If you want to take a road trip in Europe, the following scenic routes are highly recommended.
1Th e National 7
Route: Paris—Saint Tropez
Distance:600 miles
Journey from the City of Love to the French Riviera will lead you through the hometown of Coco Chanel. Pass through Burgundy, the Rhone valley and French Provencale countryside famous for their vineyards, before getting close to the golden shores of the Cote d'Azur. We recommend sparing yourselves at least one week to experience the trip you're unlikely to forget.
2 The Grand Tour of Catalonia
Route: Barcelona—Barcelona
Distance:1,242miles
The Grand Tour is a journey that presents the visitors with the art, history, landscape and rich culture of Catalonia. In the beating heart of Barcelona, come upon the artistic heritage of Caundi and Dali. Just a few of the highlights(最精彩的部分) along the route include Montserrat, Tarragona and Capde Creus Natural Park, to name just a few.
3 Road-Tripping along the Rhine
Route: Dusseldorf--Mainz
Distance:146 miles
Enjoy a taste of German on a journey along the scenic banks of the Rhine Valley. Meet the impressive river side cities of Dusseldorf, Colone and Bonn and vast fields that are grown some of Germany's finest wine producing grapes. We recommend allowing about one week to complete the journey at a leisurely pace.
4 The Grand Tour of Switzerland
Route: Zurich-Zurich
Distance:1,000 miles
The Grand Tour of Switzerland crosses five mountain passes, containing 12 UNESCO. World Heritage (遗产) Sites. Best enjoy over two weeks. From the lowland of Lake Maggiore to the heights of the Furka Pass, this challenging voyage is only possible between the months of April and October. From mountain villages to cultural heritage, glaciers (冰川) to historic castles, this route promises an incomparable(不可比拟的)concentration of all kinds of attractions.
A kind of sport called e-sports is attracting a large number of audience. However, this latest sports craze is not even a sport.
In e-sports, players and teams compete in popular video computer games such as Dota 2 and Ovenvatch. Fans fill arenas(竞技场) to watch the action live on huge television screens.
The games have gone way past kids playing against each other while sitting on a sofa at home. The International, a major competition for players of Dota 2, awarded $24 million in prizes, with the winner taking home almost $11 million. A recent e-sports competition attracted more than 80,000 fans to the Olympic Stadium in Beijing, China.
I have to admit that I am not a big fan of computer games. I know that some games can be educational, but I think too many kids spend too much time sitting in front of a screen shooting space aliens. I think it would be better if kids spent more time reading or playing real sports such as basketball, baseball and soccer.
And please don't tell me that competitive gaming is a real sport because it requires hand-eye coordination. According to my American Heritage Dictionary, a sport is "an activity involving (包含)physical exertion and skill". I don't think anyone needs physical effort while playing video games.
Too often, regular sports send kids a kind of message. Competition starts early, when lots of kids are not ready for the ups and downs of games. Tryouts and travel teams come next, giving too many kids the message they are "not good" at sports. So lots of kids quit sports and start playing more video games.
Maybe everyone in youth sports, including coaches, parents and kids, should think more about the advantages of real sports.
Terry Evanshen, one of Canadian football's greatest players, has completely lost his memories of his playing days, though he ever made great achievements.
It was in the summer of 1988 after he stopped playing in competitions that he succeeded in his business. One day in July, Terry, on his way home from work, had a terrible car accident. He was knocked unconscious, and within minutes he was rushed to the nearby hospital.
Three weeks later, he woke up. However, it became obvious that Terry's injuries were far more serious than whatever damage had been done to his body. A lifetime of memories had been completely wiped clean.
At age 44, Terry Evanshen would be starting all over again. Luckily he had the support of his family, helped by small victories and a renewed bond between him and his three daughters like when they taught him how to play football again.
In 1992, his recovery really began to pick up steam. It has taken more than 20 years to rebuild his shattered(破碎的) life. Today Terry is a popular public speaker. He tells his story of never giving up and taking up your courage to do what you are afraid of. "Never forget, we're all in this game of life together. We will get to the finishing line, one day at a time, one moment at a time, but celebrate the journey. Seize today, because yesterday is gone and is never coming back." As the subject of the most watched Canadian movie of 2005, The Man Who Lost Himself, Evanshen says his family has been his most important treasure. He refuses to be a victim, saying he is a survivor.
When you step into a new environment, you must have a strong wish to fit in. Fitting in means making more friends, having more influence on others and getting more chances to live a happier life. Here is some advice that can help you.
Be confident. Confidence(自信) attracts most people. Everyone is special and there is only one person like you in this world.If so, you will be able to build up confidence step by step. You won't have much difficulty fitting in.
Kindness is the bridge to your own happiness. When people notice your kindness, they will return it one day. Always give more than you receive, and think more of others than of yourself. A person who cares for others is popular everywhere.
Be active in group activities. Various activities like playing football can help you to be known to others. You may add more friends to your circle.. Instead of wasting time being alone, go out to dance and sing together with others to develop friendship.
Do smile to everyone every day. It makes both you and others feel happy. A pleasant smile costs the least and does the most. Humor catches others ' attention as well.
As a result, you will fit in very well and enjoy your new life.
A. However, everybody needs friends.
B. People will like you for making them live happily.
C. If you follow what is mentioned above, you will be accepted by people around you.
D. Even so, it often leaves one to wonder if we fit in well.
E. At the same time, you'll be amazed to see how much they like you.
F. Be kind to everyone.
G. Spend some time thinking about your strong points.
There was a boy who was sent by his parents to a boarding school(寄宿学校). This boy was the most 1student in his class before being sent away. He was at the top in every exam2with high marks.
But the boy3after leaving home and attending the boarding school. His grades started dropping. He hated being in a group. He was4all the time. And there were especially dark times when he5committing suicide(自杀). All of this was6he felt worthless and no one loved him.
His parents started to be anxious7the boy. But they even did not know what was wrong with him. So his dad decided to travel to the boarding school and8him.
They sat on the bank of the lake near the school. The father started asking him some casual questions about his classes, teachers and9. After some time his dad said," Do you know, son, why I am here today?"
The boy answered back, "To check my grades?"
" No, no," his dad replied. "I am here to tell you that you are the most10person for me. I want to see you happy. I don't care about grades. I care about you. I care about your11.YOUAREMYLIFE."
These words12the boy deeply. He hugged his dad tightly with tears in his eyes. They didn't say anything to each other for a long time.
Now the boy had13he wanted. He knew there was someone on this earth who cared for him deeply. He14the world to someone. And today this young man is in college at the15of his class and no one has ever seen him sad!
Organized by Beijing Normal University, an important forum (论坛) on the spirit of the Chinese women's volleyball team(hold) on Saturday in Beijing. Around 500 people from different fields attended the forum.
(compare) with the previous forums, this one was quite different. Professors and experts shared their (view) on the spirit of women's volleyball and on the building of sports power. Lang Ping, chief coach of women's volleyball team, also shared her opinion, which made an impressionall the audience.
Cheng Jianping, the Party chief of Beijing Normal University, said in(he) speech women's volleyball has influenced people greatly, and encouraged them(work) hard for their dreams. The spirit of women 's volleyball has not only showed patriotism(爱国主义) but also brought(confident) and courage to peopleare facing new difficulties. So far, China has enteredunique and special period, and it should continue to carry forward this spirit. Meanwhile, this spirit should be(close) connected to patriotism education, Cheng said.
