1 . Must-Visit Art Galleries In England
Tucked away in cities and countryside across England, there are some exceptional art galleries that should be on every art lover's radar. From classic collections to contemporary installations, here are nine must-visit art galleries in England.
1. Tate Modern, London
Situated on the banks of the River Thames, Tate Modern is Britain’s national gallery of modern art. Housed in a former power station, the gallery is home to an impressive collection of contemporary art, including works by Picasso, Warhol, and Hockney. With its iconic Turbine Hall and stunning views of London, Tate Modern offers a truly immersive art experience.
2. The Hepworth Wakefield, Yorkshire
Named after the renowned sculptor Barbara Hepworth, The Hepworth Wakefield celebrates modern and contemporary art in a stunning waterside setting. The gallery’s collection includes sculptures, paintings, and drawings by Hepworth and other British artists. With its award-winning architecture and vibrant exhibitions, The Hepworth Wakefield is a must-visit destination for art lovers.
3. The Baltic, Gateshead
In Gateshead, on the banks of the River Tyne, The Baltic is a modern art center that regularly hosts international exhibitions. The Baltic is a contemporary art gallery housed in a former flour mill. The gallery’s vast exhibition spaces showcase cutting-edge contemporary art from around the world, as well as innovative installations and events. With its iconic building and panoramic views of Newcastle and Gateshead, The Baltic is a must-visit destination for art lovers.
4. The Lowry, Manchester
Located in the heart of Salford Quays, The Lowry is a vibrant arts venue showcasing visual and performing arts. Named after the famous painter L.S. Lowry, the gallery houses the largest public collection of his work, as well as contemporary exhibitions and events. With its theatres, galleries, and waterfront setting, The Lowry offers a dynamic cultural experience for visitors of all ages.
These are just a few of the many exceptional art galleries waiting to be explored in England. Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or simply curious about the world of art, these galleries offer a diverse range of experiences for visitors of all ages and interests.
1. What sets Tate Modern apart from other art galleries?A.Its riverside location. | B.Its collection of European paintings. |
C.Its focus on contemporary art. | D.Its association with famous artists like Turner. |
A.The Baltic, Gateshead. | B.The Lowry, Manchester. |
C.The Hepworth Wakefield, Yorkshire. | D.Tate Modern, London. |
A.London. | B.Manchester. | C.Gateshead. | D.Brighton. |
2 . In a gray box, I have a thick pile of love letters. I imagine about sharing them with a granddaughter when I’m 90. But my most treasured love letter is from one of my best friends. It’s a handwritten letter years ago when I was having trouble getting over a man. Her letter is the most romantic in my pile. It made no excuses. It simply let me know that I was loved.
Reflecting on her gift, and the dying art of handwritten letters in our age of emails and emoticons, I chose to conduct an experiment this Christmas: replacing presents with heartfelt, handwritten love letters for my family members.
In our digital era, most of us rarely take the time to share deeply considered thoughts and emotions with the people in our lives. Handwriting captures the writer’s emotions, often preserved longer than digital exchanges. However, technology is taking over. First came typewriters and keyboards. Now a new brain-computer lets people type with their minds. What are we losing when we sacrifice the physical labor behind the written word? We tend to value what we struggle for. Have we undervalued the human exchange of ideas?
That day, I came across a letter my mom wrote to her parents when she was young. She seemed so comfortable with her parents. It was a relationship I didn’t have with her. I was inspired by my mother’s letter to her parents when I sat down to write my letter to her. I wanted her to know my love, and to close the crack that technology and culture had created between us. With each sentence, I was discovering new and deeper ways of seeing my mother, and making myself known to her in more thoughtful ways as well.
Eight single-space pages later, my hand was aching but I was done. It was only the first of my love letters, but it was already clear: What had begun as a fun project was in fact one of the most important undertakings of my life.
1. Why does the author mention her love letters in Paragraph 1?A.To show her grand charm as a young girl. | B.To share them with one of her granddaughters. |
C.To highlight the value of handwritten letters. | D.To look back upon her romantic relationship. |
A.Making our interaction less emotional. | B.Encouraging our thoughtful communication. |
C.Saving our physical labor in conveying emotions. | D.Increasing our effort in handwritten exchanges. |
A.To give her mother a big surprise. | B.To answer her mother’s handwritten letter. |
C.To bridge a communication gap. | D.To make her mother feel more comfortable. |
A.The irreplaceable bond of family members. | B.The tendency of information technology. |
C.The expression of emotions in the digital age. | D.The power of handwritten correspondence. |
3 . When instant cake mixes first appeared in the 1950s, American housewives were doubtful. These mixes, promising easy cake-baking, felt too easy. The manufacturers discovered that requiring the addition of an egg in the baking process was just enough to make the housewives happy with their work. The greater sense of effort gained from a little extra labor is believed to have been essential to the later success of the cake mix.
This reflects the IKEA effect (宜家效应), which is identified by psychologist Michael I. Norton and his colleagues, suggesting we place greater value on things we have worked to create. They conducted four studies in which they asked participants to fold paper cranes and frogs, assemble IKEA boxes, and build sets of Legos. They then asked the builders to bid (出价) for their creations, and compared the prices with bids from people who hadn’t built them. The builders consistently outbid the non-builders.
Interestingly, the IKEA effect works even when people have no opportunity to fully personalize their creations. While most participants’ folding skills left much to be desired, they loved their imperfectly personalized products all the more. Builders valued their wrinkled crane-like creations nearly five times as much as non-builders. Beauty, it seems, is in the eye of the builder.
Today, as cities are suffering from severe housing crises, the IKEA effect can give us insight into the well-being benefits of a self-building approach to housing development. Projects like WikiHouse and the “half-a-house” approach pioneered by Alejandro Aravena’s architecture company Elemental are working to make housing more affordable and sustainable by making it easier for people to build and personalize their own homes.
“The moment people are involved with their built environment, they have a totally different relationship to it,” WikiHouse co-founder Alastair Parvin explained. “When the roof starts leaking or a door starts creaking, they have the power to fix it themselves.”
1. What brought customers the joy of cake-baking according to paragraph 1?A.A better taste. | B.An easy approach. |
C.A detailed recipe. | D.An additional effort. |
A.Creations are based on skills. | B.Extra labor increases perceived value. |
C.Beauty is found through contrast. | D.Strict management brings good quality. |
A.Critical. | B.Objective. | C.Doubtful. | D.Supportive. |
A.To promote a brand. | B.To make a proposal. |
C.To explain a concept. | D.To introduce a study. |
4 . When it comes to lowering blood pressure, studies have typically shown that aerobic (有氧的) exercises are best. Recent research suggests another type of physical activity is worth including as an effective tool to prevent and treat high blood pressure.
Exercises that engage muscles without movement, such as wall squats and planks, may be best for lowering blood pressure, according to a large study published in July, 2023 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
This type of training is known as isometric exercise, according to the Mayo Clinic. Isometric muscle action happens when muscles contract but do not visibly change length, and the joints involved don’t move, facilitating stability of the body. Isometric exercises can be done with weights or without, just relying on the body’s own weight.
“These findings provide a comprehensive data-driven framework to support the development of new exercise guideline recommendations for the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure,” said study coauthor Dr. Jamie O’Driscoll in a news release.
The researchers looked into randomized controlled trials that had reported the effects of exercise interventions, lasting two or more weeks, on blood pressure between 1990 and February 2023. From a review of 270 trials with 15,827 participants, the researchers found that among HIIT (high intensity interval training), isometric exercise, aerobic exercise, dynamic resistance training and a combination of the latter two, isometric exercise led to the greatest reductions in blood pressure.
It’s also important to note that there are other lifestyle changes as well as exercise that can benefit your blood pressure. These include keeping to a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, cutting down on salt, not drinking too much alcohol and ensuring that you continue to take any prescribed medication.
More research is needed to determine exactly why isometric exercises might be better for lowering blood pressure than other types of training, the authors said.
1. What does the underlined part “isometric exercise” in paragraph 3 refer to?A.Exercise that is done with extra weights. |
B.Exercise that involves visible muscle contraction. |
C.Exercise that focuses on stability of the body. |
D.Exercise that engages muscles without movement. |
A.By providing statistics. | B.By interviewing experts. |
C.By doing experiments. | D.By making comparisons. |
A.Exploring the reasons for its effectiveness. |
B.Demonstrating its influences on mental health. |
C.Assessing its suitability for different populations. |
D.Determining its long-term impacts on blood pressure. |
A.The benefits of aerobic exercises. | B.The best exercise for blood pressure. |
C.The effects of various types of exercises. | D.The importance of keeping a healthy lifestyle. |
5 . At the age of 16, I went to Australia as an exchange student and lived with a host family. Even though I had made some preparations, the culture shock was still
During the first months, which is called the “honeymoon phase” of culture shock, I was super
“I wish public transportation would…” These thoughts were of course highly
Over the next few months, though, feelings of adjustment and belonging gradually
Things started to make sense and I
The
A.unavoidable | B.unbearable | C.unbelievable | D.unforgettable |
A.worried | B.lonely | C.thrilled | D.proud |
A.similar | B.expensive | C.advanced | D.fresh |
A.uncontrollable | B.odd | C.distracting | D.worthless |
A.experiences | B.comments | C.thoughts | D.news |
A.effortless | B.unimportant | C.unhelpful | D.aimless |
A.took over | B.broke out | C.went on | D.faded away |
A.requirements | B.trend | C.behaviors | D.stress |
A.missed | B.entered | C.completed | D.created |
A.appreciate | B.meet | C.ignore | D.change |
A.slowly | B.dramatically | C.suddenly | D.regularly |
A.memorized | B.introduced | C.understood | D.analyzed |
A.breakthrough | B.barrier | C.dilemma | D.method |
A.patient | B.familiar | C.careful | D.comfortable |
A.keeping | B.enjoying | C.remembering | D.spreading |
A.complained | B.remarked | C.declared | D.emphasized |
A.look | B.sound | C.eat | D.dress |
A.effects | B.descriptions | C.advantages | D.attractions |
A.understanding | B.changes | C.feelings | D.response |
A.questioning | B.exploration | C.imitation | D.acceptance |
6 . After decades of married life, I realized that my life was limited, and even having friends frightened me. To ease my anxiety, my husband and I explored the Blue Ridge Mountains about an hour’s ride from home. We chose a path only a couple of miles long. The process of putting one foot in front of the other started to ease my worried soul. Being with nature slowed down my racing mind. Up and down the path we went. The trees gently swayed in the wind as we enjoyed views of valleys below us.
I knew this was my way to heal. I found the Internet site Meetup, picked a group and signed up for a five-mile hike in Shenandoah National Park. All my worries came into play when meeting the hiking group. The fifteen hikers, at least ten years younger than me, started slowly, crossing many little streams on rocks. I enjoyed the tour but struggled to keep up. After a half-mile, my steps got into the rhythm. I felt a part of all that surrounded me.
I have been actively hiking since that day, walking thousands of miles, with several worn pairs of hiking boots to prove it. With my fellow hikers, I climbed Mount Le Conte at 6,593 feet. It was a challenging hike, but I made it.
I have hiked the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland with five other women, through more than a hundred miles of green hills and valleys filled with baby sheep and their mothers. I’m fortunate to have the Blue Ridge Mountains nearby. Before the pandemic, I backpacked on the AppalachianTrail, falling short of my 100-mile goal but enjoying it. I met hikers along the way, camping next to them and listening to their determination to hike the entire 2,200 miles.
I don’t intend to give up being one with nature outdoors anytime soon. We all are responsible for our peace and happiness.
1. What made the author less worried at the mountain path?A.Closely following her husband. |
B.Choosing a path near her home. |
C.Taking a walk outdoors in nature. |
D.Racing with the wind in the trees. |
A.Worried. | B.Energetic. |
C.Confident. | D.Excited. |
A.Travel with backpack before the pandemic. |
B.Keep her boots to prove her ability. |
C.Plan the hiking route of 2 ,200 miles. |
D.Finish the 100-mile goal along the trail. |
A.Outdoor Life Is Beneficial |
B.The Mountains Are Calling |
C.I Learned to Face My Worries |
D.Nature Is Our Best Friend |
7 . The 1973 horror film “The Exorcist” and “Silent Night, Deadly Night” released in 1984 were so scary that audiences left the theater up and out—throwing up and passing out, that is.
Based on this evidence after the release, it would seem to most people that horror movies are bad for people’s health. Yet experts actually argue exactly the opposite: The Halloween tradition of watching scary movies is actually good for your mental health.
“There is some research on this in psychology, but I think what’s basically been found is that there’s a benefit to recalling fears in your mind,” Matthew Strohl, the author of Why It’s OK to Love Bad Movies, told Salon. “You can gain a sense of distance from them. You feel you can conquer them through this sort of exposure, as it were, by repeatedly putting yourself in a position where you have to engage with them. But because it’s in a fictional (虚构的) artistic context, you can deal with them.”
Frank T. McAndrew, who has studied how places can “creep” people out (让人害怕)—researched on the science behind how horror movies are in many ways ideal as a specific vehicle for meeting this need to be scared.
“That is kind of born with us,” McAndrew pointed out. “We like stories. We like to learn through the experience of other people. We learn valuable lessons that might be kind of costly to learn on our own. So we are attracted by horror movies and horror experiences because by watching other people deal with scary things, we can mentally practice strategies that will make us better prepared for dealing with that ourselves in the future.”
Whether it is turning down the movie’s volume, covering your eyes, or reminding yourself that it is just a movie, McAndrew said “that kind of playful engagement with fear can not only help people avoid fainting from horror in face of a horror movie, but also handle the pressure and anxieties of the real world.”
1. How experts’ opinion differs from most people’s belief?A.People like horror movies. | B.Horror films are actually beneficial. |
C.Horror may cause physical discomfort. | D.Halloween tradition is watching horror movies. |
A.Horror films can give people a sense of control. |
B.Fears can keep people away from scary films. |
C.Fears in life differ from those caused by scary films. |
D.Not everyone can appreciate the beauty of fictional arts. |
A.The appeal for a vehicle. | B.The need for fear. |
C.The fear for some places. | D.The science behind horror. |
A.Studying literature and art. | B.Writing film reviews. |
C.Dealing with stress and anxiety. | D.Interacting with others. |
8 . The Mona Lisa is the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting of a woman with a mysterious smile. This week, the painting gave up a secret.
Scientists using X-rays to examine the chemical structure of a small part of the painting discovered a technique Leonardo used in the work. An oil paint used for it was a special, new chemical mixture, which suggests that the Italian artist was in an experimental mood when he worked on the painting in the 16th century.
“He loved to experiment, and each of his paintings is completely different technically,”said Victor Gonzalez, a chemist who has studied the chemical element (成分) of several works by Leonardo and other artists. The researchers found a rare lead compound (铅化合物) — plumbonacrite, in Leonardo’s first layer of paint. The discovery proved that da Vinci most likely used lead oxide to thicken and help dry his paint. The paint in the study is about the thickness of a human hair, lying in the top right area of the painting.
The scientists looked into its atomic structure using X-rays, moving particles at the speed of light, permitting researchers to look deeper into the paint structure. “ Plumbonacrite is really a fingerprint of his recipe, as it’s the first time we can chemically confirm it,” Gonzalez said.
Dutch artist Rembrandt may have used a similar mixture when he was painting in the 17th century. Gonzalez and other researchers have found plumbonacrite in his work, too. Leonardo is thought to have put lead oxide powder, which has an orange color, in the oil to make it thicker and dry faster. “What you will get is an oil that has a very nice golden color,” Gonzalez said. “It flows more like honey.”
But the Mona Lisa — said by the Louvre to be a portrait (肖像) of Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a Florentine silk businessman — and additional works by Leonardo still have other secrets to tell. “What we are saying is just a little brick in the knowledge,” Gonzalez said.
1. What’s the new discovery about the Mona Lisa?A.A new explanation of the secret smile. |
B.A new chemical element used in the painting. |
C.The secret of the woman in the painting. |
D.The structure of the paint da Vinci used. |
A.Open secret. | B.Widespread use. | C.Hidden element. | D.Long-term dream. |
A.It helps to make many things into paints. |
B.It helps to make paints easy to deal with. |
C.It helps to keep the paintings last long. |
D.It helps to make paintings rich in color. |
A.It has more secrets to tell the world. |
B.It’s the portrait of a silk businessman. |
C.It’s well kept in bricks in the Louvre. |
D.It has a mixture of different art styles. |
9 . As a child, I was fascinated by the world of theater and began taking classes at the age of 7. Throughout my teenage years, I actively
Despite this, in my everyday life, I was often plagued (困扰) by
Performing was an excellent way for me to
Looking back, my time as a
A.participated in | B.carried out | C.dealt with | D.applied for |
A.Studying | B.Dancing | C.Acting | D.Teaching |
A.predict | B.confirm | C.influence | D.experience |
A.results | B.benefits | C.features | D.rules |
A.generous | B.familiar | C.confident | D.strange |
A.curiosity | B.excitement | C.misunderstanding | D.nervousness |
A.places | B.cities | C.groups | D.cultures |
A.sports | B.roles | C.matches | D.songs |
A.missed | B.challenged | C.changed | D.acquired |
A.overcome | B.ignore | C.remove | D.hide |
A.adventurous | B.casual | C.skillful | D.funny |
A.Moreover | B.Therefore | C.Otherwise | D.However |
A.task | B.plan | C.story | D.future |
A.persuasion | B.support | C.permission | D.comfort |
A.reminded | B.inform | C.assured | D.warned |
A.emotional | B.creative | C.popular | D.professional |
A.freedom | B.growth | C.adaptation | D.satisfaction |
A.suitable | B.acceptable | C.valuable | D.flexible |
A.eager | B.sorry | C.grateful | D.ready |
A.heard | B.supposed | C.expected | D.learned |
10 . Ride a Wave of Weekend Music in New York City
Bill Saxton All-Stars
Sept. 9 — 10 at Bill’s Place, Manhattan
Honoring the spirit of Harlem jazz since opening in 2006, Bill Saxton is now part of the history it celebrates. Each weekend, Saxton, who grew up in the neighborhood packed with jazz in the mid-20th century, takes the stage with his Harlem All-Stars to tear through bop classics, spiritual jazz beauties and his originals with earthy power.
Tickets are at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. and $30 at www.billsplaceharlem.com.
An A24 Comedy
Sept. 9 at Littlefield, Brooklyn
The comedian Sarah Rachel shows her love for A24, an award-wining film, by hosting a celebration of dress party. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favorite A24 characters, with a prize for the best dressed.
Tickets, starting at 8 p.m., are $20 in advance, $25 on the day, and available at www.littlefieldnyc.com.
CMOM’s Art Festival
Through September 30 at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan
The museum is inviting visitors to celebrate summer in the city with storybook readings and craft activities, all devoted to New York themes. Grub Gallery offers two daylong workshops, where children can carve a refrigerator out of a cake as their treats.
All activities are included in museum admission, starting at $13, available at www.cmomsummerart.com
Burna Boy
Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. at Citi Field, Queens
Burna Boy, a famous Nigerian artist, heads to Citi Field, where the singer and rapper will perform on Saturday, combining sounds rooted in hip-hop, dancehall and more. Tickets for Saturday’s concert, part of his ongoing tour promoting “Love, Domini”, start at $54.50, available from Ticketmaster.
1. What do we know about Bill Saxton?A.He will dress up to perform a character of A24. |
B.His workshop offers special treats to children. |
C.He grew up in a place filled with jazz music. |
D.He is a Nigerian artist performing in New York. |
A.Have a taste of the spiritual beauty of jazz. |
B.Dress up as their favorite characters of a film. |
C.Join the singer for a promotion of a rap tour concert. |
D.Carve a fridge out of a cake supplied in the workshops |
A.At Ticketmaster | B.At www.littlefieldnyc.com. |
C.At www.billsplaceharlem.com. | D.At www.cmomsummerart.com. |