There are many different types of houses in the UK. You may see detached, semi-detached, terraced houses or even end-of-terrace houses on a typical street. You might see apartments in wealthier parts of town, or people living in bungalows, preferring to live a life without stairs. Strange cottages may dot the countryside, while heading to the cities you could see any number of types of flats, including houses turned into flats, studios and duplexes. But one thing you will notice is that many houses come from different eras, and asking a British person about their ideal home, many of them will have a specific period property in mind.
For some, it could be Victorian houses, which are often seen with bay windows, high ceilings, stained glass doors and colored brickwork. During the Victorian era, a huge number of houses, particularly terraced, were built in towns and cities to accommodate vast numbers of workers who were moving from more rural areas.
Georgian architecture refers to houses built during the period of 1714 and 1830 during the rules of four British monarchs. Usually houses with this architectural style have a more symmetrical theme, both internally and externally, with a small square garden in front. For those not into older properties, new builds from the 1990s onwards offer better insulation against the cold and newer electrics. And those who prefer less repairs could always go with the open-plan or minimalist look of the modern era.
So, whether it’s high ceilings, better insulation, brickwork, bungalows or square gardens, people in Britain have a wide variety of preferences when it comes to where they live. And their ideal home may just simply be a case of what style feels like home.
1. What do the Victorian houses have?| A．A small square garden in front. | B．High ceilings and colored brickwork. |
| C．A more symmetrical theme than any other era. | D．Broken windows and stainless doors. |
| A．To display the wisdom of the architects. | B．To introduce the origin of them. |
| C．To attract people fond of British houses. | D．To show the diversity of British houses. |
| A．The preference of British for the houses. | B．The history of the Georgian houses. |
| C．The house structures of Britain. | D．The fine scenery in Britain. |
| A．Ideal British home. | B．Terraced houses. |
| C．Georgian houses. | D．Square and gardens. |
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In the eastern United States, one of the existing types was that commonly known under the Algonkian name of wigwam in which the Iroquois Indians lived. The wigwams were of wagon-top shape with straight sides and ends, made by bending young trees to form the round shape. Over this shape pieces of tree bark were laid to protect the Indians from bad weather. Over the bark dried grass was added. A small hole allowed smoke to escape from the top. Doorways at each end served also as windows. The Iroquois Indians built trunk walls all around their villages. The wall had only one opening. They could quickly close this opening if their enemies came near.
Interestingly, the Choctaw Indians in Mississippi also lived in a wigwam of a most primitive(原始的) construction, but different from those of the Iroquois Indians. The Choctaw Indians’ wigwams, made from mud, cane and straw, were in the form of a bee-hive. The covering was made of a long, tough grass. A post in the centre supported the roof. A hole in the top admitted the light, and allowed the smoke to pass out.
The tipi tent-housing of the upper lake and plains area was put up with poles set lightly in the ground, tied together near the top, and covered with bark and grass in the lake country. It was easily portable, and two women could set it up or take it down within an hour.
The Pawnee, Mandan and other Indian tribes (部落) along the Missouri built solid ring-shaped structures of trunk, covered with earth and dried grass, housing a dozen families.
The Wichita and other tribes of the Texas border built large ring-shaped houses covered with dried grass.
Apart from the regular housing, almost every tribe had some style of housing.
1. Which of the following pictures shows the house for the Iroquois Indians？
A． | B． |
C． | D． |
| A．with openings in the trunk walls | B．large enough for several families |
| C．in a ring shape with bark and mud | D．by bending young trees to form the shape |
| A．of the same shape | B．covered with grass |
| C．built with a post in the centre | D．built with doorways at each end |
| A．all the native Indians built trunk walls all around their houses |
| B．all the native Indian houses were built with poles tied together |
| C．the Iroquois Indians took safety into account while building their wigwams |
| D．the Choctaw Indians in Mississippi built their wigwams with straight sides and ends |
【推荐2】Shipping containers are gaining popularity as an alternative to traditional houses. These 20-or 40-foot containers can be obtained for as little as several hundred US dollars a piece, and it’s not surprising that some industry professionals and even city planners consider them the future of home building. Below are details of some amazing homes made out of shipping containers.
London Container City (I and II)
London’s Container City first sprang up in the heart of the docklands in 2001. It took just five months to complete the original 12 work studios. Shortly after that, a fourth floor of studios and living apartments was built on top of these. The first container city was so successful that another—Container City II—was added to it.
Los Angeles Redondo Beach house
With its modern lines and appealing spaces, the award-winning Redondo Beach House is a luxury beachside showpiece built from eight recycled steel shipping containers, along with some traditional building materials. According to the architects, the modified containers are “nearly indestructible”.
Amsterdam Keetwonen
Amsterdam’s massive Keetwonen complex houses 1,000 students and it is the largest container city in the world. The housing project is a roaring success and features units that are quiet and comfortable. Each resident enjoys a bathroom, a kitchen and separate sleeping and studying quarters. The complex even has central heating and high-speed internet as well as areas for parking bikes.
Mexico M2ATK Container House
M2ATK designed this unique container house for an artist. It’s fully equipped with heating and cooling, a kitchen and bathroom. On the bottom floor of the house are “public spaces” such as the kitchen and living room. The second floor are bedrooms, and the top floor is a studio space in which to work, read and “let fly the imagination”.
1. Compared to traditional houses, container houses are________.| A．easier to maintain | B．less expensive to build |
| C．more comfortable to live in | D．more fashionable in style |
| A．It is the first container city in the world. | B．It’s equipped with modern facilities. |
| C．It features a luxury and unique style. | D．It includes living space and car parks. |
| A．London Container City (I and II) | B．Los Angeles Redondo Beach house |
| C．Amsterdam Keetwonen | D．Mexico M2ATK Container House |
【推荐3】Old Furniture Falling Apart?
Let Southwark Carpenters help.
Want a walk-in wardrobe (衣柜)? Fancy a fitted kitchen? Or just want to replace your old floorboards? We custom-build furniture and fittings to work with your house, and your vision. We work with a variety of trade suppliers to build you items out of the finest quality woods at the lowest reasonable price.
To receive a quoted price for your work, please send us an email or pick up the phone and let us know: (1) the work to be completed; (2) the dimensions of the item/ flooring to be created; (3) the material to be used; (4) the timeline for the work to be completed. That gives us enough information to create a custom quoted price, then you can review it and book an in-person discussion with one of our professionals.
We’re excellent at creating wonderful fittings and furniture with woods. Give us a call and let our knowledgeable staff talk you through your options.
CONTACT US TODAY 020 79460345 CALLS ANSWERED 24 HOURS A DAY
Hear what our customers have to say (a selection of our reviews):
“George was professional, friendly, and went the extra mile to finish the job on the same day. Thank you.” Trankle (Kent)
“Will definitely use it again and recommend it to our friends. Lee did such a great job making our custom wardrobe.” Loren (Hampshire)
“We got a quoted price for some work from a different carpentry company that seemed quite high. Sarah was able to get the work done for half of our initial quote, and didn’t lower the quality!” Dancy (Sussex)
“Klaus has done a couple of carpentry projects for us. He is 100% reliable and a real artisan.” Herbert (Surrey)
1. Which work is Southwark Carpenters capable of?| A．Laying new flooring. | B．Custom-building a house. |
| C．Repairing old furniture. | D．Supplying good-quality woods. |
| A．Email the staff your budget. | B．Make a phone call during the day. |
| C．Discuss with the staff online. | D．Provide related data in advance. |
| A．Trankle. | B．Loren. | C．Dancy. | D．Herbert. |
【推荐1】Peru is the third largest country in South America, after Brazil and Argentina. It is made up of a variety of landscapes, from mountains and beaches to deserts and rain forests. Most people live along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, where the capital, Lima, is located.
Along Peru’s west coast is a narrow strip (狭长地带) of desert, which is about 1, 555 miles long. Ancient people, called the Chimú and the Nasca, first lived in this region thousands of years ago. The coastal desert makes up only about 10 percent of Peru, but it is home to more than half of all Peruvians.
The world’s largest rain forest, the Amazon, covers nearly half of Peru. Called the selva in Spanish, this huge jungle (丛林), which also covers half of Brazil, is home to plants and animals that do not live anywhere else on Earth, Some scientists think there may even be Indian tribes (部落) there that have never seen the outside world.
The second highest mountain range in the world runs through Peru. These peaks, called the Andes, are so tall and forbidding that the ancient Inca people thought they were gods. They run from north to south and can be seen from Peru’s beaches 50 miles to the west. The highest peak of it, Mount Huascaran, is 22, 205 feet high.
1. Where did most Peruvians live?| A．In the huge jungle. | B．In the Indian tribe. |
| C．In the mountain. | D．In the coastal desert. |
| A．Almost half of Peru is covered by rain forests. |
| B．It is the third largest country in population in South America. |
| C．More than half of the native population live in the mountains. |
| D．About 1, 555 years ago, ancient people moved to the coastal desert. |
| A．They can’t be seen from the Peru’s coast. |
| B．They are where most Peru’s people plant rice. |
| C．Some of them belong to the second highest mountain range. |
| D．The highest mountain range in Peru runs from east to west. |
| A．The Attractions of Peru | B．The History of Peru |
| C．The Official Languages of Peru | D．The Geography of Peru |
【推荐2】The cost of living in countries like the U.S., Britain, Australia or France has skyrocketed in recent years. However, if you are willing to leave your country and explore life in other areas, there are many countries boasting an extremely cheap and low cost of living. Check out the following countries when planning your next move.
Ecuador
Ecuador is similar to the United States in many ways, and as a result has become a popular American getaway. It even uses the U.S. dollar for its currency. In this country, it is cheaper to eat out every day than cook for yourself on a budget in the U.S. You can even buy a property for around $50,000 and hi re someone to tend to it while you are away.
Mexico
Although the country is known for its poverty-ridden streets, there are many wealthier areas that provide every facility you might need. You can live off a mere $700 to $800 a month in Mexico, and this includes rent for a nice place, facilities, food, and any sightseeing.
Argentina
Argentina has been a popular tourist destination for many years. It has great restaurants, a rich history, and many places to explore. Not to mention, it is not very expensive to live there. A decent-sized home can cost around $139,000, which is relatively cheap in relation to homes in the United States.
Vietnam
Vietnam has also become a popular tourist destination in recent years. There are many million-dollar luxury homes by the beach, but you can find a modest flat or small home for around $25,000 to $50,000 if you search in the right areas.
1. Which country uses the U.S. dollar as its currency?| A．Ecuador. | B．Mexico. | C．Argentina. | D．Vietnam. |
| A．About $8,400. | B．About $4,800. | C．About $4,200. | D．About $9,600. |
| A．Cheap and low costs of living. | B．Many million-dollar luxury homes. |
| C．Wealthy areas with complete facilities. | D．Great restaurants, a rich history, and many places to explore. |
【推荐3】A Seasonal Guide to Copenhagen
With each season offering a new range of experiences, there's never a bad time to visit Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.
Winter
Winter in Copenhagen is a great time to search for the abstract Danish feeling of "hygge", which roughly translates to an atmosphere of warm and comfortable companionship. The Copenhagen winter can be freezing in a very literal（字面）sense, but that just means it's time to search out some fun in the great indoors.
Spring
It's easy to spot when spring has arrived in Copenhagen—just look out for all the Danish people out in the streets！The Scandinavian winter is generally pretty rough, so when that warmth is felt in the air the locals can't help but celebrate. The funfairs（游乐场）and parks of Tivoli Gardens reopen. May sees temperatures rise enough for carnivals and street parties in true Danish style.
Summer
A busy schedule of festivals, events and markets typify the season, and the parks and watersides of Denmark's capital will be packed with people almost every day. At the height of summer, Denmark's Midnight Sun means your explorations of Copenhagen can go well into the evening, with many attractions and bars staying open until the sun begins to set.
Fall
There's one very good reason to visit Copenhagen in the autumn, and that's because winter is coming. The autumn months are the last chance to enjoy everything the city has to offer. Tivoli Gardens throws a three-week Halloween extravaganza and October's Night of Culture showcases the best of Danish art, music and literature. The autumn weather also means splendid sunsets that bathe the city in a soft orange glow—a painting by nature that you won't soon forget！
1. Which of the following best explains the feeling of "hygge"？| A．People read good books and enjoy staying alone. |
| B．Children laugh and play together with snow. |
| C．Many friends walk on the snow-covered path |
| D．The families chat happily around the fire |
| A．Nights are very short. | B．It has nice weather. |
| C．Shops are open all night. | D．The visitors are friendly. |
| A．Winter | B．Spring. |
| C．Summer | D．Autumn |
【推荐1】Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, is a traditional festival celebrated by all Chinese people. Not everyone celebrates the festival in the same way, with the biggest differences between northern and southern China.
Festival Foods
In the northern cities of China, people generally eat dumplings. They are called jiaozi in Chinese, which means the turn of a lunar new year. Additionally, because they are shaped similarly to a type of ancient money, jiaozi are also regarded as a symbol of wealth.
As compared to the north, people from some southern areas traditionally eat rice cakes (niangao in Chinese), which are made of sticky (黏的) rice flour. Niangao can be interpreted as that people move up to a higher position year after year.
Festival Decorations
It is a common tradition to put up Spring Festival couplets (对联) and “Fu” characters, but some decorations differ a bit between northern and southern China.
In the north, the red “Chinese knot (结)” is also hung, representing happiness. However, in the southern areas, people like to use kumquats, a fruit like a very small orange, for decorations. Due to their yellow colour, they are usually a sign of wealth and harvest.
Red Envelope
In northern China, people usually give red envelopes to the children of their relatives or close friends only. However, people in southern China not only give red envelopes to the children of their relatives and friends, but also to their colleagues and acquaintances. In some southern areas like Guangdong Province, a company manager or a shop owner may also give red envelops to staffs on the first working day of the New Year, wishing for a fortune and giving them a strong sense of team spirit.
1. Why are dumplings seen as a symbol of wealth?| A．They look like a type of ancient money. |
| B．They have the meaning of getting to a higher position. |
| C．Only rich families could afford them in ancient times. |
| D．The name for “dumplings” meant money in the past. |
| A．Making and eating rice cakes. | B．Hanging red Chinese knots in the room. |
| C．Giving red envelops to colleagues’ children. | D．Placing kumquats in the room. |
| A．They want to award their staff for their good performance. |
| B．They wish to encourage their staffs to work harder. |
| C．They wish that they all will make a lot of money. |
| D．They want to show their companies are very rich. |
【推荐2】Beijing is no stranger to Western food. American restaurants like McDonald’s and KFC have brought more Western dishes to the local food scene in recent years. Now, two new restaurants have joined them.
In August, Taco Bell and Shake Shack opened their doors to eager customers in Beijing. Taco Bell is a popular American fast food restaurant that features Mexican food. Hard and soft-shell tacos are a staple(招牌) of the menu; they are generally served with beef, lettuce and tomato. And of course there are burritos-chicken, beef or beans wrapped in a tortilla(墨西哥薄馅饼). However, there are new menu items that are special to the Beijing location, such as the Yang Berry Freeze and Avocado Oolong Tea.
Shake Shack, known for its traditional American-style hamburgers and milkshakes, is also serving up dishes that won’t be found in branches outside of the capital. Harry Wang, who studied in the US, visited the restaurant soon after it opened. “The last time I had Shake Shack was more than a year ago when I was in the United States.” Wang said, “The food is pretty similar to what we had in the United States, but there is a milkshake exclusive to Beijing.”
The milkshake Wang referred to is the Hutong Hawthorn. The shake mixes hawthorn, a traditional Chinese snack, into a milkshake, a common ice cream drink in Western fast food. The Beijing Shake Shack also offers roasted chestnut ice cream.
Both restaurants also reflect elements of Chinese culture in their decorations. Shake Shack’s windows feature cartoons showing hutong life, and Taco Bell has a picture of a palace from the Temple of Heaven on one of its walls.
From the design to the menus, the two restaurants are “adding a touch of local flavor”, noted China News.
1. Why are McDonald’s and KFC mentioned in the first paragraph?| A．To show the popularity of Western food in Beijing. |
| B．To lead up to the topic of new Western restaurants in Beijing. |
| C．To compare the differences between McDonald’s and KFC. |
| D．To express the author’s personal love for Western food. |
| A．It is a traditional Mexican restaurant. |
| B．It has the same menu around the world. |
| C．It is a popular Mexican food restaurant in China. |
| D．It is a fast food restaurant serving Mexican food. |
| A．Special. | B．Ordinary. | C．Important. | D．Acceptable. |
| A．They try to keep the original characteristics in all locations. |
| B．They will probably have more customers than KFC. |
| C．They make changes to the menu for Chinese people’s tastes. |
| D．They like to work together with Chinese restaurants. |
【推荐3】Do you ever listen to the songs that your parents like? Chances are that you don’t. You probably think the music that they like is old and boring and that the songs on your playlist are much cooler. But scientists found that people’s music taste changes as time goes by. So it is likely that your own musical preferences will follow a similar path to your parents’, whether you like it or not.
We used to think that culture and personality (个性) are the only reasons for different music choices. But researchers at the University of Cambridge noticed that as people enter into different age groups, their social environment changes, and so does their music taste. There are some musical periods that people go through in their life.
The first period comes in the teenage years, during which people like strong music such as punk and rock, because teenagers tend to be aggressive or want to be independent.
But as people move into early adulthood, their lifestyles change they want to build close relationships with others. As a result, they become fonder of contemporary music, such as pop and R&.B, which is usually uplifting and danceable.
When middle age comes, most people have settled down. During this period, people prefer music, such as jazz and classical, as well as music like country, folk and blues.
As for old people, they prefer old songs in their childhoods. They generally listen to relaxing music, such as country music and jazz music. But you must be questioning. “Aren’t there old people who are still interested in or even crazy about rock music?” Of course there are. But their reasons for listening to rock music may have changed. At that age people may listen to remind themselves of their youth.
1. What do young people usually think of the songs their parents enjoy?| A．They are worth listening to. | B．They are actually less cool. |
| C．They are especially serious. | D．They are hard to understand. |
| A．Two. | B．Three. | C．Four. | D．Five. |
| A．punk music | B．country music |
| C．jazz music | D．pop music |
| A．People Have Different Opinions on Music |
| B．People’s Taste in Music Changes with Time |
| C．People Listen to Music for the Same Reason |
| D．People’s Lifestyle Can Be Changed by Music |
