Explore the British Museum

The British Museum is home to a large number of artifacts that tell the stories of civilizations from across the globe. Each artifact offers a unique glimpse into the past, making it a must-visit destination for people who are very interested in history. Let’s explore the wonders of the museum and start a journey through time and culture.

The Rosetta Stone: A Key to the Past

The Rosetta Stone is one of the most famous artifacts at the British Museum. Discovered in Egypt in 1799, the ancient stone was carved writings in three languages, helping expert understand the secrets of ancient Egyptian writing.

The Elgin Marbles: A Collection under debate

The Elgin Marbles are a group of beautiful marble sculptures (大理石雕塑) that once decorated the Parthenon temple in Greece. They were taken to Britain by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, causing debate over whether they should be returned to Greece.

The Egyptian Mummies: Secrets of the Afterlife

The British Museum also houses a collection of Egyptian mummies, providing a look at ancient burial practices and beliefs about the afterlife. These well-preserved bodies offer valuable opportunity for people to better understand the culture of ancient Egypt.

The Greek Pottery: Art and Function

Among the museum’s artifacts is a collection of Greek pottery, showing the artistry and craftsmanship of ancient Greek civilization. These well-decorated vessels (器皿) were used for various purposes, from daily life to religious ceremonies.

One of the most popular city walk routes in Shanghai is Fuxing Road in the downtown area of the city. With sycamore trees giving shade from the sunlight, the street is home to many historic buildings of special significance to China. Among them is the former residence of a legendary Chinese architect.

Zhuang Jun (1888-1990) was a groundbreaking Chinese architect known for his significant contributions to the field of architecture in China. Born in Shanghai, Zhuang’s architectural heritage continues to be celebrated today, particularly through his former residence on Fuxing Road West in Xuhui district. Designed by Zhuang himself and constructed in 1921, the three-story garden house shows his architectural talents with unique features such as tooth-shaped red bricks and bright orange window glasses. Despite being a private residence today, which is not open to the public, the house stands as a cultural relic preservation site, offering a glimpse into the life and work of this legendary architect.

Zhuang’s journey in architecture began with his studies in the United States at the University of Illinois, where he became the first Chinese student of the academy with a scholarship from the government. After his graduation in 1914, he returned to China. He played a key role in the development of architecture at Tsinghua University, where he helped design the campus and managed the construction of various buildings, setting the basis for modern construction science in China. Zhuang’s influence extended beyond Tsinghua, as he inspired many students to study architecture, becoming a driving force in shaping the future of the profession in China.

Throughout his excellent career, Zhuang designed a number of landmark buildings across China, including the Jincheng Bank building in Shanghai, which highlighted the artistic capabilities of Chinese architects. His devotion to the field was further shown through his involvement in establishing the China Architects’ Association in 1927, where he served as the first president. Zhuang’s architectural expert knowledge and leadership paved the way for Chinese architects to compete on a global scale, challenging the control of western colleagues in the industry.

Fast fashion has been sweeping the whole world for its accessibility and price. However, these quick and easily accessible clothing brands aren’t as safe as they appear. As fast fashion grows, so does the environmental influence it leaves behind. Fast fashion brands search for the cheapest and fastest way to keep up with the latest trends, and many clothing items require large amounts of cotton, nylon and polyester (聚酯纤维). These materials may appear safe to the eye, but they have a greater impact on the environment than most people believe.

Cotton is the most profitable non-food crop in the world. The cotton industry makes up 7% of all labor in developing countries. Cotton, however, is not very safe for the environment once it’s mass-produced for clothing. Cotton planting, the process of putting the leaves of the cotton plants under the soil to grow new cotton, actually destroys the quality of the soil in which it is grown. Cotton production usually includes the use of fertilizers and pesticides, which not only pollute the soil, but also the water through polluted runoff.

Nylon, unlike cotton, is a fully synthetic (合成的) material. It is the first fabric (布料) to be made fully in a laboratory. Nylon is not biodegradable (可自然降解的) and its production is an energy-wasting process that creates unsafe gases and sends them into the atmosphere.

Polyester is made out of petroleum. This fabric is one of the world’s most popular and cheapest fabrics to make. Its whole production process sends unsafe gases into the air. Besides, once the polyester clothing is made, washing it sends microfibers into the environment, specifically in waterways. So polyester is considered one of the most perilous materials to the environment.

Despite various companies making clothing out of unsafe materials, it’s up to you to put a stop to it. Try shopping for more environmentally friendly materials. And when it’s time to get rid of old clothes, don’t throw them away. Instead of having your clothes become landfill, sell them, or even donate them to somebody else.

Built in 1990, the Moriyama City Firefly Forest Museum has been trying to recover the number of the Genji firefly (源氏萤火虫), whose population was near extinction in the first half of the 20th century.

In Japan, fireflies have long been the sign of summer. Moriyama’s Genji fireflies were especially prized for their vivid, yellow-green glow. However, from 1868 to 1912, a commercial firefly industry developed. In just one night, a single hunter could catch about as many as 3,000 fireflies, sweeping the earth with brushes to frighten just egg-laying fireflies from riverbanks. It was easiest to catch female fireflies when they laid their eggs. Thus, there were fewer and fewer left to produce the next generation. At the same time, a fast-urbanizing Japan was turning Moriyama’s once ideal habitats into places where few fireflies could survive. Concrete was laid on the banks where there was once grass. Wastewater ran into the waters where the larvae (幼虫) grew.

The founders set its museum in the kind of habitat that Genji fireflies would find attractive. They created an artificial river and planted its banks with grass. Inside the museum, they mate and reproduce Genji fireflies; it is still the only organization to do so in a large size. Fireflies lay thousands of eggs. When the larvae come out, they are moved to boxes with flowing water. They grow there until February when the larvae are moved to the man-made river. Then, the fireflies leave the water and take flight in June.

The museum also has educational purpose. Throughout the year, it lectures on the insect’s history and ecology in schools. They also lead museum activities and other training and awareness campaigns, including the museum’s magazine, From the Firefly Forest. Cleanup activities around waters are also organized.

The action is reasonable but, despite their efforts, the number of Genji fireflies hasn’t increased so much in Moriyama. Most other habitats continue to become worse due to urbanization. Unless people preserve them, fireflies will continue to suffer. “The only chance at recovering Genji firefly populations is to act now,” ecologist Kato warns. “We’re running out of time to provide the environmental education to save Japan’s beloved insect.”

Developing a reading habit is an excellent way to improve your knowledge, expand your vocabulary and reduce stress.     36     Here are some tips on how to start a reading habit and stick to it.

One of the best ways to start a reading habit is to begin with short reading sessions. You can start by setting aside 10-15 minutes a day to read. Gradually increase the duration (持续时间) of your reading sessions.     37     Eventually, you might find it hard to put the book down and 15 minutes won't seem like enough time.

Setting a reading goal is an excellent way to motivate you to read more and make reading a habit. You can set a goal of reading a certain number of books per month or per year. Additionally, you can set a goal of reading for a specific amount of time each day.     38    

To make reading a habit, it is essential to choose books that interest you. If you don't enjoy the book you are reading, it will be difficult to stay motivated.     39    This will make reading more enjoyable and help you get into the habit.

    40    This means setting aside a specific period of the day to read. You can choose to read in the morning, during your lunch break or before going to bed. Find a time that works for you and make it a regular part of your daily routine.

Coming together for a meal always has symbolic and sentimental (情感的) value. That’s what Peggy Winckowski has been doing since October 2021.

Sam Crowe, Winckowski’s grandson, and his friends had a plan to go to school late on Wednesday morning and would have breakfast together at a restaurant. However, one day they _______ that Winckowski’s breakfast served more warmth and deliciousness. Soon after discussing it with his grandma, it became a tradition for Sam and his friends to _______ every Wednesday for the delicious meal. 66-year-old Winckowski shared, “Wednesday is my favorite day of the week. I will _______ them as long as they come.” The teenagers and Winckowski grew to have a wonderful _______ week after week.

_______, in 2022, something bad happened when young Sam passed away in a car accident. Winckowski was very _______ at the loss of her young grandson. However, Sam’s friends _______ appeared at her house on the day when their beloved friend’s passed away. The youngsters _______ to be there for Winckowski, selflessly appearing the whole week after Sam’s passing to _______ that she was all right. The question appeared at the end of the school year when they were not sure whether this heart-warming tradition would __________.

Winckowski, without doubt, kept her home and heart open to the young students and assured them that even others were welcome to __________. After over a year of losing their dear friend, the tradition continues. Winckowski __________ their hearts. What began as a simple meeting with friends __________ to be a remembrance of love among over 30 students.

“It’s a tiny house but its walls are filled with __________,” said Winckowski. She connects her meetings with the students to those of her late grandson, expressing that it makes her feel __________ to him.