【推荐1】Labor Day Weekend at Paramount Pictures Studios

This Labor Day weekend, join the Los Angeles Times for 3 evenings of amazing food, wine and chef experiences. Dozens of hand-picked local restaurants each evening will showcase our city’s rich and diverse cooking scene by serving you their best. Taste and celebrate Southern California’s most inviting food and drink. Your ticket is all-inclusive and is good for unlimited food, beer, wine & spirits tastings, plus all stage activities.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL EVENTS AT THE TASTE ARE 21 YEARS AND OLDER ONLY AND ALL SALES ARE FINAL.

A VIP Access level ticket gets you:

• Convenient and free parking inside the Paramount Pictures gates (savings of $15)

• Access to furnished lounge during the entire event

• Behind the scenes tour of Paramount Pictures Studios

• First in the door access to the main event

Due to the nature of this event, we are not able to offer refunds.

SCHEDULE

Friday, August 31: 7:30 p.m.-10:30p.m.

Saturday, September 1: 8:00 p.m.-10:30p.m.

Sunday, September 2: 8:00 p.m.-10:30p.m.

Make sure to also save the date for our new Costa Mesa weekend of Los Angeles Times The Taste on October 19 to 21. Details here.

1. On which day does the Labor Day event last longest?

A．August 31.	B．September 1.
C．September 2.	D．October 21.

2. What can you do on the Labor Day weekend?

A．Experience hands-on cooking.

B．Enjoy a family tour with children.

C．Watch performances in the daytime.

D．Have meals in local restaurants for free.

3. What privilege does VIP members have?

A．Parking a car at a discount.

B．Living in a furnished room.

C．Getting their money back as they like.

D．Having the chance to learn more about the Studios.

【推荐2】It's incredibly frustrating when computers slow down or stop working for seemingly no reason at all.And even after all the diagnostics，upgrades，and money spent，the amount of time waiting for that spinning wheel or hourglass to disappear never seems to get any shorter.Your once new，lightning-fast computer just keeps getting slower as each day passes.Fortunately，there's a new device that has recently hit the market.

What is it then?

It's called Xtra-PC.And if you have an old，slow computer，it is exactly what you've been waiting for.

Xtra-PC is a small thumb drive you simply plug into your computer's USB port and it instantly transforms your old computer to like new.It works with any computer(Mac or Windows)laptop，desktop，and netbooks made in 2004 or later.It is the cheapest and easiest solution to getting your computer fast again.

With Xtra-PC，there's no need to spend hundreds of dollars on your old computer—which only has it peter_out in another year or two.It makes no sense.But getting Xtra-PC does，which is why the big computer companies are against this incredibly powerful little device!

How Does It Work?

Super easy! All you have to do is...

Plug it in.Simply plug Xtra-PC into a USB port while your computer is turned off.

Turn Your Computer On.Select ‘Boot from USB’ and bingo，you're good to go.

Enjoy New PC—In less than 15 minutes you'll be shocked at the difference in the performance of your computer.

What Can I Do With My Like New Computer?

Everything! With Xtra-PC you'll be able to do the things you normally do，such as surfing the web，sharing on social media，writing emails，watching videos，playing games，safely shopping online，and more!

How Much Is This Going To Cost Me?

This is not a joke.Xtra-PC is only$24.99! And they offer a 30-Day money back guarantee.There honestly is no good reason not to try Xtra-PC.

1. Which of the following best explains the underlined phrase “peter out” in paragraph 5？

A．become better	B．get cheaper
C．work peacefully	D．become weaker

2. Why has Xtra-PC recently hit the market？

A．Because it's incredibly frustrating.

B．Because it performs differently.

C．Because it's cheap，efficient and convenient.

D．Because it looks like a new computer

3. What can we learn from the last paragraph？

A．The producer is honest enough.

B．It's worthwhile to buy Xtra-PC.

C．You need a good reason to try Xtra-PC.

D．Xtra-PC is offered for entertainment.

【推荐3】Come to Austria!

Soll is a village in the mountains in western Austria, and the Hotel Post, run by a local family, is clean and not expensive. From the hotel you can see the whole village, the forest and the mountains. Temperature in summer is usually from 20℃ to 25℃ in the daytime, but much cooler by evening.

Enjoy Thailand!

When you visit Bangkok in Thailand, don't miss the early morning river boat trip to the Floating Market just outside the city. There you will find many kinds of fruits and vegetables. There you can buy and pay for them when you sit in your boat. Don't forget your hat: the sun can be strong and it may be as hot as 40℃ at midday!

Visit Hawaii!

Maybe the most beautiful place in Hawaii is Kauai. You can visit its long, sandy beaches in the south and the west of the island, and mountains and forests in the north, but be careful: there are many mosquitoes（蚊子）, and don't be surprised if it rains in the center of the island. Daytime temperatures there are usually from 24℃ to 26℃ by the sea, and only a little cooler by late evening.

1. Which of the following about Soll is TRUE?

A．Soll is a mountain village in Austria.

B．From the Hotel Post you can see the whole forest and the mountains.

C．The Hotel Post is clean but expensive.

D．It is a little cold in summer.

2. The Floating Market is___________.

A．in the middle of Bangkok	B．on the river
C．famous for the boats	D．full of vegetables and fruits

3. Which of the following about Kauai is NOT TRUE?

A．Kauai is one of Hawaii's islands.	B．The weather is neither too hot nor too cold.
C．It doesn't often rain in Kauai.	D．There are forests and mountains in Kauai.

4. You can travel to___________if you don't like hot weather in summer.

A．Soll and Bangkok	B．Thailand and Kauai
C．Soll and Hawaii	D．Bangkok and Kauai

5. Where can you most probably find this passage?

A．Ona map.	B．In a fashion magazine.
C．In a textbook.	D．In a travel guide.

【推荐1】Music festivals in Europe

Visiting a festival abroad can be a great reason to travel and a way to experience different cultures. These days there is such a number of choices that it’s possible to spend the whole summer watching live music in exciting places. Of course, it’s also a chance to meet people from across the world.

Melt! Festival, Germany

This festival takes place on the site of an open air museum for industrial machinery. There’s also a lake which can be used for swimming when it’s hot. This year’s line-up has over 120 different bands (乐队). Around 90% of the people attending the festival are German providing a perfect chance to practise speaking the language.

Exit Festival, Serbia

Set on the banks of the Danube in an old fortress (城堡), the festival began as a way to show people’s dissatisfaction with the government. These days it’s less political (政治的) but still worries about people who are poor, ill, old, etc and tries to help them. This year’s festival will host many famous bands. From electronic music and dance music to hard rock, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Open’er Festival, Poland

Held in an airfield near the northern city of Gdansk, each year Open’er has a seriously good selection of bands. This year is no exception, with many famous bands set to play. Not only are there amazing artists, but both Poland and the festival itself also provide very excellent value for money.

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Scotland

Set on a Scottish estate (庄园) near Inverness, this year Belladrum will welcome artists from around the world. The most enjoyable part of the weekend is the ceilidh (traditional Scottish dance and party) which is always a lively event. It doesn’t even matter if you’re a beginner because the band teaches you each dance.

1. What is special about Melt! Festival?

A．It provides German lessons.	B．It is held by a local museum.
C．The bands are from 120 countries.	D．Most of the festival goers are German.

2. Why did Exit Festival begin?

A．For political reasons.	B．For personal reasons.
C．To help stop a fight.	D．To offer help to the poor.

3. What makes Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival different from the others?

A．It falls in summer.

B．It is a live music festival.

C．It teaches people Scottish dances.

D．It invites the most famous bands.

【推荐2】"S.H.E. is going to sing at the CCTV annual Spring Festival Evening Party, is that true?" cried out Peng Weiye, a Senior 2 girl in Shanghai and die-hard S. H.E. fan.
After checking it on the Internet, Peng quickly phoned friends to spread the news. For fans like her, S. H. E. ’s performance is perhaps the only part of the old fashioned evening to get excited about.
The Taiwanese band is made up of Selina, Hebe and Ella. Their name comes from the first letter of each of the singers' English names.
Last week S. H. E. announced they would perform in Las Vegas, US, over Christmas and then in Guangzhou on January 15.
At their Shanghai show on October 30, hundreds of parents waited outside the Hongkou Stadium. Inside, thousands of teenagers sang, cried and shouted as the band performed.
"I love their music, healthy image and everything related to them. Thank God that, although my parents don't understand why I love them so much, they still bought me a ticket for that show," said Peng about the Shanghai performance.
It is not just on the mainland that the three girls have made audiences much excited. In the past year the band has passed through Taiwan, Hong Kong and even Singapore and Malaysia.
When the three high school girls entered a singing contest in Taiwan in 2000, none of them ever dreamed of being a superstar. "We had never met before, and we didn't talk at all at the beginning," recalled Ella.
When asked about the secret of their success, she said, "Our average looks and not-so-expensive clothes keep us close to our fans. We are happy to be the girls next door, your singing sisters."
"It's really a magical journey, from day-dreaming high school girls to singers performing on the same stage as our idols(偶像). Nothing but magical," she said.
1. Why was Peng Weiye, a Senior 2 girl, so excited?

A．S.H.E. band will get the old fashioned evening exciting.

B．S. H.E. will perform in Las Vegas over Christmas.

C．Her parents bought her a ticket for S. H. E.’s Shanghai show.

D．S. H.E. will perform on the CCTV Spring Festival Evening Party.

2. How did the Taiwanese band get the name?

A．Their fans gave the name to them.

B．Their idols had a deep influence on them.

C．A singing contest gave their idea of the band name.

D．The first letters of Selina, Hebe and Ella form the band name.

3. What do you know about Peng Weiye?

A．she stayed outside the Hongkou Stadium to listen to S. H. E. 's performance.

B．She will watch the performance in Guangzhou on January 15.

C．She pays close attention to everything about S. H. E.

D．She was grateful that her parents understood and supported her.

4. Which is true about S. H. E. ?

A．The secret to their success is their pretty faces and lovely clothes.

B．They were close friends when they entered a singing contest.

C．They caused a storm of excitement in Southeast Asia.

D．They have well prepared to perform with their idols.

5. Which do you think is NOT the reason for S. H. E’s popularity among their fans?

A．Their music and their healthy image.

B．They can make audience much excited.

C．Their success meets their fans’ day dream of becoming others’ idols.

D．Their average looks and not-so-expensive clothes keep them close to their fans.

【推荐3】“Without music, life would be a mistake,” famous German philosopher (哲学家) Friedrich Nietzsche said over a century ago. Music is a big part of our lives. But in recent years, some US schools have cut music classes to control budgets (预算).

For example, Chicago Public Schools hurt arts education when it fired (解雇) over 1, 000 teachers. Among them, 10 percent of the teachers taught art or music, according to The Washington Times. In fact, this is not just a problem in the US. In other countries, such as China and the UK, music classes are not thought to be as important as ones like science, math and history. That’s partly because music is not seen as a very important life skill, and it isn’t tested. Many students are busy with schoolwork, so parents and students choose to focus on subjects that are tested more often.

However, learning music is beneficial (有益的) in many ways.

When playing music, you need different abilities to work together. It is not as simple as it looks, according to Kenneth Guilmartin of Musie Together, an early childhood music development program. For example, when playing the piano, people see music notes and decode (解码) them in their brains. They also use their fingers to make sounds. You need to deal with all these things at the same time.

Music has a special connection with science as well. You can see that many scientists are good at playing music:Einstein played the violin, and German physicist Max Planck was talented in playing the piano.

1. Some schools in the US cut music classes, because _________.

A．students in the US weren’t interested in music

B．they were too difficult to learn

C．there weren’t enough music teachers in the US

D．the schools wanted to control budgets

2. In Paragraph 2, what does the underlined word “them” refer to(指代)?

A．Public schools.	B．Fired teachers.
C．Parents in Chicago.	D．Students in Chicago.

3. How many scientists who are good at playing music are mentioned in this passage?

A．One.

B．Two.

C．Three.

D．Four.

【推荐2】From cheap family rooms to child discounts and wonderful kids menus, London’s best family hotels have many ways to make them an unforgettable stay. Browse (浏览) our favorite hotels for families in London on this website and get ready for your family stay.

Luna Simone Hotel

Not far from Victoria Coach Station, it offers welcoming bed and breakfast accommodations with a child-friendly focus. It offers affordable family rooms just minutes away from Buckingham Palace, St James’s Park and the Apollo Victoria Theatre.

Nightly rate: £120.00 per room

Telephone: +442078345897

Travelodge London Docklands

It has everything you need for a good night’s sleep, offering great-value rooms close to the River Thames, with fast rail connections to the city center. To accommodate families, there are family rooms, which come equipped with a sofa bed and can sleep up to two adults and two children under 16.

Nightly rate: £29.00 per room

Telephone: +448719846192

Holiday Inn London-Kensington Forum

Book a family-friendly room and enjoy a cheap but comfortable stay in one of London’s most fascinating (极有吸引力的) areas, within walking distance of Harrods, the Natural History Museum and the Royal Albert Hall. Children under 18 stay free in a family room, and under-12s also eat for free from a healthy and special kids menu.

Nightly rate: £80.00 per room

Telephone: +442073706815

Generator London

Generator is part of Europe’s fastest growing, hostel brand and offers fashionable accommodation. The family rooms as well as larger rooms (woman-only) satisfy different travellers. The atmosphere (氛围) and its food show the local culture and it has competitive prices. Besides, it offers free Wi-Fi in all public areas.

Nightly rate: £16.80 per room

Telephone: +442073887666

1. What can we know about Luna Simone Hotel?

A．It has a theatre.	B．It provides free breakfast.
C．It offers an extra sofa bed.	D．It is near St James’s Park.

2. How much is a room close to the River Thames for two nights?

A．£33.60.

B．£58.00.

C．£160.00.

D．£240.00.

3. Which hotel offers free meals to kids aged 10?

A．Luna Simone Hotel.	B．Generator London.
C．Travelodge London Docklands.	D．Holiday Inn London-Kensington Forum.

【推荐3】Whether you’re after a quiet beach holiday or an adventure-packed trip, with over 700 islands and 30 territories, the Caribbean offers many choices. Here we will provide practical tips to help you plan your dream Caribbean vacation.

Choosing the Best Time to Visit

Generally speaking, the Caribbean has a tropical climate with hot and humid weather year-round. Hurricanes are common during the summer months, so it’s advised to avoid travel during this season if possible. The best time to visit typically starts in November and runs through April. Be sure to check local weather forecasts before your trip.

Experiencing the Local Culture

The Caribbean is home to a variety of cultures. The local culture is a key part of the Caribbean experience, so make sure to soak up as much as you can. Visit museums and historical sites to get a deeper understanding of the local heritage, or explore local festivals for a display of music, dance, and art. Moreover, the people of the Caribbean are well known for their friendliness, so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation.

Planning Your Activities

Whether you’re into diving, hiking, shopping, or simply lying on the beach, you will be able to pick between endless activities. Besides, you can try your hand at deep-sea fishing, horseback riding, or even bungee jumping. If you’re looking for something more laid back, take a guided tour of the island’s botanical gardens or explorer its national parks. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to review safety guidelines and pack all the necessary equipment before your adventure.

In conclusion, the Caribbean offers a diverse travel experience that caters to different preferences and budgets. With careful planning and a bit of research, you can plan a vacation that is truly unforgettable. So don’t wait — start planning your dream Caribbean trip today!

1. Which month is the best time to visit the Caribbean?

A．July.

B．December.

C．August.

D．June.

2. What is known about the Caribbean experience?

A．Visitors can experience different cultures and activities.

B．Visitors can have the opportunity to play local music.

C．Visitors have to be concerned about the safety of accommodation.

D．Deep-sea fishing is not allowed for the reason of ocean protection.

3. Where is the passage most probably taken from?

A．A fashion magazine.	B．A shopping guide.
C．A geography textbook.	D．A travel brochure.