1 . 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. |
| 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. |
| A．A culture magazine | B．A travel brochure. |
| C．A website. | D．A historical book. |
2 . There are some palaces in Europe that you may be interested to know about.
Royal Palace of Madrid, SpainIt 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, BelgiumIt 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, PortugalIt 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, ItalyIt 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. |
| A．In February. | B．In June. | C．In August. | D．In October. |
| 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. |
Have you ever forgotten
4 . The following is the information of some excellent hotels at the famous resort (度假胜地) for skiers in Italy.
Hotel Ela
£550 per person
The hotel Ela lies in the center of the resort, only 100 m from the main ski lift and 300 m from the ski school meeting point. It is ideal for those who prefer a hotel which is very close to all the resort’s action.
Rooms (2-4 people): Twin rooms with cable TV, hairdryer, shower and WC. All rooms have recently been redecorated.
Hotel Sport
£540 per person
It is near shops, bars and restaurants. The hotel is a great choice for those looking for lively nightlife. The famous bar is just on the ground floor.
Rooms (2-4 people): All rooms are located on the 2nd and 3rd floors and have hairdryer, mini-safe, satellite TV, shower and WC.
Please note: This hotel doesn’t accept groups larger than 6 people.
Hotel Xalet Verdu
£559 per person
It is an attractive hotel decorated in the traditional style and offers comfortable accommodation. The atmosphere is welcoming. It is 300m from the main ski lift and the village center.
Garage: £10 a day
64 rooms: Twin or double bedrooms with shower, hairdryer, satellite TV, telephone and safe.
Villa Cary Hotel
£540 per person
The Villa Cary is a small but well located hotel with comfortable rooms for two people making it ideal for couples. You’re guaranteed a warm welcome from the English owner.
Rooms (2 people): Pleasantly furnished double bedrooms with cable TV, mini-safe and bathrooms with shower and WC.
1. What is the benefit of staying in Hotel Ela?| A．It’s the cheapest of all the hotels. |
| B．It’s the best among all the hotels. |
| C．It’s convenient for the resort’s activities. |
| D．It has rooms with cable TV and a hairdryer. |
| A．Guests can enjoy the exciting nightlife there. |
| B．All its rooms have just been redecorated. |
| C．It sometimes offers free accommodation. |
| D．It is the largest of all the hotels. |
| A．£90. | B．£70. | C．£30. | D．£10. |
| A．Hotel Ela. | B．Hotel Sport. |
| C．Villa Cary Hotel. | D．Hotel Xalet Verdu. |
| A．Hotel Ela. | B．Hotel Sport. |
| C．Villa Cary Hotel. | D．Hotel Xalet Verdu. |
5 . 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. |
| A．The exploration of wilderness. | B．The reception of US presidents. |
| C．On demand HD entertainment. | D．Remote control curtains. |
| A．$80. | B．$50. | C．$30. | D．$ 20. |
6 . Libraries are places to preserve cultural heritage, develop information resources and carry out social education. Let’s look at some of the most beautiful libraries in the world.
Vennesla Library and Culture House, Norway
The library is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Opened in 2011, this library is an important site for concerts, theatrical performances and film screenings. The design of the library is unique. The building is supported by 27 laminated (层压的) wood arches that hold the roof up.
Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, Italy
The library is one of the largest and most important libraries in Italy. It preserves one of the most important collections of Greek, Latin and Asian manuscripts (手稿) in the entire world. Some of them are the most precious pieces. The library specializes in Venetian history and classic philology. Its collection of antique maps is also very significant.
Stacja Kultura, Poland
Thanks to a recent restoration, a station that was once in ruins underwent an architectural change. The library might seem unremarkable from the outside, but the innovative project and its division into a train station, public library and cultural center have certainly made this building worth a visit.
Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, United States
The library is the main source of literary archives (档案), ancient manuscripts and rare books at Yale University, and it’s visited by students and researchers from around the world. Completed in 1963, the library is home to the Bollingen Prize for Poetry which is awarded biennially, and the Windham-Campbell Prizes which are awarded annually for fiction, literary essays, poetry, and theater.
1. Which library will attract people interested in the stage?| A．Vennesla Library and Culture House. | B．Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana. |
| C．Stacja Kultura. | D．Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. |
| A．Its architecture. | B．Its collection. | C．Its location. | D．Its original owner. |
| A．They have a long history. | B．They are favored by movie lovers. |
| C．They hold some precious treasures. | D．They are the most important libraries. |
7 . Like many parts of modern life, you can go digital when it comes to food scales (秤). If you want digital scales with an LCD display, then obviously you’ll need batteries which can run out at the most inconvenient of times. But the advantages of digital scales are many, including an accurate button which allows you to instantly remove the weight of an empty bowl, so you don’t need to do any maths calculations (计算). Mechanical (机械的)scales on the other hand have a pleasingly old-school reliability about them and undoubtedly add a touch of the style of the past to any kitchen. Read on for our top picks of mechanical scales, and digital scales, and balance scales.
EK backlit scales
A backlit display is an attractive feature. In addition to its good looks, it has an oversize digital display that is easy to read.
CN folding kitchen scales
When space is limited in your kitchen, you sometimes don’t want to buy another kitchen item. Folding kitchen scale is your best choice.
DM traditional cast iron balance kitchen scales
Cooking and baking isn’t all about time efficiency. It’s also about memories and the simple enjoyment of doing something that connects you.
MF 3-in-1 digital scales
We love the one that makes life easier by performing many functions. One part is a traditional balance, one part is a mixing bowl, and one part is a measuring pot, and the grade of the bowl itself allows accurate measurement of the liquid.
There are plenty of good reasons to prepare the best kitchen scales for your kitchen set up. More importantly, the sense of loss because of inaccuracy can be avoided. If you’ve got young kids, using scales is also a great way to add to their knowledge of weights and measures and to do some basic maths with them.
1. What is the feature of a mechanical scale?| A．It has LCD display. |
| B．It needs batteries |
| C．It is a little inaccurate |
| D．It shows an old-fashioned style. |
| A．EK backlit scales |
| B．CN folding kitchen scales |
| C．DM traditional cast iron balance kitchen scales |
| D．MF 3-in- 1 digital scales |
| A．Mechanics. | B．Mathematics. | C．Chemistry. | D．Physics. |
8 . Best French Castles to Visit
Palace of Versailles
The palace was built as a small hunting house by Louis XII in 1624. Eight years later, he expanded it to a castle. Later, his successors also expanded it, causing it to become one of the largest palaces of the world. The Museum of the History of France is located inside the Palace of Versailles, where guests may explore the past of the castle and its residents.
Mont Saint-Michel
Constructed during the 8th century, it is located on a rocky island off the north coast of France. It is said that the Archangel Michael had pressured Aubert, bishop (主教) of the nearby hilltop town of Avranches, into having a church built atop the island. Its special position made it readily defensible as an incoming tide blocked or drowned would-be attackers.
Chateau de Chantilly
Located in the town of Chantilly, this beautiful castle was built between 1528- 1531 for the Duke Anne de Montmorency by Pierre Chambiges. Every two years, a splendid fireworks competition is held in the castle gardens. This popular event brings many visitors in from around the world.
Chateau de Chenonceau
The castle was built on the River Cher during the 11th century, but its true history began after HenryⅡgifted the castle to his lover, Diane de Poitiers. From then on, it was a long succession of female owners. More recently, a female-led team of restorers have made it truly shine once again. Head inside to see its brilliant furnishings and tapestries (挂毯)and outside to enjoy its gardens on a sunny day.
1. Who originally built the Palace of Versailles?| A．Louis XII. | B．HenryⅡ. | C．Aubert. | D．Pierre Chambiges. |
| A．In Mont Saint-Michel. | B．In Chateau de Chantilly. |
| C．In Palace of Versailles. | D．In Chateau de Chenonceau. |
| A．It is on a rocky island. | B．It has the longest history. |
| C．It includes a museum in it. | D．It is a female-owned castle. |
| place ride however with after deal bravely better feel remind different |
Located in one of Beijing’s most active art communities, the Loneliness (孤独) Museum is always very crowded.
People may get used to loneliness as they get older
Luckily, our society is more tolerant (宽容的) towards this kind of young group, often encouraging them to face this crazy changing world
10 . 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. |
| 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. |
| A．They are located in Europe. | B．They focus on human nature. |
| C．They show respect for life. | D．They are special museums. |
