| A．10 hours. | B．9 hours. | C．13 hours. |
2 . Situated at the heart of Beijing, the Palace Museum is approached through the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tian’an men). Because of its centrality as well as restricted access, the palace was called The Forbidden City. It was built from 1406 to 1420 by the third emperor of the Ming dynasty, the Yongle Emperor who was determined to move his capital northward from Nanjing to Beijing. The Ming dynasty fell to the Manchu Qing in 1644 and in 1911 the Qing dynasty was overthrown by the republican revolutionaries.
The southern portion of the Forbidden City centers on three main halls “Hall of Supreme Harmony (Tathedian), Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghedian). and Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian).
| A．It was here in the Outer Court that the emperor held court and conducted grand audiences. |
| B．During nearly six hundred years, twenty-four emperors lived and ruled from this palace. |
| C．In total, the buildings of the two courts account for an area of some 163,000 square meters. |
| D．The Palace Museum’s range of publications has created further interest in domains such as the Forbidden City’s history, architecture, and vast cultural holdings. |
| E．The Forbidden City is surrounded by 10-metre-high walls and a 52-metre-wide moat. |
| F．Although the Forbidden City used to be an impenetrable fortress, the imperial palace is now apublic museum. |
| G．The Museum’s administration launched a policy of comprehensive restoration. |
3 . The Leshan Giant Buddha is a statue of Maitreya (弥勒佛) in sitting posture. The Buddha is located in Sichuan Province, facing Minjiang, Qingyi and Dadu rivers. In December, 1996, the Buddha was included by UNESCO on the list of the World Heritage List.
Facing the river，the Buddha has symmetrical (对称的) posture and looks which have been beautifully captured in its solemn (庄严的) stillness. The statue was begun in the year 713 in the Tang Dynasty, and finished in the year 803. The Buddha is 71 meters high. And its 8-meter-long instep (脚背) is big enough for one hundred people to sit on and the 28-meter-wide shoulder is large enough to be a basketball playground.
It was a monk called Hai Tong who initiated the project. His concern was for the safety of the ordinary people who earned their living around the joint of the three rivers. Tempestuous and wild waters brought out numerous boat accidents and the simple people put the disaster down to the presence of a water spirit. So Hai Tong decided to carve a giant statue beside the river thinking that the Buddha would bring the water spirit under control. Besides, the fallen stones dropped during the carving would reduce the water force there.
After 20 years’ begging from door to door, he finally collected enough money for the plan. When some local government officials tried to get this amount of money, Hai Tong said that they could get his eyeballs but not the money raised for the Buddha. After he dug out his eyeballs, these officials ran away in fear. The project was half done when long-suffering Hai Tong passed away, and two of his disciples (门徒) continued the work. After a total of 90 years’ hard work, the project was eventually accomplished.
Having such a long history, the Buddha was nearly destroyed by the erosion (侵蚀) of wind and rain. And with its worldwide fame, the renovation of the Buddha has received extensive attention both at home and abroad. Then in 1963 the Chinese government began the repairing work under the instructions of experts from UNESCO. And at present, the maintenance work is still in progress.
1. What was Hai Tong’s purpose to build the statue?| A．To gain fame. |
| B．To spread Buddhism. |
| C．To respect the water spirit. |
| D．To protect local people. |
| A．By begging for money. |
| B．By working on the river. |
| C．By asking the government. |
| D．By building businesses. |
| A．Generous. | B．Social. |
| C．Devoted. | D．Cruel. |
| A．Innovation. | B．Art and culture. |
| C．Policy watch. | D．Forum trends. |
4 . Here’re the discovery tours organized by our journal New Scientist. Book now for our October adventures.
Morocco and the science of how to get more from your time
4 October 2023/ 6 days
Experience an adventure in the Atlas Mountains designed to be challenging, educational and transformational. Experience a world where local culture is mixed with African and European influence, as crowds form around storytellers in the square. Breathe in the air on top of the Atlas Mountains as the sun rises.
Ancient caves, human origins: northern Spain
8 October or 15 October 2023/ 7 days
Discover some of the world’s oldest known cave paintings in Spain. Travel back 40,000 years to explore the wonders of caves full of art from before the dawn of civilization in small groups by torchlight, accompanied by New Scientist editor Emily, who will share insight on the dawn of human culture and civilization.
The Rockies and the Badlands
23 October 2023/ 7 days
This tour of the Rocky Mountains in America explores the surprising scenery and geology(地质学) of southern Alberta and brings to life the history of settlements in this remote but beautiful land. You will explore the geographic structure of the Kananaskis valley and visit the Lake Louise area, surrounded by mountains originally formed in ancient warm seas.
Neanderthal origins: southern France
25 October or 27 October 2023/10 days
Step back in time on a journey to the sites of southern France with archaeologist Dr. Rebecca. She shows our understanding of these ancient ancestors. As stone carpenters and inventors, Neanderthals pioneered new technologies, and they lived not just through ice ages but in warm woodland worlds too.
Find out more online at newscientist. com/tours.
1. What can one explore in the Atlas Mountains?| A．Cave paintings before human civilization. |
| B．The geographic structure of a river valley. |
| C．The stone inventions of ancient ancestors. |
| D．European cultural influence on the locals. |
| A．A tour of the Rocky Mountains in America. |
| B．A travel to ancient caves in nor them Spain |
| C．The journey to the sites of southern France. |
| D．The trip to see sunrise in the Atlas Mountains. |
| A．The Rockies and the Badlands. |
| B．Neanderthal origins: southern France. |
| C．Ancient caves, human origins: northern Spain. |
| D．Morocco and the science of how to get more from your time. |
5 . Central Europe is perfect for those keen to immerse themselves in travel romance and adventure. Here are some of the most romantic small towns in Central Europe.
Kazimierz Dolny, Poland
Situated on the bank of Vistula river, Kazimierz Dolny may well be Poland’s best kept secret. Those who stay in the accommodation available on the hills above the city are rewarded with long river walks, as well as incredible Polish dishes and superb old town views. The town is also full of great coffee and tea shops.
Mikulov, Czech Republic
Home to a spectacular Renaissance castle and endless wine yards, Mikulov is an amazing central European weekend destination. Set near the border with Austria, the oldest record of this unique town dates back to 1173. Visitors can discover all the secrets of local winemaking at viticultural exposition in the Regional Museum, featuring a Chateau Cellar with a giant wine cask (酒桶) dating from 1643．
Tokaj, Hungary
The Tokaj region is the pride of Hungary when it comes to winemaking, with labels known all around the world. Its most famous is Tokaji Aszú, the world’s oldest botrytized wine, made from grapes affected by a beneficial mold. Visitors can explore the numerous underground wine vaults here, as well as take in the town’s wonderful historic architecture.
Trenčín, Slovakia
This beautiful Slovakian city is defined by an enormous fortress (堡垒)，making it an ideal destination for history lovers. Trenčín Castle is a stunning feat of medieval (中世纪的) engineering that instantly takes your breath away. The Old Town is equally fascinating, boasting a charming main square and narrow streets leading to the fortress.
1. What can visitors do at Kazimierz Dolny?| A．Learn about winemaking. |
| B．Walk along the river banks. |
| C．Sit near the border of Austria. |
| D．Discover the secrets of a museum. |
| A．Winemaking. |
| B．Delicious food. |
| C．Engineering. |
| D．Narrow streets. |
| A．Kazimierz Dolny. |
| B．Mikulov. |
| C．Tokaj. |
| D．Trenčín. |
6 . William Lindesay, a famous Great Wall expert and conservationist, and his wife Wu Qi have traveled the globe by the back paths, providing their sons with a unique growing environment. Sun hats, backpacks and sneakers (运动鞋)—these are the day-to-day must-haves for the family.
Most of their trips seem far from relaxing—cultural study in the hot and dry desert, a 53-kilometer hiking tour of New Zealand, a one-day climb to three English mountaintops and a six-day train ride from Beijing to Moscow.
Many assume the family must be wealthy and can afford their global travel, but they are not. Lindesay says they just choose to spend money on travel and eschew pricey hotels and restaurants where possible. Lindesay mentions the trip to Moscow as an example. Instead of taking a taxi from the railway station to the hotel, they took the subway. “We crossed the city for saving money, communicated with local people, and saw they are people just like us, everywhere. We arrived at our destination feeling comfortable.”
However, their journeys, which can last weeks or months, have sometimes been inconsistent with their children’s schooling. Wu remembers once Lindesay let their elder son ask for leave so that they could go to New York for a 45-day lecture tour. Therefore the son missed his final exam. Things like that bother the family all the time.
Lindesay attaches great importance to learning out of the classroom, saying that children might score well on school tests, but traveling outside, in distant lands with different languages, cultures, and political structures, is the real test. “You can only get streetwise on the street. You can only get worldly-wise when seeing the world,” he says.
1. How can we describe the Lindesays’ trips?| A．Pleasant. | B．Challenging. | C．relaxing. | D．Dangerous. |
| A．Avoid. | B．Visit. | C．Compare. | D．Evaluate. |
| A．They suffer from a tight budget. | B．They have scheduling conflicts. |
| C．They are faced with language barriers. | D．They hold different educational ideas. |
| A．Nothing is so necessary for travelers as languages. |
| B．There is no royal road to learning. |
| C．Actions speak louder than words. |
| D．Man who travels far knows more. |
7 . Amazing West Coast Beach Houses Rent
Rockaway Beach House
Rockaway Beach, Oregon
This comfortably furnished two-bedroom, two-bath house is both kid-and dog-friendly with a path leading right down to Nedonna Beach. It’s conveniently located near Manhattan Beach State Park as well as towns such as Manzanita, Wheeler, and Nehalem that offer cafes and tourist shops. Amenities (便利设施) include a washer and dryer, ping-pong table, home office, wood-burning fireplace and smart TV.
Oceanfront Townhome
Monterey, California
This rental claims to be one of the closest homes to the water in all of Monterey. It’s limited on space—the owner notes it can accommodate up to three adults or two adults and two small children—the location is only five minutes from downtown Monterey and Fisherman’s Wharf, 10 minutes from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Pacific Grove, and 15 minutes from Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Westport Ocean Oasis
Westport, Washington
Washington state might not be the first place people think of when considering a West Coast beach trip, but vacation rentals like this one might make them think twice. A one-bedroom, one-bath, dog-friendly apartment, it offers sweeping views of the shores from its huge windows, as well as amenities like a balcony, basketball court and putting green, and TV.
Studio Beach House
Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Located just west of Long Beach, this beach rental offers amazing views and easy beach access as well as amenities like tennis and basketball courts, a playground and an outdoor bar with 50-inch TV, surround sound, a mini-fridge and hot tub. It’s also close to many destinations like golf courses, parks, and the Portuguese Bend Reserve, a nature area with hiking trails that overlook the ocean.
1. Which beach house will you choose if you are going to live in Oregon?| A．Rockaway Beach House. | B．Oceanfront Townhome. |
| C．Westport Ocean Oasis. | D．Studio Beach House. |
| A．Pacific Grove. | B．Carmel-by-the-Sea. |
| C．Fisherman’s Wharf. | D．The Monterey Bay Aquarium. |
| A．They are dog-friendly. | B．They have huge windows. |
| C．They are close to hiking trails. | D．They both offer a basketball court. |
8 . Calming, relaxing, full of greenery, beautiful plants and impressive shows — that’s the Chicago Botanic Garden. It consists of a collection of 27 attractive gardens covering 385 acres and exhibiting millions of flowers trees and plants. Many colors including pink, purple, and yellow will make you fall in love with it at first glance. The Midwest Daffodil Society Show puts hundreds of daffodils on exhibition that will be judged by the authorities. The show includes flower design and photography competitions. The Ikebana International Show presents an exhibition of traditional Japanese flower arranging. The Midwest Fruit Explorers presents this hands-on workshop with step-by-step instructions on how to graft (嫁接) and care for fruit trees. Why not head to this mysterious and wonderful garden?
·Garden time & admission fee:
| Daily Hours | 8 a.m. — 7 p.m. |
| Garden View Cafe | 8 a.m. — 4 p.m. |
| Garden Shop | 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. |
| Members | Nonmembers | |
| Adults | $7 | $8 |
| Children (3 — 12 yrs) | $5 | $6 |
| Children (2 and under) | Free | Free |
| Ten-visit pass | $50 | $60 |
No pets please with the exception of guide dogs and other service animals.
·Electronic Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) are available for rent in the Visitor Center on a first come, first served basis. The following fees apply: members $15, non-members $20. ECVs will not be rented for indoor use.
·Wheelchairs are available for free at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center.
1. What can visitors do at the Chicago Botanic Garden?
| A．Sell flowers, trees and plants. | B．Learn about fruit tree planting. |
| C．Judge hundreds of daffodils. | D．Admire Chinese flower arranging. |
| A．$14. | B．$15. | C．$17. | D．$24. |
| A．Drinking free coffee at 4 p.m. | B．Renting indoor ECV anytime. |
| C．Paying for wheelchair service. | D．Taking their service animals. |
9 . The bus screamed to a stop in Nazareth, Israel. Five Australian backpackers boarded and struck up a conversation with me. They asked typical travelers’ questions—where was I going and why was I traveling alone? My plan was to travel with a friend of a friend, I explained, but when I called her that morning, she didn’t pick up and I had no other way to reach her. My stomach was in knots, but I decided to head out anyway, thinking I might run into her if I traveled to Tiberius, where we had planned to go together.
“Why don’t you travel with us?” one of the backpackers offered. They were experienced adventurers who would work for a few months, save, then travel for as long as they could. Their current plan was to explore the Middle East and Europe in three months while working in London.
It seemed risky to travel with strangers, but my instinct said yes. For the next two weeks, I explored Israel with the backpackers and learned to trust my instincts in all types of new and interesting situations. When they hook a ride, I took the bus, but when they wanted to steal into the King David Hotel’s swimming pool, I led the way. The world opened up to me because I chose to travel alone. I joined complete strangers, who become close friends. Years later, one couple from the backpacking group even flew from Sydney to Phoenix to be in my wedding. The trip was such a special experience that it gave me confidence in all areas of my life. Since then, I’ve backpacked alone across South Africa, sky-dived from 12,000 feet in New Zealand and even moved across the U.S. with no job lined up.
On my third day wandering in Israel with my new friends, I bumped into the woman I was supposed to meet. Though I was happy she was all right, I was grateful she hadn’t picked up the phone.
1. By “My stomach was in knots” (in paragraph 1), the author most likely means that she was ______.| A．sick of riding on a bumpy bus | B．nervous of meeting strangers |
| C．upset about the sudden change | D．sorry about the impractical plan |
| A．Courageous but disrespectful. | B．Jobless and poorly educated. |
| C．Warmhearted and trustworthy. | D．Homeless but lighthearted. |
| A．she would get along with the backpackers | B．it might cause trouble to have a swim |
| C．she ought to stay away from the backpackers | D．it could add excitement to get a free ride |
| A．Most of the backpackers became the author’s lifelong friends. |
| B．The author gathered the courage to be a fulltime backpack traveler. |
| C．The woman missed the phone call with the purpose of traveling alone. |
| D．The author considered it the best decision of her life to travel on her own. |
10 . Traveling can be a good way to get life experiences.
Plan ahead
This is probably the most important preparation for traveling. Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your trip, or you will have to spend more on tickets.
Find useful information
Also the Internet can help you save money. You can find some useful websites like www. Travelcity. com and www. Economy travel. com.
Travel in groups
Find someone who is interested in visiting the same places. By traveling with others you can share costs and experiences.
Well-known places may be expensive and too crowded. You may want to think over your trip and go to a less-known place. Smaller towns still have many interesting activities and sights. You can learn about lots of local customs, too.
Pack necessary things
The most important things to take are not always clothes.
By planning carefully, you can not only enjoy traveling but also save lots of money. You will remember your travel experiences all your life.
| A．Go to a less-known place. |
| B．Watch out for potential dangers. |
| C．Get a good rest before you travel the next day. |
| D．Remember to bring medicine because you may get sick. |
| E．Write down how much you expect to spend on food and hotels. |
| F．Travel books will offer information about the cheapest hotels and restaurants. |
| G．But what will you do if you’re a student and don’t have enough money for a trip? |
