1 . It is summer, and the living is comfortable. For many Americans, this is the season to travel. Why? Because school has finished; the weather is great, and most of all, we all deserve a break. When Americans want to take a break, they often head for their favourite vacation spot.

Throughout their history, Americans have been people on the move. Hundreds of years ago, the early immigrants had to travel to get to the New World. Once they arrived, they settled along the East Coast. But they weren’t content to stay there. Explorers and traders journeyed to the unknown western areas. Later, settlers moved west to develop these new regions. As a result of this westward migration, Americans eventually occupied the whole mainland — from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Even today, Americans seem unable to stay put. Research says that the average American moves every five years.

Besides their habit of changing living places, Americans are used to travelling. Some people often go out on business. Their jobs may require them to take frequent business trips. Most companies provide an annual vacation for their employees, and people often use that time to travel. Some people just visit friends or relatives in different states. Others go on weekend trips that don’t cost a lot of money. Those with more expensive tastes choose luxurious resorts and hotels.

Most Americans prefer to travel within their own nation’s borders. Why? For one thing, it’s cheaper than travelling abroad, and for another, there’s no language problem. What’s more, the vast American territory offers different kinds of tourist attractions. Nature lovers can enjoy beaches, mountains, lakes and a wealth of natural wonders. Major cities offer visitors a lot of urban delights. The convenience of modern freeways, railways and airplanes makes travel in America as easy as pie.

Many American vacations are as unique as the people who take them. Families often go on a journey with the kids. More and more family-friendly vacation resorts offer special programs for children. History lovers seek out famous historical sites and museums. Environmentalists prefer “green vacations”. These trips allow them to observe plants and animals closely without disturbing the balance of nature. Some people find sea cruises relaxing and refreshing. Others enjoy their trips by fishing, skiing or white-water rafting.

Americans aren’t the only people in the world who like travelling around. People all over the world enjoy visiting scenic spots in their own country and going abroad to travel. But in America, almost everybody is a tourist sometime.

Born in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, the 28-year-old Fang Rui works as a     1     (design) in the city after studying overseas.

In May, Fang     2     (organize) a free city walk for around 50 people     3     came from all over the country to experience a deeper connection with Nanjing. The city-walk is now attracting a growing number of     4    (follower) in China, with many young people     5     (take) part.

For tourists as well as locals not     6     (full) familiar with a city’s history and culture, the organized walks are an amazing experience. Walk organizers provide the information and care     7     a city’s cultural heritage (遗产). They also have a better and     8     (deep) understanding of their city. City walks allow people     9    (enjoy) the surroundings.

Fang’s organized walk in May renewed her connection with the city and helped the tour participants better understand its cultural heritage in     10     interesting way.

4 . Considering Grandma Joy was 85, Brad knew it was impractical. To get to the park, they would have to drive 500 miles through the night and it would be the first time in her life she’d _______ and slept outdoors.

Though Brad knew he was crazy, he still called his grandmother and asked her for _______. In the long _______ that followed, Brad expected, for all the right reasons, that it just wasn’t _______. But the old lady _______ him by asking, “When do we leave?”

They arrived at the campground at around 1:30 am in the middle of a rainstorm. Brad tried to _______   the tent. Finally they climbed inside successfully. It reminded him that when he was _______ , his grandmother did everything   _______ with him together.

The skies cleared the next day, and they set off. When they crossed a ravine(溪谷), he would held her hand to avoid _______ on the wet path. She moved ________ with the pace of an 85-year-old woman. They walked slowly. When some people passed her, Brad asked if she wanted to ________.

“I won’t give up even if it is ________ for me,” she told Brad. When they finally got to the top, the hikers gave her a big round of ________. That night Brad made a campfire. He and his grandmother sat next to each other, feeling the warmth and looking at stars. Brad and Grandma Joy opened the box of their ________. They talked about families, about loss, pain and regret and about what had happened.

“Here I had the opportunity to ________ with my grandson,” she said. “I thanked him. I had tears in my eyes. But they were good tears.”

6 . 4 HOMES FROM FAMOUS TV SHOWS

Ever find yourself wondering what it might be like to live in some of TV’s most famous homes? Famous homes can become part of the reason you fall in love with a series, so here are some of our favourite houses.

Modern Family: Jay’s house

The two-story contemporary home is bursting with bold colors and animal prints. But it’s the back yard that makes the house so appealing. The huge pool that’s frequently spotted in various episodes is a strong reminder that we need to move to destination with more sunshine.

Big Little Lies: Madeline’s house

Set on the Californian coast in Monterey, Big Little Lies has made us feel jealous over the casts’ desirable wardrobes, and huge beach houses by the sea. But by far the most beautiful beach nest in the series is Madeline’s house, which is actually located in Malibu. The real house boasts seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and a balcony surrounded by walls providing some unreal ocean views.

The Sopranos: Tony’s house

The spacious New Jersey home has a huge dining area, four bedrooms, an outside pool, and that famous curved driveway featured in the opening credits. It’s no wonder that the famous house has just gone on the market for a whopping 3.4 million! Research shows that the mafia mansion may have more than doubled in value since the show.

American Horror Story: The Coven house

Although taken over by witches in the series and called “Miss Robichaux’s Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies”, the elegant house is actually called Buckner Mansion and is some what of a landmark in New Orleans. The famous home is complete with tall ceilings, impressive chandeliers, and stairs that go on forever.

10 . On an early winter morning, as roosters crow to greet the dawn, and a wisp of smoke rises above the farmhouse roof, villagers in South China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have started a busy day ahead of the Spring Festival.

“We’ve kept a running list of deals and ingredients for the big dinner on New Year’s Eve”, said 32-year-old Pan Zaoxiang in Longji township. Dressed in her holiday best — the traditional clothing of the Yao ethnic group, Pan was born and raised in Dazhai village, located in the core area of the famous tourist attraction of Longji Rice Terraces (梯田).

The village has been named among the Best Tourism Villages of 2022 by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for its breathtaking agricultural view, but Pan said they used to struggle to make ends meet. Surrounded by mountains, Dazhai village was very hard to get to, with only one narrow mud path zigzagging down the hills. Daily necessities and products for farm work could only be delivered by carts. “When I was a child, I longed for the outside world, but that usually took a day and a night to reach the nearest downtown on foot,” said Pan.

Facing the harsh living conditions and the deteriorating ecological environment, the Dazhai villagers turned to the mountains and the massive land cultivated by the elder generations. By cooperating with tourism companies from the tourist city Guilin, villagers became stakeholders (股东) in developing the land into a unique terraced landscape. “My family plants nearly 10,000 mu of rice on the terraced fields, and that means a year-end bonus of over 10,000 yuan,” Pan said.

Villagers like Pan also sniffed out the growing business opportunities in catering and accommodation as more visitors poured in. During this year’s Spring Festival, around 230 homestays across the village are expected to be fully booked, said Yu Qiongtong, Party chief of Dazhai. “I have prepared an abundance of local cuisines and specialties such as sausages, chilies, and sticky rice in bamboo to welcome tourists during the upcoming new year,” Pan said.

Celebrations and various kinds of activities will also be held to present the rich history of the Yao ethnic group. Tourists from home and abroad have great interest not only in the beautiful landscape but the culture, said Pan.