【推荐3】Petra and Wadi Rum, Jordan

When it comes to the world’s wonderful desert scenery, Jordan’s Petra and Wadi Rum has it. Also known as the Valley of the Moon, this place is one of the best due to its amazing desert canyons and rock walls. Participants love exploring its Burdah and Um Fruth, walking to the impressive ancient city.

Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

The Rongai Route is the best route if the participants of the walking tour want a quiet climb. The Kili Trail permits travelers to witness the region’s wilderness, virgin forests, and rare animals. This route, according to many, is the easiest way to reach the top where the breath-taking 360-degree sights of natural wonders await.

Quebec, Canada

This special environment made up of both the natural and cultural treasures, where fresh water becomes one with the tides of the sea, makes Quebec one of the interesting walking tour destinations in the world. Here is a track that heads to the Saguenay Fjord National Park which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Adding to the beauty of Quebec are its sparkling waterfalls, inviting lakes, and rare animals.

Great Smoky Mountain, US

This region has been named as the ancestral home of the Cherokee Indians, where rich natural wonders combined with interesting history are the major happenings. The rich natural reserve is evident and enjoyed by walking tour participants. What also makes this destination a popular choice is its reputation as the biggest wilderness on the eastern part of the United States.

1. Which tour combines the scenery of land and water?

A．Petra and Wadi Rum.	B．Kilimanjaro.
C．Quebec.	D．Great Smoky Mountain.

2. What is unique to Great Smoky Mountain?

A．Special history.

B．National park.

C．Virgin forests.

D．Ocean view.

3. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Magical Nature Reserves

B．Best Walking Tours

C．Colorful Cultural Treasures

D．Amazing Wilderness Areas

【推荐1】Imagine that while walking through a park one day, you begin to notice strange things all around you. People in colorful clothes from centuries ago walk on the paths. A magician is doing amazing tricks. Musicians play strange music on strange instruments. Knights on horseback show their skills in riding competitions. The smell of roasting meat begins to make your mouth water. A pleasant voice shouts, “Good morrow!”

What is going on? Have you traveled back in time?   In a way, yes. You have found yourself in the midst of a Renaissance fair(文艺复兴节）！Since the 1960s, Renaissance fairs have grown in popularity in the US and Canada. Communities in at least 44 states and two Canadian provinces now hold annual Renaissance fairs. Over 200 fairs are held every year, with 40 in California alone. The first Renaissance fair was started in the 1960s by a school teacher in Southern California named Phyllis Patterson. She wanted to give her students a real-life history experience, so she created the “Renaissance Fair” in her backyard. The rest, as they say, is history.

Since Renaissance fairs are “living history”, you might think they are designed to be mainly educational. It’s true that some people try to make the fairs as genuine as possible. However, for many others, the key word is entertainment. With all the musicians and magicians walking about, you will definitely be entertained. A renaissance fair will be a feast for your eyes and your ears, not to mention your stomach.

You can enjoy sampling the food and drink while watching parades and live animal displays. Browse through the booths(摊位) and admire the artwork and handcrafts. You are sure to be both educated and entertained. If you’re wondering how to dress to attend a Renaissance fair, that’s up to you. Some people go all out and dress up in costumes. Others just go in their normal, everyday clothes. However you dress, you’re sure to be overwhelmed by the sights and sounds and smells of a Renaissance fair. And if you have ever wanted to travel back in time, here’s your chance.

1. What is the first paragraph about?

A．A chapter of a war novel.	B．A sight of the local market.
C．A slow walking in the park.	D．A scene of Renaissance fairs

2. Why did Phyllis start   Renaissance fair?

A．To help her students become the master of history.

B．To allow her students to pay in her backyard.

C．To make her students experience history.

D．To give her students an experience of life.

3. As well as educating, Renaissance fairs are intended for ______.

A．communication	B．fun
C．business	D．adventure

4. The last paragraph suggests that ______.

A．you are free to dress for the fairs	B．you are taught to make art work
C．you have to look after live animals	D．you can enjoy food free of charge

5. The main idea of the passage is that ______.

A．Americans and Canadians like fairs more

B．Attending Renaissance fairs is to be educated

C．California is where modern fairs were born

D．Renaissance fairs are more popular than ever

【推荐3】请阅读下列应用文及相关信息，并按照要求匹配信息。请在答题卡上将对应题号的相应选项字母涂黑

请根据以下人物介绍选择他们可能参加的活动：
1. Edward Leonardo Norton, connoisseur of Chinese and Japanese antiques. He has a strong interest in classical Chinese literary works. He even starts going to evening classes to learn classical Chinese at Columbia University.
2. Daphne Sui-yuan Tan, former director of National Association of Photographers. After reading some history books on how the first group of Chinese immigrants survived in America of the 19th century, she has become keen on her own family history and that of others.
3. Sharon Collins, pop singer and amateur photographer. Her marriage with a serious music critic has drawn her to his world, so she is now crazy about classical music and will not miss any chance to attend a concert with her husband.
4. Michelle Higgins, eminent photographer and columnist for quite a few internationally-known travel magazines. Recently, she has shown great interest in photo exhibits which feature young artists with Islamic or Chinese background.
5. Caroline Hugo, famous writer and influential movie critic. Last year her fantasy story which involved the mysterious Forbidden City received critical acclaim. Now she is conceiving a romance that has Shanghai of the 1930s as the setting.

【推荐1】Buying gifts for friends and family can be one of the most difficult parts of the holiday season. But don’t worry! We can help! Here are some gift ideas to suit all pockets.

E-Skateboard

For a friend who used to skateboard as a teen but has got a bit out-of-shape over the years, how about an electric skateboard? Control your speed with the remote control (遥控) and let the wind blow through your hair as you race down the street. Though it is not cheap, it might be worth trying.

Pillow (枕头) Speaker

With the speaker, you can fall asleep to the sound of waves, your favorite broadcast, or a relaxing song. With earphones, the cable (耳机线) can be uncomfortable to sleep on. But this little flat speaker is placed under the pillow, and the sound can only be heard by the person resting on the pillow.

Key Finder

This is the perfect gift for people who’re always looking for their keys. Attach the key finder to your key chain, and by using your phone you can make the key finder ring to let you know where it is. It can also warn you if your keys are too far away from you. If you drop your keys, the key finder app keeps track of the last place of your keys and displays the location on the map.

TV Back Light

Leaving the lights on when watching a movie is too bright, but if you switch them off, it tires your eyes. This LED strip solves that problem and makes your movie experience even more enjoyable. You can change the color of the lights to suit your mood using a remote control. And it’s under ten dollars. So if you’ re saving money, this might be something to consider.

1. What is special about pillow speaker?

A．It will make no noise to others.	B．It can be controlled remotely.
C．It can switch songs all by itself.	D．It can increase your sleep time.

2. If you can’t remember where you left your keys, the key finder app will_________.

A．make your phone ring	B．bring back your memory
C．show you their last position	D．send a message to your phone

3. What do these gifts have in common?

A．They are cheap gifts.	B．They suit people of all ages.
C．They are good for health.	D．They belong to tech gifts.

【推荐3】

Want to improve your writing skills?New Writing South is directing the way！

•Towner Writer Squad (班组) for kids aged 13-17

Led by comedy and TV writer, Marian Kilpatrick, Towner Writer Squad will meet once a month at the contemporary art museum for 11 months, starting 12 October, 2014.

The FREE squad sessions will include introductions to a wide range of writing styles, from poetry to play writing and lyrics (抒情诗) to flash fiction, to support the development of young writers.

Application&Selection

If you would like to apply to be part of the Towner Writer Squad, please send a sample piece of your writing (about 500 words), responding to the title ‘LUNCH,’ with your name, age, address and e-mail address to:debo@newwritingsouth. com.

Once all applications are in, you will be invited to an open selection event on 17 September, 4-5pm, at the gallery of Towner.

Deadline for applications: 8 September, 2014

For further information go to: facebook.com/towner or towner.org.uk or newwritingsouth. com

Any questions — feel free to send your e-mail to Towner Writer Squad Associate:wharne@towner.gov.uk

※   ※   ※   ※   ※   ※   ※   ※

•Beginner Writing Project for kids aged 10-13

Due to popular demand, a writing project will be started for eager beginners.

Start time:6 September, 2014

Meet every other Saturday, 2-4 pm, at the Towner Study Centre.

Study and write at your own pace — you do not have to rush — as you have a year to go through the project. Practise under the guidance of some experienced writers and teachers who can help you with basic writing skills. Most importantly, build confidence and have fun while writing!

No previous experience or special background is required. Many others have been successful this way. If they can do it, why can't you?

Fee: £ 179

For more information go to: newtowner.org.uk or generate.org.uk

1. Towner Writer Squad will be started _______.

A．to train comedy and TV writers

B．to explore the fantastic gallery space

C．to introduce a contemporary art museum

D．to promote the development of young writers

2. Applications for the Writer Squad should be e-mailed no later than ________.

A．6 September, 2014	B．12 October, 2014
C．17 September, 2014	D．8 September, 2014

3. What is most important for the beginners?

A．Practising as much as possible.

B．Gaining confidence and having fun.

C．Studying and writing at their own pace.

D．Learning skills from writers and teachers.

【推荐2】There is good reason to believe that emerging digital technologies can improve the functioning of agriculture markets at a very low cost per farmer.

Mobile phones, particularly GPS-enabled smartphones, make the provision of tailored information much easier than before. Recommendations for agrochemical inputs that address specific soil conditions can improve yields while reducing environmentally harmful and wasteful use. Farmers can tailor their investment decisions to expected weather patterns and benefit from improvements in weather forecasting. As smartphone use continues to expand, farmers will increasingly have the means to watch videos demonstrating new agricultural techniques or take pictures of pests affecting their crops and either request automatic identification and recommendations or raise questions with agronomists. Finally, digital agricultural services can improve the functioning of agricultural supply chains. For example, these services could make it easier for farmers to check and compare input or output prices ; and facilitate coordination among farmers in an area and with traders.

However, despite the potential of digital agriculture, reasons for skepticism remain. Overcoming informational restrictions may not result in substantially increased agricultural productivity, given the existence of other barriers such as input shortages at local markets, and missing insurance markets. Informational barriers are also important, and mobile phone messages may not overcome them: some farmers ignore messages, especially from unknown sources. Some farmers are illiterate and have difficulty using voice menus. Senders may design obscure and confusing messages or may provide messages designed to target objectives at odds with farmer interests. Effective communication may require pictures or video. Smartphones are thus required to receive these messages, but few farmers currently have access to this technology in the poorest countries. Finally, farmers may begin to ignore reminders they are repeated too often, or they may be annoyed by unwanted messages,   which could lead to reduced trust in the messaging system.

1. According to Para 2, what can farmers do in digital agriculture?

A．They can use agrochemical to handle environmental problems.

B．They can adjust investment decisions based on weather forecasts.

C．They can identify pests on their crops by watching videos.

D．They can compete with others in prices in an efficient way.

2. What does the underlined phrase“at odds with”in the last paragraph mean?

A．In disagreement with.	B．By means of.
C．In line with.	D．Apart from.

3. Which of the following is NOT considered as an informational barrier?

A．Shortages of input in local markets and lack of insurance markets.

B．No access to digital technology in poorest countries.

C．Failure to read or use the voice menu on mobile phones.

D．Loss of interest and ignorance of the intended messages.

4. What is the author’s attitude towards digital agriculture?

A．Supportive.

B．Doubtful.

C．Objective.

D．Negative.

【推荐3】When Du Yongbo, 23, entered Beijing Jiaotong University graduate school, he could see a difference between himself and his local peers in terms of their consumption capacities and life attitudes. However, he was lucky compared to other newcomers from small towns. The difference could have been more obvious if he had not spent his undergraduate years doing extra learning.

Growing up in Baoding, Hebei. Du was enrolled in a little-known institution in Hebei after high school.

"Knowing that I would be stuck in this place for the next four years, I felt like I was chained down," he said.

Determined to change his situation, Du made use of everything he could find on campus, starting with the technology lab. Here he got to know talented members of the senior class and joined them in their innovative experiments and technology competitions. Du learned a lot more than he could ever have by sitting in class.

But Du didn't just hide away in the lab all day long. He kept himself busy by working with all kinds of student societies, such as the Speech and Eloquence(雄辩)Association and the Drama Club.

"I used to be a little self-isolating, but student club experiences gave me new hobbies and the ability to manage tough people and issues," he said.

Internet was a great helper too. Du once planned to study user interface design at a training center. But he was taken aback upon hearing the training fee—70,000 yuan. Fortunately, a friend instructed him to buy a similar course on Taobao for a much lower price. That was when Du learned about the abundance of resources online. He was eager to know more, studying online educational resources and listening to podcasts(播客).

Now that he has made his way to Beijing, Du says that all his efforts have paid off and that he has gotten the chance to stretch his legs on a bigger platform.

1. Du felt different from his local peers when entering a graduate school because____________.

A．he entered Beijing Jiaotong University graduate school

B．he had spent his undergraduate years doing extra learning

C．he was lucky compared to other newcomers

D．he came from a smaller town than Beijing

2. When Du was admitted to an institution in Hebei, he felt____________.

A．excited

B．depressed

C．self-isolating

D．confused

3. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A．Du was determined to change his situation to make use of everything he could find.

B．Du learned a lot more by sitting in class after he was enrolled in an institution.

C．Du took part in some student societies to develop his abilities on campus.

D．Du's friend instructed him to study user interface design at a training center.

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

A．Doing is better than saying

B．Experience is the mother of wisdom

C．Nothing is impossible to a willing heart

D．Every man has his price