1 . Whether you re looking forward to your state’s fair or you plan to travel to a faraway fair, we’ve rounded up a complete list of state fairs happening in 2023. If your state fair’s dates aren’t listed yet, don’t hesitate to bookmark this page as we will update it regularly!

●Kentucky State Fair, Sacramento, 19th June 2023

Each day of the Kentucky State Fair is a whole new experience. Packed with different music, competitions, animals, shows and more. You could visit all 11 days and every one of them would be unique!

PRICING: Tickets are $ 12.50 each online and $ 15.50 each at the gate. Children 4 and under are free and do not require a ticket,

●New York State Fair, 23rd August 2023

The first New York State Fair began with a pen full of pigs and cattle. But how things have changed! Prepare to be amazed at 30 + food vendors, raise a glass to a bright summer ahead, tap your toes to live music on three stages, enjoy activities and attractions for the whole family and so much more!

PRICING: Free

●Colorado State Fair, 25th August 2023

This year’s Colorado State Fair will be started by Gabriel Iglesias’ live performance. Ask anyone who has seen him in concert and you will probably hear the same thing, “He was so funny!” Come and see him in person.

PRICING: Adult Gate Admission — $ 9 through August 24, $ 15 starting August 25th. Children4 &. under are FREE (when accompanied by an adult).

●Minnesota State Fair, 25th May 2023

Our largest Milk Run 5K Race ever, presented by By the Yard, will take place on Satur-day, May 27th at 9 a, m.! Come support our nearly 2,000 runners as they race through the fairgrounds,

PRICING: Free

1. How much will you save for a ticket bought online to the Kentucky State Fair?

A．$12. 50.

B．$3.

C．$15.50.

D．$3.50.

2. If you like comedy show you won’t miss________.

A．Kentucky State Fair	B．New York State Fair
C．Colorado State Fair	D．Minnesota State F air

3. This passage is probably from________.

A．an official website	B．a geography textbook
C．a travel magazine	D．a news report

2 . An orchestra is attempting to bring people living with dementia (痴呆) back into the present. The work being done by Manchester Camerata has never been more important, given that there are about 900,000 people with the condition in the UK, a number that is predicted to nearly double by 2040.

People with dementia often find listening to music can reignite old memories from long ago. Much more overlooked, though, is the impact that making music can have on the present. While some with dementia can often feel trapped in the past, some researchers believe the act of creating music—as well as listening to it—can help to reconnect then to the here and now.

A new BBC documentary—Dementia, Music and Us—follows the work of Manchester Camerata and its principal flautist (长笛手) Amina Hussain. who, also a professional music therapist, leads classes across the north-west of England that have been described as life-changing. Classes for the community consist of improvisation (即兴创作), singing, and writing their own music.

Keith, 62, was diagnosed with dementia when he was 53. Like many, he really struggled to come to terms with his new reality. He found the sessions to be genuinely life-changing. “I think the thing that saved us was the first ever music group we went to because from that group it opened other groups up for us.” he said. “The workshops make you smile, enjoy life and it just brings the best out of you.”

Researcher Dr Dowlen is seeking to better understand the “in the moment” benefits of music-making for people with dementia. She believes the improvisational music workshop experience allows people to “create something that is held now in the moment.” She added, “Improvisational music-making is particularly important for people with dementia, especially when it comes to building their confidence and their self-esteem.”

1. Why is the work being done by Manchester Camerata important?

A．Music is an important part of daily life.	B．Music is an effective cure for dementia.
C．More people are pursuing a musical career.	D．A growing number of people live with denentia.

2. What does the underlined word “reignite” mean in Paragraph 2?

A．Keep alive.

B．Bring back.

C．Push away.

D．Take up.

3. How have the workshops affected Keith?

A．He has become more socially active.	B．He has adapted to life with dementia.
C．He has demonstrated his music talent.	D．He has recovered his long-lost memory.

4. What can we learn about the workshops from Dr Dowlen?

A．They bring mixed results,	B．They enjoy great popularity.
C．They promote people’s welfare.	D．They need to focus on the moment.

3 . Trip Fun

Thinking about going camping? You might want to try one of these campsites for quality and comfort!

Playa Montroig Camping Resort, Tarragona (Spain)

This Spanish campsite is a great family destination, with prices starting from €20 a night. You’ll be able to enjoy the beach by day, and you’ll have time to explore historic Tarragona in the evenings. The site has restaurants that offer traditional Spanish dishes such as Gambas al Ajillo and Albondigas. For more information, please go to www.playamontroig.com.

RCN Val de Cantobre, Aveyron (France)

France’s number one campsite is in the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park in the Tarn area. The campsite is in the grounds of a medieval house. There’s a swimming pool, a river and a pizzeria all on site. The scenery around the park is beautiful and great for walking. A week’s stay will cost you about €300. For more information, please go to www. eurocamp.co.uk.

Four Seasons Tented Camp, Golden Triangle (Thailand)

Instead of tents, there are canvas cabins ( 帆布小屋) with showers and modern conveniences. Plus, there’s a gourmet restaurant, a spa and a pool. There are only 15 cabins to rent so you’ll have to reserve your spot before availability runs out. The camp is only accessible by riverboat, but once there you can learn to ride an elephant. Unfortunately, this sort of luxury isn’t cheap, and two nights at the Four Seasons will cost you about €1, 500! For more information, please go to www. fourseasons. com /goldentriangle.

Three Cliffs Bay, Gower (Wales)

There is a camp shop where you can buy food and drink, and there are pubs and restaurants nearby so you won’t even have to cook. You can waterski from the beach, or go walking along the Gower Way, a 50-kilometre nature trail which passes close to the campsite. A family tent (2 adults, 2 children) is about €28 a day. For more information, please go to www.threecliffsbay.com.

1. What’s the minimum charge for an overnight stay in the Spanish campsite?

A．€750.	B．€300.
C．€28.	D．€20.

2. What can be learned about Four Seasons Tented Camp?

A．It provides tourists with traditional Spanish dishes.

B．It allows tourists to ride an elephant and row a boat.

C．It requires tourists to book canvas cabins in advance.

D．It is located in the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park.

3. Which website should you visit if you’d like to do some waterskiing?

A．www.fourseasons.com/goldentriangle.

B．www.playamontroig.com.

C．www.threecliffsbay.com.

D．www.eurocamp.co.uk.

4 . Four European Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss in 2023

Chelsea Flower Show, London

Also known as the “Great Spring Show”, the Chelsea Flower Show is a wonderful showcase of garden designs and flower displays (展览). Many gardeners come to London from around the world for the five-day event. The fastest way to reach the festival is to get a taxi from London Kings Cross Station, which usually takes around 13 minutes.

St Patrick’s Day, Ireland

St Patrick’s Day celebrates the passing of the patron saint (守护神) and is a national holiday in Ireland. The capital Dublin takes things to a whole other level, with wonderful street performances, concerts, and displays of artworks. You’ll also get the opportunity to take part in some Irish dancing.

Oktoberfest, Germany

This year will mark the 188th anniversary (周年纪念日) of Munich Oktoberfest. What was previously a few stands is now Germany’s largest celebration, which is expected to hold anywhere between 5,000 to 11,000 festival goers.

Though the rides and games are amazing, the beer tents are where the most exciting events are held. All the people are encouraged to dress up and join in the street activities, which include live performances from famous bands.

Fiesta de San Isidro, Spain

Each year, Spain holds the Fiesta de San Isidro during the spring in memory of the patron saint of Madrid. Over the course of a few days, the whole city becomes a sea of Latin culture, including Spanish music, dance, and theatre both indoors and outdoors. You’ll typically see patrons in their San Isidro costumes selling traditional sweet snacks on the streets.

1. Where should you go if you are a flower lover?

A．London.

B．Ireland.

C．Germany

D．Spain.

2. What may attract the visitors most at Oktoberfest?

A．Stands.

B．Beer tents.

C．Riding games.

D．Live performances.

3. In which festival can visitors experience Latin culture?

A．Oktoberfest.	B．St Patrick’s Day,
C．Chelsea Flower Show.	D．Fiesta de San Isidro.

5 . The huge structures of ancient Rome have survived for thousands of years—a testament to the abilities and wisdom of Roman engineers, who perfected the use of concrete. But how did their construction materials help keep grand buildings like the Pantheon(万神殿) (which has the world’s largest unreinforced dome)and the Colosseum(斗兽场)standing for more than 2,000 years?

Roman concrete, in many cases, has proven to be longer-lasting than modern concrete, which can worsen within decades. Now, scientists behind a new study say they have uncovered the mystery ingredient that allowed the Romans to make their construction material so durable and build splendid structures in challenging places such as docks, sewers and earthquake zones.

The study team, including researchers from the United States, Italy and Switzerland, analyzed 2,000-year-old concrete samples that were taken from a city wall at the archaeological site of Privernum, in central Italy, and are similar in composition to other concrete found throughout the Roman Empire.

They found that white chunks(块)in the concrete, referred to as lime clasts(石灰碎屑),gave the concrete the ability to heal cracks that formed over time. The white chunks previously had been overlooked as evidence of careless mixing or poor-quality raw material.

The new finding could help make manufacturing today’s concrete more sustainable, potentially shaking up society as the Romans once did.“Conerete allowed the Romans to have an architectural revolution,”Masic said,“Romans were able to create and turn the cities into something that is extraordinary and beautiful to live in. And that revolution basically changed completely the way humans live.”

1. Why does the author mention the Pantheon and the Colosseum?

A．To express respect to Romans.

B．To introduce the topic of the text.

C．To show the wisdom of Roman engineers.

D．To prove the uniqueness of Roman architecture.

2. What make Roman architecture stand for more than 2,000 years according to the finding?

A．Complicated mixing skills.

B．Splendid architectural structures.

C．Challenging locations of the buildings.

D．White chunks in ancient Roman concrete.

3. What does Masic think of the new finding?

A．Important.

B．Valueless.

C．Unexpected.

D．Doubtful.

4. In which section of a newspaper can we find the text?

A．Education.

B．Travel.

C．Science.

D．Lifestyle.

6 . I went for a walk up to a local park and Chester was running about. Suddenly, two dogs appeared, attacking him. He got _________ and ran off in an unfamiliar direction. I can only _________ myself-it’s like losing a family member. My daughter didn’t sleep for three days. She just thought her pet was _________.

My family had almost lost _________ until Erica decided to offer her services. She uses a drone(无人机)to help find lost dogs. Equipped with a hi-tech thermal imaging(热成像)camera, the drone can detect heat _________ from 250 feet in the air. _________, when asked to help out in a search for a _________, Erica simply turns up to the dog’s last known _________ and sets up the drone. Having found more than 160 dogs, it’s proved pretty _________.

And it’s easy to see why. Can you __________ Chester running around these woods? To the naked eye(肉眼), it’s virtually impossible, but pop the thermal image up and he jumps out, __________ his owner to bring him safely back home.

Having saved hundreds of dogs, the method is clearly __________. Erica doesn’t __________ for her services and instead does it for the pleasure of seeing the owners __________.

Erica’s drone has helped create countless happy __________ and is sure to make many more in the future.

1.

A．concerned

B．annoyed

C．scared

D．confused

2.

A．speak for

B．focus on

C．turn to

D．adapt to

3.

A．sick

B．gone

C．injured

D．stuck

4.

A．attitude

B．contact

C．track

D．hope

5.

A．impressions

B．signals

C．experiments

D．behaviors

6.

A．Besides

B．However

C．Therefore

D．Otherwise

7.

A．family

B．job

C．chance

D．dog

8.

A．location

B．company

C．adventure

D．arrangement

9.

A．particular

B．familiar

C．successful

D．suitable

10.

A．spot

B．explore

C．concentrate

D．rescue

11.

A．forbidding

B．allowing

C．ordering

D．warning

12.

A．challenging

B．improving

C．working

D．surviving

13.

A．apply

B．wish

C．answer

D．charge

14.

A．reunited

B．recognized

C．requested

D．admired

15.

A．destinations

B．solutions

C．goals

D．endings

8 . Internal communication, also known as IC, refers to a group of processes responsible for effective circulation of message within an organization. These messages are information that is valuable to the organization and are supposed to be kept confidential(机密的). The means of transferring this information is often done through emails, letters, notice boards, and even with the help of social media like Skype, Zoom, and Google Meet, in the current times.

Honest internal communication is the healthiest way to keep your organization growing. With honesty around the workplace, it is a safer environment for the employees to voice their opinions which could help in the modification of a certain operation that might have been outdated. Other than changes, not opening up to your colleagues can result in frustration and give rise to “gossip culture” at the workplace. When information is not passed out with lucidity, not only does the quality of work get affected but it also gives rise to questioning the worth of the time spent in the company.

An atmosphere of honesty also encourages growth in responsibility, leadership, and self-accountability. If the CEO of a company voices the shortcomings of his team in a respectful manner, it would bring room for each and every employee to take it on a positive note and bring around the change for the one common goal of development of the company that they are working for. This brings a lot of change in the attitude of every individual employee since they start seeing the company that they are working for as an asset that they cherish (珍爱) dearly.

In a workplace, things go both wrong and right, so it is important to both appreciate and criticize when such situations occur from the end of both the leadership and the employees. The positives should be celebrated while the negatives should be taken as positive criticisms that could help the company grow into something better. The main goal of unity and development should always be kept in mind.

1. Which is considered one main character of IC?

A．It comes with the times of social media.	B．It exists within the leadership of a company.
C．It is often kept secret within an organization.	D．It needs a long and difficult process in most cases.

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

A．Clearness.

B．Appreciation.

C．Authority.

D．Assistance.

3. What is the third paragraph mainly about?

A．The main responsibilities of the CEO.	B．The importance of unity for a company.
C．The advantage of a powerful leadership.	D．The role of an honest leadership in a company.

4. What does the author suggest to us in a workplace in the last paragraph?

A．Communicating both the positives and the negatives.

B．Taking responsibilities bravely for our mistakes.

C．Trying all possible means to avoid the negatives.

D．Strengthening unity mainly among the employees.

9 . Human activity has shrunk the size of wild animals the world over, and yet recent research has found many mammals (哺乳动物) living near cities have become steadily larger,   both in length and in weight.

“That wasn’t what we expected to find at all,” says Robert Guralnick, who studies biodiversity informatics at the Florida Museum. Expanding urban environments grow much hotter than natural habitats (生长环境), and warmer temperatures usually benefit mammals that have a smaller, more energy-saving figure — a principle of biology known as Bergmann’s rule.

As the world grows warmer, some scientists have worried that mammals living near cities are supposed to grow smaller, possibly reducing their fitness as a species and, no doubt, the fitness of being threateners (威胁者), too. But even with climate change, that might not happen. As it turns out, there’s another factor in determining a mammal’s size that might compete with or even go beyond temperature, and that is food.

In and around cities with large populations, where high-energy human foods are more widely available and hunters are fewer and farther in between, new research discovered that most of the mammal species studied appear to be growing in size, not shrinking. According to careful measurements of more than 100 species from North America, gathered from museum collections over the past 80 years, the main reason is not a city’s temperature. Instead, the greatest increases in weight and body length appear to lie among those mammals that live near the most humans, regardless of how hot their surroundings are.

As climate change grows worse, there is, of course, the possibility that that might change, but at least for now, it seems that wolves, deer, bats, and other mammals in North America could be affected more by city populations than city climates.

If we want to preserve the mammals that exist today for the future, it’s important that we know how human civilization is shaping their size, behavior and well-being. In a rapidly changing world, that knowledge could mean the difference between ongoing life and dying out.

1. What finding does Robert Guralnick consider surprising?

A．Urban environments are hotter than nature.

B．The animals in natural habitats become smaller.

C．Many mammals grow against Bergmann’s rule.

D．City temperatures cause animals to shrink in size.

2. Why do many mammals living near cities grow in size?

A．They are well taken care of by zoo keepers.

B．They have more foods and fewer threats.

C．They are comfortable in warmer climates.

D．They can easily hunt wild animals for food.

3. What are we advised to do to protect the existing mammals?

A．Provide healthy food to surrounding mammals.

B．Limit the population in cities to a small number.

C．Know how human civilization affects mammals.

D．Help the mammals adjust to the changing climate.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Human Activity Has Shrunk the Size of Animals

B．Global Warming Is Shaping the Future of Mammals

C．Mammals in Nature Have a Better Chance to Survive

D．Many Mammals Living Near Cities Are. Growing Bigger

10 . The world is full of opportunities. Ignoring them or seizing one depends on one’s attitude. Mike seized the chance and did what he wanted to do.

Mike used to be a janitor (看门人) at a (n) _______ school. He collected and cleared away the _______ for the school too. This school has a _______ place in Mike’s heart. He went to this school as a young boy and was a _______ there for 19 years. However, before his career in teaching, he _______ in the same school as a janitor. He has always been good at _______ with students. They loved chatting with him and they treated him like a _______ .

Seeing this, the teachers _______ him to pursue a teaching career. After years of hard work and fierce _______ , Mike finished his degree in 2003 and ________ a teaching job at the elementary school after he ________ with a degree. Since then, he has become a constant ________ in the school,

Mike found teaching a very ________ job, For him, it was important that the students grow up not just remembering the ________ but also how a teacher made them feel. Mike was excited to teach the children at the school and was ________ to teach the fifth grade. He was shocked when the directors offered him the ________ of principal a week before the school year started.

“I am ________ grateful. I don’t do anything special. I just ________ and try my best,” said Mike. He was also very excited to take on the challenges of being the new ________ of the school, assume new responsibilities and help ________ the school.

1.

A．secondary

B．advanced

C．particular

D．elementary

2.

A．bag

B．mouse

C．refuse

D．beggar

3.

A．special

B．formal

C．mobile

D．confusing

4.

A．guard

B．cleaner

C．teacher

D．cook

5.

A．lived

B．worked

C．studied

D．arrived

6.

A．quarrelling

B．debating

C．fighting

D．communicating

7.

A．boy

B．student

C．friend

D．citizen

8.

A．commanded

B．encouraged

C．constructed

D．allowed

9.

A．determination

B．appreciation

C．suffering

D．impression

10.

A．rejected

B．obtained

C．offered

D．reformed

11.

A．quit

B．responded

C．hesitated

D．graduated

12.

A．candidate

B．reporter

C．figure

D．cyclist

13.

A．convincing

B．rewarding

C．disturbing

D．entertaining

14.

A．sufferings

B．classmates

C．pleasures

D．lessons

15.

A．prepared

B．guided

C．pressed

D．depressed

16.

A．role

B．desire

C．concern

D．behavior

17.

A．despairingly

B．truly

C．nearly

D．exactly

18.

A．let in

B．get out

C．act aside

D．show up

19.

A．operator

B．visitor

C．leader

D．performer

20.

A．improve

B．search

C．attain

D．rebuild