【推荐1】Most of the time, travelers in foreign countries rely on public transportation to get around. But having your own car provides freedom and is especially helpful. There are a few best car rental companies in the U. S. for travelers to choose from.

Enterprise

One of the car rental industry’s most expensive providers, Enterprise’s daily price averages close to $50. What they do well, however, might help you save money. The company reduces or gets rid of a lot of the sneaky(暗中的)additional costs that most other companies make their money from. It’s super-convenient and there are almost 6,000 locations across the U. S. You can return the car to any location.

Courtesy of National

National Car Rental, a sister company of Enterprise, excels when it comes to customer service, taking the No.2 spot in J. D. Powers’ annual report and taking a five-star score for both whole satisfaction and its book process among customers. National’s offerings and programs are aimed especially at business travelers, with companies taking advantage of the company’s business rental program, which lets employees at any sized company get cars at a fair price.

Courtesy of Hertz

Although it’s one of the largest car rental companies there--- it has more than 1,600 airport locations in the U. S. alone--- it’s definitely not the cheapest, with an average daily price of $48.50, putting it on a par with Enterprise. We love the range of cars that the company offers: There’s definitely your business-trip standards, as well as high-capacity cars for families and compact economy cars(紧凑的经济型轿车)for those on a budget.

Courtesy of Budget

Budget, true to its name, has some of the cheapest car rentals in the industry, with an average rental cost of about $35/day and an extra discount--- up to 35 percent--- if you pay when you book. They also do the Mustang weekend program where you can get a free third day--- although it offers four-door full-size cars only, it’s still an offer that’s attractive to families hitting the road for a quick weekend trip.

1. If Mike rents a car from Enterprise, he _____.

A．will avoid some additional costs

B．can rent a car for a month at most

C．must return the car to the rental place

D．will be punished to pay more money for an extra day

2. National Car Rental _______.

A．only serves businessmen and officials

B．provides the best service for customers

C．has a huge variety of transport to rent

D．requires customers to book in advance

3. What does the underlined part in Paragraph 4 mean?

A．Courtesy of Hertz serves its natives as Enterprise.

B．Courtesy of Hertz provides driving services as Enterprise.

C．Courtesy of Hertz’s daily average price is as high as Enterprise’s.

D．Courtesy of Hertz and Enterprise offer different kinds of cars.

4. Which of the following statements about Courtesy of Budget is true?

A．It can help customers save a lot of money.

B．Its returning process has some disadvantages.

C．It usually introduces special offers to its employees.

D．Customers can book through its online check-in system.

5. What is the purpose of the passage?

A．To attract more travelers to visit the U.S.A.

B．To provide readers with useful suggestions about traveling.

C．To persuade people to start more car rental companies.

D．To introduce some best car rental companies to travelers.

【推荐3】Dear Guests
WELCOME TO PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL APARTMENTS--SYDNEY
Now we are updating (更新) our information folders in the rooms in order to help you during your stay. Please notice the following:
Phone number:
Reception(接待处): Dial 7
Housekeeping: Dial 4
Apartment-to-Apartment: dial the apartment number ( except 1st floor apartments: dial the apartment number followed by the ＃key)
Outside line: dial 0, wait for dial tone, and then the number required.
Please keep your key with you at all times. The main doors to the apartments are locked from about 10:30 pm ~ 07:00 am, and you will need to swipe (刷卡) your key to gain access (通道) to the apartment.

If in the event of the fire alarm(警报) sounding please stay calm. If evacuation ( 疏散) is necessary, please go to the fire exits. DO NOT USE LIFTS. Remember to take your valuables and key with you. When you go down, please gather at the Wishing Tree and the Corner of Sussex and Hay Street and either the Fire Brigade. A staff（职员）member or Hotel security（安全）will issue necessary instructions. For future details on this, please dial 7.

Please see reception for any advice on tours and Sydney's attention, and please dial 7 if you want any further information.
We hope your stay with us is an enjoyable one.
Kind regards,
Paul Williams
Guest Services Manager
1. How can you dial from your room in Pacific to Room 115 on the 1st floor?

A．Just dial 115.

B．Dial 6, then 115.

C．Dial 115 and press the # key.

D．Press the # key, and then dial 115.

2. If you want to go back to your room in Pacific at 11:45 pm, you can _______.

A．dial 0, and phone the reception

B．open the main door with your key

C．call the reception for help

D．use the lifts

3. If a fire broke out in Pacific, guests should _______.

A．dial 7 and wait for the hotel security

B．take their keys and leave Pacific by lifts

C．leave Pacific through the fire exits

D．be together with the Fire Brigade

4. This letter most probably appears in ______.

A．a guest' s room

B．the official guide

C．a manager’ s office

D．at the train station

【推荐2】Machu Picchu is an unusual site in Peru and one of the most mysterious wonders of the world. Built at almost 10,000 feet on the top of an Andean mountain, the Incas built hundreds of structures made of stone. A large number of Machu Picchu’s surrounding structures date back to the early 13th century, but it was considered a chief sacred site far before then. The Inca people changed the large site into a very small but wonderful city, completely self-sufficient and hidden from below. Agricultural terraces (梯田) surrounded the entire city, fed by natural spring water, supporting the entire population.

Inca Trail

The trail is one of the most famous in the world and regarded as one of the best. It covers only 26 miles, combining cloud forest, green mountain scenery, forest, and plenty of tunnels, paving stones, and ruins. The four-day hike begins slowly but quickly changes into a difficult journey suitable for those in excellent shape. The trail winds through the Andes, leading alongside and through ruins. Though independent hiking was once permitted, now it must be done with a guide.

Funerary Rock

It is believed that the Funerary Rock at Machu Picchu was used as a place to prepare Inca nobles for preservation, or mummifying (做成木乃伊), a common habit among the tribe. Nobles would be laid out to be mummified by the hot sun and freezing cold nights after their organs were removed. The rock is also famous as a spot from which a view of the city is afforded.

Temple of the Sun

Within the city’s castle, deep within Machu Picchu, is the Temple of the Sun, accessed only by the Emperor and Inca priests. It means the Inca’s advanced knowledge of religion, weather, and nature, showing the great extent.

Incas went to adapt to and learn about nature. Still unbroken, the temple was built to honor the god Inti, who is exactly the sun. The temple was effectively protected. It was also a very important scientific center, built in half-moon shape with openings facing north and east. The windows’ shadows in the center of the temple helped see the start of winter solstice (至日), showing farming season.

1. What do we know about the Inca Trail?

A．The scene is very beautiful along the trail.

B．One person alone is permitted to hike on the trail.

C．Only healthy people can do the four-day hike trail.

D．The trail covers a distance of 80 miles in all.

2. Temple of the Sun suggests that            .

A．Incas had a good knowledge of math.

B．Incas are rich in farming experiences.

C．Inca had a desire to go to the moon.

D．Incas adapted and learned about nature.

3. What can be the best title for the passage?

A．Inca Trail	B．Funerary Rock
C．Machu Picchu	D．Temple of the Sun

【推荐3】Summer is fleeting, just like the youth. But the books we read stay with us for the lifetime. Our editors independently research and recommend the following for teens to enjoy!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

In Nazi Germany, 11-year-old Liesel Meminger is living outside of Munich when she discovers a book in the snow and it changes her life forever. She begins stealing books from Nazi and the mayor’s library. As she becomes fascinated with words, she begins writing about her life during this dangerous time. Beautifully-written and deeply moving, this novel stands out in the crowded field of Holocaust (大屠杀) literature. Despite the tragic and disturbing storyline, The Book Thief is filled with warmth, humor, and hope.

OCDaniel by Wesley King

This first-person narrative is told from the perspective of Daniel, a 13-year-old who tries to hide his obsessive compulsive disorder (强迫症) as he struggles to fit into the cruel world of middle school. Then he gets a note that puts him in the middle of a mystery. The plot revolves around the mystery, so it’s not too clinical and focused on OCD. Full of heartbreak and joy, as well as important lessons, OCDaniel is a thrilling novel that will definitely have you supporting Daniel and eagerly turning the pages.

Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance by Simone Biles

American Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles shares her inspiring and fascinating journey from her early childhood in foster care to the Olympic podium (领奖台). In her own words, Biles describes all hardships that she experienced along the way. Her attractive stories give insight into her determined spirit and positive attitude, even when under pressure. When reading Biles’ words, it’s difficult not to be motivated and encouraged to dream big and work hard.

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

A series of 13 books, A Series of Unfortunate Events, follows the Baudelaire orphans as they seek to reveal the mysteries of their family. Filled with many plot twists, appealing mysteries, and exciting adventures, this series manages to keep you hooked all the way through the last book. Lemony Snicket’s entertaining writing style and dark sense of humor make them fun reads.

1. If you are interested in the story of war time, you may choose the book written by ________.

A．Markus Zusak	B．Wesley King
C．Simone Biles	D．Lemony Snicket

2. When reading Daniel’s story, readers may find it ________.

A．humorous and mysterious	B．sorrowful and joyful
C．hopeful and cheerful	D．thrilling and inspiring

3. Which one of the books belongs to non-fiction?

A．The Book Thief.

B．OCDaniel.

C．Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance.

D．A Series of Unfortunate Events.

【推荐1】Tai Hang Dragon Dance

In the 19th century, the people of Tai Hang began performing a dragon dance to stop a run of bad luck deviling their village. More than a century later, their village has been all but swallowed up by Hong Kong’s fast-growing city. But the dragon keeps on dancing. It has even danced its way onto China’s third national list of intangible cultural heritage.

All this started a few days before the Mid-Autumn Festival, sometime around 100 years ago. First a typhoon struck the fishing and farming community of Tai Hang. This was followed by a plague(瘟疫), and then when a large snake ate the villagers’ livestock, they said enough was enough. A foreteller declared the only way to stop the chaos was to stage a fire dance for three days and nights during the upcoming festival. The villagers made a huge dragon from straw and covered it with joss sticks, which they then lit. Accompanied by drummers and erupting firecrackers, they did what they were told and danced for three days and three nights - and the plague disappeared.

Tai Hang may no longer be a village, but its locals still recreate the fiery ancient tradition to this day with a huge dragon that is not to be taken lightly! On the day before the Mid-Autumn Festival, dragon dance participants perform a series of ceremonies in the Hakka dialect at Lin Fa Temple. The performance then winds its way in fire and smoke through the backstreets of Tai Hang over three moon-fueled days.

Info

Date: 23–25 September 2018

Time: Around 8:15–10:30pm, 23–24 September

Around 8:15–10pm, 25 September

Venue: Tai Hang, Causeway Bay

(Best viewing point: Wun Sha Street)

Enquiry: +852 2577 2649

Website: www.taihangfiredragon.hk

Note: On 24 September, the performance will also be held at Victoria Park at around 10:45–11:30pm.

1. What does the underlined “a run of bad luck” refer to?
① The spread of a plague.                  ② A typhoon striking Tai Hang.
③The loss of the livestock.        ④The urbanization of Tai Hang.

A．①②③④

B．①②③

C．①②④

D．②③④

2. What’s the purpose of Tai Hang Dragon dance nowadays?

A．To stop the chaos.	B．To perform as a cultural heritage.
C．To entertain visitors.	D．To observe the Mid-Autumn Festival.

3. Where can you enjoy the dragon dance at 11:00 p.m. on 24^th September?

A．Wun Sha Street.	B．Victoria Park.
C．Tai Hang, Causeway Bay.	D．Lin Fa Temple.

【推荐2】In a natural disaster—a hurricane, flood, volcanic eruption, or other catastrophes—minutes and even seconds of warning can make the difference between life and death. Because of this, scientists are working to use the latest technological advances to predict when and where disasters will happen. They are also studying how best to analyse and communicate this information once it is obtained.

Hurricane Georges made landfall in Biloxi, Mississippi, after damaging Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and several islands of the Caribbean badly with torrential rains and winds up to 160 km per hour. Few people lost their lives along the Gulf Coast of the United States, although hundreds died in the Caribbean. This was a very different outcome from 1900, when a powerful Gulf Coast hurricane made an unexpected direct hit on Galveston, Texas, killing at least 6,000 people.

Vastly improved hurricane warnings explain the different circumstances-residents of Galveston had no advance warning that a storm was approaching, while residents of Biloxi had been warned days in advance, allowing for extensive safety precautions.

While people in Biloxi were thankful for the advance warning, some residents of New Orleans, Louisiana were less satisfied. A day before Georges made landfall, forecasters were predicting that the hurricane had a good chance of striking New Orleans. Because much of New Orleans lies below sea level, the city is at risk for flooding. Emergency management officials must begin evacuations well before a storm strikes. But evacuation costs money: businesses close, tourists leave, and citizens take precautionary measures. The mayor of New Orleans estimated that his city’s preparations for Georges cost more than 50 million. After Georges missed New Orleans, some residents questioned the value of the hurricane forecasts in the face of such high costs.

The different views on the early warnings for Hurricane Georges show some of the complexities related to predicting disasters. Disaster prediction is a process of providing scientific information to the government officials and other decision-makers who must respond to those predictions.

1. Which of the following areas suffered the most severe damage?

A．Puerto Rico.	B．Galveston, Texas.
C．Biloxi, Mississippi.	D．New Orleans.

2. The city residents of New Orleans were unsatisfied because________.

A．the forecast hurricane did not hit the city.	B．the hurricane warning arrived rather late.
C．their preparations were made in vain.	D．they suffered from a heavy hurricane attack.

3. What does the passage mainly talk about?

A．The different ways of disaster prediction.

B．Technological advances in disaster prediction.

C．The importance and uncertainty of disaster prediction.

D．The benefits and preparations of disaster prediction.

【推荐3】Freshmen at Central Valley High in Ceres had a busy week of good deeds, tied to Pay It Forward Day, April 30, and an urge to show the world that teens can be awesome.

Kids in Success 101 spent first period making sandwiches for the homeless. The classes, taught by Natalie Rowell and Becky Lynch, got to hand 200 bagged sandwiches to the charity giving out the food. “They got to really see what an impact they had. It was inspiring and heartwarming,” Rowell said. Besides, students also made blankets to send to soldiers, and created 45 flower arrangements for senior people at the Hale Aloha Home in Ceres. “They were nervous going into it. But when they saw how happy the elderly were, the reality of what they did really surfaced,” Rowell said.

Rowell said she liked working with children. get to see how they learn. “It's different from how we learn, but we're kind of the same because they struggle in some of the subjects that we find hard as well.”

Success 101 was tailor-made for students with that kind of insight. The first-period class includes study help, speakers on teen subjects and an overall focus on looking past high school, figuring out the steps to create their future. “Some kids need that little push. In this class, that's what we do, we give them that little push,” Lynch added. “Success would be beneficial for all ninth-grade students. Since the start of the year, I really see a change in them.”

Raquel Alfaro, a teen participant who worked with the younger kids, likes the Pay It Forward idea. “This helps us show adults, and also kids, that we're doing something different and that we're not as mean and selfish as they think we are," Alfaro said.

1. How did the kids in Success 101 show their value in the week?

A．By studying very hard.	B．By doing some good deeds.
C．By helping their teachers.	D．By inspiring local community.

2. What can we infer about Rowell from the text?

A．She is in need of some push.	B．She tried hard to learn some subjects.
C．She understands the kids well.	D．She started the Pay It Forward Day.

3. Why was Success 101 set up?

A．To push students to study harder.	B．To educate students to help others.
C．To inspire students to make a better change.	D．To improve students' academic performance.

4. What do people usually think of teens, according to Raquel Alfaro?

A．Awesome.

B．Successful.

C．Changeable.

D．Selfish.

【推荐1】It was the first day of Spring here but it didn't feel like it. The Coronavirus(冠状病毒) Pandemic was sweeping the globe and everywhere there were feelings of uncertainty, fear, loneliness and even despair. "Social Distancing" had become the new norm. Here the schools had been closed, the restaurant dining rooms had been shut, and people had been told to work from home whenever they could. Even the sheltered workshop where my oldest son worked had been closed until furl her notice. People had made a run on the stores and large areas of the shelves were bare. On the news the numbers of sick and dead continued to rise. It felt like there was a weight on the souls of everyone in the world.

My own family was staying at home as much as possible and as I looked out my window I wondered how long this crisis would last. It was then, however. that I saw something that lifted that weight off of my soul, made my face smile, and made my heart feel happy again. On the street below my house there was an old friend of mine from high school who was a teacher there now. With him was my younger son s former aide from the high school as well. They were delivering the school lunches door to door to the hungry children who were stuck al home. Watching them made me think of something everyone's childhood television neighbor. Mr. Roger's once said:“ In the bad times, always look for the helpers. ”

I have no doubt this crisis will pass as all the crisis before it have. But it is our choice on whether it brings out the best in us or the worst in us. Let it bring out the best in you. Use it to strengthen your faith. Use it to free yourself from fear. Use it to grow kinder, more giving, and more loving. Become a helper to all those in need and you will be a happy person today and in all the days to come.

1. How did people feel in face of the epidemic?

A．Disappointed.

B．Confident.

C．Tense.

D．Doubtful.

2. What made the author happy?

A．Seeing someone delivering lunches from door to door

B．Staying together with his families in time of danger

C．Seeing a childhood television in time of danger

D．Standing by the window and look out into the street

3. What Mr. Roger said actually means ______.

A．in bad times we should watch mon TV programs

B．school lunches are not easy to forget for many people

C．we should prepare more lunches for school children

D．people look forward to helping hands in bad times

4. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To express his expectation to end the epidemic soon

B．To encourage people to bring out their best in had times

C．To show that he is ready to help others in time of danger

D．To explain why we should have strong faith in ourselves

【推荐2】As a leading Chinese language school and a cultural exchange institute in China, Global Exchange Education Center has been providing Mandarin (or Putonghua) language courses and cultural exchange programs for over a decade.
How to apply for our programs
■In order to apply for all of our programs, you must be
at least 18 years old.
in good health,
a senior high school graduate.
■Application Procedure for Chinese Language Programs
Step 1. Send us a completed application form by email or fax.
Step 2. Send us $ 60 application fee after receiving our email confirmation.
Step 3. Arrange the payment transfer.
Step 4. Plan the trip to Beijing.
■Application Procedure for Chinese Business Internship (实习）Program
Step 1. Send us a completed application form with your CV and personal statement for the program by email or fax.
Step 2. Send us $ 310, including $60 application fee and $ 250 internship placement deposit, after receiving our letter of acceptance for the program.
Step 3. Arrange final payment transfer after receiving our second confirmation.
Step 4. Plan the trip to Beijing.
■Personal Statement for applicants for Chinese Business Internship Program
You should state why you want to take this program and what your expectations of the program are. How you will make use of this program in your future career.
■ APPLICATION DEADLINES
The applications for most programs are reviewed on a rolling basis. You are encouraged to submit your application ahead of the application deadlines.
■Confirmation
Having received your application, Global Exchange Education Center usually sends out an email confirmation for the booking within 2-5 working days.
1. The text is probably written for ______.

A．junior high graduates	B．international students
C．job seekers	D．language trainers

2. If you apply for both of the programs, the total application fees will be ______.

A．$120

B．$310

C．$250

D．$ 370

3. Which of the following is not necessarily included in applicants’ personal statement?

A．Their purposes of taking the program.

B．Their expectations of the program.

C．Their future practice of the program.

D．Their feedbacks on the program.

【推荐3】Electric vehicles are close to the "turning point" of rapid mass adoption thanks to the decreasing cost of batteries, experts say.

Global sales of electric vehicles rose 43% in 2020, but even faster growth is expected when continuing falls in battery prices result in the price of electric cars under the same petrol and diesel (柴油) models, which may happen between 2023 and 2025. According to a study by Prof. Tim Lonton, at the University of Exeter, the turning point has already been passed in Norway, where tax breaks (税收减免) mean electric cars are cheaper and the market share of battery-powered cars increased to 54% in 2020 in Norway, compared with less than 5% in most European nations.

The falls in battery prices in the last decade have been dramatic and faster than predicted thanks to a massive production and cuts in costs, such as reducing the amount of expensive cobalt (钴) required. BloombergNEF's analysis predicts lithium-ion (锂离子) battery costs will fall so sharply that electric cars can match the price of petrol and diesel cars by 2023. McKin-sey's Global Energy Perspective 2021, published on 15 January, forecasts that "electric vehicles are likely to become the most economic choice in the next five years worldwide".

Electric cars, vital in efforts to fight climate crisis, are quieter and start to go faster, so people do not want to return to a petrol or diesel vehicle once they have one. A survey of 2,000 electric car owners found 91% said they did not want to go back.

"The survey shows the strong and lasting impact of switching to a clean car. The evidence in favour of electric vehicles grows more convincing even in a year as destructive as 2020," said Melanie Shufflebotham, at Zap-Map, which maps charging points.

1. What leads to the growing sales of electric vehicles?

A．The rise in petrol prices.	B．The desire for a lower tax.
C．The drop in battery costs.	D．The need for a cleaner life.

2. What can we infer from paragraph 2?

A．Policies in Norway support electric vehicles

B．Economy in Norway outgrows other nations

C．The market share of electric vehicles will decline.

D．The tax breaks in Europe will continue to increase.

3. How will electric vehicles equal fuel vehicles in price?

A．By increasing the demand for cobalt.

B．By boosting the sales of electric cars.

C．By reducing the production of batteries.

D．By cutting the costs of lithium-ion batteries.

4. What is the attitude of people surveyed towards electric cars?

A．Tolerant.

B．Positive.

C．Unwilling.

D．Opposed.