【推荐1】Welcome to the world of Disney’s The Lion King!

It is a famous musical based on the 1994 film of the same name. After opening on Broadway in 1997, the show has become one of the most successful shows in the history of Broadway, winning Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, Theatre World Awards and so on.

Director and designer Julie Taymor shows us a colorful, imaginative and highly creative world. The musical includes Nicholas Afoa as Simba, Janique Charles as Nala, Mark Roper as Pumbaa, Richard Frame as Timon, Nadine Higgin as Shenzi and David Blake as Banzai. The New Zealander Nicholas Afoa made his first appearance in the role of Simba in the West End.

The musical’s running time is 2.5 hours which includes one interval. The Lion King is suitable for those aged five and over. Children under three will not be allowed into the theatre. Those aged 16 or under must be accompanied (陪同) by an adult and may not sit on their own. And parents may be asked to take their noisy children away from the theatre. All persons entering the theatre, no matter how old they are, must have a ticket.

The Lyceum Theatre is about 300 metres from Covent Garden subway station. You can also take trains to London Charing Cross, which is about 550 metres from the Lyceum Theatre.

1. What can we know about the musical?

A．It has won many awards.

B．It was produced in London.

C．It was first opened on Broadway in 1994.

D．It is more famous than the 1994 film of the same time.

2. What does Nicholas Afoa do in the musical?

A．He directs it.

B．He writes its theme song.

C．He plays the role of Simba.

D．He designs the lighting of the stage.

3. Who will most probably be allowed to watch the musical?

A．Mike, aged 2, with his parents.

B．Tom, aged 17, with no partners.

C．William, aged 75, with no tickets.

D．Mary, aged 15, with her classmates.

4. What can we infer from the passage?

A．The show lasts over three hours.

B．The musical is not as popular as before.

C．Noisy kids may be asked to leave the theatre.

D．The Lyceum Theatre lies in the heart of London.

5. What is the author’s purpose in writing the passage?

A．To advertise a famous musical.

B．To introduce the film The Lion King.

C．To show the popularity of Disney’s musicals.

D．To give us advice on visiting the Lyceum Theatre.

【推荐2】Paris has a fantastic collection of cafes, whether you need a cozy spot or a cup of coffee. Here are some of the best places I discovered when I was sent to the branch in Paris to cover an event.

Groundstate Cafe

Sitting in the heart of the city, Groundstate Cafe is always recommended by news reporters. You can easily enjoy a carefree day with a book and a cup of coffee. Groundstate is a popular spot for artists because of the ancient paintings collected by the shop owner. The waiters are always ready to help you.

Le Procope

Located on a downtown street, Le Procope is famous for its enthusiastic service and delicious snacks. Office workers always chat with their friends and have fun with their colleagues. You can enjoy the fresh air and sunshine because they only have seats outdoors. As a result, the owner only runs the shop during the warm seasons.

Coutume Café

Situated in the city centre, Coutume Cafe is popular among businessmen to meet their clients. The cafe promotes a life of luxury with fantastic decoration and comfortable chairs. Waiters who are highly educated and elegant can help visitors choose the right type of coffee.

Motors

This recently-opened coffee shop is located in the countryside. They sell delicious local desserts. The waitresses there are helpful and friendly. Some of them are college students who take part-time jobs during weekends. It is also a perfect shopping market for people to buy some coffee products and taste some local delicacies. I am sure that I will bring some products to my colleagues when I return.

1. Which place appeals to art lovers?

A．Groundstate Café.	B．Le Procope.
C．Coutume Café.	D．Motors.

2. What do Le Procope and Motors have in common?

A．They have a long history.	B．They are located downtown.
C．They both offer nice snacks.	D．They are open all year round.

3. What does the writer probably do?

A．A famous cook.	B．A French artist.
C．A news reporter.	D．A waitress in Cafe.

【推荐3】The Awakening

This was Kate Chopin’s second and final novel, published in 1899. It was one of the first novels that focused on women, marking the birth of women’s liberation in America. We follow Edna Pontellier, an obedient (顺从的) wife and mother, who becomes close to a charming young man Robert Lebrun. It’s the time when she begins to struggle for her independence and self-fulfillment.

At the time of first publication the book met with mixed reactions, mainly due to presenting attitudes that were against established gender roles.

Waterloo

A great and terrible story of a battle that was fought 200 years ago, told with energy by Bernard Cornwell who combines his storytelling skills with a researched history to give a vivid account of every dramatic moment.

Through letters and diaries, the author also sheds new light on the private thoughts of Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington. Waterloo proves that Bernard Cornwell’s non-fiction is as fine as his novels, if not finer.

The Fifth Child

This is a classic tale from Doris Lessing, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature Published in 1988, the book describes the changes in the happy life of Harriet and David Lovatt, as a result of the birth of their fifth child, Ben.

Ben is a highly abnormal child, large, ugly, and uncontrollable. His birth marks the beginning of the misery and suffering for the entire family.

The Gambler

Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Gambler is the tale of Alexy, a tutor who works for a Russian general and his family. He falls in love with the general’s niece, Polina—a young woman who pulls his strings like a master puppeteer (操纵木偶者).

A hopeless gambler whose passion for the game greatly goes beyond his ability to win, Alexy finds himself out of control. If you’d like to add a Russian classic to your book challenge, this is the perfect choice for you.

1. What can we learn about Kate Chopin?

A．She was a productive author.	B．She was an obedient wife.
C．She fought for women’s rights.	D．She loved a young man.

2. Who will be interested in The Gambler?

A．Fans of Russian literature.	B．Gamble’s opponents.
C．Women’s right supporters.	D．Tutors with passion.

3. Which of The following books is a documentary writing?

A．The Awakening

B．Waterloo

C．The Fifth Child

D．The Gambler

【推荐1】Kimberly Arcand, a visualization scientist for NASA, has made it her life’s work to help tell the stories of space. Having authored several astrophysics nonfiction books over the years, Arcand recently turned her attention to children’s books. She released Goodnight Exomoon last year, an “astronomical parody,” which takes the classic children’s book Goodnight Moon and explores planetary science in a way that is readable for the very young.

The idea, Arcand says, was born when her own children refused to sleep. “I would read for hours to try to get them to go to sleep and they loved Goodnight Moon. One day I could not imagine reading Goodnight Moon again so I started creating stories based on it,” says Arcand. She wrote down one of the versions of her playful parody, and then put it in a drawer where it stayed for nearly a decade.

Then, in 2018, scientists found what they believed was the first exomoon orbiting the exoplanet known as Kepler-1625b. “With that first exomoon candidate, it reminded me that I had written the story, says Arcand. So, the scientist pulled her would-be book out of the drawer and brought it to life.

“In the great telescope room there was a telephone, an atmospheric balloon, and a picture of a satellite flying by the moon...” begins the story, setting readers in a room that houses a huge telescope. The story goes on to introduce children to some of the more modern tools that astronomers use, like accelerometers, micrometers and satellites, teaching them about astronomical objects like comets and exomoons.

Arcand hopes the book will excite “space fans”, and that it will inspire children and especially young girls to see the field of science as one that is approachable. This desire drives Arcand’s scientific work, as well. When not penning parodies, Arcand spends her time making complex concepts and theories more accessible to a variety of audiences, from fellow researchers to students and the general public.

1. What do we know about Goodnight Exomoon?

A．It is a classic astrophysics nonfiction book.	B．It is a continuation of Goodnight Moon.
C．It is accessible to young readers.	D．It is produced by NASA.

2. What motivated Arcand to write Goodnight Exomoon?

A．The discovery of Kepler-1625b.

B．The lack of science books for children.

C．Her great love for the book Goodnight Moon.

D．Her experience of reading bedtime stories to her kids.

3. What can readers learn from Goodnight Exomoon?

A．History of moon exploration.	B．Tools for space exploration.
C．Stories of famous astronauts.	D．Possibilities for space travel.

4. What does Arcand devote herself to doing?

A．Spreading knowledge of space.	B．Giving training to female scientists.
C．Inspiring more researchers to pen books.	D．Recommending more books to space fans.