If you need to relax and want to head overseas, you can think of these four off-peak travel destinations to visit.
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 here. Some of the chain hotels, including Marriott and Radisson, offer discounts on spa relaxations. 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 plays host to several cultural festivals and is a great place to just relax. A seven-night stay at the Camino Real Oaxaca is just $207 per night for a deluxe single or double room.
Camino Real Oaxaca
Centro, 68000
01 951 501 6100
Turkey
Another place to have some local culture 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 53
1.What can we learn about Portugal?
A.Lisbon is a small town in Portugal.
B.A trip to Portugal is relatively cheap.
C.The Hotel Teatro is outside the city of Lisbon.
D.Most houses in Portugal date back to the 12th century.
2.If you want to enjoy the beautiful sea, you can go to _________.
A.Lisbon B.Oaxaca C.Istanbul D.Aruba
3.How much should you pay if you have a seven-night stay in a deluxe single room at the Camino Real Oaxaca?
A.207 dollars. B.840 dollars. C.1, 449 dollars. D.2, 163 dollars.
Bringing art to life
The famous Spanish painter Pablo Picasso once said “Every child is an artist. The problem he has is _________ to remain an artist once he grows up.”
This is both encouraging and discouraging. The fact that we were all _________ to be artists is certainly exciting, and yet the reality has _________ that remaining one is a task that many of us have failed. _________, some people have seen the problem and want to solve it.
Western educators have suggested that we introduce the concept（概念） of “STEAM" _________“ STEM” traditional “core majors” including science, technology,___________, and math-——since the “A” which stands for “arts”, is just as _____________. And on April 11, China's Ministry of Education issued（宣布） a guideline. Colleges and universities are required to _________ more art related courses and students need to earn a _________ number of art credits in order to graduate.
These efforts came after many scientific studies had found that ______________ education helps students develop self-confidence and teamwork skills, ____________ habits of mind such as problem solving and critical thinking, according to The Washington Post.
It's true that ____________ of these skills target（面向） specific（具体） jobs. But as former US ballet dancer Damian Woetzel told The Atlantic, the ____________ of art is “to give kids the tools to become adults who are ____________, adaptable（有适应能力的）, and expressive—able to have their eyes , ears and senses alive”.
And we can now see how we lost track(轨道) of our born “artist self” on our way to growing up: We __________ to keep our abilities to see, hear and feel, and became blind, deaf and insensitive adults.
1.A.what B.which C.that D.how
2.A.birth B.born C.bear D.bring
3.A.presented B.improved C.seemed D.proved
4.A.Sadly B.Finally C.Luckily D.Unluckily
5.A.instead of B.with C.or D.and
6.A.electronic B.engineering C.entertainment D.education
7.A.useless B.harmful C.important D.different
8.A.play B.join C.know D.provide
9.A.certain B.suitable C.terrible D.large
10.A.science B.math C.art D.technology
11.A.as well as B.with C.and D.including
12.A.all B.none C.each D.neither
13.A.result B.reason C.cause D.purpose
14.A.strong B.honest C.creative D.patient
15.A.succeeded B.failed C.managed D.hope
— Hi, Jack. We will go on an outing this weekend. Would you like to join us?
—__________. That’s the last thing in the world I ever want to do.
A.It depends B.With pleasure C.It’s up to you D.No, thanks
There is_________ little food that_________ many people died of hunger.
A.so; such B.such; so C.so; so D.such; such
Rather than________to school on a bus，I preferred________a bike．
A.to go；to ride B.go；riding
C.going：to ride D.go；to ride
—Why didn’t you get on the underground?
— I tried to, but it started moving _________ I could get on it.
A.before B.after C.since D.if
