On New Year’s Eve, people in Italy throw out all the old things. So there are chairs, beds, clothes and plates in the trees. In Spain, the New Year comes in more quietly. In the evening people come together to the streets. Each holds a bag of grapes. When twelve o'clock comes, people start eating the grapes. In Japan, people eat noodles on New Year’s Eve. This food is said to bring long life. Early the next morning, some families climb Mount Fuji(富士山). There they watch the first sunrise(日出) of the New Year.
1. This story is about New Year’s Eve in_______.| A．Italy | B．Spain |
| C．Japan | D．All of the above |
| A．eating grapes | B．eating noodles |
| C．throwing the old things | D．watching the sunrise. |
| A．throw things away | B．get together |
| C．eat some food | D．climb a mountain |
| A．look at the stars |
| B．look for New Year’s wishes |
| C．see the sun coming up |
| D．have a rest |
| A．Japan | B．China | C．Spain | D．Italy |
相似题推荐
While many Koreans prefer Western-style weddings in which the bride wears a while wedding dress, some couples are still carrying out the “Pyebaek” – a Korean wedding custom.
The Pyebaek is held after the official ceremony, and is when the bride pays respects to her parents-in-law for the first time. The new couple bow deeply before the parents, and they exchange jujube(枣) and chestnuts(栗子) — symbols for children and good fortune.
—Sujean Park, HuffPost Korea
Japan
For Japanese weddings, it’s customary for guests to bring cash as a gift for the new couples. The amount depends on the guest’s relationship to the couple — on average, friends would give $300, and family members may give up to $ 1,000.
The bills should be unfolded, freshly printed. They’re typically put in a special envelops signed by the guest. Guests leave the envelopes at a reception desk at the ceremony and receive wedding favors in return.
—Ryan Takeshita, HuffPost Japan
Brazil
In Brazilian weddings, the best man cuts the groom’s tie into several pieces and sells them to the wedding guests at whatever price they choose to pay for it. The money that’s collected usually goes toward the couple’s honeymoon.
Brazilian weddings wouldn’t be complete without pastries called “bem-casados”, or “happily married”. These are tiny sweet cakes with a condensed milk (炼乳) filling that are meant to bring good luck to the new couples.
—Andrea Martinelli, HuffPost Brazil
1. In Korean weddings, ________.
| A．only western-style weddings are favored | B．the couple must both wear a white dress |
| C．the bride shows respects to her parents | D．some couples still observe their traditions |
| A．fold the new bills in an envelope | B．contain $300 in a special envelope |
| C．carry an envelope with a letter as a gift | D．give more than $1,000 to the new couple |
| A．To share the new couples’ stories. |
| B．To raise money for the new couples. |
| C．To show their excellent cooking skills |
| D．To express good wishes to the new couples |
| A．To share some wedding customs round the world. |
| B．To advise people how to make preparations for weddings. |
| C．To show the different customs between different countries. |
| D．To check how much you know about wedding customs. |
【推荐2】Customs of the Lantern Festival
Eating yuanxiao
Yuanxiao, also called tangyuan in the south, is the special food for the Lantern Festival. It is believed that yuanxiao is named after a palace maid, Yuanxiao, of Emperor Wu Di of the Han Dynasty. Yuanxiao is a kind of sweet dumpling, which is made with sticky rice flour filled with sweet stuffing (甜馅). And the Lantern Festival is named after the famous dumpling, It is very easy to cook—simply drop them in a pot of boiling water for a few minutes—and eaten as a dessert.
Guessing lantern riddles
Guessing lantern riddles (谜语) is also a necessary part of the Festival. Lantern owners write riddles on a piece of paper and post them on the lanterns. If visitors have answers to the riddles, they can pull the paper out and go to the lantern owners to check their answers. If they are right, they will get a little gift. The activity during people’s enjoyment of lanterns appeared in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). As riddle guessing is interesting and full of wisdom, it has become popular among all of China.
Watching fireworks
On the night of the Festival, except for great lanterns, fireworks form a beautiful scene. Most families spare some fireworks from the Spring Festival and let them off in the Lantern Festival. Some local governments will even organize a fireworks party. On the night when the first full moon enters the New Year, people are really excited by the fireworks and the bright moon in the sky.
1. What can we know about yuanxiao?| A．It is difficult to cook. | B．It is made with sticky rice flour. |
| C．It is named after a famous poet. | D．It is the special food for the Spring Festival. |
| A．A free meal. | B．A new lantern. | C．A new riddle. | D．A small present. |
| A．Health. | B．Education. | C．Culture. | D．Entertainment. |
Lion dancing first started in China about 1,500 years ago. It has been part of Chinese traditional culture. It is often seen in different celebrations. Chinese people believe that lions can bring good luck.
Of course, the lions are not real lions. Usually, in lion dancing, a lion is made up of two dancers in lion costumes (服装). One dancer controls the head. The other controls the tail. Lion dancing is often performed by one or more lions. They dance to the beat of a drum. In the past, lion dancing was performed mostly by men. But today, women can also join in it.
Lion dancing is popular around the world. In America, there are many lion dancing clubs, which attract many young people. Anthony Huang, aged 16, is a member of the Xiongshi Dance Club in New York. He says, “Lion dancing is important to me. This tradition really lifts me up.” Amanda Tang-Lee, a 17-year-old girl, is from Lion Dance Me, a club in San Francisco. “Anyone can join in lion dancing. Although it is hard for girls, we can do it well,” she says.
Lion dancing is a perfect combination (结合) of sport and art. It will surely spread to more places in the world.
1. When did lion dancing first start in China?| A．About 1,500 years ago. | B．About 2,000 years ago. |
| C．About 3,000 years ago. | D．About 4,000 years ago. |
| A．Two singers | B．Two runners |
| C．Two dancers | D．Two swimmers |
| A．In London. | B．In New York. |
| C．In Paris. | D．In Tokyo. |
| A．A toy | B．A book | C．A robot | D．A club |
| A．Paper cutting. | B．Kite flying. | C．Lion dancing. | D．Bike racing. |
How words came into being is unknown.All we assume is that some early men invented cortain sounds,in one way or another,to express thoughts and feelings,actions and things,so that they could talk with each other.Later they agreed upon certain signs,called letters,which could be put together to show those sounds,and which could be written down.Those sounds,whether spoken or written in letters,are called words.
The power of words,then,lies in their associations-the things they bring up to our minds.Words become filled with meaning for us by experience;and the longer we live,the more certain words bring back to us the happy and sad events of our past;and the more we read and learn,the more the number of words that mean something to us increases.
Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words which have powerful effects on our minds and feelings.This clever use of words is what we call literary style.Above all,the real poet is a master of words.He can express his meaning in words which sing like music,and which by their position and association can move men to tears.We should therefore learn to choose our words carefully and use then correctly,or they will make our speech silly and common.
1. We learn from the text that language might have begun with( )
| A．expressions | B．actions | C．signs | D．sounds |
| A．The ……of new words | B．The importance of old words |
| C．The relation of human experience with words | D．The gradual change and development of words |
| A．Use words skilfully | B．Make musical speeches |
| C．Learn poems by heart | D．Associate with listeners |
【推荐2】Vaccination（接种疫苗）is among the most effective ways to help us prevent diseases. For viruses that don't change too much-the measles virus（麻疹病毒）, for example—getting vaccinated is a once-and-for-all method to prevent you from becoming infected with the virus. If you had two measles vaccines when you were a child, you will be protected for life.
However, it's a different story when it comes to influenza（流行性感冒）, commonly known as "the flu", which generally peaks between December and February. Flu vaccines cannot protect us in the long term.
There is no long-term immunity（免疫）, according to Theodore Strange, associate medical director at Staten Island University Hospital in New York. "The virus essentially 'changes its coat'—HIN1, H2N3, and so on," he told the website Healthline.
Apart from a person's immune protection from flu vaccination declining over time, flu viruses are also constantly changing. So the vaccines are likely to be updated from one season to the next to protect against the viruses that research suggests may be the most common during the upcoming flu season.
Thus, to develop effective flu vaccines, over 100 national influenza centers around the world conduct year-round surveillance（监测）for influenza. Researchers will test thousands of influenza virus samples from patients, according to the official website of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention（CDC）. The World Health Organization also suggests there are three or four influenza viruses that are most likely to spread among people during the upcoming flu season.
But even when a vaccine is developed, getting it can prove to be difficult, as it is in high demand and short supply. The timing of influenza vaccine production and distribution is unpredictable, thus the availability of the flu vaccine supply does not always coincide with（与……一致）peak demand.
So scientists prioritize（划分优先顺序）access to the vaccination. The CDC recommends key populations, such as medical staff, teachers, students, children and those aged 60 and above, receive flu vaccines.
This year the situation seems more complicated, as the upcoming flu season coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic. This could overwhelm hospitals, straining（过度使用）resources and healthcare workers' time.
1. What do we know about influenza?| A．Influenza viruses are continuously changing. |
| B．It commonly peaks between November and December. |
| C．Getting two flu vaccines can protect people against the viruses. |
| D．HINI and H2N3 are the most easily infectious flu viruses. |
| A．They update vaccines once a year. |
| B．They monitor the flu throughout the year. |
| C．They focus on one or two viruses during a period. |
| D．Influenza centers worldwide share virus samples from patients. |
| A．Because not all people can afford it. |
| B．Because some people refuse to get vaccinated. |
| C．Because the vaccine is not safe for everyone. |
| D．Because the vaccine doesn't always meet the demand. |
| A．It could be more challenging than ever for medical workers. |
| B．Enough resources have been prepared to cope with it. |
| C．Flu vaccines will be provided for the public in November. |
| D．The flu vaccines are expected to help prevent COVID-19. |
【推荐3】Libraries
Britain’s First Public Library
The first public library in Britain opened in Manchester in 1852. Its first librarian was a man called Edward Edwards. Edwards attended the library’s opening ceremony and two famous writers called Charles Dickens and William Thackeray were there too.
How to Join a Library
To join a library, go to your local library and fill in a form. You’ll receive a library card which is needed when using library services.
Library Services
Modern public libraries have something for everyone. Most of them have audio books, CDs, newspapers and DVDs as well as books to borrow.
All Aboard the Library!
A school in London didn’t have space for a library inside the building. However, everybody agreed that it was still important to have a school library. So, the head of the school, Graham Blake, decided to park an old bus in the school parking area and change it into a library. Pupils helped to paint the bus, and after eight months, the new library was ready.
1. Who was the first librarian of the first public library in Britain?| A．Charles Dickens. | B．William Thackeray. |
| C．Edward Edwards. | D．Graham Blake. |
| A．Playing DVDs. | B．Listening to audio books. |
| C．Borrowing books. | D．Selling books. |
| A．Because parents offered the school an old bus. |
| B．Because pupils thought it was fun to read on a bus. |
| C．Because the school didn’t have enough money to buy books. |
| D．Because the school didn’t have enough space inside the building. |
【推荐1】Computer programmer David Jones earns £35,000 a year designing new computer games, yet he cannot find a bank ready to let him have a credit card(信用卡). Instead, he has been told to wait another two years, until he is 18.
The 16-year-old works for a small firm in Liverpool, where the problem of most young people of his age is finding a job. David's firm releases(推出) two new games for the fast throwing computer market each month.
But David's biggest headache is what to do with his money. Even though he earns a lot, he cannot drive a car, take out a mortgage(抵押贷款), or get credit cards. David got his job with the Liverpool-based company four months ago, a year after leaving school with six O-levels and working for a time in a computer shop. "I got the job because the people who run the firm knew I had already written some programs," he said. David spends some of his money on records and clothes, and gives his mother 50 pounds a week. But most of his spare time is spent working.
"Unfortunately, computing was not part of our studies at school," he said. "But I had been studying it in books and magazines for four years in my spare time. I knew what I wanted to do and never considered staying on at school. Most people in this business are fairly young, anyway." David added: "I would like to earn a million and I suppose early retirement(退休) is a possibility. You never know when the market might disappear."
1. In what way is David different from people of his age?| A．He has a handsome income. |
| B．He lives with his mother. |
| C．He often goes out with friends. |
| D．He graduated with six O-levels. |
| A．He has very little spare time. |
| B．He has no time to learn driving. |
| C．He is too young to get a credit card. |
| D．He will soon lose his job. |
| A．He had done well in all his exams. |
| B．He had written some computer programs. |
| C．He was good at playing computer games. |
| D．He had learnt to use computers at school. |
| A．He received lots of job offers. |
| B．He was eager to help his mother. |
| C．He lost interest in school studies. |
| D．He wanted to earn his own living. |
【推荐2】Boys’ schools are the perfect place to teach young men to express their emotions and are more likely to get involved in activities such as art, dance and music, according to research released today.
Far from the traditional image of a culture of aggressive masculinity in which students either sink or swim, the absence of girls gives boys the chance to develop without pressure to conform to a stereotype, the US study says.
Boys at single sex schools were said to be more likely to get involved in cultural and artistic activities that helped develop their emotional expressiveness, rather than feeling they had to conform to the “boy code” of hiding their emotions to be a “real man”.
The findings of the study go against received wisdom that boys do better when taught alongside girls.
Tony Little, headmaster of Eton, warned that boys were being failed by the British education system because it had become too focused on girls. He criticized teachers for failing to recognize that boys are actually more emotional than girls.
The research argued that boys often perform badly in mixed schools because they become discouraged when their female peers do better earlier in speaking and reading skills.
But in single-sex schools’ teachers can tailor lessons to boys’ learning style, letting them move around the classroom and getting them to compete in teams to prevent boredom, wrote the study’s author, Abigail James, of the University of Virginia.
Teachers could encourage boys to enjoy reading and writing with specifically “boy-focused” approaches such as themes and characters that appeal to them. Because boys generally have more acute vision, learn best through touch, and are physically more active, they need to be given “hands-on” lessons where they are allowed to walk around. “Boys in mixed schools view classical music as feminine and prefer the modern genre in which violence and war are major themes,” James wrote.
Single-sex education also made it less likely that boys would feel they had to conform to a stereotype that men should be “masterful and in charge” in relationships. “In mixed schools, boys feel compelled to act like men before they understand themselves well enough to know what that means,” the study reported.
1. It is commonly believed that in a mixed school boys __________.| A．grow up more healthily. | B．perform relatively better. |
| C．behave more responsibly. | D．receive a better education. |
| A．It places more pressure on boys than on girls. |
| B．It focuses more on mixed school education. |
| C．It fails more boys than girls academically. |
| D．It fails to give boys the attention they need. |
| A．boys can choose to learn whatever they are interested in. |
| B．boys can focus on their lessons without being absent-minded. |
| C．teaching can be adapted to suit the characteristics of boys. |
| D．teaching can be designed to promote boys’ team spirit. |
【推荐3】Before the end of the year, employees at Ubiquitous Energy, a company in Redwood City, Calif, will gather in a window-lined conference room to stare toward the future. That’s because their new glass windows will offer more than an amazing view of the North California landscape. They will also be able to power the company’s lights, computers and air conditioners.
Several years in the making, Ubiquitous’ energy-producing glass is a remarkable technological achievement. Its power lies in the layers of organic polymers (聚合物) between sheets of glass. As light enters the window,the flow of electrons between the polymer layers creates an electric current, which is then collected by tiny wires in the glass.
“It’s sort of like a transparent computer display run in reverse (反过来),” says Veeral Hardev, director of business development at Ubiquitous Energy. “Instead of electricity being shuttled to different points in a display to light them up, light is producing electricity to be shuttled out of different points in the window.”
Right now the windows produce about a third as much electricity from a given amount of sunlight as the typical solar cells used in roof panels (板).These windows, about half as transparent as ordinary glass, don’t work as well as transparent ones. Hardev says the company is likely to improve the transparency significantly. As for the lower output of electricity, he notes that windows can cover a much greater surface area than a roof, so numerous windows will produce a surprisingly larger amount of electricity than the production from a rooftop full of higher-efficiency solar panels. “You could do both.” says Hardev. “But you’ll get more from the windows. The biggest challenge, he adds, is increasing the windows from less than two square feet currently to about 50 square feet.”
1. What makes the new glass windows special?| A．They can offer an amazing view. |
| B．They are controlled by computers. |
| C．They can power the conference room. |
| D．They can help stare toward the future. |
| A．The source of light. |
| B．The significance of different points. |
| C．The similarity of computer and glass. |
| D．The working principle of energy-producing glass. |
| A．The transparency of the glass. |
| B．The quality of the rooftop. |
| C．The height of the solar panels. |
| D．The thickness of the glass. |
| A．Windows: A New Challenge of Technology |
| B．Windows: No Longer Just for Letting in the Light |
| C．Power: A Pressing Problem in the Near Future |
| D．Power: Not Enough from Rooftop Solar Panels |
【推荐1】Museums
Skyscraper Museum
Wednesday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Adults: $5
305-756-2385
Interested in tall buildings? Design? Then this museum is for you!!! Check the historical buildings and their special design right in lower Manhattan.
Madame Tussaud’s Wax(蜡像) Museum
Sunday - Thursday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Adults: $29 Students: $13
305-532-9623
The students in Manhattan had an exciting experience at Madame Tussaud’s! They met hundreds of famous people at a discounted (打折)price! This museum is your chance to meet your idols and have a picture taken with them.
World Art Museum
Daily: 11:00 AM – Midnight (including holidays)
Cost: $15
305-532-9336 http://www. weam.com
Located in the heart of the South Beach Art Deco district, this museum shouldn’t be missed! It is currently one of South Florida’s hottest new attractions.
Bass Museum of Art
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Adults: $8 The old / Students: $6
305-673-7530 http://www. bassmuseum.org
Enjoy European paintings, and sculptures. It also includes exhibitions of modern artists from different parts of the world. You will also enjoy visiting its beautiful museum shop and media center.
1. If you are interested in building a house, you may go to_______.| A．Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum | B．Skyscraper Museum |
| C．World Art Museum | D．Bass Museum of Art |
| A．305-756-2385 | B．305-532-9623 |
| C．305-673-7530 | D．305-532-9336 |
| A．will have a gift from them | B．are free to go at any time |
| C．will have the chance to take a picture | D．can shake hands with your idols |
| A．$20 | B．$18 |
| C．$22 | D．$24 |
【推荐2】FOREIGN TEACHERS ARE NEEDED ALL OVER CHINA
Ad No. 90347
Posted July 12, 2019 14:00 by Amanda
Expire Date August 12, 2019
Tag: Beijing Language Teaching Part Time
We are looking for teachers, whose native language is English, willing to teach in China. Most schools are in the south of China.
The benefit package for ESL teachers includes:
Oneyear contract: 1st September 2019 to 1st August 2020
Salary: ￥4,000 to￥5,000/month
Teaching load & schedule: 20 teaching hours per week
A rentfree, fully furnished apartment with a living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom.
Kitchen facilities provided, other electric appliances will be supplied: water, heater, microwave etc.
If you are interested, please read the information above and kindly send your application to attach the following documents (in doc or JPEG format). The subject to be mentioned, as “teach in China”.
l)．CV/Resume (简历)
2)．A copy of academic degree, diploma, certificate or college transcript (成绩单)
3)．A photocopy of the data page of passport
4)．A recent color photo
5)．A letter of recommendation or release (释放) letter from your previous Chinese school (Only if you worked in China previously)
6)．Any other relevant information that you think might help your application
1. This advertisement is about ________.| A．introducing a school | B．taking on (招聘) English teachers |
| C．seeking foreign students | D．attracting foreign students |
| A．not have to pay the apartment rent | B．work full time |
| C．prepare furniture yourself | D．work four months for two years |
| A．Your resume. | B．Your personal passport. |
| C．Your academic information. | D．A release letter. |
【推荐3】Veena’s teacher had told her to collect the notebooks in the classroom and bring them to the office. Veena collected the homework notebooks and rushed into the office without knocking on the door. The teacher said, “Veena, you have no manners; you have entered the office without knocking on the door.” Veena was a top student but was too proud of herself. Without saying sorry, she came out of the office.
In the evening, she complained to her father about what happened to her. Veena’s father decided to teach her what good manners mean. He asked her to go with him.
Before leaving, he told Veena’s mother where he was going and asked whether she wanted something from the market. After coming out of the house, Veena’s father softly closed the door behind him. Then both of them went to the reservation(预订) office. Veena’s father was to collect the ticket that he had reserved. He stopped in front of the door of the office and asked if he could come inside. Before entering the office, he wiped his feet on the mat. Then he politely asked the clerk, “Can I have my ticket, please?” The clerk smiled and gave him the ticket at once.
After taking the ticket, Veena’s father thanked the clerk and then they went to the market. It was very crowded there. Her father waited for his turn to buy vegetables. When an old man came, he allowed him to pick up the vegetables first. After taking the vegetables, they came to a bus stop. They took their place in the queue.
On the bus they each got a seat. But when an old woman got on, the father gave her his seat. After entering the house, her father talked nicely to her mother. Then they sat down to have dinner.
After that, Veena understood what good manners mean.
1. After leaving the teacher’s office, Veena most probably________.| A．felt angry at what the teacher had said to her | B．felt terribly sorry for her behavior |
| C．thought the teacher was right | D．decided to make a change |
| A．teaching her a good lesson at home |
| B．behaving well in front of her |
| C．asking her to follow her teacher’s advice |
| D．asking her to watch other people’s manners |
| A．Not everyone can behave as well as he does. |
| B．One should always have good manners. |
| C．People with good manners are more popular. |
| D．It is not easy to have good manners sometimes. |
| A．knew how to behave well in the future |
| B．found she had been behaving well all the time |
| C．had a better understanding of the people around her |
| D．didn’t think her teacher knew what good manners really mean |
