【推荐1】The 2023 “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreigners across theGlobe — Calligraphy and Painting Challenge has been officially announced.

This competition invites painting and calligraphy enthusiasts from all around the world to take part in this exciting event. Participants are encouraged to submit their creative themes for the contest, with the theme selection process being determined through public nominations (提名).

If you’re interested, feel free to submit the theme that you believe fits best with the requirements of the competition.

Here are the requirements:

Who Can Apply

The call for creative themes for the Calligraphy and Painting Challenge is open to any Chinese language enthusiasts worldwide, with no restrictions on age or nationality.

Submission Dates

Submissions will be accepted from June 15, 2023 to June 30, 2023 (Beijing Time).

Announcement Date

The selected theme for the Calligraphy and Painting Challenge will be announced on July 1,2023, which also marks the official start date of the submission period for works under the selected theme. The deadline, August 31, 2023.

Submission Methods

Participantscansendtheirthemeandrelatedinformationtochinesebridge@chineseplus.net. “Chinese Bridge” also accepts direct messages on its official account on Facebook, Instagram, WeChat, and Weibo.

1. Who is this competition launched for?

A．Foreigners.	B．Calligraphists.
C．Painters.	D．Chinese college students.

2. When can participants start to submit their themed works?

A．On June 15, 2023.	B．On June 30, 2023.
C．On July 1, 2023.	D．On August 31, 2023.

3. How can themed works be submitted?

A．In person.

B．By post.

C．Over the phone.

D．On the web.

【推荐3】Where can you go to listen to important people talk about important subjects? BigThink.com is a new website that allows Internet users to discuss certain topics with world experts . Subjects discussed on BigThink include the environment, music and questions about happiness and personal identity. The website has been called a YouTube for thinkers. Victoria Brown and Peter Hopkins created BiThink.com. They said that people needed an international place to communicate with each other and discuss the important issues (话题)of our times. On the BigThink website, when you click on (点击)a subject, you will find a video of a person talking about his or her ideas. For example, you can listen to United States Senator Ted Kennedy talking about education and other things. Besides, you can read the comments(评论) and questions written by other visitors to the website. More than one hundred experts have expressed their ideas on the website. BigThink’s creators started the website by first getting famous people to agree to be videoed. They began by interviewing several well-known professors from Harvard University. Then they used the names of these professors to gain the trust of others and get them to take part in the project. The website says BigThink belongs to everyone. Its motto(格言) is: "We are what you think." So, go online and start thinking big.

1. BigThink.com was created to _____.

A．discuss important people

B．show Internet users funny videos

C．introduce the latest IT knowledge and help Internet users solve problems

D．offer Internet users the chance to communicate with experts

2. If you visit BigThink.com, you can _____.

A．listen to your favorite music

B．chat with thinkers face to face online

C．communicate with people worldwide

D．get an online education

3. Why did the creators of BigThink.com start interviewing famous people?

A．To get their agreement to be videoed.

B．To gain their trust for the website.

C．To attract people’s attention to the website.

D．To use their names in discussions.

4. What’s the text mainly about?

A．How to set up one’s own website

B．A brief introduction to BigThink.com.

C．What,to do on Big Think.com

D．The importance of sharing ideas with others.

【推荐1】The best attractions in Langkawi make the most of the natural landscapes, huge parks, and unusual structures that no first-time visitor should skip on their travel schedules.

Underwater World Langkawi

Set along a beach town, it is home to more than 500 species of sea creatures including seals, seahorses, as well as ducks. One of the highlights is a 15-metre underwater tunnel, where you can enjoy close-up views of sharks.

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30-18:30; Saturday-Sunday 9:30-22:30

Price Range: RM 40 (adults) and RM 30 (children aged 3 to 12 years old)

Langkawi Wildlife Park & Bird Paradise

Great for families and animal lovers, it houses over 2,500 birds from 150 species such as monkeys, foxes and eagles. It also hosts animal feeding activities between 11:00 and 16:00.

Opening Hours: Daily 8:30-18:00

Price Range: RM 28 (adults) and RM 18 (children aged 3 to 12 years old)

Art in Paradise Langkawi

It features more than 200 impressive artworks that appear almost lifelike when photographed. Praised as the largest 3D art museum in Malaysia and second largest in the world, there are nine interactive zones within this three-floor building, including fantasy, classic, landscapes, and Malaysia zones.

Opening Hours: Daily 9:00-18:00

Price Range: RM 38 (adults) and RM 28 (children aged 3 to 12 years old)

Lagenda Langkawi Dalam Taman

It is a beautifully landscaped folk-themed park where you can explore on foot or take a tour bus to look around. The open-air “garden museum” has 17 colorful sculptures describing Langkawi legends including old stories of great giants and beautiful princesses.

Opening Hours: Daily 9:00-19:00

Price Range: RM 5 (adults) and RM 2.5 (children aged 3 to 12 years old)

1. In which attraction can visitors be informed of the local folk stories?

A．Art in Paradise Langkawi.	B．Underwater World Langkawi.
C．Lagenda Langkawi Dalam Taman.	D．Langkawi Wildlife Park & Bird Paradise.

2. What can visitors do in the local beach town?

A．Feed birds before 11:00.	B．Enjoy close-up views of sea creatures.
C．Ride a bike in the garden museum.	D．Visit the largest 3D art museum in the world.

3. How much should a couple with a boy aged 10 pay to enter the 3D art museum in Langkawi?

A．RM 104

B．RM 74

C．RM110

D．RM 12.5

【推荐2】Lost iPhone
Unexpectedly, I lost my white iPhon5s in Midtown on Friday night. It had a blue green cover on it. There are many pictures of my son on it, and I’m heartbroken. Please return, no questions asked. Reward. Reply to: 2652255359@craigslist.org
Do you need a babysitter that you can trust?
My name is Tina. I am a responsible babysitter that you can trust. If you are looking for someone dependable and affordable I am that person! I HAVE MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE (including disabled children) !   I am a retired Home Health Aid and absolutely love children. I work with my sister Iris who has also 20+years as a teacher’s assistant. WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETINC YOU! Available 24 hours and flexible with fees! I am fully bilingual—Spanish/English. Please email me or call 712-867-7688.
I BABYSIT ONLY AT MY HOME.
I accept children from all ages. Fee starts from $100-$150 a week depending on the hours. I am very flexible and my fee can change. Feel free to contact me via email or on my cell phone 566-67-1873 and we can work something out.
Part-time Chinese Babysitter Wanted
Part-time Chinese speaking babysitter needed to assist with one-year-old twins and to perform some light housework as needed. Assistance needed Fridays and occasional weekends. Please provide your salary expectation. College students are welcome to apply.
Reply to: 2652113885@craigslist.org
1. Who posted the lost and found information?

A．A mother.	B．A kind woman.
C．A heartbroken girl.	D．A parent.

2. What do we know about Tina?

A．She can speak two languages.

B．She lives alone now.

C．She takes care of children over 3.

D．She used to be a teacher’s assistant.

3. If you want to send your kids to the babysitter’s home, you can find one in ______.

A．Ad 1

B．Ad 2

C．Ad 3

D．Ad 4

【推荐3】Discover Paris

Schedule
Days of Operation: Daily, except. Sunday.
Weekdays: £179.00 per person;
Weekends: £54.00 per person.
Free for kids under 6; half price for kids 6-9.
Description
Journey to Paris

Make your way to St. Pancras International where our Golden Tours staff will welcome you at Chop’d Cafe, opposite the Eurostar hall, at 6:00 am (5:30 am on Saturdays), where you’ll receive an informative welcome pack in exchange for your ticket. Kick off your Paris day trip in style with a ride on the world-famous Eurostar. The 135-minute journey to Paris passes through 31 miles of Channel Tunnel.

Paris at Your Leisure

Visit the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame, hit the shops or simply while away the hours at a roadside coffee shop — the choice is yours! We’ll provide a Paris map and a one-day travel card (zones 1-3) so you can get around by Metro and visit all the top sights with ease.

Free Seine River Cruise (乘船游览)

Take to the water for an hour-long luxury cruise through central Paris. You’ll get a fresh perspective on the city’s most magical monuments; an audio (音频的) guide is also provided.

Return Journey

After an exciting day spent discovering Paris, make your own way back to the Eurostar check-in at least 45 minutes before departure (离开). Your departure time from Garc du Nord station is 8:13 pm, and the arrival time in London is 9:29 pm. A light meal, snacks and drinks will be served at your seat.

Note

Train times are likely to change. On certain days, there will be slight changes to Eurostar departure times. Please make sure the time on our website tickets.london in case these changes affect your travel.

You are required to carry your passport with you which will be checked at the check-in desk.

1. How much does it cost a man and his 7-year-old son to have a Saturday trip?

A．£79.00.

B．£54.00.

C．£68.50.

D．£81.00.

2. What can we know about the Paris day trip?

A．Tourists can experience an ocean trip for hours.

B．Private guides are available throughout the tour.

C．Golden Tours will record traveling videos for travelers.

D．Tourists can visit up to three attractions with a travel card.

3. Tourists for the Paris day trip are reminded to _________.

A．book meals on the train in advance

B．check the train times on the official website

C．get to Gare du Nord station around 7:45 pm

D．carry a copy of their passports for routine checks

【推荐1】Many college students want to look for seasonal, short-term or part-time jobs to get extra cash, to stay busy or to get working experience.

Lifeguard

The job is a great opportunity to build your fitness, keep people safe and be outdoors to enjoy some fun on the beach in the sun. The average hourly wage for lifeguards is $ 9.31, but those with certifications or previous experience may be able to earn a bit more.

Nanny (保姆)

Students can find plenty of positions as parents scramble (争抢) to arrange activities and find care for their children. Students who enjoy spending time with kids, staying active and being outdoors can spend their leisure time making money without even feeling like they’re working. Nannies make $ 14.56 per hour.

Camp Consultant

Students who enjoy spending their time with children, being a leader and monitoring fun outdoor activities are perfect for camp consultant positions. The average hourly wage for camp consultants is $9.28, but those with many years’ experience or specific academic backgrounds may be able to earn more.

Food Server

Although it may not seem like the most attractive way to spend a weekend, working as wait staff allows students to build up their social skills, stay active, enjoy free meals at work and posily educate themselves about different cuisines. However, food servers need to be on their feet for hours at a time and must be able to multi-task like professionals, so take this into account before submitting an application. The average salary is $ 9.00 hourly, but trips can raise that number.

1. Who are the two jobs nanny and camp consultant most fit for?

A．Students who want to develop their social skills.

B．Students who love staying with children.

C．Students who love traveling.

D．Students who love camping.

2. What should you take into consideration before applying to be a food server?

A．The way of cooking.

B．The food you can enjoy.

C．Long standing time at work.

D．Skill in getting tips from customers.

3. What job can you do if you’re good at swimming?

A．A lifeguard.	B．A nanny.
C．A camp consultant.	D．A food server.

【推荐2】We have many trips for you to explore the world your way. Our travel ideas are as diverse as the world itself and are designed to let you experience it. Please start with the following four trips.

Athens and Crete Explorer

Visit Greek’s famous capital, Athens, and its largest island, Crete, on this Greece vacation. In Athens, tour the iconic Acropolis and head to nearby Delphi to see the home of the ancient Oracle, before flying to the island of Crete where you can explore its capital, Heraklion, and enjoy its world-famous diet of seafood and cheese. Duration: 8 Days       Prices From: US$ 892 Trip Type: Romance & Honeymoon, Tailor-made Travel Ideas

London for Families

Designed to thrill people of all ages, this family London vacation explores the sights, history and magic of this great city. Visit the world of Harry Potter, the original Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, and take the Original London Sightseeing Tour. Duration: 9 Days       Prices From: US$ 634 Trip Type: Family Vacations, Stopovers/City Breaks, Tailor-made Travel Ideas

Australia & New Zealand

Explore the two most popular cities of Australia and New Zealand on this air-land tour. Start in Sydney, where you’ll tour the Sydney Opera House, sail across the famous harbour, and see koalas and kangaroos at Taronga Zoo. Then head on to Auckland where you’ll explore the twin harbours, learn about Maori traditions, and enjoy unbeatable views of the landscape. Duration: 11 Days     Prices From: US$ 1,999 Trip Type: Vacation Packages with Airfare

Classic Egypt

This tour is a true classic designed to give the traveler with limited time a superb introduction to the civilization of Ancient Egypt, focusing on the Nile and its importance to the people. The ancient land of Egypt inspires the imagination like no other. Unlock the land of the Pharaohs on this 9 day journey along the Nile. Duration: 9 Days       Prices From: US$ 1,495 Trip Type: Classics (Bestsellers), Tailor-made Travel Ideas

1. Which trip is more likely taken by a newly-married couple?

A．London for Families.	B．Australia & New Zealand.
C．Classic Egypt.	D．Athens and Crete Explorer.

2. If you are on the trip to London for Families, you will see ________.

A．the ancient Oracle	B．the world of Harry Potter
C．koalas and kangaroos	D．the ancient land of Egypt

3. From the text, it can be learnt that all the four trips ________.

A．have the same trip type	B．take more than one week
C．take more than US$ 1000	D．enjoy their famous diet

4. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A travel brochure.

B．A science fiction.

C．A storybook.

D．A textbook.

【推荐3】All Ric O Barry wants is to stop the dolphin-killing, so he is headed to this seaside Japanese town, Taiji. The American activist, who is the star of a new award-winning documentary that portrays the dolphin-killing here, got an unwelcome reception when he showed up here this week for the start of the annual hunt.

His movie, The Cove (海豚湾 ), directed by National Geographic photographer Louie Psihoyos, was released in the United States a month ago but has not yet to come out in Japan.

Scenes in the film, some of which were shot secretly, show fishermen banging on metal poles stuck in the water to create a wall of sound that scares the dolphins — which have supersensitive sonar (声呐系统) — and sends them fleeing into a cove.

There, the fishermen sometimes pick a few to be sold for aquarium shows, for as much as $150, 000. They kill the others, spearing the animals repeatedly until the water turns red. The meat from one dolphin is worth about 50, 000 yen, and is sold at supermarkets across Japan.

Greenpeace and other groups have tried to stop the hunt for years. Activists hope The Cove will bring the issue to more people internationally—and eventually in Japan.

Already, the Australian town of Broome dropped its 28-year sister-city relationship with Taiji last month, partly because of the movie.

“Some regions have a tradition of eating dolphin meat,” said fisheries official Toshinori Uoya. “Dolphin-killing may be negative for our international image, but it is not something orders can stop.”

The town government in Taiji — which has made whales and dolphins its trademark — refused to comment about The Cove, or the growing international criticism against dolphin-killing.

Many in Taiji take the dolphin hunt for granted as part of everyday life. They are defensive about The Cove, seeing themselves as powerless victims of overseas pressure to end a simple and honest way of making a living.

1. Ric O Barry made The Cove because he wanted to________ .

A．support Greenpeace's efforts	B．win an international award
C．stop the dolphin-killing	D．make Taiji well-known in the world

2. Viewers can learn from The Cove _______.

A．the cruel and bloody dolphin-killing

B．the beautiful Japanese seaside town Taiji

C．the sale of dolphin meat around the world

D．the advanced techniques to catch dolphins

3. What is the response to The Cove on the Japanese side?

A．Japanese officials decided to ban dolphin-killing.

B．Taiji broke up with its western sister-city Broome.

C．The town government in Taiji kept silent on criticism.

D．Most Japanese people were against eating dolphin meat.

4. What does the underlined word “defensive” probably mean?

A．Feeling guilty for killing dolphins.

B．Making the determination to change.

C．Attacking those against dolphin-killing.

D．Protecting themselves against criticism.

5. What can we infer from the passage?

A．The Cove has not influenced Japan's international image.

B．Many people in Japan have seen The Cove in the cinema.

C．Taiji's dolphin-killing industry has been seriously damaged.

D．The Cove has brought international attention to dolphin-killing.

【推荐1】Ray Tokuda,a 54-year-old Japanese American,takes pride in the title his school has already given him.He is a Shifu,a Chinese word literally meaning a master,mentor or senior practioner of martial arts.

Surely, he has reason to be proud.He has been involved with Chinese martial arts for almost 40 years.After learning them at the martial arts school in New Mexico State,he is among the most experienced kung fu teachers of the school today.

Practicing martial arts two to three hours and helping students improve their skills have become Tokuda’s daily routine.He expects to practice and teach martial arts for the rest of his life.“I’m still learning.It’s worth more than a lifetime to learn Chinese martial arts,”he said.“Once I started,I just couldn’t stop.I think it’s also the magic of Chinese culture.”

Tokuda was sent to the martial arts school when he was 10.He still remembers how unwilling he was when starting out.“I remember my father had always wanted to learn Chinese martial arts but never got the chance,so he put his kid in,”he said.“I was so afraid at that time because I thought kung fu was all about fighting.”

But things changed after he learned that martial arts were more than punching and kicking.

“One of the things martial arts teach me is to overcome adversity,”Tokuda said.“As a little kid,my first lesson was like,oh,look,this is a thing that I can get through by diligence,perseverance（毅力）and dedication,and that was priceless for my life.”

Learning Chinese martial arts opened a gateway for him to better understand the culture of China.

Meanwhile,Tokuda has also been invited to various events in his home state to showcase traditional Chinese culture,including the dragon dance and lion dance,which he also learnt at the martial arts school.Because of this,he is now considered a cultural envoy(使者)in the eyes of the public.

1. At first,Tokuda weren’t willing to learn kung fu because he had thought it was______.

A．practical

B．magical

C．violent

D．difficult

2. From the passage,what can we learn about Tokuda?

A．He learnt martial arts from his mother.

B．He is the founder of the kung fu school.

C．He learnt from martial arts how to solve difficulties.

D．He is the most experienced kung fu teacher of his state.

3. Which of the following words can best describe Tokuda?

A．Modest and friendly.

B．Persevering and devoted.

C．Talented and humorous.

D．Motivated and considerate.

【推荐2】

Beijing museum launches outer space into cyberspace The National Museum of China has taken a variety of measures on its website and WeChat account, creating virtual tours for its current and permanent exhibitions, uploading audio of previous educational courses and providing more social media posts to detail the star items in its collection. It has gone a further step by launching an exhibition entirely online with the help of advanced technology such as 3D modeling and 5G. The exhibition, titled Dongfanghong Forever, charts the progress China has made in aerospace over half a century. The show opened on April 24, which is marked as the country’s Space Day, when the satellite Dongfanghong 1 was launched in 1970. The success of Dongfanghong 1 entering its present orbit not only registered the country’s first steps in exploring outer space but the event also made China the fifth country in the world to develop a satellite on its own and put it in space. The online exhibition is expected to run for a long time, and people can visit it on the museum’s website at any time. It is the first such virtual show the museum has staged. It reviews “three critical moments in the country’s space exploration-the development of Dongfanghong 1, the liftoff of China’s first manned spacecraft, Shenzhou V, in 2003 and the landing of the Chang’e 4 lunar probe in 2019”. The exhibition gives a view of Dongfanghong 1 orbiting in the form of digital simulation (模拟). Viewers can also watch television interviews of scientists involved in the mission and documentary footage filmed in 1970, as well as hear Dongfanghong (The East is Red), a song popular in China hailing Mao Zedong, played by the satellite. The exhibition will motivate more people to engage in the country’s ambitious course of space exploration.

1. The National Museum of China has recently ______.

A．launched a satellite into outer space

B．set up a website and WeChat account

C．uploaded more digital documents online

D．helped to advance 3D and 5G technology

2. On the museum’s website, you can ______.

A．see how Dongfanghong 1 was orbiting

B．have an interview with some scientists

C．visit China’s first manned spacecraft

D．provide classes about space exploration

【推荐3】Disease-carrying mosquitoes can spread diseases without affecting themselves. Nearly 700 million people get a mosquito-borne illness each year, which results in over one million deaths. Humans experience continuous pressures from disease-carrying mosquitoes in many parts of the world, so we have to find ways to fight against those insects because they keep getting scarier.

Even though DEET remains the most commonly used, and most powerful, mosquito repellent (防护剂) ever developed, scientists are actively pursuing effective products based entirely on plant oils. While DEET is an effective contact repellent, many people dislike the oily feel and smell on their skin, and sometimes some people are sensitive to it. Consumers are always interested in alternatives to DEET and other synthetic (合成的) repellents, so there are numerous natural repellents on the market.

In my lab at Iowa State University, my team and I have been conducting research on natural products as possible insect repellents for the past 20 years. In the past few years, three of my Ph. D. students have contributed greatly to our research by designing, synthesizing, purifying, characterizing and testing more than 300 closely related chemicals coming from the best of natural repellents like citronellol, menthol and thymol.

These students have successfully tested these repellents against three species of dangerous mosquitoes. The first group of the new repellents act through the air. These chemicals have a vapor action that provides protection. These are potentially most useful in backyards, parks, houses, barracks and horse barns. The other group of the new repellents are the classic ones that stop insects from standing on a treated surface, such as human skin, clothing or tents; some researchers have conducted testing on some humans to confirm the effectiveness and identify the very best ones.

The new repellents were designed and made from the natural materials in plant essential oils. They maintain many of the advantages of the natural repellents: They are fully biodegradable (可生物降解的), with no ecological concerns or environmental wastes, and generally considered safe like the thousands of types of plant essential oils used in the flavor and perfume industries. However, thorough testing will be conducted to determine if they are truly non-poisonous because there is still no enough evidence.

1. What does the author mainly want to show in Paragraph 1?

A．The way mosquitoes spread disease.

B．The high death rate of mosquito-borne illness.

C．The difficulty of fighting disease-carrying mosquitoes.

D．The urgency of finding tools to fight against mosquitoes

2. What is a disadvantage of DEET?

A．It causes discomfort to the users.

B．It greatly harms people's health.

C．It can't be applied universally.

D．It won't be effective for long.

3. What can we learn about the second group of the new repellents?

A．They can kill mosquitoes indirectly.

B．They are mainly used in the open air.

C．They are more effective on human skin.

D．They can prevent mosquitoes from contacting users.

4. What's the author's attitude to the new repellents?

A．Disapproving

B．Negative

C．Objective

D．Subjective