1 . Where would you like to go for your New Year vacation? Here are the best ski resorts of comfort and joy during the holidays and the rest of the ski season.
Kitzbuhel, Austria
The most prized downhill on the ski racing calendar, Kitzbuhel also attracts a host of festive fans with its fairy lights, and performances of jazz bands. By day, you can enjoy 230 kilometers of runs over the Kitzbtihel Alps, and fill up on hearty Tyrolean classic foods.
Val Gardena, Italy
This attractive valley is a New Year present waiting to be unwrapped. The three towns that make up Val Gardena—busy Ortisei, peaceful Santa Cristina and the higher Selva—traditionally go big on the festive season, combining their Italian, Austrian and Ladin heritage. The 175-kilometer skiing takes place below the towering Sassolungo mountain.
Alpbach, Austria
Alpbach is often considered Austria’s prettiest village. Low at 1,00 meters, it may not always have snow on the ground. There are 91 kilometers of runs stretching up to 2,025 meters with a beautiful spread of mountain huts.
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe will celebrate its 85th winter of lift service this season and it’s a fine place to enjoy New Year. The skiing, up the road at Stowe Mountain Resort, offers options for all levels through forests from Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont.
1. What can visitors enjoy in Kitzbuhel?| A．Firework display. | B．Running race. | C．Spicy food. | D．Live music. |
| A．The new year gift. | B．The busy towns. |
| C．The diverse culture. | D．The traditional industry. |
| A．Alpbach. | B．Val Gardena. | C．Kitzbuhel. | D．Stowe. |
2 . Booking flights can be really exciting, but the prices might shock you into not booking your dream vacation. Never fear! We’ve offered some best tips for finding the cheapest airfares.
◆ Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates and Times
Airline ticket prices vary greatly depending on the day of the week and time of the year. In general, Fridays and Sundays are the most desirable days, so tickets will be pricier. Prices are cheaper if you fly after a major holiday. Airlines know when a festival, holiday, or school break is coming up — and they raise prices accordingly. Be flexible with your dates and times, and you’ll save yourself some major money.
◆ Use Multiple Flight Platforms
Checking between the different platforms can often provide you with better insights into flight combinations and prices — for the same exact flights. Different platforms have different advantages and features, so play around with them all. You’ll quickly determine the one(s) you like best!
◆ Check for a Student Discount
As a student, you might be in luck. Some airlines, say, SAS (Scandinavian Airlines), have a student ticket which means that for up to one week before departure, students pay the cheapest fare. Normal travelers at that time have to pay a much higher price, but a SAS Youth Ticket may be only one quarter the price of a normal ticket.
◆ Keep an Eye for Special Deals
Before looking for specific flights, make sure you’ve signed up for some newsletters. Joining the mailing list for airlines will give you access to the absolute best deals. More often than not, cheap flights are only available for a limited window (usually 24 hours). Keeping your eye on the deals will ensure you don’t miss an amazing opportunity.
1. When might the airfares be the cheapest?| A．The first day of Christmas Holiday. |
| B．The middle day of Christmas Holiday. |
| C．The Friday before Christmas Holiday. |
| D．The Wednesday after Christmas Holiday. |
| A．To make travel time flexible. |
| B．To get access to special deals. |
| C．To check for a student discount. |
| D．To take advantage of different platforms. |
| A．Book your trip. | B．Design your route. |
| C．Enjoy your tour. | D．Research your destination. |
If you’re visiting Hangzhou, the one place you absolutely cannot miss is the West Lake. It
You would need a whole day to
You can start with the Leifeng Pagoda. Local legend has it that a white snake spirit was once imprisoned in the five-story, eight-sided pagoda by a monk,
Afterwards, you can walk northward along the Su Causeway,
At the other end of the causeway, you will encounter a lotus pool and a winding courtyard. A culture show will be staged here
4 . Istanbul, Turkey, is one of the world’s most attractive cities, where the ancient and modern blend together almost effortlessly, where Europe meets Asia, and where friendly, generous, and charming locals always have a story to tell. Istanbul is the only settlement in the world that sits on two continents. The Bosporus, a busy waterway, divides the city in two: the western part being the European side and the eastern part being the Asian side. Because there are many monuments and other things of interest, taking a boat ride down the Bosporus Strait is the best way to see Istanbul.
The ideal way to see the city in the shortest amount of time is to hire a catamaran—a sailing boat with two hulls (船身). On a catamaran, you can travel the length of the Bosporus to either the Black Sea or the Sea of Marmara, seeing all that Istanbul has to offer. A catamaran is very convenient, but it has one big shortcoming—it doesn’t allow you to mingle with the local residents, perhaps the most interesting part of this unique city. To get a taste of the native culture, you should take one of the many ferries that are used for public transportation and are more affordable than catamarans. Though they don’t go as far as the catamarans, you can still see many of the highlights of Istanbul, and the ferries allow you to mix with Turkish people and see how they live.
There are total 48 piers and 22 public ferry lines along the Bosporus. The lines are priced according to the distance travelled. Istanbul’s Public Ferries has two main lines that include: Domestic Trips and Bosporus Tours. They operate every 15-20 minutes, leaving regularly from the main downtown ports of Eminonu and continue running throughout the day until 23:00 pm. It’s quite an experience to sit in the tea shop located in the middle of the ferry, watching jewels like the Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia float by. Waiters in regional costume bring you “cay”—Turkish tea—in glasses with cubes of sugar on the side. Sightseeing on the Bosporus as you sip on your tea is a magical way to witness the beauty of Istanbul.
1. Which is true according to Paragraph 1?| A．Europe is a place worthy to be explored. |
| B．Istanbul is known as a transcontinental city. |
| C．Boat riding has a very long history in Istanbul. |
| D．The Bosporus is the best way to know Turkey. |
| A．mix. | B．sit. | C．rent. | D．eat. |
| A．They are charged by time and distance. |
| B．They are highly used by foreign tourists. |
| C．They can be one of the tools for sightseeing. |
| D．They can be taken from central ports in the city. |
| A．a novel | B．a guidebook |
| C．a history textbook | D．a scientific research |
5 . Take a trip down memory lane as you meet all your beloved comic characters from the Asterix & Obelix comic series at Parc Astérix. Counted amongst the top 3 largest theme parks in France, Parc Astérix is frequented by a whopping 2 million visitors annually. The rides and exhibits at the park draw inspiration from a wide range of historic cultures such as Ancient Greece and Egypt besides, the Gallic and Roman cultures represented in the comics. Situated 35 km away from Paris, the theme park is easily accessible and is perfect for a leisurely day out with your loved ones.
It is best to be well-prepared before you go on your next adventure at Parc Astérix. Here is all the information you will need before you plan your trip to this fascinating amusement park.
Daily: 10 AM — 6 PM
The best time to visit Parc Astérix is on the weekdays. Crowds are much higher on weekends and public holidays.
Getting There:
Address: 60128 Plailly, France
Take the direct exit towards Parc Astérix between exits number 7 and 8 if you choose driving. Also, FLIXBUS departs from and returns to Paris, Toucoring, Bethune, Lille, and Bruges every day. But taking a train is the simplest way. Take line 8 from Paris du Nord and get off at Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 1. Speak to a steward to learn about the Parc Astérix shuttle from here.
Facilities
Pushchairs and wheelchairs are available for rent at the park. You will have to pay a refundable deposit of 50 Euros. The daily charge for renting a pushchair is 5 Euros. Due to the limited availability, wheelchairs will be provided on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Parc Astérix Paris Tickets
Parc Astérix offers a wide range of tickets options for you to choose from. Be it standard entry tickets, packages, meal pass, permanent offers or seasonal offers — there is something for everyone.
Infants aged 0 — 2 can enter free of charge. Children aged 3 — 11 enjoy reduced ticket pricing (carry a valid photo ID).
Access to the Peur sur le Parc show (from 7 pm to 1 am) requires the purchase of a separate ticket. This ticket cannot be canceled, amended, or rescheduled.
1. What can visitors do in Parc Astérix?| A．Read comic books. |
| B．Watch comic movies. |
| C．Meet characters from a comic series. |
| D．Draw comics about the Gallic and Roman. |
| A．5 Euros | B．20 Euros | C．55 Euros | D．70 Euros |
| A．10 am on Monday. | B．11 am on Sunday. |
| C．10 pm on Friday. | D．8 pm on Saturday. |
1. What did David do on his most recent holiday?
| A．He had a boat trip. |
| B．He took a balloon flight. |
| C．He climbed a mountain. |
| A．Gifts he needed to buy. |
| B．Things he wished to do. |
| C．Dates he had to remember. |
| A．Australia. | B．California. | C．The Amazon. |
7 . Welcome to the Natural History Museum at South Kensington
Time:
Open Monday-Sunday
10: 00-17: 50(last entry 17: 30)
Closed 24-26 December
Tickets
Book a free ticket or become a member for the entry.
At 17: 00 each day, a limited number of tickets will be released for visits the following day. Tickets are now available for visits up to 26 July.
Transportation
By subway
The nearest subway station is South Kensinglon, about a five-minute walk from the Museum’s main entrance on Exhibition Road. Gloucester Road station is about a 12-minute walk from the main entrance on Cromwell Road.
By bus
Several bus routes stop near the Museum. Visit Transport for London’s website for more information.
By car
We do not have parking facilities on-site and parking around the Museum is limited.
Disabled parking
We have a very limited number of parking spaces on-site for the disabled. Please book in advance by calling us on +44 (0)20 7942 6230. You can access these spaces via Queen’s Gate, SW7 5HD, to the west of the Museum.
We need your help
The Natural History Museum is a charity which relies on your support. And the Museum’s role now is more important than ever. Our scientists are uncovering answers to big issues facing humanity and the planet, and together, we can deal with these challenges. So if you could help us with a donation-no matter the size-we’d greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
1. What’s the last time to enter the museum?| A．17:00. | B．17:30. | C．17:50. | D．18:00. |
| A．Provide personal information. | B．Become a member. |
| C．Arrive in advance. | D．Book by phone. |
| A．To introduce some scientists. | B．To advertise the museum. |
| C．To encourage donations. | D．To handle big challenges. |
8 . One-Day Shanghai Mini-Group Tour
A mini group consists of I to 6 persons, with lowest group price and attentive service. Provide free bottled drinking water with unlimited supplies.
Detailed Schedule
| 8:00—9:00 | Hotel Pick-up |
| 9:00—12:00 | Explore Shanghai’s traditional residences and lifestyle in Zhujiajiao Water Town where you can see ancient canals, distinctive bridges and gardens. |
| 12:00—13:00 | Today’s lunch will be at your own expense. |
| 13:00—16:00 | Visit Yu Garden to enjoy the landscape of the classical southern Chinese gardens. Go for a walk in the old street to get in close touch with the local people’s life. |
| 16:00—17:00 | Take in the impressive skylines of Shanghai as you walk along the Bund, the city’s most important modern landmark site. You can see many well-known buildings like the Oriental Pearl Tower and the highest Shanghai Tower. |
| 17:00—18:00 | Hotel Drop-off |
Tour Price(US $ Per Person)
Adult(＞11 years old)$119
Child(3-11 years old)＄109
Price Includes
●Pick-up & drop-off from the hotel.
●Entrance fees
●Professional English-speaking guide
●Experienced driver & air-conditioned vehicle
●Unlimited bottles of drinking water
Price Excludes
●Meals, advice freely available
●Tips for guide and driver
Booking Policy
●Payment：Full payment is required at least two days before the day trip. We accept payment by Credit Card, Alipay, WeChat and Bank Transfer.
●Cancellation：Your payment is fully refundable (可退款的) if you cancel more than 24 hours before the trip. Cancellation within 24 hours or any unused portion after the day trip begins is non-refundable.
●Guests under the age of 80 can participate.
1. What is free in the trip?| A．Lunch | B．Bottled water. |
| C．Accommodations. | D．Downtown parking. |
| A．Visiting a famous garden. | B．Walking along the Bund. |
| C．Wandering on a bridge. | D．Standing on Shanghai Tower. |
| A．It is a guided trip. | B．Anyone can take part. |
| C．It is refund able at any time. | D．It departs every day. |
9 . Just thirty miles north of San Francisco off Highway 1 is a magnificent stretch of natural wilderness. The 70, 000-acre Point Reyes National Seashore offers breathtaking ocean views, miles of natural coastline, and plenty of wilderness and wildlife. With 150 miles of hiking trails, you’ll never run out of terrain to explore at Point Reyes.
Picture yourself riding your mountain bike (or horse) through pastoral grasslands to the Inverness Ridge or the Bear Valley Visitor’s Center, getting the lay of the land and forming a plan for your visit. You’ll find plenty of scenic drives and trails to stroll along, but you’ll also encounter dairy cows and a thriving dairy industry situated on NPS land. Stop in at Cowgirl Creamery for delicious artesian cheeses and take home an unusual souvenir.
Many visitors enjoy taking a whale watching trip off the coast. Gray whales make one of the longest migrations in the world. Mid-January is the best time to see these giants of the ocean heading south to their traditional breeding grounds. Around mid-March, they’ll make the trek northward again. A little later in the season (April and May), mother whales and calves can be seen heading north at a slower pace, closer to shore.
Point Reyes is known for the marine wildlife that relies on the safety of the seashore for resting and mating. While you’re there, watch for elephant seals, sea lions and several other species of seals. In fact, every year, 7,000 harbor seals (20% of the California breeding population) haul out at Point Reyes.
With all its natural beauty and abundant wildlife, Point Reyes is an amazing place to explore.
1. What can you do at Point Reyes?| A．Go hiking through pastoral grasslands. |
| B．Enjoy delicious cheeses in the Inverness Ridge. |
| C．Take a whale watching trip. |
| D．Observe elephant seals off the coast. |
| A．January. | B．March. | C．April. | D．May. |
| A．A brochure. | B．An announcement. |
| C．A travel guide. | D．An advertisement. |
10 . San Francisco’s public garbage cans have long outlived their lifespan (寿命) and need to be replaced. However, the current design is not enough for the city’s large population and the increasing number of tourists. The garbage cans also get messed up by the homeless. To address the issues, in 2018, San Francisco Public Works officials set out in search of a perfect garbage can. This proved harder than they had thought.
The officials had a few criteria in mind. The ideal garbage can had to be durable (耐用的) and easy to empty. It would also have a built-in sensor (传感器) to send warnings when full, cost between $2,000 to $3,000 a piece, and, most importantly, look good! After an extensive search failed to find a suitable off-the-shelf replacement, the committee asked local firms to design customized garbage cans.
The four-year exploration ended on July 18, 2022, with three selections. They include the “Slim Silhouette” “Salt & Pepper” and “Soft Square”. Since none of them meet all the required criteria, the officials have turned to the city’s residents for help.
The customized cans and three new off-the-shelf options have been placed across San Francisco for a 60-day trial. Residents can scan the QR codes on the cans and provide opinions on their use experience. A location map of each option is included at the end of the survey. The most popular garbage can will be publicized after the trial ends in mid-September.
The time spent on the project and the cost of the three customized garbage cans — which ranged between $11,000 to $20,900 a piece — have drawn criticism from the city’s retired official Matt Haney.
“The idea that San Francisco is so unique that we need a separate garbage can from any one used in any city around the world is laughable,” Haney said. “It’s something that reflects a broader and deeper brokenness of city government and the services it provides.”
However, Beth Rubenstein, director of policy and communications at San Francisco Public Works, believes their research will benefit cities across the US.
1. What is paragraph 1 mainly about?| A．The local tourism industry. | B．The origin of garbage cans. |
| C．The problems faced by the city. | D．The city’s poor environment. |
| A．The function. | B．The appearance. | C．The material. | D．The cost. |
| A．Take good care of the new garbage cans. | B．Make improvements to the new garbage cans. |
| C．Check new criteria for the new garbage cans. | D．Give their opinions on the new garbage cans. |
| A．Rewarding. | B．Meaningless. | C．Misleading.. | D．Efficient. |
