【推荐2】The Appleton Club is the focal point of undergraduate ministry in The Memorial Church. The Appleton Club provides a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for undergraduates to grow and develop as faithful Christians as they grow and develop as intellectuals and professionals. We focus on building community through worship, study, and service, as well as through social gatherings and outings. All are welcome!
For details on all the activities of The Appleton Club, or to be added to our e-mail list, contact ____________________________ or 617-496-1426. You can also visit us on Facebook at ________________.
Our life together is centered around three weekly gatherings:
Sunday Night Student Service
9:00 p.m., Appleton Chapel
Every Sunday night we gather for a “come as you are” worship service that includes the celebration of Holy Communion. The service is designed to provide a peaceful and contemplative space to find peace and encounter the divine at the start of the week. Following the service, we gather downstairs in the Buttrick Room for food and some social time together.
Wednesday Night Discussion Group
9:00 p.m., Sparks House, 21 Kirkland Street, Cambridge
Throughout the academic year we will come together during the middle of the week to read and discuss the works of the late Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes. This spring we will continue discussing his best-selling book The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart as an entry point to conversations about what scripture is, what it isn’t, and what it means for our lives as faithful contemporary Christians of the 21st century. Food will be provided.
Friday Afternoon Social Gatherings
4:00 p.m., Sparks House, 21 Kirkland Street, Cambridge
Every Friday afternoon we gather as a community to check in and wind down from the busy week. This is our time to plan special events, service trips, and retreats, as well as a safe place to ask those burning questions about faith, theology, and scripture that you’ve always wanted to know about but have been afraid to ask.
1. If you want to know some activities of The Appleton Club, there are at least _____ ways.

A．4

B．3

C．2

D．5

2. From three weekly gatherings, which activity is not included?

A．Every Sunday night we hold the celebration of Holy Communion.

B．On Wednesday night of this spring we will discuss The Good Book.

C．Every Friday afternoon you can ask what you have been afraid to ask.

D．You can enjoy delicious food after gathering each time.

【推荐1】3 Days Dunhuang Bike Tour

Going on a bike is a great way to explore the natural beauty of Dunhuang. Our tour is spent riding along the country road and the edge of town where we’ll pass by country houses, farmlands and vineyards (葡萄园) to show you the beauty of the little oasis (绿洲) in the desert.

Day 1

Meals: None

Accommodation (住宿): In Dunhuang

You will be picked up at the train station and moved to the hotel once you arrive in Dunhuang. Free for the rest of the day. Dunhuang is located on the western end of Hexi Corridor, at the meeting point of Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang in the Northwest of China. Known as Shazhou in ancient times, Dunhuang served as a rest stop for traders and due to its special geographical location, it was the gateway through which many religions (宗教) like Buddhism, Islam and Christianity entered China.

Day 2

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Dunhuang

You need to get up and start biking early in the morning. First, we will ride 30 minutes to the Mogao Caves (10 km) and visit the biggest Buddhist art gallery of the world. After lunch, we will ride bike to the White Horse Pagoda which is located in the countryside (12 km) and was built in 386 A.D. in memory of the white horse of the greatest Buddhist translator, Kumarajiva. Then we will have dinner at a local farmer’s restaurant. In the evening, we will ride bike to the famous Singing­Sand Dunes and Yueyaquan (6 km). Finally, we will ride back to the hotel.

Day 3

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: None

Be dropped off at the airport and call it a day.

1. What can the riders do during the tour?

A．Enjoy the beauty of the countryside.

B．Find the best way to visit Dunhuang.

C．Have to put up with the heat in the desert.

D．Go cycling in downtown Dunhuang.

2. Dunhuang once had various        .

A．horse races

B．tourism programs

C．business activities

D．Buddhist arguments

3. What can we know about the Mogao Caves and the White Horse Pagoda?

A．They hold art exhibitions.

B．They have places for horses.

C．They have religious backgrounds.

D．They are tourist information centers.

【推荐3】Welcome to the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. Traditionally, the festival opens from Dec. 24th and lasts to the middle of February. But its official opening ceremony is usually held on January 5th each year. Here is a three-day-trip for you.

Day 1 Activities: Airport to hotel transfer

Driver Service (one-way airport to hotel): Fly into Harbin Taiping International Airport. Be greeted by our Chinese speaking driver who will take your luggage to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to know about the city.

Day 2 Activities: Sun Island Snow Sculpture Art Expo, Harbin Ice and Snow World

Driver & Guide Service: At 09:00 am, we will drive you to the Sun Island, where the International Snow Sculpture Art Expo is held every winter. You can see different wonderful snow sculptures and choose to pay and enjoy some activities, like playing snow tubing, going dog sledding etc. Then visit the most important theme park of the ice festival – Ice and Snow World, which features interesting winter activities, evening shows and ice sculptures.

Day 3 Activities: Heilongjiang Provincial Museum, Central Street, airport transfer

Driver & Guide Service: At 09:00 am, we will pay a visit to Heilongjiang Provincial Museum. Then enjoy a free walk on the historical Central Street. Later, head to the airport for the flight to your next destination.

1. When can we go to the ice festival?

A．On December 20th.	B．On March 5th.
C．On February 28th.	D．On January 15th.

2. Tourists can explore Harbin by themselves   ___________.

A．every day

B．on Day 1

C．on Day 2

D．on Day 3

3. Which activity requires extra pay?

A．Playing snow tubing.

B．Heading to the airport by car.

C．Seeing all kinds of snow sculptures.

D．Visiting Heilongjiang Provincial Museum.

【推荐2】The four theme parks below offer the most thrilling(刺激的) rides and attractions in the world.

Busch Gardens Wiliamsburg

Located(坐落) in Virginia,USA,this theme park has some of the highest-rated thrill rides in the   world. The park’s famous roller coasters include Apollo’s Chariot, Alpengeist, Griffon, the Loch Ness Monster and Verbolten. The park also has thrilling water rides, rides for kids, other rides, shows,tours, animal exhibits and more. Divided into nine areas representing European countries, the park has won an award for the quality of its food.

Everland

As one of the world’s most popular theme parks, Everland is located in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do Province, South Korea. The park has 40 thrill rides, including a world-famous wooden roller coaster, and many other attractions such as an African hunting ride, a zoo, indoor and outdoor water parks, shows and more.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

This Lancashire amusement park is one of the most visited theme parks in the United Kingdom. Among the parks 125 rides and attractions are the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the UK, a classic wooden roller coaster, a steel tower ride, the biggest indoor dask ride in the world, a host of rides for kids and more.

Port Aventura World

Located on Spain’s Costa Daurada, this park is divided into six theme areas. Five areas represent different locations including Polynesia, Mexico, Americal China and the Mediterranean. The sixth and newest area has a Sesame Street theme. The park has many rides and attractions suitable for visitors of all ages.

1. Which park will a visitor loving thrill and hunting rides probably choose?

A．Busch Gardens Williamsburg	B．Everland.
C．Blackpool Pleasure Beach.	D．Port Aventura World.

2. What is unique to Blackpool Pleasure Beach?

A．It has a classic wooden roller coaster,

B．It has the fastest roller coaster n the world.

C．It has the biggest indoor dark ride in the world.

D．It has attractions suitable for visitors of all nges.

3. Where is the theme park including a China area located in?

A．In Virginia.	B．In Yongin.
C．In Lancashire.	D．On Costa Daurada.

【推荐3】If you are looking for a vacation to a beautiful beach town, each state on the East Coast has something new to offer. Here you can find the best cities along the East Coast based on a departure (离开) from Los Angeles.

Savannah, GeorgiaRound-trip fight cost:$ 415

Walking tours of the city’s attractions are led by local historians, and you can know more about the famous squares and see the bench where Forrest Gump sat. There is also a free tour to Forsyth Park, home to a 300-year-old Candler Oak tree. Visitors can also stay at the Forsyth Park, which includes a spa, restaurant and cooking school.

Charleston, South Carolina

Round-trip flight cost:$519

You don’t have to travel to Europe to visit one of the world’s best spots. Charleston made Travel and Leisure’s 2018 list of the top 15 international cities. It was also ranked the No. 1 U.S. city for the sixth year in a row in 2018. You can enjoy the sunshine for free at Folly Beach and watch the sunset from the pier (码头).

Block Island, Rhode Island

Round-trip flight cost:$358

There are no flights from Los Angeles directly to Block Island, but a round-trip flight to Providence, Rhode Island. There you can make your way to Block Island and visit 1661 Farms and Gardens, which is home to kangaroos, camels, ducks, goats and much more. Southeast Lighthouse here is praised for its beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Roanoke, Virginia

Round-trip fight cost:$517

Take advantage of the arts and crafts trips, hiking paths and waterfall stops all along the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you don’t want to stay outdoors, visit the Taubman Museum of Art for free. The museum has a collection of over 2,100 pieces from around the world and hosts special exhibits(展览会) throughout the year.

1. What do tours in Savannah allow visitors to do?

A．Learn about the history of the city.	B．Help plant trees in Forsyth Park
C．Attend a cooking school for free.	D．Watch an open-air movie.

2. Block Island is best suitable for visitors who _________.

A．are unwilling to travel by air

B．love to spend time with animals

C．want to appreciate works of art

D．prefer enjoying the mountain view

3. At which place can visitors have both outdoor and indoor tours?

A．Savannah.

B．Charleston.

C．Block Island

D．Roanoke.

【推荐1】In the past few decades, parental fears over their children's “fragile” egos (脆弱的自我) have dominated thinking. Rather than using failure to improve, participation and effort have become what is celebrated. Parents now see failure as a terrible disaster with negative consequences as opposed to something their children could recover and grow from.

In a recent study, administrators at Harvard observed that despite awesome grades, the kids entering college seem unable to take care of themselves and think for themselves. The study points to the fact that for all their lives their parents have taken care of every need, told them what path to follow and if any difficulty occurs, have made sure to fix it for them. As a result, children have lost the ability to feel competent and to be in charge of their own lives.

I was a baseball player. When the opportunity to coach my son's team came up, I was in two minds. I wanted my kids to do activities without their dad hanging around. But an old friend happened to be the head coach and he convinced me to help out. I coached it well, rarely having a hand in training my son. I found out the learning opportunities on and off the field were even better than I had imagined.

Last season, our team lost 0-13. In the post-game meeting, my message was, “You have to learn how to lose if you ever want to win.” When saying this to the team, I was met with blank stares. When I said it to the parents, there was some nodding but not everyone was on board. Shouldn't I be praising the kids for their every action? Why didn't I put only the best players at the “important” positions? How come I didn't replace kids who were struggling with players who could do better?

Luckily, the parents eventually got my message and I didn't get any push-back at all. They desired to learn more about life lessons that failure could teach their kids. And the team began to win games after early losses.

1. What does children's failure mean to parents?

A．Children's self-reflection.

B．Destructive effects on children.

C．A steppingstone to children's success.

D．Parental irresponsibility in raising children.

2. What prevents children thinking independently based on the study?

A．The rapidly-developing society.

B．Parents' high expectations of children.

C．Children's wrong attitude towards failure.

D．Too much parental intervention in children's life.

3. How did the author feel when offered the chance to coach his son's team?

A．Excited.	B．Confident.
C．Hesitant.	D．Uninterested.

4. What do the three questions in paragraph 4 imply?

A．Some parents doubted the author's strategies.

B．The players felt confused about their failure.

C．The author was to blame for the team's defeat.

D．The author ignored the head coach's good advice.

【推荐2】My boss’s daughter was studying in the Phinilippines. He asked me if my husband and I could take care of her. He thought his daughter would be able to improve her English communication skills in this way.

After days of thinking, we agreed. He then brought her here and left after 3 days. I thought that my boss’s daughter was well-mannered, but that was wrong.

After a month of staying in the Philippines, she started to show her true colors. When my husband asked her what she wanted for breakfast, she answered him in a rude way. From then on, we experienced fights at home. There was a time when we didn’t talk to her for a week as a punishment of not being good to us. What I hated most was that she didn’t care about other people’s feelings. She ate ahead of us when we were still working and didn’t leave anything for us. So we had to separate her food from ours to avoid such a problem.

The worst thing about her was that she shouted at us. I was wondering if she did this to her parents. We told this to her parents, but unfortunately I didn’t think that solved the problem. This situation lasted for almost 8 months. Our patience was tested during that time.

We tried to teach her everything we could to make her a better person, but I guess 8 months may not be enough. We even tried to understand her and adjust for her, but it didn’t work. I just hope that she learned something from us and from other Filipinos.

1. Why did the boss want his daughter to stay with the writer?

A．Because he was too busy to take care of his daughter.

B．Because he wanted his daughter to take a holiday there.

C．Because he wanted the writer to teach his daughter good manners.

D．Because he wanted his daughter to improve her English in this way.

2. What do the examples in Paragraph 3 tell us?

A．The daughter wasn’ t behaving well.

B．The writer and her husband were careless.

C．The writer and her husband hated children.

D．The daughter tried her best to make others happy.

3. What does the underlined word “that” in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A．Being patient with her.	B．Her parents punishing her.
C．Telling her parents about her behavior.	D．Asking her parents about her.

4. What can we learn after reading the passage?

A．The writer had known the daughter was hard to deal with.

B．The daughter learnt to behave well in the end.

C．The writer didn’t enjoy the daughter’s stay.

D．The daughter hated dealing with others.

5. What is this passage mainly about?

A．The writer’s experience of dealing with a teenage girl staying in her house.

B．The writer’s experience of changing a girl’s bad behavior.

C．The writer’s experience of improving her communication skills.

D．The writer’s experience of trying to please her boss.

【推荐3】There has been a lot of such news lately. As far as the problems with today's schools are concerned, we can go back to how our culture has evolved.

In general, our culture, as represented in the media, gets excited by famous stars, and stresses that it's what you have, not what you are, that counts. Parents are   encouraged to be away from even very small children for most of the day. Too many people vote for politicians who would rather cut school funding than stop tax cuts for the wealthy. All contribute greatly to the problems of educating our children.

Today's teachers have to deal with a culture that is vastly different than in the past. They report that there is, among more children than ever, a lack of motivation, no drive to succeed or even try. In the media, the role models that boys see mostly consist of men in comedies and other shows, who are rude and often extremely childish; self-centered overpaid athletes; men in movies, television or video games, who are violent and powerful. As Leonard Sax wrote in Boys Adrift, "Teenage boys are looking for models of mature adulthood, but we no longer make any collective effort to provide such models."

Girls are attacked not only with such annoying images of males, but also with women who are extremely materialistic.

In such a cultural environment, it is more important than ever to have responsible parents who are devoted to their children and see to it as their duty to model for them and raise them with high standards of honesty and responsibility. They need to care enough to see that their children are not attacked with the rubbish that comes from movie, television and computer screens.

In today's culture, they are basically alone in this effort since, unfortunately, so much is working against them. Until we, as a culture, face the truth about ourselves- that we are not providing adequately for a great many of our children, as Jim Taylor titled his book "Your Children are Under Attack”。

1. What does "such news" in the beginning most probably involve?

A．Cultural evolution.	B．Financial risk from tax cuts.
C．Problems in education.	D．Social influence of the media.

2. What does today's culture bring to the children?

A．Narrow access to entertainment.	B．Poor social abilities.
C．Few materialistic models.	D．Too much negative effect.

3. What do parents have to do in today's culture?

A．Find more models for their children.

B．Keep their kids from the bad effect of the media.

C．Forbid their children to use computers.

D．Encourage their children to stay at school.

4. What is the author's attitude towards today's culture?

A．Indifferent.	B．Ambiguous.
C．Dissatisfied.	D．Approving.