1 . If you have some free time in fall, would you like to go to the theatre?

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Sep. 12th, — Oct. 28th, 2024

Main Stage: UK Royal Opera House

Follow Alice down the rabbit hole in Christopher Wheeldon’s beautiful ballet, inspired by Lewis Carroll’s much-loved book.

Conducted by Koen Kessels. Last few tickets at $6.99.

Music: Joby Talbot. Designer: Bob Crowley.

Running time: 2hrs, 40 mins.

Enjoy three of your favorite productions in our Autumn Season for a 10% discount.

Cats

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s long-running classic music al is back on Broadway!

Jul. 31st, — Dec. 30th, 2024

No show on Wednesday.

THEATER: Neil Simon Theatre, 250 West 52nd Street, New York, NY.

Running time:2hrs, 20 mins.

Buy tickets from $59! Group tickets: 12 seats or more.

Les Misérables

Start from Sep. 20th to Sep. 29th, 2024

The West End’s longest running classic musical, Les Misérables has been enjoyed by over 70million people in 42 countries and in 22 languages around the globe and is still breaking box-office records as it passes its 30th year in London.

Book your Les Misérables tickets, playing at the Queen’s Theatre today.

Running time: 3 hours.

Buy group tickets from $69.

If you require more than 8 tickets, please call us for great rates: 020-7492-0810.

Recommended for children aged 7 or over; children under 5 will not be admitted.

Carmen

Check https: //www.laopera. org for best availability and lowest prices        !

“Much greater than any other opera” — Los Angeles Times.

SCHEDULE: Opening on September 9th,2024. Opening night celebration tickets available. Call213-972-8097. Closing on October 1st, 2024.

Running time: about three hours and 25 minutes, including two breaks.

Two operas available:

Opera at the Beach: Santa Monica Beach. Opera in the Park: Victoria’s Park.

1. Which show has the longest running time?

A．Cats.	B．Les Misérables.
C．Carmen.	D．Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

2. How much does it cost if a couple want to see ballet?

A．$6.99.

B．$13.98.

C．$59.

D．$138.

3. What do Cats and Les Misérables have in common?

A．They are both classic musicals.	B．They are playing at Neil Simon Theatre.
C．Their show time are more than three hours.	D．Their group tickets are at least eight people.

2 . Do you love learning foreign languages? I love it so much that I like to learn a new language every two years, now working on my eighth one. As a successful language learner, people always ask me, “How do you speak so many languages like a polyglot?” They wanted to know why they are spending years trying to learn even one language, never making it.

To be honest, I really don’t know why. I’m curious to know what makes me speak several languages faster than other people. I decided to meet other people like me and find that out. I met Benny from Ireland, who told me that his way is to start speaking from day one. He learns a few phrases from a travel phrasebook and goes to meet native speakers and starts talking with them right away. He doesn’t mind making even 200 mistakes a day, because that’s how he learns, based on the practice.

I met some people who always start by learning sounds of the language, and others who always learn the 500 most used words of the language. And yet others who always start by reading about the grammar. As I was listening to these people telling me about their ways, it suddenly hit me that we simply found ways to enjoy the language learning. All of them use different ways, but they always make sure it is something that they personally enjoy. I realized that this is actually how I learn languages myself.

We are not geniuses (天才) and we have no shortcut to learning languages. It is really important to know how to turn language learning from a boring school subject into a pleasant activity which you don’t mind doing every day. In that way, you will love learning a language like me.

1. Which of the following best explains “polyglot” underlined in paragraph 1?

A．Successful English learners.	B．Experienced and trusted advisers.
C．People who can speak several languages.	D．Someone who can master one language quickly.

2. What do we know about Benny?

A．He learns languages by communicating in real life.

B．He reads words and grammar from a book every day.

C．He is afraid of making many mistakes while speaking.

D．He always talks with Irish people without mistakes.

3. Why did the author learn languages successfully?

A．She spent a lot of time on grammar.

B．She only learned 500 most used words.

C．She talked with native speakers at the beginning.

D．She found happiness on the way of learning languages.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Find shortcuts to learning languages.	B．Share ways of learning several languages.
C．When to choose a new language to learn.	D．Never give up when learning a foreign language.

3 . An underwater dance performance brought He Haohao into the spotlight. The show, titled Pray, features He as the Goddess of the Luohe River. It became popular after being played on Henan TV in June 2021. Thousands of Internet users were amazed at her graceful but highly demanding moves, such as flying in the water.

The 31-year-old started to learn synchronized (花样的) swimming at the age of eight and won a national championship. In 2013, she graduated from college and went to work a nine-to-five job in an office. But her true passion for the underwater sport pushed her out of her comfort zone. Three years later, she gave up the job and was qualified as a professional dance coach.

To let more people know about the underwater dance, she has been trying to film short videos of dances that feature Chinese traditional culture. One of her most impressive pieces of work is an underwater dance for a public service announcement about ocean protection in 2018.She created the dance in the sea.

“As a lover of traditional culture, it’s my own way to present it by combining it with the underwater dance,” He added. “You can do many impossible movements that can’t be accomplished on land, such as flying.” This makes the underwater dance more beautiful to watch.

When shooting Pray, she had to wear counterweights (平衡物) weighing from 2 to 10kilograms to stand still in the water. More dangerously, her neck was once wounded around by costumes that can float without control under the water.

Now, her next work that features swinging tai chi swords is to be released soon. The audience is expecting to see another fascinating performance under the water.

1. What became popular in the first paragraph?

A．An underwater sport.	B．Internet users in Henan.
C．A dance show called Pray.	D．The Goddess of the Luohe River.

2. Why did He quit her nine-to-five job?

A．She got fired by the employer.	B．She longed to do something she likes.
C．She was encouraged by Internet users.	D．She desired to go into the comfort zone.

3. What is special about He’s dance Pray?

A．It is filmed to show environment protection.

B．It can be performed well both on land and underwater.

C．It combines Chinese traditional culture with underwater dance.

D．It includes many movements that other dancers can perform as well.

4. What is the best title for the passage?

A．Seeking for Dance Dream on Land	B．Learning How to Dance Under Water
C．Advertising a Dance Performance Pray	D．Getting to Know a Professional Dance Coach

4 . The bell rang. My English teacher, Mrs. Smith, stood in the front of the classroom, raising a book high. “This week, we’re going to _______ Shakespeare’s Hamlet. You are going to read a paragraph, ‘To Be or Not To Be’ and retell it to your classmates,” she said.

I looked down as her words played over and over in my mind. I could remember all the words, but I was worried about my _______: “To B-B-Be or N-N-Not To B-B-B-Be”. I couldn’t read the sentences fluently. I didn’t want to be _______.

I wanted to do something to change it. I came up with a good _______ to solve my problem. I thought about the words I was about to _______ and practised many times at home. I _______ myself into Hamlet and spoke the _______ with my mom. We laughed when I forgot words and cheered when I spoke _______. My mom told me to keep eye contact and believe in myself.

On the day when I was going to _________, I breathed deeply and stood up. I faced my teacher and classmates ________. I started to speak. The words came out shaky at first. Then, I spoke them ________ and stronger. On the stage, I ________ myself saying the words to my mom at home. I stayed ________ and stood tall. Before I knew it, my task was over. Everyone clapped for me and I bowed. I was excited and ________ because I faced my fear and won the ________ myself.

1.

A．copy

B．read

C．draw

D．preview

2.

A．dialect

B．letter

C．hearing

D．voice

3.

A．given up

B．taken in

C．laughed at

D．helped out

4.

A．goal

B．discussion

C．question

D．idea

5.

A．consider

B．say

C．reflect

D．write

6.

A．turned

B．exchanged

C．decorated

D．forced

7.

A．difficulty

B．knowledge

C．dialogue

D．connection

8.

A．gradually

B．fluently

C．slowly

D．uncertainly

9.

A．remember

B．operate

C．listen

D．retell

10.

A．gratefully

B．bravely

C．passively

D．coldly

11.

A．louder

B．kinder

C．weaker

D．slighter

12.

A．recalled

B．kept

C．imagined

D．regretted

13.

A．healthy

B．safe

C．alive

D．calm

14.

A．proud

B．upset

C．anxious

D．active

15.

A．gift

B．debate

C．battle

D．title

5 . Have you ever heard of the Northward Family, a herd of Asian elephants that made their journey in Yunnan? They were a bit naughty for they invaded villagers’ fields. Scientists who took part in scientific research and conservation have also used unmanned aerial vehicles (无人机) and other advanced means to carry out monitoring and early warning of the herd’s arrival. The government also made fences around villagers’ houses, which make effective protection of elephants from humans, making sure the safety of humans and elephants.

In addition, safety signs, warning signs and solar-powered street lights have been fixed along the roads where the herd may appear, to remind passers-by to be careful. The government has also set up a “canteen” for the elephants, providing them with food such as banana, corn and so on.

Is this amazing “migration” just a journey or a “survival revolution” in search of a new home? A lot of friends who care about the Northward Family are wondering: Is elephants’ migration related to the destruction of their living environment? Only time will tell.

What do humans think of the elephant’s journey? On the one hand, it is no accident. We humans can help elephants by respecting their activities. It is within our power to respect science, follow the advice of experts, guide and urge our friends and children to keep their distance. If elephants really become our “neighbors”, how to deal with the “neighborly relations” will certainly become a problem we have to face.

On the other hand, the elephant’s journey has shown China’s achievements in protecting its natural environment and wildlife in recent decades. There is no doubt that the normal rotation of the earth cannot depend on the human species alone. The preservation of biodiversity is the “secret” of the earth’s ecological sustainability. When nature becomes something that animals and plants desire, humans will live a wonderful life too.

1. Why was the Northern Family described naughty?

A．They destroyed the scientific research.	B．They walked into fields of the village.
C．They ate a lot of bananas on the way.	D．They escaped from where they lived.

2. What did the government do for the herd of elephants?

A．They fed the herd with food that is proper.

B．They paid attention to the elephants’ movement.

C．They removed the fences around villagers’ houses.

D．They blocked the roads where the herd might appear.

3. Why did the elephant herd start traveling?

A．They loved traveling.	B．They were searching for food.
C．Their purpose was still unknown.	D．Their living habitat was destroyed.

4. What can we learn from elephant’s journey?

A．Keeping away from elephants is necessary.

B．Protecting elephants is our impossible mission.

C．Dealing with elephant’s journey is beyond human’s ability.

D．Great efforts have been made in protecting wildlife in China.

6 . Once a famous painter lived in a certain city. Thousands of people used to come to see his art exhibition. People would never get tired of ________ his works.

One day, he thought, “Do people praise me only in front of me and talk about ________ in my works behind my back?” The next day, he ________ early and took one of his paintings to a busy square of his city. There he kept his painting with a(an) ________ written below — “Whoever finds any mistake in this painting should ________ a mark on that place.”

In the evening, when he went to the square to see the painting, he became ________ as there were hundreds of marks on his painting. Seeing this, he got very disappointed and ________ picked up his painting and went home. This incident left a negative (消极的) influence on him and he ________ painting and started shying away from meeting people.

His friend realized that the painter was troubled by something and ________ him the reason. The painter told him everything with a sad heart. ________ it, his friend asked him to do one thing.

The next morning he put a new painting at the square. With a note written below it — “Whoever finds any mistake in the painting, ________ it.” In the evening when the painter and his friend went to check the painting, it was still the same as it was in the morning. The painter was ________ to see this. His friend noticed his amazement and said, “Do you understand something? There is no ________ in taking the opinions of people who only want to find fault with others. ________, understand that fault was not in your picture but in asking for ________ from such people!”

1.

A．buying

B．praising

C．commenting

D．revising

2.

A．mistakes

B．secrets

C．images

D．styles

3.

A．made up

B．woke up

C．cheered up

D．cleaned up

4.

A．invitation

B．letter

C．document

D．note

5.

A．apply

B．bury

C．put

D．imagine

6.

A．sad

B．curious

C．amazed

D．confused

7.

A．calmly

B．wisely

C．silently

D．happily

8.

A．tried

B．appreciated

C．enjoyed

D．stopped

9.

A．gave

B．asked

C．told

D．shared

10.

A．Seeing

B．Recording

C．Hearing

D．Reading

11.

A．admire

B．contact

C．destroy

D．correct

12.

A．surprised

B．anxious

C．frightened

D．confident

13.

A．hope

B．point

C．doubt

D．shame

14.

A．Therefore

B．However

C．Otherwise

D．Anyway

15.

A．support

B．information

C．advice

D．help

7 . Caring 17-year-old, Lauren Schroeder, was inspired to help bring healthy food to needy families in her community. Volunteering during the pandemic at a food shelter when she was just 14, she felt that something was missing from the donated groceries: fresh vegetables. “I thought it would be great to change that,” Lauren told the Washington Post, making a plan to grow and donate homegrown produce.

This kind-hearted teen then told her parents of her wish to start a garden on part of their family farm in Dixon, Iowa, in order to supply local families in need with fresh produce including lettuce, carrots, tomatoes and zucchini. Lauren researched plants online, checking which species needed more shade, how much water was required, and about the best time to harvest each crop.

This year, Lauren doubled the size of her garden to an acre, adding ten more plant varieties including herbs and cauliflower.

In the past two years, this admirable high school junior has donated more than 3,175 kilograms of homegrown produce, with a value of $15,000 as reported on Inside Edition.

She has also won the admiration of her community. Jenna Kingsley, a Future Farmers of America advisor at Lauren’s high school tells MSN that, “Her self-confidence and generous hand to help those in need has left an impact larger than she could have imagined.”

1. Why did Lauren start a garden on her family farm?

A．To develop her personal hobby.

B．To increase her family income.

C．To run a food store in her community.

D．To provide fresh produce for needy families.

2. What plant varieties did Lauren add to her garden this year?

A．Herbs and zucchini.	B．Herbs and cauliflower.
C．Tomatoes and zucchini.	D．Lettuce and cauliflower.

3. Which of the following can best describe Lauren?

A．Brave and self-confident.	B．Curious and hard-working.
C．Generous and kind-hearted.	D．Outgoing and open-minded.

4. Which of the following would be the best title for this article?

A．A Teen Offers Tips to Grow a Family Garden

B．A Teen Brings Fresh Vegetables to the Needy

C．A Teen Sells Healthy Produce to the Community

D．A Teen Learns to Plant Vegetables on Family Farm

8 . Scientists are worried about the future of the axolotl, an unusual Mexican salamander (蝾螈), and they’re asking for help. A new program lets people “adopt” an axolotl to raise money to support efforts to save the endangered animal.

The axolotl is a strange, but amazing animal, with a long body, short legs, and a long tail. Its body is covered with smooth, slimy skin. Axolotls are famous for their ability to cure themselves. If an axolotl loses a leg, or even part of its heart, brain, or lungs, it can regrow them. Scientists have long been interested in how the axolotl does this. Some people think the information could help solve some human medical problems.

Sadly, axolotls are in trouble. The number of axolotls in Mexico has dropped 99.5% in less than 20 years. There are a number of reasons for the drop in axolotls. One is that the water in the lakes has become more and more polluted. Another is that there are invasive (入侵的) fish in the lakes which are eating the axolotls’ food, and even their babies.

Scientists at Mexico’s National Autonomous University (UNAM) have been working for years to try to protect the axolotls. Last year, the UNAM scientists started a program they called “AdoptAxolotl”. They asked people to donate money to help pay for efforts to save the axolotls. The program was a big hit, and raised more than $26,000. The money was used to help clean up some of Mexican lakes and for a program to raise axolotls in a safe environment. Besides, people were encouraged to pay $30 to virtually (虚拟的) “adopt” one of the animals for a month or pay for food for an axolotl.

1. What do we know about the axolotls from paragraph 2?

A．They can live without hearts or lungs.

B．They have short bodies and long legs.

C．They can solve some human problems.

D．They have the ability to cure themselves.

2. What has caused the drop of the axolotls’ population?

A．Water pollution.

B．Habitat loss.

C．Invasive disease.

D．Serious overfishing.

3. What do the underlined words “a big hit” most probably mean?

A．A great success.

B．A big mistake.

C．A complete failure.

D．A total imagination.

4. Why did the UNAM scientists start the “AdoptAxolotl” program?

A．To let people clean up Mexican lakes.

B．To get money for scientists’ own projects.

C．To raise money to help axolotls live better.

D．To encourage people to take axolotls home.

10 . How to Visit the Louvre in 2024

People line up at more than one entrance to get into the largest museum on the planet, the Louvre. In this guide, we’ll walk you right through something you need to know to visit the Louvre. This way, you’ll be prepared to visit one of the greatest collections of art in the world.

Opening Hours

Monday: 9 a.m. — 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: 9 a.m. — 6 p.m.

Thursday: 9 a.m. — 6 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m. — 9:45 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. —6 p.m.

Sunday: 9 a.m. —6 p.m.

Lucky for you, the museum also has a night opening on Fridays where the museum stays open until 9:45 p.m.

Tickets

Tickets can be bought at the museum for €15 or online for €17. Admission is free for anyone under 18 with an official ID card and residents of the European Economic Area under 26 with an official certificate of residence or valid ID card.

How Long to Spend at the Louvre

Short Answer: 3 hours inside. The museum is massive—the largest on Earth, so that should be something to take into consideration. It also has a rich collection of artwork, sculpture, and even medieval ruins.

Click on the link for more information. hutps://thetourguy.com/.

1. When is the Louvre not open?

A．Monday.

B．Tuesday.

C．Wednesday.

D．Sunday.

2. How much should a Chinese couple pay to visit the Louvre by booking tickets online?

A．€15.

B．€17.

C．€30.

D．€34.

3. Where is the text taken from?

A．A website.

B．A novel.

C．A magazine.

D．A newspaper.