【推荐2】There’s a secret spot in Ireland. And the locals don’t want you to know it exists.

I found it by chance. The Irish are world-famous for being a friendly nation and yet you hesitate as you climb to the top of a hill and see a fisherman storing his tools, the dog good-naturedly circling his feet. The camera comes out. The scene is so in line with the postcard Ireland you remember seeing pinned to the wall. Walking closer you drop the camera until you’re close enough to simply watch and listen. The water gently touches his boat. His tools hit the dock(码头), making ringing noises.

The dog has discovered you sitting so quietly on the hill and although he’s been playing in the water he knows no sense of politeness and runs toward you —only a slight delay in his step as his owner shouts out a command. It slows his progress toward you, but only slightly. That dog is about to give you the wettest and hairiest hug you’ve had in weeks.

The dog has opened the door to conversation now and as the dog leads you to the fisherman you glance toward the sound of an approaching car, his wife, here to pick him up and transport his catch back into town. The immediate polite conversations unfold—I’m an obvious American and don’t deny it, they’re curious as to why such a healthy and pretty young lady such as myself is wandering the cold hills in such a remote area of Ireland. “Single are ya? Well why in the world are ya traveling by yourself, you’ll never meet a man that way? ” demands the wife. She’s a tough customer and can’t understand my answer “because I enjoy it,” evidenced by her long-suffering sigh and a muttering(喃喃自语) about “young people”.

There’s a secret spot in Ireland, and I’m not going to tell you where it is. I’m not going to tell where it is because I know there’re other Irish towns out there just like it—all laced with joy of simplicity.

1. What is the writer’s identity?

A．A detective.

B．A traveler.

C．A journalist.

D．A fisherman

2. Which word best describes the wife’s reaction to the author?

A．Rudeness.

B．Curiosity.

C．Envy.

D．Worry.

3. How does the writer feel about Ireland?

A．Full of secrets.	B．Not developed.
C．A place with simple joy.	D．A place with beautiful scenery.

【推荐1】Language Learning Courses You Need to Try in 2022

The past year has been so crazy，but that hasn’t stopped millions of language learners from pushing towards their goals of actual fluency. Here it is: Our list of favourite language learning apps and courses that you need to try in 2022.

Pimsleur

Best for: Leaners with zero prior (先前的) knowledge;
Price: $20/month (with 7-day free trial);
Pros: Start speaking from Day 1; available in 50 languages; powerful memory techniques;fantastic for beginners;
Cons: Not suitable for advanced learners; limited reading and writing practice; expensive compared to other courses;
Read our full review of Pimsleur here.
Drops

Best for: Learners looking to rapidly increase their vocabulary;
Price: Free with a limit of 10 minutes a day. $10/ month unlimited subscription;
Pros: No sign-up required; 45+languages; beautiful design; great for vocabulary;
Cons: Limited grammar and skills practice; restrictions for free users;
Read our full review of Drops here.
Busuu

Best for: Learners with a busy schedule;
Price: $12/month with a subscription minimum of 3 months;
Pros: Effective conversation lessons; excellent for French and Spanish; options for business and travel;
Cons: Limited lessons for African users; language choices smaller than other courses; not many options for non-European languages;
Read our full Busuu review here.
Duolingo

Best for: Learners of all levels wanting to learn with native speakers;
Price: $150 per level for lifetime access;
Pros: Hundreds of lessons; many languages to choose from; lifetime access; speaking practice;
Cons: Expensive one-off payment; content gets boring; out-of-context vocabulary and grammar;
Read our full review of Duolingo here.
1. Which app provides the most suitable course for complete beginners?

A．Pimsleur.

B．Drops.

C．Busuu.

D．Duolingo.

2. How much do you need to pay for Busuu for 3 months?

A．$30.

B．$36.

C．$60.

D．$150.

3. What might be a disadvantage of Duolingo?

A．It lacks attractive learning materials.

B．It is not suitable for advanced learners.

C．There are not many languages to choose.

D．The grammar and skills practice are limited.

【推荐3】Books keeping your brain busy

If you're in need of a little literary escapism at the moment, look no further. Here are book recommendations from several celebrities to help keep your imagination occupied.

Romesh Ranganathan: Life of Pi

Stand-up comedian (单口相声演员) Romesh Ranganathan picks Yann Martel’s bestseller Life of Pi. The novel tells the story of Pi Patel, a boy who spends months at sea, trapped on a lifeboat with a tiger. As the adventure unfolds, it becomes increasingly exciting. There’s also a surprise ending.

Stacey Dooley: The Bees

TV presenter and journalist Stacey Dooley recommends The Bees by Laline Paull. Set inside a beehive (蜂窝) ,this imaginative novel follows the fortunes of Flora 717, a lowly cleaner bee who works her way up against the odds in a strictly graded society. It’s interesting to watch someone start with nothing and achieve incredible success.

Sindhu Vee: Little Fires Everywhere

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng is stand-up comedian Sindhu Vee’s top literary pick. Set in suburban Ohio, Vee says it’s a “minutely observed” novel exploring family, motherhood, race and class. At the centre of the story are two opposing women: uptight, controlling Elena Richardson and chaotic (吵闹的) artist Mia. Warren, whose arrival in the neighborhood quickly causes problems.

Phil Wang: Deep Sea and Foreign Going

Stand-up comedian Phil Wang unearths an unexpected gem (宝石) in Deep Sea and Foreign Going by Rose George. In the book, George describes the journey she took on a container ship from England to Singapore, elegantly mixing the story with insights into the global shipping industry. The book’s humanity is what stands out most for Wang. “Even in these most desperate circumstances, human compassion (同情) does break through.”

1. Who is the author of Life of Pi?

A．Romesh Ranganathan.	B．Yann Martel.
C．Stacey Dooley.	D．Celeste Ng.

2. Which of the following books mention social class?

A．Life of Pi& The Bees.

B．Life of Pi &Deep Sea and Foreign Going.

C．The Bees & Little Fires Everywhere.

D．Little Fires Everywhere & Deep Sea and Foreign Going.

3. What is the book recommended by Phil Wang mainly about?

A．Personal growth.	B．A treasure hunt.
C．Scientific research.	D．A sea trip.