Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, the second-largest island of the British Isles. Its beautiful countryside has always had a great influence     1     its people and traditions. The country has a long history of     2     (produce) great writers and poets.Its beautiful countryside     3     (excite) and inspires all, offering something for each of the    4    (sense). The peaceful landscape of the “Emerald Isle” and its many green counties is    5     true feast for the eyes, with its rolling green hills     6    (dot) with sheep and cattle.And down by the sea, the roar of the ocean waves and cries of the seabirds make up the music of the coast. On a quiet morning in the mountains, feel the sun on your skin,     7     breathe in the sweet scent of fresh flowers while birds greet the new day with their morning song. With all this beauty, it is not surprising that Ireland has developed strong traditions that include music, dancing, and dining.     8     (have) a chance of experiencing this, stop by a village pub and relax with a glass of wine or a local beer. Better yet, enjoy a delicious traditional Irish Beef Stew.     9     you’re lucky, you might be able to enjoy some traditional music and dancing, too. And if you introduce yourself to a     10    (friend) face, you are more than likely to experience local culture and customs first-hand.

Jiuzhaigou Valley, literally “Nine Village Valley” in Chinese, gets its name from the 9 Tibetan villages along the 50km-plus valley. Situated in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, it is well-known     1     its greenish-blue lakes, beautiful waterfalls, colorful forests, snow-capped peaks     2     the local Tibetan ethnic culture.

Jiuzhaigou got     3     (it) name because there are nine Tibetan villages in the valley. For centuries Tibetan people have lived in the region, but it was not officially discovered by the government until 1972. It     4     (declare) a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.

The valley is a     5     (nature) habitat for two of China’s most endangered species—the giant panda and the Sichuan takin (羚牛). You are likely to see other     6     (creature) including birds, insects and fish.

Over 80 percent of the scenic area is covered by forests. In the lower regions, there are plenty of grasses and reeds. These are quickly replaced by bamboo forests,     7     in turn give way to conifers (针叶树) at the upper regions. Beyond them, snow-capped peaks of the Minshan Mountains are also very     8     (attract).

The most comfortable climate     9     (visit) Jiuzhaigou is in July. Umbrellas and wet weather clothing, as well as sun protection cream and hats are     10     (high) recommended as the weather is often changing.

Seeing a place by bike is one of the most exciting ways of     1     (get) to know a new destination (目的地). Cycling to be green, to get fit or just for new challenge in life, combining sport and travel could be a completely life-changing experience.

The route around the vast Qinghai Lake will take 4 to 7 days of cycling. The total     2     (distant) is over 220 miles. The beautiful lake,     3     is said to change color depending on the season or time of day,     4     (lie) in the culturally Tibetan area. It has been sacred (神圣的) lake to the Tibetan people for many     5     (century).

At a steady and comfortable pace, this route can be completed     6     (easy). Because of the Qinghai Lake International Cycling Race, which has taken place every July     7     2002, the roads are well protected and very easy to ride     8    . The asphalt (柏油) road makes an excellent smooth surface, so you won’t be up against rough road.

For the best weather and the clearest views of the     9     (peace) lake, visit during summer. The best months for cycling are July and August, but remember     10     (travel) with thick clothes as the temperatures drop dramatically in the evenings.