1 . The Best Hiking near New York City
If you want to go hiking near New York City, you’re in luck. These trails (小径) can meet your needs.
Yellow Trail at Mount Beacon
Consider this 2.5-mile trail if you don’t have enough time. You can go on a quick but difficult hike there that sends you straight up the Mount Beacon. You can take in beautiful views similar to its more popular neighbors there. You can even watch the sunset. To get there, take Metro-North to Beacon and then take a 5-minute walk to the beginning of the trail.
Stairway to Heaven Trail
The trail lies about 50 miles outside the city, but it allows you to get everything you ever wanted in a hike. You’ll get good exercise if you choose the 7.3-mile “Stairway to Heaven”. Take NJ Transit bus route 196 or 197 to Warwick, New York, and it’s just a 10-minute taxi ride to the beginning of the trail.
Camp Smith Trail
This 3.5-mile hike is great for a day trip by yourself. With fairly easy landform (地形), even your four-legged friend can join you on the trail. Take the Metro-North Hudson line to Peekskill Station for free buses or trains to the Bear Mountain Inn. And you can hike up to see unbelievable Hudson Valley view.
Ice Caves and Verkeerderkill Falls Trail
Along the 7-mile trail, you will get through the passages of the Ice Caves and walk past Verkeerderkill Falls. The trail is the highest waterfall trail in the Shawangunks. Take the Short Line bus from New York to nearby Ellenville and then take a 14-minute taxi ride to Sam’s Point Preserve.
1. What can you do if you choose Yellow Trail at Mount Beacon?A.Watch the waterfall. |
B.Enjoy the beauty of nature. |
C.Have team sports in the wild. |
D.Experience mountain biking. |
A.Yellow Trail at Mount Beacon. |
B.Stairway to Heaven Trail. |
C.Camp Smith Trail. |
D.Ice Caves and Verkeerderkill Falls Trail. |
A.They are easy to get to. |
B.They are near the city center. |
C.They are suitable for small kids. |
D.They attract many hikers every year. |
2 . Over the last century, engineers all over the world have spared no effort to achieve the unachievable in bridge design.
Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge
No bridge is as long as the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge in the world. The 164.8-kilometre-long bridge built in 2011 in China serves as part of the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway. The trip from Ningbo to Jiaxing that previously took 4.5 hours has been reduced to two, thanks to this bridge.
Rio-Niterói Bridge
Completed in 1974, the Rio-Niterói Bridge in Brazil is the second-longest bridge in all of Latin America connecting the cities of Rio and Niterói across the Guanabara Bay. The Rio-Niterói Bridge is technically known as a “box-girder (箱形梁)” bridge, made of special concrete. It receives an astonishing 140,000 (or more) vehicles per day.
Hartland Covered Bridge
The Hartland Covered Bridge is the world’s longest covered bridge. The 1,282-foot-long bridge was opened in 1901 and has been on Canada’s list of National Historic Sites since 1980. Although it was originally built without a roof, the bridge was capped with wooden materials during the repairs in 1921.
Jiaozhou Bay Bridge
The newly-built Jiaozhou Bay Bridge in China was named “world’s longest bridge over water” by Guinness Book of World Records in 2011, a title previously held by the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. The dispute was settled when the title of “longest continuous bridge over water” was given to the causeway, with the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge receiving the title of “longest bridge over water”.
1. On which of the following can trains pass?A.Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge. |
B.Rio-Niterói Bridge. |
C.Hartland Covered Bridge. |
D.Jiaozhou Bay Bridge. |
A.It is a busy bridge. | B.It was built in 1980. |
C.It has a roof. | D.It is a wooden bridge. |
A.In America. | B.In Brazil. | C.In Canada. | D.In China. |
3 . Scotland is packed with beautiful places to visit and you could honestly spend months and months exploring everything this wonderful country has to offer! Next I’m going to take you through some of the best place to visit in Scotland, based on where we have personally visited so far!
Glen Coe
If you asked me where my favourite place to visit in all of Scotland is... I would say, Glen Coe. The whole area of Glen Coe constantly had my face in shock due to the beauty that I was witnessing1 was witnessing (亲眼看见). It’s just a stream of dramatic mountains, lakes, rugged (崎岖的) beauty and more.
Fort William
Fort William is probably one of the most well-known places to visit in Scotland. It’s a popular tourist destination thanks to being home to the UK’s tallest mountain: Ben Nevis. Fort William is also the starting point for one of the world’s most famous train rides: The Jacobite. Harry Potter fans will recognize it as the Hogwarts Express, and this train ride will take you through the beautiful countryside, crossing some iconic Harry Potter filming locations such as the Dumbledore’s Grave and the Glenfinnan Viaduct!
Isle Of Skye
This island feels totally different from other parts of Scotland and is truly rugged and ready! There are many hot spots to explore including the Old Man of Storr, the Fairy Glen. I even stayed on a private island with its very own lighthouse, which was one of the coolest places I’ve ever visited and one of the most romantic places stay in Scotland.
Cairngorms National Park
This is the largest national park in the UK so it’s another popular place to visit in Scotland and it’s no surprise why. It’s absolutely beautiful and there’s so much happening at the Cairngorms National Park! From skiing or meeting local reindeers, you’ll not go bored and you’ll be surrounded by beauty the entire time.
1. Which place probably attracts Harry Potter fans most?A.Glen Coe. | B.Isle Of Skye. |
C.Cairngorms National Park. | D.Fort William. |
A.The Jacobite. | B.Local reindeers. |
C.The UK’s tallest mountain. | D.A cool lighthouse. |
A.A geography textbook | B.A science journal. |
C.A travel blog. | D.A diary. |
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. |
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. |
A.Her memory. | B.Her balance. |
C.Her physical strength. | D.Her sense of direction. |
A.Brave and hopeful. | B.Humorous and outgoing. |
C.Hard-working and helpful. | D.Thoughtful and self-confident. |
5 . A flood hit Yellowstone National Park on June 13, 2022. The disaster was caused by a combination of unusually heavy rains and rapid snow melt. The high and fast water flows destroyed bridges and swept away entire roadways, leaving communities and homes isolated. Fortunately, the approximately 10,000 park visitors were safely evacuated.
The town of Gardiner, along the Montana-Wyoming border, was particularly hard hit. The floodwaters left almost 900 people with no power or water for many days. Gardiner’s economy, which depends on the almost three-quarters of a million visitors who pass through the park’s north gate annually, is likely to take a hit. The floodwaters severely damaged the main north entrance road to Yellowstone, and could take years to rebuild.
Park officials have begun work on improving an alternative road to Gardiner. This will ensure that locals can access food, supplies, and other essential emergency services. A limited number of tourists may also be allowed into Gardiner once the road is stable.
Yellowstone’s north gate is closed indefinitely. But the park’s south gate opened to visitors on June 22, 2022. Park officials have started a new entry system to prevent overcrowding. It is based on the last number of the visitor’s vehicle license plate and the calendar date of the month. Cars with odd (奇数的) numbers can visit the park on odd days of the month, while those with even (偶数的) numbers can go on even days.
Established in 1872, Yellowstone is America’s oldest national park. The 3,472-square-mile reserve spans three states and is home to many unique wildlife. It is known for its natural beauty that includes mountains, rivers and lakes. The forces of fire and ice shaped the park over thousands of years.
1. What does the underlined word “isolated” in paragraph 1 probably mean?A.Tracked. | B.Separated. |
C.Decorated. | D.Improved. |
A.Gardiner’s economy would get into trouble. |
B.Communities and homes were left in ruins. |
C.Almost 900 people were trapped in the park. |
D.The park’s south gate was closed for a while. |
A.Local people can get daily necessities from visitors. |
B.The park has adopted a new system to recognize faces. |
C.The license plate number decides when cars enter the park. |
D.More tourists may flood into the park for geological features. |
A.Flooding has caused widespread damage in the US. |
B.Yellowstone National Park is closed due to flooding. |
C.People can visit Yellowstone National Park any day. |
D.Natural beauty makes Yellowstone famous. |
6 . Still waiting for your letter to arrive by owl (猫头鹰)? Don’t worry. You can still lose yourself in the magical world of Harry Potter, just by following this four-day route.
Day 1 Overview Edinburgh
It was in Scotland’s capital city that J.K. Rowling started to plot the adventures of Harry and his fellows. With stoned streets, winding alleys(小巷) and medieval(中世纪的) architecture, the city certainly has a few things in common with the settings from the books and films. She wrote the early chapters in various cafes around the city’s Old Towns.
Day 2 Overview travel to Fort William
Travel by train from Edinburgh to Glasgow and from there, and you can take the West Highland Line to Fort William. This is a great way to see some famous spots from the window, including the mysterious Rannoch Moor, the place where Death Eaters board the train in the movie Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.
Day 3 Overview all aboard the Hogwarts express
Witness the sweeping cinematic scenery straight out of the eight successful films by booking a seat on the Jacobite Steam Train, which travels from Fort William to Mallaig along the West Highland Line. Stop for lunch in Mallaig and then make the return journey to Fort William. Please be sure to book the steam train in advance, as it is a very popular experience. It opens for the season in April.
Day 4 Overview lakes and valleys
In the films, mysterious, misty landscapes frame(衬托) the background of Harry’s tale, so it’s no surprise that the producers chose the Highlands for many scenes. Spend a day wandering through some of these beautiful spots and feel the magical atmosphere.
1. Where did J.K.Rowling first start to create Harry Potter?A.In Mallaig. | B.In Edinburgh. |
C.In Glasgow. | D.In Fort William. |
A.Have lunch earlier than usual. | B.Learn about the return ticket. |
C.Make a reservation beforehand. | D.Take a training course in April |
A.Day 1. | B.Day 2. | C.Day 3. | D.Day 4. |
7 . With the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park to its east, Zhongnanhai to its south, Beihai Park, also known as Northern Sea Park, is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved ancient imperial gardenst (皇家花园) in China located in the center of Beijing.
Beihai Park is said to be built according to a traditional Chinese legend. The story is that once upon a time there were three magic mountains called “Penglai”, “Yingzhou” and “Fangzhang”. Gods in those mountains had a kind of medicine which would help humans gain immortality (永生). Consequently, many emperors constantly sought those mountains. I For example, Emperor Qin Shihuang had sent people to look for the magic mountains but they failed. Emperor Wudi, the fifth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty did similar things.
It was believed that different mountain-water combinations in ancient Chinese architecture led to totally different effects. So from then on, almost every emperor during the succeeding dynasties would build a royal garden with one-pool-with-three-hill layout near his palace. Beihai Park was surely built after this traditional style: the water of Beihai with Zhongnanhai is the Taiye Pool; the Jade Flowery Islet, the island of the Circular City and the Xishantai Island represent the three magic mountains.
Actually, Beihai Park was initially built in the Liao Dynasty (916-1125) and was repaired and rebuilt in the following dynasties including Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing. The large-scale rebuilding in the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) generally established the present scale and pattern. In 1925, it was first opened to the public, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.
It is enjoyable to walk around the various scenic areas in Beihai Park. There are many places to visit, including the Bai Ta, Five-Dragon Pavilions, Nine-Dragon Wall, Yong’an Temple and so on. There is also a classy restaurant called Fangshan Restaurant where the Empress Cixi once dined.
1. Where is Beihai Park?A.Near the ocean. | B.In the south of Zhongnanhai. |
C.To the west side of Jingshan Park. | D.In the uptown area of Beijing City. |
A.They loved to listen to stories. | B.They both pursued immortality. |
C.They were mountain-climbing lovers. | D.They were the first emperor of their dynasties. |
A.Less than 100 years old. | B.About 500 years old. |
C.About 1, 000 years old. | D.Nearly 2, 000 years old. |
A.A famous park. | B.Historical palaces. |
C.An unforgettable legend. | D.Ancient architectural styles. |
8 . The Chengdu Natural History Museum has been opened to the public for some time! If you have not been to it, don’t worry. Today, you will have a “cloud visit” with us first.
With a total exhibition area of about 17,000 square meters, The Chengdu Natural History Museum has nearly 70,000 collections and about 10,000 exhibits on display.
● Hall of Geological Environment From the Big Bang to the earth’s evolution, this hall offers tourists an excellent review of the earth through scene restoration and specimen (标本) exhibition. ● Hall of Mineral Resources It is like an amazing world of minerals. Dazzling minerals and gems are waiting for you to enjoy their beauties carefully. ● Hall of Dinosaurs’ Secret The exhibition hall tells the origin, evolution and extinction of dinosaurs, and introduces visitors to the mysterious stories of the age of dinosaurs and the five major dinosaur families. ● Hall of Diverse Life Lifelike animal specimens are displayed throughout the exhibition hall, and visitors get immersed in the wonderful animal world. In addition, there is an AR screen for interaction, making this place a paradise for animal lovers! |
Besides the permanent exhibition halls, the museum also has 2 temporary exhibition halls and a 4D cinema hall that is not yet open. Hopefully, you can visit them soon!
Opening time
Open at 9:00-17:00 from Tuesday to Sunday (visitors are not allowed to enter the museum after 16:30); closed on Monday.
Admission ticket reservation
Please make your reservation at least one day in advance on the WeChat account of “Chengdu Natural History Museum”. Real-name reservations can be made with the number of your ID card or passport.
For more information, please click https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/1hjvAXvgRisrO1bO0d65TA.
1. If you like animals, which of the following is the best choice?A.Hall of Geological Environment. | B.Hall of Mineral Resources. |
C.Hall of Dinosaurs’ Secret. | D.Hall of Diverse Life. |
A.at 10:00 on Monday morning | B.at 11:00 on Thursday morning |
C.at 3:20 on Sunday afternoon | D.at 4:20 on Saturday afternoon |
A.A textbook. | B.A website. | C.A guidebook. | D.A magazine. |
9 . Zibo city in Shandong has unexpectedly become famous on Chinese social media since late February for its local barbecue specialty, and this trend continues as the local government takes the opportunity to promote tourism and spending.
The latest promotion gives visitors free admission to 10 scenic spots in the city with their train tickets as long as their final destination is Zibo. This move followed another on March 31 under which the Jinan bureau of China Railway added a weekend special round-trip “barbecue tour” train between Jinan.
Passengers who get on the train are greeted by a banner reading “Welcome to the Special BBQ Train”at the entrance of the train. Many also took videos and posted them on social media, drawing more visitors.
Barbecue is popular in China, and Zibo’s barbecue has its own local features: it’s made on a stove, and is served with flatbread and dressings. The food is 70-80 percent cooked before it is brought to the table, where diners can finish cooking it on their own stoves. Diners are served with flatbreads, scallions and other dressings at the table so they are able to assemble their own barbecue parcels, in much the same way Peking Duck is eaten.
The barbecue suddenly became famous after a group of college students shot videos of themselves enjoying a meal in Zibo and posted them on social media in late February. Since then, many people, mostly young, have come to the city from all over the country to try the dish.
On several streets, lines can be seen outside barbecue restaurants, which stretch for more than 100 meters on the weekend.
“Zibo barbecue is bringing more and more people to the city, and the local government needs to think about how to promote the city as a whole, its culture and tourism, as well as its living and business environment,” said Sun Xiaorong, an expert of tourism marketing and promotion. The trend will eventually end if the local government doesn’t take proper follow-up measures, he added.
1. What does paragraph 1 mainly talk about?A.Zibo city’s snacks. |
B.Zibo city’s places of interest. |
C.The reasons why Zibo is famous recently. |
D.The challenges Zibo meets with at present. |
A.It is usually paired with flatbread and dressings. |
B.It is as delicious as Peking Duck. |
C.It is totally toasted by the cook on the stove. |
D.It is very cheap and various. |
A.Young people’s dreams. |
B.Local government’s measures. |
C.Barbecue restaurants in Zibo city. |
D.Some college students’ promotion. |
A.Objective. | B.Negative. |
C.Curious | D.Doubtful. |
The Summer Palace is China’s largest garden ever built. Covering
When