【推荐2】Gifts.com provides more than just ideas. Sure, our unique and unforgettable gift suggestions are a big part of why people love us, but we also offer endless ideas and tools to make every day a reason to celebrate. Here are our Great Christmas Gift Ideas:

Christmas Gifts for Parents

You love your parents like no one else, and you want to give them something special for Christmas. But what would make their holiday bright? Finding them the perfect Christmas gift will be easy this year, with all our top picks in one place.

Christmas Gifts for Parents Under $45
Holiday Gift Baskets

The gift basket is a great way to give a gift to a group. Our gift basket ideas come from all the top stores online, so you can easily find everything from fruit gift baskets to wine gift baskets in one place.

Gift Baskets Under $50
Ideas for Teens

Trying to find the right gift for a teen? Teens can be a challenge. What do they want? What could they use? They're all unique, but we think we've got something for them, even though they're a special group that are hard to deal with.

Top Picks for Teens Under $20
The Secret Santa Exchange (交换)

The Secret Santa is a great way to exchange gifts in the office, when it's often impossible to give everyone a present. We've got an office guide right here to help you find proper gifts for the workplace. And then there's always the gift basket, with things that are sure to please everyone in the office.

Business Gifts Under $25
1. What makes Gifts.com popular?

A．It gives people a good reason to celebrate.	B．It is organized according to personal taste.
C．Its endless new gifts.	D．Its special gift ideas.

2. Both “Holiday Gift Baskets” and “The Secret Santa Exchange” _____.

A．are designed for people working in offices	B．have a guide to help people choose gifts
C．sell gifts from top stores online	D．provide gift baskets

3. You may find it most difficult to choose a gift for _____.

A．a businessman

B．a teenager

C．a group

D．a parent

【推荐3】If you are looking for a place to eat in Calgary, you’ve got a variety of choices, like Italian, Thai, Mexican, modern comfort food, and vegetarian cuisine. For anyone that wants to narrow down their must-eat list, here are the best restaurants in Calgary.

Foreign Concept

ADDRESS: 10111 St SW, Calgary, AB T2R, Canada

PHONE: 403-719-7289

Foreign Concept is run by award-winning chef Duncan Ly and chef Hyungjae Lim. Serving modern Asian cuisine, the dishes take their inspiration from Ly’s Vietnamese roots and Lim’s Korean background. No matter what you order, dishes always emphasize seasonal and local ingredients (食材). Bold flavors won’t disappoint you at Foreign Concept！

Alumni Sandwiches

ADDRESS：72517 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S, Canada

PHONE：403-455-7257

The simple sandwich isn’t so ordinary anymore at Alumni Sandwiches. The place is friendly and inviting, and there are always around 10 sandwich flavours available, so whether you’re a vegetarian, meat eater, picky eater, or prepared for a fancy dinner, something on the menu is sure to appeal to you. Don’t miss the Caesar salad, made with whatever greens happen to be in season.

Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant

ADDRESS: 15979 Bow Bottom Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2J, Canada

PHONE: 403-476-1311

If it’s fine dining you’re looking for, Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant is one of your best choices in Calgary. The food is always excellent and the setting is equally impressive. Only a short drive from Calgary’s downtown, Bow Valley puts emphasis on Canadian produce and proteins, from Rocky Mountain game meats (野味) to seasonal vegetables.

Rouge

ADDRESS：12408 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G, Canada

PHONE：403-531-2765

Less than a ten-minute drive from downtown, Rouge is an award-winning restaurant set in a historic house in Calgary’s Inglewood neighborhood. The menu here puts the focus firmly on fresh, seasonal ingredients, highlighting their natural beauty. Many of those ingredients are grown in the on-site garden, making the dishes even more special.

1. According to the passage, Alumni Sandwiches ________.

A．provides fruit salads	B．offers different choices
C．uses Rocky Mountain produce	D．is set in a friendly historic house

2. In what way are the four restaurants similar?

A．They use seasonal ingredients.	B．All their chefs have won awards.
C．They are not far from downtown.	D．Their settings are equally friendly.

3. The passage is probably taken from ________.

A．a food diary

B．a research paper

C．a news report

D．a travel brochure

【推荐1】Scientific educational toys can develop kid’s reasoning, problem-solving and critical thinking capacity and improve their hand-eye coordination(协调). But the most powerful thing is that the children will associate learning with fun. That means they will grow into adults with a thirst for knowledge and a highly developed set of skills for learning. Here are some of the best:

Science Kit

You can guarantee two things if you buy your kids one: a lot of fun and a lot of mess. It’s a 20-piece kit that teaches the basics of chemical reactions. It’s recommended for kids aged 6 and above, with adult company. You don’t have to be a scientist, since there is an activity book with instructions for possible experiments.

Mini Terra Kit

You don’t have to wait for the sun to come out to teach kids about the natural world. This all-inclusive kit is a miniature garden that simulates a natural environment by using a powerful LED light. It includes a terrarium jar, light-up jar lid, Micro USB charger, and all the natural ingredients to get started. It also has a simple instruction booklet that you can work through with your kids.

Gravity Run

This classic is not just about building a structure and watching the marbles go up and down. The games are designed for kids aged 8+ to develop spatial awareness, planning, and reasoning. With 60 challenges(beginner to expert), this award-winning game can be enjoyed by all the family. The expert levels are actually quite challenging, so be prepared for some failures.

WeRo Kit

This prize-winning robot toy features over 840 pieces, a WeRo Move Hub, Interactive Moto, and a Distance Sensor. You can build it into 5 completely different robots, meaning endless fun for the kids and even adults. Once they’ve built the character of their choice, they can programme it to perform countless tasks including walking and talking on its own.

1. What is the greatest strength of scientific educational toys?

A．Training young scientists.	B．Stimulating learning desire
C．Developing hand-eye coordination.	D．Promoting spatial awareness and reasoning.

2. Which toy suits kids who enjoy growing plants?

A．Science kit

B．Mini Terra Kit

C．Gravity Run

D．WeRo Kit

3. What is special about WeRo Kit?

A．It has different levels.	B．It is the only prize-winner.
C．It requires parental guidance.	D．It involves programming skills.

【推荐2】AMERICANA HOTEL CRYSTAL CITY
Convenient location 5 minutes from Washington ,D.C. and one block to Crystal City Metro, Crystal City Underground. Alexandria. Free Parking, free Deluxe Continental breakfast and complimentary（收费的）Hotel Shuttle(区间公共汽车) Service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
14000 Jefferson Davis Hwy(endurance on S. Eads St.)
Phone (703) 979-3722
DAYS INN ARLINGTON
Days Inn Arlington is located two miles from the Pentagon ,Lincoln Memorial .There is a restaurant which serves American style food ,plus two meeting rooms and an outdoor pool. Complimentary shuttle service runs to the Rosslyn Metro Station. Complimentary parking is available on the property .An experienced staff welcomes our guests.
Phone（703）525-0300
THE HIGHLANDER MOTOR INN
Comfortable rooms at moderate prices. Convenient location only minutes away from Washington area attraction. Near VA Square Metro Station and Ballston Commons Shopping Centre. Free continental breakfast， free parking.
Phone(703)524-4300
HYATT REGENCY CRYSTAL CITY
Conveniently located next to Washington National Airport and two miles from Washington D.C.   Complimentary Shuttle to and from National Airport, metro, local restaurants and shopping .Experience a view to remember at our rooftop restaurants “Chesapeake Grill”. Call for Reservations.
Phone(073)418-12341
1. Which hotel does not provide service to drive its guests to the airport or metro stations?

A．Americana Hotel Crystal City	B．Days Inn Arlington
C．Hyatt Regency Crystal City	D．The Highlander Motor Inn

2. If you want to stay in a hotel which provides free parking and free breakfast , which
telephone numbers will you ring to ask for further information?

A．(703)525-0300 or (703)979-3722

B．(703)524-4300 or (073) 418-12341

C．(073) 525-0300 or (703) 418-12341

D．(703)979-3722 or (703)524-4300

3. Which hotel is close to airports?

A．Days Inn Arlington	B．Hyatt Regency Crystal City
C．The Highlander Motor Inn	D．Americana Hotel Crystal City

【推荐3】Located in the middle of the northern lights belt, Tromso can offer some of the highest levels of northern lights activity on earth. Perhaps Tromso is the world's best place for a Northern Lights Tour.
Join one of our Northern Lights Holidays this winter. It could become one of the greatest experiences in your life.
DESTINATION Troms county, Norway.
PRICE $450 per person
WHEN 2th September until 31st March.
PICK-UP Each evening at 6 PM pitside your hotel.
DROP-OFF Earliest at 12 AM. When we have a sighting we often stay out later, at no extra cost.
SIZE OF GROUP Maximum 8 participants is recommended and normal, but not absolute. A small group allows more freedom in terms of chasing the northern lights.
INCLUDED
- Transportation each day in a comfortable car
- A meal each day
- All necessary equipment such as snowshoes, flashlight, water-filled bottle, woolen underwear, a war, hat, warm shoes, warm stockings, and reindeer skin to lie on, if needed.
- A guide who will do anything necessary to find the northern lights.
EXCITING CHASE
A Northern Lights Holiday means an intense and exciting chase – to the coast or deep into the wild, perhaps even to the Finnish border. Each day on a Northern Lights Tour we contact meteorologists shortly before departure to get accurate information. In order to find out where we will have best chances to see the northern lights.
WE GUARANTEE A GREAT TRIP
The northern lights are unpredictable, but we guarantee that we will do everything to find it. Patience is a keyword on Northern Lights Tour.
ECO-TOURISM
We offer ecologically sustainable and responsible tours. Travelling in small groups is an essential part of the ecotourism concept, as small groups have lesser impact on nature and will not disturb the wildlife unnecessarily.
1. A small group is preferred for the following reasons EXCEPT that      

A．a small group is free to run after the northern lights

B．a small group has less effect on nature

C．a small group can save the travel cost

D．a small group will not disturb wildlife

2. The underlined word“it”refers to “         ”

A．the northern lights tour

B．patience

C．equipment

D．the northern light

3. We can infer that        

A．if tourists stay out late,they have to pay more

B．every tourist group is not sure to see the northern lights

C．every tourist group get the money back if they don’t see the northern lights

D．the northern lights can be seen every day from 20th September to 31st March

4. The passage is most likely to be taken from a(n)        

A．advertisement	B．news report
C．science textbook	D．tourist brochure

【推荐1】Art Activities for Teens

Art & Design Lab for Teens

Friday, 3 p.m.——5 p.m.

Start your weekend off with some art and inspiration（灵感）! Each Friday we offer new gallery adventures, different materials, and techniques to feed your creativity. Stay the whole time or stop by to connect with artists and other creative teens.

For ages 13——18, no registration (登记)required.

Fee: Free.

Five-Day Course

Monday, July 17——Friday, July 21

This year's Teenage Art School explores how artists react to a place, combining text and pictures to create statements about life. Artist-producer Sarah Yates will guide your exploration of working with paint.

This free course is for 14-to 17-year-olds. Whether art is just a hobby or something you are studying, Teenage Art School will help you develop your skills as an artist. There is also a chance to win Bronze Arts Award.

China in the Making

Saturday, June 8, 10 a.m.——3 p.m.

What can art-making materials tell us about the natural world, global trade, social and cultural frameworks, and artists' ideas? This series of gallery conversations and studio experiences immerse（浸入)participants in hands-on exploration while exploring the history of a material once so highly valued in China that it was known as "white gold".

Materials provided; Pre-registration required.

Fee：$50（members：$30）.

Contemporary Gallery

July 26——August 2, 4:00 p.m.——5:30 p.m.

Join us as we close out our Teen Artist Academy with an exhibition and a dance performance. Artworks created by youth in our Teen Artist Academy, a 3-week summer camp where teens, ages 14-17, learned to plan public artworks will be on exhibit. This event is free and open to the public.

1. What's the purpose of "Five-Day Course"?

A．To offer you some inspiration for painting.

B．To develop your interest in painting.

C．To make sure you get an award.

D．To teach you some skills in art.

2. What is special about China in the Making?

A．You have to pay for it.

B．You can join in it without registration.

C．You can take part in it at any time.

D．You can learn about Chinese arts there.

3. Which event will exhibit artworks created by teenagers?

A．Five-Day Course.	B．Contemporary Gallery.
C．China in the Making.	D．Art & Design Lab for Teens.

【推荐1】I am about to go to university. I miss my years at high school quite much. Now I have formed my group of friends, with whom I still keep in touch. I was even voted by the students of my class to speak at graduation. But when I was first at high school, I felt lonely. Here are some tips for you new comers to start your high school.

Say hello anytime you see an acquaintance. Because I was always smiling and greeting the people I knew, people naturally thought I was sociable. And high school kids want to be friends with friendly people.

Take the first step. All the girls there already knew each other —they didn't need another friend. But I did, so I had to make the effort, I had to be the first one to invite somebody to go with me to a movie, or over to my house. Once I did, they started to respond in kind.

Make friends slowly. I couldn't get discouraged when it took a while to make friends. Hey, I had already waited an entire year. What's a couple more weeks? Making new friends is hard.

Use classes to get to know people. I met most of my first friends because I sat next to them in class. Class(before, after, or even during class time) is a great chance to start a conversation, ask for homework help, or even better, to extend help when needed.

Above all, remember that it can and will get better. You may have to work a little to make your high school experience a great one, but it's absolutely worth it!

1. What was the writer like in others' eyes when she first came to high school？

A．She was lonely.

B．She was delicate.

C．She was easygoing.

D．She was cautious.

2. As far as the writer is concerned, friendship needs .

A．understanding

B．patience

C．faith

D．mercy

3. What does the girl think is the most important to start a friendship？

A．Communication.

B．Help.

C．Experience.

D．Homework.

【推荐2】They say that Mexico is a country no one ever leaves. Every year, millions of tourists pass through, and Mexicans jovially (高兴地) warn that a part of them will remain behind forever. Most visitors are vacationing North Americans who wind up on the brilliant beaches of Cancun, Acapulco, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. The beaches, of course, are among the world’s best—but those who venture inland are rewarded with the true soul of Mexico, which has always resided firmly in the interior.

And it is a big soul. Mexico is vast, made up of nearly two million square miles of coastline, desert, rain forests, mountains, and fertile plains. From the American borderlands of the wide, agriculturally rich north, the country narrows gently as it sweeps south and east. The two main mountain ranges, the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Sierra Madre Oriental, hug the west and east, finally merging (并入) into the volcanically active central highlands and the capital, Mexico City—the most populous city in the world. Further south, the country narrows to only 100 miles, then broadens again before reaching the Guatemalan border. There are two major peninsulas (半岛) that are almost countries themselves. In the west is the poetically barren Baja Peninsula; to the east, protruding into the Caribbean like the end of a fish hook, is the Yucatan peninsula, bursting with rain forests, Mayan ruins, and white powder beaches.

The population is about 106 million, and the generosity（慷慨大方）of the Mexican people is unsurpassed (非常卓越的). Knowing a few simple sentences in Spanish will win hearts.

Mexico has been graced with an unusually temperate climate year round. The most important thing to remember is that the Mexican summer is also the rainy season, although the rain rarely lasts more than a few hours, and typically arrives in the late afternoon. Extremes are present only in the North and in Baja, both of which have deserts where the temperature leaps above 100F. Mexico City has a year-round temperature in the high 80s, while the coasts usually stay in the mid-90s. Night time temperatures fall somewhat, but rarely break down below a comfortable 60F.

1. By saying “Knowing a few simple sentences in Spanish will win hearts.”, the writer wants to show that_____.

A．Mexicans are particularly friendly to foreigners who can speak Spanish

B．Spanish is Mexico’s official language

C．Mexicans especially welcome Spanish tourists

D．Mexicans all want to learn about Spanish culture

2. The last paragraph is mainly about Mexico’s _____.

A．geography

B．climate

C．population

D．language

3. In the north of Mexico, _____.

A．there are plenty of rainforests

B．many volcanoes are very active

C．economy mainly depends on agriculture

D．visitors can enjoy Mayan ruins in the forests

4. The purpose of this passage is to _____.

A．tell us the results of the writer’s survey

B．advise us to tour around Mexico

C．give us some introduction about Mexico

D．show the relationship between temperature and desert

5. It can be inferred that a tourist who stays in Mexico City usually feels _____.

A．cold

B．frozen

C．comfortable

D．hot

6. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A．Nobody prefers to leave Mexico.

B．Mexico City has a large population.

C．Baja Peninsula looks like a fish hook.

D．Whoever visits Mexico can learn about Mexico’s soul.

【推荐3】We’re drowning in plastic. If you want to reduce your own contribution to the plastic pollution problem, recycling might seem like an easy solution.

But what happens after you clean out those plastic containers and pour them into a recycling bin? Unfortunately, the outcome isn’t as rosy as many people think; recycling is unlikely to give plastic to-go containers new life. “Of all the waste produced in 2017, only 8.4% of it eventually got recycled. It’s not that consumers aren’t motivated to recycle or that they don’t have ready access to recycling programs; the United States simply doesn’t have the proper facilities (设施),” said John Hocevar, a marine biologist with Greenpeace USA.

A recent report surveyed the United States’ 367 materials recovery facilities—the facilities that sort our recycling—and found only plastic bottles were regularly recycled. The fate of most other types of plastic such as packaging usually ends up being buried or burnt.

Not all plastic is created equal. If you turn over a transparent plastic bottle, like those used to hold water, you’ll notice a number “1” inside a triangular recycling symbol. Non-transparent jugs, like the kind that hold milk, get a “2”. At materials recovery facilities, or MRF’s, plastics get sorted based on these numbers, which indicate how recyclable they are.

Numbers 1 and 2 are relatively recyclable. Recycling gets more difficult with higher numbers, called “mixed plastic”. This waste makes up around 69% of all the plastic we use. It’s much more expensive to process than numbers 1 and 2.

So what the United States needs is facilities equipped to process other kinds of plastic. But Hocevar came up with a different solution: “The really simple answer is that we have to stop making so much throwaway plastic.”

That said, is recycling worth it? For bottles labeled (贴标签) “1” or “2”, the answer is “yes”. There’s also a growing market for plastics labeled “5”. For other numbers, Hocevar’s answer was simple: a resounding (响亮的) “no” on numbers 3, 4, 6 and 7.

1. Which problem is the USA facing according to the text?

A．People don’t know the best way to recycle.

B．Ready recycling programs are not accessible.

C．People lack awareness about plastic recycling.

D．There isn’t suitable equipment for plastic recycling.

2. What may John Hocevar think of plastic recycling in the USA?

A．Productive.	B．Promising.
C．Unsatisfying.	D．Controversial.

3. What information can the numbers on plastic bottles convey?

A．Whether it is easy to recycle them.

B．The recycling technology they need.

C．They places where they were produced.

D．Which dustbin we should put them into.

4. What should we do with plastic according to Hocevar?

A．Give up the use of plastic.

B．Develop more cheaper facilities.

C．Only recycle plastics labeled 1 to 5.

D．Reduce the production of mixed plastic.