1 . It seems that we just can’t get enough of roller coasters. Today we look at some top amusement parks and the roller coasters which have helped make them famous.
Holiday World
It is a family park that resists the exciting atmosphere of its competitors and instead offers a more relaxing and friendly experience. Rare in that it is privately owned and it has many features other parks can’t match. There is lots of entertainment for youngsters, and the park’s family-friendly policy offers free entry to the water park, reasonable food prices and unlimited soft drinks free of charge.
Lake Compounce
Lake Compounce, one of America’s more traditional parks, is a rare find indeed. As the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the US, it has been a popular family spot since 1846. Like many old-time parks, it witnessed the danger of being closed. Luckily, in 1977, a well-known company gave its revival with new rides appealing to many new fans.
Knott’s Berry Farm
As one of America’s favourite theme parks, Knott’s has something for everyone. For those seeking a breathtaking rush, try the roller coaster, GhostRider or the Xcelerator. GhostRider is the single largest attraction in amusement park history and one of the longest and tallest wooden roller coasters in the world. If you are after something less exciting, go visit the heart of Knott’s, Ghost Town, for a glance of life in the Wild West of the 1880s. With its cowboys, steam trains and historic buildings-many transported from mining towns-Ghost Town will let you relive a piece of the past.
Islands of Adventure
In the style of Walt Disney World, Islands of Adventure is divided into themed “lands”. Unlike the sugar-coated Magic Kingdom, however, IOA features attractions promising to set the heart racing. While the Spiderman is fantastic, you haven’t truly lived until you’ve experienced The Incredible Hulk’s wild and unique uphill launch. The effect is like being trapped inside an airplane that’s flying out of control.
1. What is special about Holiday World?| A．It provides free food. | B．It owns the latest ride technology. |
| C．It belongs to an individual. | D．It creates the exciting atmosphere. |
| A．Holiday World. | B．Lake Compounce. |
| C．Knott’s Berry Farm. | D．Islands of Adventure. |
| A．It is divided into different lands. | B．It plays many famous movies. |
| C．It has more visitors waiting in line. | D．It provides a very exciting experience. |
1. What are the speakers talking about?
| A．Arranging a weekend trip. |
| B．Buying some works of art. |
| C．Writing a paper on museums. |
| A．Center Georges Pompidou. |
| B．Musée du Louvre. |
| C．Musée d’Orsay. |
| A．$350. | B．$200. | C．$120. |
3 . If you’re a museum fan looking for a new place to explore, 2023 has you covered. New museums and exhibitions are opening, and some zoos are expanding.
Grand Egyptian Museum
Outside Cairo
Opens: To be announced
2022 marked the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb. Now, thousands of man-made objects from the tomb—along with tens of thousands of other archaeological (考古学的) finds from ancient Egypt—will go on display when this museum, located within view of the Pyramids of Giza, opens.
Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation
American Museum of Natural History
New York City
Opens: June 17, 2023
This building which has many floors will add tons of new exhibit space to the more than 150-year-old museum. Visitors can explore an insectarium (昆虫馆) that includes one of the world’s largest displays of live leaf-cutting ants and come face-to-face with dozens of butterfly species. Meanwhile, the interconnection of life will be on display in the immersive (沉浸式虚拟现实的), 360-degree “Invisible Worlds” exhibition.
Galapagos Islands
Houston Zoo
Opens: August 2023
If you can’t travel to the Galápagos Islands, a trip to Texas might be the next best thing. Giant tortoises, iguanas, penguins, sea lions, sharks and other creatures will inhabit this new exhibition that will re-create the land and marine ecosystems of the group of islands made famous by Charles Darwin.
Kansas City Zoo Aquarium
Opens: September 2023
The 34 exhibits of this new aquarium will allow visitors to see a wide variety of ocean locales briefly without having to leave the Midwest. Underwater residents will include sea urchins (海胆) and sea anemones (海葵) in a warm intertidal zone.
1. Which place would you prefer if you are interested in archaeological finds?| A．Galapagos Islands. |
| B．Grand Egyptian Museum. |
| C．Kansas City Zoo Aquarium. |
| D．American Museum of Natural History. |
| A．Butterfly species. | B．Advanced robots. |
| C．Sea anemones. | D．Ancient paintings. |
| A．They exhibit ocean creatures. |
| B．They are in the same city. |
| C．They will open in the same month. |
| D．They re-create the land and marine ecosystems. |
1. Where is the Base located?
| A．10 km away from the city center. |
| B．Less than 30 km from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. |
| C．No.1357 Panda Road. |
| A．Feeding the animals using bamboo. |
| B．Chatting loudly with friends. |
| C．Taking pictures for pandas without flashes. |
| A．Refilling a cup of hot coffee. | B．Buying food for dinner. | C．Using an umbrella when it rains. |
| A．Tourists visiting the Base. |
| B．Volunteers taking care of the wild animals. |
| C．Scientists doing research at the Base. |
5 . Must-visit Diverse Cultural Experiences While in the Palm Beaches
The Palm Beaches, spanning over 75 kilometres along the Atlantic Ocean, has historic landmarks, inspiring street art and breath-taking wildlife. The Palm Beaches is best-known for great shopping, and it is considered Florida’s Cultural Capital with over 4,000 events each year. The following are must-visits to your trip.
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
In the early 1900s, Jo Sakai, born in Miyazu, Japan and a recent graduate of New York University, created a community of Japanese farmers. The mission of the Morikami Museum is to engage a diverse audience by presenting Japanese cultural experiences. The Yamato-Kan, which is the museum’s original building, is modeled after a Japanese villa (别墅).
The Square
Located in the heart of the downtown of West Palm Beach, The Square(formerly Rosemary Square) is a 72-acre destination where you’ll find shopping, dining, and entertainment, as well as a dynamic cultural scene worth exploring. The Square is home to the largest concentration of public art installed by a private company in Palm Beach County.
Silverball Museum
Imagine you’re about to step into a local museum. What do you expect to see? The Silver-ball Museum is an interactive museum where visitors are encouraged to not only touch the exhibits but to enthusiastically enjoy hours of hands-on fun while learning about the history of each item. Dozens of classic machines fill the room giving a brief history of the machines and special drawings.
Where to stay
If you’re looking for somewhere bright and good situation for your stay in the Palm Beaches, then you need to experience the Aloft Delray Beach hotel. The new hotel blends special design, modern style and technology for the travellers. Moreover, it’s not just a hotel: close to white sandy beaches, art venues, restaurants, local shopping and a short drive to Boca Raton.
1. What is the Palm Beaches most famous for?| A．Its length. | B．Historic landmarks. |
| C．Shopping. | D．Monthly events. |
| A．Honouring Jo Sakai. | B．Honouring Japanese farmers. |
| C．Presenting diverse customs. | D．Offering Japanese cultural experiences. |
| A．Modern. | B．Quiet. | C．Traditional. | D．Expensive. |
6 . Fishing trips to Canada are a tradition for Jeffrey Hardy and his three friends from America. This summer in 2023, the forest air polluted with wildfire smoke forced the men to give up their mid-June fishing plan. Canada’s wildfire season put its tourism industry at a crucial time.
Except some days of poor air quality, major Canadian cities remain unaffected by wildfires. The fires are in the country’s northern areas that have drawn travelers interested in outdoor experiences in years past.
In a recent report by Destination Canada, a marketing organization, half of the total spent by international visitors is in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. But other Canadian destinations attractive to visitors have been affected by the wildfires.
In preparation for increasing visitor sizes and ongoing wildfires, some businesses are thinking about changing their operations, which see outdoor recreation (娱乐) as a tourism opportunity. A nonprofit travel agency is considering creating a questionnaire (调查问卷) for customers to show when they would cancel a booking because of road closes from the wildfires, poor air quality and a lack of visibility.
Tourism in British Columbia contributes greatly to its economy. The province has various recreational offerings, from the major ski destinations to hiking along the coast. Blackcomb, a helicopter tour company, has canceled its sightseeing offerings, using most of its helicopters on the firefighting effort until at least early August. “It’s the question of flying our customers around on sightseeing tours or putting out fire s within 10 kilometers of our bases and the communities that we live in,” said Jordy Norris, the company’s tourism director. “We made it clear to both our staff and our customers that we have a duty to protect the backyard.”
Darrin Rigo, a photographer, recently saw a photo of a beautiful waterfall engulfed in fire on a media page. “I’m sure that’s not going to last long, and everything will turn to normal.” he said.
1. Which part of Canada is most affected by the wildfire?| A．Canada’s central part. | B．The northern areas. |
| C．Major Canadian cities. | D．Places with few visitors. |
| A．He is sad about his company’s loss from the fire. |
| B．He is confident about the use of the questionnaire. |
| C．He is glad to join in the fight against the wildfire. |
| D．He is stressed about the fire’s effect on his company. |
| A．Covered. | B．Donated | C．Rescued. | D．Protected. |
| A．Tourism Suffers Great Loss in the Wildfire | B．All of Canada Have Acted to Beat Wildfire |
| C．Most of Canada Is Affected by the Wildfire | D．Wildfire Won’t Stop Canada’s Tourism Development |
7 . Los Angeles is always a popular holiday destination. To fully enjoy your travel there, you should know its food, weather, and also traffic. While driving in L. A. is similar to that in other areas, there are a few specific rules to note.
HOV lanes (车道)
On many L. A. freeways, one or more lanes at the far left are used as high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. They usually have limited access and you can only enter or exit where there is a break in the double yellow line. Most HOV lanes require a minimum of two people in the car; some require three. Vehicles towing trailers (拖车) are NOT allowed in the HOV lane, regardless of how many people are in them.
Toll (收费) lanes
On certain freeways, the HOV lanes are double-purposed as toll lanes for people driving alone who have a FasTrak, an electronic toll collection system. Therefore, you also have to have one in that lane as a HOV, which is inconvenient if you’re just visiting. FasTrak is in effect on parts of the 110 freeway between the 405 and 10 freeways, and on parts of the 10 freeway east of Downtown L. A.
Cell phones
It is against the law to talk on a cell phone while driving without using a hands-free device. Holding a cell phone to your ear while driving will land you with a ticket.
Alcohol
Driving under the influence is taken seriously in L.A. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08%, but you can be charged with lower levels if they show you can’t function normally. Placing an opened bottle of alcohol in the passenger area while driving (or sitting) is illegal. Any opened container of alcohol has to be transported in the trunk.
1. What do you know about HOV lanes?| A．They encourage people to share cars. |
| B．They are on the far right of freeways. |
| C．They are intended for larger vehicles. |
| D．They allow cars to enter over the double yellow line. |
| A．Driving on the 110 freeway with a FasTrak. |
| B．Putting the cell phone in the car while driving. |
| C．Riding with an opened bottle of alcohol in back seats. |
| D．Going below the blood alcohol limit of 0. 08%. |
| A．A traffic law. | B．A road map. |
| C．A guidebook. | D．A report. |
1. How much does it cost to buy an adult ticket and a child ticket?
| A．About$36. | B．About$38. | C．About $40. |
| A．They’re confusing. | B．They’re interesting. | C．They’re special. |
| A．A small cafe. | B．An outdoor balcony. | C．A glass floor. |
| A．It’s on the 122ⁿd floor. |
| B．Its food is inexpensive. |
| C．It has good natural light. |
9 . The UK is blessed with some 1,000 ancient woods, which are free to visit today. Here are just four of the most appealing.
Quick Fact
1. Duncliffe Wood, Dorset Age: 900+years old
This splendid ancient woodland sits on Duncliffe Hill and can be seen for miles around. Lots of butterflies, birds and wildflowers are dotted among the huge tree trunks.
2. Martinshaw Wood, Leicestershire Age: 900+years old
The vast, picturesque Martinshaw Wood is steeped in history and packed with wildlife. You could see a host of rare and interesting insects. Birds are also plentiful here, including woodcock and mistle thrushes. This wood can be traced back to at least the 13th century, when it was part of a large deer park. Historical features include banks, earthen dams and a wide sunken track that appears to lead to ancient places where large quantities of stones are dug out of the ground.
3. Aversley Wood, Cambridgeshire Age: 10,000 years old
This Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) has breathtaking views, plentiful birdlife and wild flowers. Wildlife species include the silver-washed fritillary butterfly, treecreeper and great crested newt. Much of Aversley Wood is ancient, which has been wooded since before the Middle Ages-some areas even since the Last Ice Age.
4. Dering Wood, Kent Age: 1,400+years old
Dering Wood is an impressive showcase for wildlife and history. You’ll discover distinctive features including well-preserved woodbanks and agricultural drainage(排水)systems.
Protecting Together
There’s no better way to ensure ancient woods can benefit future generations of both wildlife and people than by becoming a member of our organization. You’ll help keep living history safe, plant more trees to keep our planet healthy, and make sure more than 1,000 of our woods-like the ones mentioned here-remain open for everyone to enjoy. Visit woodlandtrust.org.uk to join us today.
1. How is Martinshaw Wood different from the other woods?| A．It once belonged to a park. | B．It has signs of human activity. |
| C．It has plentiful kinds of birds | D．It dates back to the 13th century. |
| A．In Kent. | B．In Cambridgeshire. |
| C．In Dorset. | D．In Leicestershire |
| A．To attract visitors to the website. | B．To raise funds for UK woodland. |
| C．To popularize some ancient woods. | D．To appeal for woodland conservation. |
10 . With the Easter Holidays just around the corner, here are four different ideas to inspire you to make the most of the break.
Dunham Massey Deer Park
Located in Cheshire, Dunham Massey Deer Park is the ideal spot for a walk on the wild side.
Keep an eye out for the grazing herd off allow deer as you stroll (漫步) under the branches and leaves of numerous ancient trees planted hundreds of years ago. Deer isn’t the only animal attraction here though as the park is full of wildlife.
The Lake District
If you’re adventurous, climb the rocks at Keswick or perhaps take a gentler stroll round one of the lakes, like Buttermere. It wouldn’t be a trip to the Lake District without getting on the water though. Explore the waterways of this beautiful location with and see a different view from a kayak on Derwent Water. If you pass through Grasmere, be sure to stop at the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop for authentic gingerbread, rum butter, and other treats.
York
Bursting with museums, attractions, and events for everyone, York is the perfect Easter Holiday destination. Marvel at the majesty of York Minister and the medieval city walls. Or learn about the diverse history of this amazing city at one of the museums, from its start as a Roman settlement, through the Viking ages as Jorvik, to its current day.
Snowdonia
Head to North Wales if you’re after some wild adventures. There’s plenty of hills, lakes, rivers, and forests to explore, but if your kids have a lot of energy to burn, then Mount Snowdon, should be your objective. Standing 1,085metrest all, it’s sure to provide an exciting adventure for the whole family.
1. What can visitors do in the Lake District?| A．Go fishing. | B．Taste local food. |
| C．Build some kayaks. | D．Visit ancient city walls. |
| A．Dunham Massey Deer Park. | B．The Lake District. |
| C．York. | D．Snowdonia. |
| A．Diverse wildlife is the highlight. | B．Visitors can wander in the woods. |
| C．They invite adventurous travelers. | D．There’re many activities for children. |
