【推荐2】It can be hard to keep kids busy sometimes, especially when school is out. Whether your kid is in pre-school or high school, there are fun, educational, and even some free apps on this list for them.

ABCmouse. com

ABCmouse.com is available both as an app and a website. It uses fun storyline-based videos, quizzes, and activities—there’s even a virtual map outlining your child’s learning path to keep kids engaged.

Ages:4-8

Cost:One-month free trial, then $ 10/month subscription (订阅).

EPIC!

Epic! is an app for kids with an e-book library that contains over 35,000 children’s books. This app is a perfect way to take reading wherever your device goes, and it’s great for families with kids of various ages.

Ages: 2-12

Cost: one—month free trial, then $ 8/month.

QUIDK MATH

Kids know that math can be boring, but this app transforms numbers into something more creative and interactive (互动的). Quick Math Jr. is an app for kids with 12 different math games that feature fundamental math skills and concepts.

Ages: 4-8

Cost: free

BrainPOP Jr. Movie of the Week

For 20 years, BrainPOP has been providing kids all over the world with in-depth, yet easy to understand educational videos on everything ranging from Mozart to food allergies. BrainPOP Jr. Movie of the Week is an app that helps younger kids get these videos, plus short quizzes on them.

Ages :6-9

Cost: free, optional subscription(订阅)is $6.99/month

1. How much is it if you want to use EPIC! for the first year?

A．$ 120

B．$96

C．$110

D．$ 88

2. Which app will be suitable if a child wants to improve the skill about number?

A．QUICK Math

B．EPIC!

C．ABCmouse. com

D．BrainPOP Jr. Movie of the Week

3. What do the four apps have in common?

A．They are interactive.	B．They are educational.
C．Players have quizzes.	D．They are free of charge.

【推荐3】Thanks to exchange programmes an increasing number of young students are following educational courses in foreign countries. The Erasmus Programme, which started in 1987, is a European Union student exchange programme. It provides opportunities for young people from Europe to study in a foreign country for shot An intercontinental version of the programme, known as Erasmus Mundus, has existed since 2003, providing non-Europeans the opportunity to study in Europe.

Student’s name: Paul Dupont Erasmus trip: Lyon-Aberdeen Time: in 2007	Cool! What an amazing time that was! We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun! To me, Erasmus means discovering a completely new lifestyle You live together with new friends in a different country. Sorry, the heating system in our apartment was horrible and the food was strange, but hey... anyhow. It’s amazing!
Student’s name: Beatrice Giletti Erasmus trip: Verona-Du blin Time: in 2008	I went to Dublin, in Ireland. It was a great discovery, which opened up the world to me and I made many friends from different countries and cultures. The experience changed my life. I felt richer, smarter and happier after my time on Erasmus. My English became almost fluent and I knew so much about the world and about the people who live in it... Internationality has become part of my life, and I could not imagine living or working in a non-multicultural or non-multinational environment.
Student’s name: Wilmie Boot Erasmus trip: Rotterdam—Naples Time: in 2009	When I first arrived, the first of the city of Naples struck me and I loved it from the first second! The language is a beautiful mixture of Italian, Greek, Latin, Spanish and the influences of the villages surrounding Naples. I have wonderful memories of my year in the Universita Federico Ⅱ in Naples and the time spent in our dormitory, where I was the only foreigner among the Italian students. If I were to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing！

1. Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?

A．Student Exchange programmes.	B．World-wide Programmes.
C．Educational Programmes.	D．Continential Programmes.

2. What do you know from the passage?

A．Erasmus Mundus lasts for nearly 32 years up to now.

B．Beatrice Giletti went to Dublin from Rotterdam.

C．Erasmus Mundus lasts for 16 years up to now.

D．Paul Dupont studies together mostly with Italians.

3. Paul Dupont thought highly of the Erasmus Programme except ________.

A．seasons in the sun	B．a completely new life
C．living with new friends	D．the apartment heating

4. Which of the following is NOT true according to the text?

A．People in the city of Naples speak many languages.

B．Beatrice’s lifestyle was greatly changed after her experience in Dublin.

C．Naples was so beautiful that Wilmie Boot loved it at the first sight.

D．If Wilmie had a choice again, she would choose no other places than Naples.

【推荐1】There are some typical of trains you’ll find yourself traveling on in France. SNCF (法国国家铁路公司) operates a mix of high-speed services on major routes and slower regional services between smaller stations around France. Find out more about each train type below.

TGV High-speed: up to 320 km/h Connects Paris with major cities in France Double-decker trains One of the most popular modes of transport for long-distance travel in France. These modern trains run on around 50 high-speed routes and always require a reservation in advance.

Inter-cites Stops at cities not part of the TGV network Day and night services Night trains between Paris and Toulouse, Rodez, Briancon and Latour-de-Carol Inter-cites trains are mainly used for medium-distance journeys across France. Although not as fast as TGV trains, they service a lot of stations across the country that aren’t on TGV routes. Reservations are usually required on most Inter-cites services.

TER Regional trains (one for each region in France) Low-cost Stops at smaller stations around France TER stands for Transport Express Regional and there are 20 different regional TER services operating across France. Popular with commuters (远距离通勤的人), you’ll likely board one of these trains for shorter distance travel to smaller cities and towns throughout France. You won’t need a reservation to board a TER train.

Sleeper trains Overnight travel to several destinations in France Comfortable and secure cabins Opportunity to save on accommodation Operated by Thello, the popular night train route in France starts in Paris and works its way down into Italy. If you want to save money on accommodation during your trip, taking a sleeper train lets you wake up feeling refreshed at your next destination.

1. What do TGV trains and Inter-cites trains have in common?

A．Both can travel at 320 km/h.	B．Both are double-decker trains.
C．Both usually require a reservation.	D．Both connect big cities in Europe.

2. What is special about TER service?

A．It features night services.	B．It travels as fast as TGV trains.
C．It is suitable for long-distance travel in France.	D．It offers regional services at relatively low costs.

3. Which best suits people who travel to Italy and want to save money?

A．TGV trains.	B．Inter-cites trains.
C．TER trains.	D．Sleeper trains.

【推荐3】CHRONOLOGICA

——The Unbelievable Years that Defined History

DID YOU KNOW...
◆In 105 AD paper was invented in China?
◆When Columbus discovered the New World?
◆The British Museum opened in 1759?

CHRONOLOGICA is a fascinating journey through time, from the foundation of Rome to the creation of the Internet. Along the way are tales of kings and queens, hot air balloons…and monkeys in space.

Travel through 100 of the most unbelievable years in world history and learn why being a Roman Emperor wasn’t always as good as it sounds, how the Hundred Years’ War didn’t actually last for 100 years and why Spencer Perceval holds a rather unfortunate record.

CHRONOLOGICA is an informative and entertaining tour into history, beautifully illustrated and full of unbelievable facts. While CHRONOLOGICA tells the stories of famous people in history such as Thomas Edison and Alexander the Great, this book also gives an account of the lives of lesser-known individuals including the explorer Mungo Park and sculptor Gutzon Borglum.

This complete but brief historical collection is certain to entertain readers young and old, and guaranteed to present even the biggest history lover with something new!

1. What is CHRONOLOGICA according to the next?

A．A biography.

B．A travel guide.

C．A history book.

D．A science fiction.

2. How does the writer recommend CHRONOLOGICA to readers?

A．By introducing some of its contents.

B．By giving details of its collection.

C．By telling stories at the beginning.

D．By comparing it with other books.

3. Who is likely to buy a copy of CHRONOLOGICA?

A．People who want to take a fascinating journey.

B．People who want to be updated with all the information throughout the history.

C．People who are much interested in history.

D．People who simply want to read to kill the time.

【推荐1】Mother's Day is a holiday that celebrates and honors mothers in the United States. It is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. It became an official holiday in the country at the start of the 20th century as a way to honor mothers whose sons had died in war.

The holiday is celebrated in a number of ways. People give mothers gifts like flowers, cards, and jewelry to thank them for all their hard work. A popular symbol of the holiday is the flower called carnation. This is because when the holiday first began in the U.S. people were encouraged to wear a red carnation if their mother was alive or a white carnation if their mother was dead. Many people take their mothers out for a special meal. In fact, Mother's Day is the most popular date in the U.S. for people to go out and eat and it is estimated that people spend billions on meals and gifts. Mother's Day is also the most popular day to make long distance calls in the U.S. It is the second most popular gift-giving day after Christmas.

Since its establishment, Mother's Day has been criticized for becoming highly financial. In fact, the founder of the U.S. holiday, Anna Jarvis, began protesting the holiday and was even arrested for disturbing the peace for a public march. Jarvis's own mother started the campaign to establish a mother's holiday during the American Civil War.

Mothers are not the only people celebrated on this day. All mother figures including grandmothers, great-grandmothers, stepmothers, and foster mothers are honored on the holiday. In schools many students make special gifts, including handmade cards. While widely recognized, Mother's Day is not a federal holiday. Many other countries around the world have their own version of Mother's Day.

1. Who was the holiday intended for at the beginning?

A．All mothers.	B．The sons giving lives in war.
C．All sons.	D．The mothers losing sons in war.

2. What can you infer from paragraphs 2 and 3 about Mother's Day?

A．People give their mothers carnation flowers as gifts.

B．People prepare a special meal for their own mothers.

C．People spend too much on celebration of the holiday.

D．People telephone to their mothers anywhere anytime.

3. Why was its founder Anna Jarvis arrested?

A．She criticized Mother's Day for high expenses.

B．She organized a public march and broke the peace.

C．She was strongly against her mother for the campaign.

D．She spent too much in celebrating the first Mother's Day.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．The ways of observing Mother's Day.	B．The origin of Mother's Day.
C．Different opinions on Mother's Day.	D．The holiday of Mother's Day.

【推荐2】As the 2016 Presidential election is approaching，US high school students have become more interested in the election．They hope to have a say in deciding the next US president．
Wilentz said the country needs change．“Even though I will not be old enough to vote in the next presidential election，my voice matters.” Wilentz said.“Discussions I may have with my peers, debates with teachers and communication with my parents allow me to be heard and give my opinions meaning．”
Jean，a former vote director，said teenagers should be paying attention to the presidential election because many high school students will be of voting age by election time．She said candidates have views and positions on certain topics that may affect teens’lives．
Ohayon is concerned about issues that younger Americans face，such as the cost of college education．Ohayon said，“It is my responsibility to try to persuade my parents and other adults to concern themselves with the issues important to the younger generation while voting．”
Jean said teenagers can also influence the election in other ways by getting involved in campaigns．She suggests that teenagers who actually believe in one of the candidates find the local offices for a campaign and volunteer．Campaign volunteers arrange materials，wave signs and go into neighborhoods to drop off brochures and try to get the word out．
1. What’s the main idea of the passage?

A．The USA needs some changes．

B．Teenagers make the final decision．

C．U．S．Presidential election approaches．

D．Teenagers show interest in election．

2. Which of the following opinions will Jean agree with?

A．Teens are old enough to vote．

B．Debates help teens’views heard．

C．Parents should consider kids’views．

D．Candidates’views may affect teens’lives．

3. Which candidate might Ohayon advise his parents to vote for?

A．One against increasing income tax．

B．One for improving campus security．

C．One against lowering university fees．

D．One for lowering unemployment rate．

4. How can teenagers influence the election?

A．By voting for a candidate．

B．By volunteering in campaigns．

C．By fighting for rights to vote．

D．By taking lead in the election．

【推荐3】Senior Epidemiologist

Employer: Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)

Location: Weybridge, Surrey

Salary: £ 37,987-£43,520 per year

Major: Life Sciences, Animal Health, Epidemiology (流行病学)

Hours: Full time

At the APHA we look after animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy. Our Department of Epidemiological Science is at the heart of some of our most important work. As a Senior Epidemiologist, you’ll provide epidemiological advice on animal health policy.

Joining us at an important moment, you will enjoy a chance to have a real influence. Supporting requirements arising from the planned exit of UK from the European Union, you will provide epidemiological evidence of disease status to support international trade in UK livestock (家畜) and animal food products. We will rely on you to lead and contribute to epidemiological research to support current business needs. Your responsibilities will range from conducting descriptive analyses on large and complex datasets to leading evaluation. You’ll also help us make preparations for foreign animal disease outbreaks.

To join our team, you’ll need a postgraduate qualification or a PhD in an epidemiology topic. You have to show an excellent understanding of the principles of livestock production systems in Britain. Experience of applying epidemiology to animal disease surveillance (监督) design, control and evaluation is essential. You have designed and conducted epidemiological studies and used software such as Stata or SAS to carry out a multivariable analysis. Importantly, you are a team player with excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Apply now!

1. What can you do if you join the APHA?

A．Earn over £4,000 per month.	B．Work at any time as you like.
C．Make animal health policy.	D．Take on APHA’S most important work.

2. What are you required to do as a senior epidemiologist?

A．Provide evidence of people’s health.	B．Design ways to test animal food products.
C．Help prevent animal disease outbreaks.	D．Lead research on international trade.

3. What is a must for the applicants?

A．A doctor’s degree in epidemiology.	B．Experience of applying epidemiology.
C．An excellent understanding of British laws.	D．The ability to work independently.

【推荐1】Living and dealing with kids can be a tough job these days, but living and dealing with parents can be even tougher.

If I have learned anything in my 16 years, it is that communication is very important, both when you disagree and when you get along. With any relationship, you need to let other person know how you are feeling. If you are not able to communicate, you drift apart()疏远). When you are mad at your parents, or anyone else, not talking to them doesn’t solve anything.

Communication begins with the concerns of another. It means that you can’t just come home from school, go up to your room and ignore everyone. Even if you just say “Hi”, and see how their day was for five minutes, it is better than nothing.

If you looked up the word “communication” in a dictionary, it would say “the exchange of ideas, the conveyance（表达）of information, correspondence （通信）, means of communication: a letter or a message”. To maintain (保持) a good relationship, you must keep communication strong. Let people know how you feel, even if it’s just by writing a note.

When dealing with parents, you always have to make them feel good about how they are doing as a parent. If you are trying to make them see something as you see it, tell them that you’ll listen to what they have to say, but ask them politely to listen to you. Yelling or walking away only makes the situation worse.

This is an example: one night, Sophie went to a street party with her friends. She knew she had to be home by midnight after the fireworks, but she didn’t feel she could just ask to go home. That would be rude. After all, they had been nice enough to take her along with them. Needless to say, she was late getting home. Her parents were mad at first, but when Sophie explained why she was late, they weren’t as mad and let the incident go. Communication is the key factor here. If Sophie’s parents had not been willing to listen, Sophie would have been in a lot of trouble.

Communication isn’t a one-way deal: it goes both ways. Just remember: if you get into a situation like Sophie’s, telling the other person how you feel and listening is the key factor to communication.

1. In the writer’s view, dealing with parents is __________ than with children.

A．more difficult	B．easier
C．more uninteresting	D．more interesting

2. The main idea of the second paragraph is __________.

A．the importance of friendship	B．to make your feeling known to others
C．the importance of communication	D．the disagreement between generations

3. The example in this passage proves that ___________.

A．Sophie’s parents are willing to listen to her

B．Sophie is very polite to her parents

C．Sophie did well in explaining her being late

D．communication is the solution(解决办法) to misunderstanding

4. All the following statements are correct except “_______”.

A．If you don’t agree with others, you’d better let them know

B．It is better to say “Hi” to others than say nothing

C．If you are not able to communicate, walk away

D．Communication is a two-way deal

【推荐2】TRADITIONAL belief has always had it that a not-so-clear-thinking---Vincent Van Gogh cut off his own ear after a fight with the French artist Paul Gauguin in 1888.Van Gogh is said to have handed the ear to a woman named Rachel. Then, doing what any person who had just lost an ear might do, he went home to take a nap.

But a new book titled In Van Gogh’s Ear argues that it was Gauguin who cut off the Dutch painter’s ear. Authors Hans Kaufmann and Rita Wildegans explained inconsistencies(矛盾) in Gauguin’s description of the event and his ability as an expert swordsman(剑客). “Vincent might have attacked him; Gauguin wanted to defend himself and to get rid of this “madman’,……

They believe that Gauguin and Van Gogh agreed to hide the incident. But that doesn’t mean Gogh never dropped a hint about the “real” story. He once told his brother Theo in a letter, “Luckily, Gauguin is not yet armed with machine guns and other dangerous war weapons”.

1. It is widely accepted by people that         cut off his ear.

A．Hans Kaufmann

B．Gauguin

C．Rachel

D．Van Gogh himself

2. Which statement is WRONG according to the passage ?

A．Van Gogh is a Dutch painter

B．Gauguin didn’t use a machine gun to cut off Van Gogh’s ear

C．Theo is van Gogh’s brother

D．Van Gogh had slept for a long time after his ear was cut off

3. We can infer from the passage that ______________.

A．Van Gogh cut off his own ears.

B．It’s not possible Gauguin who cut off Van Gogh’s ear

C．Kaufmann and Wildegans wrote the book called In Van Gogh’s Ear

D．Van Gogh never dropped a hint about his ear

4. what does last sentence mean in Van Gogh’s letter to his brother?

A．Gauguin wanted to kill him

B．He was lucky not to be killed by Gauguin

C．He hated Gauguin

D．He wanted to tell his brother it was who cut off his ear

5. What’s the best title of the passage?

A．Who cut off Van Gogh’s ear?

B．The introduction of Van Gogh

C．A new book titled In Van Gogh’s Ear

D．A   Swordsman

【推荐3】Do you know Ma Yun? He is the founder and chairman of Alibaba Group. Ma was born in Hangzhou. At an early age, Ma wanted to learn English so he rode his bike each morning in order to go to a nearby hotel and talked with foreigners. He would guide them around the city for free in order to practise and improve his English.

Ma was never afraid of failure in his youth. Although he failed the College Entrance Examination three times, Ma entered Hangzhou Normal University(师范大学). He majored in English and graduated in 1988. While at school, Ma was elected student chairman. He later became a lecturer(讲师) in English and International Trade at the Hangzhou Dianzi University.

In the early 1995, he went to the United States, and with the help of his friend he got introduced to the Internet. In April 1995, Ma, his wife and a friend collected twenty thousand dollars and started an Internet company. He named their company“China Yellow Pages”. Within three years, his company had made 5,000,000 Chinese Yuan. In 1999, he decided to give up his job in the US, and went back to Hangzhou with his team in order to found Alibaba. Alibaba is a China-based business-to-business marketplace site on the Internet, which serves more than 79 million members from more than 240 countries and areas.In September 2014 Alibaba became one of the most valuable companies in the world. Ma Yun became one of the most successful businessmen in China.

1. Why did Ma Yun guide foreigners around the city for free?

A．Because he wanted to practise his spoken English

B．Because he was a translator

C．Because he was a volunteer

D．Because he wanted to prove himself

2. What is the name of Ma Yun’s first company?

A．China Yellow Pages	B．Hangzhou Dianzi
C．Alibaba	D．Taobao

3. Which is the right order of the following events according to the passage?
a.Ma Yun started an internet company “China Yellow Pages”
b.Ma Yun founded Alibaba
c.Ma Yun went back to Hangzhou with his team in 1999
d.He became a teacher in English and International Trade

A．a-b-c-d

B．c-d-a-b

C．b-c-a-d

D．d-a-c-b

4. What is the best title of the passage?

A．The story of Alibaba

B．The story of China Yellow Pages

C．The story of Ma Yun

D．How Ma Yun Learned English