【推荐1】A Different Kind of Spring Break

For many American university students, the week-long spring break holiday means an endless part on a sunny beach in Florida or Mexico. In Panama City Beach, Florida, a city with a permanent population of approximately 36,000, more than half a million university students arrive during the month of March to play and party, making it the number one spring break destination in the United States.

A week-long drinking binge is not for everyone, however, and a growing number of American university students have found a way to make spring break matter. For them, joining or leading a group of volunteers to travel locally or internationally and work to address problems such as poverty, homelessness, or environmental damage makes spring break a unique learning experience that university students can feel good at.

During one spring break week, students at James Madison University in Virginia participated in 15 “alternative spring break” trips to nearby states, three others to more distant parts of the United States, and five international trips. One group of JMU students traveled to Bogalusa, Louisiana, to help rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Another group traveled to Mississippi to organize creative activities for children living in a homeless shelter. One group of students did go to Florida, but not to lie on the sand. They performed exhausting physical labor such as maintaining roving invasive plant species that threaten the native Florida ecosystem.

Students who participate in alternative spring break projects find them very rewarding. While most university students have to get their degrees before they can start helping people, student volunteers are able to help people now. On the other hand, the accommodations are far from glamorous. Students often sleep on the floor of a school or church, or spend the week camping in tents. But students only pay around $250 for meals and transportation, which is much less than some of their peers spend to travel to more traditional spring break hot spot.

1. How many university students travel to Panama Beach City every March for spring break?

A．Around 36,000.	B．Around 50,000.
C．Around 500,000.	D．Around 10,000.

2. The underlined word “binge” in paragraph 2 probably means ______.

A．doing too much of something	B．studying for too long
C．refusing to do something	D．having very little alcohol

3. Which of the following gives the main idea of the third paragraph?

A．One group of JMU students worked on homes damaged by a hurricane.

B．Children living in homeless shelters enjoy creative activities.

C．Some students work to help the environment on alternative spring break trips.

D．University students do different types of work on alternative spring break trips.

4. What is implied in this article is that ______.

A．university students spend more than $250 for traditional spring break trips

B．university students complain about the accommodations on alternative spring break trips

C．university students may take fewer alternative spring break trips in the future

D．university students would prefer to wait until they have their degrees to start helping people

【推荐2】Christmas Light Festivals in the UK

Festival of Light, Longleat Safari Park Wiltshire

Longleat is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Giant lanterns take the shape of some of the park's animals, and there are also lots of characters in Beatrix Potter's book, such as Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle Duck, Squirrel Nutkin, to mark the 150th anniversary of the author's birth. There is also, a 20-metre-high birthday cake.

●£27.85, adult/£20.65, child/under-threes, free

●15 Dec. to 2 Jan.

Enchanted Park, Gateshead

Enchanted Park is an interactive walk through Salt well Park, just south of the town center, along a trail (小径) of light with performances and sculptures. The story being told is a Midwinter Night's Tale, inspired by the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. Visitors can join stories and songs with Santa, and attend decorating workshops.

●£8, adult/£2, child/under-fours, free

●11-27 Dec.

Christmas Glow. RHS Wisley, Surrey

The garden is glowing with giant lighted flowers. Some of the trees are brilliant, too. The glasshouse is decorated like a gingerbread house, and displays seasonal plants. There are lanterns around the lake. The cafe serves hot chocolate and apple juice.

●£9.90, adult/£3.60, child.

●20 Dec, to 2 Jan.

Christmas at Kew Gardens, London

Kew is a special place to visit at any time of the day or year, but the festive light show gives it a magical twist, as the milo-long trail through the garden is decorated with 60,000 lights. Some of the garden's oldest and tallest trees are also beautifully lit along the way.

●£16, adult/●£ 10, child/●£ 48, family/under-fours, free

●24 Dec. to 2 Jan

1. Which place will attract children fond of fictional animal characters?

A．Longleat Safari Park.	B．Kew Gardens.
C．RHS Wisley.	D．Enchanted Park.

2. What can people do in Enchanted Park?

A．Play the part of Santa.

B．Listen to a wonderful tale.

C．Enjoy hot chocolate and apple juice.

D．Visit Shakespeare's house.

3. How much is the admission to Kew Garden for Mr. Green and his 3-year-old kid?

A．26

B．48

C．10

D．16

【推荐3】The Peony Culture Festival of Luoyang

Spring is time for people to go out and see blossoming flowers. Luoyang in Henan, China is famous for peonies, the city’s official flower. The city’s annual Peony Culture Festival begins in early April and lasts till early May. Peonies are in full bloom during the event, which was first held in 1983.

You can go to the Luoyang National Peony Garden. The peonies there are known for their rich colors and long florescence. Don’t miss the 1,600-year-old “Peony King”!

Chinese Language Day

Chinese is one of the six official working languages of the United Nations. The LIN has set different days for these languages to promote their uses. It holds exhibitions, shows and other activities. In 2010, the first Chinese Language Day was held on Nov. 12. But since 2011, it has been held on April 20. The date is close to Grain Rain, one of the 24 solar terms. It means “rain of millet”. People celebrate Grain Rain to remember Cangjie, a mythical character. Many people believe that Cangjie was the first person to write Chinese characters. When he did this, it rained millet and saved people from hunger.

China Astronautics Day

On April 24, 1970, China’s first man-made Earth satellite — Dongfanghong I — went into space. It was a big step for China’s space program. In 2016, the government set April 24 as China Astronautics Day. Many events are held across the country to celebrate this special day. For example, astronauts and scientists will give talks to students. Some cities will hold exhibitions about space development.

Last year, China had big plans for its space program. On December 8, it launched its second lunar rover（月球车）as part of the Chang’e 4 space mission, which landed on the far side of the moon.

1. When was the first Chinese Language Day held by the United Nations?

A．In 1970.	B．In 1983.
C．In 2010.	D．In 2011.

2. What does the introduction to “China Astronautics Day” show?

A．China sent the first man-made earth satellite.

B．China has progressed greatly in astronautics.

C．Chang’e 4 consists of two lunar rovers.

D．Chang’e 4 is another space station built by China.

3. What do the festivals have in common?

A．They all take place in April at present.

B．They are celebrated nationwide.

C．All the participants are Chinese people.

D．Their dates were once changed for some reason.

【推荐1】Must-Visit Attractions in Turin, Italy

Mole Antonellina

The tall spire of Mole Antonelliana is the pinnacle of the Turin skyline and an iconic symbol of the city. It was built in 1848 and is now the National Museum of Cinema. But the real draw is the viewing platform at the top of the building, which offers amazing views of the city and mountains beyond.

Piazza Castello

In the heart of the historic centre of Turin is Piazza Castello, which hosts two major Baroque structures—Palazzo Reale and Palazzo Madama. Palazzo Reale was originally built in the 16th century, and underwent modification in the late 17th century. Palazzo Madama dates from 1003 and is now home to the Museo Civico d’ Arte Antica, which has a remarkable collection of paintings from the medieval, Renaissance and baroque periods.

Basilica di Superga

The Basilica di Superga was built in the 18th century on the Superga hill with stunning views over the city and wider landscape. From here you can see peaks of the Alps such as Monviso and Doufour peak.

Parco del Valentino

Located on the west bank of the River Po that runs through the city, Parco del Valentino makes for lovely walks. The park is also home to the Castillo del Valentino-one of the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy with UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Quadrilatero Romano

This is a central neighbourhood, where an ancient Roman settlement once stood. The network of small streets is made up of beautiful historic buildings that are home to interesting shops, bars and restaurants, as well as remnants of the former Roman structures.

1. What is the most attractive place in Mole Antonellina?

A．The tall spire of Mole Antonelliana.	B．The viewing platform at the top.
C．The pinnacle of the Turin skyline.	D．The National Museum of Cinema.

2. If you want to enjoy the natural beauty of the biggest mountain in Europe, which attraction will you choose?

A．Mole Antonellina	B．Piazza Castello
C．Basilica di Superga	D．Parco del Valentino

3. What’s the purpose of the passage?

A．To list different places.	B．To broaden readers’ view.
C．To introduce Turin, Italy.	D．To attract more visitors.