2 . 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.

2. What can visitors do in Jasper National Park besides viewing stars?

A．Swim in the reservoir.	B．Enjoy beautiful scenery.
C．Boat on streams.	D．Climb glaciers.

3. What is a unique highlight of Finland as a destination?

A．Star views.	B．The second-largest dark sky preserve.
C．Northern lights.	D．300 nights with clear skies.

4 . 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.

2. What’s the purpose of “The Community Players”?

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.

3. Where should visitors go if they want to explore diverse kinds of music?

A．The Glens Centre.	B．The Dock Arts Centre.
C．The Corn Mill Theatre.	D．Colmans Music Centre.

5 . 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.

2. What do Half Dome and El Capitan have in common?

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.

3. What can we learn about Tunnel View?

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.

6 . 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.

2. What can we learn about Chichen Itza?

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.

3. What do the listed destinations have in common?

A．They were once destroyed.	B．They are in central America.
C．They were discovered recently.	D．They have historic sites.

7 . 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.

2. What can you do when you visit the Muslim Quarter?

A．Great some bronze wares.

B．Eat diverse delicious snacks.

C．Visit some watchtowers.

D．Translate Buddhist scriptures.

3. What do you know from the text?

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.

8 . Escape to the Laid-back Cook Islands at Muri Beach Club Hotel

Relax and recharge in style at the adult-only Muri Beach Club Hotel. Located on the remote island of Rarotonga, the largest of the Cook Islands, Muri Beach Club Hotel stands out from the rest through its modern facilities and well-appointed rooms with a Polynesian style. With only 30 rooms, this hotel promises a close, uninhabited oasis (绿洲) where you re welcomed as part of the family.

This 4-star beachfront hotel is the ultimate base for adventure. Take a glass-bottomed boat to Motus (offshore islands) or try out other activities such as windsurfing or sailing. After a day of exploring, sunbathing and relaxing, return to the comfort and privacy of your modern room, each with its own large balcony boasting scenic views.

If you’re looking for a holiday where you can relax and explore, then a tropical island getaway at Muri Beach Club Hotel is perfect for you.

Inclusions:
●Daily tropical breakfast for 2 people
●Daily cocktails for 2 people
●$50 food & beverage credit
●Wi-Fi up to 1 GB
How to Book

Make your booking at time of purchase. Your booking confirmation will be sent to you via email. If you have any questions please contact hello@travel-booking.stuff.co.nz.

Book with confidence! If you cancel your bookings up to 48 hours prior to arrival, you can pay no cancellation fees!

1. What do we know about Muri Beach Club Hotel?

A．It has thirty mini rooms.	B．It is near the downtown area.
C．It can be accessible to adults only.	D．It was designed by a modern artist.

2. What does Muri Beach Club Hotel provide for customers?

A．Wi-Fi service.	B．Free local drinks for four people.
C．Various Chinese breakfast.	D．Live music performance.

3. In which section of a newspaper can you find the text?

A．Education.	B．Science.
C．Fashion.	D．Travel.

9 . Destination Unknown

Cheap "blind box" plane tickets become a popular choice for travel.

A promotion offering $15 plane tickets is being advertised by an online travel platform. While such a low price sounds amazing, there is just one rule.     1     Labeled as a "destination blind box" on the site, tickets are bought through a rather simple booking procedure. Passengers provide their travel information, select a departure airport and then pay their money to book the ticket.     2     But once they "lock in" their tickets, there's no money going back.

"Plane ticket blind box" is now a hot topic on the online platforms. Henry Fan, a marketing expert said, "I believe young people are a big target group for this promotion, because they not only enjoy the thrill of the unknown, but also like to show off their lives through these types of commercial activities.     3     What matters is that it suggests that one has 'adventurous' and 'life-loving' qualities."

Many netizens share the screenshots (截图) of tickets they have drawn.     4     Some others claim it is too rare to draw a ticket that is ideal.

"If it wants to be a profitable activity, the release of the tickets must have been planned ahead and is not as random as it seems.     5    The marketing campaign may also be aimed at the fast sale of some tickets from less popular airlines that were originally not that expensive. If they sell a large quantity of tickets, the company may still earn a profit even though the price is low," said an expert in tourism.

A．It will not have popular airlines.

B．It doesn't matter if they finally go or not.

C．The promotion has become a hot topic on social media.

D．The upcoming holiday is expected to be a major travel period.

E．If the date and destination are unsuitable, users may ask for a refund.

F．Some even teach the booking procedure under the free canceling policy.

G．The purchaser is not told where the flight is heading or when it will take off.