1 . In my whole life I was frightened by doctors. So when I recently launched a series of writing and publishing courses, I was shocked to find among my students several physicians, the same profession as my father. And they all wanted to be writers. Whenever someone mentioned their medical background, I’d think: I have to call Dad to tell him, but I couldn’t.
Raised up in a big Michigan family with three brilliant loud science brain brothers, I’d always felt left out by their Disease Game at dinner, where Dad threw out cases for them to diagnose. Our house was their laboratory. I was frequently scared by bees in jars in the refrigerator and pet rats.
Getting to study medicine was always Dad’s dream, so he encouraged the boys to follow in his footsteps. But I never truly settled down, chasing my dream for literary here and there. My father opposed my liberalism. I was overjoyed when Random House published my humorous memoirs (回忆录) about my past addictions. My father wasn’t so joyful. “You’re bringing disgrace on our family,” he snapped.
At 87, when my father was admitted to hospital with heart and kidney failure, we had a rare afternoon alone. Sitting by his bed, I apologized for taking so long to figure out my life.
“I have a lot of regrets,” he said, “It took me too long to make a decent living, screwing up jobs because of my bullheadedness and big mouth.”
I was nervous when his physician Olaf emailed me, but it wasn’t bad news. “Your dad says you’re a professor who helps people publish. Could you help me?” he asked.
“What did you tell Olaf about me?” I questioned Dad that night, still surprised.
“That you stuck to your guns and became a success,” he said.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me that?”
“I’m telling you now,” he said. He was pleased when I helped Olaf publish his first magazine piece.
I wish Dad were here so I could share the latest stories by my physician students. But I lost him four years ago. In a way, he still is, as I channel everything he taught me about hard work, and never giving up doing what you love.
1. What do we know about the author’s brothers?| A．They used to make loud noise. | B．They were addicted to playing games. |
| C．They were interested in medicine. | D．They distanced the author on purpose. |
| A．Taking over. | B．Focusing on. | C．Contributing to. | D．Messing up. |
| A．To help Olaf publish articles. | B．To discuss his physical condition. |
| C．To promote the author’s courses. | D．To share the author’s memoirs. |
| A．Enthusiastic but dishonest. | B．Modest but demanding. |
| C．Conservative but loving. | D．Helpful but selfish. |
2 . These are four cities which have traditional French Christmas markets.
Arras
Dates: November 24 to December 30
Opening times: Sunday to Thursday—10:30 am to 8:30 pm, Friday and Saturday—10:30 am to 10 pm
Head to Arras for history, culture and tradition in abundance at the Christmas market. The town is swept into Christmas with every corner decorated with complex decorations and a breathtaking light show illuminating (照亮) the Unesco-listed Beffroi d’Arras.
Avignon
Dates: December 1 to January 6
Opening times: Every day—10 am to 7 pm
The Avignon Christmas Market blends tradition and festivity with the addition of local Provencal specialities. From the end of November to the end of December, the city’s historic centre is transformed with over 120 wooden cottages decorated with twinkling lights and festive decorations lining the streets. Walk further into the market to the Chemin des Crèches, a charming light trail showcasing elaborate (精心制作的) scenes illuminated by unique light.
Toulouse
Dates: November 25 to December 25
Opening times: Monday to Friday—midday to 7:30 pm, Saturday—10 am to 9 pm, Sunday—10 am to 7:30 pm
The market is located in the heart of Toulouse, on the Place du Capitole. It’s surrounded by beautiful buildings, including the Capitole itself and the Jacobins church. The city is well-known for its terracotta architecture which serves as a fairytale exterior (外观) to their Christmas market.
Bordeaux
Dates: November 24 to December 27
Opening times: Every day—11 am to 9 pm
There is one food in particular linked to the city, and that is chocolate. Steeped in chocolate-making heritage since 1969, the Bordeaux region has many famous chocolate factories. The market has numerous stands showcasing this exquisite local craft. You can expect to find different kinds of chocolate, all made with the high-quality ingredients, which you can take home.
1. What does Arras and Avignon have in common?| A．They both have particular food. |
| B．They provide the fantastic light show. |
| C．They are decorated with festive decorations. |
| D．They are both famous for their unique architecture. |
| A．At 9:00 pm on Sunday. | B．At 4:30 pm on Saturday. |
| C．At 10:00 am on Thursday. | D．At 8:30 am on Tuesday. |
| A．Arras. | B．Avignon. | C．Toulouse. | D．Bordeaux. |
3 . 4 Traditional French Christmas markets you need to know about
More affordable and closer than Germany and Austria, French Christmas markets make a perfect destination for a festive trip. These are the four traditional French Christmas markets you need to know about this Christmas.
Toulouse
Dates: November 25, 2023—December 25, 2023
Opening times: Sunday to Thursday: 10.30 am—8.30 pm, Friday and Saturday: 10.30 am—10 pm
The market is located in the heart of Toulouse. It’s surrounded by beautiful buildings, including the Capitole itself and the Jacobins church. The city is well-known for its terracotta architecture which serves as an fairytale exterior to their Christmas market.
Colmar
Dates: November 24, 2023—December 30, 2023
Opening times: Monday to Thursday: 2 pm—7 pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 10 am—7 pm
The town’s Christmas market is an ensemble (整体) of six distinct mini markets. The area is home to a number of wineries and speciality (特产) wine-makers, alongside its seven speciality Alsatian wines, which can be tried at their speciality Christmas food market.
Arras
Dates: November 24, 2023—December 30, 2023
Opening times:Monday to Friday: midday—7.30 pm, Saturday: 10 am—9 pm, Sunday: 10 am—7.30 pm
The market transforms the city’s Grand Place into a wonderland taking over three squares with over 100 stalls in front of the Baroque style architecture. Crown your market visit with a night ride on the beacon (灯塔) of the market—the Ferris wheel, which offers a gentle ride and views of the own and surrounding countryside below.
Bordeaux
Dates: November 24, 2023—December 27, 2023
Opening times: Every day: 11 am—9 pm
The market is open from late November to December and features over 200 stalls selling a variety of locally-made and crafted gifts. There is one food in particular linked to the city, and that is chocolate made from high quality local ingredients, to take home with you.
1. What do Toulouse and Arras have in common?| A．Both are popular with little kids. |
| B．Both offer free gifts to the customers. |
| C．Both have distinctive architecture styles. |
| D．Both are closed on Sundays and Mondays. |
| A．A wide range of crafted gifts. | B．Its local culture and history. |
| C．Its traditional building style. | D．The views of beautiful coast. |
| A．Toulouse | B．Colmar | C．Arras | D．Bordeaux |
4 . Visit National Museum of China
The NMC in Beijing is a world-class museum that displays five thousand years of splendid Chinese civilization.
Getting Here
No.16 East Chang’an Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006
Bus Route:
You can take the No.1, No.2, No.52, No.82, No.120 buses, or Sightseeing Line 2, Tourist Bus Line 1 and Line 2 and get off at Tian’anmen East Station.
Metro:
You can take Metro Line 1, get off at Tian’anmen East Station, and exit the station through Exit C or D.
Admission
The NMC opens to the public from Tuesday to Sunday and closes on Monday (except for public holidays). Its opening hours are from 9:00 to 17:30 (last admission at 16:30).
According to the regulations on conducting regular epidemic prevention, all visitors must make online appointments (with different time interval available). Please make your appointments 1-7 days in advance and plan your visit properly.
We welcome visitors to make online appointments through our official website or official WeChat platform.
Official Website: https://ticket.chnmuseum.cn/yuyue/index
Official WeChat Platform: Please scan the QR code below, scroll down and click “Visits”, and access the “Reservation” page.
Inquiries: 010-65116400 (9:00-16:30) 
Notice to Visitors
Valid ID documents are required to enter the museum during the opening hours. Visitors must go through security check. Restricted items or animals such as dogs and cats are prohibited. Applications must be filed for organizing activities in the museum such as lectures, surveys and video recordings, and the activities can be organized only upon approval.
For more information, click here http://en.chnumuseum.cn.
1. Where is this text probably taken from?| A．A newspaper. | B．A text book. |
| C．An official website. | D．An academic article. |
| A．Two. | B．Three. | C．Four. | D．Five. |
| A．Pass the security check. | B．Organize any kind of activity. |
| C．Enter the museum at noon. | D．Explore the museum with pets. |
| About Kerine W. ★4.8 (9 reviews) ❏Bachelor ❏Age: 5 - 50 Advanced English Language Acquisition for Non-Native Speakers Hi, my name is Kerine! I’ve been teaching private lessons since 2019 and have loved helping my students to achieve their academic goals. My teaching style includes interactive methodologies, step-by-step instruction, group work models, and activity-based learning. I look forward to helping you reach your goals. |
| About Robin L. ★4.7 (30 reviews) ❏Master of Arts ❏Age: 18+ ❏Speaks Spanish Using Could and Suggest for Future Possibilities Level B2 I am an experienced ESL instructor. I have taught reading, speaking, writing, listening, grammar, and vocabulary to adult learners from Basic Literacy through Academic and Business English. I taught at Heartland Community College from 2012 through 2015 and have been teaching exclusively online since 2016. |
| About Sara G. ★5.0 (146 reviews) ❏MA ❏Age: 5+ ❏Speaks English, Spanish ... READ and LEARN: Phrasal Verbs and Idioms A university English teacher right in your living room! I have taught everything from the alphabet to business English online to students ages 5-100! My schedule can change according to your timetable, so if there is a time when you would like to meet that is currently unavailable, please don’t hesitate to reach out! |
| About Prudence H. ★4.9 (3 reviews) ❏Bachelor ❏Age: 5+ Accent Reduction My name is Prudence Holmes and I have been coaching students for over 30 years. I have taught Accent Reduction and ESL at Carnegie Mellon University, NYU and The New School. I am the author of MONOLOGUE MASTERY and VOICES OF THINKING JEWISHWOMEN. I’m also a working actor. I have been in 4 Broadway shows and 12 movies, including Sister Act with Whoopi Goldberg. |
| A．Kerine W. | B．Robin L. | C．Sara G. | D．Prudence H. |
| A．She takes up several jobs. | B．She aims at collage students. |
| C．She lacks teaching experience. | D．She enjoys the best feedback. |
| A．ESL instructors. | B．Native speakers. | C．English learners. | D．University staff. |
6 . Instagram is one of the most popular photo apps. Animal photos are huge on it, with creatures such as tigers, monkeys holding millions of tags (标签) each. This year Instagram reveals the top four most Instagrammable animals that can be found in the UK.
1. Rabbit — 18.7 million tags
Our clear winner is the rabbit. Popular as pets, rabbits are a common sight in many UK homes. Although it is a symbol of Easter, rabbits can be seen year-round. Shy, danger-averse animals, wild rabbits will run away when threatened, which may make it tricky to get the perfect shot of them.
2. Duck — 8.2 million tags
A variety of duck species native to the UK can be seen year-round, close to bodies of water. The Mallard with its bright yellow beak and emerald green head is well-known to many of us. Ducks tend to stick together in groups, so visit your local pond or river to try and spot a flock to photograph!
3. Robin — 4.4 million tags
The red-breasted robin is associated with winter and Christmas. Robins will protect their space aggressively and won’t hesitate to drive away interlopers (闯入者) . Interestingly, robins can often be heard singing at night in that they mistake artificial light, such as street lamps for daylight. Try to catch a quick shot of a robin singing to the street lamps at dusk!
4. Hedgehog — 4.3 million tags
Hedgehogs are nocturnal creatures and hibernate during the coldest months. You’re most likely to catch sight of one on a summer evening in dry spaces. Hedgehogs can travel as far as 12 miles in a single night!A baby hedgehog is known by the sweet name of “hoglet” and a little hedgehog family makes for the perfect picture if you can capture it without frightening the animals.
1. Which animal is associated with Easter?| A．Rabbit. | B．Duck. | C．Robin. | D．Hedgehog |
| A．Because they try to guard against shots. |
| B．Because they attempt to drive away interlopers. |
| C．Because they tend to mix artificial light up with daylight. |
| D．Because they want to express their affection for street lamps. |
| A．They are all active at night. | B．They are all social animals. |
| C．They are all found in urban areas. | D．They are all popular on Instagram. |
7 . Giraffenap is a new style of sleeping pod (仓) that encourages workers to get power naps during the day as a way of improving concentration and work efficiency.
Japan usually emphasizes extreme dedication to one’s work. In order to get used to this kind of heavy schedule and stress, some workers turn to short power naps. These are known to improve energy levels and concentration, as long as the person doesn’t go into deep sleep. In order to make it easier for people to get power naps pretty much anywhere, one company has begun installing vertical (垂直的) sleeping pods called Giraffenap in cafes all over the country.
One of the main reasons that Giraffenap pods have a vertical orientation is space—it’s much easier to have them installed in small cafes and restaurants because they take up little room—but it’s not the only reason. The standing position makes it easier for the person using the pod to wake up from their power nap.
Each Giraffenap pod features an alarm system that can be set by the user and support points for various parts of the body, which can make sure that the user remains in an upright position when napping. The pods also feature a height adjustment system so that anyone can achieve the perfect posture while using them.
Giraffenap sleeping pods currently come in two styles: a plain white model and one that uses a more traditional bamboo design. They offer great sound insulation (隔音), various sounds designed to support sleep and a built-in ventilation system.
Giraffenap is currently being put into effect in some coffee shops in Japan, and if the response is positive enough, we might also start seeing them in other places.
1. Where is the text probably taken from?| A．Science magazine | B．A biography |
| C．An advertisement | D．A novel |
| A．It keeps people healthy. | B．It is very cheap in price. |
| C．It saves a lot of energy. | D．It makes work efficient. |
| A．The types of Giraffenap pods | B．The effect of Giraffenap pods |
| C．The features of Giraffenap pods | D．The materials of Giraffenap pods |
| A．Hotels are to be replaced soon. | B．People’s sleeping habits change. |
| C．A company launches vertical pods. | D．How we keep energetic at work. |
8 . If you are looking for apps to learn English for studying abroad, you might be confused. There are so many apps to choose from. How can you decide which English language learning app is right for you? Our list of top four favourite apps to improve your English will help.
Hello English — Best app for middle learners
If you already understand the basics but want to improve your English, this app is for you. Hello English starts with a language test, and then serves up English lessons based on your test results. Hello English supports learners with 23 native languages and lets you play games,watch videos and listen to audio books, too.
Free versions available (可用的) for iOS, Android and Windows.
FluentU-Best media-based app
This app sources English-language videos from the real world — including news, music and videos — to help you learn English. Interactive captions (字幕) allow you to tap any word and see more information about it.
Free trial (试用) and paid monthly subscriptions available for Android and iOS.
Rosetta Stone — Most multi-use app
This award-winning English language learning app teaches vocabulary and English grammar. Rosetta Stone includes lessons on pronunciation so you can improve your English accent. You can also download audio lessons to learn offline.
Free trial and paid versions available for Android, i0S and Windows.
Duolingo — Most fun app
This personalized English-learning app turns studying into a game. Earn virtual coins (虚拟硬币) to unlock new levels and upgrade. An animated owl (动画猫头鹰) keeps you company and encourages you as you learn. When you have questions, get help from fellow students inside the app using the Duolingo message boards.
Free and paid versions available for Android, iOS and Windows.
1. What can we learn about Hello English?| A．The users can’t play games. |
| B．It may not suit English beginners. |
| C．It provides lessons without a language test. |
| D．The users can chat with 23 native speakers. |
| A．Hello English. | B．Duolingo. |
| C．Rosetta Stone. | D．FluentU. |
| A．It only has the paid version. |
| B．An owl can answer questions . |
| C．The users must use cash to upgrade. |
| D．It combines English learning with fun. |
9 . For the charm of Italy’s rich history and breathtaking landscapes, we have a great package for you.
Rome
Rome is a very attractive city, known for its numerous attractions, perhaps more than any other capitals in the world. With a history about 2,500 years, Rome uniquely combines ancient classical sites with medieval (中世纪的) structures, such as Renaissance palaces and Baroque squares.
Venice
It’s like something out of a movie! There’s Venice, which is a super special city. It’s one of the richest cities during medieval times and it’s totally unique. Italy has been a popular destination for people who want to experience culture and romance for centuries. The country is known for its amazing art, music, design, landscapes, food and wine.
Lake Como & Alpine Railways
This wonderful wintertime break includes a visit to beautiful Como Town, with its breath-taking views. Take a journey on the scenic Bernina Express to famous St Moritz, and explore Como’s shores. Enjoy the magic of Italy’s romantic lake and discover the lakeside Como Town.
Lake Garda
Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, has attracted visitors for over a century with its wonderful scenery—clear blue waters. Explore its colourful and historic lakeside towns, and you will enjoy all this beautiful scenery that Lake Garda offers.
Our package includes flights from your airport of choice. So what are you waiting for? Come and experience the magic of Italy for yourself!
1. What is special about Rome?| A．It is the most attractive city. | B．It has ancient classical sites. |
| C．It’s famous for lake scenery. | D．It has amazing art and music. |
| A．Rome. | B．Venice. |
| C．Lake Como Alpine Railways. | D．Lake Garda. |
| A．A diary. | B．A novel. |
| C．A travel magazine. | D．A news report. |
10 . Gabon, on the west coast of Africa, has numerous rainforests, open grasslands, white sand beaches and rushing rivers. Here are four adventures that can let you have unforgettable experiences.
The Wild Species Adventure
The site of this adventure is close to a national park, which has elephants, monkeys, leopards, red river hogs and so on. Visitors can go on a journey by jeep and have a chance to see the country’s natural beauty and different birds in a nearby reserve.
The Fishing Adventure
Gabon has some really big fish and miles of untouched coastlines, and the fishing spots are not packed, because they are wide apart. When fishing, visitors can find themselves in pleasant places, surrounded by palm trees during the adventure. Gabon’s unique lagoon (环礁湖) system provides visitors with a range of fish, all ready for you to join in the fishing contest.
The Private Island Adventure
It is difficult for visitors to find this private island on the sea on booking or a trip advisor, but it is known by locals. It offers small but comfortable rooms to rest. Visitors can try fun activities like wakeboarding and boating. During the whale season, visitors can also rent boats to take a close look at whales by following responsible viewing guidelines.
The Whale Watching Adventure
There is a great diversity of marine mammals to see in this adventure, especially whales. Some of the whales can be found at all time, while others, for example, the humpback whales, only spend a few months from July to September. In this trip, visitors can take splendid pictures of these whales playing around and jumping above the surface of the sea under safety guidance.
1. Which adventure attracts a lover of land animals most?| A．The wild species adventure. | B．The fishing adventure. |
| C．The private island adventure. | D．The whale watching adventure. |
| A．Noisy. | B．Narrow. |
| C．Uncrowded. | D．Unpleasant. |
| A．Whale watching. | B．Private trip advisors. |
| C．Cost-free water sports. | D．A photo-taking service. |
