【推荐1】As the leaves change color in autumn students return to school. As a frost cove’s the ground each night, we are busy planting vegetables in northern Wisconsin.

Five public school districts in northern Wisconsin recently built high tunnels（隧道）for the winter growing season. The schools’ high tunnels, made of metal frame and a plastic covering the raised beds, keep plants warm enough to extend the growing season through the winter and allow an earlier spring planting. Our very short growing season occurs almost entirely during the summer vacation months. This makes the high tunnels necessary in allowing students to gain experience of growing and marketing produce in a cold climate where production at this scale couldn’t otherwise happen during the school year.

During the summer, the high tunnels on school grounds still need to remain there. We developed the Agripreneur program（Agriculture + Entrepreneur）to support students’ work in the high tunnels during months when students are on holidays. This program was made possible by a farm and a university. Each summer, a pair of students will be hired from every high school to care for and sell a single crop in exchange for instruction from professional local farmers, growing experience, and a salary.

The Agripreneur program appeared for its first season during the summer of 2015. Students grew tomatoes that were sold to community members, local restaurants and the school cafeterias（食堂）. The program met its goal of increasing the number of local vegetables consumed, both within the region and in school lunches. Sales to school cafeterias will continue through the winter as the high tunnels’ change to nutrient root vegetables, all grown by students.

We may live in winter, but with the recent addition of these school high tunnels, our students are able to eat the freshest local vegetables available—even during the coldest months.

1. What do we know about the school’s high tunnels?

A．They are actually greenhouses.

B．They are actually metal containers.

C．They are entirely used for planting vegetables in summer

D．They are mainly used as reading rooms for students.

2. High tunnels are being used in the school districts because of________.

A．students’ interest in planting.	B．the larger need of crops there.
C．the short growing season there.	D．no fresh vegetables available there.

3. The Agripreneur program was created to________.

A．get farmers to produce more crops.

B．check students’ work on the high tunnels.

C．get instructions from professional local farmers.

D．help students do their work in the high tunnels in holidays.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Crops Are Planted in Winter

B．Students Are Becoming Scientists

C．Schools Have the Vegetable Market

D．New Growing Season Begins Under High Tunnels

【推荐2】McNay Art Museum

Do not miss your chance to see Texas' first modern art museum—the McNay Art Museum. There are more than 20,000 different and significant works. With beautiful Spanish gardens and the amazing architecture of the building, the art within the walls isn't the only wonder to see.

Address: 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave, San Antonio

TEL: (210) 824 - 5368

San Antonio Art League & Museum

The San Antonio Art League & Museum is a great showcase for local artists and home to permanent exhibits, many of which express the history of the area. The museum houses both traditional and contemporary works.

Address: 130 King William Street, San Antonio

TEL: (210) 223 - 1140

Guinness World Records Museum

The Guinness World Records has probably brought you amazing stories of all the record holders in the world. This museum is a good choice for the entire family, as it contains some of the most amazing oddities in the world.

Address: 329 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio

TEI: (210) 226 - 2828

Buck horn Saloon and Museum

For a cowboy-style activity, head to the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum. The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum is located only two blocks from the Alamo, offering a convenient location to those who are visiting Downtown San Antonio. After being built over 130 years ago, the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum has become a unique place for locals and tourists alike to visit. Here, guests will be able to feast upon delic ious dishes.

Address: 318 E. Houston Street, San Antonio

TEL: (210) 247 - 4000

1. What can we see in Texas’ first modern art museum?

A．traditional and contemporary works	B．Stories of record holders
C．Beautiful gardens	D．Cowboy-style activities.

2. Which museum has the most unusual exhibitions?

A．McNay Art Museum	B．Guinness World Records Museum
C．Buckhorn Saloon and Museum	D．San Antonio Art League & Museum

3. What can we know about the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum?

A．It only fits for local tourists.	B．It has a history of 100 years
C．It provides delicious foods.	D．It’s near downtown

【推荐1】Most kids hate to see their summer end, perhaps none more than the Murset children. This summer, the Murset family decided to travel across the country to help families in need, which proved to be a wonderful experience.
People. comreported that Gregg Murset and his wife, Kami, decided to take their six children, ranging from 7 to 16 years old, from their home in Phoenix, Arizona, across the country to spend 20 days on the road to help 25 families in need. “I told the kids and my wife over breakfast that I wanted to do this,” Gregg Murset, 40, told People. com. “They all looked at me like I was crazy,” he said, “but when we started to read the stories of people we were going to help, their attitudes completely changed.”
Through Gregg’s company, he was able to be matched with groups such as Autism Speaks, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and others that connected the Mursets to families with children who have cancer and other serious illnesses.
“When you have a kid who is struggling, the last thing you’re thinking of is cleaning the house,” says Gregg.
The family traveled to many cities in their journey, including Albuquerque, Denver, Kansas City, Chicago, and Buffalo. The trip covered 6,500 miles. “It’s been amazing to watch my own children open their eyes and see that the world is bigger than they think,” he said. “Even the little kids are learning from this experience.”
And the families they’ve helped feel blessed to have met them. “They showed up at 8 a.m. and we had a list of things we needed help with,” said Jim Spencer, a 61-year-old father in Warren, Michigan, whose 12-year-old daughter, Lexi, was diagnosed(诊断) with cancer a couple of years ago.
The Mursets also used their travels as an opportunity to visit areas they had never been to, including the Statue of Liberty. But for Gregg, the main purpose of the trip was to teach his children to show concern for the happiness of other people rather than for themselves.
“There is nothing wrong with your kid getting off the sofa, doing some work and sweating,” said Gregg. “It’s good for the kid and it’s good for the soul.”
1. How did the kids feel when Gregg Murset first told the family about his plan?

A．Amazed.	B．Excited.
C．Disappointed.	D．Worried.

2. What did the family mainly do during their trip?

A．They toured places of interest.

B．They visited patients in hospital.

C．They worked with social groups.

D．They helped families in need of help.

3. During the trip, Gregg most wanted his kids to ________.

A．increase physical exercise

B．gain more geography knowledge

C．learn to be concerned about others

D．improve their communication skills

【推荐2】Set in the rosy sandstone desert of northeastern Arizona, Canyon de Chelly National Monument is filled with paradox (悖论), because although the ruins are vast, they give us more questions than answers. Home of a large population, the settlement at Canyon de Chelly seems to have been abandoned almost overnight, for no apparent reason.

Archaeologists (考古学家) have found that people lived in Canyon de Chelly for longer than they lived in almost any other place in early America. Filled with beauty, the national monument covers 131 square miles, including the canyons of the de Chelly, del Muerto, and Monument River. With steep canyon walls and rushing rivers, this is an excellent place to explore cool spots on the canyon floors.

Most park guests arrive by car and begin their visit at the overlooks on South Rim Drive or North Rim Drive. The changes of altitude in the monument are truly dramatic with thousands of feet drops. For example, the highest park overlook is at 7, 000 feet while the visitor’s center is at 5, 500 feet. On the South Rim Drive, you’ll find the White House Ruin is located in a long, low cave in a rocky face. While hiking the White House Ruin Trail, be on the lookout for wildflowers and rock art. For a fun side trip, head to the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, home to 700 different plant species, including many gorgeous wildflowers.

In nearby Chinle, Arizona, you can arrange for special park guides. The weather can be unpredictable here, so always carry a raincoat with you, prepared for sudden afternoon showers. Generally, the spring and fall are the best limes to visit. Summer is hot and dry, and winter is cold, and snowy. In the fall, be particularly aware of thunderstorms that can blow in quickly.

1. How do people feel when seeing Canyon de Chelly National Monument?

A．Thrilled	B．Regretful.
C．Puzzled.	D．Disappointed.

2. What is the third paragraph mainly about?

A．Ways to get to Canyon de Chelly.

B．Plant species of Canyon de Chelly.

C．Different overlooks between two parks.

D．The scenery of Canyon de Chelly National Monument.

3. What should visitors pay special attention to in Chinle?

A．The company of special guides.

B．The sudden drop of temperature.

C．The unexpected arrival of rain.

D．The arrangement of visiting process.

4. From which is the text probably taken?

A．A biology textbook.	B．A travel brochure.
C．A health magazine.	D．A research paper.

【推荐3】Some people shy away from traveling alone while a few welcome it. So, what is it that makes traveling alone an attractive choice?

First of all, the travel plan and all the decisions you make are yours alone. You don’t nee worry about any other person or group. In other words, there are no arguments. Actually, you can be completely selfish.

Traveling alone is also a great confidence builder. Yes, at times it can feel a bit lonely, but that is just one of many problems you will have to solve yourself, along with making your own preparations and setting your own goals.

Besides, have you noticed that when you’re on your own, people are more willing to start a conversation with you? Interestingly, people tend to keep a distance from couples and groups. However, the lone (独自的) traveler looks ready to connect with their fellow human beings and more likely to get into pleasant conversation about their trips.

Here are two more exciting reasons why you should consider traveling alone. You will find you learn the language faster when you don’t have someone else talking to you in your own language all the time. You are forced to communicate in the foreign language when you travel alone in a country that doesn’t speak your native language. In addition, when you’re on your own, you’re free to meet someone who might turn out to be very important in your life.

Of course, there may be things stopping you: You fear the unknown, or you have friends who may be upset by your decision to take off by yourself. You will have to make them believe the value of traveling done and allay any fears they might have, but with the technology at our fingertips, you can include them in the adventure.

1. What is the first advantage of traveling alone mentioned by the author?

A．It helps you gain confidence.	B．It makes you learn the language faster.
C．It keeps you away from crowds.	D．It allows you to focus on yourself.

2. Why are people more willing to connect with lone travelers?

A．They look interesting.	B．They are lonely.
C．It is much easier to get close to them.	D．It’s safe to focus on yourself.

3. What does the underlined word “allay” in the last paragraph probably me?

A．express	B．remove
C．appreciate	D．experience

4. Which of the following would the author agree with?

A．Having an adventure with your friends first.

B．Getting ready to come across the unknown.

C．Learning a foreign language before traveling.

D．Finding a traveling companion during your trip.

【推荐3】After successfully selling his software company to a tech giant (大公司), Canadian businessman Marcel LeBrun started a project to deal with homelessness in New Brunswick. Now, he’s using his wealth to make a great difference.

LeBrun’s latest project, “12Neighbours”, is a tiny home village providing cheap and safe housing for homeless residents in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.

12 Neighbours contains about 75 tiny homes custom-made under LeBrun’s direction. Despite their small size, these homes are fully provided with the necessary amenities (便利设施), including a kitchen, bathroom, and dining/living area, making sure that residents have a comfortable and honorable living space. “They’re all rather small tiny homes, but they have everything in them,” LeBrun explained in an interview with CBC.

What sets 12Neighbours apart is its promise to offer cheap housing. Residents are only required to pay 30% of their pay to live in the village, allowing them to own a new home and work towards a brighter future.

Besides, the 12Neighbours community offers on-site job chances, creating employment (就业) choices for its residents. To increase safety, the village is built with gates that close at night and a network of safety cameras.

The village is positioned on a previously unused piece of land near a shopping center in Fredericton. LeBrun has greater plans to enlarge the village, with a goal of increasing to 99 homes on the site.

At present, LeBrun’s factory is producing one new tiny home per week to realize this goal. Marcel LeBrun and his wife have personally spent $4 million on the 12Neighbours project. In addition, government contributions have added another $8 million in funding, bringing the total money to $12 million.

1. What did LeBrun do before he started the project?

A．He built cheap houses.	B．He sold his company.
C．He served poor people.	D．He worked with a tech giant.

2. What kind of people will live in the village?

A．Those without children.	B．Those who are out of work.
C．Those who are homeless.	D．Those with physical disabilities.

3. What is paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．Introduction to the tiny houses.	B．Costs to live in 12Neighbours. \
C．Surroundings of the community.	D．Safety measures in the community.

4. What does LeBrun plan to do?

A．Build a large shopping center.	B．Improve the quality of houses.
C．Let government take over the village.	D．Increase the number of houses.