1 . Sitting on the edge of the world, Sydney is considered as one of the world’s greatest cities for a reason. Want to relax yourself in Sydney? This shortlist of things to do and see in Sydney should point you in the right direction.
Hit the beachesEveryone knows about Bondi Beach and its Icebergs pool, restaurants and the crashing waves are the postcard image of Sydney. Bondi is a great place to start. But after you’ve caught some sun or taken a surf lesson with Let’s Go Surfing, we’d suggest taking the Coogee Coastal Walk. Beginning at the Bondi Icebergs swim club, the 3.7-mile walk affords amazing cliffside views of rock pools and bays.
Catch a showSydney is full of events and performances every night of the week. The first place that jumps to mind is the iconic Sydney Opera House, designed by Jorn Utzon. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this incredible piece of architecture doesn’t just do opera. You’ll also find stand-up comedy. ballets, and more. But it’s not the only place in Sydney putting on a show. The 1920s State Theatre, in the central business district, is known to host international ballets, concerts and world-class orchestras.
Go to the zoo
From the skyline views to the charming grounds, there’s a reason why Sydney’s Taronga Zoo attracts more than I million visitors every year. The expansive space plays host to more than 4,000 animals, including tigers, giraffes, kangaroos, platypus, koalas, Komodo dragons, elephants, lions, chimps and more. Love it so much that you never want to leave? Stay the night in one of its luxury safari (狩猎) tents.
Climb the bridgeNicknamed “the coat hanger”, the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened in 1932. Like the Sydney Opera Houses it was an engineering-masterpiece than was way ahead of its time. Sure, you can walk or cycle across the bridge, but the best way to appreciate the architectural wonder is up close and personal.
1. What can you do at Bondi Beach?| A．Enjoy an outdoor concert. | B．Appreciate incredible architecture. |
| C．Enjoy cliffside views. | D．Cycle along the Coogee Coast. |
| A．It surely costs you much to stay overnight. | B．It is located nearby Sydney. |
| C．It provides home for many animals. | D．It hasn’t gained in great popularity. |
| A．They both hold operas. |
| B．They are engineering classics. |
| C．They were built in the 19th century. |
| D．They are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. |
2 . Unusual Castles Around the World
Whether a fantastic achievement of architecture or just a try to appeal to the public intentionally, the four curious castles below are far from ordinary.
Kelburn Castle, Largs, ScotlandWhen viewed from some sides, Kelburn Castle looks like a typical Scottish castle. But on the building’s south side, the stone tower and walls are covered in cartoon-style graffiti (涂鸦). The castle’s graffiti is the work of four artists. The graffiti took 1,500 cans of paint to create.
Predjama Castle, Predjama. SloveniaPredjama Castle was built directly into the mouth of a cave located halfway up a little over 123-meter cliff (悬崖) face. Although the site dates back to at least the 13th century, the current building was reconstructed during the 16th century. The impressive castle holds the Guinness World Records for the largest cave castle in the world.
Swallow’s Nest, Gaspra, CrimeaIt’s common for castles to be built near the edge of a cliff, but few look so unsafe as the Swallow’s Nest in Crimea, which extends out over the Black Sea. The foundation of this small castle, which measures 20 meters in length and 10 meters in width, extends beyond the edge of the 40-meter cliff. The current stone building was once a wooden structure.
Trosky Castle, Troskovice, Czech RepublicOn the top of two volcanic mouths is Trosky Castle, which dates back to the end of the 14th century. Along with the towers on each peak, the castle is also built on the ridge (山脊) that connects the peaks. After a defensive stronghold during war time, the castle was abandoned. The government took control of the site in 1925 and the remains of its walls are now carefully maintained.
1. What highlights Kelburn Castle?| A．Its history. | B．Its location. | C．Its design. | D．Its function. |
| A．They were once rebuilt. | B．They were abandoned. |
| C．They are cave castles. | D．They are the same length. |
| A．Kelburn Castle. | B．Predjama Castle. |
| C．Swallow’s Nest. | D．Trosky Castle. |
3 . The world is full of cheap vacation spots. Here are my favorite cheap places to travel to help you plan your next affordable adventure:
Thailand
Thailand is incredible. It’s also super. affordable. With a tourist trail going back decades, Thailand is the heart of backpacking in Southeast Asia, and you can get by on between $30-35 per day thanks to cheap guesthouses, budget street food (which can be found for as little as $1 !), local buses, and the many cheap and free attractions. However, even at the price, Thailand is still one of the most bargain-friendly destinations in the world and should not be skipped!
Cambodia
It’s affordable and beautiful, and the locals are incredibly hospitable. You can get a private, air-conditioned room for $25, street food for S2-5 and transportation across the entire country for $20-25. If you are spending close to $50 per day, you are living large. Cambodia is cheaper than popular Thailand but just as beautiful and filled with some of the nicest people in the world. Plus, it’s home to the incredible Angkor Wat .
Portugal
It is a country with beautiful beaches, stunning seaside cliffs, delicious food, friendly locals, and historic cities all at bargain prices. Portugal has become a lot more popular and crowded in recent years and Lisbon has become especially expensive as people move there and drive up prices. It’s a great place after all! However, once you get outside of Lisbon, prices are still relatively cheap compared to the rest of Western Europe. Expect to get by on S45-60 per day if you’re a budget backpacker.
Georgia
Georgia has everything 1 need in a destination: it’s cheap, has delicious food and wine, offers incredible hikes and mountain scenery without huge numbers of tourists. You can get by on next to nothing here too, with budget travelers spending as little as $25 per day. Beer is around $2, a week’s worth of groceries costs around $25-30, and most museums and historic sites cost just $2-3.
1. Which country is the best choice, if you have a tight budget?| A．Thailand. | B．Cambodia. | C．Portugal. | D．Georgia. |
| A．Climb up the stunning mountain cliff. | B．Purchase the cheapest things in Lisbon. |
| C．Visit beautiful beaches and historic cities. | D．Enjoy delicious street food and wine. |
| A．In a history book. | B．In a novel. |
| C．In a travel brochure. | D．In an art magazine. |
4 . Hosting the Olympics is costly in both infrastructure and money. The 2012 and 2014 Olympics cost upwards of $16 billion. That was merely to create the various buildings needed for the games.
Berlin is a perfect example. It hosted the Olympics in 1936. Afterwards, the Olympic Village was left to crumble in the surrounding wilderness. Recently, funding has been approved to turn the former athlete residences into new apartments. This could breathe new life into the 135-acre site.
The Olympic Village in Lake Placid
Most people entering this place are in a lot of trouble. The complex, first built in 1980, no longer welcomes athletes. Instead, it houses prisoners. It is the Federal Correctional Institution, Ray Brook. The facility originally housed about 1, 800 athletes.
The Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles
This building used to host weightlifting as well as boxing and wrestling matches. It was first constructed in 1924. After the Games, it continued to host boxing and wrestling matches.
The National Aquatics Center in Beijing
This building was built for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and is commonly referred to as the Water Cube.
| A．The buildings that are reused usually continue to operate as first designed. |
| B．It also held other swimming events. |
| C．Now, it houses about 1, 000 prisoners. |
| D．The building was renovated after the Olympics. |
| E．In addition, it was home to roller derbies and concerts. |
| F．And in some countries, government funds are usually limited. |
| G．And in many cases, those buildings are often left empty afterward. |
5 . Welcome to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC where you can enjoy displays of the 1903 Wright Flyer, Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia, and you can feel a lunar rock by your hands as well. The Albert Einstein Planetarium, Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater, and the Public Observatory on the east end are also accessible. Whether you’re adults or children, daily tours and educational activities are provided for you with scheduled lectures and events all year round.
Hours & Admission: Open every day except December 25. Admission is free.
Regular Hours: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
Extended Hours: 10:00 am to 7:30 pm
December 26 — 30, 2015
March 30— April 20, 2016
Fridays and Saturdays, April 24 — May 16, 2016
May 17 —September 7, 2015
VISITING TIPS
No food and drinks: Only bottled water is permitted in the Museum. You may only consume food and other drinks in the Food Court, not in the Museum. Groups who bring food are encouraged to picnic on the National Mall.
Limit the Number of Bags: All visitors are screened through metal detectors upon entry. Bring as few items as possible to make your entry easier and faster. Please review the list of prohibited items, which include pocket knives and tripods (三脚架). Visitors carrying prohibited items will not be allowed to go inside the museum, so please leave them at home or in your car before you step into the museum.
Please Take Photos: You are welcome to take photos for personal use. However, tripods and monopods (单脚架) are not permitted without approval.
1. If you plan to visit the museum at 6:30 pm, will be suitable for you.| A．November 1, 2015 | B．September 8, 2015 |
| C．April 21, 2016 | D．April 19, 2016 |
| A．touch a lunar rock | B．bring tripods to take pictures |
| C．attend scheduled lectures | D．pay a visit without buying tickets |
| A．advertise the museum | B．attract people to explore space |
| C．introduce the displays in the museum | D．appeal to people to enjoy meals in the Food Court |
6 . From a multi-day trek to a classic clamber, there are thousands of incredible trails that allow us to get close to nature.
Appalachian Trail, United StatesExtending for 2,200 miles, the Appalachian Trail is listed as the longest hiking—only footpath in the world. It runs from Springer Mountain to Mount Katahdin, passing through some of the most remote country in the US. That means it’s a task, either for those with endless vacation allowance, or walkers looking to do a small piece of a classic route. Well-marked paths and campsites mean it can be tackled alone.
Mount Toubkal, MoroccoNorth Africa’s highest peak at 4,167 meters, a hike to the top isn’t for the faint-hearted. The path rises from a village and on towards a large mountain hut. After overnighting here, hikers set off up the snowfield to the summit, where the Atlas Mountains open out and the views are relentless.
The Basho Wayfarer, JapanThe six-day trek starts in Sendai and works its way through the northern region, passing through the UNESCO World Heritage Site and along the ancient Dewa Kaido path, heading into the mountains and finishing at the temple of Yamadera.
The Dingle Way, IrelandStretching 111 miles, The Dingle Way is a circular path that offers the best way to get under the skin of wild County Kerry in Ireland’s south west. Starting in the town of Tralee, the clockwise path follows narrow roads, taking in the wide sweep of sand at Inch Strand, passing along the cliff tops and heading around the edge of Mount Brandon.
1. Appalachian Trail in the US is suitable for the hikers __________.| A．who challenge it as a task. | B．who needn’t go to work at all. |
| C．who have a big traveling budget. | D．who want to explore lonely places. |
| A．The Dingle Way, Ireland. | B．Mount Toubkal, Morocco. |
| C．The Basho Wayfarer, Japan. | D．Appalachian Trail, United States. |
| A．Its route finishes at a temple. | B．Its route is upward to a mountain. |
| C．Its route is actually like a circle. | D．Its route is the longest in the world. |
7 . Top Places to Visit in the World
Bora Bora Island
Bora Bora Island is known for its expensive stays and adventurous activities. The hotels in Bora Bora offer full privacy and their floating villas (别墅) have direct entrance to the sea. May to October is the time when the island receives a lot of tourists. But the best time to go to Bora Bora is November to April. During this time you can skip the crowd and get the perfect weather.
Bali Island
Bali is an Indonesian island and known for its volcanic mountains. It’s very distinctive in terms of history and culture. For its beauty, it has a lot of names, such as Island of Gods, The Last Paradise, Land of Thousand Temples and Morning of the World. Bali has world-class surfing and diving places. April to June and September to October along with Christmas & New Year are the best time to visit Bali.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is an American national park located in southwestern Utah. This place is known for layered red and orange rocks which are geological (地质的) structures and make this place a famous one with more than 2 million people visiting it every year. May to September is considered the best time to visit Bryce Canyon National park.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
One of the most remarkable Australian natural gifts is the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The feature of this place is “richness” and “beauty”. This place is blessed with the breathtaking beauty of the world’s largest coral reef. The water is clear there, which allows you to take a deep dive. The best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is between June and October. Visiting is not allowed in April.
1. What is the best time to go to Bora Bora Island if you want to avoid the crowd?| A．March. | B．June. | C．August. | D．September. |
| A．The Bali Island. | B．The Bryce Canyon National Park. |
| C．The Bora Bora Island. | D．The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. |
| A．They have the largest coral reef. | B．They, can be visited in April. |
| C．They offer diving places. | D．They feature history and culture. |
8 . A WONDERFUL NIGHT AT CHANGSHA AQUARIUM(海洋馆)
Have you ever seen sea animals at night? What do they do? Eat? Sleep? Swim? Let’s go and enjoy the happy time.Time:6:30 p.m.～8:30 p.m. on Saturday.
* You can enjoy dinner at our restaurant under the water from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
*You can’t eat anything while you are watching the sea animals.
*Each tour costs 15 yuan. You can buy the tickets at the gate of the aquarium.
*You can decide which tour you will join after you arrive at the aquarium.
1. If you want to enjoy 4 tours, how much will you pay for them?| A．15 yuan. | B．30 yuan. | C．45 yuan. | D．60 yuan. |
| A．Feed the fish. | B．Eat food. |
| C．Take pictures. | D．Walk with the penguins. |
| A．Half an hour. | B．One hour. |
| C．One and a half hours. | D．Two hours. |
9 . Hershey’s Chocolate World Tours
The centre of the Hershey’s Chocolate universe, the 2-story redbrick Hershey’s Chocolate World delves (钻研) into the company’s history and production
process. Located in aptly named Hershey, Pennsylvania, the venue offers free tours that reveal the how-it-happens details of their luscious products — and, naturally, offers chocolate tastings.
Things to Know Before You Go
●Hershey’s Chocolate World is ideal for chocoholics of all ages.
●Strollers are allowed inside the building but must be parked in a designated area to ride the rides. Strollers are available for rent on-site.
●Free WiFi is available throughout Hershey’s Chocolate World.
●Hershey’s Chocolate Tour, Chocolate Tasting Experience, and 4-D Chocolate Mystery are accessible to wheelchairs.
How to Get There
Hershey’s Chocolate World is located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, about 18 miles (29 kilometres) from Harrisburg and 96 miles (155 kilometres) from Philadelphia. It’s free to park at Hershey’s Chocolate World for up to one hour. Shuttles run to Chocolate World from all of the Hershey park resorts.
When to Get There
Chocolate World is open from 9 am daily;closing times vary by season, and it is closed on Christmas Day. Saturdays are the busiest day to visit Chocolate World and nearby Hershey park; visit on a weekday if you want to avoid crowds. The trolley dons seasonal themes for Halloween and the holiday season with special hours to visit popular downtown light displays in winter.
DIY Candy Bar
One of the most popular activities at Hershey’s Chocolate World is the Create a Candy Bar zone. After purchasing a ticket, you can choose your own ingredients and wrapper to make a custom candy bar to take home.
1. What attracts visitors most in Chocolate World?| A．Learning its production process. |
| B．Watching 4-D Chocolate Mystery. |
| C．Visiting downtown light displays. |
| D．Making candy bars with your own hands. |
| A．strollers can be allowed anywhere |
| B．visitors can taste chocolate for free |
| C．tourists must pay to take the tour |
| D．kids must be restricted in a designated area |
| A．Hershey’s Chocolate Tours have barrier-free facilities. |
| B．Parking is not allowed in Chocolate World. |
| C．Chocolate World is open all the year round. |
| D．Chocolate World closes at the same time daily. |
Antarctica is the center of important scientific research. However, with an increasing number of day, scientists have to leave their work to greet a group of tourists who are taking a vacation in this continent of ice. Even though their desire to enjoy this vast and beautiful landscape can be appreciated, Antarctica should be closed to tourists.
Tourists in Antarctica can damage scientific research and hurt the environment. When tourist groups come, they take scientists away from their research. The work is difficult and some of the projects can be damaged by such simple mistakes as opening the wrong door or knocking against a small piece of equipment. In addition, tourists in Antarctica can also hurt the environment. Members of Greenpeace, one of the world’s leading environmental organizations, complain tourists leave trash on beaches and disturb the plants and animals. In a place as frozen as Antarctica, it can take one hundred years for a plant to grow back.
The need to protect Antarctica from tourists becomes even greater when we consider the fact that there is no government here. Antarctica belongs to no country. Who is making sure that the penguins, plants and sea are safe? No one is responsible. It is true that the number of tourists who visit Antarctica each year is smaller compared to the number of those who visit other places. However, these other places are controlled by local governments. They have an interest in protecting their natural environments. Who is concerned about the environment of Antarctica? The scientist, to be sure, but not necessarily the tour companies that make money from sending people south.
If we don’t protect Antarctica from tourism, there may be serious consequences for us all. We might lose the results of scientific research projects. It’s possible that these results could teach us something important about the causes and effects of climate change. Some fragile plants and animals might die and disappear forever. This could damage the balance of animal and plant life in Antarctica. We know from past experience that when things get unbalanced, harmful changes can occur.
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