1 . Top Stays for Travelers Who

Prioritize Sustainability

Here’s a look at four hotels that are taking the green lead, bravely committing to a net-zero future.

Boutiquehotel Stadthalle

In a restored turn-of-the-century house surrounded by solar panels and garden beds, the 79-room hotel has been running on solar power and other renewables since 2009. Its rooms are equipped with recycled wine bottle chandeliers (枝形吊灯). Breakfast is in the garden among herb pots and flowers. Up above, the flower roof attracts many butterflies and bees.

Hackengasse 20, 1150 Wien, Vienna; +43-1982-4272

Room2 Chiswick

Recognizing the climate crisis, room2 owner Robert Godwi spent two years planning a "whole life" net-zero hotel. There are a host of invisible elements like a blue roof that changes rainwater into energy. A biodiverse green roof uses 200 tons of soil and wildflowers aimed at absorbing CO₂.

10 Windmill Rd, Chiswick, London; +4420-3988-0220

Comfort Hotel Solna

In June 2021, Scandinavia welcomed its first certificated "zero-energy" hotel. The 336-room hotel lies a few miles north of central Stockholm. The building has 2,500 square meters of colorful solar cells which provide energy to cool and heat the building. This "energy-smart" hotel shows off Nordic design while being relatively easy on the wallet.

Evenemangsgatan 48, 169 56 Solna, Sweden; +468-1216-1480

Four Elements Hotel

This hotel uses the wind to produce energy for air conditioning and heating. It uses solar energy to produce electricity and heat water. The "Earth, Wind & Fire" idea came from engineer Dr Ben Bronsema. The top-floor Wind Sky Bar and the Herbs Garden restaurant of the hotel are must-tries.

Bert Haanstrakade 1074, 1087 H, Amsterdam; +312-0714-2040

1. Where can you see some recycled items?

A．At room2 Chiswick.	B．At Comfort Hotel Solna.
C．At Four Elements Hotel.	D．At Boutiquehotel Stadthalle.

2. Which is a feature of room2 Chiswick?

A．A CO₂-absorbing roof.	B．A line of colorful solar cells.
C．The Herbs Garden restaurant.	D．A meal among herb pots and flowers.

3. Who might be interested in all these four hotels?

A．Travelers who are on a budget.	B．Children who are nature lovers.
C．Visitors who want a green travel.	D．Parents who are fond of biodiversity.

3 . Four best zoos in the UK

London Zoo

Established in 1828, London Zoo is the oldest scientific zoo in the world. It is situated in Regent’s Park and is home to around 755 different animal species with about 16,802 animals. In addition to being famous for being the oldest scientific zoo, it’s also the very first zoo to launch an Aquarium, an Insect House, a Children’s Zoo and a Reptile House.

Ticket prices online: Children £15 and adults £21. Under 3 — free entry.

Colchester Zoo

This charming child-friendly zoo has more than 155 species located within 60 acres of well-kept land. It has at least 50 displays every day, plenty of hands-on experience opportunities and 5 play areas. It remains up-to-date by expanding continuously and children are guaranteed to enjoy the Madagascar express road train.

Ticket prices online: Children £14 and adults £21. Under 3 — free entry.

Whipsnade Zoo

Whipsnade Zoo is the UK’s biggest zoo set in over 600 acres of beautiful scenery. It first opened in 1931 and now houses 227 different species that comprise over 10,000 animals. The remarkable feature of this zoo is the wandering herds of elephants that freely move around the zoo grounds, making it a wonderful place to take excellent natural pictures to show off to friends and family.

Ticket prices online: Children £18 and adults £25. Under 3 — free entry.

Bristol Zoo

This 12-acre zoo houses more than 450 species. Moreover, it has used its space resourcefully for a small zoo — probably one of the smallest in the world. For example, the latest Gorilla House is an award-winning area with the world’s first walkable glass roof.

Ticket prices online: Children £9 and adults £14. Under 2 — no entry fee.

1. What can visitors do in London Zoo?

A．Visit the Insect House.

B．Experience hands-on activities.

C．Perform scientific experiments.

D．Take pictures on a walkable glass roof.

2. Where should visitors go if their kids want to take a sightseeing train?

A．London Zoo.	B．Colchester Zoo.
C．Whipsnade Zoo.	D．Bristol Zoo.

3. How much should a couple with a 6-year-old pay to visit the smallest zoo?

A．£18.

B．£23.

C．£37.

D．£46.

4 . Since living in China, I’d always heard that Sichuan province had the spiciest cuisine. I finally made my way to Chengdu to satisfy my eagerness.

With 45% of its local people aged between 14 and 45, making it one of China’s most youthful places, it boasted an energetic atmosphere dotted with trendy shops, cafes, and live music. People wandered leisurely along the streets, enjoying the free time with those who don’t work overtime.

As the sun sets, Chengdu truly comes alive. The city buzzes (充斥着) with countless bars and music venues. I chose a bar to hear myself think. My waiter brought me a cocktail with Sichuan peppers and I asked where I could taste the most special hotpot. She suggested Long Sen Yuan Hotpot. I made a reservation. Afterwards, I took a walk along the amazing Jinjiang River. I’m not a person for solo walks typically, but I was curious about the Jiuyan Bridge, the highlight of the area, which bears the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The next day, I went to Long Sen Yuan. Having ordered some food, I asked for the spicy broth(火锅锅底) and learned I could choose from three levels of spiciness. I ordered the spiciest broth available. The waiter made eye contact to warn about how spicy it was. “Bring it on,” I challenged. The hotpot lived up to its reputation. I found the first bite bearable. However, any experienced spicy food expert will tell you that spice builds as you eat, and I had a lot of broth to get through. By the end of the meal, I was sweating all over. The experience was perfect, and I would highly recommend it, I even shot a selfie with the waiter as a memory of my spicy adventure.

1. Why is Chengdu one of China’s most youthful places?

A．Chengdu is a lively city in China.

B．People in Chengdu don’t work overtime.

C．The city has countless bars and music venues.

D．Nearly half of the people are between 15 and 45.

2. What can we know about Chengdu according to the text?

A．People lead a busy life.

B．People’s life there is diverse.

C．The highlight of the area is Jinjiang River.

D．The restaurant can make people hear themselves think.

3. What is the main idea of paragraph 4?

A．The three levels of spiciness.	B．The process of ordering food.
C．The experience of trying hotpot.	D．The reason of recommending the city.

4. What may be the attitude of the writer towards life in Chengdu?

A．Admirable.

B．Doubtful.

C．Uncertain.

D．Worried.

5 . Known for its beautiful natural environment, Guizhou contains a total of four World Heritage Sites, which is more than any other province in China.

The Fanjing Mountain, known as the “City of the Sky”, is famous for its Buddhist culture and the complex of temples. Compared with the world’s other mountains in the same latitude (纬度) zone, the Fanjing Mountain features the best-preserved animals and plants. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018.

Libo Karst, listed in the UNESCO World Heritage in 2007, is located in the southern borderland of Guizhou. Walking into Libo is a feast for the eyes. You would be amazed by one breathtaking sight after another, such as the Wolong Pond and the Laya Waterfall.

The Yuntai Mountain stands out like a piece of green agate (玛瑙) in its latitude zone. It is the oldest and best-preserved dolomite (白云石) karst landform in the world, which is extremely rare and highly valuable for scientific research. In 2014, the Yuntai Mountain was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its “uniqueness and typicality”.

Chishui Danxia is home to the largest Danxia landform area. The highlight of the tourist area, named Foguang Rock, is regarded as the greatest example of a Danxia landform in the world. When the afternoon sunlight hits it, it seems to glow like fire. There is a waterfall that is 42 meters wide and 269 meters high, which looks like a graceful white dragon. It was added to the UNESCO Wodd Heritage List in 2010.

1. What makes the Fanjing Mountain special in the same latitude?

A．Its high value for scientific research.	B．Its being called the “City of the Sky”.
C．Its rich Buddhist culture and temples.	D．Its best-preserved animals and plants.

2. What can a visitor see in the Yuntai Mountain?

A．Dolomite karst.	B．Danxia landform.
C．Laya Waterfall.	D．Foguang Rock.

3. Which site was first added into the World Heritage List?

A．The Fanjing Mountain.	B．Libo Karst.
C．The Yuntai Mountain.	D．Chishui Danxia

8 . How to yum cha in Hong Kong

For Hong Kongers, a quality restaurant could become a family haunt that’s visited for generations to come. Here are some of the best places for chowing down on these steam-basket goodies.

Forum

Founded by a legendary abalone (鲍鱼) master, this three Michelin-star restaurant serves classic Cantonese dim sum with an attention to detail that can only be described as impeccable (无瑕疵的). If you want to know what perfect dim sum tastes like, head to Forum.

Sun Hing

As the chefs begin kneading (捏) dough and wrapping buns in the middle of the night, neighbors slowly fill the seats and wait for its freshly made dumplings and stir-fried milk puffs. There is no menu or ordering sheet here. Diners choose their dim sum from the display towers located at the counter.

Golden Valley

Golden Valley offers two styles of Chinese cuisine — Cantonese and Sichuanese — on one dim sum menu. Golden Valley’s dumplings are a refreshing and sumptuous (豪华的) pocket of shrimp, mushrooms, pork and water chestnuts, while its Sichuanese dan dan noodles are flavorfully spicy.

Veggie Kingdom

Veggie Kingdom boasts a pretty impressive meatless dim sum experience that even non-vegetarians wouldn’t feel lacking. Helmed by a veteran dim sum chef, Veggie Kingdom makes fresh vegan dishes using traditional cooking techniques. Specially-treated vegetable oil is used to replace lard (猪油) and butter. Mushrooms are added to replace the usual pork fillings.

1. What is Sun Hing’s feature?

A．It was founded by a famed master.	B．It offers special kinds of noodles.
C．It offers dim sum to night owls.	D．It offers menus to order food.

2. Which restaurant best suits visitors who dislike meat?

A．Golden Valley.	B．Veggie Kingdom.
C．Forum.	D．Sun Hing.

3. In which section of a magazine can the text be found?

A．Business.

B．Travel.

C．Entertainment.

D．Health.

9 . If you want to help kids get creative and use their imaginations, a family trip to one of the best kids’ museums in Sydney will do the trick!

Powerhouse Museum

The Powerhouse Museum is the perfect place for inquisitive kids to have a hands-on, interactive experience. This kids’ museum in Sydney boasts a unique and diverse collection of objects that spans history, science, technology, and programs designed to engage children and young people. Plus, it’s FREE.

Sydney Tramway Museum

The Sydney Tramway Museum stands as a cherished homage to the city’s iconic tram network. From the elegant wooden carriages of the early 20th century to the sleek and modern designs of later years, the museum offers a comprehensive journey through the evolution of tram transport. There, you’ll have a chance to ride on one of the historic trams during your visit!

Newcastle Museum

The Newcastle Museum provides a fascinating insight into the region’s history, culture, and industry. Engage with interactive displays, learn about the city’s coal mining heritage, and discover exhibitions that highlight the diverse stories of its people. It has an exciting calendar of events that change regularly and include free exhibitions and kids’ activities.

Questacon, Canberra

Generations of Australians is r have enjoyed the delights of this fascinating science and technology museum, which opened in 1988. Highlights include feeling the force of an earthquake, seeing lightning illuminate the room and peeking inside a beehive. Younger kids will enjoy Mini Q—a custom-built play space for children up to six years old.

1. Which museum offers the rail ride experience?

A．Questacon, Canberra.	B．Powerhouse Museum.
C．Newcastle Museum.	D．Sydney Tramway Museum.

2. What do Powerhouse Museum and Newcastle Museum have in common?

A．They set activity calendars for visitors.	B．They help explore how the locals live.
C．They offer some interactive fun.	D．They give visitors an insight into mining.

3. What can visitors do at Questacon, Canberra?

A．Learn the cultural heritage.	B．Experience natural phenomena
C．Enjoy fascinating collections.	D．Engage in some space games.

10 . From hilltop towns overlooking sparkling bays to sunset walks along cobble-stoned streets with opera filling the air, here are the top 4 romantic Italy attractions for 2024.

Lake Garda

As the largest lake in Italy, there is no doubt that you will find exactly what you’re looking for. From fun water sports and sensational spa days to relaxing walks, Lake Garda holidays have something for every pace. Taking in the fantastic historic architecture and colourful houses is a wonderful way to spend a day with the one you love.

Sardinia

Sardinia holidays offer a magnificent taste of authentic Italy, with a Inid-back untouched charm. Whether you’re looking to revel(狂欢)in the soft white sands on miles of coastline or want to explore the historic architecture, Sardinia is perfectly packaged for one of the best romantic Italy holidays. Walks along the beach at sunset, and snorkelling with the local sea life will transport you to a romantic paradise.

Piazz a di Spagna

Located at the foot of the hill where Trinita dei Monta church lies, it’s famous for the Spanish Steps leading up to the church built in 1495 under the order of Charles Ⅶ. The architects were de Santis and Spezzi. The historic architecture and some British cafes on the square create a completely romantic atmosphere, making it a popular summer re treat for young people.

Venice

This historic city truly transports you to a different time, with historic architecture, cobble-stoned streets, and joyful opera filling the canals as you wind your way through. Whether you’re looking for a holiday filled with art or a romantic getaway with traditional Italian snacks, good wine, Venice takes romance to another level.

1. Where will you go if you want to have fun beside the sea?

A．Lake Garda.	B．Sardinia.
C．Piazza di Spagna.	D．Venice.

2. What do you know about Venice according to the text?

A．It has lots of beautiful beaches.	B．It has the largest lake in Italy.
C．It’s famous for the great church.	D．It’s filled with art and fine food,

3. What do Lake Garda and Piazza di Spagna have in common?

A．They are close to the sea.

B．They are famous for water sports.

C．They both have historic architecture.

D．They both have a fairy tale atmosphere.