1 . Whether you like history or simply learning something new, these four museums are worth paying a visit to.

Tenement Museum

Located in New York, the Tenement Museum showcases the stories of the immigrants and migrants (移民) who came to America between the 1860s and the 1980s. See how they pursued the “American dream.” Their determination and endless desire to carve out a better life not only reflects the depths of the human spirit, but also how America came to be the country it is today.

National Museum of the American Indian

Located in Washington, D.C., the National Museum of the American Indian contains one of the world’s largest collections of native artifacts (手工艺品), photographs and documents. Featuring both ongoing and temporary exhibits, the museum documents many ways American Indians integrated into American history and culture.

Mississippi Civil Rights Museum

The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson features eight galleries filled with interactive exhibits that tell the stories of black Mississippians and their fight for equality from 1945 to 1976. You’ll hear the stories of Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Vernon Dahmer, and you’ll also hear about many men, women and children who fought to be recognized as equals. Artifacts include a “colored” entrance sign, the gun used to shoot Evers, a burned cross, and a button from the 1966 March Against Fear.

The National WWII Museum

In New Orleans’ No. 1 attraction, the National WWII Museum, visitors can see why World War II was fought, explore key moments such as D-Day and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and put themselves in the shoes of those who had to make difficult decisions during the war. You even can take a 4D journey through the war in “Beyond All Boundaries.”

1. Which museum best suits visitors interested in ongoing and temporary exhibits?

A．Tenement Museum.	B．National Museum of the American Indian.
C．Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.	D．The National WWII Museum.

2. What can we learn about Medgar Evers from the text?

A．He organized the1966 March Against Fear.

B．He joined the army and fought in World War II.

C．He laid down his own life in the fight for equality.

D．He immigrated to the US to pursue his American dream.

3. What is the main purpose of the author writing this text?

A．To recommend people to visit the museums.

B．To make a comparison of the four museums.

C．To remind readers never to forget our past history.

D．To share his own experiences in visiting the museums.

2 . Why does the woman move house?

A．For friendly neighbors.

B．For a convenient location.

C．For a comfortable living environment.

3 . What comes to mind when you think of a museum? Valuable exhibits? Relaxed atmosphere? Here let's encounter some special museums.

The Museum of Bad Art

The Museum of Bad Art based in Boston, Massachusetts, will bring you a quite different visual experience. As its name implies, all pieces have made their way to the museum for being too bad to be ignored.

All the paintings have been found in yard sales, rescued from the trash or donated to the museum. When viewing such a large collection of failed art, be prepared to laugh your head off.

Luoyang Ancient Tombs Museum

Established in 1984 and opened to the public in 1987, the Luoyang Ancient Tombs Museum sits in a complex of grand buildings in the architectural style of the Han Dynasty.

The distinctive museum consists of two sections. The aboveground part features models of tombs from the Stone Age to the Han Dynasty. The underground one contains 22 tombs from Henan Province. The tomb of Emperor Xuanwu of Northern Wei is the highlight of the museum.

The Underwater Museum

Fancy an undersea exploration but have no idea where to go? Then the Underwater Museum at the bottom of Lake Grublsee in Austria can be a good choice.

This incredible museum is perfect for adventurous divers, which surely gives visitors a unique experience. It houses not only copies of ancient people and cultural relics, but also fun, strange pieces like the Statue of Liberty, aliens and skeletons (骨架).

Upside Down House

Another strange museum is the Upside Down House in St. Petersburg. It features an apartment where everything is turned upside down.

When you walk into the house, you will feel quite confused and find the entire museum very impressive. With each item in the apartment turned head over heels, you would experience the illusion (错觉) that comes with standing on the ceiling.

1. Which museum best suits diving enthusiasts?

A．Upside Down House.	B．The Museum of Bad Art.
C．The Underwater Museum.	D．Luoyang Ancient Tombs Museum.

2. What can people do in the Museum of Bad Art?

A．Enjoy a big collection of failed art.	B．See several copies of cultural relics.
C．Experience visual illusion in person.	D．Visit historical and grand buildings.

3. What do the four museums have in common?

A．They are located in Europe.	B．They focus on human nature.
C．They show respect for life.	D．They are special museums.

4 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Whose birthday was celebrated last Sunday?

A．Anna’s.

B．Jason’s.

C．The waiter’s.

2. What kind of food did Anna choose?

A．Italian food.

B．French food.

C．Japanese food.

3. What was the environment like at the restaurant?

A．Relaxing.

B．Terrible.

C．Noisy.

4. What does the speaker think of the meal?

A．Unfresh.

B．Great.

C．Tasteless.

5 . In 1670, two Scottish doctors set up a garden in the city of Edinburgh to find out connections between plants and medicine. That first garden wasn’t very big — about the size of a tennis court. Fast-forward 350 years, and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) now covers an area bigger than 1,000 tennis courts. The RBGE’s goal is to “explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for a better future”.

After doctors and distant cousins Robert Sibbald and Andrew Balfour graduated from university in the mid-17th century, they shared the goal of improving Scottish medicine by looking into botanical (plant-related) research. They found some land near Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh and started to collect plants. They taught students how to grow exotic (外来的) plants and use them to make medicines. As the collection expanded (增加), the garden moved to different sites, including what is now Edinburgh’s Waverley Station.

In 1823, the garden was moved to its current location in Inverleith, a suburb of Edinburgh. It took three years to move the collection of plants and trees using specially built machines. The Tropical Palm House was built in 1834, and it was joined by the larger Temperate Palm House in 1858. Both are still popular with visitors. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the RBGE continued to search for new specimens (标本) from around the world.

The RBGE has about 13,500 species of living plants in its collection today. The herbarium — a collection of dried and protected species — includes more than three million plant samples, which represent more than half of the world’s known plants. The oldest specimen dates back to 1697. Experts continue to recognize new species each year, as well as growing plants that are extinct in their own habitats. The RBGE also works with botanical gardens around the world, including in Africa and South America, and supports them with conservation projects, education and training.

1. Why did Robert and Andrew build up the garden?

A．To teach people some knowledge about exotic plants.

B．To do research on plants and medicine.

C．To protect endangered wildlife.

D．To practice their tennis skills.

2. When was the Tropical Palm House set up?

A．In the mid-17th century.	B．In the 20th century.
C．In1834.	D．In1858.

3. What do we know about the RBGE?

A．It has made achievements in growing extinct plants.

B．It has collected less than half of all known plants.

C．It is going to expand its sites in other countries.

D．It collects native plants only.

4. What is this text mainly about?

A．How the RBGE has expanded.	B．The progress of saving endangered plants.
C．Why a botanic garden was built.	D．An introduction to the RBGE.

6 . 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.