1 . DiscoverCars.com have ranked the best destinations in Europe for an autumn getaway. The top four destinations for a European Autumn getaway were:
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona takes first place in DiscoverCars. com’s ranking of the best destinations in Europe for an autumn getaway. With the highest number of cheap restaurants (1,793) and low-cost hotels (534), there are certainly plenty to choose from when visiting the Catalonian city.
The average cost of a week long hotel stay in Barcelona is priced at £981 while plane tickets from Heathrow cost £141 on average during Autumn.
Lisbon, Portugal
Next, Lisbon ranked in second place – also moving up one position from last year’s results. Lisbon is home to 455 low-cost hotels and has the highest average temperature from September to November out of all cities examined (18° Celsius).
The journey from London Heathrow to Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport costs £148 on average while vehicles are available for hire for £159.
Berlin, Germany
Moving on, in third place is the German capital, Berlin. The city improved from 2022’s results where the location ranked in fourth place. Berlin offers visitors a choice of 1,422 cheap eateries and 360 low-cost hotels throughout the city.
Additionally, the average cost of a week-long hotel stay totals £827 while the average amount of daylight throughout Autumn is 10.7 hours.
Budapest, Hungary
In fourth place is Budapest—the top-rated destination 12 months ago. Budapest has an average of 56mm of rainfall during the Autumn months, the second lowest out of all cities investigated.
Budapest is also a very affordable (价格合理的) city, with the average price of a flight from Heathrow costing £160 while a week-long hotel stay is priced at £600 on average.
1. Which destination would likely have the most sunshine in autumn?| A．Barcelona | B．Lisbon | C．Berlin | D．Budapest |
| A．Barcelona | B．Lisbon | C．Berlin | D．Budapest |
| A．Inexpensive accommodation | B．Cheap restaurants |
| C．Convenient transportation | D．Low autumn rainfall |
1. What does Karen like doing best on vacation?
| A．Enjoying the sunset. | B．Swimming. | C．Cycling. |
| A．One who speaks Spanish well. |
| B．One who is in her thirties. |
| C．One who is easy-going. |
| A．She took Spanish lessons at college. |
| B．She worked in Spain for a long time. |
| C．She once lived in a Spanish-speaking country. |
| A．In a magazine. | B．In the newspaper. | C．On the Internet. |
A city walk is
4 . A new study in the journal of Tourism Analysis shows frequent travelers are happier with their lives than people who don’t travel at all.
Chun-Chu Chen, an assistant professor at Washington State University, conducted a survey to find out why some individuals travel more frequently than others and whether or not travel and tourism experiences have a lasting effect on happiness and wellness.
The results of his analysis show individuals who pay more attention to tourism-related information and frequently discuss their travel plans with friends are more likely to go on regular vacations than those who aren’t constantly thinking about their next trip. Additionally, participants in the survey who reported regularly traveling at least 75 miles away from home also reported being about 7% happier when asked about their overall well-being than those who reported traveling very rarely or not at all.
“While things like work, family life and friends play a bigger role in overall reports of well-being. The accumulation (积累) of travel experiences’ does appear to have a small yet noticeable effect on self-reported life satisfaction,” Chen said.
Participants in the study were asked about the importance of travel in their lives, how much time they spent looking into and planning future vacations, and how many trips they went on over a year. They were also asked about their life satisfaction. Out of the 500 survey participants, a little over half reported going on more than four pleasurable trips a year. Only 7% of respondents did not take any vacations.
As travel restrictions (限制) due to COVID-19 pandemic begin to relax in the future, the research could have important effects on both tourists and the tourism industry. Based on the results of the study, Chen said travel companies, resorts and even airlines, could launch social media campaigns, such as creating signs about the scientific benefits of vacation, to spark people’s interest in discussing their opinions about travel.
1. What is the benefit of frequent travelling according to the study?| A．Getting more tourism information. | B．Making more friends. |
| C．Bettering tourism industry. | D．Improving one’s well-being. |
| A．Why the professor carried out the study. |
| B．How the participants felt about the survey. |
| C．What the participants were interviewed about. |
| D．What the participants panned to do in the future. |
| A．Tourism industry should improve their service. |
| B．The results of the study will benefit tourism industry. |
| C．COVID-19 pandemic will be more serious in the future. |
| D．People will live a happier life after COVID-19 pandemic. |
| A．Travel more and be happier | B．Make good use of travelling |
| C．Prepare for the tourism development | D．Make travel plans with friends |
5 . Perfectly situated on the Gulf of Mexico, in southwest Florida, Naples is well known and loved for not only its beautiful beaches and blue water, but also all of the family-friendly activities and outdoor fun. Here are the four best beaches in Naples.
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State ParkThis grand state park offers breathtaking Gulf of Mexico views. It is also a home for an incredible diversity of wildlife including sea turtles and many different birds. If you have courage and a sense of wonder, you might even dive into the water and swim with dolphins! Visit early, especially in the busy tourist seasons, to avoid crowds and find a parking spot.
Vanderbilt Beach ParkIt is perfect for little ones who love to play in the sand, build sandcastles, and cool off in the gentle waves. With easy access to many lovely hotels as well as shopping and restaurants, this beach is fun for bird watching, paddleboarding, and swimming. Free life jackets are available for little ones. The best time to visit, however, is sunset — arrive early to get a fantastic viewing spot.
Clam Pass BeachIt is family-friendly with three miles of sugary sand and calm water. The long boardwalk and nature trail (路线) are a bit of an effort to be sure, but most folks love the adventurous experience. It’s beautiful on either side of the raised wooden path and if you look closely, you can spot butterflies, coastal birds, and other wildlife hiding in the forests. Seashell hunters should arrive early for the best find.
Keewaydin Island BeachOff the coast of Naples, Keewaydin Island can only be accessed by boat. From wild pigs to bobcats, white-tailed deer, tortoises, and iguanas, there’s much to see here on this island that is mostly undeveloped. The sightseeing boat tour leaves from Naples or Marco Island. It’s worth noting, however, that there are no public bathroom facilities.
1. Which is the best destination for a family with a 2-year-old kid?| A．Keewaydin Island Beach. | B．Clam Pass Beach. |
| C．Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. | D．Vanderbilt Beach Park. |
| A．Wildlife observation. | B．Sunset Admiration. |
| C．The boat tour. | D．The nature trail. |
| A．A biology textbook. | B．A travel brochure. | C．An academic paper. | D．A holiday plan. |
6 . Whether you’re traveling with teens or kids, there’s an option for you below.
Jamaica
Jamaica is a preferred place when it comes to family vacations for a reason. Yes, there are amazingly blue waters and extensive sandy beaches—also there’s plenty of adventures to be had. Putting up nights at the Royalton Negril, you don’t even need to leave the resort to entertain your family, since there’s a mini water park and kids’ club on site.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is great for American families in need of an easy getaway, since US citizens don’t need a passport to visit. After some time on the island’s beautiful beaches, explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old San Juan, which is just two hours from Miami and less than four hours from New York City, by plane.
Dominica
Families with active teens should head to Dominica for an off-the-beaten-path experience. The youngest Caribbean island at just 26 million years old, it’s nicknamed the Nature Island for its thick rain forests, plentiful waterfalls, and volcano-fed hot springs. The island is also home to one-of-a-kind attractions like the Waitukubuli Sea Trail—the only sea kayaking （皮划艇） trail in the Caribbean.
Barbados
If you want your beach vacation with a side of history, head to Barbados. Beyond its great natural setting, the island has an abundance of cultural experiences that are engaging and educational for adults and children alike. Explore the colonial architecture in Bridgetown, tour the Barbados Museum & Historical Society, or appreciate works by local artists in the Gallery of Caribbean Art in Speightstown.
1. What can kids do at the Royalton Negril?| A．Have fun in the water park. | B．Appreciate works by local artists. |
| C．Experience off-the-beaten-path. | D．Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| A．The similar culture. | B．The same language. |
| C．Convenient traffic means. | D．No request for passports. |
| A．Jamaica | B．Puerto Rico | C．Barbados | D．Dominica |
1. What is the speakers’ destination?
| A．The markets. | B．The water gardens. | C．The ancient district. |
| A．Her dad. | B．Her mum. | C．Her sister. |
China’s newest online sensation is a pink fox called LinaBell from Shanghai Disneyland. After
Footage of meet-and-greets with the pink fox are all over the Internet and LinaBell can be seen communicating
Visitors to Shanghai Disneyland were the first people
Disney’s localization efforts, including the company’s IP products have resulted in its popularity in China. Shanghai Disneyland has been
9 . Yellowstone Tour
On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique geologic features. Within Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres, visitors have wonderful opportunities to observe wildlife in a well-preserved ecosystem and view geologic wonders like the Grand Canyon (峡谷) of the Yellowstone River.
Tour Features
●Budget tour (低预算旅行)
This budget tour uses tented camps.
●Private tour
This tour will be organized specially for you and won’t be shared with others.
●Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
This tour accepts children of all ages. Children under 3 are free.
Rates Per Person
| Start dates | Solo 1 room | 2+ people Sharing rooms |
| Jan 1, 2023 -Dec 31, 2023 | $ 1,260 | $ 860 |
| Jan 1, 2024-Dec 31, 2024 | $ 1,160 | $ 760 |
●Rates are per person and exclude (排除) the international flight from/to your home country.
1. How much will a couple pay at least in September 2024?| A．$ 860. | B．$ 1160. | C．$ 1520. | D．$ 1720. |
| A．starts on specific and fixed days. |
| B．It only accepts tourists above 3 years old. |
| C．It is a luxury tour with fancy accommodation. |
| D．It is suitable for viewing wildlife and eco-system. |
| A．A travel brochure. | B．A dairy entry. |
| C．A geography textbook. | D．A research paper. |
10 . Ancient builders across the world created structures that are still standing today, thousands of years later. Yet the concrete that makes up much of our modern world has a lifespan of around 50 to 100 years. A growing number of scientists have been studying materials from long-ago eras, hoping to uncover how they’ve held up for millennia.
Many researchers have turned to the Romans for inspiration. Starting around 200 BCE, the architects of the Roman Empire were building impressive concrete structures that have stood the test of time. Even in harbors, where seawater has been battering structures for ages, you’ll find concrete basically the way it was when it was poured 2,000 years ago. Most modern concrete starts with Portland cement, a powder made by heating limestone and clay to super-high temperatures and crushing them. That cement is mixed with water to create a chemically reactive paste. Then, blocks of material like rock and gravel are added, and the cement paste mixes them into a concrete mass. According to records from ancient architects, the Roman process was similar. The ancient builders mixed materials like burnt limestone and volcanic sand with water and gravel, creating chemical reactions to stick everything together.
In a study published earlier this year, Admir Masic, a civil and environmental engineer, proposed that this power comes from blocks of lime that are scattered throughout the Roman material instead of being mixed in evenly. Researchers used to think these blocks were a sign that the Romans weren’t mixing up their materials well enough. Instead, after analyzing concrete samples from Privernum—an ancient city outside of Rome — the scientists found that the blocks could fuel the material’s “self-healing” abilities. When cracks form, water is able to flow into the concrete, Masic explained. That water activates the leftover lime, leading to new chemical reactions that can fill in the damaged sections.
The ancient architectures suggested using extracts from local chukum and jiote trees in the lime mix. When researchers tested out the recipe, they found the resulting plaster was especially durable against physical and chemical damage.
Studies have found all kinds of natural materials mixed into structures from long ago: fruit extracts, milk, cheese curd, beer, even dung and urine. The paste that holds together some of China’s most famous structures—including the Great Wall and the Forbidden City — includes traces of sticky rice.
“Some of these ancient builders might have just gotten lucky”, said Cecilia Pesce, a materials scientist at the University of Sheffield in England, “They’d throw just about anything into their mixes, as long as it was cheap and available.”
Today’s builders can’t just copy the ancient recipes. Even though Roman concrete lasted a longtime, it couldn’t hold up heavy loads: “You couldn’t build a modern skyscraper with Roman concrete,” Cecilia said. “It would collapse.” Instead, researchers are trying to take some of the ancient material’s specialties and add them into modern mixes.
1. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?| A．Lime blocks in Roman concrete indicate poor mixing of materials. |
| B．Ancient Roman concrete structures have witnessed a long history. |
| C．Modern builders are confused about the Roman method of construction. |
| D．The concrete used in modern structures has a lifespan of over 200 years. |
| A．The uniform mixing of lime in the concrete. |
| B．The use of extracts from chukum and jiote trees. |
| C．The addition of whatever was within reach in the mix. |
| D．The scattering of blocks of lime throughout the material. |
| A．ancient recipes were not well-documented |
| B．ancient materials were too expensive |
| C．ancient materials couldn’t hold up heavy loads |
| D．ancient builders used materials that are no longer available |
| A．To enhance the beauty of the structures. |
| B．To make the construction process more cost-effective. |
| C．To create structures that were resistant to chemical damage. |
| D．To follow ancient traditions without considering effectiveness. |
