【推荐1】Why did I choose Uzbekistan for my first post-pandemic holiday abroad? Perhaps, in my mind, I had romantic images of the ancient Silk Road and the great cities along its route, especially Samarkand. Maybe I even entertained unlikely hopes of bumping into Joanna Lumley. Probably, I simply wanted to see a part of the world that was completely unknown to me. I was not to be disappointed.

On my first day in the capital Tashkent, my wallet bulging with money, I headed for the nearest metro station. With the help of a student keen to practice her English, I reached the Chorsu Bazaar, and was impressed during my journey to see Uzbek youngsters cheerfully give up their seats to elderly passengers. Located in and around several large domes, the bazaar provided an exciting start to my holiday, the colorful national dress of the local women further enlivening the scene. The stallholders offered a vast range of goods, including meat, fruit, vegetable and car parts for locals and souvenirs, such as ceramics and textiles, for tourists.

The rest of my time in Uzbekistan was a cavalcade of sights and experiences, as I visited Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. Each has its architectural masterpieces — mosques, minarets and madrassas — but, for me, the most impressive was probably the world-famous Registan Square in Samarkand. With magnificent madrassas on three sides, it is splendid by day and magical when illuminated by night.

Each journey was varied and interesting: dry desert contrasted with fertile areas where crops thrived. The weather, however, it was the first half of October didn’t vary: it was sunny and warm every day and chilly at night. For all but vegetarians, the food was another highlight of the holiday. Tapioca pudding at breakfast came as a surprise but the home-produced fresh fruit and vegetables were delicious.

Ten days in Uzbekistan passed too quickly but I will always remember my first visit to this fascinating, friendly country.

1. Why did the author make the journey to Uzbekistan?

A．He once had romantic experiences there.

B．He was fascinated by its mysterious history.

C．He made an appointment with Joanna Lumley.

D．He was driven by his curiosity about the unknown.

2. What does the underlined word “enlivening” mean in paragraph 2?

A．Distracting.

B．Restricting.

C．Activating.

D．Multiplying.

3. What can we learn about Uzbekistan?

A．The food there is appealing to most of people.

B．Bukhara is the most attractive sight to the author.

C．Crops are hard to grow because of the variable weather.

D．This is the second time for the author to visit Uzbekistan.

4. What’s the purpose of the text?

A．To share a travelling experience.	B．To show the benefits of travelling.
C．To introduce the ancient Silk Road.	D．To advise readers to visit Uzbekistan.

【推荐3】Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Admission Ticket

Explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel and avoid the long lines with this skip-the-line admission ticket (免排队门票).

What to Expect

Your Vatican experience starts in Vatican City, where you’ll meet your guide and walk to a private entrance. Your admission ticket provides you with the fastest skip-the-line entrance at the Vatican Museums. Your guide will provide a map of the museums and leave you to explore the museums’ 9 miles of rooms and galleries.

Design your own schedule and enjoy highlights such as Raphael’s Rooms, the four connecting rooms with Renaissance works by Raphael and his students, the Pinacoteca Gallery, and the Etruscan Museum. Most explorations of the Vatican Museums end in the Sistine Chapel. Of course, you re there to see Michelangelo ’s famous frescoes, The Creationof Adam on the ceiling and The Last Judgment on the wall.

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund (退款). If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’ s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’ ’s start time will not be accepted. This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. This experience requires a minimum (最小的) number of visitors. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date or experience or a full refund.

1. What are visitors scheduled to do at the beginning of the trip?

A．Buy a map.	B．Design a travel plan.
C．Meet a travel guide.	D．Line up at the entrance.

2. Where can visitors appreciate The Creation of Adam?

A．In Raphael’s Rooms.	B．In the Sistine Chapel.
C．In the Etruscan Museum.	D．In the Pinacoteca Gallery.

3. Which will possibly lead to a refund failure?

A．The weather is unsuitable for visiting.

B．Visitors arrive without booking in advance.

C．The visitor number fails to meet the minimum.

D．Visitors cancel the trip 12 hours before visiting.

【推荐1】

Name: Claude Anseri                Country: France Native language: French                Time in U.S.: 8 months Family: I live with my wife and two-year-old daughter. Work: I was an art school student in France. But now I’m working as a cook. Interests: I love to cook (and eat). I also like to go mountain climbing.

Name: Suchen Wang             Country: China Native language: Chinese              Time in U.S.: 10 months Family: I have 3 boys and 2 girls. They’re all attending school here. My husband is a businessman and lives in Taiwan. Work: I was a math teacher but now I’m a housewife. Interests: I like reading, listening to music and drawing.

Name: Norma Ruiz             Country: Russia Native language: Russian             Time in U.S.: 2 years Family: My mother and 4 brothers live in Russian. I’m here by myself. Work: I worked as a nurse in my country. Here I’m a driver. Interests: I like to see films and buy videos. I love to study.

1. Suchen Wang has ______ children.

A．Two

B．three

C．four

D．five

2. Who has lived in America for the shortest time?

A．Claude Anseri

B．Norma’s mother

C．Norma Ruiz

D．Suchen Wang

3. ______ worked in a hospital a few years ago.

A．Claude Anseri

B．Suchen Wang

C．Norma Ruiz

D．Suchen Wang’s husband

4. Suchen Wang’s children are attending school in ______.

A．France

B．the U.S.

C．Taiwan

D．Russian

5. Norma Ruiz lives in the U.S.   ______.

A．with her two-year-old daughter

B．with her husband

C．with her mother

D．alone

【推荐3】Vanderbilt University provides you with many societies related to courses, sports and more. Some are teacher-led；however, most are created and led by students themselves.

Today I will share what I know about the most popular societies and what you could get from each one of them.

·Honor Society

Honor Society has most probably gathered the knowledge about all group work tasks and lectures that will help you study the courses effectively. You will get recommendations for essay（论文）topics. It also invites the top students to share their best study tips.

·Culture Society

If you are an international student who is missing home, or if you are eager to learn about other cultures—head to Culture Society. You will meet amazing new friends from around the world and see a personal side of their culture.

·A&B Society

You will probably spend a lot of hours sitting at the library, so it is important to find a way to keep your body active! Vanderbilt University has put good money into sports equipment, and if you choose a competitive sport in A&B Society-no connections are stronger than the bond created with your team!

·Golden Key Society

Do you want to be remembered among thousands of applicants for a top company or need to make connections for your future start-up? Then Golden Key Society can be just the thing for you. It organizes events with inspiring guest speakers from many famous companies, which can help prepare you for your work after college.

Of course, there are more societies on campus. There must be one right for you. Why not check it out?

1. What is a benefit of joining Honor Society?

A．Enjoying different cultures.	B．Improving examination skills.
C．Developing a better friendship.	D．Getting good learning experience.

2. Which society provides speeches for future job hunters?

A．Honor Society.

B．Culture Society.

C．A&B Society.

D．Golden Key Society.

3. Who is the passage intended for?

A．Society leaders.

B．College students.

C．University teachers.

D．Job applicants.