【推荐1】How do we take part in dinner party in foreign countries ? Have you ever experienced it ? I hated dinner parties. But I decided to give them another shot because I'm in London. And my friend Mallery invited me. And because dinner parties in London are very different from those back in New York. There, "I'm having a dinner party" means: " I'm booking a table for 12 at a restaurant you can't afford and we'll be sharing the cheque evenly, no matter what you eat." Worse, in Manhattan, there is always someone who leaves before the bill arrives. They'll throw down cash, half of what they owe, and then people like me, who don't drink, end up paying even more. But if I try to use the same trick, the hostess will shout: "Where are you going?" And it's not like I can say I have somewhere to go: everyone knows I have nowhere to go.

But in London, dinner parties are in people's homes. Not only that, the guests are an interesting mix. The last time I went to one, the guests were from France, India, Denmark and Nigeria; it was like a gathering at the United Nations. In New York, the mix is less striking. It's like a gathering at Bloomingdale's a well-known department store.

For New Yorkers, talking about other parts of the world means Brooklyn and Queens in New York. But at Mallery's, when I said that I had been to Myanmar recently, people knew where it was. In New York, people would think it was a usual new club.

1. What does the word "shot", in Paragraph 1 probably mean?

A．Choice.

B．Try.

C．Style.

D．Goal.

2. What does the writer dislike most about dinner parties in New York?

A．There is a strange mix of people.	B．The restaurants are expensive.
C．The bill is not fairly shared.	D．People have to pay cash.

3. What is the author's opinion of some New Yorkers from her experience?

A．Easy-going.

B．Self-centred.

C．Generous.

D．Conservative

【推荐2】What do you usually do when you have some free time? Do you take part in any form of hobby? If your answer is no, then you should think twice. Experiencing some type of interest or hobby might be the ideal way to develop your brain and improve your creative thinking.

Here is a common problem that many older people have. They have spent such a great deal of time raising their family that once their children are grown and left home, they all of a sudden start to experience their age. Quite often, it is not their age that is the concern. It is the fact that they are unexpectedly offered more time on their hands.

When you put in too much time not doing anything, this can affect your brain. This is just where the expression “If you don’t use it, you lose it” definitely is the truth. Your mind needs working out much like any other muscle in your body. This is why getting a hobby matters. It offers you something to do and is a perfect way to meet new people.

Enjoying a hobby is also a perfect way to improve creative thinking at any age. Even young children can profit from taking a new hobby. For retired people, enjoying a hobby which they can find entertainment in with their grandchildren will help keep them active and feeling young at heart.

Several hobbies that are terrific for both your mind and you body include yoga, biking, swimming and golf. If you aren’t fond of sports, even taking a walk regularly is a wonderful way to keep active. It helps you to appreciate fresh scenery and it has been suggested that the colors green and blue help make you more creative.

As you can see above, you can get pretty much from taking a hobby. With so many choices waiting for you, begin your journey right away!

1. What can be implied about many older people from Paragraph 2?

A．They lock creative thinking.

B．They should develop their brain.

C．They concern about their age.

D．They used to have little free time.

2. Why does getting a hobby matter according to the text?

A．It strengthens one’s brain.

B．It helps build up one’s muscle.

C．It enables one to make friends.

D．It improves one’s living conditions.

3. What does the underlined word “terrific” in Paragraph 5 probably mean?

A．Specific.	B．Disgusting.
C．Wonderful.	D．Fundamental.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Trying different hobbies	B．Spending your free time
C．Experiencing your hobby now	D．Feeling young at heart

【推荐2】Top Family Travel Destinations

Walt Disney World, Florida Walt Disney World is where the magic happens. There’s so much to explore. Visit Magic Kingdom for amazing rides including Space Mountain. Take a family picture in front of Cinderella’s Castle. Book a character meal and eat lunch with your children’s favorite characters. Tip: Visit Walt Disney World between March 2 and May 30 for the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.

Williamsburg, Virginia Have fun and go on wild on all kinds of family adventures in Williamsburg, Virginia. Spend the day at Busch Gardens. Learn the chemistry of making glass at the Jamestown Glasshouse. Looking for an exciting rush? Try the Ape Treetop Adventure Course and fly over Williamsburg’s treetops.

Honolulu, Hawaii Hawaii has a lot to offer to your family. Try a new water sport. Go diving and snorkeling and take pictures by the beautiful Manoa Falls. Then, take a private tour, visit the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve and learn more about history at the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the Diamond Head State Monument and the Honolulu Museum of Art

Ocean City, Maryland Take this year’s summer vacation in Ocean City, Maryland. Spend quality time with your family listening to live music, playing mini golf, riding bikes together and joining in water sports. Looking for even more fun for the kids? Visit the Pirate Adventures of Ocean City, Baja Amusements, the Candy Kitchen and the Bahia Marina

1. What can people do in Walt Disney World?

A．To take an fantastic ride at Busch Gardens.

B．To attend a course at Williamsburg’s treetops.

C．To visit the Diamond Head State Monument.

D．To take photos in front of Cinderella’s Castle.

2. Where can we learn about making glass?

A．In Magic Kingdom.

B．In Baja Amusements.

C．At the Jamestown Glasshouse.

D．In the Honolulu Museum of Art.

3. What do Honolulu and Ocean City have in common?

A．Mini golf.	B．Water sports.
C．Bike riding.	D．Character meals.

4. Which of the following is true?

A．Ocean City is most pleasant and crowded during Christmas.

B．It is impossible to learn anything about history in Honolulu.

C．Williamsburg is a wonderful place for family adventure lovers.

D．March is the best time to visit the Walt Disney World.

5. In which part of a magazine can you find this passage?

A．Travel.	B．Sports.
C．Economy.	D．Literature.

【推荐3】Underwater Museums     Many underwater museums are supported by companies that offer guided tours. A trained guide leads groups around a striking underwater display of statues in each museum. Depending on the depth of the museum, visitors may be able to view the sculptures from the glass bottomed boat or by swimming on the surface. Other underwater museums are deeper and are most accessible to scuba divers.

Underwater museums have many functions. One of their main purposes is to create an artificial reef environment where sea creatures can live. That’s why some of the museums are located in areas that were damaged by hurricanes or are considered underwater “deserts”. The statues in the museum are designed in a way that encourages the growth of coral and plant life. Over time, the statues and plants attract more and more fish to the area.

Florida, U.S.AFlorida is home to different types of underwater museums. The state’s newest underwater museum, the Underwater Museum of Art, can be found off the coast of Grayton Beach. This part of the Gulf of Mexico is an underwater desert, so creators hope that the exhibit will improve the marine ecosystem.

Cancun, MexicoFor years, Cancun has been a popular tourist destination. And one of the major draws is the water. The Museo Subacuatico de Arte is an ideal place for snorkelers and first time divers. There they can enjoy more than 500 statues that help to make up an artificial reef. This museum was created to give visitors an alternative attraction to the area’s natural reef, which has been damaged.

Canary Islands, SpainMuseo Atlantio, off the coast of Lanzarote, has an impressive display of more than 300 statues. They were created by Jason Decaires Taylor, a British sculptor, who has contributed to the creation of several underwater museums including the ones near Cancun and the Canary Islands. The Cancun statues focus on man’s interaction with the marine world.If you’re looking for a different museum experience, check out one that’s underwater.

1. In underwater museums, visitors can see the following things except.

A．statues	B．deserts
C．reefs	D．sculptures

2. According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?

A．Underwater museums can not be visited through guided tours.

B．Underwater museums are all located in areas damaged by hurricane.

C．Underwater museums can be viewed all over the world.

D．Underwater museums can help improve underwater environments.

3. We can learn from the passage that.

A．over 300 statues can be seen in the Underwater Museum of Art

B．natural reef hasn’t been damaged in Cancun

C．the statues of Cancun and the Canary Islands are made by the same sculptor

D．plant life can’t grow in underwater museums

4. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A personal diary.	B．A tourist guidebook.
C．An official report.	D．A hotel brochure.

【推荐1】SIGN YOUR CHILD UP FOR “FLY TO THE MOON CLUB” AND ENJOY A FREE FLIGHT TO ANY DESTINATION IN ASIA!

With a registration fee of just $50 per child, children under the age of 12 can join Eagle Airways’ FLY TO THE MOON CLUB as members.

They can then enjoy the same benefits onboard Eagle Airways' newest Boeing-797 to any destination in the world!

BENEFITS YOU CAN’T MISS!
• A free flight to any destination in Asia
• 30% off any course at Tanya Language School
• 20% off any purchase made at Ruby Bookstore
• A free notebook with every purchase above $50 at Starlight Stationery
• A free bowl of dessert for a family of four at Don's Diners dinner ordered
• A birthday gift on your child's birthday
• A free album containing pictures taken during the journey
All bookings made before 12 September will receive free travel insurance for the entire family! Insurance is issued by Live Life Insurance Group.
10% OFF ALL BOOKINGS for departures from 5 to 11 September
* Child must be accompanied by two paying adults.
** Terms and conditions apply.
1. One of the benefits mentioned in, the advertisement is       .

A．a free flight to any destination in the world

B．30% off any book purchased at Ruby Bookstore

C．a free bowl of dessert at any restaurant at the airport

D．a discount on any course at Tanya Language School

2. Which of the following bookings may receive the most benefits?

A．Booking date Departure date September 13 September 18

B．Booking date Departure date September 2 September 12

C．Booking date Departure date August 15 September 4

D．Booking date Departure date August 16 September 8

3. Which of the following is TRUE according to the advertisement?

A．You need to pay $50 to sign up a child for the club.

B．Club members enjoy free travel insurance for any flight.

C．The advertisement is intended for students of all ages.

D．Any child must be accompanied by at least one paying adult.

【推荐2】When you're on the go, your best friend and resource can be your phone. In the age of smart phones, apps are like guiding stars: They can point you in the right direction for a hotel, list expenses, send postcards, and much more. When used together, these apps can be the basic travel tool, placing a wealth of information at your fingertips no matter where you are on the planet. U.S. News Travel has picked the essential travel apps, known for their utility and reliability. Best of all, they cost absolutely nothing.
Trip It
Your Personal Travel Agent
Be your own travel agent and plan every detail of your trip—from car rental to accomadating restaurants—with Trip It. You can make travel schedule by hand, or simply forward the email confirmations of your flight, rental car, train tickets, and hotels to plans.
Weather Free
Your Go-To Meteorologist(气象学者)
Stop trying to explain the weather forecast on the evening news (particularly when it's in a foreign language). The Weather Free app informs you (in English) of the climate in various locations. It features the local weather, and other key factors that will inform your decision about what to wear before stepping outside.
Goby
Your Event Guru
When you're in a foreign city, you sometimes look around and ask: Where are all the people? Goby has the answer. This app pinpoints the neighborhood hot spots (including museums, hotels, eateries, and more) in your neighborhood. But its true value comes in finding nearby events. You'll discover concerts, plays, and more right around the corner.
1. What is the advantage of using travel apps picked by the U.S. News Travel?

A．They can solve any problem you come across.

B．They reduce your travel budget.

C．They exercise your fingertips.

D．They are reliable and free of charge.

2. With the help of the travel apps used together, travelers can do the following things EXCEPT__________.

A．rent a car

B．decide what to wear

C．look for a friend while traveling

D．find the nearby museums

3. Where are the readers likely to read the passage above?

A．In a geography textbook

B．In a science and technology magazine

C．On a popular website

D．In a business report