1 . The most scenic train journeys

Semmering Railway, Austria

Route: Gloggnitz to Mürzzuschlag

Distance and duration: 25.5 miles, 45 minutes

Best time to ride: Year round

Constructed between 1848 and 1854 by more than 20,000 workers, the Semmering Railway travels through a picturesque wonderland as the train crosses the 965-metre-high Semmering Pass.

Centovalli Railway, Switzerland and Italy

Route: Locarno to Domodossola

Distance and duration: 32 miles, two hours

Best time to ride: June to August

The “Hundred Valley” Railway is a spectacle of waterfalls, chestnut groves, lush landscapes and vineyards: the Alps at their charming best. Highlights of this journey include the Isorno Bridge near the village of Intragna and the valley connecting Re and Intragna.

Mittenwald Railway, Austria and Germany

Route: Innsbruck to Zugspitze

Distance and duration: 51.5 miles, three hours

Best time to ride: Year round

The Mittenwald Railway is a beautiful border-crossing route that travels past shining lakes and glorious mountainous landscapes on its journey between Austria and Germany. And it also takes you towards the peak of Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain at 2,961 metres.

Glacier Express, Switzerland

Route: Zermatt to St Moritz

Distance and duration: 180 miles, 7.5 hours

Best time to ride: November to January

On the Glacier Express, the chances of meeting a millionaire are higher than average as you travel between the eastern and western Swiss Alps, through awesome mountainous landscapes and two of Switzerland’s best-known resorts. It’s perfect for ski enthusiasts.

1. What is the best time to take the Centovalli Railway?

A．March.

B．April.

C．July.

D．November.

2. Which railway should you take to admire Germany’s highest mountain?

A．Semmering Railway.	B．Centovalli Railway.
C．Mittenwald Railway.	D．Glacier Express.

3. Which of the following is the longest train route?

A．Gloggnitz to Mürzzuschlag.	B．Locarno to Domodossola.
C．Innsbruck to Zugspitze.	D．Zermatt to St Moritz.

2 . When Joy Ryan set out to visit all 63 national parks with her grandson Brad, traveling during a global pandemic wasn’t on the to-do list. But seven years—and countless hours spent in the air and on the road—later, the 93-year-old grandma and her grandson have reached their final and most remote destination: the National Park of American Samoa.

In 2015, their journey began, when Brad discovered that his grandmother had never visited a mountain in person. He invited her on a road trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is between North Carolina and Tennessee, and after that, the pair kept planning more trips.

The journey to the South Pacific wasn’t an easy one. The National Park of American Samoa is the only U.S. national park south of the equator, also making it the furthest from Ohio, where Joy resides. The adventurous pair touched down late Monday after nearly three days of travel with breaks in between.

“We took a two-day break in Oahu before boarding our final flight to Pago Pago, American Samoa, on Monday. Three flights and nearly seventeen flying hours were required before we touched down in American Samoa on Monday evening,” Brad said.

Visiting national park number 63 is a “bittersweet” milestone, Brad continued. It marks both the end of their mission and a historic achievement for Joy, who officially became the oldest person to visit all 63 national parks.

“Standing at the finish line in American Samoa affirms that seemingly impossible goals are in fact possible if you pursue them with passion and pure intention,” Brad said. “Grandma Joy has taught the world that you are never too old to show up and live the adventurous life of your dreams. It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be in the driver’s seat as Grandma Joy made history to become the oldest person to achieve this ambition.”

1. What inspired Joy Ryan and her grandson Brad to start their journey?

A．A goal to visit the most remote parks.	B．A desire to escape the global pandemic.
C．A friend’s invitation to explore the South Pacific.	D．Brad’s realization that Joy hadn’t been to a mountain.

2. What was the pair’s biggest challenge on the journey to the South Pacific?

A．The long distance.	B．The inconvenient transport.
C．The financial burden.	D．Their lacking in experience.

3. Why is visiting the National Park of American Samoa a significant achievement for Joy Ryan?

A．It marks the end of a difficult journey during the pandemic.

B．She achieved her personal goal of visiting all national parks.

C．It was done with the company of her grandson.

D．She became the first person to visit all national parks.

4. What does the author mainly convey in the last paragraph?

A．It is never too old for us to learn new things.

B．It is wise and thrilling to pursue practical goals.

C．Family members are those who we can always rely on.

D．Passion and intention lead to remarkable accomplishments.

3 . Here are four of the best museums in the U. S. that should appeal to you.

Smithsonian American Art Museum (Washington D.C.)

The Smithsonian American Art Museum is a famous museum in the heart of Washington D.C., featuring a vast collection of American art from the colonial (殖民的) era to the present. The museum is known for its impressive collection of contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, photographs, and folk art.

The Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago)

Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Art are the highlights of the collection at The Art Institute of Chicago. The museum is famed for its expansive collection of American art and 20th-century furniture. If you are a Monet enthusiast, don’t forget to stroll (闲逛) through this museum to catch one of America’s largest collection of Monet paintings.

Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum—Boston

The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum allows tourists not only to see where the tea was thrown into the harbor almost 250 years ago, but also to take on the role of someone who witnessed the historical event. The one-hour program allows visitors to enjoy the whole museum, as well as the gift shop and Abigail’s Tea Room & Terrace for light food and drinks.

National Museum of Natural History—Washington, D.C.

The National Museum of Natural History boasts an astonishing accumulation of more than 145 million different items. It’s also home to the famous Hope Diamond, as well as hundreds of different butterfly species. The museum is completely free, so go ahead and spend hours getting lost in all the historical objects.

1. Where should you go if you want to appreciate the works of Monet?

A．Smithsonian American Art Museum.	B．The Art Institute of Chicago.
C．Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum.	D．National Museum of Natural History.

2. What can you do in the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum?

A．Buy some presents.	B．Throw tea into the harbor.
C．Participate in the historical event.	D．Play musical instruments.

3. What is a feature of the National Museum of Natural History?

A．Easy access.

B．Diamond theme.

C．Free admission.

D．Excellent service.

4 . 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.

2. How does the writer develop paragraph 3?

A．By giving examples.	B．By providing numbers.
C．By explaining the cause.	D．By showing the effect.

3. What may impress the tourists most about the project?

A．The tour routes.

B．The local market.

C．The mushroom hunting experience.

D．The professional and passionate tour guides.

4. Where is this text probably taken from?

A．A storybook.	B．A guidebook.
C．A news report.	D．A scientific article.

5 . 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.

2. Why does the author mention the 65-year-old man in paragraph 2?

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.

3. What does paragraph 5 mainly tell us about 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.

4. What can be inferred about Death Valley from the last two paragraphs?

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.

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.

2. What is special about Zona Colonial?

A．It requires booking.	B．It has historic sites.
C．It is famous for tea.	D．It is closed in summer.

3. Which of the following would provide a hotel room at the lowest price?

A．Dominica.

B．The Bahamas.

C．Portugal.

D．Sri Lanka.

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What did the woman enjoy doing during the flight?

A．Sleeping.

B．Watching films.

C．Seeing the views outside.

2. How was the weather when the speakers arrived in South Africa?

A．Rainy.

B．Sunny.

C．Windy.

3. What animals did the man like best?

A．Elephants.

B．Lions.

C．Monkeys.

4. What did the speakers do on Sunday?

A．They went boating.

B．They went swimming.

C．They walked in the desert.

8 . 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。

Seated in the center of Beijing, the Palace Museum,     1     was built in the former palace of the Ming(1368—1644) and Qing(1644—1911）dynasties,     2    （cover)an area of 1.12 square kilometers, and is home to 1.8 million artistic     3    (piece)that represent the best part of Chinese traditional culture.

Ever since     4     founding of the museum in 1925, the halls of the former palace have been turned into public showrooms, while the royal families’ private rooms have been preserved     5    （protect)the old decorations.

Exhibitions     6    (feature)architecture, bronzes and ceramics are available all year round but exhibitions of paintings and calligraphic works are     7    (basic)held in Spring and Summer due to strict requirements for proper temperature and humidity. Many of the     8    (remark)artworks, including paintings, sculptures and rare books, belong     9     the royal families’ private collection.

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     10     to end a tour of the Museum as one can enjoy a sweeping view of the entire Forbidden City.

9 . Arches（拱门）National Park

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.

2. What is a disadvantage of visiting the park in winter?

A．The risk of falling.	B．The danger of flash floods.
C．The crowds of tourists.	D．The shutdown of the visitor center.

3. Where is this text probably taken from?

A．A travel journal.	B．A geography book.
C．A tourism website.	D．An academic article.

10 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is the speaker?

A．A tour guide.

B．An art teacher.

C．An artist.

2. How often are the talks held a month?

A．Once.

B．Twice.

C．Three times.

3. On which level can delicious food be enjoyed?

A．Level 2.

B．Level 3.

C．Level 4.

4. What can visitors do on the ground floor?

A．Buy gifts.

B．Watch videos.

C．Have a talk with local artists.