A
When I was a boy, my parents and I traveled from New York City to the Pennsylvania countryside for a week-long taste of rural life. We stayed in a guesthouse on a farm, joining in 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, 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 my approach to planning and taking 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 money 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 budgets ahead of time. Involving the kids in planning the vacation makes sure that they have a great vacation too. While I prefer to visit historical sites and museums, they love to fish and swim. So I build in some relaxation time for us all so that the vacation works 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 pressure from the usual everyday tasks.
What matters is that everyone is having a great time.
21. Why did the author go to the countryside when he was a boy?
A. To milk the cow. B. To meet his parents.
C. To experience country life. D. To enjoy the scenery.
22. Which of the following is NOT true according to Paragraph 2?
A. The author learned to milk and fish.
B. The author understood the value of vacations.
C. The author met new people and learned things during the trip.
D. The trip helped the author understand the significance of vacations better.
23. What is the passage mainly about?
A. The author had a good time in the countryside.
B. The author tried to let family members enjoy the holidays.
C. The author advised others to spend vacations with their families.
D. The author realized the value of family vacations and put it into practice.
