【推荐1】Whether you admit it or not, people’s love for Christmas Jumper (毛衣) around Christmas has increased over recent years. And while you may be less willing to get involved in the Christmas jumper trend, Christmas Jumper Day now enables you to do more with your jumper than build up sweat in an incredibly warm office.

The origin of the Christmas jumper can date back to the late 19^th century in the USA. Americans in the 1930s knitted(编织) for Christmas to create an item of clothing to keep them “warm” during the Great Depression when people led a poor and miserable life. They copied the jumpers they saw their favorite stars wearing on the big screen. From the 1950s, it was common to see American families wearing festive jumpers as they sat down to eat their Christmas dinner.

Now, alongside wearing a festive jumper for the fun of it, there are other positive outcomes. Christmas Jumper Day has been set up to stimulate people to make the world better and raise funds for Save the Children by wearing a Christmas jumper and making a minimum donation of￡1. Ladbrokes, a company in the UK, is running a competition in which all you have to do is to take a selfie (自拍) outside of one of their shops while wearing a jumper — the winner will win a good prize and for every submission. Ladbrokes will donate￡5 to St. Luke’s Hospice charity. For you, it’s a win-win situation.

If you’re still unconvinced that it’s about time you bought yourself a Christmas jumper, then maybe the fact that Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Snoop Dogg have all been spotted wearing Christmas jumpers will raise your enthusiasm. Retailer (零售商) such as Topshop, Burberry and H&M have also become devoted to Christmas Jumper Day and have their very own types of Christmas jumpers.

1. Which statement is true according to paragraph 1?

A．Wearing Christmas jumpers in the office has been a trend.

B．Wearing Christmas jumpers can make you incredibly warm.

C．Christmas jumpers have gained huge popularity.

D．Christmas jumpers serve many functions.

2. For what reason did Americans in the 1930s make Christmas jumpers?

A．To protect them from cold weather.	B．To lift their spirits.
C．To follow the stars.	D．To form a tradition.

3. The underlined word “stimulate” in paragraph 3 can be replaced by ________.

A．demand	B．advise
C．encourage	D．persuade

4. Why does the author mention Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Snoop Dogg?

A．To ask people to donate Christmas jumpers.

B．To show the importance of Christmas Jumper Day.

C．To prove Christmas jumpers are popular among stars.

D．To persuade readers to buy a Christmas jumper.

【推荐2】Wine and beaches, fireworks and music...our readers recommend some fantastic festivals.

Festa delTUva e del Vino, Italy

Set on the beautiful shores of Lake Garda, this grapes and wine festival takes over the small town of Bardolino for four days every October. With local wines, food, art projections, fireworks and live music. people come from miles around to celebrate. First and foremost, it’s about great wine, but it’s worth visiting to soak up the great atmosphere.

Free,1-5 October

Quest festival, Vietnam

This is a weekend camping festival held just a 40-minute drive from Hanoi, bringing together locals and visitors in a celebration of underground live and electronic music culture. Held in the beautiful Son Tinh campsite, there are usually about 30 local and international DJs and 10 bands. There are also workshops, pop-up cafes, ire performances, dancing and much more.

Weekend tickets about ￡25,6-8 November

Estival, Switzerland

This is a free festival of jazz which takes place in the first weekend in July in the pretty squares and lakeside beaches and parks around the southern Swiss town of Lugano. People will enjoy the palm trees and summer air see some of Europe’s up and coming jazz bands.

Free, every July

Irish Redhead Convention, Ireland

A friendly gathering for all red-haired people is held in the small seaside village of Crosshaven where redheads from all over the world take part in light hearted events. There’s live music, art exhibitions, lectures and of course the traditional Parade of Redheads through the village led by the newly crowned Redhead King and Queen.

Free, every August

1. Jennifer, a girl with red hair, may be interested in        .

A．Estival

B．Quest festival

C．Festa deirtlva e del Vino

D．Irish Redhead Convention

2. What do these four festivals have in common?

A．They offer local food.

B．They have fireworks.

C．They are free of charge.

D．They have music activities.

3. Where can you probably find the text?

A．In a textbook.

B．In a magazine.

C．In a news report.

D．In a research paper.

【推荐3】January means it’s time for coats and gloves and cold weather. While many of us are preparing ourselves for the cold weeks ahead, in some cities winter is the “hottest” season of all because it’s the time for winter festivities.

Every year 2 million people visit the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan. This internationally well-known event began in 1950, when some local high-school students built six snow statues in Odori Park. Since then, the festival has grown to include lots of snow sculptures as well as a snow-sculpting contest that draws competitors from all over the world.

In December, Finland created its 13th annual Snow Village, which will remain open until April, if weather permits. Snow Village lies nearly 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. The village is designed by builders skilled in working with snow and ice. Visitors can take a tour of the village, eat in a restaurant made of ice or go dancing in the disco igloo(拱形圆顶小屋). They can also spend the night in a hotel made of snow. There’s even an ice chapel(小礼拜堂) for couples who want to get married in Snow village.

Since 1935, the Fur Rendezvous has been held every February in Anchorage, Alaska, America’s most northern state. Among the festival’s many attractions is the World Championship Sled Dog Race, which draws sled dog teams from many countries. Dogs also take center stage in the Dog Weight Pull, in which dogs compete to see which one can pull the heaviest weight. The festival features sports like skiing, basketball, boxing and softball as well as the Grand Prix Auto Race in downtown Anchorage. True to the festival’s name, there’s also a fur auction(拍卖), where buyers buy real Alaskan furs. The first Fur Rendezvous lasted only three days. Now it’s a 10-day event that attracts thousands of visitors.

1. What can we learn about the Sapporo Snow Festival from the second paragraph?

A．How it got started.	B．How long it lasts.
C．Who is in charge of it.	D．How much it costs to attend it.

2. What happens at Snow Village?

A．Skating matches.	B．Design contests.
C．Indoor weddings.	D．Cooking competitions.

3. Anyone who visits the Fur Rendezvous can ________.

A．buy what he wants	B．play any sports he likes
C．attend a strength competition	D．come across different sled dogs

【推荐1】Come on a magical hot air balloon flight over Melbourne--one of the few cities in the world that you can fly above in a hot air balloon! Admire Melbournes city skyline at early dawn as your balloon flies for about one hour and then have your nice breakfast.

Highlights：

• Enjoy amazing views

• Romantic experience, perfect for couples

• Free hotel pickup and drop-off included

The route

You will be transported to the launch site for your Melbourne balloon flight. Your balloon will fly over Melbourne’s parks, gardens and the Yarra River as the city comes to life. As your ball floats above Melbourne you’ll look down on some of the city’s famous sights including the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Melbourne Park. After the final landing and packing the hot balloon away, head back to the centrally located Pullman where you can then stay for your delicious breakfast.

Attention：

Balloon flights in Melbourne are weather dependent and your route will be determined by the winds. Your balloon may fly over Melbourne’s CBD. Alternatively, your Melbourne balloon flight may head over the inner suburbs, parks and gardens to discover why Victoria is labeled the Garden State.

1. When does the flight begin?

A．In the morning	B．At noon
C．In the afternoon	D．At night

2. Where will you enjoy your breakfast?

A．Near the Yarra River.	B．In Pullman.
C．In Melbourne Park.	D．In the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

3. What should you consider first if you want to experience the flight?

A．The flight’s price	B．The flight’s service.
C．The weather condition.	D．The landing location.

【推荐2】The highlight of my journey was to be Paris, the city I'd always wanted to see. But now I was frightened to travel alone. I steeled myself and went anyway. I arrived at the train station in Paris panicked. Pulling my red suitcase behind me, I was pushed by sweaty travelers. On my first Metro ride, I gave a clumsy pickpocket a look, and he let go of my purse. At my stop, I carried my heavy suitcase up the steep stairs and froze in confusion. Somewhere in this confusing city my hotel was hidden, but suddenly I couldn't read my own directions. I stopped two people. Both had that Parisian face that said: "Yes, I speak English, but you'll have to struggle with your French if you want to talk to me."

When I finally found the hotel, my heart was pounding. Then I saw my room. I couldn't stay, could I? The wallpaper looked like it had been through a fire. The bathroom was down the hall, and the window looked out onto the brick wall of another building. Welcome to Paris. It was my third week away from home and my kids, and I had arrived in the most romantic city in the world alone. Alone, lonely, and very scared.

The most important thing I did in Paris happened at that moment. I knew that if I didn't go out, right then, and find a place to have dinner, I would hide in this place my entire time in Paris. So I went out. Evening in Paris was light and warm. I walked along a winding path, listening to birds sing and watching children float toy sailboats in a huge fountain. Paris was beautiful. And I was here alone but suddenly not lonely. Overcoming my fear made me feel free, not abandoned.

During my week's stay in Paris I did everything there was to do, and it was the greatest week of my European vacation. I returned home a believer in the healing power of solitary travel. Traveling alone makes up for its problems by building self-reliance and confidence. Certainly Paris became my metaphor for addressing life's challenges on my own. Now when I meet an obstacle I just say to myself: If I can go to Paris, I can go anywhere.

1. What happened to the author when she arrived in Paris?

A．Her purse was stolen on her first Metro ride.

B．Her suitcase fell down the steep stairs in the station.

C．She had great trouble finding the hotel she had booked.

D．The two Parisians she turned to refused to help her.

2. When the author arrived at her hotel, ______.

A．she was attracted by the unbelievable scenery

B．the disappointing scenery indoors increased her sense of loneliness

C．she started to miss her kids and called them up straight away

D．she felt frightened because of a terrible fire in the hotel

3. We can learn from the third paragraph that the author ______.

A．had a walk outside after having dinner at the hotel

B．didn't enjoy herself on her first night in Paris

C．dare not travel alone again after her visit to Paris

D．might have felt abandoned before she decided to explore alone

4. What did the author learn from her trip?

A．One can only rely on himself to build his own confidence.

B．Solitary travel teaches people how to solve problems on their own.

C．Traveling alone is full of obstacles and people should learn to live with them.

D．Paris is the most challenging place to visit alone.

【推荐3】请阅读下列短文, 从短文后各题所给的 A、B、C、D 四个选项中, 选出最佳选项, 并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
A

1. According to the Code, visitors should act _______ .

A．with care and respect

B．with relief and pleasure

C．with caution and calmness

D．with attention and observation

2. What are you encouraged to do when travelling in New Zealand?

A．Take your own camping facilities.

B．Bury glass far away from rivers.

C．Follow the track for the sake of plants.

D．Observe signs to approach nesting birds.

【推荐1】THE OLYMPIC STUDIES CENTRE

YOUR SOURCE OF REFERENCE FOR OLYMPIC KNOWLEDGE

The IOC Olympic Studies Centre is the world source of reference for Olympic knowledge. Our mission is to share this knowledge with professionals and researchers through providing information, giving access to our unique collections, enabling research and stimulating intellectual exchange.

As part of the IOC, we are uniquely placed to collect and share the most up-to-date and accurate information on Olympism. Our collections include the IOC archives (档案), the official publications of the IOC and the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games as well as books, articles and journals.

HERE TO HELP

Whatever your interest in the Olympic Movement—academic or professional—we will help you find the information you need, quickly and easily. We’re here to:

Answer your questions: share factual and historical information, Games results and statistics

Give personalized guidance: help you find what you need in our extensive library and archives

Lend you books and publications, even internationally

Give you online access: to our electronic documents

Award research grants: to PhD students and established researchers

Connect you to our network: of academic experts in Olympic studies

Join the academic community interested in Olympic studies

One of our key roles is to facilitate communication and cooperation between the IOC and the international academic community in order to promote research and stimulate intellectual exchange.

This worldwide community is mainly composed of over 40 Olympic Studies Centers and hundreds of individual scholars and university students working on academic projects related to the field of Olympic studies.

Thanks to this regular exchange and the work conducted by the academics, we enrich the world’s Olympic knowledge, share new analysis on key topics related to the Olympic Movement and can provide guidance to universities wishing to launch initiatives on Olympic studies.

Join our academic mailing list

University professors and researchers are invited to join our academic mailing list to be informed about our future activities and other updates concerning Olympic studies initiatives. To join, email us with a brief description of your academic status and your full contact details.

VISIT US

You’ll find us next door to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. We’re open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, except on public holidays and on Christmas. You don’t need an appointment to use the library and the study rooms. If you would like to see the historical archives or need personal guidance to find your way around our collections, please fill out our visitor request form.

1. The Olympic Studies Center mainly aims to ________.

A．give personalized guidance

B．provide resources on the Olympics

C．receive Olympic fans across the world

D．update information on Olympism for officials

2. What can be learned about the academic community?

A．It is organized by Olympic officials.

B．It launches projects at universities.

C．It promotes academic exchanges.

D．It provides electronic documents.

3. If you want to visit the center, you have to ________.

A．fill out a visitor request form	B．enter the Olympic Museum
C．make an appointment	D．arrive on workdays

【推荐2】Amsterdam,the capital and most populous city in the Netherlands，is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world，famous for its beautiful canals，top art museum，cycling culture，and Red Light District.Here are some of the key points to remember as you plan your trip to Amsterdam.

Must-See Attractions

Most visitors begin their Amsterdam adventure in the Old Centre,which is full of traditional architecture，shopping centers,and coffee shops.You’ll also want to check out Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter in the South District，which is great for shopping at the Albert Cuyp Market and having a picnic in the Vondelpark.The top museums to visit are the Rijksmusuem,the Ann Frank House,and the Van Gogh Museum.The Canal Ring is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was originally built to attract wealthy home owners and is a popular place for celebrity spotting and nightlife today.

Transportation

Travelers should be aware that Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the busiest airports in the world.This airport is located about 15 kilometers southwest of city center.You can catch a train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Central Station，which has many connecting routes.It’s typically not a good idea to drive a car to the city center because traffic is heavy and parking is difficult to find.Cycling is incredibly popular here,and it’s easy to find cheap bike rentals around town.Amsterdam has a flat terrain(地形) and is a great city to explore on foot.

Money Saving Tips

Unless you really want to see the tulips(郁金香) blooming，avoid booking between mid-March and mid-May.This is when hotel and flight prices rise.

Look for accommodations in Amsterdam’s South District，where rates are generally cheaper than in the city center.

Buy train tickets at the machine instead of the counter to save a bit of money.

Instead of hiring a tour guide，hop on a canal boat.They’re inexpensive and will give you a unique point of view of the city.

Check out our homepage to view price comparisons for flights,hotels,and rental cars before you book.

1. Which attraction was built with the original purpose of drawing the rich?

A．Albert Cuyp Market.	B．The Ann Frank House.
C．The Van Gogh Museum.	D．The Canal Ring.

2. Which means of transportation is not advisable in Amsterdam according to the passage?

A．The plane.	B．The train.
C．The car.	D．The bike.

3. Which way can help visitors save money in Amsterdam?

A．Seeing the tulips blooming in spring.	B．Avoiding accommodating downtown.
C．Buying car tickets at the machine.	D．Hiring a local tour guide.

【推荐3】Driver Wanted

Clean driving license (执照).

Must be of smart appearance.

Age over 25.

Apply to (申请): Capes Taxi, 17 Palace Road, Royston.

Air Hostesses for International Flights Wanted

Applicants (申请者) must be between 20 and 33 years old.

Height: 1. 6 m to 1. 75m.

Education to GCSE standard.

Two languages. Must be able to swim.

Apply to: Recruitment (招聘) office, Southern Airlines, Heathrow Airport West. HR 37 KK.

Teachers Needed

For private language school.

Having college education.

Teaching experience unnecessary.

Apply to: The Director of Studies, Instant Languages Ltd. 279 Canal Street, Royston.

1. What prevents Jack, an experienced taxi driver, working for Capes Taxi?

A．Unable to speak a foreign language.

B．Punished for speeding and wrong parking.

C．Fond of beer and wine.

D．Not having college education.

2. What prevents Mary, aged 25, becoming an air hostess?

A．She has never worked as an air hostess before.

B．She doesn't feel like working long hours flying abroad.

C．She can't speak Japanese very well.

D．She once broke a traffic law and was fined

3. Which of the following is not mentioned in the three advertisements?

A．Education.	B．Working experience.
C．Male or female.	D．Marriage.

【推荐1】Volunteer Opportunities for Young Adults

When you give back——to others less fortunate or in need of special help, you will definitely feel good about yourself and the world. If you have a wish to be personally connected to the charity or organization where you are giving your time and money, here are some volunteer opportunities.

★Watsi

Founded by Chase Adams after a bus ride in Costa Rica in 2011, Watsi is a digitally focused health nonprofit for young adults. Watsi offers real-time tracking of where money donated goes, from basic medical services to surgeries.

★Pencils of Promise

Pencils of Promise was founded by Adam Braun in October 2008. It is an on-profit organization that puts all of its time and funds into education in the developing world. Pencils of Promise encourages their donors to connect with others to increase donation. All the donation will be used to build schools, provide supplies and train teachers in poor and under educated countries.

★Project Linus

Everywhere you see young men and women knitting and crocheting(钩). They are using those skills to make blankets for children in need. Founded in 1995, in Denver, Colorado, Project Linus is an non-profit organization. Its goal is to provide warmth and safety through blankets to children across the nation in need. The organization is now led by Carol Babbit with the headquarters in Normal, IL.

★Girls on the Run

Girls on the Run was set up in1996 in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a team of 13 brave girls. Program founder Molly Barker struggled in her own life, and came to realize that a running program gave her “respect for my body and all the things it can do”. Girls on the Run is a volunteer opportunity for teaching young girls about the benefits of running.

1. Which organization has existed for about 9 years?

A．Watsi.	B．Pencils of Promise.
C．Project Linus.	D．Girls on the Run.

2. How does Pencils of Promise help the world?

A．It sells pencils to poor students.	B．It focuses on children's health.
C．It provides social media for poor kids.	D．It helps increase educational opportunities.

3. Which is right about Project Linus?

A．It was set up by Carol Babbit.	B．Its goal is to teach children how to knit.
C．It supplies blankets to kids in need.	D．It's an all-female organization.

4. Who set up Girls on the Run?

A．Chase Adams.	B．Molly Barker.
C．Carol Babbit	D．Adam Braun

【推荐2】On the third Sunday in June, Americans take time to recognize and thank a special person in the family--fathers! Father’s Day celebrates the importance of fathers, young and old and the men thought of as father figures.

The words “the child is father of the man” come from William Wordsworth’s poem My Heart Leaps Up. It means people’s personalities form when they are children. They will most likely have the same qualities as an adult that they had as a child.

Used in everyday speech, one could say, “In his case, the child was father of the man; he loved nature as a child and now works as a botanist(植物学家)”.

Let’s say you want to tell a child a story about something that happened long before they were born. You could say it happened when they “were just a twinkle in their father’s eyes.” This expression has a humorous and dreamy feel. Here, the word “twinkle” suggests the interest your father had in your mother.

When a much older man is interested in a much younger woman and supports her with his money, he is called her “sugar daddy.” The money part is very important-that’s the sugar.

Sometimes fathers are not a good influence or active in the lives of the children. In that case, a person may look for a father figure, a man who is not actually the person’s father but who acts like one.

The relationship between a man and his son can be complex. But the relationship between a father and daughter is often simpler. The expression “daddy’s little girl” is understood to mean that, in a father’s eyes, his daughter can do no wrong.

There is usually not a dry eye at any wedding during the traditional father-and-daughter dance, especially if they are dancing to a song like Michael Buble’s “Daddy’s Little Girl.”

1. Which of the following expressions has a dreamy feel?

A．He is just a twinkle in his father’s eyes	B．He is his sugar daddy
C．Like father, like son	D．The child is father of the man

2. What do you know about “the child is father of the man”?

A．A child is often spoiled by his father.

B．People’s characters are formed when young.

C．A boy will become a father when growing up.

D．A child always shows his true nature.

3. According to the passage, the song Daddy’s Little Girl is likely to be ________.

A．moving

B．frightening

C．crazy

D．funny

4. The author writes the passage mainly to ________.

A．introduce the origin of Father’s Day	B．show a boy should respect his father
C．explain the importance of fathers	D．tell people several expressions about father

【推荐3】I made an important decision when I was in Junior 3.

Before I made that decision, I was one of the boys who tried too hard to act as an adult. I didn't know that only kids want to show themselves as adults.

I didn't listen to my parents and teachers, and my grades became poor. Then came the high school entrance exam.

At the turning point of my life, my mom wanted to have a conversation with me. I wanted to turn it down but when I looked at her eyes, I felt I couldn't refuse. Instead of asking me to study hard, to my surprise, Mom just asked what I wanted to do in the future. Without thinking too much, I just said I would like to study hard.

Mom smiled and asked again: “I asked: what do you WANT to do？”

I never seriously thought about the question. So, I kept silent.

“Whether you want to go on studying or enter the society, ” she went on, “it is your own decision. Your life should be decided by you, not by anyone else, including me.” After saying that, she had tears in her eyes.

For the first time in my life, I was asked to make my own decision. I sat in my chair and thought about myself, my life and what kind of person I wanted to become.

It took me what seemed to be ages to make the biggest decision so far in my life—I wanted to be a man who makes a difference in the world. To achieve that, I needed to study hard.

The path to my future became clear to me. I didn't act rebelliously any more. With passion in my heart, I studied hard. Now, I'm one of the best students in the class.

Thanks to that decision, I have become what I am today.

1. When did the boy make an important decision?

A．When he was in Junior 3.	B．When he was in high school.
C．A year ago.	D．When he was 17.

2. What's the Chinese meaning of the underlined word “passion”？

A．乘客

B．激情

C．传递

D．反对

3. What did the mother do at the turning point of the boy's life?

A．She taught the boy the importance of study.	B．She had a big fight with the boy.
C．She had a conversation with the boy.	D．She told the boy to study hard.

4. Which of the following is NOT right?

A．The boy's grades were poor before he made the decision.

B．The boy's mother didn't force him to study hard.

C．He wanted to make a difference in the world.

D．The boy's mother made a decision for the boy.