For years, my family has vacationed in the same Florida town. In fact, we just returned home after spending a week of spring break there with our three sons.

Many nights, we take the same scenic drive to dinner at a favorite restaurant. As we travel along Gulf Shore Boulevard, we admire a combination of small beach apartments, swanky high-rises and spectacular homes.

A few years ago, we noticed that whenever we drive this particular route, there are always two men sitting in front of the same third-floor window of a low-rise apartment building that overlooks the road. All that is visible from the road are their two silhouettes. Even during off-peak months, they’ve always been there. Over the years, we’ve had great fun speculating about who they are, whether they’re having a drink, and if so, what they fancy, where they’re from, and what they might be discussing. Our guesses have become a modern form of car bingo. Widowers? Retirees? Partners? We’ve run through the gamut of possibilities.

Eventually, I started beeping the horn as we passed. We’d wave. Our new friends would do likewise. There was something comforting in seeing them. In a world of constant change, it has been nice to look up and see that they are there, just as we remember from our last visit. And then last spring, we drove by and they were missing. The apartment was dark. No one was visible in the window. Strangely, we drove by and they were missing The apartment was dark. No one was visible in the window. Strangely, we grew worried about two people we’d never even met. Where did they go? A new round of the guessing game began.

On our last trip at Christmastime, we were relieved to see them once again. We were driving past about 6 p.m., and there they were at cocktail hour. I told my wife that I suspected they were gin drinkers and said we should buy them a bottle. She said that if I bought it, she’d deliver it. I said, “Tomorrow.”

1.Driving along the scenic route, the author’s family were to          .

A．meet their friends there     B．visit the Florida town

C．appreciate a place of interest      D．have supper together

2.Why did the author blow the horn?

A．It was a pleasure for them to see the two men again.

B．It was his habit while driving along the special route.

C．It was an agreement between him and the two men.

D．It was for the sake of safety while driving.

3.Which of the following can best describe the family?

A．generous and sensitive        B．curious and kind

C．helpful and brave                  D．friendly and hurnorous

4.Which of the following will best continue this passage?

A．The two men’s favorite drinks.

B．The two men’s beach apartments

C．The reason of the two men’s absence

D．The author’s next visit to the town

 

Joy in the journey

If you have ever been discouraged because of failure, please read on. For often, achieving what you set out to do is not the important thing. Let me explain.

    Two brothers decided to dig a deep hole behind their house. As they were working, a couple of older boys stopped by to      . “What are you doing?” asked one of the visitors. “We plan to dig a hole all the way through the      !” one of the brothers volunteered      .

    The older boys began to      , telling the younger ones that digging a hole all the way through the earth was      . After a long silence, one of the         picked up a jar full of spiders, worms and many other kinds of insects. He       the lid and showed the wonderful       to the scoffing（嘲笑的）visitors. Then he said quietly and      , “Even if we don’t dig all the way through the earth, look at what we have found       the way!”

    Their goal was far too ambitious, but it did cause them to dig. And that is       a goal is for — to cause us to move in the       we have chosen, in other words, to keep us      ! But not every goal will be fully      . Not every job will end      . Not every hope will come to pass. Not every love will last. Not every dream will be      . But when you fall       of your aim, perhaps you can say, “Yes, but look at what I found along the way! Look at the wonderful things       my life because I tried to do something!” It is in the digging       life is lived. And I believe it is the joy in the journey, in the end, that truly      .

1.A. rest             B. work        C. watch          D. laugh

2.A. house           B. earth        C. wall          D. road

3.A. calmly          B. patiently      C. excitedly              D. impatiently

4.A. laugh           B. think        C. stare                   D. smile

5.A. important       B. difficult       C. impossible        D. interesting

6.A. passers-by       B. watchers    C. visitors                D. diggers

7.A. moved           B. removed  C. broke          D. pushed

8.A. contents         B. scenes     C. pictures                D. jars

9.A. properly         B. confidently          C. carefully        D. happily

10.A. in               B. along               C. to                 D. out

11.A. what            B. how                    C. where              D. which

12.A. way             B. direction    C. life                D. sight

13.A. thinking         B. moving        C. digging           D. living

14.A. made            B. prepared            C. kicked                D. achieved

15.A. hopelessly        B. pleasantly            C. surprisingly      D. successfully

16.A. come true        B. realized              C. made              D. treasured

17.A. short             B. lost          C. out                D. behind

18.A. breaking into     B. turning to            C. coming into       D. holding to

19.A. when            B. where         C. which                D. that

20.A. matters          B. happens      C. appears           D. exists

 

Cooler temperatures, attractive colors, smaller crowds autumn is the perfect time for travel and tourism. Here, three places are listed as the best fall trip destinations. Don’t worry if you can’t go to these places. By reading this page, we hope to take you on grand tour and let you experience fun and culture around the world.

Cannstatter Volkfest, Stuttgart, Germany Stuttgart’s Cannstatter Volkfest is listed as the world’s second largest beer-drinking event–following Munich’s Oktoberfest. But it is considered Germany’s more authentic celebration of local heritage and, of course, beer. Started as an agricultural fair in 1818–a symbolic 24-meter-high “fruit column” pays homage to the past–the three-week festival (from September 23 to October 9 this year) features live music, a re-created Alpine village, and carnival（狂欢节） rides. In addition, Stuttgart is recognized as a global car capital. Both the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums are worth a visit.

 

Churchill, Manitoba, Canada Here in the northern Canadian town at Hudson Bay, visitors can see the area’s most famous fall residents–polar bears. More than a thousand of the world’s largest land carnivores migrate through the “polar bear capital of the world” during October and November, when the first ice forms on the edge of Hudson Bay.  The frozen conditions make it easier for hungry bears to hunt for seals (by walking instead of swimming). Under the snowy, winter weather, visitors can hardly have too many clothes to put on. Insulated boots, jackets, and gloves; layered clothing; thermal underwear; and woolen socks and hats are required.

 

Dublin, Ireland The Ireland’s capital and largest city is a center for arts, entertainment, culture and commerce. With few tourists and lower temperatures, fall is the ideal season for walking the historic Georgian streets and cruising the River Liffey. Visitors can explore the city’s 20 square kilometers of public gardens, nature reserves, and parks, including St. Stephen’s Green, which borders Grafton Street, one of the world’s most expensive retail locations. 　　Along the way, enjoy traditional, paper-wrapped fish and chips at Leo Burdock. 　　Healthier eats will be on the menu on October 31, when more than 12,000 runners are expected for the National Lottery Dublin Marathon, named “the Friendly Marathon” for the affable crowds cheering there.

1.The passage is presented for those who            .

A．care for fun and culture around the world

B．have planned to go for traveling this autumn

C．hate to have their holidays in other seasons

D．have not ever been to Europe and America

2.If you spend your holidays on October 31, you may           .

A．enjoy live music at the beer – drinking festival

B．watch polar bears hunt seals

C．taste traditional, paper – wrapped fish and clips

D．win a prize in “the Friendly Marathon”

3.According to the passage, we can know that          .

A．Car exhibitions will be held for two months.

B．It’s not necessary to take more clothes with you to Churehill, Martitoba

C．The beer – drinking event in German dates from the eighteenth century

D．Your favourite goods might be available in the expensive shop in Dublin

4.The passage is probably taken from the column of         in a newspaper.

A．economics  B．science        C．tourism        D．fashion

 

If you are planning a visit to Chicago, make sure you see the city best before you head back home.

Architecture

Chicago is home to some of the most fascinating architecture in the country. One of the oldest buildings in the city is the Water Tower, which was built in 1869. It is one of the structures to survive the Chicago Fire in 1871. It is a fascinating builging to see, and is nearby the Water Tower Place, which has great shopping. It’s a paradise for the young. Another stop must be the Willes Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower. Go to the top and walk out on the clear walkway to take a look straight down on the city. If you have the time, be sure to have dinner or a cocktail in the Signature Room on the 95th floor. Not only is the food great, but the views are breathtaking.

Boat Tours

If architecture is your thing, Wendella Boats offers a great architecture tour of Chicago. You can see some of the beautiful buildings from the Chicago River, which is a side of the buildings you don’t usually get to see. There are several other boat tours that are just great, too, and many will even take you from the river out to Lake Michigan where you can see the Chicago skyline at any time of day. These tours are great ways to gain knowledge of this spectacular city, and it’s also a funny way to rest your legs between walking tips.

Famous Pizza

You cannot come to Chicago without trying some famous, deepdish pizza. There are many places to get this delicious, thick pizza, but three stores stand out from the rest. Gino’s East, Giordano’s, and Lou Malnati’s are the best places to get authentic, Chicago-style, deep-dish pizza. Try it with all the toppings or just cheese, but be sure you try it at some point. Many think that much pizza and cheese seems disgusting, but don’t knock it till you try it. You might find a new favorite way of eating this Italian classic.

1.Water Tower Place is so popular among young people most probably because of ______.

A. its advantage of meeting his or her future partner

B. its amusement services and shopping advantages

C. there being many museums about art and literature

D. its importance in working as an unusual water tower now

2.While making a boat tour, you can ______.

A. see some beautiful buildings and even the Chicago skyline

B. draw the newly built architecture along the river

C. see how to gain knowledge in daily life

D. measure the length and width of the Chicago River

3.Why does the author advise visitors to try pizza in Chicago?.

A. Because its cheese comes from Italy.

B. Because the Chicago-style is really impressive.

C. Because there are so many chain stores from Italy.

D. Because its style is completly the same as that in Italy.