单选题 In a survey conducted by research firm Harris Interactive, 71% of Americans said that spending extra money on travel during the holiday season is worthwhile—so long as it affords them time with family and friends. But just because traveling may be the right thing to do, that doesn"t mean it has to be the expensive thing to do. Traveling involves many hidden costs that, once you"re aware of them, are easy to spot—and even easier to eliminate.
To start, consider transportation fees. For example, if you"re driving, fill up the gas tank before traveling on the highway, where it"s much costlier, says Clarky Davis, a personal finance expert. And make sure your car is in good condition by checking your heating vents, keeping up with routine maintenance and ensuring your tires are properly inflated, all of which help the car achieve favorable fuel economy. Furthermore, not only does a tow car (救援车) cause inconvenience; it also means extra costs.
For those opting to fly, first, be aware of how much it costs to check a bag. Most airlines are charging for every checked bag by weight, but prices vary from carrier to carrier. If you can manage to pack everything into a carry-on, you"ll save at least $15. Brooke Ferencsik, a travel expert, suggests considering secondary airports when booking your flight. These airports often are less crowded and frequently offer cheaper tickets.
And when it comes to your actual destination, don"t assume that hotels are going to cut back on fees simply because they"re desperate to draw customers. "They won"t be adding or increasing fees, but they won"t be decreasing them either," says Ferencsik. The best defense against extra fees is to read about the hotel"s rates online, before you make a reservation. "Be aware of surcharges for everything from housekeeping to groundskeeping to use of the in-room safe," says Ferenesik. Some hotels even install a sensor (传感器) within the mini bar, charging guests for simply touching the items, let alone eating or drinking them.
"From airlines to hotels to rental cars, they"ve all got hidden fees you need to be aware of," says Ferencsik. "Do your homework and ask questions."
单选题 It is found that 71% of Americans regard it as worthwhile to ______.
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】[解析] 细节题。短文第一段开头指出...71% of Americans said that spending extra money on travel during the holiday season is worthwhile—so long as it affords them time with family and friends. 即71%的美国人认为花钱去假期旅游是值得的——只要能让他们有时间和朋友家人在一起。故答案为C。
单选题 How can fuel economy be improved?
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】[解析] 细节题。短文第二段第三句提到And make sure your car is in good condition by...all of which help the car achieve favorable fuel economy. 由此可知使汽车省油的办法就是确保你的车处于良好状态。故选D。
单选题 It is advised that everything be packed into a carry-on most probably because a carry-on ______.
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】[解析] 细节题。短文第三段指出If you can manage to pack everything into a carry-on, you"ll save at least $15. 即如果你能够将所有东西都打包到一个手提箱里,你就能节省至少15美元。由此可推断,手提行李很可能不需要花钱托运,所以选A。其他三个选项都与省钱无关,故排除。
单选题 When looking for a hotel room, customers usually take it for granted that ______.
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】[解析] 细节题。短文第四段第一句指出don"t assume that hotels are going to cut back on fees simply because they"re desperate to draw customers. 即不要以为酒店为吸引顾客就降低入住价格。故选D。
单选题 The article is providing advice to ______.
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】[解析] 主旨题。通读全文可知,作者主要讲述如何避免旅途中的隐形收费。因此答案选D。