【推荐1】Seasonal city breaks: 4 of the best pre-Christmas European getaways to start your festive spirit.

Zagreb, Croatia

The Croatian capital takes the Christmas seriously, with street decorations, outdoor concerts and a traditional Christmas market. Most of the action is centred on Ban Josip Jelacic Square, which has a history of more than 3 centuries, and European Square. The two squares have market stands and live music performances given by popular musicians.

The recommended hotel: President Pantovcak — Doubles: £200 (a parent and a kid with a 10% discount)

Malaga, Spain

Start your day at the Casa Aranda before diving into the Atarazanas Market. In the afternoon, take your pick of the city’s cultural spots the Picasso Museum, or the Centre Pompidou Malaga. Then head to Calle Marques de Larios, the main shopping place, at dusk when the Christmas lights are switched on: the sight attracts visitors from all over Spain.

The recommended hotel: Room Mate Larios — Doubles: £250 (a parent and a kid with a 20% discount)

Le Touquet, France

From 30 November, the trees lining the avenues of this city are decorated with fairy lights, and there are facilities, like a skating spot and horse-drawn carriage rides. The pedestrianized (步行的) street Rue St. Jean is lined with stores selling everything from chocolates to jewellery. Join the locals in gathering cheese at the Marche Couvert and wines at the excellent Le Touquet-Vins.

The recommended hotel: Hotel Bristol — Doubles: £180 (a parent and a kid with a 10% discount)

Aarhus, Denmark

Head to the Latin Quarter for independent stores, cafes and a great Christmas market. Shop for Scandi homeware (家居用品) and fashion on Stroget, the city’s important shopping street, before heading to the rooftop of the historic Sailing Department store, for a glass of wine with views of the city lit up for Christmas.

The recommended hotel: The Mayor Hotel — Doubles: £200 (a parent and a kid with a 20% discount)

1. What can we know about Ban Josip Jelacic Square and European Square?

A．They have a very long history.

B．They offer concerts and stands.

C．They are attractive to those fond of quietness.

D．They are the most attractive places in Croatia.

2. What do Rue St. Jean in Le Touquet and Stroget in Aarhus have in common?

A．They both have lots of entertainment facilities.

B．They both have a lot of well-known museums.

C．They both have a large variety of stores.

D．They are both famous for their culture and tasty foods.

3. Which hotel mentioned above costs the least for a parent with a kid?

A．President Pantovcak.	B．Room Mate Larios.
C．Hotel Bristol.	D．The Mayor Hotel.

【推荐2】TODAY, Friday, November 12

JAZZ with the Mike Thomas Jazz Band ar The Derby Arms Uepper Richmond Road West, Sheen DISCO Satin Sound Dieo. Free at The Lord NApier, Mort Iake High St., from 8a. m. to 8p.m. Tel:682---1158.

SATURDAY, November 13

JAZZ Lysis at The Bull’s Head, Barnes. Admission 60p.

MUSIC HALL at The Star and Garter, Lower Richmond Road， Putney,provided by the Aba Daba Music Hall company， Good food and entertainment fair price， Tel: 789-6749

FAMILY night out? Join the sing along at The Black Horse. Sheen Road. Richmond.

JAZZ The John Bennett Big Band at The Bull’s Head , Barnes .Admission 80p.

THE DERBY ARMS, Upper Richmond Road West, give you Joe on the electric accordion (手风琴).Tel:789-4536

SUNDAY, November 14

DISCO Satin Sounds Disco, free at The Lord Napier, Mort Lake High Street, from 8am. to 8 pm.

FOLK MUSIC at The Derby Arms. The Short Stuff and residents the Norman Chop Trio. Non-remembers 70p. Tel: 688-4626

HEAVY MUSIC with Tony Simon at The Bull, Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen.

THE DERBY ARMS, UpPer Richmond Road West, give you Joe on the electric accordion.

1. Where and when can you hear the Norman Chop Trio?

A．At the Bull's Head on Sunday.

B．At the Derby Arms on Sunday.

C．At the Bull on Saturday.

D．At the Black Horse on Saturday.

2. Where and when can you hear the Mike Thomas Jazz Band?

A．At the Derby Arms on Friday.

B．At the Black Horse on Friday.

C．AT the Star and Garter on Saturdny.

D．At the Derby Arms on Sunday.

3. You want to enjoy the electric accordion on Saturday. Which telephone number do you have to find out what time it starts?

A．789-6749.

B．789-4536.

C．682-1158.

D．688-4626.

4. You want to spend the Saturday by joning the entertainment with your family. Where should you go?

A．The sing- along at The Black Horse.

B．Disco at The Lord Napier.

C．The electric accordion at The Derby Arms.

D．Jazz at The Bull's Head.

5. You want to spend the same day at two different places and don't want to cross any street, Which of following is your best choice?

A．The sing-along at the Black Horse and Jazz at The Bull’s Head.

B．The sing-along at The Black Horse and Folk Music at The Derby Arms.

C．Folk Music at The Derby Arms and Heavy Music with Tony Simon at The Bull.

D．Musical HalI at The Star & Garter and Disco at The Lord Napier.

【推荐3】Experiencing culture

CHI’s Academic Year Program (AYP) is your chance to study in America and spend either an academic year or a semester living with a volunteer host family.

The requirements for studying in America

*High school students who are aged 15 to 18

*A score of at least 212 on the ELTiS (English Language Test for International Students) exam

Application

Contact a partner agency in your country or a nearby one. We can also send you a list of partners near you. They will set you up with an application and let you know what you need to submit in order to be considered.

Admission and visa

Our Admission Department reviews and accepts your application. We issue and send your agency the Form DS-2019, which is the official US Department of State document that allows you to apply for and receive your J-1 visa. Once you receive the DS-2019, you can make your visa appointment, When the visa is granted(授予), you are set to travel to America.

Homestay

Meanwhile, our Field and Operations staff work hard to find you the perfect family and school as soon as possible! Once they find the right host family for you, you can start to get to know your host family by email.

Depart to the US and meet your family and friends

Your agency will book your flight according to your school start date. When you arrive, we will give you a student orientation(迎新会)and introduce you to other exchange students and the surrounding community. When school starts, you will begin the process of cultural exchange.

Contact us: 1-800-432-4643; 1-415-459-5397

Location: 255 W End Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901

1. Who can take part in this homestay project?

A．15-year-old high school students with 210 on the ELTiS exam.

B．17-year-old high school students with 213 on the ELTiS exam.

C．20-year-old college students with 220 on the ELTiS exam.

D．18-year-old college student with 218 on the ELTiS exam.

2. What should applicants do before making a visa appointment?

A．Gain approval from their school’s Admission Department.

B．Get a letter of introduction from their teacher.

C．Contact the host family via email.

D．Fill and send the Form DS-2019.

3. What awaits the students when they arrive in the US?

A．A student orientation.

B．A party with their host family.

C．A volunteer activity in the community.

D．A meeting with the Field and Operations staff.

【推荐1】In a country where over 80% of residents live in public housing, a government commitment to sustainable urban design could have huge influence. And when it’ s a tropical country like Singapore where convenience and air conditioning are a way of life, the impact could be greater still.

Promising 42,000 new homes across five residential districts, the eco-town of Tengah will be the 24th new settlement built by Singapore’ s government since World War Ⅱ. It is, however, the first with centralized cooling, automated trash collection and a car-free town center, with which environment lovers hope to offer a roadmap for reducing carbon emissions in the Southeast Asian city-state.

The development is named as “Forest Town” by officials, due to its abundant greenery and public gardens. Once home to brickmaking factories, and later used for military training, the 2.7-square-mile site has been reclaimed by a forest in recent years. A 328-foot-wide ecological “corridor” will be maintained through its center, providing safe passage to wildlife and connecting a water catchment area on one side to a nature reserve on the other.

The project has proven a new plan for urban planners supporting green design principles and “smart” technology, according to Chong Fook Loong, group director for research and planning at Singapore’s Housing and Development Board, the agency overseeing the country’s public housing. “Tengah is a new start,” he said in a video interview, explaining that roads and parking are being pushed beneath the town center. “We’re going for the ideal concept of separated traffic, with everything underground and then the ground level totally freed up for pedestrians — for people. So, it’s a very safe environment for all.”

“We want a town that allows walking and cycling in a very user-friendly manner,” he added, saying that cycling has “taken off” in Singapore in the “last three to five years especially”. The master plan will see the installation (安装) of electric vehicle charging stations.

1. What is special about the 24h new settlement?

A．It can house 42,000 people.	B．It will be well equipped.
C．It will be built by the government.	D．It will be environmentally friendly.

2. Which of the following might be the design of the forest town.

A．.

B．.

C．.

D．.

3. What can we learn from Chong Fook Loong’s words?

A．A parking lot will put in the town center.

B．Separated traffic will be applied.

C．Bikes will be able to fly in the near future.

D．All masters will install charging stations.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Ways to reduce carbon emissions

B．A green roadmap for Singapore

C．Eco’ smart’ city of Singapore

D．A smart electric vehicle technology

【推荐2】Have you ever been to the world's smallest bookstore?

The World's Smallest Bookstore，whose official name is just these three words，sits quietly about 100 miles northeast of Toronto.

The bookstore is about 10 feet by 10 feet，so it is easy to imagine how tiny it really is.The bookstore is open 24 hours a day.Inside the bookstore are various books，especially literary books and classic authors' works.So if you are looking for something less popular，you may get a bit disappointed there.

Another special feature of this bookstore is that each book only costs three dollars.All the expenses are paid on the honor system，which means buyers should make a note of what they've bought and leave their money by themselves.So the tools of the trade in this bookstore are quite simple: pens，papers，light bulbs and a label－maker.

In order to catch passers－by's attention，the billboards(广告牌)of the bookstore are several times bigger than the store itself.With these large eye－catchers，many people are willing to stop by and have a visit.

1. What's the passage mainly about?___

A．The world's smallest bookstore.

B．A strange way of selling books.

C．The popular books nowadays.

D．The popular bookstores in the world.

2. When can you buy a book in the store?___

A．In the morning.

B．In the afternoon.

C．At night.

D．At any time of the day.

3. Which of the following books might you most probably get in the store?___

A．Books on popular science.

B．Literary books.

C．The year book of a university.

D．Books on economic control.

4. How does the store attract readers' attention?___

A．By putting up a huge billboard.

B．By making ads on TV.

C．By broadcasting loud music.

D．By handing out ads in the street.

【推荐3】Embassy Suites by Hilton Santa Ana Orange County Airport

Neighborhood: John Wayne Airport(SNA),Orange County,1325 East Dyer Road, Santa Ana, CA

OVERALL GUEST SCORE

Hotel Description

Being close to the airport and freeway access make the Embassy Suites a top choice for our guests in the area. The 300-room Embassy Suites offers homey comforts for those on business and vacation alike-suites with separate living and sleeping areas, refrigerators, microwaves, coffeemakers, Wi-Fi access and two TVs. Wake up to a free cooked-to-order breakfast and enjoy the indoor pool and fitness center. A two-hour evening reception offers drinks and snacks and the on-site restaurant serves American favorites. The property also has a business center with copy and fax services. Parking is available for an additional fee. Less than two miles from I-405,the Embassy Suites is within a half-mile of various restaurants and just three miles from John Wayne Airport. Our guests say the Embassy Suites 'location, "brilliant" breakfast and "friendly" staff make it one of their favorite Santa Ana properties.

Guest Ratings

Good                                                         Feb 8,2017 By: Harold Pros: Loved the breakfast and the friendly, helpful staff. Spacious accommodations made this a very good value. Cons: Didn't love the heating/AC system; room was too cold for comfort. Also was not aware of the parking fee until we checked in. The parking fee was $ 17 a night.

Good                                                         Jan 24,2017 By: Micaela Pros: Breakfast was amazing with a variety of choices and the staff were helpful. Cons: The room had a very strange old smell when we first got there. I had to open the door to air it out. Very Good                                               Jan 5,2017 By: Bruce Pros: The location was very good for us and the included breakfast was a plus. Cons: The room was not cleaned properly when we got there. The heating system was not working for the hotel as well.

1. What makes the Embassy Suites a top choice for its guests in the area?

A．The business center.	B．The friendly staff.
C．The convenient location.	D．Wi-Fi access.

2. According to the guest ratings, all the guests are satisfied with its       .

A．heating system	B．free airport shuttle
C．parking fee	D．breakfast

3. This advertisement is made more believable by        

A．using guests' comments	B．interviewing the guests
C．offering competitive prices	D．providing the exact address

【推荐1】Wanted

Someone for a Kiss

We’re looking for producers to join us in the second of London 100FM. You’ll work on the station’s music programmes.Music production experience in radio is necessary, along with rich knowledge of modern dance music. Please apply in writing to Producer Vacancies, Kiss100.

Father Christmas

We’re looking for a very special person preferably over 40, to fill our Father Christmas suit.Working days: Every Saturday from November 24 to December 15 and every day from December 17 to December 24 except Sunday, 10:30—16:00. Excellent pay. Please contact the Enterprise Shopping Center, Station Parade, Eastbourne.

Accountants Assistant

When you join the team in our Revenue Administration Unit, you will be providing assistance within all parts of the Revenue Division, dealing with post and other general duties. If you are educated to GCSE grade C level, we would like to talk to you. This position is equally suitable for a school leaver or for somebody who has office experience. Wealden District Council

Software Trainer

If you are aged 24-45 and have experience in teaching and training, you could be the person we are looking for. You should be good at the computer and have some experience in programme writing. You will be allowed to make our decision, and to design courses as well as present them. Pay upwards of ￡15,000 for the right person. Please apply by sending your CV to Mrs R. Oglivie, Palmlace Limited.

1. Who should you get in touch with if you hope to work in a radio station?

A．Producer Vacancies, Kiss 100.	B．Mrs R.Oglivie, Palmlace Limited.
C．The Enterprise Shopping Centre	D．Wealden District Council.

2. Which position is open to recent school graduates?

A．Producer, London Kiss.	B．Father Christmas.
C．Accountants Assistant	D．Software Trainer

3. What kind of person would probably apply to Palmace Limited?

A．One with GCSE grade C level.	B．One with some office experience.
C．One having a good computer knowledge	D．One trained in producing music programmes.

【推荐2】For kids and many adults, a San Diego vacation means theme parks and other attractions. Before heading to a park call or check its website for updated hours of operation; many parks have seasonal or holiday hours. Ticket prices listed here are for general admission（入场费）, single-day use only.
Seaworld San Diego
A 6-minute tide（海潮）called Journey to Atlantis, which is to open in late May, tells the legend（传说）of the island nation. After the ride of Greek fishing boats, folks can visit a new exhibit of dolphins, which have not been on display at the park since 1998.
DETAILS: General admission is $ 46.95 for adults, $ 37.95 for children aged 3-9, free for children 2 and younger. 1-800-380-3203 or www.seaworld.com
San Diego Zoo
There’s not much in the way of new attractions. The zoo has a new panda cub（幼兽）, Mei Sheng. Nighttime Zoo, a program popular with families, starts June 26.
DETAILS: General admission is $21 for adults, $14 for children aged 3-11, free for children 2 and younger. 1 -（619）-234-5331 or www.Sandiegozoo.org
Maritime Museum of San Diego
The HMS Surprise, the 18th-century British warship featured in the film Master and commander, is on exhibit though Nov.30.
DETAILS: The ship is available for tours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Admission is $ 8 for adults,$ 6 for seniors and children aged 13-17, $ 5 for kids aged 6-12, and free for kids 5 and younger. 1-（619）-234-8135 or www.sdmaritime.org
Old Town Trolley Tours
Visiting relatives or friends in San Diego? They can get a hometown pass and ride or free with your paid admission.
DETAILS: The main ticket booth（售票亭）is in Old Town at 4010 Twiggs St. Hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, daily $ 25.www. historictours.com/sandiego.
1. The purpose of this text is to_______.

A．warn	B．amuse
C．persuade	D．guide

2. If you want to enjoy the performance of dolphins, you should go to________.

A．Seaworld San Diego	B．San Diego Zoo
C．Maritime Museum of San Diego	D．Old Town Trolley Tours

3. If a couple visits San Diego Zoo with their children, one aged 3 and the other 2, the admission will be____________.

A．$35

B．$49

C．$56

D．$70

4. According to the text, Old Town Trolley Tours can be well described by the saying________.

A．“Love at first sight.”

B．“Kill two birds with one stone”

C．“Easy come, easy go.”

D．“Strike the iron while it is hot.”

5. It can be inferred from the text that___________.

A．San Diego Zoo will attract the largest number of children

B．there may be some stories about the island of Atlantis

C．tickets during the holidays are more expensive

D．the film Master and commander can be seen in Maritime Museum of San Diego

【推荐3】The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona will be open with limited services. Here’s how it will work, according to a statement from the park:

The south entrance (near Tusayan) will be open from 4 to 10 a.m. Visitors who are inside the park by 10 a.m. can remain until sunset.

Admission fees can be paid by way of machine at the gate (the entrance booths will not be staffed) or by purchasing a pass in advance at third-party sellers such as the Valle Travel Stop at State Route 64 and U.S. 180 or in Tusayan at the Grand Canyon Chamber & Visitors Bureau, Grand Canyon IMAX Theater, Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel or Red Feather Lodge.

What will be open at Grand Canyon

Day hiking on inner canyon trails

Limited food and beverage service at Market Plaza, Bright Angel Bicycles, EI Tovar patio and nearby hotels. Bring you own water and snacks just in case.

Bicycle and wheelchair rentals at Bright Angel Bicycles.

The Rim Trail and Greenway Trail system outside of the residential area.

Desert View Drive is open as far east as Navajo Point, where vehicles will have to turn around.

What will be closed

The cast entrance and Desert View Watchtower area.

Visitor centers, museums and shuttle buses.

Hotels, restaurants, campgrounds, camper services and trailer village.

Center Road and access through the South Rim residential housing area.

The North Rim, Colorado River and the Tuweep area of Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.

More: Grand Canyon's North Rim closed indefinitely Visit nps.gov/grca for more information.

For questions about backcountry reservations, email grca_bic@nps.gov.

Reach me at jill.cassidy@arizonarepublic com or follow me on Twitter@JillHikes.

1. How can the visitors gain access to the park?

A．By buying a pass on the spot.	B．By paying the guard on duty.
C．By paying fees via machine.	D．By applying for free admission.

2. What can you do in the park?

A．Hike after sunset.	B．Rent a bike.
C．Visit a museum.	D．Go camping.

3. If you'd like to visit backcountry, you may ________.

A．visit nps.gov/grca	B．email grca_bic@nps.gov
C．enter jill.cassidy@arizonarepubric.com	D．focus on Twitter@JillHikes