【推荐2】Write a winning story!

You could win ￡ 1,000 in this year’s Fiction Prize and have your story printed in Keep Writing. Ten other lucky people will win ￡ 1,00.

Once again, we need people who can write good stories. The judges,who include Mary Littlejohn, the novelist, Michael Brown, the television reporter, and Susan Hitchins, one of Keep Writing’s editors, are looking for interesting and original(原创的)stories. Detective fiction was really popular last year, although the competition winner produced a love story. You can write about whatever you want but you should make the beginning interesting and the ending a surprise.

Your story must be your own work, between 2,000 and 2,500 words and typed, double-spaced, on one side only of each piece of paper.

Even if you’re in danger of missing the closing date, we are unable to accept stories by email. You must include the application form with your story. Unfortunately your story cannot be returned, nor can we discuss our decisions.

You should not have had any fiction printed in any magazine or book in this country, and the story must not have appeared in print or in recorded form, for example on radio or TV, anywhere in the world.

Your fee of ￡ 5 will go to the Writers’ Association. Send your story with the application form and your story to:

Keep Writing

75 Broad Street

Birmingham

B12 4TG

The closing date is 30 October and we will inform the winner within one month of this date. Please note that if you win, you must agree to have your story printed in our magazine.

1. What can we learn about this year’s Fiction Prize?

A．It chooses ten winners.	B．It favors detective fiction.
C．It will print the winner’s story.	D．It will give all the winners ￡ 100.

2. What is a requirement of the story for this year’s Fiction Prize?

A．It should be sent by email.

B．It must be within 2,000 words.

C．It must be handed in before 30 October.

D．It should be printed on one piece of paper.

3. What type of writing is this text?

A．A tour guide.	B．A book review.
C．An official report.	D．An announcement.

【推荐3】The Valley Art Center energizes and encourages art appreciation in people of all ages and backgrounds through education，inspiration, and opportunities to experience the visual arts. We support art students and artists through quality curriculum and programming along with exhibition space. We promote the growth of each individual's potential and the advancement of the arts in the community.

Basic Oil Painting

This course, with a four-hour format, is for serious artists of all levels from beginners to advanced learners. Guidance will be offered on issues such as composition, colors, tools and techniques, but the emphasis of the course will be on thinking creatively. Individual attention will be available whenever needed. The course will end up with a group discussion of the students' works.

IMPORTANT：students will be responsible for bringing all necessary materials，including any desired photographic reference. Supply list is available online. And don't forget your lunch. $192/$173.

Digital Photography for the Fraidy Cat

Learn the basics of digital photography. We will start with understanding what those symbols on your camera mean. We will explore how to set your own film speed，aperture (孔径) and shutter (快门) speed. We will also learn when to use a flash. We will explore taking action shots，landscapes and family portraits (全家福). In this class you will practice and apply what you have learned using your camera! $96/$86.

Drawing for the Fraidy Cat

Everyone can draw! If you have ever wanted to learn how to draw or just want to refresh yourself in drawing basics, then this is the class for you. This class will focus on building drawing skills through the use of line, value，perspective，and composition. Students will work on a variety of projects with different drawing mediums to develop their personal style. A list of suggested supplies is available online. $96/$86.

Enamel on Metal

In this art form, drawing skills are not required for this colorful and expressive craft. Beginners learn several basic classical techniques and those with experience are guided in other techniques of choice. For those who are making jewelry, this is another form to add to your artist's toolbox!

All equipment and supplies are included in the first project fee of $8, payable to the instructor at the first class. $96/$ 86.

1. The Valley Art Center intends to ________.

A．discover the art students' potential

B．have exhibitions of students' art works

C．offer people some ways to experience arts

D．promote the development of the community

2. The course Basic Oil Painting stresses ________.

A．the skills of composition

B．the discussions of art works

C．the guidance of basic painting

D．the creative thinking of students

3. The center will prepare necessary materials if you attend ________.

A．Drawing for the Fraidy Cat

B．Digital Photography for the Fraidy Cat

C．Enamel on Metal

D．Basic Oil Painting

4. We can learn from the passage that Enamel on Metal ________.

A．involves drawing skills for craft

B．charges the first project fee of $96

C．supplies different techniques of choice

D．adds another toolbox to make jewelry

【推荐1】First lady Michelle Obama turns 50 on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014.
Michelle Obama has spent the first half-century of her life breaking barriers and checking off a series of firsts. Now, as she reaches her milestone birthday Friday, the nation will be watching to see in what other areas she will leave her mark.
Five years after moving into the White House, and without a re-election campaign to worry about, she has more room to relax in her role and, political watchers say, possibly become more vocal (声音的) on political issues in the three years left in office.
So far, critics have complained about Michelle’s silence on issues where they expected to hear her voice: Last year, at the start of her husband's second term, she disappointed advocates for tighter gun-control measures after she failed to push harder on the issue in response to the massacre (残杀) at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. She also disappointed some feminists (女权主义者) who wanted her to defend their causes instead of falling back on her self-described role as the nation’s “mom-in-chief.” Nor did she handle racial issues during her second term, as some had expected.
“The most important thing to remember is, whether you are black, white or Hispanic, you’re the first lady and the president of all the people in the United States. That’s a huge melting pot, so to reinforce (强化)that she's African American over anything else would not be wise,” said Anita McBride, who directs programming and national conferences on the legacies (遗产) of America’s first ladies and their historical influence at American University.
Valerie Jarrett, a top White House adviser and a close friend of the Obamas, said the first lady doesn't want to “____________.”
“She really wants to have a maximum impact and to do that in fewer areas,” Jarrett told the Associated Press. “That, she said, “is better than trying to take on every single possible cause.”
But Robert Watson, a Lynn University professor, said he expects Obama to “go a little harder at issues” over the next several years. “Second-term first ladies usually feel more at ease to speak more forcefully about issues close to their heart,” he said.
Myra Gutin, a Ryder University communications professor and frequent lecturer on first ladies, said she expects Obama to continue making both of them a priority in her remaining years in the White House, given their success. Michelle launched the “Let’s Move” campaign in 2010. It in particular has gained widespread support, ranging from the National Football League to the Sesame Street franchise (特许), which even gave permission to the produce industry to use its licensed characters for free on fruits and vegetables.
“There’s no such thing as a traditional first lady, not anymore in this technology-filled world. Is Mrs. Obama cutting edge? Is she an activist? No. As first ladies go, I think she’s been politically careful because she does not want there to be a major flare-up that would require her husband to use his political capital to clean up,” she said. “But she’s not exactly just sitting in the White House pouring tea and having receptions, either.”
1. Critics were disappointed with Michelle because _______.

A．she didn’t put gun-control measures into effect

B．she failed some feminists to stand out to be a career woman

C．she didn’t solve some racial problems

D．she failed to voice her opinion on some issues

2. According to the professors or advisers, which of the following statements is NOT true?

A．It’s not wise to reinforce Michelle is African American over anything else.

B．It’s better for Michelle to have a maximum impact than to take on every possible cause.

C．It's expected for Michelle to go a little harder at issues.

D．It’s a tradition for first ladies to stay out of political issues.

3. What does the underlined phrase “spread herself too thin” in Paragraph 6 mean?

A．Try to do a lot of work at the same time.

B．Get very tired.

C．Try to improve physical fitness.

D．Move herself away from others.

4. In Paragraph 9, the campaign “Let’s Move” might be aiming to help people _______..
a. gain widespread support
b. become more physically active
c. have access to healthier foods
d. raise awareness about gun control

A．a, c

B．a, b

C．b, c

D．c, d

【推荐2】

Official Ticketing Service
Welcome to the official Louvre online sales site The Musée du Louvre is reopening and we are glad to be able to welcome you back again. In line with the measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, visitors will be required to wear a mask. According to government recommendations, all visitors to the Louvre aged 12 years and two months or older must show a Health Pass. All visitors, including those entitled to free admission, must book a time period. Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience.
	Individual tickets for the Museum Admission and reservation of a time period to access the permanent collections. Tickets valid for the selected date only. Full list of visitors entitled to free admission at Louvre.fr. General admission: €18
The Musée du Louvre is open every day — except Tuesdays, January 1, May 1 and December 25— from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Visitors will be asked to leave the exhibition rooms 30 minutes before closure. All tickets purchased online are time-stamped and nominative (记名的); you may therefore be asked to provide proof of identity. They are only valid for the service, date and time selected. They cannot be used to skip the queue but do guarantee access to the museum within half an hour of the time shown on the ticket. Any holder of an online ticket who does not arrive within the assigned time period for admission to the museum shall be subject to the same admission and waiting conditions as visitors without tickets.
Visitors entitled to free admission (other than Louvre members) —Under 18s, proof of ID required —16-25 year-old residents of the European Economic Area (European Union, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), proof of ID and residency required Professionals —Teachers working in France, valid “Pass Education” required —Teachers of art, art history or the applied arts, valid proof of employment stating subject taught required —Artists with the Maison des Artistes or International Association of Art, valid proof required Other —Jobseekers, valid proof and ID required (dated within the last year or indicating a period of validity) —Disabled visitors and the person accompanying them

1. This passage mainly aims at ________ .

A．introducing the exhibits at the Louvre

B．providing ticketing information of the Louvre

C．listing restrictions on admission to the Louvre

D．clarifying the history of the Louvre

2. If a family in Norway, including the wife, an art teacher, the husband, an IT engineer, and a 10-year-old son, want to visit the Louvre this weekend, they should pay at least ________ in all.

A．€18

B．€36

C．€45

D．€54

3. What can be learned about the Louvre from the passage?

A．It is open every day except on Tuesdays.

B．Its online tickets guarantee access to it at any time.

C．Proof of ID is required for anyone buying its tickets online.

D．Ticket holders may be refused to enter it if arriving an hour late.

【推荐1】When I was three years old, I couldn’t speak at all. Unfortunately, however, none of the doctors I visited could understand.

One day, I was following my mother. She found herself looking in a mirror, and through it our eyes met. She began to speak, to me through the reflection (反射), and I slowly began to mimic (模仿) her mouth’s movements until I formed a word.

It turned out I’m deaf in my left ear, and have a slight problem in my right. Being hard of hearing has been difficult, but I’ve never lived in a state of self-hating sorrow. Imagine being able to shut out all sound as you lay your head down to sleep by simply rolling over onto one side. That’s my reality when I sleep on my “good ear”，and it makes me feel like a superhero sometimes.

People call my deaf side my “bad ear”，but when I wear my healing aid (助听器), I have access to a range of features that some other deaf people don’t. In cinemas, for example, with one click of a button I can enjoy a whole film as if it were whispered to me from the mouths of the actors.

Owning a hearing aid hasn’t always felt good, however. On the first day I got my aid, when I was eight, I took it to school for show-and-tell. As I explained how it worked to my classmates, a boy shouted out, “Aren’t those for old men?” At that moment, I felt different. It took a long time for me to get over that sense of being so unlike my schoolmates.

But it’s not just school kids who can make us deaf and hard-of-hearing people feel like burdens (负担). Every video on social media (社会媒体) without subtitles (字幕), for example, means an entire community of deaf people is unable to enjoy it. Completely deaf people are not included in enjoying many movies too, as subtitles in cinemas are almost impossible to find.

And with hearing aids costing around $2,500 each, it can be hard for many people to afford to be able to listen to the things that others think it natural. As for me, I can listen to music, enjoy films, and catch conversations — I’m lucky. I’m deaf, but I can stilI hear everything. I’ve been blessed with wonderful life experiences, and I am human. And when it comes to sleeping, I’m even a superhuman.

1. How does the author view his hearing difficulty?

A．It’s a disaster and causes him a lot of trouble.

B．It helped him to live in his own world without being troubled,

C．It made him feel proud in front of his classmates.

D．It gave him a chance to experience something special.

2. What can be inferred from the passage about the author?

A．He was born deaf in both ears.

B．The hearing aid brings much convenience to his life.

C．His family and classmates have supported him a lot.

D．He is optimistic and helpful.

3. What is the author’s attitude (态度) toward his life?

A．Thankful.

B．Anxious.

C．Excited.

D．Disappointed.

4. What is the author’s main purpose in writing the article?

A．To give advice on life to disabled people.

B．To show how difficult life is for disabled people.

C．To share his experience of treating a disadvantage.

D．To show the convenience a hearing aid could bring.

【推荐2】No matter where you travel in Asia, you’ll find yourself faced with a new culture. You can start your Asian exploration by visiting some of these attractive cities first.

Beijing, China

Beijing is the second largest city in China and serves as the capital. The city is so old, in fact, that almost every building has some sort of cultural or historic features — no matter how small. Getting around the city you’ll find yourself faced with amazing temples, the largest palaces in the world, and many works of art that leave you breathless.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap is the capital city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia. Siem Reap has a lot of French and Chinese­style architecture. In the city, there are traditional dance performances, silk farms, fishing villages and a bird sanctuary (保护区) near the Tonle Sap Lake. Siem Reap today, being a popular tourist attraction, has a large number of hotels and restaurants.

Kathmandu, Nepal

Situated in the heart of the Himalayans, Kathmandu, the largest city and capital of Nepal, is considered to be one of the most outstanding cities in the world today. The shopping districts are world famous and the hotels in Kathmandu are among the most comfortable in the world.

Kyoto, Japan

The city of Kyoto served as the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868. No longer the capital, it is known for being the seventh largest city in Japan. Kyoto was destroyed throughout history by fires and war. But now the city is home to more than 1.4 million people, and it presents a modern face to the rest of the world.

Every city throughout Asia has a story of its own. It’s up to you to explore them all and find out exactly what each one has to offer. Enjoy!

1. In Siem Reap you can see the following EXCEPT ________.

A．Chinese­style buildings	B．excellent art works
C．traditional dances	D．a protected bird area

2. If you want to visit the old palace, which city should you go?

A．Siem Reap.	B．Kyoto.
C．Kathmandu.	D．Beijing.

3. The writer’s purpose in writing the passage is ________.

A．to introduce several attractive cities in Asia

B．to compare some tourist cities in Asia

C．to tell readers not to visit European cities

D．to write an advertisement about a travel company

【推荐3】You can’t imagine how terrible I felt at that time. A month before my first marathon, one of my ankles was injured and this meant not running for two weeks, leaving me only two weeks to train. Yet, I was determined to go ahead.

I remember back to my 7th year in school. In my first P.E. class, the teacher required us to run laps (圆圈) and then hit a softball. I didn’t do either well. He later told me that I was “not athletic”.

The idea that I was “not athletic” stuck with me for years. When I started running in my 30s, I realized running was a battle against myself, not about competition or whether or not I was athletic. It was all about the battle against my own body and mind. A test of wills!

The night before my marathon, I dreamed that I couldn’t even find the finish line. I woke up sweating and nervous, but ready to prove something to myself.

Shortly after crossing the start line, my shoe laces (鞋带) became untied. So I stopped to readjust (重新调整). Not the start I wanted!

At mile 3, I passed a sign: “GO FOR IT, RUNNERS!”

By mile17, I became out of breath and the once injured ankle hurt badly. Although my ankle was very painful, I stayed the course walking a bit and then running again.

By mile 21, I was so hungry!

As I came to mile 23, I could see my wife waving a sign. She is my biggest fan. She never minded the alarm clock sounding at 4 a.m. or questioned my expenses on running.

I was one of the final runners to finish. But I finished! And I got a medal. In fact, I got the same medal as the one that the guy who came in first place had.

Determined to be myself, move forward, free of shame and worldly labels (世俗标签), I can now call myself a “marathon winner”.

1. How did he author feel a month before the marathon?

A．Anxious.	B．Frightened.
C．Well prepared.	D．Confident.

2. Why did the author mention the P.E. class in his 7th year?

A．To thank the support of his teacher.	B．To amuse the readers with a funny story.
C．To show he was not talented in sports.	D．To share a valuable memory.

3. How was the author’s first marathon?

A．He made it.	B．He quit halfway.
C．He got the first prize.	D．He walked to the end.

4. What does the story mainly tell us?

A．One is never too old to learn.	B．Failure is the mother of success.
C．A winner is one with a great effort of will.	D．A man owes his success to his family support.

【推荐2】Everyone looks forward to progress, whether in one’s personal life or in the general society. Progress indicates a person’s ability to change the way he is living at the moment. Progress must lead to a better life and a better way of doing things. All these, however, remain true only in so far as people want to accept technology and move forward by finding new and more efficient ways of doing things.

However, at the back of the minds of many people, especially those who miss the “good old days”, efficiency comes with a price. When communication becomes more efficient, people are able to contact one another no matter where they are and at whatever time they wish .The click of a button allows people miles apart to talk or to see each other without even leaving their homes. With the communication gadets, such as mobile phones and ipads, people often do not take the effort to visit one another personally. A personal visit carries with the additional feature of having to be in the person’s presence for as long as the visit lasts. We cannot unnecessarily excuse our selves or turn the other persons off.

With efficiency also comes mass production. Such is the nature of factories and the success of industrialization today. Factories have improved efficiency. Unskillful tasks are left to machines and products are better made and produced with greater accuracy than any human hand could ever have done. However, with the improvements in efficiency also comes the loss of the personal touch when making these products. For example, many handcrafts(手工艺品) are now produced in a factory. Although this means that supply is better able to increase demand, now that the supply is quick and efficient, the demand might fall because mass production lowers the quality of the handcraft and it is difficult to find unique designs on each item.

Nevertheless, we must not commit the mistake of analyzing progress only from one point of view. In fact, progress has allowed tradition to keep up. It is only with progress and the invention of new technology that many old products can be brought back to their old state. New technology is required for old products to stay old.

It is people’s attitude towards progress that causes the type of influence that technology has on society. Technology is flexible. There is no fixed way of making use of it. Everything depends on people’s attitude. The worst effects of progress will fall on those who are unable to rethink their attitudes and views of society. When we accept progress and adapt it to suit our needs, a new “past” is created.

1. According to Paragraph 1, progress can benefit people when they are willing to _______.

A．live a better life	B．look for better methods
C．change ways of living	D．accept technology and advance steadily

2. The underlined word “gadgets” is closest in meaning to _______.

A．tools	B．messages
C．barriers	D．skills

3. The author explains “efficiency comes with a price” by _______.

A．describing a process	B．using examples
C．following time order	D．making classification

4. What can be concluded from the last paragraph?

A．Progress can suit the needs of daily life.

B．People review the past with great regret.

C．Technology should be introduced in a fixed way.

D．People’s attitude decides the use of technology.

【推荐3】 I’m not so sure I like my friends any more. I used to like them — to be honest. We’d have lunch, talk on the phone or exchange emails, and they all seemed normal enough. But then came Facebook, and I was introduced to a sad fact: many of my friends have dark sides that they had kept from me.

Today my friends show off the more unpleasant aspects of their personalities via Facebook. No longer hidden, they’re thrown in my face like TV commercials — unavoidable and endless advertisements for the worst of their personalities.

Take Fred. If you were to have lunch with him, you’d find him warm, and self-effacing (谦逊的). Read his Facebook and you’ll realize he’s an unbearable, food­obsessed boring man. He’d pause to have a cup of coffee on his way to save a drowning man — and then write about it.

Take Andy. You won’t find a smarter CEO anywhere, but now he’s a CEO without a company to run. So he plays Mafia Wars on Facebook. He’s doing well — level 731.Thanks to Facebook, I know he’s playing about 18 hours a day. Andy, you’ve run four companies — and this is how you spend your downtime? What happened to golf? What happened to getting another job?

Take Liz. She is positive that the flu vaccine will kill us all and that we should avoid it. And then comes Chris who likes to post at least 20 times a day on every website he can find, so I get to read his thoughts twice, once on Facebook and once on Twitter.

In real life, I don’t see these sides of people. Face to face, my friends show me their best. They’re nice, smart people. But face to Facebook, my friends are like a blind date which goes horribly wrong.

I’m left with a dilemma. Who is my real friend? Is it the Liz I have lunch with or the anti­vaccine mad woman on Facebook? Is it the Fred I can grab a sandwich with or the Fred who weeps if he’s at a party and the wine isn’t up to his standards?

1. What’s Andy probably busy in doing now?

A．He’s running his company.

B．He’s playing golf all day.

C．He’s looking for another job.

D．He’s playing computer games.

2. The underlined word “it” in the last paragraph refers to “______”.

A．a dilemma	B．my real friend
C．Facebook	D．Twitter

3. The text is developed mainly by ______.

A．giving examples

B．following the time order

C．listing figures

D．raising questions