B

Xu Hui is very excited. The Senior 1 student in a middle school in Beijing will go to Japan with his parents during the Spring Festival.

"Overseas touring has always been a dream for me," he said happily.

Nowadays, Chinese people enjoy longer holidays, such as the three "Golden Week Holidays" (the Spring Festival, May Day and National Day). They have more time to travel. Rising incomes also make travelling abroad realistic for ordinary Chinese people.

Nearly 7 million Chinese travelled overseas in 2001, according to the National Tourism Administration. The most common problem travellers face is how to choose the best routes.

By the end of 2002, Chinese citizens were allowed to travel to 19 foreign countries and regions at their own expense.

The top 10 places included Hong Kong, Macao and Thailand. European countries are also becoming increasingly popular.

"More and more Chinese people have shown interest in travelling to Europe, particularly France and Finland," said Tan Wen, a general manager of China Youth Travel Service. "Sooner or later, there will be a peak (高峰) in European tours."

Another consideration is choosing the right travel agencies and finding the best price. The China Consumers' Association (CCA,中国消费者协会) offered tips to consumers on choosing the right travel agencies to help prevent a relaxing vacation from turning into a costly disaster.

"Price should not be the single most important factor in choosing a travel agency," said Zhang Yuanchao, CCA vice-secretary general. Consumers are advised to choose large State travel agencies with good reputations (名声) and official approval to organize overseas tour groups.

Zhang's association dealt with more than 5,000 complaints about travel agencies last year. And the majority of the complaints were about random changes in travel routes, bad tour guides, and forced shopping.

Travellers were warned to look carefully at their contracts (合同) with agencies and to buy travel insurance (保险).

76. How many reasons are given in the article as to why ordinary Chinese people are traveling abroad more today?

A. Two.        B. Three.     C. Four.        D. Five.

77. According to the passage, what is the biggest problem Chinese travelers face when

going overseas?

A. Choosing the best travel agent.

B. Deciding the best way to get to the places they want to go to.

C. Traveling to Europe        D. Cost

78. According to the passage, what seems to be the most common result of choosing a bad

travel agency?

A. People buy more souvenirs than they had planned to.

B. People spend more money than they had planned to.

C. People go to different places than they had planned to.

D. People complain more than they had planned to.

79. The underlined part "random changes" probably means that _____

A. the traveler agreed with the changes.  B. the travel agency didn't make any changes.

C. the travel agency refused to changes the routes.

D. the travel agency changed the routes or time without following the original plan.

80. What would be a good title for this passage?

A. Xu Hui's Vacation in Japan   B. The job of the National Tourism Administration

C. Where Young Chinese Travelers Go    D. Suggestions for the Chinese Traveler

A

VENICE, a small, waterside city in northeast Italy, boils with happiness and excitement once every year. Between February 21 and March 4, carnival hits the streets.

For most people, carnival means large parties and feasting. But in Venice, it also means traditional masks and clothes.

These costumes were first meant to hide personal identities. Then, different social classes could mix in a sea of happiness.

Along the waterways, people greeted each other with: "Good morning Mrs. Mask!"

Today, people in Venice still dress up in the strangest of ways - as armed soldiers, butchers and fishermen, for example.

Bars and cafes are filled with party-goers who come to show off their beautiful clothes. Their designs and creations are made by special studios. Ready-made costumes are not acceptable.

"In the months before the carnival we work overtime to meet the demand," said a mask-maker. "Many kilometers of silk and lace (花边) are made into costumes. For shopkeepers, carnival is the best time of year."

The Venice carnival dates back to the Middle Ages. At that time, the city was one of the wealthiest in Europe.

The tradition of celebrating with masks and costumes is thought to have been started by the "Stocking Companies". These were groups of young men who organized parties and festivals and wore colourful stockings to distinguish (区分) themselves.

By the 18th century, the carnival had reached its top. It all came to an end when Napoleon controlled Venice in 1797. But in 1979, local people brought the old traditions back to life.

Now the Venice carnival attracts huge crowds from all over the world. This year, about 700,000 people are taking part. Hotels were fully booked months in advance, and bars and restaurants overflow every day.

The city certainly benefits - a whole industry has been built up around the carnival's masks and clothes.

"The Venice carnival is a magical time! It's such a great experience," said one French tourist.

71. What might you infer from the article?

A. People in Venice like to party.        B. Venice was a happy city.

C. There used to be strong feelings of social class in Venice.

D. Venice was a city of silk and lace.

72. When was the carnival the biggest?

A. In the middle ages.        B. In the 18th century

C. In 1797.            D. In 1979.

73. Who started the tradition of wearing masks and costumes?

A. Napoleon   B. Young men  C. The hotel industry   D. The silk and lace makers

74. Why do the shopkeepers like the carnival time?

A. Because they can make many different kinds of masks.

B. Because the city is a "sea of happiness."

C. Because many people from all over the world come to Venice.

D. Because they can make a lot of money during this time.

75. What would be the best title for this selection?

A. How the carnival is celebrated in Venice.

B. The story of how the carnival began in Venice.

C. The history of the carnival in Venice.

D. What to see and do during the carnival time in Venice.

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