1 . A 4-Day Private Tour in Turkey
A Turkey tour is full of many dream-come-true moments. Here we offer you a 4-day private tour in Turkey.
Day 1 Arrival in Istanbull
Once you land at Istanbul Airport, our local guide will pick you up and send you to the hotel downtown. We will then leave the rest of the day for your own plan.
Accommodation: Fer Hotel☆☆☆☆
Day 2 Istanbul Old City
The first stop will be the ancient Hippodrome, which is now a public square, and where several monuments (纪念碑) still stand, including the most eye-catching obelisk. Then we will head to the nearby Blue Mosque, one of Istanbul’s landmarks. Finally, after today’s sightseeing, we will send you to a new hotel.
Accommodation: Hilton Hotel☆☆☆☆
Day 3 Bosphorus Cruise
In the morning, the guide will lead you to the Spice Bazaar, where you can buy Turkey’s most traditional spices and food. The locals often come here to buy daily goods, so it’s a great place to have an in-depth understanding of their daily lives, too. Then, we will board a ship to enjoy the Bosphorus Strait, which will last for about 2 hours.
Accommodation: Hampton Inn Hotel ☆☆☆☆
Day 4 Cappadocia
Cappadocia is famous for lunar-like landscapes and cave buildings. Among various sites in the region, Goreme Open Air Museum is the best site to visit. Next, we will come to Avanos, a small town specializing in making pottery (陶器) with red clay from Red River. Finally, we will drive to Kaymakli Underground City, consisting of 8 layers connected by tunnels.
Accommodation: Kayakapi Premium Hotel ☆☆☆☆☆
At 7: 00 next morning, we will say goodbye after the driver sends you to the airport.
1. Which hotel scores the highest?| A．Fer Hotel. | B．Hilton Hotel. |
| C．Hampton Inn Hotel. | D．Kayakapi Premium Hotel. |
| A．At the Hippodrome. | B．At the Spice Bazaar. |
| C．At the Blue Mosque. | D．At Goreme Open Air Museum. |
| A．Cave buildings. | B．High-rise monuments. |
| C．Pottery made with red clay. | D．Buildings connected by tunnels. |
2 . Luxury Vacation in Greece—A Unique Guide to Exquisite Destinations
Greece is a land of captivating beauty and rich cultural heritage. From pristine beaches to historic landmarks, Greek islands have it all.
In this guide, we will explore three extraordinary luxury destinations in Greece, each with its own distinctive appeal, ensuring a truly unforgettable experience.
Santorini:A paradise for the senses
Santorini, with its iconic white-washed buildings, is a world-renowned luxury destination. This volcanic island is celebrated for its dramatic sunsets and breathtaking landscapes, making it a top choice for discerning travelers. For a more exclusive experience, consider indulging (沉溺) in a luxury villa, where you can enjoy utmost privacy and personalized attention.
No luxury vacation in Greece is complete without tasting the culinary (烹饪的) delights the country has to offer.Santorini boasts a remarkable dining scene, featuring world-class restaurants that showcase the freshest local ingredients.
Mykonos:Where charms meets relaxation
Mykonos, known as the “Island of the Winds”, provides all pleasures that you can imagine, including infinity pools, private beach access, and exclusive spa facilities.
Mykonos boasts a reputation for its lively nightlife scene. From iconic beach clubs where you can dance to the hottest beats under the sun to sophisticated cocktail bars that offer panoramic views of the Aegean Sea, the island caters to those seeking an unforgettable party experience.
Crete:A painting of natural beauty and cultural heritage
Crete, the largest of the Greek islands, offers a diverse and captivating luxury vacation experience. With its rugged mountains, stunning beaches, and ancient ruins, Crete seamlessly blends natural beauty with rich history.
Immerse yourself in the island’s cultural heritage by visiting archaeological sites such as the Palace of Knossos or exploring charming villages where time seems to stand still. For the adventurous souls, indulge in thrilling outdoor activities, including hiking through the Samaria Gorge or boarding a yachting excursion along the coastline.
1. From which section of a magazine can you most probably read this passage?| A．Health. | B．Environment. |
| C．Travel. | D．Entertainment. |
| A．It is not a luxury destination. | B．It is the best place for food enthusiasts. |
| C．It offers various outdoor activities. | D．It is famous for its lively nightlife. |
| A．Santorini is the largest of these three islands. |
| B．Crete may hold a particular appeal for history lovers. |
| C．Mykonos features white-washed buildings. |
| D．Boat trips are offered in all these three destinations. |
3 . At this point, a new live stage show, The Music Critic, is touring across the US. In the show, John Malkovich transforms into the sharpest critics of the greatest classical musicians in history and reads their comments aloud as the music critics in his unusual voice.
For example, Frederic Chopin was once criticized by pianist Hyung-ki Joo. “Mr. Chopin has, by some means or the other which we cannot understand, obtained an enormous reputation too often refused to composers who possess several times his genius. Mr. Chopin is by no means a composer of the ordinary. He is worse,” Malkovich comments as the critic.
In the show, even Beethoven got a very bad review from the wonderful composer Tchaikovsky. “He first fills the soul with sweet sadness, and then destroys it by a mass of messy notes,” Malkovich reads.
The Music Critic is part concert, part theater. Malkovich says that the similarities between them are part of the draw for him.
“I always say they are like surfing because we just paddle (划) out on our little boards. We turn our back to the sun and wait for a wave. We’re not the wave, which most of us think we are, but we are really not the wave,” Malkovich emphasizes. “The wave is created by the collision (碰撞) between the material and the audience. We ride the wave or we don’t.”
For sure, it is fun to criticize anyone. However, there’s something more at the heart of The Music Critic—and there’s a lesson for all of us. Everyone will be at the receiving end of bad reviews at some point. As Malkovich points out: If Beethoven and Chopin got dismissed, you will too.
“I think of it as an inspirational piece for people in the creative industry to keep going,” Malkovich says. “You know, face all the criticism, enjoy it, and have fun with it because you’re going to get it. There’s no one who’s going to be spared.”
1. What does the underlined word “their” in paragraph 1 refer to?| A．The classical musicians’. | B．Chopin and Beethoven’s. |
| C．The sharpest music critics’. | D．Hyung-ki Joo and Tchaikovsky’s. |
| A．Chopin shouldn’t become so famous. | B．Many composers were treated unfairly. |
| C．He couldn’t understand Chopin’s music. | D．Chopin was one of the greatest composers. |
| A．The beautiful music. | B．The audience’s feeling. |
| C．The dramatic acting. | D．The performers’ passion. |
| A．Every great man shall be criticized. |
| B．Entertainers might get far more criticism. |
| C．The audience should be fair with their criticism. |
| D．We should face criticism and try to have fun with it. |
4 . Even before the Internet brought unlimited consumer options directly into our homes, choice had long been seen as the driving force of capitalism (资本主义). The possibility of consumers to choose between competing providers of products and services decides which businesses will grow rapidly and which will bite the dust. The competitive environment caused by consumers’ free choice supposedly drives innovation and efficiency, delivering a better overall consumer experience.
However, recent experiments on consumer behaviour have suggested that too many options can lead to a range of anxieties in consumers—from the fear of missing out (FOMO) on a better opportunity, to the loss of pleasure in a chosen activity (thinking “why am I doing this when I could have been doing something else?”) and regret from choosing poorly. The raised expectations presented by a broad range of choices can lead some consumers to feel ill-informed and indecisive when making a purchasing decision.
Fortunately, randomness offers us a simple way to overcome the choice-related anxieties. When faced with a multitude of choices, many of which you would be happy to accept, throwing a coin may be the better option. This “randomized” strategy can help us to focus on our true preference and sometimes making a quick good choice is better than making a slow perfect one, or indeed making no decision at all.
It’s important to remember that you are not required to follow the randomized decision blindly. The suggested choice is just designed to put you in the position of having to seriously consider accepting the specified option, but doesn't force your hand one way or the other.
For those of us who struggle to make decisions, it’s comforting to know that when struggling with a selection, we can get out a coin and allow it to help. Even if we resolve to reject the outcome, being forced to see both sides of the argument can often kickstart or speed up our decision-making process.
1. Which is closest in meaning to “bite the dust” in paragraph 1?| A．Survive. | B．Fail. | C．Adapt. | D．Benefit. |
| A．too many options could make consumers more anxious |
| B．more choices usually led to better consumer experiences |
| C．companies are more innovative in a competitive environment |
| D．customers could make better decisions with enough information |
| A．Focus on our true preference. | B．Delay the decision indefinitely. |
| C．Accept the randomized strategy. | D．Throw the coins more than once. |
| A．Economy. | B．Politics. | C．Health. | D．Psychology. |
5 . From its origins in the California hills in the US to its acceptance on urban streets worldwide, the history of skateboarding spans (跨越) seven decades over which it has developed from an unwelcome sport to an Olympic event in 2020. Now, a London exhibition is to show the path from those humble homemade boards of the 1950s to today’s hi-tech professional models.
The exhibition will feature about 90 rare and unique boards along with more than 100 other related objects, including safety equipment and magazines. Half of the skateboards will be on loan from the Skateboarding Hall of Fame Museum in California. A highlight will be a 1967 Bilbo board produced by European Surfing Company, which was set up at Newquay in Cornwall in southwestern England in 1965 and marketed the first skateboards in the UK.
Also on display will be the famous skateboarder Tony Hawk’s first professional model, from 1982, with its adaptations for the vert style of skateboarding which uses vertical ramps (垂直坡面) rather than level ground; early homemade boards from 1950s California modeled on the design of roller-skates and surfboards; and the first two models to feature a kicktail — the raised tail enabling skaters to turn or balance the board on the back wheels.
It will also feature Laura Thornhill’s Logan Earth Ski from the 1970s, the first women’s professional model. Sky Brown, who at 13 won bronze for Team Great Britain at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is represented through her first professional model, the Sky Brown&. Skateistan Almost model.
“Skateboards, often misunderstood as being just toys, are now hi-tech products responding to constantly changing urban environments,” said Jonathan Olivares, the show’s director. “This exhibition is centred around a single question: how did the skateboard get to positioning the skateboard as a truly unique object.”
1. When were skateboards invented?| A．In the 1950s. | B．In the 1960s. | C．In the 1970s. | D．In the 1980s. |
| A．It is a homemade board with a kicktail. | B．It is designed to skate on the level ground. |
| C．It is probably suitable for U-shaped ramps. | D．It is modeled on the design of roller-skates. |
| A．Bilbo. | B．Logan Earth Ski. | C．Newquay. | D．Sky Brown&. Skateistan Almost. |
| A．Skateboards are still low-tech products. |
| B．Skateboarding won its acceptance immediately. |
| C．Skateboarders were always admired by the public. |
| D．Skateboarding will be very popular around the world. |
6 . Here are the best hotels in Auckland. from sear-view nightclubs to urban art escapes.
SO Auckland
The hotel, which feels part-exhibition, part-nightclub, sets itself apart from other chains in downtown Auckland. Running paths are laid out on the in-room screens to help you see the best of Auckland. It is especially impressive to take in views of the high-rises along the Waitemata Seaport from the 16th-floor cocktail bar at the hotel.
Rooms: From NZ$ 398, room only.
Parohe Island Retreat
Thickly forested Kawau Island lies just beyond the urban orbit. At the remotest end of the seaport around which the island wraps itself, Parohe provides yoga platforms and outdoor baths for guests to relax. It also has a schedule of activities encouraging guests to connect with land and sea, including volleyball and fishing.
Rooms: From NZ$ 650. room only.
Emerald Inn
Across the harbour from downtown Auckland, this hotel is ideal for multi-generational trips. There are enough local activities for families to spend a week here, from the Sunday beachside market to Lake Pupuke, a freshwater-filled volcanic crater (坑) where you can try boating or windsurfing.
Rooms: From NZ$ 235, room only.
Hotel Britomart
The newest arrival on this list is Hotel Britomart, an understated hotel among the high-rises. It is the only hotel on this list to gain a 5 Green Star award for sustainability. The location makes it popular among both holidaymakers and locals, who happily fill the tables of its superb fish restaurant, Kingi. Local food is so championed that the menu names those responsible for each catch.
Rooms: From NZ$ 377, room only.
1. Which is the most expensive hotel?| A．Emerald Inn. | B．Hotel Britomart. | C．SO Auckland. | D．Parohe Island Retreat. |
| A．Pay a visit to its exhibitions. | B．Windsurf in its volcanic crater. |
| C．Do yoga and have outdoor baths. | D．Try fish bought from identified fishers. |
| A．The sweeping city views. | B．The family fun. |
| C．Its environmental friendliness. | D．Its artistic atmosphere. |
7 . The Montague Bookmill
The Montague Bookmill in Montague is a used bookstore housed in an 1842 gristmill (磨坊), set on the banks of the Sawmill River, a few miles north of Northampton and Amherst, Massachusetts. There is great food and drink all day and deep into the night at the astonishing Lady Killigrew Cafe and the beautiful new Watershed Restaurant. We have concerts and performances in spring, summer and fall. The bookstore is a lovely place where you can lose yourself for hours. We’ve been lost here for years.
Our Books
Our collection leans toward the academic, but we have thousands of books, on just about everything from Austen to Zola. Our books are generally half-price, including recent publishers’ overstocks. Don’t look for our catalogues online; we’re not that bookstore. But if we can’t find the book you’re looking for, we’ll find you a better one you don’t know but you want.
We Buy Books
We buy books strictly by appointment, and we make appointments only by phone so that we can discuss your books. We look for books that are in good condition, and we do not buy textbooks or former library books. Books should have no underlining, highlighting or marginal notes.
Events Information
There are events held in our store every year except in 2022 and 2023. Please pay attention to the following information.
●Doors open at 7:30 pm, unless posted.
●All shows are $10 cash and credit cards are not accepted.
●Be sure to arrive early for couches, armchairs and browsing the books!
●Watch this page for additions, updates and more information.
1. What do you know about The Montague Bookmill?
| A．It houses a bank and 1842 gristmills in total. | B．It allows you to look for catalogues online. |
| C．It provides food and drink for customers. | D．It only charges half prices for academic books. |
| A．A new textbook with no notes. | B．A new best-selling novel at a book fair. |
| C．A used book with underlining notes. | D．A book from the National Library of China. |
| A．A travel brochure. | B．A tourist map. | C．A website. | D．A health magazine. |
8 . India’s robotic spacecraft landed on the moon undamagedly on August 23, 2023, a historic achievement for the country’s growing space program.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is the first ever to touch down at the lunar south pole. Many nations and private companies have set their sights on the region because of its ice, thought to be buried in the polar craters. The natural resources are coveted because they could supply drinking water, air, and rocket fuel for future missions, ushering a new era in spaceflight.
The success also means India has been one of countries who have landed a spacecraft on the moon. The victory comes four years after India’s previous mission, Chandrayaan-2, crashed.
An Indian official, who watched the live stream from Johannesburg, South Africa, said, “On this joyous occasion, I would like to address all the people of the world: India’s successful moon mission is not just India’s alone. This success belongs to all humanity.”
About 60 years have passed since the first unpiloted (无人驾驶的) moon landings, but touching down is still demanding. The moon’s atmosphere is very thin, providing virtually no drag to slow a spacecraft down as it approaches the ground. Furthermore, there are no GPS systems on the moon to help guide a craft to its landing spot. Engineers have to make up for these shortcomings from about 239,000 miles away.
Over the past four years, private companies and other nations have tried and failed. But perhaps now there’s more hope.
The Indian official said, “I’m confident that all countries in the world including those from the global south are capable of achieving such a success. We can all aspire (渴望) to the moon and beyond.”
1. What does the underlined word “coveted” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Desired. | B．Legal. | C．Tough. | D．Balanced. |
| A．It was connected by Chandrayaan-3. |
| B．It landed on the south surface of the moon. |
| C．It was the first to touch down at the south pole. |
| D．It fell and broke when carrying out space mission. |
| A．The unfamiliar preens for scientists. |
| B．The materials used to make the spaceship. |
| C．The shortage of previous successful cases. |
| D．The limitation of the moon’s atmosphere and technology. |
| A．Indifferent. | B．Positive. | C．Objective. | D．Doubtful. |
9 . Artificial intelligence (AI) tools designed to operate at human levels have greatly expanded in popularity over the past year. These include OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Bard and Microsoft’s AI-powered search engine Bing. Such tools, also known as chatbots or generative AI, are computer-powered systems. They are designed to interact smoothly with humans and perform high-level writing and creative work.
In recent months, these tools have demonstrated an ability to produce high-quality work. This has led some technology experts to warn that generative AI systems could end up replacing workers in many industries.
This year, researchers at Harvard Business School and other organizations carried out an experiment. It aimed to test how well AI tools could help workers perform their usual duties or tasks. It involved more than 700 business advisors, called consultants, from Massachusetts-based Boston Consulting Group.
Harvard Business School recently published the results from the experiment in a working paper. The main findings suggest that AI tools like ChatGPT can greatly improve worker performance. For example, researchers found that, on average, workers who used OpenAI’s latest ChatGPT 4 tool completed 12 percent more tasks than non-ChatGPT users. Tasks carried out with help from the AI technology were completed 25 percent faster. And the team found the quality of work performed by consultants using ChatGPT 4 increased by about 40 percent.
However, the paper also noted areas where the performance of consultants using ChatGPT 4 dropped. The researchers said this was especially true with tasks the AI tool was not good at completing. “Of tasks the AI was good at, the experiment showed it significantly improved human performance,” the paper said. “But for tasks ChatGPT 4 was not right for, humans relied too much on the AI and were more likely to make mistakes.”
The team suggests one of the biggest barriers to companies effectively using AI is not knowing which tasks can be completed best with the technology. Finding this out will require businesses to carry out thoughtful research and training efforts in order to find the right mix of AI and human-level work.
1. What is a purpose of designing AI tools according to the text?| A．To perform low-level writing. | B．To replace technology experts. |
| C．To finish high-quality work. | D．To improve interpersonal communication. |
| A．To explain the disadvantages of AI tools. |
| B．To show how well AI tools could help workers. |
| C．To forecast changes in the future working environment. |
| D．To compare the work performance between humans and AI tools. |
| A．Companies need to balance the work of AI and humans. |
| B．It is useless to train so many workers to learn to use AI. |
| C．It is easy to find the right mix of AI and human-level work. |
| D．Research on using AI effectively has been made by businesses. |
| A．ChatGPT Can See, Hear and Speak Now |
| B．Ways to Improve Your Performance at Work |
| C．The Fast Development of Artificial Intelligence |
| D．AI Tools Help but also Harm Worker Performance |
10 . Sequoia National Park
Located about 80 miles east of Fresno, California, in the southern Sierra Nevada mountain range, Sequoia National Park was established in 1890 as a measure to protect the giant trees from being cut down, making it America’s second national park.
Highlights of the park are, of course, the trees. Perhaps the most famous is the General Sherman Tree, which has rightfully earned the title of the world’s largest tree (it stands 275 feet tall and its base measures more than 36 feet in diameter).
·Best Months to Visit
The best time to visit Sequoia National Park is June through August, when the weather is fine. The park is open 24/7, year-round, but there are certain challenges during winter and spring seasons. Beginning in September, the park reduces its ranger(护林员)-led programming and certain facilities cut their hours.
·What You Need to Know
Don’t rely on technology
Cell service in many areas of the park is spotty, meaning your GPS or smartphone may not work. Plan to pick up paper maps at the park’s visitor centers.
Check the weather
Some areas in the park might be closed or you might need snow tires or chains to get through, even in the spring and fall. Check the park’s website for the most up-to-date information.
Gas up
No gasoline is sold within the park, so make sure you have a full tank before you start your journey.
Pay to play
A vehicle pass to the park costs $35; an individual pass, for an adult on a bike or on foot, costs $20.
1. What is Sequoia National Park best known for?| A．Its service. | B．Its trees. | C．Its covering area. | D．Its history. |
| A．July. | B．September. | C．October. | D．December. |
| A．$20. | B．$35. | C．$40. | D．$70. |
