【推荐1】After he retired, Chan Jae Lee, who lives in Brazil, decided to spend his days taking care of his two young grandchildren, driving them back and forth to school and taking the opportunity to spend some quality time with them. But when Lee’s daughter moved her family to Korea, he was left with a gaping hole in his life. “All of a sudden, I had nothing to do and I missed them terribly,” Lee said.

In 2015, Lee’s third grandchild was born to his son Ji. He traveled to New York to meet the baby and it was there that Ji suggested his dad begin drawing pictures for his grandkids and posting them on Instagram as a way to keep in touch. “I liked the idea and found a purpose to draw and I learned how to stay in touch with my grandkids around the world,” Lee said.

Lee shares new pictures daily, which are watercolors of toys, vivid landscapes and imaginative animals — all of them are full of Lee’s imagination. And he draws birthday messages and his favorite places in Korea, and uses his paintings to teach the kids about important Korean traditions. Right now, Lee is able to use his art project to create a bond with the youngest members of his family.

Lee has no formal training in art and he teaches himself how to use different techniques to draw, but fans have fallen in love with his pictures. “The reaction was amazing. I couldn’t have imagined it in my wildest dreams.” Lee said. “What started as a small family project has drawn great attention.” He is called Grandpa Chan by his followers and achieves fame.

Lee has even been able to sell some drawings online to help fund more trips to see his grandchildren, but the biggest reward for this Instagram influencer has been the reaction he’s gotten from his followers. “Seeing what I’ve done, many people start to reconnect to their own passion for drawing and painting and many people share their stories about their grandparents and parents,” Lee said.

1. What do we know about Grandpa Chan?

A．He was lonely after his grandchildren left Brazil.	B．He was unable to go back to his hometown.
C．He came up with an idea to become famous.	D．He moved to Korea after his retirement.

2. Why did Lee start to post pictures on Instagram?

A．To teach art online.	B．To make new friends on Instagram.
C．To introduce important Korean traditions.	D．To stay connected with his family.

3. What do Lee’s words in Paragraph 4 show?

A．His family supports him in achieving fame.

B．His art project becomes very popular.

C．His painting styles have changed a lot over the years.

D．His fans admire him for his sticking to his dream.

4. What can we learn from the last paragraph?

A．Lee gives young people some advice about realizing their dreams.

B．Lee makes a fortune by selling his pictures.

C．People feel very inspired by Lee’s works.

D．People have improved their drawing skills after seeing Lee’s works.

【推荐2】

16th iPhone Photography AWARDS Call for Entries

●Categories

Abstract, Animals, Architecture, Children, City life/Cityscape. Landscape Lifestyle, Nature, People, Portrait, Series (3 images), Still Life Travel, Other.

●Requirements

Entries are open worldwide to photographers using an iPhone or iPad. Photos should not be published previously anywhere. The posts on personal accounts (Facebook, Instagram etc.) are suitable. The photos should not be changed in any desktop image processing program such as Photoshop. It is OK to use any IOS apps.

The submissions must be in the original size or not smaller than 1,000 pixels in either height or width.

●Prizes

All photographers compete for the 4 IPPAWARDS Photographers of the Year. Grand Prize, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Grand Prizes: All entries compete for the famous IPPA Photographer of the Year Award title.

14 Gold Bars: The 1st place winner of the 14 categories will win a Gold Bar from the most recognizable private gold mint in the world.

14 Platinum Bars: The 2nd and 3rd place winners of the 14 categories will win a Platinum Bar from the most recognizable private gold mint(铸币)in the world.

Certificates in all Categories: All 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from each categories will receive a IPPAWARDS certificate.

Honorable Mentions: IPPAWARDS judges will award several Honorable Mention to entries to acknowledge talent as they consider fit.

●How to Enter:

1. Select how many images you want to enter.

2. Follow the check-out process to pay the entry fee.

3. Select your images and upload; click here to start.

If possible, please name each image with your name and the category you are submitting like this:

“FirstName-LastName-Category.jpg”

●Deadline: March 31, 2023

1. What makes a qualified entry for the competition as an iPhone user?

A．An unused original photo.	B．An 800-pixel photo.
C．A two-image Series.	D．A published photo.

2. What prize will you get if you win the second place in Architecture?

A．Gold Bar.

B．Platinum Bar.

C．Honorable Mention.

D．Grand prize.

3. Where can you see this text probably?

A．In a photography magazine.	B．In a photography guidebook.
C．On a website.	D．In an iPhone advertisement.

【推荐3】Van Gogh painted sunflowers for the first time in the summer of 1886.Two years later, his interest appeared again after he settled in Arles. After he had invited the French artist Paul Gauguin, whom he admired, to join his Studio of the South, he began painting sunflowers to brighten up the whitewashed walls of the yellow house he was living in, not far from the town’s railway station.

Gauguin accepted Van Gogh’s invitation. When he began dragging his heels(脚后跟), Van Gogh painted the last two of the four original Sunflowers for the modest bedroom where his guest would sleep following his arrival that autumn, “Van Gogh saw the Sunflowers for Gauguin’s bedroom as a way of attracting his friend to come from Brittany, “says Bailey.

According to Martin Gayford, “Gauguin was very surprised by the Sunflowers, which he repeatedly praised and asked for as a gift. Years later, Gauguin himself painted some sunflower pictures.”

Van Gogh’s Sunflowers stand for (代表)his relationship with Gauguin. “I think he painted them for the joy of it,” says Jansen. “Van Gogh was at the height of his powers in the summer of 1888,”explains Bailey. “He painted the Sunflowers quickly and with great energy and confidence.” Van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo in late August, “I’m painting quickly now, which won’t surprise you when it’s a question of painting large Sunflowers.”

Van Gogh recognized at once that he had created something important and that his sunflowers were so different. As he told Theo in January 1889, while other artists were known for painting other flowers, “The sunflower is mine.” This, in fact, explains the reason for the popularity of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers today.

1. Van Gogh painted sunflowers in 1888 in order to ________.

A．give them to Gauguin	B．make his living
C．decorate his house	D．show his artistic talent to others

2. Where were the last two Sunflowers placed by Van Gogh? ________.

A．In the British museum	B．In Gauguin’s bedroom
C．In the town’s railway station	D．In a rich businessman's house

3. How did Gauguin feel about Van Gogh’s painting——the Sunflowers? ________.

A．Very bad	B．Just so­so
C．Rather worried	D．Quite surprised

4. From the last two paragraphs we can learn that ________.

A．Van Gogh was not good at painting large Sunflowers

B．Van Gogh had much trouble in painting the Sunflowers

C．Van Gogh didn’t like his Sunflowers at all at that time

D．Van Gogh realized the Sunflowers would make him known

【推荐1】As the world’s population continues to increase, so does the amount of global waste people produce. According to data collected by the World Bank Group, nations are on pace to generate 4 billion tons of waste annually by the year 2100. Many experts are calling the problem of global waste a worldwide health crisis because the waste is ruining the world’s oceans, air and soil and endangering the health of all living things.

For years, government agencies have been telling citizens that living a zero-waste lifestyle is the way to go. Now some grocery stores are helping people do that.

Most grocery stores produce waste when they throw away food and packaging material. In some cases, the food consists of fruit and vegetables that don’t look good any more. In other cases, it’s packaged food that is nearing the “sell-by” date printed on the package. After the sell-by date passes, the food is not considered safe to eat. Thus, many stores throw out unsold packaged food before that date arrives.

To solve this problem, business people are opening smaller zero-waste grocery stores. Instead of selling food in packages, these stores offer it in open containers. Customers bring their own bags or clean containers to the store. There, they fill their bags or containers with everything from nuts and grains to oil and vinegar. They pay for only the amount of each product that they need. Zero-waste stores often sell fruit and vegetables as well. When these goods start to look old, they’re sold at a discount or donated to a charity. Inspired by these smaller zero-waste grocery stores, some large supermarkets are taking similar steps to reduce the amount of waste that they produce.

1. What causes some produce to be thrown away?

A．Poor sales performance.

B．Lack of visual attraction.

C．No printed sell-by date.

D．Ruined packaging material.

2. What do we know about the smaller stores?

A．Packaged food is available there.

B．Nuts and grains are free of charge there.

C．The fruit there is donated from a charity.

D．Their customers can bring empty glass jars.

3. What are some large supermarkets doing?

A．Taking steps to regulate smaller stores.

B．Following the example of smaller stores.

C．Establishing partnerships with smaller stores.

D．Putting several smaller stores out of business.

4. In which publication would this text most likely appear?

A．Guide to Outdoor Recreation.

B．Best Craft and Hobby Magazine.

C．Journal of American Literary Research.

D．Weekly Bulletin of Environmental News.

【推荐2】Earlier this year when the summer heatwave was in full swing, most people were dreaming of the cooler autumn temperatures. But for those who love the summer weather, the winter colder temperatures and dreary weather are anything but welcome. The good news? There are some brilliant winter sun destinations you can escape to for glorious pleasant weather and warm sunshine.

Dubai

During the winter months the city still boasts temperatures around 26°C, perfect if you plan to make the most of the city’s beaches. However, it’s not so hot that you can’t enjoy most of the things to see and do in Dubai, from the theme parks to epic malls such as the Burj Khalifa.

Planning to make the most of the attractions? It’s worth looking into a Dubai Pass where you could save up to 50% off a host of the top must-see sights.

Thailand

The best time to visit Thailand is between November to January when it’s a dry season and the temperatures are pleasant. The country is filled with epic sights and attractions.

Fancy a city break? Head to Bangkok where glorious temples, floating markets and incredible food festivals await. Or of course you could spend a few days making the most of Thailand’s most beautiful sea sands.

Cape Verde

Sal Island is one of the main tourist spots in the country. Cape Verde is well-known for offering up a relaxing holiday; and with 10 islands to explore, there’s still ample opportunity to have an adventure or two.

However, if you only visit one spot, make it the beautiful Sal Island. It tends to be a hit with holidaymakers thanks to the white sand beaches and crystalline waters that make up its shores.

Barbados

If the idea of a snowy Christmas break doesn’t appeal, then Barbados could make for a once-in-a-lifetime festive season.

December temperatures can be around 28°C, meaning you’ll have heaps of hot weather and sunshine and of course Barbados beaches are the ideal spot to enjoy them.

1. What’s the purpose of this passage?

A．To provide warm destinations for winter.	B．To compare four foreign tourist spots.
C．To offer advice on traveling abroad.	D．To help escape from the hot weather.

2. What could be the best choice for food lovers?

A．Dubai.	B．Thailand.
C．Cape Verde.	D．Barbados.

3. What do the attractions have in common?

A．They offer tourists sights on a budget.	B．A variety of food is supplied for tourists.
C．They recommend some shopping centers.	D．Travelers can go for relaxation on seashore.