If you still need to relax and want to head overseas, don’t miss out some great deals on accommodation or air fares at some of the world’s top off–peak travel hotspots. Whether you want to go to Europe or run away on a tropical escape, stretch that travel budget to take advantage of off-peak rates at some of the world’s most-visited locales. Several destinations host spring festivals and other special events.
Here are four off-peak travel destinations to visit in 2013:
Portugal
With rich culture and history, Portugal continues to be one of the most affordable European destinations. Head to this beautiful capital city of Lisbon to attend the festivals and fairs, visit some 12th–century buildings, and stay at one of the newer hotels in the main city district. The Hotel Teatro is a four-star restaurant, and average nightly rates are under $150 a night.
Hotel Teatro
Porto, Portugal
+351 220 409 620
Aruba
Set your sights on Aruba for an unforgettable Caribbean holiday. You can get special offers from one of the larger beach resorts(旅游胜地) here. Some of the chain hotels, including Marriott and Radisson, offer discounts on spa relaxations (矿泉浴场) . The Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino, & Spa is offering a Super Saver Spring Rate at just $309 per night.
Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa
Palm Beach, Aruba
800-967-9033
Oaxaca
Escape to southern Mexico to explore the historic colonial city and learn about the region’s traditions, culture, and colorful history. Oaxaca holds several cultural festivals and is a great place to relax. You will be receiving a 50% discount with just $170 per night for a deluxe(豪华的) single or double room if you stay in the Camino Real Oaxaca for more than 7 nights (7 included).
Camino Real Oaxaca
Centro, 68000
01 951 501 6100
Turkey
Another place to have some local culture and participate in some late spring festivals is Istanbul, Turkey. Stay at a destination that will put you within easy reach of famous sites like the Topkapi Palace. The Modern Sultan Hotel is a deluxe hotel located in the heart of the historic district. Average nightly rates for the bed and breakfast package are just under $120 per night.
Modern Sultan Hotel
Istanbul, Turkey
+90 212 520 00 53In the passage Portugal is described as a destination ________.
| A．for visitors interested in ancient buildings |
| B．especially appealing to wealthy Europeans |
| C．owning rich culture but lacking colorful festivals |
| D．having the Hotel Teatro in the suburbs of Lisbon |
If you want to know more information about spas, you can call ________.
| A．800-967-9033 | B．+351 220 409 620 |
| C．01 951 501 6100 | D．+90 212 520 00 53 |
According to the passage, nightly rates including breakfast is offered by ________.
| A．Hotel Teatro |
| B．Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa |
| C．Camino Real Oaxaca |
| D．Modern Sultan Hotel |
What is the passage mainly about ?
| A．Some off-peak places for relaxation. |
| B．A way to travel on a budget. |
| C．The world’s most visited destinations. |
| D．Comparing the four tourist destinations. |
One fine day, an old couple around the age of 70, walks into a lawyer's office. Apparently, they are there to file a divorce. Lawyer was very puzzled, after having a chat with them, he got their story.
This couple had been quarreling all their 40 years of marriage nothing ever seems to go right. They hang on because of their children, afraid that it might affect their up-bringing. Now, all their children have already grown up, have their own family, there's nothing else the old couple have to worry about, 
all they wanted is to lead their own life free from all these years of unhappiness from their marriage, so both agree on a divorce.
While they were signing the papers, the wife told the husband. “I really love you, but I really can't carry on anymore, I'm sorry.” "It's OK, I understand." said the husband. Little did she know that, over the years, the husband has been trying all ways to please her, little did she know that drumsticks were the husband's favorite. Little did he know that she never thought he understands her at all, little did he know that she hates drumsticks even though all he wants is the best for her.
That night, both of them couldn't sleep, toss and turn, toss and turn. After hours, the old man couldn't take it anymore, he knows that he still loves her, and he can't carry on life without her, he wants her back, he wants to tell her, he is sorry, he wants to tell her, "I love you." He picked up the phone, started dialing her number. Ringing never stops. He never stops dialing.
On the other side, she was sad, she couldn't understand how come after all these years, he still doesn't understand her at all, she loves him a lot, but she just can't take it any more.
Phone's ringing, she refuses to answer knowing that it's him. "I want to keep it this way, if not I will lose face. "She thought. Phone is still ringing. She has decided to pull out the cord. Little did she remember, he had heart problems.
The next day, she received news that he had passed away. She rushed down to his apartment, saw his body, lying on the couch still holding on to the phone. He had a heart attack when he was still trying to get through(接通) her phone line.The old couple wanted to file a divorce because __________.
| A．they had no child. | B．their children didn’t like  them. |
| C．they didn’t understand each other actually. | D．the old man didn’t love the old woman. |
Why didn’t they file a divorce before they were at the age of 70?
| A．Because they were loving each other then. |
| B．Because they had no time to lawyer’s office. |
| C．Because they wanted to make their divorce open. |
| D．Because they didn’t wish to affect their children’s up-bringing. |
According to the passage we can know that ______.
| A．the old man still loved his wife really. | B．the wife didn’t love her husband at all. |
| C．their children still lived with old couple. | D．they were in harmony over 40 years. |
After the last paragraph the old woman would be _______.
| A．wild with joy | B．wild with grief | C．un concern about it |
D．angry at that |
Unfortunately, I believe that happiness escapes mostly because they misunderstand the process and journey of finding it. I have heard many people say that, “I’ll be happy when I get my new promotion.” or “I’ll be happy when I earn that extra 20 pounds.” The list goes on and on. You probably have a few of your own you could add if you want.
This thinking is dangerous because it presupposes that happiness is a “response” to having, being or doing something. In life, we all experience stimulus and response. Stimulus is when a dog barks at you and bares his teeth. Response is when your heart beats
faster, your palms get sweaty and you prepare to run. Today, some people think that an expensive car is a stimulus. Happiness is a response. A great paying job is a stimulus. Happiness is a response. A loving relationship is a stimulus. Happiness is a response. This belief leaves us thinking and feeling: “I’ll be happy when…”
It has been my finding that actually the opposite is true. I believe that happiness is a stimulus and response is what life brings to those who are truly happy. When we are happy, we tend to have more success in our work. When we are happy, people want to be around us and enjoy loving relationships. When we are happy, we more naturally take better care of our bodies and enjoy good health. Happiness is NOT a response — rather, it is a stimulus.
Happiness is a conscious choice we make every day of our lives. For unknown reason to me, many choose to be painful, unsuccessful and angry most of the time. Happiness is not something that happens to us after we get something we want — we usually get things we want AFTER we choose to be happy.
I have made only one simple rule for my own happiness: Every day above ground is a GOOD day. Therefore, I tend to have a lot of good (and happy) days continually.The second paragraph mainly tells us that people seek happiness_______.
A．in the same way |
B．in different ways | C．by working hard | D．by taking drugs |
What does the underlined phrase “This thinking” refer to?
| A．The thinking of being promoted. |
| B．The giving up of happiness. |
| C．The process and journey of finding happiness. |
| D．The misunderstanding of happiness. |
The underlined word “stimulus” in para.4 probably means_______.
| A．something causes an action | B．somethin g helps to expand |
| C．attention | D．improvement |
The purpose of
the author in writing this passage is to________.
| A．tell people how to enjoy happiness |
| B．encourage people to seek happiness |
| C．express his attitude towards happiness |
| D．criticize the wrong ideas about happiness |
Since 1984, Philadelphia has been cleaning up its act. One by one, graffiti(涂鸦)-covered walls are being changed into outdoor art. So far, more than 1,800 murals (壁画) have been painted. Philadelphia now has more murals than any other American city.
The walls that were once ugly with graffiti are now covered with beautiful pictures of historical heroes and modern art, thanks to the Mural Arts Program (MAP). Its work makes schools and public places attractive, and its citizens are very proud. The program began as part of Philadelphia's Anti-Graffiti Network. Jane Golden is the MAP's artistic director. "When people ask me what our program is about," she says, "I answer them with one word: hope." Each year, the MAP offers youth art programs and workshops. Some one-time graffiti writers even help paint MAP murals.
The MAP's work, says Golden, is all about developing a sen
se of community (社区). When a neighborhood requests a mural, the MAP works with the people there to develop a message. Some messages have been "Safe Streets," "Love and Care," and "Peace Walk."
The MAP receives up to 50 requests for murals each week. Last year, the workers painted 140 murals.
"The making of a mural enters people's collective memory as an extraordinary, pleasant moment in neighborhood history" says Golden, who began as a muralist in Los Angeles.What is the Mural Arts Program in Philadelphia aimed at?
| A．Helping the young find jobs. | B．Protecting the neighborhood. |
C．Fighting against graffiti. |
D．Attracting more visitors. |
How does the MAP decide on the message for a mural?
| A．By having discussions with people in the community. |
| B．By seeking advice from the city government. |
| C．By learning from the young graffiti writers. |
| D．By studying the history of the city. |
Which of the following words best describes the work of the MAP?
| A．Difficult. | B．Dangerous. | C．Experimental | D．Successful. |
Most people know that Marie Curie was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize, and the first person to win it twice. However, few people know that she was also the mother of a Nobel Prize winner.
Born in September, 1987, Irene Curie was the first of the Curies’ two daughters. Along with nine other children whose parents were also famous scholars, Irene studied in their o
wn school, and her mother was one of the teachers. She finished her high school education at the College of Sévigné in Paris.
Irene entered the University of Paris in 1914 to prepa
re for a degree in mathematics and physics. When World War I began, Irene went to help her mother, who was using X-ray facilities to help save the lives of wounded soldiers. Irene continued the work by developing X-ray facilities in military hospitals in France and Belgrum. Her services were recognized in the form of a Military’s Medal by the French government.
Like her mother, Irene combined family and career. Like her mother, Irene was awarded a Nobel Prize, along with her husband, in 1935. Unfortunately, also like her mother, she developed leukemia because of her work with radioactivity, Irene Joliot-Curie died from leukemia on March 17, 1956.Why was Irene Curie awarded a Military Medal?
| A．Because she received a degree in mathematics. |
| B．Because she contributed to saving the wounded. |
| C．Because she won the Nobel Prize with Frederic. |
| D．Because she worked as a helper to her mother. |
Where did Irene Curie meet her husband Frederio Joliot?
| A．At the Curie Institute. | B．At the University of Paris. |
| C．At a military hospital. | D．At the College of Sevigne. |
In which of the following aspects was Irene Cuire different from her mother?
| A．Irene worked with radioactivity. |
| B．Irene combined family and career. |
| C．Irene won the Nobel Prize once |
| D．Irene died from leukemia. |
Driving cars, trucks and motorcycles is an important part of our lives. We do it every day to get to work, to school or to friends' houses.
Traffic accidents declare millions of lives every year worldwide. In Taiwan alone, over seven people are killed in accidents every day. The annual death rate from traffic accidents in Taiwan is twice that of Japan.
To allow traffic to move smoothly and safely, everybody must follow the rules. Before you drive, learn all the traffic laws. That way of driving is safe, convenient and even fun! The underlined sentence “Traffic accidents declare millions of lives worldwide” in the passage means “_______”.
A．Traffic accidents make some people become mi llionaires |
| B．Many people die from traffic accidents |
| C．Millions of people say they themselves have had traffic accidents |
| D．Millions of people remain healthy after traffic accidents |
According to the passage, driving can be safe if _______.
| A．you are patient | B．you obey all the traffic rules |
| C．you don't cut another car off | D．you wait in line at a red light |
Which of the following may be the best title for this passage? _______.
| A．Traffic Safety | B．A Careful driver |
| C．How To Drive A Car | D．A Traffic Accident |
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