3 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题
1. Which place would the man like to go?

A．An exciting modern city.

B．A popular tourist attraction.

C．A quiet and far-away place.

2. What does the woman worry about?

A．The weather.

B．The food and water.

C．The language.

3. What does the woman plan to do now?

A．Travel with the man.

B．Do some gardening.

C．Go to the travel agency. .

6 . Viewing the beauty of the four seasons in a single day amid diversified landforms ranging from snow-capped mountains to lakes, grasslands, deserts and fields of flowers is an amazing experience.

These attractions draw visitors to one of China’s most beautiful roads, the 561-kilometer-long Dushanzi-Kuqa Highway, which winds its way in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, connecting Dushanzi in the north with Kuqa in the south.

The highway is only open to traffic from June to early October, being closed throughout the winter and the spring due to snowfalls and icy road surfaces. Vehicles with more than seven seats are not allowed on the highway because of its sharp turns and steep slopes.

Short-video footage taken by visitors that has gone viral in recent years has attracted increasing numbers of tourists to explore the highway’s scenic delights. This year, the local authorities prepared for the opening of the highway by upgrading infrastructure and launching a range of activities to welcome arrivals from across the country. COVID-19 preventive measures have also been relatively relaxed.

Gong Jiansheng, who is in charge of the Bairui Travel Agency in Urumqi, the region’s capital, said, “There is a great deal to see in Xinjiang, and it is such a vast area that it is worth visiting several times to witness the stunning scenery.” The agency offers customized trips. A guide takes visitors to the homes of ethnic minority groups such as Uygurs and Kazaks, where they dine with the locals and help graze their livestock.

While traditional travel agencies often provide five-day tours starting from Urumqi, Gong suggests that visitors with plenty of time spend at least a week in Xinjiang. Gong also suggests that travelers prepare well for their trip before departure, bringing with them food and warm clothing to keep out the cold.

In recent years, the local government has made every effort to upgrade infrastructure and repair the road. More public toilets have been provided, along with garbage disposal areas. Special locations have also been established for visitors to take photos.

1. What has attracted many tourists to explore the highway’s scenery in recent years?

A．Improved infrastructure.	B．Launching a lot of activities.
C．Being closed from winter to spring.	D．Spreading short-video footage.

2. What can we know about the highway?

A．The highway is only open to traffic from July to early October.

B．The highway is about 651 kilometers long through mountains.

C．The highway is covered with snowfalls all over the year.

D．The highway is steep and some vehicles are limited.

3. Why does Gong Jiansheng suggest spending at least a week in Xinjiang to see the scenery?

A．Traditional travel agencies often provide seven-day tours.

B．Xinjiang is so vast an area that visitors can’t enjoy the whole scenery in a short time.

C．Xinjiang is so cold that visitors have to fully experience the coldness.

D．Visitors need to dine with the locals and help graze their livestock.

4. What’s the meaning of the underlined word “upgrade” in the last paragraph?

A．To make something better.	B．To make something wider.
C．To make something slighter.	D．To make something heavier.

7 . The Neelakurinji flower that blooms after a cycle of twelve years was the main attraction behind choosing the Blue Mountains or Western Ghats for the family outing. A long drive along the _________ paths of Kodaikanal was a treat in itself and all the members of the family enjoyed _________ the tender(娇嫩的)green plantation along the road.

The carpet of the purple Neelakurinjis along the hill slopes _________ in front of our eyes as we reached the picnic spot. After freshening up at the restroom of the picnic area, we set out to _________ the forests, through which we would reach the slopes of the Neelakurinji flower meadows. Rain had eased off by then and a magical mist _______ from the top of the mountains.

The soil was _________ but there was no clogging of water(积水), which made hiking through the grassland easy for us. The number of flowers gradually increased and finally we were standing in a purple-flower-laden grassland where soil could not be seen beneath.

We spent a lot of time taking _________ of the rare flowers before hiking back to the picnic area. The caretaker of the picnic spot _________ us with coffee sourced from the nearby coffee plantation. The lunch was _______     fried rice, chili chicken and fried vegetables which are also __________ from the farm nearby.

We spent some more hours watching the rain in the mountains while having the fruit custard(蛋奶沙司)prepared by the caretaker’s __________. The couple also talked with us regarding his farms and the picnic spot which is ________   with tourists during public holidays. Waving goodbye and __________ to return someday, we were homeward bound.

A __________ from the dullness of life not only added a sense of quiet to our mind, but also helped each of us spend quality time with each other, something we do not get in the routine schedules. The Western Ghats outing was a lifetime __________ with the Neelakurinjis.

1.

A．historic

B．winding

C．annoying

D．wide

2.

A．watching

B．planting

C．washing

D．watering

3.

A．flashed

B．happened

C．floated

D．danced

4.

A．clear

B．destroy

C．protect

D．explore

5.

A．escaped

B．split

C．leaped

D．emerged

6.

A．fertile

B．wet

C．hard

D．poor

7.

A．charge

B．notes

C．pictures

D．possession

8.

A．frightened

B．inspired

C．greeted

D．impressed

9.

A．comprised of

B．carried on

C．cut off

D．dealt with

10.

A．borrowed

B．spread

C．cooked

D．obtained

11.

A．father

B．daughter

C．owner

D．wife

12.

A．equipped

B．provided

C．crowded

D．covered

13.

A．rejecting

B．offering

C．hesitating

D．promising

14.

A．distance

B．suffering

C．break

D．benefit

15.

A．success

B．experience

C．origin

D．capacity

8 . Here are some of the most beautiful medieval castles in the world.

Eltz Castle, Germany

Eltz Castle sits on top of a hill surrounded by a thick forest. Located in Rhineland-Palatinate due to its secluded (僻静的) position, it is a world away from other castles. Eltz Castle has seen its fair share of conflict but was never destroyed over the centuries. Interestingly, Eltz Family has possession of the castle to this day.

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

One Scottish beauty is the Edinburgh Castle. Sitting on top of Castle Rock, it overlooks the capital of Scotland. Unsurprisingly, considering the majority of medieval castles had strategic locations, the key was being able to see the enemy and remain difficult to reach. During the First and Second Wars of Scottish Independence, the ownership of the castle changed between the Scottish and the English several times.

Vianden Castle, Luxembourg

Even though its origin dates back to the 10th century, Vianden Castle was steadily built over three centuries between the 11th the 14th century. Vianden Castle is an example of the Romanesque style with semi-circular arches, even though there were Gothic additions later on. Just like many other medieval castles, Vianden Castle lies on top of a hill overlooking the town of Vianden.

Bran Castle, Romania

Bran Castle sits atop a former Teutonic Knights stronghold (要塞) dating back to the early 13th century. It is approximately 2,500 feet above sea level and rises from between surrounding trees. It overlooks the picturesque village of Bran, and the several towers and turrets (塔楼) give it a mysterious atmosphere.

1. Which castle’s owner remains unchanged throughout its history?

A．Eltz Castle.

B．Bran Castle.

C．Vianden Castle.

D．Edinburgh Castle.

2. What can we learn about Vianden Castle?

A．It is surrounded by a thick forest.	B．It takes on different architectural styles.
C．It dates back to the early 13th century.	D．It is about 2,500 feet above sea level.

3. What is the shared feature of these four castles?

A．Great popularity.	B．Dramatic history.
C．Strategic locations.	D．Architectural styles.

9 . Tourism in Botswana’s Okavango Delta generates revenue that directly funds conservation. Here are reasons why it’s so worth visiting and why it’s meaningful to support the effort to conserve this world wonder.

It’s birdwatchers’ paradise.

Some 450 species of wetland birds have been recorded in the Delta. Despite the diversity of species here, overall bird numbers in the Delta seem to change, which is what led the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project (NGOWP) to survey the river system that feeds it. The NGOWP discovered the threats to this system, including uncontrollable fire, commercial agriculture, and water diversion, which could impact bird numbers in the Delta.

You can spot big game.

Big cats walk through the Delta’s open plains, along with many of Africa’s other remarkable mammals. A local guide will be able to get you closer to predators like lions, leopards, and wild dogs. Viewing lions involves walking in single file as your guide spots and follows fresh paw prints. Okavango Eternal is working to create protected wildlife corridors along the rivers that feed the Delta so that animals can move safely and freely.

It’s a little break from the world.

In addition to the excitement of seeing incredible wildlife, there’s nothing quite like the feeling offered by the quiet isolation at the heart of the Okavango Delta. A low-impact tourism model means that footfall through the Delta is carefully managed, making for a unique, highly tailored trip. There’re also tented camps all the way.

It’s rich in cultural heritage.

The local communities are descended from early San settlers, and many ancient cultures, such as the Bayei, still employ supreme hunter-gatherer skills to track animals and find useful plants, adding depth to the bush experience. Yet there are still many tourism opportunities.

1. What is the NGOWP concerned about for the Delta?

A．The lack of funds.	B．The crowds of tourists.
C．The decrease in population.	D．The threats to the river system.

2. Which of the following is not mentioned in the text?

A．Wetland birds.

B．Wild wolves.

C．Camping spots.

D．Local cultures.

3. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A news report.

B．A textbook.

C．A magazine.

D．An advertisement.

10 . Events for August

August 1st, 7:30 p. m.—9:00 p. m.

Timbuktu

Mary Hunter Morrison, a well-known writer and adventurer, will talk about her successful trip to Timbuktu, a place which she reached by traveling along Africa’s salt road through the Sahara Desert.

Form: Lecture   Place: Online

Tickets: Free   Geog.gr/Timbuktu

August 5th, 7:00 p. m.—10:00 p. m.

Mexican history

In this talk, a famous Mexican historian will talk about Mexico’s long history and major events. Besides, he will offer thoughts about what has changed and what has not.

Form: Lecture   Place: Online

Tickets: $3.60, members $2.00 Geog.gr/Mexican history

August 12th, 10:00 a. m.—3:00 p. m.

Romantic ruins

Although Gunnerside Gill looks beautiful now, it was very ugly in the past. Look into the lead mining history and the things left behind by the industry during this guided walk by Vivienne Crow.

Form: Guided walk   Place: Park in Gunnerside Village along the Gill

Tickets: Free   Geog.gr/Romanticruins

August 17th, 10:30 a. m.—3:00 p. m.

Kings Weston and Blaise Castle Estate

Professor Stephen Curry will first give a talk about Kings Weston, the Grade I-listed building. Then he will introduce Blaise Castle Estate, which is a secondary historical protection building dating from the 18th century.

Form: Guided walk   Place: Kings Weston House

Tickets: Free   Geog.gr/Kingsweston

1. What will the event on August 1st be mainly about?

A．The Sahara Desert.	B．Traveling experiences.
C．The history of Timbuktu.	D．Transportation in Africa.

2. How is the event on August 5th different from other events?

A．It will last two hours.	B．It will be held online.
C．It will require people to pay.	D．It will be organized as a lecture.

3. Which website will you visit if you are interested in buildings?

A．Geog.gr/Timbuktu.	B．Geog.gr/Kingsweston.
C．Geog.gr/Romanticruins.	D．Geog.gr/Mexicanhistory.