1 . The Most Beautiful Train Stations in the World

Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building

The wide-open entrance square on the Marunouchi side of Tokyo’s main train station would look more at home in Amsterdam or Paris. Kingo Tatsuno’s classical European design took over six years to complete, finally opening in 1914. The statin has received several facelifts since the Second World War, most recently in 2012. It’s one of the biggest and busiest train stations in the world.

Beijing West Railway Station

The idea of building this station in the capital of China was put forward as early as 1959 but didn’t come to reality until 1996. It was the largest station in Asia at the time, although Shanghai’s Hongqiao Station has since surpassed it. The station itself has a unique architectural (建筑的) style, with the main body of the building having quite a functional Russian look, but the rooftop is decorated with three amazing Chinese pagodas.

Duoliang Station, Taiwan

This is the smallest station on this lit by a distance. In fact we’re not really choosing Duoliang for architectural reasons. This station is all about location, location, location. Surrounded by hi top greenery on one side and amazing Pacific Ocean scenery on the other, it’s one of the most scenic spots in all of Taiwan. This isn’t even a working station anymore, but the platforms have been adapted into viewing spots, extremely popular with local train spotters.

Stazione Milano Centrale in Milan

Milan’s central train station looks pretty much exactly as you’d imagine it. There are a mix of styles at play here, from Art Nouveau to Art Deco, but the entire building is filled with a classic sense of Roman monumentality. The outer look is guarded by two statues, while its insides are equally impressive, as grand stonewalls curve (弯曲) into the station’s glass ceilings.

1. What do Tokyo Station and Beijing West Railway Station have in common?

A．Both have European features.

B．Both were built in the early 1990s.

C．Both have been rebuilt several times.

D．Both are the largest domestic stations.

2. What do train spotters favor most about Duoliang Station?

A．Its distance.	B．Its small size.
C．Its surrounding scenery.	D．Its architectural style.

3. What makes Stazione Milano Centrale impressive?

A．Roman buildings	B．Its various styles.
C．Statues on the walls	D．The curving ceilings.

2 . A national park is an area set aside by a government for the preservation of the natural environment. The national parks in the United States and Canada center on the protection of both land and wildlife.     1     And those in Africa primarily protect animals.

It is widely thought that the idea of a park or nature reserve under state ownership started in the United States in 1870.     2     Yosemite, Sequoia, and General Grant National Parks were established in the United States in 1890. And the U. S. National Park Service (NPS)was created in 1916 to manage the parks.     3     In addition to national parks, the system included national preserves, seashores, historic parks and sites and so on.

Partly following the American example, movements supporting national parks sprang up in many other countries.     4     . And Canada set up its first three national parks in the mid-1880s. The establishment of modern national parks and nature reserves gained momentum (动力)only after World War I or, in some cases, after World War II in Europe. Great Britain established the administrative machinery for both national parks and nature reserves in 1949.     5    

But interest in parks came later in Asia and Latin America than it did in the Anglo-American countries and Europe.

A．These movements began in Canada.

B．George Catlin offered the idea during the 1830s.

C．Visitors are allowed to enter for different purposes.

D．Those in the United Kingdom center mainly on the land.

E．Japan and Mexico established their first national parks in the 1930s.

F．By the early 21st century the NPS managed more than 400 separate areas.

G．It is also thought that the world’s first such park was Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

3 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What do we know about the house?

A．It is in a noisy environment.

B．It has two rooms available.

C．It is near the man’s office.

2. How much rent does the woman ask for a month?

A．$425.

B．$800.

C．$850.

3. What will the man do next?

A．Decide to rent the room.

B．Make an appointment.

C．Meet the woman.

4 . Many libraries around the world are as amazing in their architecture and organization as they are in the huge amount of knowledge they contain. With shelves and shelves of books, various collections and amazing historical and cultural displays, there are plenty of undiscovered wonders.

Beinecke Rare Book Library (New Haven, Connecticut)

Yale University has one of the most beautiful college campuses in America, and one of its most interesting features is the Beinecke Rare Book Library. It is one of the largest buildings in the world devoted to rare books and manuscripts (手稿) of famous people. From 2015-16 the library building was closed for 18 months for major improvement. Inside there is a statue of its main founder that rises up high.

Vennesla Library (Vennesla, Norway)

Located near the southernmost tip of Norway, Vennesla Library is more than a collection of books—it’s a city cultural center and meeting place. The building hosts a coffee shop, open meeting spaces, classrooms for children and adult education courses, and a cinema. It is mainly built out of wood. The long, thin beams (横梁) on the inside were designed to look like the inside of a whale.

Suzzallo Library (Seattle)

Among the many beautiful features of the campus at the University of Washington, such as its cherry flowers and a light rail station, Suzzallo Library was built in the Collegiate Gothic style. Its buttresses (扶壁) are decorated with 18 statues featuring famous academics and writers such as Plato, Shakespeare, Leonardo da Vinci, Dante, Galileo, Beethoven, Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.

Library of Muyinga (Muyinga, Burundi)

A school for deaf children, the Library of Muyinga in Burundi was built with local techniques and traditions. A rope hammock (吊床) that hangs between the first and second floors of the library serves as part of the children’s reading room, a great place for indoor activities.

More information of them is just a click away.

1. Which one is suitable for people who want to appreciate statues?

A．Beinecke Rare Book Library.	B．Vennesla Library.
C．Suzzallo Library.	D．Library of Muyinga.

2. What makes Vennesla Library different from others?

A．It is mainly intended for children.	B．It is built in the shape of a whale.
C．It is located within the campus.	D．It is a kind of culture complex.

3. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A culture magazine	B．A travel brochure.
C．A website.	D．A historical book.

5 . There are some palaces in Europe that you may be interested to know about.

Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain

It takes the title of the largest European palace by floor area and it is one of the largest palaces in the world. The Royal Palace of Madrid was built in the 18th century by order of Philip V on the site of the old Alcázar fortress, a former Moorish castle. With over 135,000 square metres and 3,418 rooms, it has seeded centuries of Spanish history. It is one of the few official seats of a head of state that is open to the public.

Royal Palace of Brussels, Belgium

It is a historic and the most wonderful building in Brussels, Belgium, next to Brussels Park. The Royal Palace of Brussels is the King’s main workplace, where he works daily with his staff. A tradition has been established since 1965 to open the Royal Palace of Brussels to the public normally from the 21 July until the beginning of September.

Pena Palace, Portugal

It is the most popular attraction in Sintra, Portugal, and the main reason why so many people visit the small mountain town less than one hour’s drive from the country’s capital city, Lisbon. The colorful palace perched upon a hill looks like something out of a fairy tale. Its yellow and bright red appearance makes Pena Palace one of the most picturesque places in Europe. The UNESCO World Heritage (遗产) site has a rich history that dates all the way back to the Middle Ages.

Palace of Venaria, Italy

It is a former royal living places and gardens located in Venaria Reale, near Turin in the Metropolitan City of Turin of the Piedmont region in northern Italy. It is one of the largest palaces in the world. It is one of the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.

1. Which palace covers the largest floor area in Europe?

A．Royal Palace of Madrid.	B．Pena Palace.
C．Royal Palace of Brussels.	D．Palace of Venaria.

2. When can tourists visit the Royal Palace of Brussels?

A．In February.

B．In June.

C．In August.

D．In October.

3. What do Pena Palace and Palace of Venaria have in common?

A．They are both in Asia.

B．They are both small palaces.

C．They are both forty minutes’ drive from the capital.

D．They are both listed in the UNESCO World Heritage.

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。

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.”

7 . Four Historic American Theatres

Today, theatres remain a key part of a city’s lifeblood. The following are four historic theatres in America.

Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis, MN

The Pantages Theatre, which now seats 1,014, opened in 1916 as part of Alexander Pantages’s well-known group of theatres. It was designed by the local firm Kees and Colburn. In 1922, the theatres was rebuilt by Scottish theatres architect Benjamin Marcus Priteca. After going through several owners, in 1984, it was closed and remained unopened until 1996. Some theatre supporters had it repaired and improved, resulting in its reopening in 2002.

Saenger Theatre, New Orleans, LA

New Orleans’s Saenger Theatre was built two years before the Great Depression, in 1927, and cost a then unheard-of $ 2.5 million. It was designed by Emile Weil, featuring a 15th-century Florentine courtyard and gardens, and Greek and Roman statues. Although the theatre was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, after a $ 53 million renovation (修葺), it reopened in 2013.

Thalian Hall, Wilmington, NC

Thalian Hall has been in almost continuous use since its opening in 1858. It is the only surviving theatre designed by John Montague Trimble, one of America’s foremost 19th-century theatre architects, and originally housed the town government, a library, as well as an “Opera House”, seating 1, 000 people. Some repairs in 1909 led to the removal of the side balconies and the installation of electric stage lights.

Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence, RI

It was originally opened as a movie palace in 1928, and the silent movies it showed were accompanied by a $ 90, 000 Robert Morton organ. After several decades, the theatre suffered from the increased popularity of television, as well as damage by two hurricanes. Over the past decade and a half, it has undergone extensive renovations and modernization.

1. What can we know about the Pantages Theatre?

A．It has a seating capacity of 1, 916.	B．It will be turned into a movie house.
C．It was designed by Alexander Pantages.	D．It was once shut down for over a decade.

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

A．Pantages Theatre.

B．Saenger Theatre.

C．Thalian Hall.

D．Providence Performing Arts Center

3. What do the listed theatres have in common?

A．They went through major renovations.

B．They were hit by terrible natural disasters.

C．They were built by American theatre architects.

D．They belong o Alexander Pantages’s group of theatres.

8 . Libraries are the temple for book lovers, the main source of knowledge and wisdom. Here are the biggest libraries in the world.

The Library of Congress

The Library of Congress in the US is the biggest library in the world, whose collections are from all around the world. The library has a collection of 32 million cataloged books. It receives 22,000 copies per day from the publication produced in the US. Some of the major works stored in the library are Rough Draft of the Declaration of Independence, the world’s most famous architectural designs and so on.

The British Library

The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom. It is the second biggest library in the world. It holds 150 million items from different countries. It receives 8,000 copies per day from the publication produced in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Its collection includes 14 million books. Every year over 3 million items are added to the library. The major highlights of the library collection are Diamond Sutra and Alice’s Adventures under Ground.

Library and Archives (档案馆) Canada (LAC)

Canada has the third biggest library in the world. The library holds 20 million books, 24 million photographs and a lot of digital works. Its collection includes The Proclamation of the Canadian Constitution Act, the British North America Act and many more precious works.

The New York Public Library (NYPL)

It is the fourth largest library in the world. It is the public library having 87 branches. The library has a collection of 53 million items. It also has four research libraries which are open to the general public. You can ask and discover about anything on the official website of NYPL.

1. Which of the following works is stored in the Library of Congress?

A．The British North America Act.

B．Alice’s Adventures under Ground.

C．Rough Draft of the Declaration of Independence.

D．The Proclamation of the Canadian Constitution Act.

2. How many new items does the British Library receive every year?

A．About 22,000.	B．More than 8,000.
C．About 14 million.	D．More than 3 million.

3. Which library owns an official website where you can search for all information?

A．Library and Archives Canada.	B．The Library of Congress.
C．The New York Public Library.	D．The British Library.

9 .         Oxford Street is a major street in the City of Westminster in London, the United Kingdom. It has about 300 shops. The street was formerly part of London-Oxford road which began at Newgate, City of London, and was known as Oxford Road. Oxford Street follows the route of a Roman road, which becomes one of the major routes in and out of the city.

       Oxford Street is one and a half miles from end to end. Most shops are open from 10 am to 6 or 7 pm. Many are also open on Saturdays and Sundays from 6 am to 12 pm. Oxford Street is best known for Selfridges (塞尔福里奇百货公司) and the other big department stores that are all found in the section from Marble Arch to Oxford Circus, along with most of the big-name multinationals (跨国公司). Oxford Street is said to be the busiest shopping street in Europe.

       Between the 12th century and 1782 Oxford Street was known as Tyburn Road, Uxbridge Road, Worcester Road and Oxford Road. By 1729, the road had become known as Oxford Street. In the late 18th century, many of the surrounding fields were bought by the Earl of Oxford, and the area was developed. It became popular with entertainers. During the 19th century, the area became known for its shops.

       Oxford Street is home to a number of major department stores and numerous flagship stores (旗舰店), as well as hundreds of smaller shops. It is the biggest shopping street within Inner London. Though not necessarily the most expensive or fashionable, it is considered to be the most important, and forms part of a larger shopping area with Regent Street, Bond Street and a number of other smaller nearby streets.

1. What do you know about Oxford Street?

A．It is known to be the busiest shopping street in Europe.

B．It has the biggest multinational in the world.

C．It is the longest street in the city, London.

D．It is in the central part of the city, London.

2. What does the third paragraph mainly tell us about Oxford Street?

A．Its location.

B．Its history.

C．Its products.

D．Its transport.

3. When did people get to know the street as Oxford Street widely?

A．In the 12th century.	B．In the year of 1729.
C．In the year of 1782.	D．In the late 18th century.

4. It can be known from the passage that ________.

A．Oxford Street stands for its fashion

B．only big flagship stores can be found in Oxford Street

C．Oxford Street plays an important part in the trade of London

D．shops in Oxford Street are open all day long throughout the year

10 . The Thai capital Bangkok isn't just a big city full of skyscrapers, shopping malls, and traffic. There are many beautiful spaces providing residents with fresh air and lots of healthy outdoor activities in landscaped areas.

Benjakitti Park

The park has dedicated 'bicycle and jogging tracks around the Lake Ratchada. The water's edge is nicely framed by some pretty plant life, with colourful flowers adding to the quietness. You'll also find skate tracks, a central pavilion with fountains, and an impressive half-circle courtyard that's popular for picnics.

Opening Time: Daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Benjasiri Park

Benjasiri Park is the place to be for sculpture lovers, with some of the best examples of Thai sculptures around the park reflecting historical features. The centrepiece fountain hosts multimedia water dance shows 3 times daily. The park offers outdoor sports facilities rarely found at other public parks in Bangkok, including a basketball court, roller skating/skateboarding rink, tennis court, and outdoor swimming pool.

Opening Time: Daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Chatuchak Park

Chatuchak Park offers something for everyone at this park. Some may walk or jog along the green tracks line, while others can appreciate nature in the Thai Literature and Herb Garden. The park's northern end has many tennis courts and soccer fields. While you're there, make sure not to miss the Train Museum and Youth Traffic Garden.

Opening Time: Daily from 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sanam Luang Park

Sanam Luang Park has been around since the founding of Bangkok in 1782. Take part in the kite flying festival in March in different shapes and sizes floating in the sky. On most days; you can enjoy a family picnic in the breezy late afternoon while watching an exciting game of volleyball.

Opening Time: Daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

1. Which park opens earliest every day?

A．Benjakitti Park.	B．Benjasiri Park.
C．Chatuchak Park.	D．Sanam Luang Park.

2. What is special in Benjasiri Park compared with the other three parks?

A．Colorful flowers.	B．Traditional sculptures
C．Soccer fields.	D．Walking tracks.

3. What do Benjakitti Park and Sanam Luang Park both have?

A．A tennis court.	B．Some skate tracks.
C．A volleyball court.	D．Some picnic spots.