1 . When someone tells me that they’re going to spend just 3 days in Paris, I feel like they’re most likely not going to love it. I mean, it’s possible to have a great time if you do it right and put what you want to see at the first place. During such a short visit most tourists head to see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre and some other tourist attractions, and therefore experience crowds, long lines and not the real local Paris.
Take your pick and spend some time actually enjoying these things instead of rushing through everything. I’m not telling you not to see these famous landmarks, but in order to fully feel the Paris atmosphere, you need to stay in the city longer. A stay in Paris just for a weekend seems far from seeing all the great things.
Almost everyone is dreaming of getting to the top of the Eiffel Tower. But the moment you start approaching the tower you might realize that it’s not very romantic, as it’s surrounded by a ton of visitors and annoying vendors (小贩). The place is crowded, and lines take forever no matter when you visit it.
It’s hard to find a romantic spot unless you book a dinner on top of the Eiffel Tower. It’s something you will only do once, as it’s not the best fine dining you’ve ever had — you’re doing it just for the experience. However, if you climb the stairs behind the Croatian Embassy you may be able to find a quiet spot overlooking the tower. The view is wonderful and definitely worth it, especially at night when the tower starts blinking!
I recommend you to see the city from up high from the top of the Tour Montparnasse, Arc de Triomphe, or even a carousel (旋转木马) in Tuileries, and actually have the Eiffel Tower in your view.
1. What can be inferred from the first paragraph?| A．You can only see crowds at tourist attractions. |
| B．He who has a short visit doesn’t love Paris. |
| C．Visitor can have a good time traveling in Paris in three days. |
| D．It takes more time to experience the real Paris. |
| A．Fully feeling the atmosphere of the city. |
| B．Only visiting the famous landmarks of the city. |
| C．Seeing the whole city at the weekend. |
| D．Rushing through all attractions in the city. |
| A．Delighted. | B．Sad. | C．Exhausted. | D．Romantic. |
| A．The atmosphere of Paris. |
| B．The tips of visiting Paris better. |
| C．The view of the Eiffel Tower. |
| D．The tourist attractions in Paris. |
2 . Fifteen years ago, an earthquake in Turkey hit the school where William Jefferson studied and he was buried in the ruins
He was
In his spare time, William
“I hope that one day when we walk down the street with prosthetic legs, we are not treated
| A．investigated | B．saved | C．taken | D．trapped |
| A．cut off | B．watched over | C．looked into | D．checked out |
| A．traditional | B．curious | C．hopeless | D．unique |
| A．recovery | B．concern | C．sadness | D．adventure |
| A．In spite of | B．Except for | C．Thanks to | D．Instead of |
| A．limited | B．meaningful | C．alarming | D．excellent |
| A．delivered | B．created | C．registered | D．obtained |
| A．posted | B．admired | C．revised | D．exchanged |
| A．secrets | B．comments | C．suggestions | D．demands |
| A．in need | B．on guard | C．in shock | D．on duty |
| A．immediately | B．freely | C．effectively | D．patiently |
| A．reminds | B．amazes | C．pains | D．challenges |
| A．stops | B．disturbs | C．drives | D．honors |
| A．normally | B．equally | C．formally | D．differently |
| A．experiences | B．strengths | C．efforts | D．disabilities |
3 . Many teenagers care about helping other people. Few turn their concern into a career (事业). But that’s just what Tom Wilson did. At 12, he started volunteering. Now as the Youth Program Officer at the Connor Foundation, he leads national charity programs and helps the organization decide which projects to support.
“I learned about service by watching my parents.” Tom grew up in a town where people enjoyed helping others. His parents set an example for him with everyday acts of kindness. In 2002, Tom moved to another small town and decided to carry on volunteering. However, he found that there aren’t many choices for teenagers. So he started a nonprofit (非盈利) group, helping them lead their own service projects.
“I turned my love for service into my career.” Tom worked on his nonprofit in middle school and high school, and then one of his teachers advised him to make a career out of helping others. This led him to start a company that provided low-cost camps and educational programs for children. He learned it was possible to make a career out of helping others.
When Tom began his work, he found that some adults didn’t believe teenagers could make a change. Luckily, he was encouraged by his parents and other supportive adults. It was their support that gave Tom courage. Now he works to show teenagers that they can make positive changes. “We want teenagers to know it’s possible for them, their friends, and their generation to make a difference,” he says, and he has always believed in the power of youth to accomplish amazing and meaningful things. Tom advises that teenagers be creative as they look for new solutions to problems. He believes in the power of imagination. “Teenagers are so imaginative,” he says. “They don’t see the same difficulties as adults do.”
1. How did Tom know the value of service at an early age?| A．He joined a national charity program. |
| B．He discovered it through service projects. |
| C．He was chosen to be a Youth Program Officer. |
| D．He observed his parents’ daily acts of kindness. |
| A．He needed to enrich his volunteer experiences. |
| B．He wanted to join in the educational programs. |
| C．He hoped to offer chances for teenagers to volunteer. |
| D．He wanted to make new friends with other teenagers. |
| A．Pressure from his parents. | B．His teacher’s suggestion. |
| C．A need for low-cost camps. | D．His desire for a new career. |
| A．Teenagers should start their own careers. |
| B．Teenagers have the power to make a difference. |
| C．Adults are always supportive of youth projects. |
| D．Adults should help teenagers deal with problems. |
4 . I turned 8 years old the day I skipped school for the first time. It was easily done: Both my parents left for work before my school bus arrived on weekdays, so when it showed up at my house on that cold winter morning, I simply did not get on. The perfect crime!
And what did I do with myself on that glorious stolen day, with no adult in charge and no limits on my activities? Did I get high? Hit the mall for a shoplifting extravaganza (狂欢)?
Nope. I built a warm fire in the wood stove, prepared a bowl of popcorn, grabbed a blanket, and read. I was trilled and transported by a book — it was Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises — and I just needed to be alone with it for a little while. I ached to know what would happen to Jake Barnes and Lady Brett Ashley and Robert Cohn. I couldn’t bear the thought of siting in a classroom taking another exam when I could be traveling through Spain in the 1920s with a bunch of expatriates (异乡客).
I spent that day lost in words. Time fell away, as the room around me turned to mist, and my role — as a daughter, sister, teenager, and student — in the world no longer had any meaning. I had accidentally come across the key to perfect happiness: I had become completely absorbed by something I loved.
Looking back on it now, I can see that some subtle things were happening to my mind and to my life while I was in that state of absorption. Hemingway’s language was quietly braiding itself into my imagination. I was downloading information about how to create simple and elegant sentences, a good and solid plot. In other words, I was learning how to write. Without realizing it, I was hot on the trail of my own fate. Writing now absorbs me the way reading once did and happiness is their generous side effect.
1. Why did the author skip school on that day?| A．Because she’s fascinated by a novel. | B．Because it’s a biting cold winter morning. |
| C．Because her parents left home early. | D．Because she’s anxious to take the exam. |
| A．Reading a fiction by the fire. | B．Travelling with a bunch of expatriates. |
| C．Being occupied by one’s passion. | D．Breaking the rules and regulations. |
| A．Mending. | B．Destroying. | C．Entering. | D．Blocking. |
| A．The author was tired of his roles in the real-life. |
| B．Becoming a writer is the author’s childhood dream. |
| C．The author skipped school when he was 8 years old. |
| D．Writing has a horrible effect on the author’s life now. |
5 . Even when you have confidence in yourself, your goals will sometimes seem out of reach. When that happens, get hold of the people who
When I was younger, I
Early in my
Even now, I
| A．refer to | B．depend on | C．learn from | D．believe in |
| A．quit | B．struggled | C．regretted | D．argued |
| A．responsibilities | B．dreams | C．opportunities | D．doubts |
| A．stopped | B．admitted | C．allowed | D．considered |
| A．tracked | B．recommended | C．accompanied | D．encouraged |
| A．serious | B．possible | C．hard | D．necessary |
| A．request | B．unwillingness | C．inability | D．attempt |
| A．difficulties | B．options | C．aims | D．standards |
| A．career | B．experiment | C．business | D．recovery |
| A．foolishly | B．simply | C．wisely | D．bravely |
| A．original | B．familiar | C．typical | D．positive |
| A．looking into | B．taking down | C．dealing with | D．pointing out |
| A．introduce | B．remind | C．guarantee | D．warn |
| A．experience | B．describe | C．compare | D．limit |
| A．probably | B．fortunately | C．obviously | D．importantly |
6 . Four ideas for the best Easter holidays
When the kids breakup from school it can be difficult to choose what to do. With the Easter holidays just around the comer, here are four different ideas to inspire you to make the most of the break, whatever your age.
York
Bursting with museums, attractions, and events for everyone, York is the perfect Easter holiday destination. Going with grandparents? They’ll love walking the cobbled streets for sweet treats or stopping for an afternoon tea at one of the many historic hotels. Or learn about the diverse history of this amazing city at one of the museums. There really is something for everyone in this attractive city.
Botany Bay
Botany Bay is a great spot to spend a day relaxing and playing on the sands. Located in Kent and with lifeguards on duty, it’s a great spot for surfing, exploring the rockpools, and hunting for fossils. For a longer stay, why not hire a car for the Easter holiday and take a road trip along the Kentish coast British seaside break?
Bristol
Travel to the southwest to explore bustling (熙熙攘攘的) Bristol. Bristol is full of amazing restaurants housed in warehouses that remind you of the city’s maritime history. There are also wonderful museums, amazing parks for picnics and games, and even a surf centre nearby. Shop. eat, play — whatever you fancy doing, Bristol has it all.
Snowdonla
Head to North Wales if you’re after some wild adventures. There are plenty of hills, lakes, rivers, and benches to explore, but if your kids have a lot of energy to burn, then Mount Snowdon should be your choice. Standing 1,085 metres tall, it’s sure to provide an exciting adventure for the whole family. Local guides are available to lead you to the top, if you wish.
1. Where will a family with grandparents choose to go?| A．York | B．Botany Bay. | C．Bristol. | D．Snowdonia. |
| A．Parks. | B．Restaurants . | C．Fossil museums. | D．Surf spots. |
| A．Have a picnic. | B．Play games. | C．Look for fossils. | D．Climb mountains. |
7 . A China plane struck a bird after taking off in Chengdu, Sichuan, and had to immediately return to the airport last October, and it wasn’t the first accident between an aircraft and a bird last year.
In fact, more than 20,000 wildlife strikes with aircraft were reported worldwide in 2023 — the vast majority of those animals being birds. The strikes can also include run-ins with bats or creatures on the ground, such as deer or turtles. Expanding wildlife populations, increases in number of aircraft movements, and a trend toward faster and quieter aircraft all have contributed to the increase in wildlife strikes.
Bird strikes are a hazard not just to commercial airplanes, but to all sorts of aircraft. However, historical data shows that damage is reported in a small percentage of incidents. Last year, 95% of the global strikes involved some kind of damage — and only 5% of those caused “substantial” damage.
Some of the most disturbing types of strikes can happen when one or more birds go into a plane’s engine, which might cause a lot of damage to the aircraft. The pilot would need to return to the airport or find a safe place to land.
In last October’s China plane incident, the Beijing-bound flight was able to land normally in Chengdu after taking into account what the airline described as security concerns. Senior captain Chen Jianguo said pilots are trained on how to respond if they have a bird strike in flight. The pilot in this case did exactly what he was trained to do.
“There are lots of things that are being used by airports to try to manage the habitat and birds around the airport,” said Chen Jianguo. Airports need to manage bird habitats to reduce or get rid of trees and plants that shelter birds, or address wetlands that can attract birds. Collecting data on what kinds of birds are involved in strikes is equally important so the risks can better be managed. Many airports also use audible signals to scare birds away, such as the sounds of fireworks.
1. What is a cause of the increase in wildlife strikes?| A．The poorly designed aircraft. |
| B．The growing number of birds. |
| C．The destruction of wildlife habitats. |
| D．The absence of environmental awareness. |
| A．Danger. | B．Delay. | C．Accident. | D．Reminder. |
| A．They are a rare occurrence. |
| B．They usually damage engines. |
| C．Most of them cause slight damage. |
| D．Most of them involve one single bird. |
| A．Ways to study bird behavior. |
| B．Measures to drive birds away. |
| C．Efforts to restore bird habitat. |
| D．Attempts to take care of birds. |
8 . 75-year-old hip-hop (街舞) grandma Stephanie Walsh has gained worldwide attention with her intense dance moves and incredible energy. Better known as “Ms. Stephanie” online, Walsh has been featured on social media accounts with some videos drawing more than 11 million people to watch.
Walsh believes the videos gained popularity because she is 75. “It’s because I’m a senior,” said Walsh. “You don’t usually see someone my age doing hip-hop and moving like that. ”But actually, it’s more than that. Just as her profile claims, Walsh’s videos are “inspiring the world to dance like no one is watching. ”
“Dance isn’t just your body, it’s what you’re feeling inside about the dance and it’s what comes out here in your face,” Walsh said. “What I want to put through my movement is how much fun it is and how much joy it gives you.”
From a young age, Walsh loved to dance but her family didn’t have the money for classes. When she was nearly 30, she got her daughter ballet lessons, which her daughter hated. So, she took her daughter out and started classes herself right away.
Walsh believes her lifelong passion for dance is what motivates her today. “Everybody has to have a passion in their life,” she said. “It’s like that saying, ‘A life without passion is a life half lived.’ I believe that.”
Walsh dances for fun and fitness, but also for therapy (心理治疗). She struggled through countless hardships, and she has more than enough reasons to keep her down. But they don’t. She turns to her faith, her friends and of course, dance, to shine as an inspiration to those around her.
Gilbert, one of Walsh’s followers, says she inspires him every day. “She’s a beautiful soul who teaches me that it doesn’t matter about your age or your size. As long as you feel good, that’s all that matters,” says Gilbert. “I am truly thankful that Walsh is teaching me at the age of 32 to live my life full and stop being so scared.”
1. What motivates Walsh to do hip-hop?| A．Its great social benefit. | B．Its growing popularity. |
| C．Her enthusiasm for dance. | D．Her hunger for reputation. |
| A．Her advanced age. | B．Her smooth moves. |
| C．Her endless energy. | D．Her confident claim. |
| A．Be active in social media. |
| B．Set a good example to others. |
| C．Take full advantage of his talent. |
| D．Adopt a positive approach to life. |
| A．Optimistic About Life: The Way to Survive |
| B．Forever Young in Dance: An Inspiring Figure |
| C．Embracing Social Media: The Key to Success |
| D．Dancing with the Young: An Amazing Journey |
9 . Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2024
The Novel Fair is an annual competition initiated by the Irish Writers Centre (IWC). Described by The Irish Times as “A Dragons’ Cave for writers”, each year the Fair aims to introduce up-and-coming writers to top publishers and literary agents.
The Prize
The twelve winners will have the opportunity to present the summary of their novel directly to industry professionals. Leading publishers and agents will be invited by the IWC to meet these writers in person or through a series of online meetings. To get fully prepared for the meeting with publishers and agents, the winners will receive a place in a workshop on “How to Promote Your Novel”, two weeks in advance. Also, applicants who are longlisted (初选) but do not make it to the shortlist of twelve will have their works evaluated and criticized by the judging panel.
How to Enter
Entry fee for application is £55 (Members of IWC can enter for a discounted fee of £45). This competition only accepts manuscripts (原稿) for novels. Applicants are required to send a summary within 300 words and up to five chapters of their novel, which should be 10,000 words (+/-10％). Manuscripts should be submitted online. There is a limit of one entry per applicant.
Entries are welcome from anywhere in the world. Before entering the competition, please ensure that you have read the Novel Fair Terms & Conditions 2024 very carefully as the Fair is open to only novelists who have never published work previously. If you have any questions about the application process, please email novelfair@irishwriterscentre.ie.
1. What’s the purpose of the Fair?| A．To advertise local stories. |
| B．To encourage literary reading. |
| C．To serve as a platform for writers. |
| D．To arouse enthusiasm for writing. |
| A．Deal with the judging panel. |
| B．Improve their writing skills. |
| C．Learn about publishing process. |
| D．Present their novels attractively. |
| A．A summary of 200 words. |
| B．A novel published in 2023. |
| C．A paper manuscript by post. |
| D．A submission of seven chapters. |
10 . The Best Activities in Melbourne
It’s time to start planning how you’ll keep entertained. We’ve put together four family-friendly activities for you.
Visit Melbourne Royal ShowSome visit the show for the thrilling rides, the others feel amazed at award-winning cakes, the cutest baby animals…or maybe you’re all just united in a love of sugar-filled show bags. This year’s Melbourne Royal Show is set to be bigger and better than ever, running for 11 days, with all the fantastic attractions that we know and love.
Meet Magical Dragons at Kryal CastleIf your family has a love for the fantastical, you can get up close to mysterious dragons at Kryal Castle. There will be a wide rage of activities themed around the famous creatures, including an exciting dragon egg trip and dragon soldier training. You’ll come face to face with dragons, and catch the thrilling Dragon Cup Tournament, where noble soldiers and brave knights battle for the Dragon Cup.
Get Inspiration from First Nations ArtistsThe activity is inviting kids to express their creativity at the immersive (沉浸式虚拟现实的) art experience. The organizer will have little kids use their personal creativity to create their own artworks that can be taken home, surrounded by the world of art and culture as inspiration. There will also be free gifts and interactive art plays. It’s suitable for age 5 to 12.
Let Loose at the Museum of Play and Art(MoPA)MoPA is a kids’ museum, a place where kids can engage with fun exhibits. The exhibits at MoPA are designed for kids aged 1 to 9. Kids can practice their fine motor skills, build and race in the Zoom Room, climb up to Sunset City for a sweet view of the museum and get creative at the MoPA Art Car.
1. How is this year’s Melbourne Royal Show different from before?| A．It offers live music. | B．It has thrilling rides. |
| C．It is larger than before. | D．It has award-winning cakes. |
| A．It offers free gifts to kids. | B．It is mainly about the culture. |
| C．It’s the most suitable for kids. | D．It lets kids get writing inspiration. |
| A．Magical Dragons at Kryal Castle. | B．Melbourne Royal Show. |
| C．First Nations Artists. | D．The Museum of Play end Art. |
