1 . Ideally located in the heart of New York Times Square, Yotel New York, a five-star hotel, has comfortable accommodation in a modern design.
The hotel has convenient transportation with an 18-minute walk from Fifth Avenue and Grand Central Station. John F Kennedy Airport can be reached directly from Times Square Underground Station.
All rooms include cozy beds, 54-inch HD TVs with free Sports and Movie channels, and free Wi-Fi. Each room also has luggage storage, and hanging space for clothing. Yotel New York also offers wheelchair accessible rooms and free accommodation for kids under 13.
American breakfast is served in Yotel New York every morning, including fresh juice, corn flakes, buttered toast and scrambled eggs. A selection of salads, sandwiches and hot dishes are offered throughout the day.
Yotel New York is our guests’ favorite part of New York, according to independent reviews. This area is also great for shopping, with popular brands nearby: Apple, H&M, Zara, Burberry and Channel.
Yotel New York is rated for the best value in America! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other hotels in this city. Come and stay with us!
Prices:
| Room type | Price | Options |
| Twin Room — non-smoking | $125 | Non-refundable Good breakfast $9 |
| Double room — non-smoking | $165 | Non-refundable Good breakfast $9 |
| Queen Room — disability access | $215 | Pay at the hotel Good breakfast included |
1. What probably makes a tourist choose this hotel?
| A．Airport pick-up service. | B．Chinese-style breakfast. |
| C．Good value for guests’ money. | D．A shop with popular brands in the hotel. |
| A．$ 259. | B．$ 339. | C．$ 421. | D．$ 430. |
| A．Advertisement. | B．Lifestyle. | C．Entertainment. | D．Business. |
2 . In August 2022, Don Powell from Orchard Lake Village, Michigan, found a wooden doll (玩具娃娃) couple, Mary and Shelley, inside his custom-designed mailbox. Initially assuming it was a mistake, he left them there out of curiosity. Over time, the dolls’ living space expanded with the addition of furniture like a bed, a painting and a stove. Don responded humorously, requesting a refrigerator. A year later, the dolls still reside there, amusing neighbors who follow updates on the local Nextdoor page.
The Powells had paid a local craftsman (工匠) $250 to create a mailbox that looked like their house, which included windows and solar-powered ceiling lights. This mailbox provided a large and bright space for the growing collection of doll furnishings.
Despite potential fines for non-postage items in mailboxes, Don didn’t consider removing the dolls, as the mail carrier found it amusing and it didn’t stop mail delivery. The Powells regularly discovered new items for the dolls, especially during holidays. For example, Halloween saw the dolls temporarily disappearing and replaced by skeletons (骨骼), and Christmas brought festive decorations.
The doll family grew, with the addition of a cousin, Shirley, and a service dog named Maggie. A note mentioned their gratitude for a one-story house compared to their previous multi-story dollhouse.
Don even contributed to the setup by adding a small letterbox to avoid confusion with their mail. He enjoys the mystery-and community enjoyment, resisting the idea of an outdoor camera to uncover the responsible party. The story continues to attract neighbors, who often stop by with questions and enjoy the lighthearted community spirit it brings.
1. What can we learn about the doll family from the first two paragraphs?| A．Don and Nancy Powell were expecting to find the dolls in their mailbox. |
| B．The local community was unaware of the dolls living in Don’s mailbox. |
| C．The doll family shared the big and bright house with the Powell couple. |
| D．Someone may have left the doll family and additional items on purpose. |
| A．To emphasize the legality of the dolls’ placement. |
| B．To illustrate the mail carrier’s disapproval of the dolls. |
| C．To show the mail carrier’s amusement and acceptance. |
| D．To discuss changes in delivery due to the dolls’ presence. |
| A．Community-minded and humorous. | B．Conventional and disciplined. |
| C．Disinterested and approachable | D．Indifferent and responsible. |
| A．How to Construct a Creative Custom Mailbox |
| B．The Legal Issues with Dolls in Custom Mailbox |
| C．The Disappearance and Return of Dolls in Michigan |
| D．A Unique Mailbox Brings Joy to a Michigan community |
3 . Independent Bookstores in New York
Forbidden Planet
Located on 832 Broadway in Union Square, Forbidden Planet is one of the world’s largest comic book, graphic novel and collectible retailers (零售商). Located next to The Strand, it is known to be a treasure spot for comic and science fiction lovers. Forbidden Planet has been around since 1981, and readers can not only visit the store but also order items from its official website for delivery.
Bluestockings Cooperative
Named after The Blue Stockings Society, a mid-18th century English political movement and literary discussion group to promote literature written by and for women, this volunteer-powered bookstore encourages community dialogue about social issues while also offering visitors access to a fair trade cafe. Through a series of monthly workshops, performances, and readings, Bluestocking aims to create a safe place for discussing topics such as gender studies, political theory and the environment.
Chartwell Booksellers
Named after Winston Churchill’s home in England’s Kent countryside, Chartwell Booksellers is the only Winston Churchill-themed bookstore in the world. With original transcripts of his speeches, biographies, rare books, paintings, and Churchill’s signed texts, this bookshop, located at 55 East 52nd Street in Midtown, is devoted to this former British statesman, army officer, and writer.
Albertine Books
Albertine prides itself on being the only bookstore in New York featuring exclusively French and English books, over 14, 000 of them. The bookstore is partnered with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, proving that literature can create friendship beyond borders and foster a better world for all. The shop often hosts discussions and events, bringing the world of literature closer to the world of global history and government.
1. What can customers do at Bluestockings Cooperative?| A．Enjoy free food in the cafe. | B．Become a community volunteer. |
| C．Participate in various discussions. | D．See the largest comic book collection. |
| A．It’s a themed bookstore. | B．It has the most book types. |
| C．It’s named after a famous man. | D．It partners with other organizations. |
| A．Forbidden Planet. | B．Bluestockings Cooperative. |
| C．Chartwell Booksellers. | D．Albertine Books. |
1. What is the colour of the woman’s side of the room?
| A．Blue. | B．Pink. | C．White. |
| A．Max is younger than him. |
| B．Max will graduate from university soon. |
| C．Max allows him to use his electronic equipment. |
| A．Excited. | B．Lonely. | C．Worried. |
| A．Playing music loudly. |
| B．Playing with his friends freely. |
| C．Doing his homework peacefully. |
5 . Sometimes accommodation can feel restricting when you’re traveling. If you’re in an unfamiliar country, it might be tempting (有吸引力的) just to go and stay in a hotel. It doesn’t hurt to step out of your comfort zone from time to time though, and there are plenty of accommodation options that aren’t hotels that are easily accessible and not too hard on the wallet.
Home Swap
There is a way to stay in a beautiful home for a minimal cost. The hidden disadvantage? A stranger is also staying in your home. Home swaps are increasing in popularity and there are sites dedicated to giving you peace of mind so that you can enjoy your holiday in the comfort that your home isn’t being messed up.
Houseboat
The perfect option for those who love the water, houseboats come in all levels of luxury, so you should be able to find one that suits your budget. It could be tough to get the hang of controlling your home if you’re unfamiliar with boats, but it a skill that you should pick up relatively quickly!
Igloo
Obviously not an option in anywhere warm, staying in an igloo for a night is actually a lot warmer than you think! Don’t worry about accommodation experience, there are plenty of igloos around the world that can provide services as varied as ice bars and hot bathtubs, so you can survive this odd experience in comfort and without freezing.
Cottage
A great way to provide freedom and a “home away from home” feeling is to rent a cottage on your holiday. A cottage can give authentic, home y feel to a foreign country. Most can comfortably fit a family and give children plenty of space to play, so a cottage is a great option for the family holiday.
1. What is the advantage of home swap?| A．It can make travelers relaxed. | B．It has beautifully decorated rooms. |
| C．It provides good traditional cuisine. | D．It can help you interact with a stranger. |
| A．Comfort. | B．Diet. | C．Location. | D．Reservation. |
| A．Home Swap. | B．Houseboat. | C．Cottage. | D．Igloo. |
1. What do we know about the rooms at Kerry Hotel?
| A．They are of modern design. |
| B．They have great lake views. |
| C．They have no tubs in the bathrooms. |
| A．In Kerry’s Kitchen. | B．In Kerry’s Pantry. | C．In the Horizon. |
| A．It has a tennis court. | B．It has an outdoor pool. | C．It is kid-friendly. |
| A．Boss and secretary. | B．Husband and wife. | C．Hotel clerk and customer. |
1. When did the man go in the locker room?
| A．A few minutes ago. | B．A quarter ago. | C．Half an hour ago. |
| A．They’re being occupied inappropriately. |
| B．They’re too dirty and need cleaning. |
| C．They’re not very safe for storage. |
| A．Too ugly. | B．Too weak. | C．Too big. |
1. What’s a disadvantage of the woman’s new house?
| A．It is costly. | B．It is too large. | C．It is inconvenient. |
| A．Old. | B．Modern. | C．Remote. |
| A．In the back of the house. |
| B．In the front of the house. |
| C．Around the house. |
| A．A dining room. | B．A bathroom. | C．A green room. |
1. Why did the speaker buy a new umbrella?
| A．His old one was damaged. | B．He really loved that one. | C．He failed to bring one. |
| A．It is very close to a bakery. | B．It is beside the Eiffel Tower. | C．It is within walking distance to Louvre. |
| A．To see some artworks. | B．To eat some French food. | C．To meet some good friends. |
10 . Here are the best hotels in Auckland. from sear-view nightclubs to urban art escapes.
SO Auckland
The hotel, which feels part-exhibition, part-nightclub, sets itself apart from other chains in downtown Auckland. Running paths are laid out on the in-room screens to help you see the best of Auckland. It is especially impressive to take in views of the high-rises along the Waitemata Seaport from the 16th-floor cocktail bar at the hotel.
Rooms: From NZ$ 398, room only.
Parohe Island Retreat
Thickly forested Kawau Island lies just beyond the urban orbit. At the remotest end of the seaport around which the island wraps itself, Parohe provides yoga platforms and outdoor baths for guests to relax. It also has a schedule of activities encouraging guests to connect with land and sea, including volleyball and fishing.
Rooms: From NZ$ 650. room only.
Emerald Inn
Across the harbour from downtown Auckland, this hotel is ideal for multi-generational trips. There are enough local activities for families to spend a week here, from the Sunday beachside market to Lake Pupuke, a freshwater-filled volcanic crater (坑) where you can try boating or windsurfing.
Rooms: From NZ$ 235, room only.
Hotel Britomart
The newest arrival on this list is Hotel Britomart, an understated hotel among the high-rises. It is the only hotel on this list to gain a 5 Green Star award for sustainability. The location makes it popular among both holidaymakers and locals, who happily fill the tables of its superb fish restaurant, Kingi. Local food is so championed that the menu names those responsible for each catch.
Rooms: From NZ$ 377, room only.
1. Which is the most expensive hotel?| A．Emerald Inn. | B．Hotel Britomart. | C．SO Auckland. | D．Parohe Island Retreat. |
| A．Pay a visit to its exhibitions. | B．Windsurf in its volcanic crater. |
| C．Do yoga and have outdoor baths. | D．Try fish bought from identified fishers. |
| A．The sweeping city views. | B．The family fun. |
| C．Its environmental friendliness. | D．Its artistic atmosphere. |
