1 . Leif Richardson, who is a conservation biologist, and I are out with the goal of piecing together a picture of where wild bees live, and which species are in trouble in the home range of a native bee called Crotch’s bumble bee (大黄蜂). That bee is protected by the state law, and it’s one of the many species under survey.
Our journey began at the foot of a mountain in Leo Carrillo State Park. It was a cloudy morning. We set off for a short hike, armed with bee nets and a cooler to cool any bees we would catch. It’s a harmless way to temporarily calm the bees, and to allow for more careful study and photos.
Just a minute later, as Richardson walked into a meadow (草地), I heard him scream, followed by a snake! He stood there frozen for a moment before backing away towards the path, and then the snake went away.
We were a little more careful with the possibilities then, as we prepared to catch our first bees. They were not hard to find—I could hear them buzzing everywhere, and soon Richardson said it was time for me to catch one.
He told me to pinch (捏住) the tip of my net and held it upright, while slowly lowering it over a flower where our bumble bee was standing. As soon as the bee realized what was going on, it buzzed furiously inside my net, and then slowly climbed up the net towards the tip right where my finger was.
It all seemed like a high possibility to get stung (被蜇). But Richardson assured me I would be fine. He had some advice for holding it. “You’re going to pinch harder than you think you need to, but not so hard that you hurt the bee.” As my fingertips got closer to the bee, it felt like I could hear it buzzing louder and louder. Richardson performed this whole process in seconds. For me, on the other hand, it was a nervous act of much concentration. But it paid off—and soon, I got my very first bee!
1. What did Richardson come across on the way?| A．A sudden rain. | B．A snake. | C．A bee net. | D．A cooler. |
| A．The process of bee-catching. | B．The present situation of bumble bees. |
| C．The challenge of finding a bumble bee. | D．The purpose of studying bumble bees. |
| A．He failed. | B．He got stung. | C．He was nervous. | D．He was professional. |
| A．A Love of Nature | B．A New Law for Bumble Bee |
| C．An Outing for Bumble Bee | D．A Trip to Leo Carrillo State Park |
2 . Though shark attacks can be a rare occurrence, there have been 46 publicly reported shark attacks so far this year. Then why do sharks attack humans? Here's everything we know.
Shark attacks are often put into different categories: provoked (被挑衅) and unprovoked. “Unprovoked bites” are defined as incidents in which a bite on a human occurs in the shark's natural habitat with no human provocation of the shark. “Provoked bites” occur when a human starts interacting with a shark in some way. For instance, when divers are bitten after attacking or trying to touch sharks.
Roger Tabor, a biologist and naturalist, says, “There is no evidence that sharks specifically hunt people.” Nowadays, a theory called the Mistaken Identity Hypothesis (假说) explains shark bites on surfers, swimmers and divers as “mistakes,” which typically means that sharks might confuse humans with their typical prey (猎物). Mr. Tabor says surfing has previously been linked to shark attacks because the sudden movement, similar to an animal suddenly moving back, or bright parts of wetsuits reflecting looking like a fish, can cause a response in the visually oriented (导向的) great white".
In a paper published by Eric Clua, a marine biologist and Carl Meyer, a biologist at the University of Hawaii, in the Brill Journal, they look at the MIH theory. The paper says that although MlH may now be “widely” accepted by the general public and the scientific community, there are still some unknown gaps. “This hypothesis ignores the important role of other senses (e.g. hearing) in discriminating potential prey,” the paper says. The authors also note that shark bites which occur in clear water cannot always be explained by MIH. It adds," To put it simply, sharks don't make ‘mistakes’ but instead continually explore their environments and routinely investigate novel objects as potential prey by biting them.”
Climate change may be another reason for seeing an increase in shark attacks. Mr. Tabor says," Global warming and habitat damage can move marine species including seals and sharks. That can bring larger sharks more into contact with beaches, with people.”
1. What can we learn about sharks from paragraph 2?| A．They tend to bite humans purposely. |
| B．They are frequently targeted at divers. |
| C．They are potentially risky to interact with. |
| D．They don't attack people unless disturbed. |
| A．Bright wetsuits damage sharks' vision. |
| B．Sharks have quite a poor sense of sight. |
| C．Sharks merely take people for their prey. |
| D．Global warming results in their violence. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Doubtful. | C．Carefree. | D．Tolerant. |
| A．Desire to seek new food sources. |
| B．Lack of underwater creatures as prey. |
| C．Constant transformation of the environment. |
| D．Incompetence of distinguishing novel objects. |
3 . Ready to step into the magical world of castles? Here are some of the most beautiful and famous castles around the globe to add to your bucket list.
Chateau de Chambord, Loire Valley, France
Located in the heart of the Loire Valley in France, the Chateau de Chambord and UNESCO World Heritage Site reflects the Renaissance era through and through. It’s home to the famous double helix (螺旋)staircase, designed by the great Leonardo Da Vinci.
Windsor Castle, Berkshire, United Kingdom
Escape from the crowded streets of London with a trip to Windsor Castle, located just 20minutes away by train from Paddington Station. This gothic-style castle is an ancient wonder—it is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world.
Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland
Sitting on Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle in Scotland is a historic fortress (堡垒) with a commanding presence over the city. Set against clear, expansive skies, its ancient beauty and attraction are best enjoyed at sunrise or sunset. If you’re traveling with kids, consider an interactive Harry Potter-themed walking tour that includes Edinburgh Castle as one of its stops.
Schloss Neuschwanstein, Bavaria, Germany
Set in the peaceful countryside of Bavaria, Germany, Neuschwanstein Castle is the very castle that inspired the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Located nearby is the equally impressive Hohenschwangau, where the late King Ludwig II spent his childhood. Both castles require admission tickets.
Traveler tip: Join a skip-the-line tour with stopovers at both.
1. Which castle best suits a family with little kids?| A．Chateau de Chambord. | B．Windsor Castle. |
| C．Edinburgh Castle. | D．Schloss Neuschwanstein. |
| A．Skip the line at will. | B．Take a tour for free. |
| C．Get some inspiration. | D．Visit two castles at a time. |
| A．Nature adventurers. | B．Travel lovers. |
| C．Extreme sports players. | D．Professional philosophers. |
4 . Looking to fill your cultural calendar? These are the biggest and best exhibitions to see around the world this year.
“Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood” at Arnolfini, Bristol
From March 9 to June 2
The complications, pains and joys of motherhood are rarely described with as much care and detail as in this exhibition, which begins its UK tour at Bristol’s Arnolfini art centre in March. With over 100 artworks by more than 60 artists, three themes of motherhood — creation, maintenance and loss — will be explored through paintings, photographs, sculptures, sound and films.
“Inside Other Spaces. Environments by Women Artists 1956 — 1976” at Has der Kunst, Munich
Until July 10
How does our environment shape us? An age-old question. This exhibition takes the concept of environment itself and questions its relationship with art. Impressive artworks by 11 pioneering women artists created between 1956-1976 will be reconstructed for the first time, through which you can explore how artists have challenged and redefined space.
“Edvard Munch: Trembling Earth” at Munch, Oslo
From April 27 to August 25
You’ll know Edvard Munch as the troubled man who painted The Scream, but Trembling Earth, at his eponymous (同名的) museum in Oslo, unearths the artist’s often-underestimated interest in the natural world. Bringing together Munch’s works from the museum’s own collection with a diverse range from public and private collections, the exhibition presents a rare opportunity to see such a series of Munch’s descriptions of nature in one room.
“The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century” at Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), Toronto
In December
Hip hop has had a huge influence on culture over the last 50 years, and this exhibition at Toronto’s AGO is exploring the history and lasting re levance of hip hop. The mediums on display, from fashions and photographs to videos and sculptures, prove hip hop’s great impact on visual arts.
1. Where does the exhibition themed on motherhood take place?| A．At Munch, Oslo. | B．At AGO, Toronto. |
| C．At Haus der Kunst, Munich. | D．At Arnolfini, Bristol. |
| A．The impact of hip hop on contemporary art. |
| B．The relationship between environment and art. |
| C．Edvard Munch’s interest in the natural world. |
| D．The complications, pains and joys of friendship. |
| A．On March 2. | B．On April 8. |
| C．On August 1. | D．On December 10. |
5 . Go Sledding (滑雪橇) around Baltimore
From steep slopes (陡坡) to gentle hills, there’s no shortage of local sledding rides in the Baltimore area. Here are a few of the favorites.
Leakin Park
1901 EAGLE DRIVE
There’s a sweet slide behind the Crimean Mansion off Eagle Drive — also known today as Friends of Orianda House — which is accessible and also one of the best-kept sledding secrets inside city lines. The Winans Meadow area is super scenic year-round, but especially so when it snows.
Baltimore Country Club
4712 CLUB ROAD
The golf course is a legendary sledding destination, but make sure to be aware that the steep slope here is nicknamed “Adventure Hill” for a reason. No small number of green hands have rolled down here. As one Reddit commenter said, “It left me hurt many a time as a kid” — words no doubt that frighten some but also attract more than a few.
Herring Run Park
3800 BELAIR ROAD
The 375-acre northeast area may be the top spot in the city for the variety of hills to choose from. Created by the Olmstead Brothers more than a century ago, the stream valley park is also home to fox and deer, which you might just spot wandering about in their winter coats. Visitors can enjoy the benefit of sufficient parking for private vehicles.
Federal Hill
300 WARREN AVE.
It’s an obvious destination, given its picturesque view overlooking the Inner Harbor, for sledding and building snowmen and snowwomen. The hills here are very steep, however. Just be careful not to rush out onto Key Highway or into the back of the American Visionary Art Museum.
1. Where is the destination with easy access to parking lot?| A．At 1901 EAGLE DRIVE. | B．At 4712 CLUB ROAD. |
| C．At 3800 BELAIR ROAD. | D．At 300 WARREN AVE. |
| A．They enjoy beautiful scenery. | B．Sledding there is challenging. |
| C．Visitors can interact with animals. | D．They are perfect for building snowmen. |
| A．Travel. | B．Environment. | C．Health. | D．Culture. |
6 . Contemporary Art Fair
On July 18, 2024 the Artist Project will celebrate its 9th year with a three-day art fair at theBetter Living Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto. From collectors to designers, visitors can explore and discover works of art from 250 contemporary artists from Canada and abroad — allowing guests the unique opportunity to communicate and buy art directly from the artists.
Highlights:
Art Chats: this popular conference series will offer a range of engaging talks hosted by leading art experts.
● Art Battle Canada and the Artist Project have teamed up to bring a 20-minute live artist competition right to the show floor. Members of the audience will vote for their favourite painting and later participate in a charity auction (拍卖) to take the work home.
Emerging Artists Competition: Devoted to the development of students, new graduates, and self-taught artists, the Artist Project will be giving recognition to 20 emerging artists through this competition that will aim to provide an opportunity for young artists to launch their artworks to a public audience.
When:
Early Access Preview: Thursday, July 18, 5:00 p. m. — 10:00 p. m.
Opening Night Party: Thursday, July 18, 7:00 p. m. — 10:00 p. m.
Artist Project Show: Friday & Saturday, July 19-20, 11:00 a. m. — 8:00 p. m.
Artist Project Show: Sunday, July 21, 11:00 a. m. — 6:00 p. m.
Where:
Better Living Centre
195 Princes’ Boulevard, Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON
Ticket Information:
Adult admission: $ 15 Door, $ 14 Online
Group adult tickets: (10+people) $10 Each, online only
Youth admission: (13 — 17) $10
Children 12 or under: free
Website:www.theartistproject.com
1. What can visitors do on the art fair?| A．Vote for their favourite artist. | B．Enjoy works of art of ancient artists. |
| C．Purchase art works directly from artists. | D．Compete with young artists in live painting. |
| A．July 18,5:00 p. m. — 10:00 p. m. | B．July 21,7:00 p. m. — 10:00 p. m. |
| C．July 22, 11:00 a. m. — 6:00 p. m. | D．July 20, 11:00 a. m. — 8:00 p. m. |
| A．$14. | B．$15. | C．$24. | D．$25. |
7 . Head to This Beautiful UK Beach
The clocks may have changed, but sunbathing isn’t yet on the UK’s weather forecast.
When spring comes, Camber Sands looks like your best bet for a warm day at the beach. The East Sussex spot gets warm quickest in spring, hitting average highs of 19℃ throughout the season.
How to get to Camber Sands
Camber Sands is just two hours away from London by car, but it’s often quicker to travel from the capital by train. The nearest station is Rye, which you can get to from London St Pancras with a change at Ashford International. The journey takes just over an hour. Once you’re at Rye, you’ll then need to get a bus or rent a bike to the beach. It takes half an hour to get there by bike.
Things to do at Camber Sands
Apart from enjoying the sun, Camber Sands is also a popular location for kitesurfing and windsurfing. You can also explore the historic buildings of Rye, play a round at one of the many nearby golf courses, or take a RIB seal safari (观兽旅行) to get a look at the native wildlife.
What visitors say
On Tripadvisor, Mrs. D called it a “wonderful dog friendly beach”, while jilll25264 praised the facilities, saying, “It has everything you need for a family beach day out.” Another reviewer, J’Marie Dewdrop said, “Amazing beach, all sand, lovely clean water and beach. Beautiful day out, with a lovely gentle wind to stop you getting too hot.”
The tourist hotspot maintains a 4.5-star rating on the site, with those giving it top marks including Nicholas K, who commented, “Amazing beach. Clean, looked after and incredible in the sunshine. One not to be missed.”
1. Which is a quicker way to Camber Sands from London?| A．By car. | B．By bus. | C．By train. | D．By bike. |
| A．Its cleanliness. | B．Its acceptance of dogs. |
| C．Its lovely warm wind. | D．Its friendliness for a family. |
| A．Sports. | B．Travel. | C．Fashion. | D．Entertainment. |
8 . Three of the Best Small Breweries (啤酒厂) in the USA
If you’re tired of drinking the same old beer and would actually like to have a taste of true beer that’s been handcrafted with care and genuine passion by newbies (新手) in the market — then this blog is going to give you exactly that.
City Built Brewing Co.
This place has got something for everybody — whether you’re a “classic” person who just wants to have a glass of your favourite beer on a hot summer day or an adventurer who wants to be hit with flavours that you have never tried before-the City Built Brewing Company will meet all your needs since it provides a variety of drinks for a mixed crowd.
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Even though it’s not one of the biggest players in the market, its extremely innovative marketing strategies will convince you otherwise. The Firestone Walker Brewing Co. has quickly managed to gain a lot of visibility in 2022 simply by having a great social media presence, along with a killer webpage that invites beer lovers in. Its true specialty lies in creating seasonal beers made annually and available only for a limited period of time. Apart from this, it also has a variety of other kinds of beer that are brewed all year round.
Dovetail Brewery
Here’s a place that you should go to for both-the great beer and the fun experience. Started by two friends (Bill and Hagen) who met in beer school, the brewery is best known for how well they convert classic European beers to suit the American tastebuds (味蕾).
Not just that, but you’ll also get to experience a place of great architecture when you visit this brewery, along with the amazing food that’s to die for.
1. What is unique about Firestone Walker Brewing Co. ?| A．It brought in foreign flavours. | B．Its architecture style is appealing. |
| C．Some of its beer is offered for limited time. | D．It makes special flavour only for adventurers. |
| A．Their beer is of poor quality. | B．Their products are handmade. |
| C．They provide hands-on experience. | D．They don’t have webpages to advertise. |
| A．A guidebook. | B．A newspaper. | C．A textbook. | D．A website. |
9 . World-famous Botanical Gardens
From botanical history to scientific discovery, here are the top picks for people to explore.
Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, London, England (1840)
Located in London, Royal-Botanic Gardens at Kew are home to the world’s biggest collection of living plants. As a global resource for plant and fungal knowledge, it has more than 50,000 species of native and exotic plants, trees, and flowers on site. It is a setting rich in history that spans from royal decorations to wartime bombing, and its mission is to protect plants for the future of all life on Earth.
The Humble Administrator’s Garden, Suzhou, China (1513)
The Humble Administrators Garden in Suzhou is a great masterpiece with its attractive design and careful arrangement of natural elements. It’s centered around water features, with beautiful fountains, complex rockwork, and historic buildings surrounded by thick vegetation. The combination of these elements creates a picturesque landscape. Because of its exceptional cultural and historical significance, the garden has become a world heritage.
Parque de Monserrate, Sintra, Portugal (1789)
Monserrate is a combination of wild landscape with old ruins, formal lawned areas and lovely gardens. The garden sits on the lower slopes of the Sintra Mountains, which have one of the mildest climates in Europe, so the garden is frost-free. At its very centre is a grand palace, which has a distinctive mixture of different architectural styles. It has been the site of various buildings and gardens for hundreds of years.
Missouri Botanical Garden, St Louis, USA (1859)
Established in 1859, Missouri Botanical Garden is the oldest botanical garden in continuous use in North America. It is recognized internationally for its scientific research. With almost 50 themed gardens, Missouri Botanical Garden has been involved in the conservation of plants from native American regions and also from Madagascar, China and Central America.
1. Why are the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew established?| A．To collect tropical plants. | B．To conserve various plants. |
| C．To record the history of British plants. | D．To provide a shelter for people in wartime. |
| A．It highlights the waterscape. | B．It is surrounded by formal lawns. |
| C．It includes many themed gardens. | D．It shows different architectural ruins. |
| A．London. | B．Suzhou. | C．Sintra. | D．St Louis. |
10 . Since 1912, The Nederlander Organization has continued the tradition of operating historic theatres, producing and presenting the best theatrical and concert events. The following are a few of its Broadway theatres.
GERSHWIN THEATRE: 222 W 51ST ST, NEW YORK, NY 10019
Home of the Broadway smash-hit musical Wicked, Gershwin Theatre was named in honor of one of America’s greatest composers, George Gershwin. The theatre’s circular ball was designed to display the names and photographs of Broadway’s own Theater-Hall of Fame. Opened in 1972 with 1,900 seats, it is one of the Nederlander Organization’s nine Broadway theatres.
DURHAM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: 123 VIVIAN STREET, DURHAM, NC 27701
Since its opening in 2008, DPAC has become the center for entertainment in North Carolina. With 2,700 scats, DPAC truly has “something for everyone,” and hosts more than 200 performances yearly. DPAC welcomes all guests and events in an open, friendly, and respectful setting. It stands committed against all forms of discrimination.
DOLBY THEATRE: 6801 HOLLYWOOD BLVD, HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA 90028
Dolby Theatre, built in 2001, delivers the most natural, life-like sensory experience with the latest innovations in Dolby entertainment technology, including DolbyAtmosTM, a breakthrough audio technology. Its cutting edge technologies attract many world’s biggest movie premieres, notable television awards events, and performances. With 3,400 seats, it is one of two Broadway theatres in Los Angeles.
WINTER GARDEN THEATRE: 1634 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10019
The playhouse occupies the second American Horse Exchange, built by William K. Vanderbilt in 1896, when Longacre (now Times Square) was the center of the horse and carriage trade. By 1911, it had been rented out, as horses had given way to automobiles. The Winter Garden was converted into a theatre in 1911. It served as a movie house from 1928 to 1933 when Warner Brothers rented’ it. Winter Garden Theatre has 1,600 seats and is one of Broadway theatres. The sound of music: the classic musical is now playing at the Winter Garden Theatre.
1. Which theatre enjoys the longest history?| A．Gershwin Theatre. | B．Winter Garden Theatre. |
| C．Dolby Theatre. | D．Durham Performing Arts Centre. |
| A．Realistic sound effects. | B．Numerous performances. |
| C．Hall of Fame. | D．Disapproval of discrimination. |
| A．Big movie premiers. | B．A musical about Gershwin. |
| C．A timeless musical. | D．Television awards. |
