1 . Whether you want to start near or far, there are a lot of attractive holiday destinations. Here are four of them.
The Maldives
The resort (度假胜地) is a hit with families. Explore different islands, visit traditional fishing villages, and enjoy the natural beauty of each location. Kids can have great fun building sandcastles on beaches and exploring seashell treasures. There are also water sports for the whole family to take part in. After sunset, enjoy beach parties, live music, and cultural performances. What you can’t miss is eating at one of the world’s first underwater restaurants, watching sea animals swimming by.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali is a playground with natural beauty and cultural richness. For risky experiences, there are jungles and a volcano to hike. For a view of Bali against the sunrise, hike up Mount Batur. In Ubud, visit the sacred Monkey Forest. Then have a Balinese cultural experience, complete with puppet (木偶) making and traditional dancing. The Westin Family Kids Club offers fun activities such as face painting and kite making.
Penang, Malaysia
Thanks to its artsy scenery and greenery, its capital George Town was recognised as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2008. Take some family photos as you see many street arts. For a bit of schooling, check out the Made In Penang Interactive Museum which is home to murals (壁画) and displays for history enthusiasts. Kids can enjoy themselves in a kids club and a teddy bear-themed museum.
Istanbul, Türkiye
With a rich history and diverse culture, the city is a destination for all ages. For a unique learning experience, explore the Topkapi Palace. Then check out Miniatürk, a large park with replicas (复制品) of famous Turkish landmarks. The Istanbul Toy Museum arouses children’s imagination with its collection of toys. Keep your eyes open for the puppet shows too!
1. What can tourists do in the Maldives?| A．Hold free concerts at night. |
| B．Visit an underwater ocean park. |
| C．Have a special dining experience. |
| D．Visit a museum featuring traditional fishing villages. |
| A．The Maldives. | B．Bali, Indonesia. |
| C．Penang, Malaysia. | D．Istanbul, Türkiye. |
| A．They are all family-friendly. | B．They all have a long history. |
| C．They all provide museum tours. | D．They are all famous for natural scenery. |
1. What are the speakers going to do after lunch?
| A．See a film. | B．Go shopping. | C．Attend a meeting. |
| A．Rose Restaurant. | B．Jim’s Café. | C．Seafood Palace. |
| A．Looking for a car. | B．Visiting a company. | C．Picking up the woman. |
| A．$4. | B．$8. | C．$12. |
5 . As we close out the final days of this year, treat yourself to a deliciously distracting new book —a book that you can dip into and out of throughout the holidays. Read up, rest up, and enjoy yourself.
Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth and beyond
A must-have guide for yoga-loving mamas, Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond offers helpful relaxation techniques and breathing exercises that are tailored to each pregnant woman. The book also lays out valuable techniques for labor and staying in touch with your body as it continuously changes.
Mindfulness Activities for Kids
We could all use a little more peace in our lives. Uniquely suited for children and parents to do together, the 40 mindfulness exercises recommended here —from pausing to fully enjoy a tasty sandwich to taking chalk walk together—will not only teach children calm and gratitude, but also bring grown-ups and their littles closer together.
Before She Disappeared
Frankie Elkin is a recovering alcoholic who devotes her time to solving cold cases, especially those involving people of color. A new investigation brings her to Boston, searching for a Haitian teenager who disappeared months ago. But as Frankie starts asking questions, someone else will stop at nothing to keep the answers hidden.
Oak Flat
Lauren Redniss’ Oak Flat tells the story of the land near the San Carlos Apache Reservation through an Apache family fighting to protect the land which the U. S. government and two world-power mining enterprises are attempting to seize and destroy for its copper resources. Visually striking and deeply reported, Oak Flat tells a larger story of endless westward expansion and native resistance.
1. Which book can help to improve family relations?| A．Oak Flat. |
| B．Before She Disappeared. |
| C．Mindfulness Activities for Kids. |
| D．Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond. |
| A．It’s a brief account of mining enterprises. |
| B．It centers on an Apache family’s struggle. |
| C．It sings high praise of the US government. |
| D．It supports westward expansion and native resistance. |
| A．Teenagers. | B．Men. | C．Kids. | D．Grown-ups. |
1. 表达感谢；
2. 说明收获；
3. 期待再有机会跟她学习。
注意：
1. 词数80左右；
2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Chris,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
7 . Best Attractions in Langkawi
The best attractions in Langkawi make the most of the natural landscapes, huge parks that no visitor should skip on their travel schedules.
Underwater World Langkawi
Set along a beach town, it is home to more than 500 species of sea creatures. One of the highlights is a 15-metr e underwater tunnel, where you can enjoy close-up views of sharks.
Price: $40(adults)and $30(children under 10 years)
Langkawi Wildlife Park
Great for families and animal lovers, it houses over 2,500 animals from 150 species such as monkeys, foxes and eagles. It also hosts animal feeding activities between 11: 00 and 16: 00.
Price: $28(adults)and $18(children aged 3 to 12 years)
Art in Paradise Langkawi
It features more than 200 impressive artworks that appear almost lifelike. Praised as the largest 3D art museum in Malaysia and second largest in the world, there are nine different zones within this three-floor building, including fantasy, classic, landscapes, and Malaysia zones.
Price: $23(adults)and $13 (children aged 3 to 10 years)
Lagenda Langkawi Dalam Taman
It is a folk-themed park where you can explore on foot or take a tour bus to look around. The open-air “garden museum” has a total of 17 colorful sculptures describing Langkawi legends including old stories of great giants and beautiful princesses.
Price: $15(adults)and $5(children under 6 years)
1. What is a feature of Under World Langkawi?| A．It is a folk-themed park. |
| B．It is great for families and animals. |
| C．It features many impressive lifelike artworks. |
| D．It provides a chance to enjoy close-up views of sharks. |
| A．$69 | B．$74 | C．$84 | D．$88 |
| A．A textbook. | B．A news report. |
| C．A travel brochure. | D．A science magazine |
8 . 72 hours in Beijing
Traveling to China is no longer a luxury for many foreign passport holders. The Chinese government has permitted a 72-hour visa free policy that offers access to visitors from 53 countries including the US, France and Austria. Let’s start with the capital of China, Beijing. Here’s a pick of the best in Beijing.
The Forbidden City
Lying at the heart of the capital, the Forbidden City, or more accurately, the Imperial Palace, was home to 24 Chinese emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Twice the size of the Vatican, it consists of 999 rooms that served the emperors and their concubines (嫔妃). Also, it’s the largest and most well-preserved wooden palace complex in the world.
The Summer Palace
Located in northwestern Beijing, the Summer Palace is by far the city’s most well-preserved royal park. With its huge lake and hilltop views , the palace offers you a pastoral (田园的) escape into the landscape of traditional Chinese paintings. The Summer Palace was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998.
798 Art Zone
This would be on the top of my list! Named after the 798 factory that was built in the 1950s, the art zone is home to various galleries, design studios, art exhibition spaces, fashionable shops and bars. You could easily spend half your day wandering around the complex, feeling the contrast of the present and the past.
The Temple of Heaven
Originally constructed during the Ming Dynasty, the Temple of Heaven was a sacrificial temple used by emperors to appease (安抚)the heavens in order to bring prosperity to their people and ensure the harvest in the coming year. The ceremonial processions traditionally started from the south gate. Enter the long hall and navigate through the crowds, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests will soon come into view with its three-tiered roof and stunning blue glaze.
1. In which place can a traveller see the largest wooden palace complex in the world?| A．The Forbidden City. | B．The Summer Palace. |
| C．798 Art Zone. | D．The Temple of Heaven. |
| A．In 1950. | B．In 1987. | C．In 1998. | D．In 2014. |
| A．The tourists who prefer to travel for free. |
| B．The foreigners to stay in Beijing for 4 days. |
| C．The visitors coming from every corner of China. |
| D．The foreign passport holders to stay in Beijing for 3 days. |
9 . Books to Explore Our Wild Isles
Wild Isles
This rich photographic guide accompanies the new BBC documentary series of the same name, which sees Sir David Attenborough celebrate the wonders of British wildlife across a range of habitats. Written by natural history journalist Patrick Barkham and producer Alastair Fotherginn, each chapter of the book focuses on a particular kind of wild space, from our wide variety of grasslands to our ocean shores, woodlands and scarce remaining forests, taking a deep dive into the insect, bird and mammal life they support. Harper Collins, £25.
North York Moors & Yorkshire Wolds
A “slow travel” guide to one of Britain’s most beloved landscapes, this newly updated book remains the only stand-alone guide to the region. Written by Yorkshire resident, outdoors enthusiast and travel writer Mike Bagshaw, it takes in sandy beaches, woodlands, chalk grasslands and heather-clad moors. It has information on walking and cycle paths, as well as wildlife-watching areas for otters, adders and seabirds. Whale-and dolphin-watching tours are also covered. Bradt Guides, £15.99.
Flight Paths
Swallows, redwings, nightingales: spring brings new bird life to UK shores, but until recently little was known about seasonal avian (鸟类) journeys. Bird enthusiast and science writer Rebecca Heisman uncovers the mysteries of bird migration, profiling (收集资料) the eccentric group of ornithologist, engineers and scientists who dedicated (奉献) their life to birds’ flight paths, behaviours, destinations and the challenges they face. It brings much needed insight into how best to protect the birds that visit our islands and destinations far beyond. Swift Press, £16.99.
1. Which would you buy if you want to know wildlife-watching areas for otters?| A．Flight Paths. | B．Wild Isles. |
| C．British Woodland. | D．North York Moors &Yorkshire Wolds. |
| A．She lives in Yorkshire. | B．She works as a photographer. |
| C．She loves birds and science. | D．She knows the wildlife-watching areas. |
| A．They are written by bird enthusiasts. |
| B．They describe something about birds. |
| C．They have a documentary of the same name. |
| D．They are guides to Britain’s most beloved landscapes. |
1. What question did Tom ask the speaker?
| A．How to stay healthy. | B．How to make friends. | C．How to solve growing pains. |
| A．Two. | B．Three. | C．Four. |
| A．Food high in fat. | B．Sweet food. | C．Fresh vegetables and fruit. |
| A．An expert in health. | B．A cook. | C．A shopkeeper. |
