2 . Great Places to Spend New Year’s Eve

These destinations around the world have a good reputation for traditionally spending a great New Year’s Eve.

Dubai

The famous architecture Burj Khalifa holds the record for its top height worldwide and people gather at the footsteps to welcome a new year with an amazing fireworks show. Not too far away, Burj Plaza is a little quieter and popular with families. Dubai is building a repu- tation as a major food destination, so you may wish to enjoy in restaurants. And if you have shopping in mind,check out Dubai Mall,one of the world’s largest.

Rio de Janeiro

The citizens of Rio de Janeiro know how to throw a good celebration. The main gathering at Copacabana Beach,which starts even before dark, traditionally features a variety of musical acts and fireworks. If you want to party in classic Rio style,pay a visit to Jobi Bar,a social custom in the city. Looking for a great view? Hang out to the Vista Chinesa, a small Chinese style tower sitting to provide a fantastic bird view.

Bangkok

Bangkok often tops the lists of Asia’s best nightlife cities. Catch an amazing fireworks show at ICONSIAM, a major shopping and entertainment destination along the Chao Phraya River. You may want to continue the celebration at one of Bangkok’s attractive bars such as Sky Beach Bangkok, the city’s highest bar. If you want to escape from crowds,bright lights and noise, get some calming down time at a temple,Wat Pho.

Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in Africa. New Year’s Eve fireworks make it more wonderful. If you’re in the mood for a party, Aztecthemed Alcazar will feature 10 hours of performances on three stages. If you’re looking for a place to dine, consider Pier, featuring a vegetarian menu. It’s on the Victoria& Alfred Waterfront, which is a great spot to catch the fireworks.

1. What is special about Burj Khalifa in Dubai?

A．It is the highest building in the world.	B．It is famous for wonderful restaurants.
C．It has fantastic musical performances.	D．It is a best-known place for shopping.

2. Where can you go if you are tired of noise?

A．Dubai Mall,Dubai.	B．Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro.
C．Wat Pho, Bangkok,	D．Alcazar,Cape Town.

3. What activity do the four cities prepare for their citizens on New Year’s Eve?

A．Having a vegetarian diet.	B．Enjoying waterfront activities.
C．Visiting Chinese style buildings.	D．Watching amazing fireworks shows.

3 . With the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park to its east, Zhongnanhai to its south, Beihai Park, also known as Northern Sea Park, is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved ancient imperial gardenst (皇家花园) in China located in the center of Beijing.

Beihai Park is said to be built according to a traditional Chinese legend. The story is that once upon a time there were three magic mountains called “Penglai”, “Yingzhou” and “Fangzhang”. Gods in those mountains had a kind of medicine which would help humans gain immortality (永生). Consequently, many emperors constantly sought those mountains. I For example, Emperor Qin Shihuang had sent people to look for the magic mountains but they failed. Emperor Wudi, the fifth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty did similar things.

It was believed that different mountain-water combinations in ancient Chinese architecture led to totally different effects. So from then on, almost every emperor during the succeeding dynasties would build a royal garden with one-pool-with-three-hill layout near his palace. Beihai Park was surely built after this traditional style: the water of Beihai with Zhongnanhai is the Taiye Pool; the Jade Flowery Islet, the island of the Circular City and the Xishantai Island represent the three magic mountains.

Actually, Beihai Park was initially built in the Liao Dynasty (916-1125) and was repaired and rebuilt in the following dynasties including Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing. The large-scale rebuilding in the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) generally established the present scale and pattern. In 1925, it was first opened to the public, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.

It is enjoyable to walk around the various scenic areas in Beihai Park. There are many places to visit, including the Bai Ta, Five-Dragon Pavilions, Nine-Dragon Wall, Yong’an Temple and so on. There is also a classy restaurant called Fangshan Restaurant where the Empress Cixi once dined.

1. Where is Beihai Park?

A．Near the ocean.	B．In the south of Zhongnanhai.
C．To the west side of Jingshan Park.	D．In the uptown area of Beijing City.

2. What is the similarity between Emperor Qin Shihuang and Emperor Wudi of Han according to the text?

A．They loved to listen to stories.	B．They both pursued immortality.
C．They were mountain-climbing lovers.	D．They were the first emperor of their dynasties.

3. How old is Beihai Park?

A．Less than 100 years old.	B．About 500 years old.
C．About 1, 000 years old.	D．Nearly 2, 000 years old.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．A famous park.	B．Historical palaces.
C．An unforgettable legend.	D．Ancient architectural styles.

4 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. How long is the lecture about ants?

A．60 minutes.

B．45 minutes.

C．30 minutes.

2. Where will the film The Great Migration be shown?

A．In Theater A.

B．In Theater B.

C．In Theater C.

3. Who will host the event Encouraging Garden Wildlife?

A．David Crocker.

B．Monica Chaddha.

C．Jane Smith.

4. When will the listeners leave the Exhibition Room?

A．At 2:00 p. m.

B．At 2:30 p. m.

C．At 3:00 p. m.

5 . Travelling Economically

● Get a ride to travel destinations with friends or acquaintances (熟人). If people you know are driving to a location you would like to visit, take advantage of the opportunity to ask them for a lift. Offer to help with gas money or, if you don’t have any cash, offer a trade or service instead.     1    

● Practice safe hitchhiking to get around.    2     Ask each driver several questions before getting in the vehicle, including what their name is, where they are heading and why they are going there. Follow your gut instinct (直觉) and avoid getting into a car with anyone who gives you a bad feeling.

●    3    There are many ridesharing websites and apps that allow budget travellers to find a shared lift to their destination. These sites will also screen and identify the drivers, making the ridesharing experience safe and simple. Search for available rideshares in your area, which may vary in cost but will cost significantly less than travelling alone.

● Join a free hospitality (好客)-sharing community.     4    You will be able to chat with participating members living in the area you are travelling to and arrange accommodations before travelling. In addition to being able to sleep on someone’s couch or in their spare room, you may find someone to show you around the city.

● Camp at inexpensive campsites. Camping can be a budget-friendly activity if you find the right park or site.     5    Visit http://www.uscampgrounds.info/ for a comprehensive list of North American campgrounds, which indicates sites with a rate of $12 or less per night.

A．Get to new destinations with ridesharing services.

B．Hitchhiking is not an exact science but an art form.

C．Search online for camp sites near your travel destination.

D．Hitchhiking is a free way to travel, but you need to be cautious.

E．One of my big worries when it comes to camping is keeping everyone safe.

F．Be a polite and respectful co-traveller to show your appreciation for their generosity.

G．Find free accommodations in other cities by joining a couchsurfing community online.

6 . 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。

For centuries, Tibet has not been explored as much due to its remote    1    (locate), extreme climate and geographic environment. Since 2006, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway    2    (become) the most popular way to connect Tibet to the rest of China.    3    (know) as the “sky road” and a man-made wonder in transportation, the railway begins in Xining and ends in Lhasa. The scenery along the railway offers not only a feast for the eyes, but also    4    journey for the soul.

Qinghai Lake is the    5    (large) inland lake in China. Be it the blue sky and water, the green grassland or breathtaking landscapes-Qinghai Lake has great charms that are worth exploring. It is    6    (definite) a perfect place for bird lovers as many different kinds of birds fly here in May and June due to the mild weather.

The high peaks of the Kunlun Mountains are covered with snow and mist all year round,    7    (create) an amazing view. The geographic and severe climatic conditions have made this place a “forbidden zone for humans”, which is also a reason    8     its biodiversity.

Lhasa offers almost every aspect of Tibetan culture. If one must pick a name card for Lhasa, the Potala Palace is very likely     9    (be) the answer. No one can really say that he has visited Lhasa     10    he has been to the Potala Palace.

8 . Here are just a few of the new attractions in some of our favourite places that we’re looking forward to visiting across the world.

A fairy tale (童话) first

The first stages of the H.C. Andersen House in Odense, Denmark — the hometown of the famous fairy tale writer — have opened. The museum offers a completely total experience of attractive indoor and outdoor spaces. The site will also soon be home to a kid’s space where more fairy tales will be brought to life. hcandersenshus.dk

A floating (漂浮的) flower garden

TeamLab Planets TOKYO in Toyosu, Tokyo, has shown a new Garden Area with two garden artworks. One of them invites you to get close to 13,000 live orchids (兰花). Visitors will find themselves walking through water and floating as they become one artwork with the flowers. planets.teamlab.art

Sunken (沉没的) city

Dubai landmarks haven’t just gone high, they’ve gone deep! The world’s deepest dive (潜水) pool, Deep Dive Dubai, is the latest record-breaking attraction. More than 60 metres deep, the too-cool pool includes an underwater sunken city for divers to explore on their own or with a guide. Whether you’ve never dived before or you’re an experienced diver, those aged 10 and over are welcomed. deepdivedubai.com

New York’s newest island

Park life just got a little more interesting in New York. Little Island @Pier55 is a human-built island park next to the Hudson River Park. The new public space is unlike any other in the Big Apple: visitors can take in views of the Hudson River and New York City, along with music, dance and other performances in its 687-seat theatre. littleisland.org

1. Which of the following websites may a flower lover visit?

A．hcandersenshus.dk.	B．planets.teamlab.art.
C．deepdivedubai.com.	D．littleisland.org.

2. What do we know about Deep Dive Dubai?

A．It has set a new record.	B．It is open to adults alone.
C．It is designed for new divers.	D．It doesn’t allow divers to explore by themselves.

3. What can visitors do in Little Island @Pier55?

A．Visit a museum.	B．Buy some artworks.
C．Enjoy performances.	D．Learn the history of New York.

10 . My Favorite Travel Books

Matthew Karsten has been traveling around the world for nine years now, and it all started after he was inspired by reading some useful travel books. Here is his personal list of the best reads.

Travels With a Donkey in the Cévennes

Robert Stevenson

It is one of the first travel books I have read, which takes me on a walking journey with Robert and his donkey (驴) Mosestine across a mountainous region of France. I get to feel what traveling through 1870’s Europe was like. Robert and his donkey don’t get along well at first, but they finally learn to become travel companions.

World Walk

Steven Newman

World Walk is the story of newspaper writer Steven Newman who packed his bag at the age of 28 to start a four year-long journey around the world on foot. He walked his way across 22 countries in five co6d heartfelt stories of the people he met along the way, as well as wild adventures A lesson of hope and love is told through the exciting backpacking.

On the Road

Jack Kerouac

On the Road is a classic American travel book. The story, which is based on Kerouac himself, tells us about Dean Moriarty’s cross-country journey across America in the 1940’s. A great read for those who would like to escape the real world for a while and just go where the wind blows them.

The Cat Who Went to Paris

Peter Gethers

For someone who expects to experience life-changing wonders that await abroad, there’s perhaps no better resource (资源) than The Cat Who Went to Paris. Peter Gethers’ global journey with a cat named Norton puts a note of humor into many common travel situations.

1. Who does “I” refer to in the text?

A．Robert Stevenson.

B．Matthew Karsten.

C．Steven Newman.

D．Jack Kerouac.

2. Which book tells about travels in America?

A．World Walk.	B．On the Road.
C．The Cat Who Went to Paris.	D．Travels With a Donkey in the Cévennes.

3. What do the works by Stevenson and Gethers have in common?

A．They are based on the same experience.	B．They show a useful skill in raising cats.
C．They are about a journey with an animal.	D．They focus on a love story in Europe.