1 . London, with countless famous sites and all manner of food, drink, shopping, history, and culture, is definitely a wonderful city to visit.

Time Zone

Greenwich Mean Time during the winter, British Summer Time during the rest of the year (starting at Daylight Saving Time).

Best Time to Go

The best time to visit London overall is in spring, when the temperatures have warmed up, the sun has started to shine and London’s gardens and parks are looking their best. However, the reality is that the best time to travel to London depends a lot on what you’re looking for. If you’re all about taking a look inside Queen Liz’s palace, you’d better make it in summer, while winter is beautiful and festive for those looking to get their fill of Christmas markets and traditional cheer.

Things to Know

Londoners, and English people in general, have a much different manner of interacting with one another than Americans do while an American might think nothing of smiling at a stranger they pass on the sidewalk or asking about work in the first few minutes of a conversation, Londoners might consider it impolite or strange. Don’t mistake this for unfriendliness ;it’s just a cultural difference. Instead, talk about things like movies, TV shows, books, your travels, and the like, instead of work or family.

How to Get Around

Getting around London is unbelievably easy thanks to the well-maintained and extensive Underground. The Underground, unlike American transportation systems which often pay per ride or pay per length of trip, are paid in zones. Fare also varies based on time of day and the method you use to pay. It’s worth getting an Oyster card to make your life that much simpler.

1. Where is this text most probably taken from?

A．A survey.

B．A travel journal.

C．A research paper.

D．A guidebook.

2. When is the best time to visit London for people who enjoy a lively atmosphere?

A．Spring.

B．Summer.

C．Autumn.

D．Winter.

3. Which of the following is a suitable topic for starting a conversation with Londoners?

A．Daily entertainments.	B．Future plans.
C．Personal relationships.	D．Annual incomes.

2 . If you were to rate the most walkable cities in the world, what would you look for? Would it be how shaded the sidewalks are? How many benches there are along the way to your destination? Or maybe how close you are to shops or local attractions?

Well, the researchers at the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), located in New York. US, wanted to know which of the world’s cities were the best for pedestrians (行人). So, they did just that.

To determine which cities were the most walkable, they rated cities based on factors such as how close citizens were to car-free areas like public parks, how close citizens lived in relation to schools and hospitals, and how short their journeys were overall.

According to the study, they found that the most walkable cities in the world are London, Paris, Bogota and Hong Kong. Overall, London was at the top of the list, outranking (超过) nearly 1, 000 cities around the world on these key factors.

“In order to provide safety and inviting walking conditions for all city residents, it is essential to shift the balance of space in our cities away from cars, providing more travel options for people,” CEO of ITDP Heather Thompson told the magazine Cities Today. She continued, “We have so much to gain-from cleaner air to better health to stronger local economies and deeper bonds within communities, and we all need that now more than ever. ”

Unfortunately, it seems that very few cities make pedestrians a priority, though.

“Our city streets across the planet are already full of cars. If you really want to see the worst for walkability, it is the really sprawling (杂乱无序伸展的) cities of the US, ” commented Taylor Reich, a research associate at ITDP and the primary author of the guide to making cities more walkable.

So, what can cities do to make their streets friendlier for pedestrians?

“There’s no one secret sauce; there’s no one thing you can do to make a city walkable, ” Reich said. “It’s many decisions that are made at all levels from individual streets all the way up to the city design.”

1. What’s the purpose of the study?

A．To call on cities to make streets more walkable.

B．To find out the most walkable cities around the world.

C．To investigate pedestrians’ satisfaction with city life.

D．To explore factors impacting the walkability of cities.

2. On what basis do researchers measure a city’s walkability?

A．The amount of green space on sidewalks.

B．Traffic and road conditions for pedestrians.

C．The number of public services for pedestrians.

D．Accessibility of certain destinations to pedestrians.

3. What does Heather Thompson suggest to improve walking conditions?

A．Increasing travel choices.	B．Developing local economies.
C．Limiting the number of cars.	D．Connecting local communities.

4. What does the last paragraph mainly tell us?

A．Cars are major contributors to reduced walkability.

B．US cities are designed to give priority to pedestrians.

C．It is everyone’s responsibility to make a city walkable.

D．Both small and large scale measures are required to improve walkability.

3 . If your family loves to travel but you worry about the environmental, social and economic effect, it’s time to take a more sustainable approach to your trips.

Wales

Wales packs many sustainable activities for kids. Camp in one of many green campsites around Pembrokeshire, where children can have fun learning about sustainable living. Or find an environmentally friendly campsite at The Greener Camping Club. Don’t forget to factor in a spin on the world’s only people-powered rollercoaster in Snowdonia.

Volcán Tenorio Area

When you think about taking your kids to Costa Rica, you normally focus on viewing its incredible wildlife. But what about giving back to the human residents too? One way to support local communities and understand the Tico culture is by staying on a farm, and there are loads of lovely options around Volcán Tenorio.

Austria

Explore the kid-friendly Austrian capital of Vienna, which offers more organic farmland than any other city and has both “Green Taxis” and plenty of bike-share stations. The city has some fantastic museums for children and the splendid Schloss Schonbrunn where kids can dress up.

San Francisco

San Francisco is perfect for a break that will both delight the kids and satisfy your sustainability principles. The city has banned plastic bags and bottles for years. Plus, most of the fun things to do with kids can be accessed without using a car and many involve green spaces.

Head to the Exploratorium: an incredible hands-on science museum in a solar-powered building.

1. Which destination best suits families that enjoy camping?

A．Wales.	B．Volcán Tenorio Area.
C．Austria.	D．San Francisco.

2. What advantage of Austria and San Francisco appeals to kids?

A．Farmland.	B．Museums.
C．Animals.	D．Rollercoasters.

3. In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?

A．Science.	B．Travel.
C．Sports.	D．Agriculture.

4 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

The younger generation is turning its back on the traditional holiday routes of museums and shopping centers in favor of new experiences. Traditionally, Chinese tourists travel in large groups     1    (organize) by travel agencies. The problem is that such trips lack privacy, flexibility or individuality.

Now, a growing number of Chinese are expressing interest in vacations which are tailored    2    (meet) their specific requirements. Studies show that most of them are middle class. Their high incomes make it possible for them to design their unique holiday     3    (path)instead of walking on well-worn ones. Moreover, the majority are    4    (main) the post-80s youth and 90s youth,    5     don't want to visit crowded tourist sites. Instead, they are looking     6    novel experiences to see new cultures and hear exceptional stories.

China is a latecomer to the     7    (develop) of new forms of tourism. It will take some time to popularize the new travel trend and the prices must remain competitive to ensure that regular tourists can afford    8    .However, as society    9    (progress), the rapid rise in incomes and     10     (high) living standards will see more Chinese searching for experiences that are anything but traditional.

5 . Italy is a country that cannot be missed on your travel bucket list.

Things to Do in Italy

Owning 50 UNESCO approved World Cultural Heritage Sites, Italy is honored around the world for its ancient civilization and art. Being the epitome (典范) of the western art and culture, this remarkable land gave birth to the Renaissance, which affected the whole Europe, and obviously every corner of Italy bears a long history. Men are crazy about Italian football, while ladies can’t move their eyes away from Italian fashion. Moreover, the world famous Italian cuisine will also delight you. Our Italy vacation packages could cover all these absorbing aspects.

Best Time to Go

Italy has a diverse climate, with continental climate in the north and Mediterranean climate in the south.

In summer, most areas in Italy are extremely hot, with the highest temperature over 35℃. Usually, the high temperature starts from the end of June and lasts till August. August is the national holiday month. Many Italian families will spend their holidays in coastal cities.

During the winter time, the northern Italy is relatively cold and accompanied by heavy snows. Many people will stay indoors. But it is highly recommended to go skiing and enjoy the snow-covered landscape of the mountains. The southern and island areas are relatively warm, with an average temperature of about 15℃.

Generally speaking, the best time to take Italy tours is spring from April to June and autumn from September to October.

Visa for Italy Tours

Italy is a Schengen country (申根国家), and international travelers can enter Italy with an available Schengen visa issued by any Schengen country. Travelers holding American, Canadian, Australian passports, and citizens of European Union (EU) countries are allowed to stay up to 90 days without a visa.

Currency & Payment in Italy

Italy uses the European Union’s common currency Euro (€). Visa, MasterCard, JCB, etc. are widely accepted. But for tobacco purchases, only cash is accepted. Some supermarkets do not support credit card payment.

1. What greatly appeals to female visitors in Italy?

A．History.

B．Football.

C．Fashion.

D．Cuisine.

2. What is advised to do in the winter of Italy?

A．Go skiing in the north.

B．Join in some indoor activities.

C．Enjoy family holidays in coastal cities.

D．Climb snow covered mountains on islands.

3. Who can stay in Italy for three months?

A．A traveler with a Chinese passport.

B．Any international traveler with a visa.

C．Any person living in Canada for many years.

D．A citizen from an EU country without a visa.

7 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

A white winter in Beijing is nothing new. The city is    1    （frequent）enveloped in snow over the colder months. However, the snowfall last weekend led    2    a unique combination of the seasons and a contrast of colours.

Famous places, especially with unique    3    （nature）beauty, were blanketed with a layer of snow and visitors. Camera in hand and braving the cold, I headed off to two of my favourite scenic    4    （spot）.

My first stop was Jingshan Park. The artificial park    5    （build）in the Ming Dynasty offered remarkable views of the Forbidden City. The coating of snow, contrasting with the colours of the autumn leaves and ancient structures only added to    6    （it）elegance and mystery. It is a view I    7    （see）countless times over the past decade and remains one of my favourite in the city.

Next up was Xiangshan Park,    8    dates back to the Jin Dynasty. There was a significant increase in    9    number of visitors. People traveled from all over China    10    （witness）the tree-covered hillsides transforming from their rich summery greens into yellows and reds like a blanket of fire. This created a picture I wouldn't soon forget.

8 . Moganshan Road No. 50

In the characteristic industrial buildings of a former textile mill (纺织厂), you will find a significant group of contemporary art galleries, and some cafes and craft shops. The collection of galleries comes and goes. Some are stored upstairs in the buildings alongside other creative businesses so it is a good place to explore.

• 50 Moganshan Road

• Open daily 10 am-6 pm, but probably best to avoid Monday and even Tuesday

• Admission usually 20 yuan

Power Station of Art

Housed in the massive renovated (翻修) Nanshi Power Station and keeping its noticeable 541-foot chimney, the museum overlooks the river and the sites of the 2010 Expo. Power Station of Art is China’s only state-run contemporary art museum. It was opened in 2012 to stage the splendid Shanghai Biennale. The museum is so large that it can put on several exhibitions at the same time on its many floors. It has no permanent collection so the shows keep changing.

• 200 Huayuangang Road

• Open Tues — Sun, 11am — 7 pm

• Free admission except some special exhibitions

Yuz Contemporary Art Museum

This beautiful art exhibition place was once part of Longhua Airport. It is where Chinese-Indonesian collector Budi Tek shows off parts of his huge private collection of Western and Asian art. As a leading collector in Asia, Mr. Budi Tek has built up a considerable collection of Chinese contemporary art, and is always willing to ex hibit and lend his works to other art institutions in order to raise the understanding of Chinese contemporary art worldwide.

• 35 Fenggu Road

• Open Tues — Sun, 10:30 am — 5:30 pm

• There is an admission charge and it can be up to 150 yuan but is usually 80 yuan.

China Art Museum

Your art tour of Shanghai really ought to include this irresistible, and often exhausting, museum, in the previous Chinese Expo pavilion (展馆) on the other side of the river in Pudong. Works on display cover modern and contemporary periods, and there are numerous temporary exhibitions, including touring shows from abroad. Information tends to be in Chinese, making it a little more challenging. A visit is worth it just for the fantastic building and its views of the city.

• 161 Shangnan Road

• Open Tues — Sun, 9 am — 5 pm

• Free admission

1. Which place can offer tourists the earliest tour on Saturday?

A．Moganshan Road No. 50.

B．Power Station of Art.

C．Yuz Contemporary Art Museum.

D．China Art Museum.

2. What is special about Yuz Contemporary Art Museum?

A．It lies in an art institution.	B．It houses personal collections.
C．It is a non-private museum.	D．Its exhibitions keep changing.

3. What do the four places have in common?

A．They do not charge for admission.	B．They are the largest museums in China.
C．They were transformed from other venues.	D．They aren’t open to the public on Monday.

9 . Crossing the pedestrian bridge that connects our school to its surrounding neighborhood reminds us that there's more to Rochester than just our school.     1     By staying on campus all the time, we limit ourselves to just feeling like students and not people. Here's a list of things we can do around Rochester whenever we see it again.

    2     It's a big, wide open produce market that happens every Saturday on Union Street. They sell flowers, vegetables, fruits, and clothing, and there are a few restaurants and coffee shops along the alleyway. Often, they have live music, and once I watched a friend play their saxophone there in front of the grape stand.

Study somewhere else besides school. Go to a coffee shop, or one of the public libraries. I like the music library at Eastman, and the coffee shop across the street, Java's. Rochester is full of cafes and spots to sit and study.     3    

Go to a concert, if you're into that. The Little Theater has free live music every single night, and there's a variety of other bars and music halls that bring in local artists. Most venues offer shows for less than $10.     4     That's my favorite. Those guys are crazy, and watching them play their instruments is like being transported into a strange, shimmering world of classical music.

Go for more walks. When you're stuck, listen to music and roam around our campus. Sit under a tree and look at all the people walking by. Or take one of the shuttles that stop in front of the library to a new neighborhood, like the South Wedge, and float in and out of the small businesses along the street. Or, if you know somebody with a car, go to Letchworth and see the waterfalls.     5    

A．Go to the Live Music.

B．Go to the Public Market.

C．But how often do we cross that bridge?

D．No matter what it is, going outside always helps.

E．If you can focus outside of our own library, do it.

F．Additionally, all student concerts at Eastman are free for students at our school.

G．It's no secret that our college campus, like the majority of campuses, is a bubble.

10 . Picnic Shelter Reservations

Vancouver Parks and Recreation maintains four covered picnic shelters that are available for reservation at the following parks:

●Fisher Basin Community Park

●Leroy Haagen Memorial Park

●Marine Community Park

●Marshall Community Park

Picnic shelters are available to reserve between May 1 and September 30 each year. Reservations are for the entire day with a reservation fee of $100. When not reserved, shelters are available for free. Reserve a picnic shelter by calling 360-487-7100.

Shelter Reservation Cancellation Policy

If canceled one month or more before the rental date, 100% of the fee will be refunded. If canceled 1-4 weeks before the rental date, 75% of the fee will be refunded. No refunds will be granted if the reservation is canceled less than one week prior to the rental date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there a way to find out if an event is already scheduled at a park?

Yes. Contact Marshall Community Center at 360-487-7100 to find out about events taking place in our parks.

Q：What amenities (设施) are included with a picnic shelter reservation?

Reservations include use of all picnic tables located within the shelter and electricity (there is no electricity at Marine Park). Playground amenities and restrooms will be shared with the public.

Park Use Permits

Depending on the type of event you’re hosting, you will need to get a Park Use Permit from Vancouver Parks and Recreation. A Park Use Permit gives you permission to bring special items and equipment into the park.

1. If you cancel 3 weeks before the rental date, how much money will you get back?

A．$100.

B．$75.

C．$25.

D．$0.

2. According to the passage, Vancouver picnic shelters _________.

A．don’t allow visitors to host events

B．don’t offer picnic tables or electricity

C．are available to reserve all year round

D．can be used for free when not reserved

3. What is the main purpose of the passage?

A．To explain the rules of park management.

B．To recommend shelters of different parks.

C．To introduce the functions of picnic shelters.

D．To provide information of shelter reservations.

4. Where is this passage most likely from?

A．A book review.	B．A news report.
C．A travel brochure.	D．A science journal.