1 . For six hundred years, the Tower of London’s most exotic (异域风情的) prisoners were animals.

The Menagerie (动物园) began as a result of kings exchanging rare and strange animals as gifts. In 1235, Henry III was delighted to be presented with three wildcats by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. These inspired him to start a zoo at the Tower. Henry’s ‘wildcats’, although described as leopards, were probably lions. These are the ancestors of the three lions that still appear on the England football team’s shirts today.

In 1252 the lions were joined by a white bear probably a polar bear — given by the King of Norway. In 1255, the King of France sent the first elephant ever seen in England and people flocked together to see the novel (新奇的) sight. Sadly, the elephant died two years later.

Poor treatment and cramped conditions meant many of the animals did not survive for long. But the Menagerie continued to grow. Edward I created a permanent new home for the Menagerie at the western entrance to the Tower in what became known as the Lion Tower. The terrifying sounds and smells of wild animals must have both impressed and scared visitors.

By 1622, the collection had been extended to include three eagles, two pumas, a tiger and a jackal, as well as lions and leopards, who were the main attractions.

However, the end of the Menagerie came in the 1830s. Campaigners had begun to raise concerns, and the animals were expensive, occasionally dangerous and a nuisance to the guardsmen. The Duke of Wellington sent 150 of the beasts to a new zoo in Regent’s Park, today’s London Zoo.

Despite Alfred Cops’s best efforts to carry on, several further incidents including an escaped wolf and a monkey that bit a guardsman’s leg convinced King William IV to shut down the Menagerie for good in 1835. The remaining animals were sold to zoos and travelling shows and the Lion Tower was later pulled down.

1. What do we know about the elephant presented in 1255?

A．It caused big trouble.	B．It received much attention.
C．It lived painfully in the Lion Tower.	D．It died before the polar bear came in.

2. How many types of animals at the Menagerie are mentioned in the text?

A．Eight.

B．Nine.

C．Ten.

D．Eleven.

3. For what reason was the Menagerie closed at last?

A．Security concerns.	B．The decline of tourism.
C．Pressure from campaigners.	D．Financial burden to raise the animals.

4. Which is the best title for the text?

A．The Royal Menagerie	B．Gifts Presented to the King
C．Tourist Attractions in London	D．Miserable Life in the Lion Tower

2 . What can be concluded from this conversation?

A．Smoking is strictly forbidden in this waiting room.

B．The woman is bothered by others’ heavy smoking.

C．The waiting room is on fire and full of smoke.

3 . Want to experience the modern style at the New York Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan? We have got a lot to offer here.

GUEST ROOMS

Spacious and stylish guest rooms include all necessities for an unforgettable stay. Each guest room features a marble bath, in-room thermostat (恒温器) control, 37-inch HDTV with HD channels and guide, on-demand HD entertainment, a spacious work area, and two telephones with voice mail.

SUITES

Our luxurious, modern suite accommodations arc on high floors and provide all the desirable facilities of our guest rooms while adding spacious living areas and access to our Executive Lounge (贵宾室).

ACCESSIBLE ROOMS

Enjoy added features for your ease of use such as lowered in-room thermostat controls, remote control curtains, raised beds and cither tubs or roll-in showers, which arc all specially designed for the disabled. You will also find desirable facilities such as 37-inch or larger HDTVs, depending on the room type chosen, on-demand HD entertainment, large work spaces, and two telephones with voice mail.

EXECUTIVE LOUNGE

The room is open seven days a week and features daily continental breakfast, snacks in the evenings and continuous coffee and tea service.

HIGHLIGHTS

•We’ve proudly hosted every US president since Kennedy.

•Rated highest in New York City for WiFi confidence and connectivity by Business Traveler magazine.

•Surrounded by top New York City attractions like Times Square, Rockefeller Center & Broadway.

BEST PRICE GUARANTEE

We guarantee you always get the lowest price when you reserve a room through an official Hilton booking channel. If you find a lower price anywhere else, we will match that price and give you an additional $50 back.

REACH US AND RESERVE
1335 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS. NEW YORK, 10019, USA
TEL: +1-212-586-7000
1. Which of the following should be most suitable for a person with disabilities?

A．SUITES.	B．GUEST ROOMS.
C．ACCESSIBLE ROOMS.	D．EXECUTIVE LOUNGE.

2. Which of the following can set the New York Hilton Hotel apart from the rest?

A．The exploration of wilderness.	B．The reception of US presidents.
C．On demand HD entertainment.	D．Remote control curtains.

3. If you are charged $30 more at the New York Hilton Hotel than booking with a travel agency, how much will the hotel give back to you?

A．$80.

B．$50.

C．$30.

D．$ 20.

4 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

For Greek photographer George Doupas, Beijing is home now. During the past decade, he has been photographing the city, capturing its beauty     1     sharing these photos online and in exhibitions.

“This     2     (true) represents Beijing — the old and the new, nicely mixing together,” Doupas said while showing his photograph of the Zhihua Temple, a delicate Ming Dynasty building. It     3     (locate) in front of a modern office building, Galaxy SOHO, which features weaving bridges and interlocking passageways.

With rich historical heritage, Beijing     4     (be) an important center of traditional Chinese culture since the Ming Dynasty. Doupas often gets     5     (lose) in the city’s splendid ancient architecture. Meanwhile, he is also amazed by the modern city     6    (combine) high-end businesses and various industries. “It is fascinating to see a rapidly-developing city that invests so much effort in preserving its past, which is     7     I decided to pursue my career here,” he said.

Doupas is determined to continue with his career in China, hoping to serve as     8     bridge between China and the West. The     9     (display) that show his photos about Beijing have attracted a large audience in Greece and the Czech Republic.

“I call Beijing my home now,” he said, “I’ll keep sharing photos of China     10     the rest of the world.”

5 . The best restaurants for outdoor dining in Greater Boston

Beehive Restaurant (541 Tremont St., Boston)

If you want to have fun while you enjoy your meal, head to Beehive, where you get specialized brunch, cocktails, and live music with your patio(露台) dining.

“Great food and service, fun atmosphere in and out.”

—Esta E., Back Bay

Brighton Bodega (328 Washington St., Brighton) and Devlin’s Bistro & Bar (332 Washington St., Brighton)

Although these are two separate eateries, they share a patio space in Brighton. Visit Brighton Bodega for its Asian-inspired small plates and Devlin’s for the drinks menu. While you’re there, you may get to experience some live jazz.

“These sister restaurants share a lovely patio area with a good atmosphere and excellent food! I love the constantly changing and always creative Brighton Bodega menu, and the steady favorites menu of Devlin’s.”

—Wendy, Cambridge

Chart House (60 Long Wharf, Boston)

Chart House has served hungry customers in the Boston area for more than 60 years and continues to do so with its patio dining experience and “perfect views”.

“It is not in a too-crowded area. It’s not amidst cars and too many passers-by, so you can hear the water and the silence once in a while. There is parking at the back so I can drive in, dine, and drive out.”

—Lissa W., Uxbridge

Frenchie Wine Bistro (560 Tremont St., Boston)

Outdoor dining is becoming more popular in Boston, but there’s something about it that feels very European. especially at this South End spot. Sit out on the patio for its modern French menu and wide selection of wines.

“It’s just the best. Great views, food and drink, and THE BEST people watching!”

—Chris H., Boston

1. What do Beehive Restaurant and Brighton Bodega have in common?

A．Both share one patio.	B．Both have great views.
C．Both provide live music.	D．Both are in the same street.

2. Where should you go to enjoy a silent lunch?

A．Chart House.	B．Devlin’s Bistro &Bar.
C．Beehive Restaurant.	D．Frenchie Wine Bistro.

3. What is special about Frenchie Wine Bistro?

A．It is in the south of America.

B．It has a European flavor.

C．It changes its menu frequently.

D．It allows customers to drive in.

6 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入 1 个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Many cities have live music in their parks during the summer. But there’s a park in Denmark     1     people can hear music all year round — not on a stage but among the trees.

As part of     2     art project for public in Aalborg, trees in the Park of Music host the music once     3     (perform) by musicians at the nearby cultural center. It all started in the 1980s when the city asked visiting musicians to plant a tree     4     a memorial (纪念物) of their excellent and     5     (impress) performances.

Since then, over 80 trees     6     (plant) by musicians worldwide. In 2012, some of the trees became playable. It works like this.     7     (simple) press the button on the plaque (匾牌) bearing a musician’s name next to the tree, and people     8     (hear) a piece of the musician’s music.

All kinds of music from     9     (artist) like Sting can be heard. The trees are “played” about 300,000 times a year,     10     (show) the popularity of the art project.

7 . A huge, 12-pointed star has been fixed on top of one of the towers of Antoni Gaudí’s famous Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona. This means the construction work, begun 139 years ago, nears completion. It is scheduled to be completely finished in 2026 — marking 100 years since the architect’s death.

When Gaudí died in 1926, less than a quarter of the exterior was complete. Since then construction has been stopped every now and then for various reasons from Spanish civil wars to funding problems. Though in 2005 the church was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the construction work was claimed to be illegal in 2016, and regained its building permit in 2019.

Born in 1852, Gaudí grew up fascinated by geometry and the natural wonders of the countryside. After studying architecture in school, he eventually formed his own style. In his opinion, form and function were inseparable: Beauty should be part of structure, which rules the natural world. “Nothing is art,” he concluded, “if it does not come from nature.” On his graduation ceremony, his director said the words that became famous later: “I do not know if we have awarded this degree to a madman or to a genius; only time will tell.”

Time has obviously given the answer. In fact, Gaudí’s work over the years has permanently influenced Barcelona architecture like none other before or after. The city is considered the best outdoor modernist Museum of Europe mostly because of Gaudí.

On the 10th of June 1926, Gaudí was knocked down by a tram (有轨电车) while he was doing his usual evening walk. He lost consciousness, and nobody recognized that this disheveled (蓬乱的) old man was the famous architect until he was taken to the hospital. He was buried two days later in the unfinished Sagrada Familia, following a funeral attended by thousands of people: most of the citizens of Barcelona came out to bid a final-farewell to the most universal architect that the city had ever known.

1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?

A．A 12-pointed star was set on a Gaudí’s church.

B．Barcelona is well known for Gaudí’s architecture.

C．Gaudí’s famous church will be finished at last.

D．The 100h anniversary of Gaudí’s death will come.

2. Why did the construction of the church last over a century?

A．It was to memorize Gaudí.	B．It suffered frequent delays.
C．It was a World Heritage Site.	D．It didn’t get its building permit.

3. What did Gaudí’s director really want to say on his graduation ceremony?

A．His style was too special in his time.	B．He was not qualified for the degree.
C．His attitude to others was crazy.	D．He was too talented to be taught.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．Sagrada Familia — Gaudí’s Unfinished Work

B．Barcelona — a City of Antoni Gaudí

C．Antoni Gaudí — a Genius Architect

D．Gaudí’s Architecture — the Beauty of Nature

8 . Rome can be pricey for travelers, which is why many choose to stay in a hostel (旅社). The hostels in Rome offer a bed in a dorm room for around $25 a night, and for that, you’ll often get to stay in a central location (位置) with security and comfort.

Yellow Hostel

If I had to make just one recommendation for where to stay in Rome, it would be Yellow Hostel. It’s one of the best-rated hostels in the city, and for good reason. It’s affordable, and it’s got a fun atmosphere without being too noisy. As an added bonus, it’s close to the main train station.

Hostel Alessandro Palace

If you love social hostels, this is the best hostel for you in Rome. Hostel Alessandro Palace is fun. Staff members hold plenty of bar events for guests like free shots, bar crawls and karaoke. There’s also an area on the rooftop for hanging out with other travelers during the summer.

Youth Station Hostel

If you’re looking for cleanliness and a modern hostel, look no further than Youth Station. It offers beautiful furnishings and beds. There are plenty of other benefits, too; it doesn’t charge city tax; it has both air conditioning and a heater for the rooms; it also has free Wi-Fi in every room.

Hotel and Hostel Des Artistes

Hotel and Hostel Des Artistes is located just a 10-minute walk from the central city station and it’s close to all of the city’s main attractions. The staff is friendly and helpful, providing you with a map of the city when you arrive, and offering advice if you require some. However, you need to pay 2 euros a day for Wi-Fi.

1. What is probably the major concern of travelers who choose to stay in a hostel?

A．Comfort.	B．Security.
C．Price.	D．Location.

2. Which hotel best suits people who enjoy an active social life?

A．Yellow Hostel.	B．Hostel Alessandro Palace.
C．Youth Station Hostel.	D．Hotel and Hostel Des Artistes.

3. What is the disadvantage of Hotel and Hostel Des Artistes?

A．It gets noisy at night.	B．Its staff is too talkative.
C．It charges for Wi-Fi.	D．It’s inconveniently located.

9 . The Biggest Stadiums in the World

People have been pouring into stadiums since the days of ancient Greece. In around 80 A.D., the Romans built the Colosseum, which remains the world’s best known stadium and continues to inform contemporary design. Rome’s Colosseum was 157 feet tall and had 80 entrances, seating 50,000 people. However, that was small fry compared with the city’s Circus Maximus, which accommodated around 250,000 people.

These days, safety regulations-not to mention the modern sports fan’s desire for a good view and comfortable seat — tend to keep stadium capacities (容量) slightly lower. Even soccer fans tend to have a seat each; gone are the days of thousands standing to watch the match.

For the biggest stadiums in the world, we have used data supplied by the World Atlas list so far, which ranks them by their stated permanent capacity, as well as updated information from official stadium websites.

All these stadiums are still functional, still open and still hosting the biggest events in world sport.

·Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, Pyongyang D.P.R. Korea. Capacity: 150,000. Opened: May 1,1989.

·Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan, U. S. Capacity: 107,601. Opened: October 1, 1927.

·Beaver Stadium, State College, Pennsylvania, U. S. Capacity: 106,572. Opened: September 17, 1960.

·Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, U. S. Capacity: 104,944. Opened: October 7,1922.

·Kyle Field, College Station, Texas, U. S. Capacity: 102,512. Opened: September 24, 1927.

1. How many people could the Circus Maximus hold?

A．104,944.

B．107,601.

C．About 150,000.

D．About 250,000.

2. Of the following stadiums, which is the oldest?

A．Michigan Stadium.

B．Beaver Stadium.

C．Ohio Stadium.

D．Kyle Field.

3. What do the listed stadiums have in common?

A．They host big games.	B．They have become tourist attractions.
C．They were built by Americans.	D．They are favored by architects.