【推荐1】Artistic activities like taking a painting class or visiting a gallery are becoming increasingly popular today.     1     However, scientific studies have shown that art plays a critical role in promoting health and well-being.

Art is found to be effective in relieving stress. This applies to both children and adults. Activities such as painting, drawing, and sculpting have been linked to lower stress and mental calmness. They take participants’ mind off busy daily work.     2    

Another great benefit of art is that it encourages both kids and adults in imagination and creative thinking. It helps develop and improve problem-solving skills.     3     That allows people to imagine different solutions to problems. This type of creative thinking allows the brain to perform complicated functions in ways that learning a new language does.

    4     It drives the brain to produce a hormone (激素) that makes people feel good about themselves, improves concentration, and increases motivation, providing a sense of accomplishment. After completing a creative project, people will feel happy and satisfied. This process of creating something unique can promote a sense of well-being and even slow down aging.

Sharing the creative process of making art is a great way to help students build their social awareness and interpersonal skills. This can remind schools to have students work with seniors in the community!     5     Creating visual arts helps in transforming lives of people with brain disorders like Alzheimer’s disease by increasing connections, promoting cell growth and improving memory.

A．Include artistic activities in the daily life.

B．Creating art helps increase self-confidence.

C．Art is a very interesting topic for people of all ages.

D．There is no right or wrong in the creation of artworks.

E．Consequently, mental states such as fear and worry get set aside.

F．Arrange a trip to the museum or have an art class across generations.

G．People tend to think the benefits of art are only enjoyment and relaxation.

【推荐2】Growing up in rural Jiangsu Province, Yu Jigao showed a strong interest in fine arts at an early age and studied on his own for years. His hard work paid off later. In the early 1950s, he made his way to Nanjing Normal University, where he learned painting theories and techniques from some famous artists. It was then that Yu found his lifelong artistic passion for gongbi. Gongbi paintings usually describe birds and flowers, symbols of beauty and joy, in an artistic way with intense color.

After graduation from the art school in 1957, Yu began his professional career at the Chinese Painting Institute of Jiangsu. He has since published a series of art collections. Since 1959, Yu has contributed a series of works to many important sites. Yu’s works have also been displayed in a range of national and international exhibitions. From 1986 to 1997, he held his exhibitions in such places as Beijing, Guangzhou and New York. Both the themes and artistic techniques have won widespread praise in the past years.

While observing traditional rules, he uses accurate lines, powerful brush movements as well as the interplay between dark and light to represent the harmony of nature. Though he adopts a realistic style, he tries to enrich his works with spiritual beauty through his brush. Yu says, “That feeling turns into the images of singing birds and elegant flowers in my paintings.” Thanks to his careful observation of nature and artistic sensitivity, Yu is able to combine realistic description with artistic expression in his brushwork.

Now as deputy director of the Academy of Chinese Gongbi Painting of Flowers and Birds and a national top-level artist, Yu maintains a simple and easy-going style. In addition to artistic creation, Yu has devoted himself to promoting his painting style as the cultural heritage of China. “Art is part of my life,” Yu says. “I am proud to be a flower-bird painter. I hope to create a bright future for it through my efforts.”

1. Where did Yu discover his love for gongbi?

A．In Beijing.	B．In New York.
C．At Nanjing Normal University.	D．At the Chinese Painting Institute of Jiangsu.

2. What does paragraph 2 mainly tell us about Yu?

A．His school life.	B．His painting techniques.
C．His contributions to the art school.	D．His artistic achievements in painting.

3. Which is Yu’s painting feature?

A．Adopting abstract objects.

B．Excluding plants and animals.

C．Combining traditional rules with a realistic style.

D．Representing the imbalance between nature and humans.

4. What does Yu expect of his painting style?

A．It will change a lot.	B．It will be passed on.
C．It will look more complicated.	D．It will reach the top international level.

【推荐3】The Artistic Marvel: Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh, a troubled but immensely talented Dutch painter, left a profound mark on the world of art with his iconic work “Starry Night.” Painted in 1889, during a period of emotional turmoil and personal struggle, this masterpiece reflects both the artist’s inner turmoil and his deep connection to nature.

“Starry Night” is an oil painting that measures 73.7 cm × 92.1 cm and is currently housed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The painting features a small village with steeples and houses nestled beneath a sweeping, swirling night sky filled with stars. The sky itself seems to come alive, as the stars twinkle and the crescent moon shines brightly. Van Gogh’s use of bold, swirling brushstrokes creates a sense of movement and turbulence in the sky, as if it is in constant motion.

The village below is bathed in a peaceful, calming light, in stark contrast to the dynamic sky above. The cypress tree in the foreground reaches up towards the heavens, almost as if it is trying to touch the stars. This painting is a testament to van Gogh’s ability to convey emotion through color and form. It is said that he painted “Starry Night” from his room in the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where he sought treatment for his mental health issues.

What makes “Starry Night” truly remarkable is the emotional depth it carries. Van Gogh’s use of vibrant blues and yellows, combined with the swirling patterns of the sky, evoke a sense of both wonder and melancholy. It is as if the painting captures the artist’s inner turmoil and his profound connection to the universe.

1. What is the medium used in the creation of “Starry Night”?

A．Watercolor	B．Acrylic
C．Oil painting	D．Pencil sketch

2. Where is the painting “Starry Night” currently housed?

A．The Louvre Museum, Paris

B．The Tate Modern, London

C．The Museum of Modern Art, New York City

D．The Vatican Museums, Rome

3. What is the dominant theme of “Starry Night”?

A．Tranquility	B．Melancholy
C．Joy	D．Fear

4. What did van Gogh’s use of bold, swirling brushstrokes create in “Starry Night”?

A．A sense of calm

B．A sense of movement and turbulence

C．A realistic landscape

D．A static, unchanging scene

【推荐2】Safety is the usual choice for global travelers when faced with a menu of unknown dishes. But a great meal crosses all cultural boundaries, and sharing the food of your host country is the best way to connect with its people and culture.

Italy

Pizza is not a new thing for you. But locals say there’s something in the water in Naples that ensures you will never have a pizza like it anywhere else in the world. If you’re lucky enough to be around during the autumn truffle (松露) season, try uova con tartufi — fried eggs with truffle oil. It can’t be found on restaurant menus, but chefs from Tuscany and Umbria will know what you mean if you ask for it.

Spain

If you’re anywhere in Spain, you must try Manchego. It has a strong flavor, and enjoying it along with bread, served with olives and meat or accompanied by red wine makes a perfect choice. Barcelona is part of Catalunya, a region in Spain that has a very special food culture. Must-haves include patatas bravas, crisp (脆的) fried potatoes with a secret sauce, and mel i mato, a curd cheese and honey dessert cooked in a pot. Even if you’re rushing on an overnight trip through Barcelona, don’t leave without trying them!

Russia

The best meals are worth the money in Russia. If you see solyanka on the menu, don’t hesitate to order. This salty, sour and often spicy soup combined with meat or fish and topped with a Russian sour cream, is delicious. Borscht and pelmeni are common in Russia, but experiment with different varieties. If you find the time, a culinary (美食的) side trip in search of Azerbaijaini plov, a spiced rice dish cooked with meat and dried fruit, is worth the journey.

1. If you are a cheese lover, you can choose ________.

A．Manchego	B．uova con tartufi
C．solyanka	D．mel i mato

2. What can we learn from the passage?

A．You must eat Manchego with red wine.

B．The sweetness of water gives Naples’ pizza a special flavor.

C．You may spend quite some money trying best food in Russia.

D．Uova con tartufi is not allowed to be put on Italian restaurant menus.

3. In which part of a magazine will you most likely read this passage?

A．Global Economy.	B．Life on the Go.
C．Entertainment.	D．A Bite of Europe.

【推荐3】The non-profit organization Ryan’s Well began with a six-year-old boy saving $70 to build a well by doing extra chores around home — proving that any amount can make a difference! With your support, we can continue to provide clean water to people who need it most. Here are some ways to support us.

DONATE ONLINE

Donating online is fast, easy, and secure. To help keep administrative costs to a minimum, online donations must be greater than or equal to $10.

BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR

Monthly giving is the most convenient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to donate, It’s easy: one decision, one sign-up, one receipt. Donate anything from $10 and up! Your gift works month after month to bring safe water to thousands who need it, and helps spread Ryan’s message that everyone can make a difference. Become a monthly donor by.

Mailing your details and a copy of a VOID cheque (空白支票) to;

P.O.Box 1120Kemptville, ON, K0G 1J0

Calling us at 16132586832

DONATE BY MAIL OR PHONE

Please send your cheque or money order payable to Ryan’s Well Foundation to:

Ryan’s Well Foundation

P.O. Box 1120

Kemptville, ON

K0G 1J0

Please ensure your complete mailing address is included with your donation so we can send a charitable tax receipt as applicable. While we appreciate each contribution, we do not recommend sending cash by mail, as it can be lost or go missing.

To donate by phone, please call 16132586832. We accept both VISA and MasterCard.

DONATE BY BANK TRANSFER

For your convenience, you can also donate to Ryan’s Well Foundation by bank transfer. Please contact us by email or by phone 16132586832 for more information.

1. What can we learn about Ryan’s Well?

A．It raises money only from Canadians.	B．It advises people to donate online.
C．It’s run by a six-year-old boy now.	D．It helps people in need of water.

2. What advantage does monthly giving have over other ways?

A．It’s the fastest method.	B．People can get tax receipts.
C．It brings people great convenience.	D．Any amount of money can be accepted.

3. Why are people advised to include their mailing address if they donate by mail?

A．This ensures they can receive the tax receipt.

B．This can prevent the money from being stolen.

C．This helps spread Ryan’s message to more people.

D．This makes it easier for people to contact the organization.