【推荐1】Four Popular Books on Science

Mustn’t Grumble

This book written by Graham Lawton is not about what happens when we’re ill with something serious to send us to the doctor. Instead, it focuses on many of mild, annoying illnesses, aches and pains which we can always put up with. It’s a mixture of science and history, with a light touch, and provides practical information about each illness for the reader.

Generations

In this deeply researched book, Professor Bobby Duffy provides a new framework for understanding the issues of the day: from culture wars to climate change and mental health to housing. Including information from all over the globe, and with powerful effects on humanity’s future, this big-thinking book will change how you view the world.

Eureka

Introduced by Jim Al-Khalili, Eureka brings together 365 mind blowing questions, attractive facts and exciting experiments. If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if the moon disappeared, why cats always land on their feet, why we get morning breath, how to measure the speed of light with a chocolate bar, if you could surf down an erupting volcano and why songs get stuck in your head, this book would be a good choice.

Unthinkable

Unthinkable takes us on an unforgettable journey through the human brain. Award-winning science writer Helen Thomson has spent years travelling the world tracking down brain disorders that are not seen very often. In Unthinkable she tells the stories of nine unusual people. From the man who thinks he’s a tiger to the doctor who feels the pain of others just by looking at them. Their experiences show how the brain can shape our lives in unexpected and, in some cases, alarming ways.

1. How does the book Mustn’t Grumble benefit readers?

A．By helping them keep healthy.	B．By improving their studies.
C．By making them love science.	D．By teaching them to care for patients.

2. Whose book may interest you if you want to know answers to amazing things?

A．Graham Lawton’s.

B．Bobby Duffy’s.

C．Helen Thomson’s.

D．Jim Al-Khalili’s.

3. What does the book Unthinkable mainly deal with?

A．World travelling.	B．Wonders of the brain.
C．Sufferings from brain disease.	D．Achievements of unusual people.

【推荐2】There are literally thousands of books about running, each with their unique stories and angles. Here are four that might interest you.

● Advanced Marathoning – 2nd Edition

by Pete Pfitzinger, Scott Douglas ($38.13)

Shave minutes off your time using the latest in science-based training for serious runners. Advanced Marathoning has all the information you need to train smarter and arrive on the start line ready to run the marathon of your life.

Including marathon-pace runs and tempo runs, Advanced Marathoning provides only the most effective methods of training. You’ll learn how to improve your running workouts with strength, core, flexibility, and form training.

● Determined to Win: The Overcoming Spirit of Jean Driscoll

by Jean Driscoll ($10.99)

Jean Driscoll was named 25th of the top 100 women athletes in the century by Sports Illustrated for Women. Born with spina bifida (脊柱裂), Jean was never supposed to walk. But because of her intense determination, she not only learned to walk but to fly – in a wheelchair across the finish line.

In her autobiography, Jean describes her flight from physical paralysis (瘫痪) to true spiritual freedom. She shows us what perseverance can achieve.

● Boston Marathon Portraits: Pictures of Inspiration

by Raymond Britt ($19.99)

Boston Marathon Portraits features dramatic images of an exceptional race: the Boston Marathon. On race day, Boston comes alive with excitement and determination. This book presents these emotions and the action of the Boston Marathon, focusing on striking scenes and photos of runners before the race, at the starting line, the finish line and when the celebration of finishing begins.

● Women Runners

by Irene Reti, Bettianne Shoney Sien ($11.18)

This selected set of literary fiction, poems, and essays by women runners captures the essence of running, and the many hopes and dreams of women.

1. Which book would be your best choice if you were looking for tips on marathon training?

A．Women Runners.

B．Determined to Win: The Overcoming Spirit of Jean Driscoll.

C．Boston Marathon Portraits: Pictures of Inspiration.

D．Advanced Marathoning - 2nd Edition.

2. What is Boston Marathon Portraits: Pictures of Inspiration about?

A．Development of marathon.

B．Effective training methods.

C．Amazing photos of runners.

D．Essays written by runners.

3. Who is Irene Reti?

A．A novelist.	B．An editor.
C．A marathon winner.	D．A photographer.

【推荐3】During the COVID-19 pandemic, online book clubs grow in popularity as everyone is stuck at home. If you’re looking for some new reading inspiration, these are the clubs you should know about.

Our Shared Shelf

Must—read books like The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf are shared in Our Shared Shelf. This club was founded in 2016 by actor Emma Watson as part of her work with UN women. Held each month, it focuses on literature that explores the rights of women.

Between Two Books

Between Two Books was set up by Florence Welch’s fans way back in 2012, and the singer immediately threw her full support behind this lit—loving community, recommending her favorite titles. Every month, the club hosts guest recommendations from artists, musicians, writers and directors.

Belletrist

Belletrist is the creation of two best friends Emma Roberts and Karah Preiss, who have been sharing their love of reading for over ten years. Each month Emma Roberts and Karah Preiss search through hundreds of new releases to find the five best books hitting the shelves and share them. What makes the club more appealing is that live author interviews are hosted on Instagram monthly.

Poppy Loves Book Club

Run by Eva Witherspoon, this women—only club serves as an umbrella community, joining together hundreds of local book clubs from all corners of the world. At the end of each month, Eva’s book-lovers come together to share their thoughts—and their love of reading. Whatever topics that are closely related to women can be talked freely.

1. Who founded the club Our Shared Shelf?

A．Naomi Wolf.

B．Eva Witherspoon.

C．Emma Roberts.

D．Emma Watson.

2. Which club provides live author interviews?

A．Our Shared Shelf.	B．Between Two Books.
C．Belletrist.	D．Poppy Loves Book Club.

3. What do the four clubs have in common?

A．They are held on a monthly basis.	B．They are hosted on Instagram.
C．They host guest recommendations.	D．They only allow women to join.

【推荐1】Houston’s architectural personality

Exploring Houston, you would be forgiven for thinking that the city’s architectural identity is all over the map.

Texas’s Tallest Building

I. M. Pei is most famous for designing the Louvre in Paris. He is also the architect responsible for the tallest building in Texas: the JPMorgan Chase Tower in downtown Houston. The building is 75-storey tall and also boasts the distinction of being the tallest five-sided building in the entire world.

Houston’s Theater District

Houston’s Theater District occupies 17-blocks in downtown Houston and has an entertainment house for every type of art. Jones Hall is home to the Houston Symphony Orchestra. The symphony hall takes up an entire city block and features the outside made of white Italian marble (大理石).

Houston’s Historic Buildings

In 1890, Houston Heights was founded as one of Texas’s earliest planned communities. Today, 19th Street is a funky place where different shops provide endless entertainment for shoppers.

Houston’s unconventional Architecture

Head to 222 Malone Street in Rice Military to see the Beer Can House, a late 1960s home that has been covered with beer cans and bottle caps. It was created by John Milkovisch, who started the project as a way to cover his lawn to avoid cutting it. The Beer Can House is one of the most recognizable pieces of folk art in the Houston area. Today, the Orange Show Center For Visionary Art the Beer Can House is open for tours on weekends with advanced ticket purchases.

1. What information can you get about Texas’s Tallest Building?

A．It is 70-storey tall.	B．Its designer is from Paris.
C．It lies in centre area in Houston.	D．It is the tallest building in the world.

2. Which place especially appeals to concert lovers?

A．The JPMorgan Chase Tower.	B．Houston’s Theater District.
C．Houston Heights.	D．The Beer Can House.

3. Why did John Milkovisch create Beer Can House?

A．To get together with military.	B．To provide a place for drinkers.
C．To make profits by selling tickets.	D．To protect his lawn from being cut.

【推荐2】Is it any wonder that the Tower of London is the nation’s leading historic visitor attraction? Standing guard by the River Thames, the Tower is an impressive London landmark. Discover the secrets that lie within its walls, marvel (惊讶) at the breathtaking Crown Jewels, stand on the site where three English queens were beheaded (斩首) and explore the myths and legends that make a visit to the Tower a fantastic day out.

The Crown Jewels

Gain a fascinating insight into the role of the Crown Jewels in royal pageantry (盛大庆典) with our introductory films. Once inside the Treasury, marvel at Imperial State Crown worn at the State Opening of Parliament and be dazzled by the world’s largest, top-quality cut diamond, CullinanⅠ, set in the Sovereign’s Sceptre. The Jewel House Wardens will be on hand to answer any questions about this priceless collection.

Yeoman Warder “Beefeater” Tours

Nobody knows more about the history of the Tower than the Yeoman Warders (看守人) and no visit is complete without joining one of their tours. Having guarded (守卫) this royal (皇家的) palace and fortress (城堡) for centuries they will captivate you with amazing stories, passed on from generation to generation, and guide you to the infamous Traitor’s Gate and the execution (处决) site. Tours are held throughout the day.

The White Tower

The first stones of this structure were laid around 1078 by order of William the Conqueror. Its mighty walls are now home to displays from the Royal armouries (铠甲) including original armours worn by Henry VIII and Charles I plus a reconstructed display of massive collection of weapons once housed in the Grand Storehouse.

Ravens

The Ravens are one of the Tower’s most famous sights. These magnificent birds have lived within its walls for hundreds of years and legend has it that, if they leave, the kingdom will fall. Look out for these unique guardians around the Tower and make sure you visit their lodgings.

1. The Yeoman Warders used to act as ________ in history.

A．servants of the royal members	B．tour guides of the Tower
C．special guards of the Tower	D．stories tellers

2. In the legend, the Ravens was considered a symbol of ________ of the kingdom.

A．bad luck	B．dark times
C．great power	D．good luck

3. The above passage is probably taken from ________ .

A．a history textbook	B．an advertisement for travel
C．a travel journal	D．a story

【推荐3】Chess4Life

Chess4Life offers chess camps, classes, and tournaments for beginners through advanced players who are 5 — 15 years old. Programs are offered online, as well as at centers in WA. The carefully-designed curriculum is built by National Master Elliott Neff. Players are taught by experienced coaches in different skill groups. Plus, unlike other training programs, the Chess4Life curriculum includes life skills like respect, sportsmanship, critical thinking and planning, which are all important for your children in all aspects of life!

Denver Rocky Mountain Chess Camp

Founded in 1995, the camp is run by National Master Todd Bardwick. Children at the age of 6-18 are welcome to participate and choose from beginner, intermediate (中级的), and advanced level groups. The small-sized class with a student-coach ratio of 8:1 allows the coaches to give personalized attention to each child. Space is limited, so be sure to sign up your child as soon as you can.

Bay Area Chess

Children aged 5 and up are welcome to join the program with no experience needed! Bay Area Chess offers in-person camps during the spring and summer, while online chess camps run during the summer only. Here students learn from skilled chess instructors in small groups with an instructor-student ratio of 1:10. Outstanding trainees have a chance to play in tournaments. Check the detailed schedule of the camp for your kids and make a right choice.

Elite Chess

You can build your child’s love for STEM and chess at Elite Chess which combines interesting STEM activities with chess lessons. The in-person and online chess classes are for children who know how to play chess but want to improve upon their skills. The program welcomes incoming 1st-6th graders. This year only 12 students can participate in the program, so it’s best to help your kids register ahead of time.

1. What is special about Chess4Life?

A．It keeps its class size small.	B．It welcomes players of all ages.
C．It helps campers gain life skills.	D．It is managed by a national chess master.

2. What do Bay Area Chess and Elite Chess have in common?

A．They aim to train grand masters.

B．They provide online and in-person classes.

C．They organize tournaments for their students.

D．They are suitable for children with no chess experience.

3. Who is the text mainly intended for?

A．Chess players.

B．Chess coaches.

C．Teachers.

D．Parents.