Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 25 to 29. Fill in the appropriate word in question 27 Last year, there were millions of international tourist arrivals across the globe. Whether they were students on their (25)______ years looking for overseas adventure, stressed-out workers hoping to get away for a weekend, or retirees (26)______ to relax in an exotic ...

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 25 to 29. Fill in the appropriate word in question 27

Last year, there were millions of international tourist arrivals across the globe. Whether they were students on their (25)______ years looking for overseas adventure, stressed-out workers hoping to get away for a weekend, or retirees (26)______ to relax in an exotic location- clearly none of them thought they could find the same experience at home. The question is whether foreign travel brings more advantages or disadvantages.

An obvious positive point is that going abroad sometimes helps people to expand their knowledge of the world. If they are (27)_____ - minded, they can learn about new cultures and hopefully gain a more accurate understanding about their way of life. In addition, there is the economic benefit of tourism to countries which have few other resources. It can provide an income to many people within the industry.

Having said that, some people simply go to a foreign resort (28)______ by high walls and therefore learn little about their holiday (29)______. Another issue is that hordes of tourists often spoil the “unspoilt” places they visit. The most recent example of this is Antarctica, where last year cruise ships took thousands of visitors to view the disappearing icebergs and wildlife. Vegetation, nesting penguins and resting walrus are vulnerable when humans intrude.