A few things to consider before booking a flight
With fuel costs rising and airlines finding more fees to impose on travelers every day, airfare isn’t getting any cheaper. Since you can’t drive to all your dream destinations, flying is the only way to go sometimes and, undeniably, the fastest. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to find the most affordable fares and also avoid paying as many extra charges as possible when you plan ahead.
Getting the best fare
Airlines put out their fare sales on Tuesday morning, making this day the best day to book a flight for less.
Fly during the least popular times
Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are the slowest days to fly, which means cheaper deals than the rest of the week. You can also find reduced rates on early morning flights, since many people don’t like to get up before the sun to get to the airport. Earlier boarding times can also considerably cut down your chances of getting bumped(取消已预定的飞机座位)on an overbooked flight or delayed because of other delayed flights or mechanical issues.
Choose your seat later
Some airlines charge you to pick your seat when you book online, adding even more to the bottom line of your ticket cost. If you show up early on your travel day, you can still get suitable seats. Some of the best seats get held back until flight day, unless others are willing to pay extra for them ahead of time, so you still have the chance at one of those.
Fly on holidays
You already know that summer is the most expensive time to fly, and even though most other times are more affordable, the days surrounding holidays can be crazy. Save big if you’re willing to travel on major holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Don’t wait until the last-minute to book
Many travelers don’t know that there’s a sweet spot for booking and getting the best price on your tickets. Book too early or too late and you could end up paying more than you need to. The best time to book is between three months and six weeks from when you want to travel.
Avoiding extra fees
Airlines will charge for just about anything these days. Some have even toyed around with charging customers for using the restroom. All those extra fees can certainly add up, but there’s no reason to pay them if you don’t have to. Here are some tips to keep money in your wallet once you get to the airport.
Avoid the upgrade it's not necessary
Sometimes upgrades are free, but mostly you will be charged for seeking a last-minute bump to first class, and the cost can be large.
Fly carry-on only
Baggage fees vary wildly, but almost all airlines charge them and charge big. Why pay for your clothes to fly with you? If everyone in your travel party checks a bag, your bill can be astronomical before you ever even get to your destination. It’s easy to reduce the amount of stuff you pack: Make sure all your clothing coordinates, so you can take less and still make more outfit combinations, take only two pair of shoes, plan to do a bit of laundry on your trip and bring only travel-sized toiletries.
Pack your own snacks
Unless you’re flying internationally, it’s rare your flight comes with a free meal. Snacks on the plane are not cheap and almost never healthy. Don’t rely on what’s on the small menu and instead tuck some of your own snacks – granola bars, homemade muffins, fruit and trail mix all make fantastic travel foods – into your bag and eat a lot better, and cheaper, than other passengers.
Do you have a tried and true method of getting the best deal on your flights? Let us know.
1.To save money, which one should NOT be the choice?
A. Early morning flights
B. Early boarding times
C. The flights on Saturday
D. The flights on Summer holiday
2.According to the passage, which one is right?
A. If you show up early on your travel day, you can get the best seats.
B. You can save big if you’re willing to travel on Christmas eve.
C. You will be charged for seeking the upgrades, and the cost can be high.
D. If you’re flying internationally, your flight will come with a free meal.
3.According to the passage, you can do the things except _____ to avoid extra fees.
A. use the restroom
B. eat your own snacks heartily
C. fly with carry-on
D. give up the upgrade
Few Americans stay in one place for a lifetime. We ______ from the city to the suburbs，from high school to college in a different state, from a job in one region to a better job ______, from the home where we ______ our children to the home where we plan to live in ______. With each move we are ______ making new friends, who become part of our new life.
For many of us the summer is a special time for forming new ______. Today, millions of Americans go on vocation ______, and they go not only to see new sights but also — in those places where they do not feel too ______ — with the hope of meeting new people. No one really ______ a vacation trip to produce a close friend, but the beginning of a friendship is possible. Surely in every country people ______ friendship？
The word “friend” to American people can be ______ to a wide range of relationships — to someone one has known for a few weeks in a new place, to a close business companion, to a childhood playmate, to a man or woman, to a ______ colleague. There are real ______ among these relations for Americans — a friendship may be ______, casual, situational or deep and lasting. But to a European, who sees only our surface behavior, the differences are not clear.
As Europeans see it, all kinds of “friends” flow ______ of Americans' homes with little ceremony. They may be parents of the children's friends, house guests of neighbors, members of a committee, business associates from another town or even another country. ______ as a guest into an American home, the European visitor finds no ______ differences. The atmosphere is ______. Most people, old and young, are called ______ first names. Americans’ characteristic openness to different styles of relationship makes it possible for us to find new friends abroad with whom we feel ______.
1.A. drive B. commute C. move D. settle
2.A. abroad B. elsewhere C. somewhere D. nowhere
3.A. deliver B. protect C. educate D. raise
4.A. retirement B. death C. illness D. sadness
5.A. mostly B. mainly C. rarely D. forever
6.A. championships B. friendships C. hardships D. leaderships
7.A. along B. freely C. together D. abroad
8.A. alone B. strange C. scared D. remote
9.A. allows B. desires C. expects D. imagines
10.A. form B. develop C. ignore D. value
11.A. used B. applied C. stuck D. dedicated
12.A. kind B. generous C. trusted D. helpful
13.A. differences B. varieties C. distinctions D. diversities
14.A. informal B. reliable C. shallow D. fragile
15.A. in and out B. on and on C. by and by D. up and down
16.A. Moving B. Flowing C. Going D. Coming
17.A. obvious B. heavy C. apparent D. strong
18.A. weird B. stressed C. relaxed D. strange
19.A. with B. on C. for D. by
20.A. at best B. at home C. at heart D. at hand
—— Can I really get a Huawei Cell Phone as a reward if I win the race?
—— Absolutely! ______.
A. I mean it B. So will you C. I beg to differ D. You’ve got me there
It’s a pity that we can’t arrange for our agenda; otherwise we ______ far more freedom during the whole journey.
A. enjoyed B. would enjoy C. had enjoyed D. would have enjoyed
—— We shall take the condition _____you’ve attached to this project into careful consideration.
—— Thanks a lot.
A. where B. when C. which D. what
—— Have they made the final decision?
—— Yes, but it’s ________ likely that they will change their mind again tomorrow.
A. rather than B. other than C. less than D. or rather
