1 . Carillon Canal National Historic Site
The Carillon Canal, built on the Ottawa River for military purposes, was opened in 1833. Located 100 kilometres from Montreal and 130 kilometres from Ottawa, it is today a pleasure boating waterway.
Things to do
The Carillon Canal is fed by the water of the Ottawa River. The Canal opens a huge gate to enable boats to sail an impressive 20-metre drop in just 40 minutes!
Have a family picnic in beautiful scenery, then visit the old barracks (营房) which are now a museum. Curious to see a huge power station up close? Visits are free of charge.
Opening hours
The national historic site is open every day of the year from sun rise to 11 p. m.
Fees
Site access is free. Otherwise, there are fees for locking and overnight mooring(停泊).
When is the Canal the busiest?
From mid-June to the end of August, and especially during the following vacation periods and holidays:
·Fete Nationale du Quebec (June 24th).
·Canada Day (July 1st).
·Summer vacations.
·Labour Day(the first Monday of September).
·Thanksgiving.
What are the best times for sailing?
To avoid waiting lines, experience the Carillon Canal during the quieter periods, i. e. before June 24th, and later in early autumn, from Labour Day to mid-October. In this way, you’ll discover these wonderful places at your own pace, without pushing through the crowd that might have had the same idea as you, and you’ll gain the peace of mind to sail in complete relaxation!
1. What do we know about the Carillon Canal?| A．It was originally for educational purposes. |
| B．It is now visited by boaters for pleasure. |
| C．It enjoys a high reputation for its 20-metre drop. |
| D．It was formed naturally on the Ottawa River. |
| A．Mooring overnight. | B．Staying overnight in old barracks. |
| C．Exploring a power station. | D．Passing through locks. |
| A．July 1st to July 24th. | B．October 24th to October 31st. |
| C．June 1st to June 24th. | D．August 24th to June 30th. |
2 . They are so small that you need a microscope to see them, but so powerful that experts predict they could kill ten million people per year worldwide by the year 2050. They are superbugs — drug-resistant bacteria that have emerged since antibiotics (抗生素) revolutionized medicine. Indeed, the rise of these superbugs and the use of antibiotics are closely connected.
All organisms change over time. Smaller organisms, such as bacteria, are able to evolve more quickly, adapting as circumstances require. Facing antibiotics, bacteria have adapted with deadly efficiency. When a patient takes antibiotics to fight off a bacterial infection, the goal is to kill the bacteria causing the infection. However, although most of the bacteria are killed, a few of the strongest bacteria survive. Thus, only these drug-resistant bacteria are able to reproduce. This sets up a cycle and eventually results in the development of superbugs-bacteria able to resist even the most powerful drugs.
Scientists believe that a large part of this cycle is preventable. One recent study suggested that almost 50% of all antibiotic use is inappropriate or unnecessary. Some patients are prescribed (开处方) antibiotics for illness that would eventually clear up on their own. In addition, some patients don’t finish their course of medication, allowing bacteria to bounce back, but stronger. All of these factors contribute to the rise and spread of superbugs.
Another major factor that promotes the spread of drug resistance is the use of antibiotics for livestock (家畜). In the United States, 80% of antibiotic use is for animals. Partially, the drugs are used to prevent the spread of infection among animals. However, farmers also use antibiotics to help animals to gain weight quickly. Unfortunately, such use is problematic because it kills off the beneficial bacteria, leaving drug-resistant strains of bacteria to thrive.
What can be done to preserve antibiotics for future generations? Scientists maintain that as individuals, we can make a difference with simple steps, such as regular hand washing. It is also important that patients understand that antibiotics aren’t always the right course of treatment. Finally, it is crucial to take antibiotics out of the food chain. Fortunately, consumers are pushing for this, so we are likely to see changes in the near future.
1. According to the passage, what are superbugs?| A．Effective and revolutionary antibiotics. | B．Small but powerful drug-resistant bacteria. |
| C．Tiny organisms found under a microscope. | D．Bacteria that could harm animals and humans. |
| A．The antibiotics for illness. | B．Some infected animals. |
| C．Patients’ awareness of treatment course. | D．The misuse of antibiotics. |
| A．Indifferent. | B．Neutral. | C．Pessimistic. | D．Optimistic. |
| A．Superbugs — Preventable or not? | B．Antibiotics — Beneficial or not? |
| C．Superbugs — Deadly Drug-resistant Bacteria | D．Antibiotics — Major Threats to Human Beings |
3 . Small Business Saturday is a relatively new shopping holiday in Rochester University. This small and local business is home to more unique gifts than you may find at a national retail chain — and we have an abundance of Rochester craftsmen to shop from this holiday season.
The Op Shop
The Op Shop features 32 different handmade vendor (小贩), making it a great spot to find some truly unique gifts. They will be hosting their annual holiday market, Secondhand Wonderland, on Saturday Dec. 3, at the Nazareth College Field House. I went last year and found two great winter sweaters and some fun ornaments.
Parkleigh
Parkleigh is a gift-shopping place in Rochester located on Park Ave. They feature a wide variety of items from skin care, novelty socks to Rochester-themed items, and my personal favorite: Jellycat food dolls. The store features a mix of large and small businesses and is always a fun place to check out on Saturdays.
The Lucky Flea Market
I can’t write an article about shopping local and small without mentioning The Lucky Flea. This year they are hosting indoor markets throughout the colder months, featuring dozens of local vendors. Many of the vendors sell second-hand clothing but there are also jewelry makers and specialty foods. Check out their first indoor market of the season on Saturday, Nov. 20!
Central Rock Gym
Looking for an experience gift on Saturdays? Buy a gift card from Central Rock Gym for a day pass with all climbing equipment included. My friends and I went last year and it was a lot of fun learning how to rock climb and bouldering. This can also be an option for any fitness class at a local gym or specialty fitness center.
1. Where can you buy a unique handmade gift for your friend?| A．The Op Shop. | B．Parkleigh. | C．The Lucky Flea Market. | D．Central Rock Gym. |
| A．It sells food. | B．It offers clothing. | C．It opens on Saturdays. | D．It features experience gift. |
| A．A travel brochure. | B．A campus website. |
| C．An official document. | D．A market research report. |
4 . What’s new to watch on TV
All Creatures Great and Small Season 4The beloved British TV series, “All Creatures Great and Small”, is set to return for its fourth season on January 7. Executive producer Colin Callender expressed excitement for the new season, promising more heartwarming family stories, community spirit, and of course, delightful animal adventures. The show is based on the best-selling books by Alf Wight, writing under the penname James Herriot, describing the lives of three animal doctors in rural Yorkshire. The upcoming season will be set in 1940, during World War Ⅱ, offering a unique mix of warmth and drama.
Echo“Echo”, the latest Marvel series on Disney+, follows the story of Maya Lopez, a deaf martial (武术的) artist with the ability to copy any move she sees. Played by Alaqua Cox, the character seeks vengeance (复仇) for her father’s murder at the hands of the criminal boss, the Kingpin. The series promises a more mature tone, offering a more grown-up kind of show than what we’ve seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe before. Cox’s acting of Echo brings diversity and representation to the screen, adding depth to the character’s appealing storyline.
Masters of the AirComing to Apple TV+ on January 26, “Masters of the Air” is a highly anticipated miniseries recording the heroic efforts of the 100th Bomb Group, a US Air Force unit during World War Ⅱ. The show is based on historian Donald L. Miller’s book, displaying the courage, loss, and triumph experienced by the men as they carry out dangerous bombing missions over Nazi Germany. With emotional depth and a strong sense of brotherhood, this series promises a moving portrayal of the human experience during wartime.
1. What is “All Creatures Great and Small Season 4” mainly about?| A．The challenges faced by animals. |
| B．Stories about rural animal doctors in Yorkshire. |
| C．A group of animal doctors living in a city environment. |
| D．A story about the lives of animal trainers in the modern era. |
| A．It is written by Alaqua Cox. | B．It is a movie starring Maya Lopez. |
| C．It is more of a show for kids. | D．It is a story about revenge. |
| A．Both are adapted from books. | B．Both are available on Apple TV+. |
| C．Both are seasonal series. | D．Both are about war stories. |
5 . Many people have long believed that bright lights draw, or attract flying insects. But that is not exactly what is going on, a new study suggests.
Researchers believe that artificial lights at night may cause problems with flying insects’ natural navigation systems. As a result, the creatures fly in confusion around porch lamps, street lights and other artificial lights. “Insects have a navigational problem,” said Tyson Hedrick of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He added, “They’re accustomed to using light as a cue (提示) to know which way is up.”
Insects do not fly directly toward a light source, but actually “tilt their backs toward the light,” said Sam Fabian of Imperial College London. Fabian was a co-writer of the study that appeared recently in Nature Communications. This tilting action would make sense if the strongest light source was in the sky. But in the presence of artificial lights, the result is midair confusion.
For the study, researchers attached very small sensors to moths and dragonflies in a laboratory. They then filmed “motion-capture” video of flight — similar to how filmmakers attach sensors to actors to follow their movements. Researchers also used high-resolution cameras to film insects flying around lights at a field in Costa Rica. Such films permitted researchers to study in detail how dragonflies circle endlessly around light sources, positioning themselves with their backs facing the light. Researchers also documented that some insects fly upside down — and often crash land — in the presence of lights that shine straight upward like search lights. Insect flight was least disrupted by bright lights that shine straight downward, the researchers found.
“For millions of years, insects oriented themselves by sensing that the sky is light, the ground is dark — until people invented artificial lights”, said Avalon Owens of Harvard University.
1. What can we learn from the study?| A．Insects have a navigational problem. |
| B．Artificial lights will make insects confused. |
| C．Not all insects do fly directly toward a light source. |
| D．Small sensors are used to film an insect documentary. |
| A．Insects are unlikely to fly upside down. |
| B．Insects can position themselves facing the light. |
| C．Insects failed to orient themselves because of artificial lights. |
| D．Insect flight was interrupted by downward-shining bright lights. |
| A．Ambiguous. | B．Objective. | C．Optimistic. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．In an advertisement. | B．In a science textbook. |
| C．In a nature magazine. | D．In a news report. |
6 . “Is there anything you want from Grandma’s flat?” My uncle, texting me, last week.
His mum had passed away. He’d begun the painful yet necessary task of sorting through her belongings. I required zero thinking time. Yes, I would like her aloe vera (芦荟) plant, please.
Here’s why. Sometime around 1975, Grandma received this plant as a gift. It came courtesy (礼仪) of the local butcher in recognition of her loyal custom. It could, I suppose, just as likely have been a calendar, or a fountain pen, or a box of biscuits. But it just happened to be a pot plant, which Grandma, who always had green fingers, appreciated and placed in her doorway. Five years later, my mum married the butcher’s son. And had me.
When my father’s mother died in 1993, Grandma revealed to me how this particular plant was different to the dozens of others she had in her home. This one had history. It was, she suggested, a living, blooming representation of the relationship that existed between the two sides of my family. As, indeed, was I.
Aloe vera is reasonably hardy, but, as I’ve learned, if you put it above a radiator, it dies. If you under-water it, it dies. If you over-water it, it dies. In short, with my awful agricultural skills, I’m better off with a plastic one. So, straight after I asked my uncle for this treasure, I put in place an insurance policy: the plant will go and live with Ann, my mother-in-law.
Ann, is a genius with a greenhouse. The plan is for Ann to keep hold of the original plant. In time, she can teach me how to care for its cuttings properly. Meantime, Ann will spread cuttings and clippings among her own family. My wife’s two sisters, for example, are both far better at tending plants than I am, so it is quite conceivable that they, too, will spread cuttings of the plant around their partners’ families; that this humble plant might yet spread across my entire extended family. What an amazing outcome!
1. Why did the butcher give my Grandma the aloe vera plant?| A．To contribute to the marriage. |
| B．To observe a specific custom. |
| C．To show the butcher’s loyalty. |
| D．To appreciate her regular visits. |
| A．She is a garden enthusiast. | B．She is loyal to her friends. |
| C．She is a local shop keeper. | D．She is ready to help others. |
| A．He is skilled at agricultural planting. |
| B．He has a preference for plastic plants |
| C．He is confident in feeding the plant himself. |
| D．He is anxious to keep the plant alive. |
| A．An amazing outcome | B．A family tree |
| C．A family history | D．Green fingers |
7 . As Hallee McCoombes approaches the finish line of the 800-metre run for kids with disability in the 2022 School Sport Australia Track & Field Championships in Brisbane, the crowd is cheering wildly and chanting her name. With only ten metres to go, Hallee tunes out all the noise and pushes forward with every ounce of her strength. She doesn’t have any feeling in her waist or below her knees, but pain burns her upper legs. When Hallee crosses the finish line and collapses into an exhausted heap, her twin, Jada, scoops her up in her arms. “You came in third!” she whispers to Hallee.
Born with spina bifida, Hallee underwent immediate surgery to repair her spinal cord and close her back. As months passed, the McCoombes were surprised to see Hallee hitting her developmental milestones shortly after Jada did: talking, rolling over, crawling. “Her only big delay was walking.” says Gavin, her father. But Hallee had a secret weapon: a twin sister she was desperate to keep up with. “Jada definitely helped her with her disability.” Once Hallee started walking on her own at age three, her determination to keep up with Jada only grew stronger.
Shortly after the McCoombes moved to Elliott Heads, Jada declared that she wanted to be a runner. After watching Jada’s first training session of Little Athletics, Hallee turned to her parents and said, “I can do that, too. Sign me up.”
Would she even be able to run? “She has issues with her balance and her muscle power.” explains Gavin, “which means she had to work hard to maintain upper leg muscle and core support.” But Hallee’s parents had such strong belief in her that they signed her up. Sure enough, soon she was running with Jada.
Hallee’s passion for athletics has been transformative, helping her both physically and mentally. When asked what she would say to other children with disability, Hallee offers two powerful pieces of advice: “Don’t listen when people say you can’t do something. And, try your best.”
1. What can we learn about Hallee McCoombes from the first two paragraphs?| A．She made it to the finish line aching all over. |
| B．She won third place carried by her twin sister Jada. |
| C．To catch up with Jada motivated her to overcome her disability. |
| D．The milestones of her growth like talking and walking amazed her parents. |
| A．Her father’s doubt. | B．Her lack of confidence. |
| C．Training with her sister. | D．Maintaining her core strength. |
| A．Positive and patient. | B．Determined and persistent. |
| C．Courageous and humble. | D．Stubborn and hard-working. |
| A．The Great Family of Hallee McCoombes |
| B．Hallee McCoombes: A Race to Remember |
| C．Breaking Barriers: Hallee McCoombes’ Story |
| D．Hallee McCoombes Competing for the Disabled |
8 . Akira Toriyama, one of Japan’s leading comics authors, whose manga (漫画) cartoon “Dragon Ball” achieved worldwide success with its mix of comedic characters and exciting martial arts battles, died on March 1, 2024. He was 68. His death was confirmed on Friday in a statement by his manga and design production company, Bird Studio, and Capsule Corporation Tokyo. The statement said the cause was acute subdural hematoma, a condition in which blood collects between the skull and brain. It did not say where Mr. Toriyama died.
Mr. Toriyama’s body of work, which also includes “Dr. Slump” and “Sand Land,” is recognizable far beyond Japan’s borders, having influenced generations of manga artists and cartoonists. The studio said he had several projects in the works at his death. His best-known work, “Dragon Ball,” follows a young boy named Son Goku who embarks on a journey to collect the seven magical balls that summon (召唤) a wish- granting dragon. Since its creation in the 1980s, it has spanned 42 volumes, sold millions of copies worldwide and become one of the most famous manga, inspiring television, film and video game adaptations.
Throughout his career, Mr. Toriyama said in a 2013 interview with the Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun, he did not care if his work did anything besides entertaining its readers. He was, he said, unlike “other manga artists concerned about conveying didactic (说教的) messages.” “The role of my manga,” he said, “is to be a pure work of entertainment.”
“Thanks to the support of so many people around the world, he has been able to continue his creative activities for over 45 years,” his studio’s statement said. “We hope that Akira Toriyama’s unique world of creation continues to be loved by everyone for a long time to come.”
1. What information can be found in the text about Akira Toriyama?| A．He died of an unknown psychological illness in Tokyo. |
| B．He worked for Bird Studio and Capsule Corporation Kyoto. |
| C．He gained worldwide recognition and admiration with his works. |
| D．He adapted his best-known work into TV series, films and games. |
| A．Akira Toriyama’s role in manga cartoon. | B．Akira Toriyama’s understanding of manga. |
| C．Akira Toriyama’s advice for cartoonists. | D．Akira Toriyama’s past career as a manga artist. |
| A．He had finished all his work before death. |
| B．He started working on “Dragon Ball” in the 1990s. |
| C．His fans’ support and recognition inspired him to continue his work. |
| D．His studio decided to carry on his wonderful manga works in the future. |
| A．A news report. | B．A biography. | C．An interview. | D．A book review. |
9 . Considering studying in the US? Concerned about expense? Let’s explore strategies for reducing economic pressure.
Finding scholarships
Explore university websites, as many US institutions offer scholarships to international students. Make use of search engines like Fastweb or Scholarship.com for comprehensive scholarship searches. Scholarships can be competitive due to high demand. However, a large number of opportunities exist.
Tips for securing scholarships:
● Academic excellence: Strong academic performance is highly regarded by universities
● Extracurricular involvement: Participation in sports, music or community service distinguishes applicants.
● Seek guidance: Teachers or advisers can offer valuable advice.
Alternative cost-reduction measures
● On-campus employment: International students can work on campus, providing both income and networking opportunities.
● Community colleges: Start studies at a community college, which is often more affordable, before transferring to a university for degree completion.
● Host family accommodation: Living with a US family can be a cost-effective alternative to university housing.
Financial options: loans and aid
● Loans (贷款): Some financial institutions loans to international students.
● Financial aid: Certain universities provide financial assistance to international students.
Practical budgeting
● Home cooking: Preparing meals at home is more economical than dining out.
● Second-hand purchases: Choose used books and furniture to save on expenses.
● Public transportation: Take buses and trains instead of owning a car for more cost-effective travel.
1. What is an advantage in guaranteeing scholarships?| A．A great gift in art. |
| B．Excellent academic performance. |
| C．Active participation in class activities. |
| D．A good command of using search engines. |
| A．Community college fees are relatively high. |
| B．Owning a car is the cheapest way to get around. |
| C．International students have access to financial aid in some universities. |
| D．On-campus accommodation costs much less than living with a host family. |
| A．Education. | B．Economy. | C．Transportation. | D．Travel. |
10 . When margarine (人造黄油) was first sold in the 1800s, plentiful alarmist words were uttered about it. However, it was simply a cream of vegetable oil and water, a processed, more sustainable and healthier alternative to an animal product. Anxiety about new foods and how they are produced continues today. Public discussions are full of concerns that “ultra-processed foods” or “UPFs” are downright unhealthy. One particular category in a fierce spotlight is plant-based meats. But how and where food is made doesn’t determine how safe or nutritious it is.
The term UPFs was first used in 2009 by Carlos Monteiro, a nutritionist. In a 2017 paper, he said he was worried that the shared experience of cooking was being increasingly lost and people weren’t eating together. In particular, he was seeing rising rates of diabetes and obesity. Keen to identify the root cause of these issues, he focused on food not made at home, but in factories. But the thing is, as Monteiro has stated openly, the UPF categorisation was never designed to group foods on the basis of nutrition.
Just like pork sausages and chicken popcorn, plant-based alternatives are made in factories, so are considered UPFs. But unlike those animal products, they don’t require antibiotics (抗生素) or hormones during production, require up to 96 percent less land, have carbon emissions up to 98 percent lower, need up to 99 percent less water and result in 100 percent fewer animals dying.
And side by side, they are almost always healthier than the over-processed animal meat products they replace, especially on fat and fibre content. Just compare the labels on the packets next time you are in the supermarket.
Many loud voices are raising concerns, suggesting that all UPFs, especially plant-based meats, are “unnatural”, “fake” and “full of chemicals”. We are seeing history repeat itself, and a fear of new foods being aroused all over again. But the science is unmistakably clear: diets rich in plant-based options are better for both people and the planet, factory or no factory.
1. Why does the author mention margarine in paragraph 1?| A．To stress the sales dilemma margarine faced before. |
| B．To illustrate people’s misunderstanding about margarine. |
| C．To show the ignored benefits of margarine to people’s health. |
| D．To emphasize people’s longstanding worry about novel foods. |
| A．To classify the food made at home. |
| B．To encourage people to cook and eat together. |
| C．To discover the cause of some rising health problems. |
| D．To determine the nutrition level of factory-produced food. |
| A．Plant-based meats are more ecofriendly. |
| B．Plant-based meats shouldn’t be considered as UPFs. |
| C．Plant-based meats will replace UPF animal meat products. |
| D．Plant-based meats are healthier than sausages and popcorn. |
| A．Unnecessary. | B．Temporary. | C．Reasonable. | D．Alarming. |
