1 . We’re often reminded of the importance of preserving the planet as we see it for future generations — and children at St Oswald’s CE Primary School Chester certainly agree.
Nine-year-old Isobel Kelleher from the school’s Hummingbirds class thinks adults need to take note.“Sometimes they can be busy and I don’t think they think they can make a difference,but if everyone does a little bit it all adds up,” she tells HuffPostUK.“We started looking at plastic pollution in our oceans and the things like plastic bags that are polluting them,” she says.“Fish can eat the plastic and they can die,or we might even eat the fish ourselves.”
Mr Timms, Isobel’s teacher, has been spearheading a new project at the school which lets children loose creatively to raise the awareness of the need to be more environmentally friendly. The entire Hummingbirds class, which is made up of nine-year-old and ten-year-old pupils, has been busy writing poems and creating online video adverts to warn adults about the serious situation of our oceans and wildlife.
Mr Timms thinks children have an important role to play in teaching us how to take care of the things around us.“We sometimes overlook how much we can really learn from children,” he says.“It has been really hard to believe having parents come in saying that their children have been asking them to stop using plastic, and to recycle more, and even stopping them using plastic straws.”
Mr Timms is proud of his Hummingbirds class.“The message that they would like to send to world is simple:stopping this isn’t someone else’s job,and it won’t be OK if we just leave it.”
1. What is the purpose of the school project?| A．To help adults to learn more about their kids. |
| B．To remind adults to be friendly to the environment. |
| C．To persuade students to stop using plastic bags. |
| D．To teach students how to write poems creatively. |
| A．They just pretend to be busy. |
| B．They haven’t done their part well. |
| C．They can do nothing to stop pollution. |
| D．They have started to care about the ocean. |
| A．To prove kids are creative in teaching. |
| B．To attract people to support his work. |
| C．To have adults care about education. |
| D．To show the effects of the project. |
2 . My wife Laura and I were on the beach, with three of our children, taking pictures of shore birds near our home in Alaska when we spotted a bear. The bear was thin and small, moving aimlessly.
Just a few minutes later, I heard my daughter shouting, “Dad! The bear is right behind us!” An aggressive bear will usually rush forward to frighten away its enemy but would suddenly stop at the last minute. This one was silent and its ears pinned back—the sign of an animal that is going in for the kill. And it was a cold April day. The bear behaved abnormally, probably because of hunger.
I held my camera tripod (三脚架) in both hands to form a barrier as the bear rushed into me. Its huge head was level with my chest and shoulders, and the tripod stuck across its mouth. It bit down and I found myself supporting its weight. I knew I would not be able to hold it for long.
Even so, this was a fight I had to win: I was all that stood between the bear and my family, who would stand little chance of running faster than a brown bear.
The bear hit at the camera, cutting it off the tripod. I raised my left arm to protect my face; the beast held tightly on the tripod and pressed it into my side. My arm could not move, and I sensed that my bones were going to break.
Drawing back my free hand, I struck the bear as hard as I could for five to six times. The bear opened its mouth and I grasped its fur, trying to push it away. I was actually wrestling (扭打) with the bear at this point. Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the fight ended. The bear moved back toward the forest, before returning for another attack. The first time I felt panic. Apparently satisfied that we caused no further threat, the bear moved off, destroying a fence as it went. My arm was injured, but the outcome for us could hardly have been better. I’m proud that my family remained clear-headed when panic could have led to a very different outcome.
1. The whole text is mainly arranged in .| A．result and inference |
| B．cause and effect |
| C．space order |
| D．time order |
| A．After it felt safe. |
| B．After it got injured. |
| C．After it found some food. |
| D．After it took away the camera. |
| A．calmness | B．patience |
| C．pride | D．cautiousness |
3 . The Historic Land of Maramure
The county of Maramures, located in the northern part of Romania, is famous for its traditional way of life that has remained unchanged for hundreds of years.
When to Go
May－June for wild flowers; July－September for hiking; September for harvest events like the Chestnut Festival (Baia Mare), Onion Festival (Asuaju de Sus), and Autumn in Chioar (Remetea Chioarului).
How to Get Around
Baia Mare is the region’s largest town and its transportation hub (交通枢纽). From Bucharest, the quickest choice is the 85minute direct flight to Baia Mare International Airport. Rent a car at the airport to travel regionally, and walk, hike, or bike in villages and rural areas. The Englishspeaking staff at the Maramures Tourism Office in Baia Mare (open on weekdays) can provide biking, driving, and hiking routes, plus information about public transportation and bike rentals.
Where to Stay
Small, familyrun guesthouses are located in many villages. Prices typically include breakfast or all meals. The Village Hotel in Breb has three guest rooms in the main house and three small houses, each restored or built using local materials.
Where to Eat or Drink
There’s a great restaurant offering traditional Maramures tastes beside the Casa Iurca de Calinesti Hotel, located next to Elie Wiesel’s birthplace in Sighetu Marmatiei. Weather permitting, sit in the courtyard and watch the chef roast a whole lamb or pig over the open fire.
What to Read before You Go
William Blacker’s memoir (回忆录) Along the Enchanted Way: A Story of Love and Life in Romania is an insightful look into the customs and cultural traditions of rural Transylvania and Maramures, where the author lived from 1996 to 2004.
1. What can we get from the Maramures Tourism Office in Baia Mare?| A．Car rental service. |
| B．Advice on hiking routes. |
| C．Training in driving on hill roads. |
| D．Bicycles available free of charge. |
| A．It offers many traditional Maramures foods. |
| B．It used to be Elie Wiesel’s living place. |
| C．It is the best hotel in the area. |
| D．It is next to a nice restaurant. |
| A．The proper ways of behaving in Maramure |
| B．The major tourist attractions in Transylvania. |
| C．The love story of William Blacker and his wife. |
| D．The poor living conditions in Romanian mountain villages. |
4 . The National Gallery
Description:
The National Gallery is the British national art museum built on the north side of Trafalgar Square in London. It houses a different collection of more than 2,300 examples of European art ranging from 13th-century religious paintings to more modern ones by Renoir and Van Gogh. The older collections of the gallery are reached through the main entrance while the more modern works in the East Wing are most easily reached from Trafalgar Square by a ground floor entrance.
Layout:
The modern Sainsbury Wing on the western side of the building houses 13th to 15th-century paintings, and artists include Duccio, Uccello, Van Eyck, Lippi, Mantegna, Botticelli and Memling.
The main West Wing houses 16th-century paintings, and artists include Leonardo da Vinci, Cranach, Michelangelo, Raphael, Bruegel, Bronzino, Titian and Veronese.
The North Wing houses 17th-century paintings, and artists include Caravaggio, Rubens, Poussin, Van Dyck, Velázquez, Claude and Vermeer.
The East Wing houses 18th to early 20th-century paintings, and artists include Canaletto, Goya, Turner, Constable, Renoir and Van Gogh.
Opening Hours:
The Gallery is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm (Fridays 10 am to 9 pm) and is free,but charges apply to some special exhibitions.
Getting There:
Nearest underground stations: Charing Cross (2-minute walk), Leicester Square (3-minute walk), Embankment (7-minute walk), and Piccadilly Circus (8-minute walk).
1. Where are Leonardo da Vinci’s works shown?| A．In the East Wing. |
| B．In the Sainsbury Wing. |
| C．In the main West Wing. |
| D．In the North Wing. |
| A．Piccadilly Circus. |
| B．Leicester Square. |
| C．Embankment. |
| D．Charing Cross. |
| A．The 17th. | B．The 13th. |
| C．The 18th. | D．The 20th. |
5 . ●Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
Stretching for five miles along Ireland’s western coast, the Cliffs of Moher are a sight more than 300 million years in the making. At their highest, the cliffs soar an impressive 702 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, offering millions of visitors who visit each year unbelievable views sure to leave hearts racing both from the beauty and the height.
●White Cliffs of Dover, the UK
These famous cliffs along England’s southeastern coast are as rich in history as they are in beauty. They stand tall along the Strait of Dover, separating England from France and continental Europe. During World War Ⅰ, the first bomb to hit the UK fell in Dover, and it served as an essential location during WWⅡ as well. And nowadays, the city is best known for the beauty of its white cliffs.
●Mount Thor, Canada
The name Mount Thor may inspire fear or respect — as well it should, considering this is the steepest, tallest cliff in the world. Mount Thor reaches an astonishing 4,101 feet above sea level, and the utter greatness of its vertical incline keeps it from being successfully climbed up until 1965. Today, it remains a challenging and popular place for rock climbers.
●Cliffs of Étretat, France
Located along France’s Alabaster Coast, these cliffs offer more than just steep walls. Climb to the top and you’ll have views of arched rock formations, as well as the scenery that inspired the famous painter Claude Monet. At various points along the cliffs’ 80-mile stretch, you can spot natural sculptures that are said to resemble (像) an elephant among other things.
1. What is the purpose of the author?| A．To introduce some of the world’s most amazing cliff views. |
| B．To advise people to climb cliffs in their spare time. |
| C．To ask people to explore why the cliffs are so steep. |
| D．To call on people to protect our environment. |
| A．Cliffs of Étretat. | B．White Cliffs of Dover. |
| C．Cliffs of Moher. | D．Mount Thor. |
| A．Sculptures are commonly seen along most cliffs. |
| B．Mount Thor soars amazing 702 feet above sea level. |
| C．Visitors to White Cliffs of Dover are impressed by their history. |
| D．Claude Monet got his inspiration partly from White Cliffs of Dover. |
6 . A Guide to Botany: Online Botanical Painting Session
Our Guide to Botany class is back online! Join us for this unique lecture and Botanical Painting session (课)!
This lecture and all our classes are now “pay what you can”. We suggest a donation of £8 but if you are having a tough time with money, even £5 is still amazing, or please feel free to consider this one on the house.
Drawing from both the rich history of female Botanical Art, as well as the inspiring stories of women botanical explorers, this class will be a great opportunity to immerse (沉浸) yourself in the work of artists such as Maria Sybilla Merian, Marianne North, Rachel Ruysch and others!
The session will include a short lecture during which you will be able to make quick sketches (素描) if you choose from your own collections of plants, leaves and flowers, and then students will be guided through some basic watercolour techniques and exercises.
Materials:
You will need a variety of plants, flowers, leaves or dried flowers to work from! You don’t need too many, just enough to make an interesting arrangement, but if you’re really caught short, just one or two houseplants will be fine.
Watercolours
A variety of brushes, from mop-headed to thin detail brushes
Watercolour paper
Date and Time:
Friday, 22 January 2021 13:30—15:30
Thursday, 25 February 2021 14:30—16:30
Location: Online event
1. What can you learn from the class?| A．How to plant flowers. | B．Basic watercolour techniques. |
| C．Basic knowledge of garden design. | D．How to make artworks with dried leaves. |
| A．A donation certificate. | B．A variety of drawing tools. |
| C．A collection of female statues. | D．A history book of Botanical Art. |
| A．It is delivered online. | B．It costs £8 per class. |
| C．It is held weekly on weekends. | D．It is aimed particularly at botanists. |
7 . There is plenty of entertainment on Sundays in New york.
If the weather is bad you might turn to the Entertainment Section of a newspaper to see what movies are on. Sunday afternoon is good time for seeing film, but movies are rather expensive in New York, so making good choice may take time and care. Read the movie reviews to discover what the critics(批评家) have to say. No one wants to make an expensive mistake, nor does anyone want to stand in line a long time, which is very possible if the movie is new and gets good reviews. If you’re not sure that there is a movie interesting enough for you, look at the museum listings to see what exhibitions are on in town. Some museums are free, others are not.
But if the weather is good, you might glance through the section which lists outdoor activities. Almost every Sunday in the springtime some residential neighborhoods (居民区) will request permission from the Police Department to close off street for “street fairs”.There will be food for sale made by local residents or restaurants, handicrafts (工艺品) for sale, music provided by local band (often high school kids) and perhaps dancing. If the fair is in Little Italy you can expect to find tasty Italian food, pizza in cafes, imported Italian leather goods and traditional Italian music and performances. If the fair is in Chinatown, you can expect to find egg rolls, music played on the erhu (二胡) and dragon dances.
1. People are fond of going to the movies __________ when the weather is bad.| A．during the weekdays | B．on Sunday afternoons |
| C．on Sunday evenings | D．in the afternoon |
| A．is easy | B．is a piece of cake |
| C．takes time and much thinking | D．is of great fun |
| A．go to visit a museum | B．go to an exhibition |
| C．go abroad | D．join in local outdoor activities |
| A．all traffic | B．walking | C．shopping | D．entertainment |
8 . On a trip to California, my family stopped for lunch. As we walked toward the entrance to the restaurant, a man, with a messy beard and dirty hair, jumped up from a bench and opened the door for us. Regardless of his
Once inside, my daughters whispered, “Mom, he smells.” After we ordered our lunch, I explained, telling the kids to look
Just then, the “doorman” was opening the door for a couple. They rushed past him without even acknowledging his
When I returned, we talked a bit. He said he was not allowed inside
Back in truck, I fell into deep thought. While we can’t choose many things in life, we can choose when to show gratitude. I said thanks to a man who had simply held open a door for me, and also said thanks for that chance to teach my children by example.
1.| A．service | B．appearance | C．impression | D．attitude |
| A．rude | B．active | C．cheerful | D．shy |
| A．beyond | B．over | C．around | D．into |
| A．stressful | B．easy | C．impressive | D．tough |
| A．occurred | B．happened | C．reminded | D．informed |
| A．appearance | B．presence | C．effect | D．absence |
| A．when | B．unless | C．as long as | D．until |
| A．anxious | B．shocked | C．puzzled | D．bored |
| A．make | B．start | C．stop | D．continue |
| A．hostility | B．affection | C．hesitation | D．gratitude |
9 . Blogs are here to stay. They have become a deep-rooted part of the literary, journalistic, and even social area.
Perhaps you would like to start a blog; perhaps you would like to improve your blog; perhaps you would like to take your blog to professional standards—as a means of earning incomes or increasing your visibility. Whatever your goal is, this course will move you in the right direction.
Millions of people have blogs. Only a part of them do it well enough to achieve real benefits, in terms of incomes, visibility, or sheer (纯粹的) entertainment. This course will show you how to join the band of better bloggers. You will learn how to find the right tone for your blog, set it up and maintain it, write posts that are effective and worth reading, and attract people from all over the world to your spot on the blogsphere. While it’s simple to start a blog, it takes vigilance and skill to do it really well, as is true of any kind of writing.
Among the topics covered: overviews of the blogsphere, the benefits of blogging, focusing on your blog concept, how to set up and maintain a blog, tips for effective blog writing and drawing visitors to your site.
You will get hands-on practice creating your blog plus time for questions. Whether you wish to blog for fun or business, you will gain a realistic understanding of how to become part of the blogsphere.
Course offered.
HOW TO BLOG
In this four-week course, a blogging expert will guide you through the process of conceiving(构想), setting up, writing, and promoting a blog. Each student will consult with the instructor on a blog concept, then set up a “live” blog and introduce it to the rest of the class for feedback. Students will also have ample opportunities to ask the instructor questions.
ONLINE CLASSES
Tuition: $125. Registration Fee: $25
Each class is strictly limited to 25 students, aged 18 and up.
| Starts | New Lecture | Location | Time | Enroll |
| Jan 12 | Wednesdays | Online | 24hrs. a day | CLASS FULL |
| Feb 9 | Wednesdays | Online | 24hrs. a day | CLASS FULL |
| Mar16 | Wednesdays | Online | 24 hrs. a day | Enroll |
| A．an online programme about blog history |
| B．an online writing arrangement |
| C．an online course for writing good blogs |
| D．an online competition in writing blogs |
| A．learn skills of writing effective blogs |
| B．have to recite the blog concepts |
| C．be required to write blogs as a career |
| D．choose blogs for fun or business |
| A．There are no more than 25 students in each course. |
| B．The course is intended for teenagers under 18. |
| C．It will cost you $150 to learn the course. |
| D．New lectures are given each day every week. |
10 . I was blind, but I was ashamed of it if it was known. I refused to use a white stick and hated asking for help. After all, I was a teenager girl, and I couldn’t bear people to look at me and think I was not like them. I must have been a terrible danger on the roads. Coming across me wandering through the traffic, motorists probably would have to step rapidly on their brakes. Apart from that, there were all sorts of disasters that used to occur on the way to and from work.
One evening, I got off the bus about halfway home where I had to change buses, and as usual I ran into something, “I’m awfully sorry,” I said and stepped forward only to run into it again. When it happened a third time, I realized I had been apologizing to a lamppost. This was just one of the stupid things that constantly happened to me. So I carried on and found the bus stop, which was a request stop, where the bus wouldn’t stop unless passengers wanted to get on or off. No one else was there and I had to try to guess if the bus had arrived.
Generally in this situation, because I hated showing I was blind by asking for help, I tried to guess at the sound. Sometimes I would stop a big lorry and stand there feeling stupid as it drew away. In the end, I usually managed to swallow my pride and ask someone at the stop for help.
But on this particular evening no one joined me at the stop. It seemed that everyone had suddenly decided not to travel by bus. Of course I heard plenty of buses pass or I thought I did. But because l had given up stopping them for fear of making a fool of myself, I let them all go by, I stood there alone for half an hour without stopping one. Then I gave up. I decided to walk on to the next stop.
1. The girl refused to ask for help because she thought .| A．she might be recognized | B．asking for help looked silly |
| C．she was normal and independent | D．being found blind was embarrassing |
| A．began to run | B．hit a person as usual |
| C．hit a lamppost by accident | D．was caught by something |
| A．The bus stop was usually crowded with too many people. |
| B．More lorries than buses responded to the girl. |
| C．It took too much time for the girl to catch the bus. |
| D．It was not always reliable to make a good judgement. |
| A．confident | B．proud | C．shy | D．brave |
