1 . Some places are to be appreciated and visited during the winter months, with fresh layers of snow transforming already beautiful landscapes into wonderlands. Read on to discover these winter resorts around the world that are enough to wake you up.

Gullfoss Waterfall, Iceland

The falls are especially impressive in winter. It has two impressive layers, reaching up to 36 feet and 69 feet, and it’s quite dramatic to see the golden light reflected off its steep water at sunset. If you want to catch a sight of the polar lights on your trip, you can also see it from September to mid-April in Iceland.

Tromso, Norway

Tromso is a charming fishing village and energetic university town. Located on the Norwegian Sea off the northern coast of Norway, Tromso is particularly suitable for winter holidays as it is a popular gateway to the Arctic Circle. Surrounded by picturesque glaciers (冰川), the winter landscape of this region is unforgettable. You can also take part in many guided tours designed around the local Sami culture and maritime history.

Banff National Park, Canada

As Canada’s first national park, Banff National Park offers excellent views of the snow- covered Canadian Rockies. Located about two hours’drive from Calgary, the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with cross-country skiing opportunities.

Crater Lake National Park, United States

Crater Lake National Park, about a four-hour drive south of Portland, Oregon, is especially notable during the winter when the volcano lake is covered in snow. Crater Lake was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption some 7,700 years ago and is now a must-see for travelers seeking natural experiences, such as camping and cross-country skiing.

1. Where will you go if you are interested in Sami culture?

A．Gullfoss Waterfall.	B．Banff National Park.
C．Tromso.	D．Crater Lake National Park.

2. What do Banff National Park and Crater Lake National Park have in common?

A．They feature the polar lights.	B．They offer cross-country skiing.
C．They are formed by volcanic eruptions.	D．They are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

3. What’s the purpose of the text?

A．To share winter travel tips.	B．To ask us to enjoy delights of nature.
C．To persuade people to come to Iceland.	D．To recommend winter tourist attractions.

3 . The Bullock Texas State History Museum

The museum opened in April of 2001. Here’s the museum’s official mission statement: We create experiences that educate, engage, and encourage a deeper understanding of Texas. It offers interactive exhibits that explain Texas history and an IMAX^® theater.

The Exhibits

The first floor is about the land and covers the first meetings between Native Americans and Europeans, early settlers and missions and the mapping of the state. The second floor is about identity and discusses Texas history, the significant battles and people who made the state what it is today. The third floor covers important technology from Texas, Texas-led explorations and other Texan achievements.

IMAXW Theater

The Bullock museum’s IMAX® theater was one of the first IMAX® theaters in Texas, and one of few in the world. The theater seats 329 guests and houses the biggest IMAX ^® screen in the state at 6 stories high and 84 feet wide. Guests can enjoy sharp and vivid images, as well as immersive (沉浸式虚拟现实的) sound.

Museum Store

On the first floor of the Bullock Texas State History Museum, you will find the museum store. It is filled with Texas-themed goodies, such as clothing, ornaments, books, movies, jewelry, music, home décor and kitchenware.

The Essentials

Address: 1800 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701

Hours: The museum is open from Monday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.

Parking: The museum has an underground parking garage with an entrance. Parking in the museum garage is $15 for full-day parking.

1. Which floor of the museum shows the battles?

A．The first floor.	B．The second floor.
C．The third floor.	D．The fourth floor.

2. What is the right time for visiting the museum?

A．9 am, Sunday.	B．9 am, Monday.
C．2 pm, Thursday.	D．6 pm, Saturday.

3. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To introduce special exhibits.

B．To tell about the history of a museum.

C．To show information about a museum.

D．To attract people to buy Texas-themed goods.

4 . By the time Joy Ryan, a US grandma, turned 85, she had never seen the ocean or mountains. For Joy, trips to the local fishing area with her husband were about the farthest place she had ever gone, even if she loved watching the Travel Channel.

But one day Joy’s grandson, Brad Ryan, discovered that he and his grandma had a common interest in their love for traveling, when they began to visit the American great outdoors together.

Brad said, “When I learned my grandma had never seen the great wildernesses of America—deserts, mountains and oceans, I thought there was something I needed to do.” It was after taking his grandma out of Ohio on a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that he came up with the idea of visiting all the 63 US national parks with her to create inspiring memories.

Going to all the 63 US National Parks is a huge achievement even for a much younger adventurer (冒险家). Brad said his grandmother’s physical strength (体力) grew with their trips. For example, his grandma went water rafting (漂流) at 91, with class three rapids and when walking at the New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia, she broke the record by almost a decade!

It wasn’t always like this, however. Joy was so wobbly (不稳的) on her first trip, challenged by her balance. A group of college students clapped their hands when she reached the top of a path they were following.

Joy broke her age limitation (限制) and at the age of 93, she made history as the oldest living person to visit every US National Park. Joy believes it’s the mix of hopefulness, willpower, and the good health that gives her strength.

1. With whom did Joy Ryan visit all the 63 US national parks?

A．Her grandson.	B．Her husband.
C．Her daughter.	D．Her student.

2. What does Brad want to show by mentioning Joy Ryan’s water rafting at 91?

A．She had a love for traveling.

B．Water rafting is dangerous for the old.

C．There is no age limitation for water rafting.

D．She had developed a strong body from traveling.

3. What is Joy Ryan’s challenge on her first trip?

A．Her memory.	B．Her balance.
C．Her physical strength.	D．Her sense of direction.

4. Which of the following can best describe Joy Ryan?

A．Brave and hopeful.	B．Humorous and outgoing.
C．Hard-working and helpful.	D．Thoughtful and self-confident.

5 . National Parks in Utah

Zion National Park

It’s perfect for scenic drives and outdoor adventures. One of the park highlights is the Zion Canyons, which offers different hiking (远足) opportunities. Late spring or early fall is the best time to visit Zion National Park, since most facilities are open during this time. However, if you don’t mind cold weather, visit during the late fall and winter.

Bryce Canyon National Park

It’s home to the greatest number of hoodoos (石林) on earth, which are one of the natural wonders of the world. You can see most of Bryce Canyon’s highlights in one day by taking the scenic drive and making stops at various views. Most people visit the park between May and September since the weather is warmer.

Canyonlands National Park

Although it’s the 23rd largest National Park in the US, Canyonlands is the largest out of the four national parks in Utah. The best time of the year to visit is when the weather is pleasant in the spring and fall. The park has four main parts: The Maze, Island in the Sky, The Needles, and Horseshoe Canyon. If you plan to visit every part, you can go on a boat tour to explore it.

Arches National Park

Known as a red-rock wonderland, Arches National Park is popular for its stone arches (石拱).The park has over 2,000 stone arches, with Landscape Arch the largest. The park is busiest from March through October. However, the spring and fall temperatures are the most comfortable. So, the best time to visit is April, May, September and October.

1. When is the best time to visit Zion National Park?

A．Late spring.

B．Early summer.

C．Late fall.

D．Early winter.

2. What is special about Canyonlands National Park?

A．It features hike programs.	B．It is known for stone arches.
C．It is the largest one in Utah.	D．It requires advance bookings.

3. What can you do in Arches National Park?

A．Take a journey down a river.	B．Explore the Zion Canyons.
C．Tour Island in the Sky.	D．Admire the red rock.

7 . There are some palaces in Europe that you may be interested to know about.

Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain

It 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, Belgium

It 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, Portugal

It 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, Italy

It 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.

2. When can tourists visit the Royal Palace of Brussels?

A．In February.

B．In June.

C．In August.

D．In October.

3. What do Pena Palace and Palace of Venaria have in common?

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.

8 . Located about 10 km northeast of the city center, the Chengdu Panda Base is a popular place to see lots of pandas of different ages in what’s close to their natural habitat.

Highlights and Travel Tips

The Chengdu Panda Base is a nonprofit research and breeding (繁殖) facility for giant pandas that was originally founded in 1987 and opened to the public in 1993. The center began with a population of just six giant pandas and has since grown to more than 100 pandas.

For visitors, it is more like a nice park than a traditional zoo. The base is large and nice to walk around, since much of it is in a bamboo forest. There are also shops selling panda-related souvenirs, but the prices are usually higher than markets or shops outside the base.

Accessibility Information

While the main road is flat, the base is large, so it is better for visitors with mobility issues to ride the shuttle (往返) bus. Visitors who completely rely on wheelchairs may need help from others to guide. Most restrooms within the base are wheelchair accessible.

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices

Opening hours	7:30 am - 6:00 pm
Entrance fee	55 CNY
Shuttle bus fee	10 CNY
Average time for this activity	2-3 hours

How to Get There

It takes about a half hour and costs around 30 CNY to get to the Chengdu Panda Base from the city center by taxi. You can also get there by public bus or subway, although these routes require a few transfers.

1. What is special about the Chengdu Panda Base?

A．It offers tourists panda souvenirs.	B．It is a zoo with the features of a park.
C．It is the largest panda research base.	D．It has more pandas than anywhere else.

2. How much should a couple at least pay to visit the Chengdu Panda Base?

A．110 CNY.

B．75 CNY.

C．55 CNY.

D．45 CNY.

3. What is the text?

A．A guidebook.	B．A news report.
C．An announcement.	D．An exhibition guide.

9 . 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。

Applause (掌声) rang across Zhaxizom town last month. The air was filled     1     excitement as players sang and danced     2     (happy). The event marked the beginning of the town’s music and food festival. Zhaxizom is at an altitude of 4,200 meters at the foot of Mount Qomolangma, the world’s highest peak, which is known in English as Mount Everest.

“I planned     3     (head) straight to Mount Qomolangma Base Camp, but when I arrived in this small town, the     4     (amaze) festival caught my eye and I decided to stay for several more days to enjoy the music and food here before     5     (continue) my journey,” said one traveler Zhang, who is from Liaoning province.

Migmar Lhamo, a college student     6     lives in Zhaxizom, said, “The festival will allow people to learn about our town. It will become a new     7     (attract) for people.” Migmar Lhamo believes the festival will play     8     important role in improving the development of the local culture and tourism.

According to the county government, more activities such as live music shows, firework displays and food fairs     9     (organize) as part of future festivals to provide both locals and     10     (tourist) with an extremely impressive experience of local culture. “The music and food festival will help the growth of the local economy,” Zhu said.

10 . 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 resort (度假胜地) in Vietnam has opened a glass-bottomed foot bridge, the third such bridge in the Southeast Asian country,    1     (connect) two mountains. The 150-metre-tall bridge crosses a deep, narrow valley,    2    aim is to bring in thrill-seeking tourists.

The bridge     3     (call) the Bach Long suspension bridge. It means “White Dragon” in Vietnamese. A dragon is a huge,    4     (imagine) flying animal that can breathe out fire and looks     5     a reptile (爬行动物). The bridge is founded in the Son La area. Son La is northwest of the capital, Hanoi, and borders Laos.

The reinforced glass     6     (use) for the bridge can hold up to 450 people at a time. Each glass piece is 40 millimeters thick. The bridge is 290 metres long and runs between two mountain tops on either side of a valley. It also has     7     342-metre pathway on the side of a mountain.

Guinness World Records keeps a list of world     8     (record). It lists a 562-metre glass-bottomed bridge in Qingyuan, in China’s Guangdong area, as the No. 1 position in the world.

The World Record Association is another     9     (organize) that keeps the world’s records. It listed the two-part Vietnamese bridge as the world’s     10     (long), at 632 metres.