A
When I was a boy, my parents and I traveled from New York City to the Pennsylvania countryside for a weeklong taste of rural life. We stayed in a guesthouse on a farm, joining the daily routines and eating meals with the farmer and his family. We got up early to see the cows as they were milked. I even tried my hand at milking one, and then joined the farmer as he released the cows into the field afterward.
Decades later I still have vivid memories of that trip which made me realize the value of a vacation, of seeing new things, meeting new people and sharing memorable experiences with family members. To this day, I still consider that family trip when I plan to take time off with my wife and kids. Vacations are a time for resting and connecting. As a bank manager, I spend much of my workday encouraging my customers to save their money. One of the reasons I give is that we should all have enough for a family vacation every year. In our busy lives, family is what we should be saving our money and time for.
For my family, our vacation starts when we begin planning the trip. We talk about destinations and our budget (预算) ahead of time. Among the things we discuss: Can we save money by renting a house instead of spending six nights in a hotel? Would it be better to buy groceries and cook for ourselves rather than eat out every night? Involving (使参与) the kids in planning the vacation makes sure that they have a great vacation too. I prefer to visit historical sites and museums while they love to fish and swim. So I build in some relaxation time for us all so that the vacation can work for everyone.
Each year, setting aside vacation time to spend together is especially important to us. A relaxing environment opens the doors to all kinds of conversations—deep, silly or meaningful. There’s no pleasure from the usual everyday tasks. What matters is that everyone is having a great time.
21. Why did the author and his parents go to the countryside when he was young?
A. To milk the cow. B. To meet the farmer and his family.
C. To experience country life. D. To enjoy the scenery.
22. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. The author encouraged his customers to save their money for family vacation.
B. The author met new people and new things during the trip.
C. The trip helped the author understand the meaning of vacations better.
D. The author involved his kids in planning the vacation to cut their budget.
23. What is this passage mainly about?
A. The author had a good time in the countryside.
B. The author advised others to spend vacations with their families.
C. The author tried to enjoy the holidays with his family.
D. The author realized the value of family vacations and put it into practice.
