eight million people live in London and it has about 26 million visitors each year. So what can you see in three days? Here are some must-see places.

DAY 1

THE RIVER THAMES is the heart of the city. There are 104 bridges—London Bridge and Tower Bridge are the most famous. Cross the new Millennium Bridge on foot. It’s London’s first bridge in 100 years.

SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE THEATER was built in 1997! (A) In the summer you can see plays there. (B) You can shout during a performance just like in Shakespeare’s time! (C) Shakespeare is one of the greatest writers in the world. (D)Take an umbrella—there’s no roof!

TATE MODERN is the world’s largest modern art gallery. Located in an old power station, it’s a fantastic place to visit. However, don’t miss the British Museum with its collection of over 8 million objects. Follow the museum’s three-hour guide of the highlights.

DAY 2

THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT and BIG BEN are London’s landmarks, so don’t forget your camera. You can go inside and watch the politicians in the two chambers (会议厅) — the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Big Ben, which has four faces, sits at the top of the clock tower in the Houses of the Parliament. So no matter where you stand, you can read the face of the clock.

The King’s or the Queen’s official London home is BUCKINGHAM PALACE. It’s got 775 rooms! About 50,000 guests a year come to parties and events-sorry, invitation only! But you can see the Changing of the Guard.

THE LONDON EYE is the world’s largest sightseeing wheel and the most popular UK tourist attraction with about 3.5 million visitors a year. You can often see distances of 40 kilometers.

DAY 3

London’s cathedral, ST PAUL’S is 108 meters tall and over 300 years old. The entrance ticket isn’t cheap, but the cathedral is impressive, and the dome has got amazing views. At 309 meters tall, the new Shard building is the second tallest building in Europe. You can’t miss it!

Where’s the best place to go when it’s sunny or to relax? One of London’s many large parks such as HYDE PARK, KENSINGTON GARDENS or REGENT’S PARK. There isn’t time for LONDON ZOO, but it’s in Regent’s Park.

The best place for shopping is CAMDEN MARKET. You can find vintage (优质的) clothes, jewelry, great food and all sorts of things. Or go to Harrod’s, the world-famous department store. It’s got over 330different departments and an unbelievable Food Hall.

1. When was Shakespeare’s Globe Theater built?

A．In 1699.

B．In 1837.

C．In 1997.

D．In 2000.

2. Where is Tate Modern located?

A．On the bank of the River Thames.	B．In an old power station.
C．On Tower Bridge.	D．In Regent’s Park.

3. What kind of people work in the Houses of Parliament?

A．Businessmen.

B．Scholars.

C．Police officers.

D．Politicians.

4. Which of the following statements IS NOT TRUE?

A．The Millennium Bridge is the first bridge on the River Thames.

B．You can only attend the King’s or the Queen’s parties with an invitation.

C．St. Paul’s Cathedral in London is over 300 years old.

D．For many people Camden Market is the best shopping place in London.

5. There are four sentences marked A, B, C and D in the passage. Please choose the one which is not closely related to the main idea of the section.

A．In the summer you can see plays there.

B．You can shout during a performance just like in Shakespeare’s time!

C．Shakespeare is one of the greatest writers in the world.

D．Take an umbrella—there’s no roof!

2 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What will the speakers do in the country?

A．Practice driving.

B．See anything interesting.

C．Stay with a local family.

2. How long does the woman hope to stay in the country?

A．One day.

B．Several hours.

C．Several days

3. What can be inferred about the woman?

A．She is the man’s wife.

B．She is the man’s guest.

C．She is the man’s neighbor.

3 . I’m writing today from my balcony(阳台)in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. It’s summertime. It’s hot. Tourism is at its highest. I look out below as selfie(自拍)sticks extend, sunburns worsen, and loudness takes over.

Living in the Gothic Quarter has been one of the best, yet worst decisions I’ve made while living in Barcelona. I’m surrounded by beautiful architecture, fantastic shops are at my doorstep, and my favorite coffee shop is just around the corner. However, also at my doorstep are hundreds of tourists.

More than 30 million people visit Barcelona every year. But the city isn’t developing well. It’s dying. Financially, it’s doing well. However, the locals aren’t happy. What’s wrong? Landlords(房东)have realized there’s more profit in Airbnb, so when contracts come up for renewal, it’s common to find locals unable to pay up due to the increase in their rental prices. Locals don’t dare visit its nearest beach Barceloneta once the weather warms up. A lot of stores have turned into souvenir(纪念品)shops. Living prices have increased while salaries remain low.

People aren’t sitting back and taking it, though. There are regular anti-tourism protests. The Barcelona City Council has felt pressure from the community to resist tourism. In 2017, a law was approved to control the amount of accommodation made available for tourists. It was hoped the law would distribute tourist accommodation more evenly across the city, placing less pressure on already heavily populated neighborhoods. However, many tourists who come to Barcelona are day-trippers, only crowding the city’s streets. The council’s efforts are not controlling tourism. They’re only controlling accommodation.

If you want to visit Barcelona, consider avoiding May through August. Though I’d argue Barcelona doesn’t quite have an “off season”. Check out some of Catalonia’s other beautiful destinations: putting less pressure on Barcelona and benefiting smaller towns and cities’ economies. Learn some phrases in Catalan. It goes a long way towards showing respect. “Bon dia” instead of “buenos dias” and “adeu” rather than “adios”.

1. Why does the author like the Gothic Quarter?

A．It has good weather all year long.

B．It gives her many conveniences of life.

C．It makes a perfect location for taking selfies.

D．It helps her make much money as a landlord.

2. What does the author say about the 2017 law?

A．It increases rental prices for the locals.	B．It turns many visitors into day-trippers.
C．It results in regular anti-tourism protests.	D．It fails to control the number of visitors.

3. What does the author intend to show in the last paragraph?

A．Ways to boost Catalonia’s economies.	B．Tips on journeying through Barcelona.
C．Respectful greetings used in Barcelona.	D．Catalonia’s other beautiful destinations.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Tourism is killing Barcelona: A local’s view

B．Barcelona’s must-go places: They are worth it

C．Barcelona is to vote on Airbnb ban: Whose idea?

D．Sustainable tourism in Barcelona: Who benefits?