Countries may be ranked by many various groups, such as how expensive or interesting they are to foreign tourists. They can also be ranked by their openness and friendliness toward visitors. You might be shocked to find out that, for example, the USA is number 102 on the list of the least welcoming places, 140 being the most unfriendly land.

Mongolia

Mongolia was closed for quite some time and opened up to foreigners only 20 years ago. That’s probably the major reason why it is not yet experienced enough in hosting tourists. The country is beautiful, with huge spacious areas of land that are low populated. There local people are not yet used to being visited by foreign guests.

Slovakia

There are, undoubtedly, pluses as well as minuses in every country. Slovakia is not the perfect destination for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, Slovakia is becoming more and more similar to the rest of European countries surrounding it. Sameness is not the best quality. As a rule, tourists want to travel and see things they have never seen before. It is good that the land’s countryside is still unique, although it is also being commercialized day by day.

Iran

Iran is not the best place to travel to. It is located close to Pakistan with its negative political atmosphere. Western visitors are not welcome over there and embassies (大使馆) advise against traveling to Iran. The population, contrary to the country’s government, consists of very friendly and welcoming people.

Kuwait

In Kuwait people are warm and friendly. It has a unique history, plenty of traditions and customs. People respect their culture and are very religious. It is a Muslim country, which means that you are not allowed to drink alcohol. If you happen to visit Kuwait during Ramadan, you will not be allowed to eat in public places, either.

Russia

Russia is truly a special place. It is definitely worth visiting. What you might not find attractive is the corruption and bureaucracy (官僚主义) that rule in some certain official circles. Another nuisance you should be ready for is that, as a visitor, you’ll be asked to receive an invitation. Only then will you be able to apply for a visa. Once you arrive in Russia, you’ll be warmly greeted and accepted by the local people.

A “Gap Year” is a period of time when a student takes a break before going to university. It is often spent traveling or working. It can give young people useful learning experiences and new skills. It's very popular in foreign countries.

【小题1】

Although you don't have to go abroad to experience gap years, most gap year students catch the chance to travel abroad. You are able to work out who you are and what you are for. The experiences of different cultures offer you interesting lessons. You can learn more about the world and get to know yourself better.

【小题2】

A gap year is not only a time to take a vacation, but also a time of challenges. Gap year students usually work, volunteer or take service projects. You have to learn how to get along in the real world. This process isn't always easy, but it is an important part of growing up. Only in this way can you enjoy life and have fun.

【小题3】

There's a common thought that gap years are only for rich students, but it's not true. Actually, taking a gap year can save you a lot of money. Gap year students often take a part­time job. Besides, at the end of a gap year, students are much more likely to know what to study in college. Clear learning goals can keep the students working hard instead of wasting time and money.

How to make a perfect cup of tea? 【小题1】 According to the famous English writer George Orwell, there are 11 rules for perfect tea making. Orwell, who wrote an essay on the subject, believed that tea was essential for civilization.

【小题2】 And the English love drinking tea. And as China is a tea-drinking nation itself, it’s an enthusiasm that most Chinese can understand.

【小题3】 The English drink their tea with milk. Although green tea is growing in popularity in Britain for its health benefits, it is not widely drunk. However, most Brits who know enough about Chinese tea culture know that it’s drunk without milk.

【小题4】 Many people believe that the milk should be poured into the cup before the tea. However, just as many people believe that the milk should be added after the tea is poured, so you can better measure how strong a cup of tea you want. 【小题5】 The milk will gradually cool the tea, thus stopping the milk from possibly clumping (聚集).