【推荐3】The iPhone the iPad: each of Apple’s products sounds cool and has become a fad(一时的风尚). Apple has cleverly taken advantage of the power of the letter “i”—and many other brands are following suit. The BBC’s iPlayer—which allows Web users to watch TV programs on the Internet—used the title in 2008. A lovely bear—popular in the US and UK一that plays music and vide is called “iTeddy”. A slimmed-down version(简装本) of London’s Independent newspaper was stated last week under the name “i”.

In general, single-letter prefixes(前缀) have been popular since the 1990s, when terms such as e-mail and e-commerce first came into use.

Most “i” products are targeted at young people and considering the major readers of Independent’s “i”, it’s no surprise that they’ve selected this fashionable name.

But it’s hard to see what’s so special about the letter “i” Why not use “a”, “b”, or “c” instead? According to Tony Thorne, head of the Language Center at King’s College, London, “i”works because its meaning has becomc ambiguous. When Apple uses “i”, no one knows whether it means Internet, information, individual or intcractive, Thorne told BBC Magazines. “Even when Apple created the iPod, it seems it didn’t have one clear definition,” he says.

“However, thanks to Apple, the term is now connected with portability.” adds Thorne.

Clearly the letter “i” also agrees with the idea that the Western World is centered on the individual. Each person believes they have their own needs, and we love personalized products for this reason.

Along with“Google” and “blog”, readers of BBC Magazines voted“i”as one of the top 20 words that have come to define the last decade.

But as history shows, people grow tired of fads. From the 1900s to 1990s, products with “2000” in their names became fashionable as the year was connected with all things advanced and modern. How ever, as we entered the new century, the fashion disappeared.

1. People use iPlayer to     .

A．listen to music

B．make a call

C．watch TV programs online

D．read newspapers

2. We can infer that the Independent’s “i” is designed for      .

A．young readers

B．old readers

C．fashionable women

D．engineers

3. The underlined word “ambiguous” means “     .”

A．popular

B．uncertain

C．clear

D．unique

4. The writer suggests that     .

A．“i” products are often of high quality

B．iTeddy is a live bear

C．the letter “b” replaces letter “i” to name the products

D．the popularity of “i” products may not last long

【推荐1】The Classic Road Trip is more popular than ever. Here are several places to hit the open road.

(1) Colo-road Trips The Colorado Tourism Office has made it easy for road-trippers to explore the state’s 24 Scenic Historic Byways. A new microsite includes an interactive map that enables travelers to explore options by region, interest or season. Travelers seeking inspiration can also access insider tips and side-trip suggestions within more than 150 Colo-road Trip itineraries（行程）. The flexible itineraries offer suggestions for historic attractive adventures and highlight cultural opportunities.

(2) The Beartooth Highway Visitors who travel this extraordinary path experience the visual landscape of Montana, Wyoming and Yellowstone Park home to the Absaroka and Beartooth mountains. The windy, cliff-hugging 68-mile stretch introduces road explorers to one of the most diverse ecosystems accessible by vehicle. Amazingly beautiful, this American Road displays wide highlands, painted with patches of ice blue lakes, forested valleys, waterfalls and wildlife.

(3) Seward Highway, Alaska The road that connects Anchorage to Seward is a 127-mile treasure, including natural beauty, wildlife and stories of adventure and endurance. Take a day or several to explore the region that has caned three-fold recognition as a Forest Service Scenic Byway, an Alaskan Scenic Byway and an All-American Road. The drive begins at the base of the Chugach Mountains, hugs the scenic shores of Turnagain Arm and winds through mining towns, national forests and fishing villages as you imagine how explorers, fur traders and gold miners might have fared back in the day of waterfalls and glaciers（冰川）, hunting eagles, moose（驼鹿）and some bears.

(4) The Lighthouse Trail, Maine Travel the 375 miles between Kittery and Calais, Maine, visiting lighthouses along the way, and learn about the dangers that seagoing boats and their crew endured along the rocky Northeastern coast. Hear tales of shipwrecks（海滩）and of the difficult and lonely life led by those who kept the lights burning brightly. If possible, visit the Maine Lighthouse Museum, where artifacts and hands-on exhibits for children provide an attractive break.

1. Tourists of Colo-road Trips are provided with ______.

A．an auto display	B．seagoing boats
C．a treasure adventure	D．adaptable plans of trip

2. What can we learn about The Beartooth Highway?

A．Motorists are given access to various ecological systems.

B．It is home to the Chugach mountains and Beartooth mountains,

C．It winds through mining towns, national forests and fishing villages.

D．The windy, cliff-hugging 375-mile stretch displays waterfalls and wildlife.

3. Visitors along Seward Highway can ______.

A．hear some good bear stories

B．appreciate the treasure underground

C．explore the highly recognized region

D．imagine themselves as brave gold miners

4. Which place favors kids according to the passage?

A．Colo-road Trips.

B．The Beartooth highway.

C．Seward Highway, Alaska.

D．The Lighthouse Trail, Maine.

5. What is the purpose of the passage?

A．To state the importance of recognition for classic places.

B．To introduce American popular road trips.

C．To tell adventure stories along road trips.

D．To describe the Scenic Historic Byways.

【推荐2】Passport Control

If you are arriving at London Heathrow Airport and are not transferring another flight outside Britain or Northern Ireland, you must pass through Passport Control and Customs immediately after leaving your plane. If you are not British or a citizen of the European Community, you must fill out a special form before your passport is examined. This form is called a landing card and should be given to you during the flight to London. After landing, follow the ARRIVALS signs. Make sure you are in the right channel when you reach Passport Control. There is one channel for holders of European Community passports, and a second channel marked “Other Passports”.

Baggage Reclaim Area

After passing through Passport Control, follow the signs to the Baggage Reclaim Area. If you have luggage which was carried in the aircraft along with other cargo, it will be delivered to you in the Baggage Reclaim Area. Look for the sign with your flight number. If you have only hand luggage, go directly through the Baggage Reclaim Area to Customs.

Customs

All passengers must pass through Customs after Passport Control. There is a choice of two channels, Green and Red. If you have nothing to declare, go through the Green Channel. If you are not sure about your Duty Free allowances, or if you have something to declare, go through the Red Channel. Information about Duty Free allowances can be found on special notice-boards in the Baggage Reclaim Area. You should study this information carefully whether you are going through the Red Channel or not. Please note that if you go through the Green Channel, you may be stopped and asked to open your luggage for inspection.

1. When a Chinese traveler is arriving at Heathrow Airport for a trip in London, he must ______.

A．fill out a landing card first	B．pass through Customs before Passport Control
C．walk through the Red Channel	D．immediately reclaim his baggage after landing

2. Those who are not sure about their Duty Free allowances ______.

A．can check the information in the Baggage Reclaim Area

B．need to go through the Green Channel

C．will be asked to open the luggage for inspection

D．can do as those who have nothing to declare

3. Which of the following travelers DO NOT have to go through Passport Control and Customs?

A．People traveling straight to London.	B．Holders of European Community passports.
C．Passengers transferring to a city in Ireland.	D．Passengers only with some hand luggage.

【推荐3】A Service Trips for High School Students

Are you a high school student who loves to be outdoors and is eager to experience new challenges, learn new skills and meet new people? WTA offers first-time participants country trips and returning students have the option to go on trips in the back country (边远地区). 

Front Country Trips

Our front country trips provide opportunities for people to experience projects near the ocean, in the scenic Cascade Mountains and in northeast Washington. Our trips also provide you with experienced leaders, a great project, some camping tents, sleeping bags and all your meals for the week.

Advanced Back Country Trips 

On these trips you will be backpacking to the work site and will have a chance to advance your trail and leadership skills under the supervision(监护) of a WTA leader. 

Trip Details

In 2015, trip fees for WTA members will be $195 for the first trip and $145 for each additional trip. Non-members will pay an additional $40 for their first trip and can be qualified to be members in the second trip. Due to the popularity of our trips, please submit your payment and application within two weeks. If a trip is full and you would like to be added to the waiting list, please call us at 206/625-1367 or email trail-teams@wta.org. 

Scholarships

We believe no student should have to stay at home this summer because he or she can’t afford to go outside. Thanks to donations from members and supporters, WTA is proud to announce that we are able to offer a limited number of scholarships. Application Deadline: May 1, 2016.

1. If you are going on Front Country Trips, you can’t go on trips ________.

A．near the ocean​	B．in northeast Washington
C．in the Cascade Mountains​	D．in the back country

2. How much will you have to pay for your first trip if you’re not a WTA member?

A．$145.  ​    ​

B．$185.      ​

C．$235.

D．$195.

3. After choosing a trip, you ________.

A．must submit your payment and application within two weeks.

B．can cancel your trip and get all your money back.

C．will be added to the waiting list.

D．will naturally become a WTA member

【推荐1】4 Study and Homework Apps for Android!

Brainly

Price：Free/$15 per 3 months/$24 per year

Brainly is a social network for learners. You sign up, ask questions, and get answers (usually).Additionally, you can browse the site, answer other people's questions, and help them out as well. There They charge on a quarter basis ($15)or a yearly basis($24).

Forest

Price: Free/Up to $1.99

Forest is a different type of app. One of the biggest distractions during study is your smartphone.Forest helps put a stop to that. You open the app and a tree grows.The tree dies if you leave the app.Thus, there is a little motivation to leave the thing alone while you study or do homework.

Google Play Books

Price: Free app, book costs vary

Google Play Books is an excellent source of learning material. Sometimes your textbook just isn't enough and apps like this have plenty of additional resources. Books cost money obviously. However, you only pay for them once. Books are available offline on your smartphone or tablet.

Quizlet

Price: Free/$19.99 per year

Quizlet is one of the most popular flashcard apps for language learning. You can create flashcards play memory games, and even share flashcards with classmates. It also supports 18 languages for about any subject or topic. The free version should work just fine for simple uses, though. The premium version costs $19.99 per year, which isn't expensive for a study aid.

1. What is special about Forest?

A．It helps keep you focused.	B．It answers your questions.
C．It provides textbooks for your study.	D．It motivates you to plant more trees.

2. Quizlet is designed for ________.

A．Bookworms

B．Job seekers

C．Game players

D．Language learners

3. What do these apps have in common?

A．They provide interesting games for learners.	B．They charge for some services.
C．They have enough learning resources.	D．They are designed to do homework quickly.

【推荐2】Hollywood is going green again. The Academy of Motion Pictures announced on Jan. 7 that food served at Oscar events will be almost entirely plant-based. Both the annual lunch for Oscar winners and the finger food served before the actual ceremony on Feb. 9 will be 100% plant-based. Reuters also reports that “the menu for the Governors’ Ball, a great event held immediately after the Oscar ceremony, will be 70% plant-based and 30%, fish and meat.”

Additionally, drinks in plastic containers will no longer be served at any Oscar events. The Academy explained in a statement that, “For the past seven years, the Oscars show has had a low carbon mark. We continue to expand our sustainability plan (可持续发展计划) with the final goal of becoming carbon-free.”

Lorenzo Soria, president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, said he wasn’t sure how the vegan (严格的素食主义的) menu would be received but was “pleasantly surprised” by the attention it produced. Though many questioned if long-time vegan and actor Joaquin Phoenix played a key role in the push to vegan, Soria says the change was supported by multiple actors in the industry.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) issued (发布) their guests a set of fashion guidelines this year, along with their own plant-based menu and eco-friendly travel tips. Sadly, this attempt wasn’t successful. “It was a strange disconnect,” journalist Hannah Marriott writes. “Perhaps BAFTA issued the advice too late for the celebrities to come on board?”

If you consider fashion production, shipping and use is responsible for around 10% of the world’s annual carbon emissions, this was more than a missed moment. Hopefully, both the entertainment industry and celebrities themselves will continue to use their global platform for good in the coming years-whether it’s food, fashion or flights.

1. What is special about Hollywood’s going green this time?

A．It is mainly focused on food.	B．It is globally supported.
C．It aims to consume no meat.	D．It encourages healthy drinks.

2. What can we know about going green according to the Academy of Motion Pictures?

A．It has made changes to human life.	B．It is a new trend in the Oscars show.
C．It has been taking place in Hollywood.	D．It is so urgent in the entertainment industry.

3. How do entertainers respond to going green judging from Lorenzo Soria’s words?

A．Most of them keep going on vegan diets.	B．All of them don’t support the vegan menu.
C．Few of them doubt Joaquin Phoenix’s efforts.	D．Many of them join in pushing people to vegans.

4. What can we infer about the going green attempt of BAFTA?

A．It requires more improved advertising methods.

B．It is a goal most celebrities are eager to realize.

C．It is a concept deeply rooted in people’s minds.

D．It suffers difficulties when carried out this time.

【推荐3】The World Health Organization(WHO)says it is possible to defeat the disease malaria （疟疾）,although that is not likely to happen with the current methods.

Pedro Alonso, directing the United Nations agency's global malaria program, says the WHO wants to eradicate(根除）the disease but “with the tools we have today, it is most unlikely that the goal will be achieved.”

Malaria infected around 219 million people in 2017, when about 435,000 people died from the disease. The large majority were babies and children in the poorest areas of Africa. These totals little changed from 2016.But the numbers are smaller than the 239 million infections and 607,000 deaths reported in 2010.Diallo is head of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria. The group released a statement from him on the WHO report, saying, “Today, there are more countries without malaria than with it, and more countries than ever have fewer than 10,000 malaria cases.”

WHO officials have long wanted to destroy malaria. The United Nations agency first attempted a campaign against the disease in 1955.Now, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is providing financial support for the latest efforts.

There are a number of drugs available to successfully treat malaria. Sleeping under chemically-treated bed nets has proven to be effective in order to control malaria-carrying mosquitoes and infections. The drug company GSK has also developed a vaccine that has proven partially effective against malaria. The vaccine is currently used in Ghana and Malawi. But the WHO's report says these tools will not be enough to end the threat from malaria altogether. It calls for research and development of“transformative tools and knowledge” to control mosquitoes and create more effective medicines to prevent and treat the disease.

1. How many people suffered from malaria in 2016?

A．Around 219 million people.	B．About 435,000 people.
C．239 million people or so.	D．About 607,000 people.

2. What can be inferred from paragraph 3?

A．Diallo feels worried about how to defeat malaria.

B．Malaria is a common disease in many countries.

C．WHO is in great need of financial support nowadays actually.

D．Humans have made great achievement in fighting with malaria.

3. What can we know about the vaccine from GSK in the opinion of the WHO?

A．It can help effectively cure malaria.

B．It needs to be further developed.

C．It can kill mosquitoes in a short time.

D．It almost has no impact on malaria.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A．Possible to Defeat Malaria, But Probably Not Soon

B．Drug Company GSK Determines to Defeat Malaria

C．Malaria Control the Earth Long, But is to Disappear

D．Transformative Tools and Knowledge on the Way