1 . Wandering in a thick forest amid fresh air, colorful flowers and the sweet melodies of wild birds, tourists might feel they are in a fairy tale world. In fact, they are picking wild mushrooms in Yunnan Province. Known for its breathing-taking landscapes and diverse ecosystems, Yunnan provides a lot of mushroom picking destinations.
Xu Yaowei is in charge of a mushroom picking project on the app “Youyunnan”. He explained to China Daily that it was launched in early July. There are two types of tour routes. The first mainly aims at tourists from outside the province. Their main demand is for a mushroom hunting experience, focusing on easily finding mushrooms. The second route is for local and high-end customers, and includes a mushroom hunting experience, picking wild tea, enjoying a mushroom feast on a farm, and visiting a local wild mushroom market.
The project is already a success. By the end of August, it conducted nearly 40 one-day wild mushroom collection tours, serving nearly 800 tourists. More than 95 percent of them are from outside the province. Most of them are college graduates and parents with children, ranging from 25 to 35 years old.
One tourist surnamed Li said, “The most unforgettable was undoubtedly our encounter (遇到) with the professional and passionate tour guides.” “Their attractive stories and interactive sessions deepened our understanding and appreciation of the wild mushrooms we encountered,” Li added.
1. What can we learn about the mushroom picking project on the app?A.It is very expensive. |
B.It is successful but risky. |
C.It was started in early August. |
D.It is very popular with college graduates. |
A.By giving examples. | B.By providing numbers. |
C.By explaining the cause. | D.By showing the effect. |
A.The tour routes. |
B.The local market. |
C.The mushroom hunting experience. |
D.The professional and passionate tour guides. |
A.A storybook. | B.A guidebook. |
C.A news report. | D.A scientific article. |
2 . Austria Class Trip
Class 4A will soon be leaving for this year's trip to Salzburg, Austria. We will depart from the campus at 6 a. m. on January 18th to catch the 9 a. m. flight. Our return flight leaves at 8 a. m. on January 21st, and we will expect to arrive back at the campus by bus, around 4 p. m. For the entirety of the trip's duration, we will be staying all three nights at Hotel Salzburg.
In addition to your personal belongings, you will be required to pack your passport and travel insurance certificate. Furthermore, remember to pack the appropriate winter necessities, especially if you plan to ski during your free time in the afternoons. Our scheduled morning events are detailed as follows.
As Austria is a country of great importance in European history, learning more about its unique culture will be the foundation of your trip. Thus far, your pre-trip assignment has been to investigate the last 60 years of Austrian history. To bring this unit to its conclusion, we've arranged a meeting in the hotel's conference room with several local retirement associations. Also taking place on hotel grounds are various workshops that we've arranged, hosting three local speakers. Please be sure to attend at least one of these.
Upon return, use the information you obtained from the interviews and workshop(s)to write a 500-word reflection on a subject of your choice, worth 60%of your final grade. Of special focus should be the social and cultural impacts of World War Ⅱ, with a secondary focus on how the modern Austrian government treats its senior citizens. Your report is due by 5 p. m. on January 25th.
1. When will the plane for Austria take off?A.At 6 a. m. on January 18th. | B.At 9 a. m. on January 18th. |
C.At 8 a. m. on January 21st. | D.At 4 p. m. on January 21st. |
A.European history. | B.Causes of World War Il. |
C.Winter climate in Austria. | D.Life of Austrian elderly people. |
A.Education. | B.Sightseeing. | C.Exercise. | D.Charity. |
3 . While temperatures continue to climb, visitors are still coming to see Death Valley National Park on the California-Nevada border. The park is known as the hottest place on Earth. This past weekend, the temperatures climbed to 53.33℃. Most visitors at this time of year make it only a short distance to any area in the park before returning to the cool air in their vehicles.
Early information from the park service shows that across the nation’s 424 national parks, at least four people have died this year from heat-related causes. That includes a 65-year-old man from San Diego who was found dead at Death Valley earlier this month.
Death Valley National Park suggests visitors be careful and not have expectations of rescue. While park rangers (护林员) drive on park roads and can aid tourists in need, it is unsure that lost visitors will get help in time.
Physical activity can make the heat feel even worse and leave people exhausted. Alessia Dempster, who was visiting from Edinburgh, Scotland, said, “It’s very hot especially when there’s a gentle wind. You would think maybe that would give you some slight relief from the heat, but it just really does feel like an air blow dryer just going back in your face.”
Death Valley is a narrow area that is below sea level and surrounded by high mountains, the park service’s website says. The dry air and small plant coverage let sunlight heat up the park surface. The heat then becomes trapped in the valley.
Still, several areas in Death Valley continue to draw tourists. Badwater Basin, made up of salt flats, is considered the lowest point in all of North America. The 183-meter Ubehebe Crater dates back over 2,000 years. And Zabriskie Point is a great sunrise viewing spot.
Josh Miller, a visitor from Indianapolis who has been to 20 national parks so far, shared that feeling. “It’s hot, but the scenery is awesome,” he said.
1. What do most visitors do in Death Valley?A.Cool themselves in time. | B.Do lots of physical exercises. |
C.Stay away from park rangers. | D.Carry dryers with themselves. |
A.To encourage the elderly to travel more. |
B.To express admiration for mountain climbers. |
C.To advise people to tour Death Valley more often. |
D.To show the danger of traveling in Death Valley. |
A.Its covering area. | B.Its attractive spots. |
C.The reason why it is so hot. | D.The service of its park’s website. |
A.It has a short history. | B.It is worth visiting. |
C.It draws fewer and fewer tourists. | D.It is unsuitable for viewing sunrise. |
4 . Now it’s fall, when Europe really comes into its own as the leaves and visitor numbers start to drop. If you’re ready for a different take on Europe this fall, we’ve got ideas.
Alentejo, Portugal
Head to the Alentejo region, Portugal’s rural heartland. Here, you can see Roman remains in its UNESCO-protected capital évora, road trip through peaceful countryside planted with trees and olive groves, and enjoy the wild coast. The conserved Atlantic coastline offers miles of unspoiled beaches and is popular for surfing, with the best waves from autumn to spring.
Val Gardena, Dolomites, Italy
During fall in the Dolomite mountains of Northern Italy, the changing leaves compete with the enrosadira (朝霞) — as the setting sun hits the mountains at just the right angle, causing them to glow pink. It’s an all-out feast for the senses in Val Gardena, whether you’re hiking mountain trails within the UNESCO World Heritage landscapes of Puez-Odle National Park, or tasting the local Ladin cuisine during a three-week food festival.
Thessaloniki, Greece
Greece’s second city sits on the Thermaic Gulf, opening onto the Aegean Sea. Famed for its vast culinary offerings, it’s also mostly bypassed by tourists from the US. During October and November, venture out of the city to take in the changing leaves along the hiking trails near Mount Olympus, 90 minutes southwest of Thessaloniki.
Baden-Baden, Germany
Baden-Baden actually has more appeal in fall, with spectacular views of the surrounding Rhine Valley and Black Forest as the leaves start to glow with color. Autumn’s temperatures are ideal for soaking your bones after a hike in Baden-Baden’s many hot springs like the ones at Caracalla Spa, which first opened in 1877. You can also stop into a winery to sample the wares, as well as local specialties like onion tart.
1. What do Alentejo and Val Gardena share?A.They are both well-known for hot springs. |
B.They both feature UNESCO-protected sites. |
C.They are both situated in the heart of the country. |
D.They both offer breathtaking mountain landscapes. |
A.Exploring Roman remains. | B.Surfing on unspoiled beaches. |
C.Sampling local wine and food. | D.Hiking in the Dolomite mountains. |
A.A travel magazine. | B.A geography textbook. |
C.A recipe book. | D.A science journal. |
5 . National parks are an excellent way to explore all the beauty that the world has to offer: whether it’s endangered species, erupting volcanoes and snowy mountains, or rainforests and lakes. Of the thousands of national parks that exist in the world, these are the ones that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Yorkshire Dales, United KingdomContrary (相反) to the popular link of national parks with the wilderness, it is filled with winding valleys, hills and villages where over 24,000 people live and work. Visitors can walk through grassland, visit waterfalls or explore underground caves, but Yorkshire Dales is also home to several food shops, and the park hosts cheese festivals and farmers markets regularly, so it’s best to go hungry.
Kakadu National Park, AustraliaIt is a delight for those who like a bit of history mixed with the biodiversity of national parks. While it houses thousands of species of wildlife, there’s more to the national park than that.
Guilin and Lijiang River National Park, ChinaIt is surrounded by striking natural beauty and can be explored by land. But the river national park, as the name suggests, is best explored through leisurely boat rides that take visitors through many ancient towns that come along the way of the river.
Vatnajökull National Park, IcelandHere’s a surprising fact: The whole of Vatnajökull National Park makes up 14% of Iceland’s territory! The park is usually open for hikes around the glaciers; boat rides through glacier lakes, and tours that take visitors through the park’s many ice caves, waterfalls, and icebergs. Vatnajökull is also where two of Iceland’s most active volcanoes are located.
1. What is recommended for a trip to Yorkshire Dales?A.Recording local customs. |
B.Skiing in the snowy mountains. |
C.Going with an empty stomach. |
D.Watching the eruption of volcanoes. |
A.Yorkshire Dales. |
B.Kakadu National Park. |
C.Vatnajökull National Park. |
D.Guilin and Lijiang River National Park. |
A.There are many ancient towns. |
B.There are various ice caves inside. |
C.They are aimed at protecting rivers. |
D.They can be explored through boats. |
6 . Cheapest Islands in the World to Visit
Grand Bahama Island, The Bahamas
As the northernmost of the 700 islands of the Bahamas, Grand Bahama dishes up plenty of cheap activities alongside its white-sand beaches. Visiting Lucayan National Park, which is home to both beloved Gold Rock Beach and one of the largest underwater cave (洞穴) systems in the world, is an affordable trip. There are hotel rooms at $80 a night.
Madeira, Portugal
Though closer to mainland Africa, Madeira is a part of Portugal known for its breathtaking natural beauty. Visitors can find hotels starting at $85 a night, and enjoy plenty of low-cost activities, like rowing a boat around the volcanic Porto Moniz natural swimming pools, and admiring the never-ending views around the island. No wonder it’s been called the “Hawaii of Europe”.
Dominican Republic
Looking for one of the least expensive Caribbean islands? The Dominican Republic is full of affordable surprises. In Santo Domingo, walk around Zona Colonial, the historic heart of the country’s capital, you’ll find castles, cathedrals (教堂), cobblestone streets, and cafés around every corner. During the low season (summer), you can find hotel deals starting at $33 a night.
Sri Lanka
Do you want to spend just $25~50 a day? Then go to Sri Lanka. Since the South Asian island country is one of the largest tea producers in the world, start with a tea factory tour on a peaceful hike. Taking a train ride through the hills from Kandy to Badulla or from Colombo to Galle is an enjoyable and affordable way to see the countryside.
1. What can you do in Lucayan National Park?A.Visit a huge castle. | B.Enjoy the beautiful beach. |
C.Swim in Porto Moniz. | D.Go on a tea factory tour. |
A.It requires booking. | B.It has historic sites. |
C.It is famous for tea. | D.It is closed in summer. |
A.Dominica. | B.The Bahamas. | C.Portugal. | D.Sri Lanka. |
7 . There are some palaces in Europe that you may be interested to know about.
Royal Palace of Madrid, SpainIt takes the title of the largest European palace by floor area and it is one of the largest palaces in the world. The Royal Palace of Madrid was built in the 18th century by order of Philip V on the site of the old Alcázar fortress, a former Moorish castle. With over 135,000 square metres and 3,418 rooms, it has seeded centuries of Spanish history. It is one of the few official seats of a head of state that is open to the public.
Royal Palace of Brussels, BelgiumIt is a historic and the most wonderful building in Brussels, Belgium, next to Brussels Park. The Royal Palace of Brussels is the King’s main workplace, where he works daily with his staff. A tradition has been established since 1965 to open the Royal Palace of Brussels to the public normally from the 21 July until the beginning of September.
Pena Palace, PortugalIt is the most popular attraction in Sintra, Portugal, and the main reason why so many people visit the small mountain town less than one hour’s drive from the country’s capital city, Lisbon. The colorful palace perched upon a hill looks like something out of a fairy tale. Its yellow and bright red appearance makes Pena Palace one of the most picturesque places in Europe. The UNESCO World Heritage (遗产) site has a rich history that dates all the way back to the Middle Ages.
Palace of Venaria, ItalyIt is a former royal living places and gardens located in Venaria Reale, near Turin in the Metropolitan City of Turin of the Piedmont region in northern Italy. It is one of the largest palaces in the world. It is one of the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.
1. Which palace covers the largest floor area in Europe?A.Royal Palace of Madrid. | B.Pena Palace. |
C.Royal Palace of Brussels. | D.Palace of Venaria. |
A.In February. | B.In June. | C.In August. | D.In October. |
A.They are both in Asia. |
B.They are both small palaces. |
C.They are both forty minutes’ drive from the capital. |
D.They are both listed in the UNESCO World Heritage. |
1. What did the woman enjoy doing during the flight?
A.Sleeping. | B.Watching films. | C.Seeing the views outside. |
A.Rainy. | B.Sunny. | C.Windy. |
A.Elephants. | B.Lions. | C.Monkeys. |
A.They went boating. | B.They went swimming. | C.They walked in the desert. |
Seated in the center of Beijing, the Palace Museum,
Ever since
Exhibitions
The northern and southern sections of the palace wall are accessible and a walk on top of the ten-meter-high wall can be the best way either to start
Why Go to Arches National Park
A trip to Arches National Park is like visiting another planet with thousands of natural sandstone arches, red rocks and amazing landscapes, as well as light that seems to change all the time. The way the shadows(阴影)pass through the arches makes the park particularly attractive for photographers.
Sitting 5 miles northwest of Moab, Utah, the park has 26 miles of scenic road and hikes for every level of fitness.
Best Months to Visit
The best time to visit Arches National Park is from April to May and from September to October. In summer, temperatures can go beyond 100 degrees, making exploring the park very uncomfortable. In late summer, violent storms often cause flash floods, which can be quite dangerous. Winter is a good time for sightseeing, with fewer crowds, but occasional snow and ice can make the paths wet, smooth and therefore easy to fall on. However, the visitor center is open daily.
What to Eat
There are no restaurants or hotels in Arches National Park, so you need to bring your own food or plan to eat in neighboring Moab, Utah, about 5 miles from the park entrance. There are several picnic areas in the park, so plan ahead if you want to eat with Arches as the background.
Getting Around Arches National Park
The best way to get around Arches National Park is by car. There is no public transport inside Arches National Park. Visitors can also ride bikes in the park, but there are no bike lanes or shoulders, so this is more of an option for experienced cyclists.
1. What may visitors do at Arches National Park?A.Have dinner in restaurants. | B.Take some photographs. |
C.Learn about another planet. | D.Stay in the hotel for a few days. |
A.The risk of falling. | B.The danger of flash floods. |
C.The crowds of tourists. | D.The shutdown of the visitor center. |
A.A travel journal. | B.A geography book. |
C.A tourism website. | D.An academic article. |