1 . Stuck at home? These famous museums offer virtual tours you can take on your sofa. According to Fast Company, Google Arts&Culture teamed up with over 2,500 museums and galleries around the world to bring you virtual tours and online exhibits.
Guggenheim Museum, New York
Google’s Street View lets visitors tour the Guggenheim’s famous spiral (螺旋式) staircase without ever leaving home. From there, you can discover incredible works of art from the Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary times.
Pergamon Museum,Berlin
As one of Germany’s largest museums, Pergamonhas a lot to offer — even if you can’t physically be there. This historical museum is home to plenty of ancient works including the Ishtar Gate of Babylon and, of course,the Pergamon Altar.
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
Anyone who is a fan of this tragic, gifted painter can see his works up close (or, almost up close) by virtually visiting this museum — the largest collection of artworks by Vincent Van Gogh, including over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and over 750 personal letters.
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
European artworks from as far back as the 8th century can be found in this California art museum. Take a Street View tour to discover a huge collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, manuscripts, and photographs.
To see more of Google Arts&Culture’s collection of museums, visit the collection’s website.
1. Which one will you visit if you like modern art?| A．Pergamon Museum. |
| B．Guggenheim Museum. |
| C．The J. Paul Getty Museum. |
| D．Van Gogh Museum. |
| A．One who is fond of tragic films. |
| B．One who enjoys European artworks. |
| C．One who likes paintings of Van Gogh. |
| D．One who is interested in ancient artworks. |
| A．It is one of the largest museums in the USA. |
| B．It is the only home to artworks in California. |
| C．It includes all forms of artworks in the world. |
| D．It exhibits European artworks from the 8th century. |
2 . The Department for International Trade (DIT) is a UK Government department working with businesses based in the United Kingdom to ensure their success in international markets. Here are some events to be held by DIT.
International Business Festival — Future Transport
What could new technology in travel mean for business? Hear the latest from the Government’s centres for autonomous vehicles and listen to the successful cases. The event will also predict near-future developments in transport and make a surprisingly strong business argument for more traditional ways of getting from A to B.
LOCATION: National Exhibition Center, West Midlands B401NT, United Kingdom
PRICING: 80 pounds for a festival pass and 40 pounds for a day pass. FESTll provides a 20 percent discount until the end of April.
TEL: 0121-7804141
International E-Commerce Workshop
This workshop will enable you to develop your digital skills, raise your global brand presence, and allow you to test new markets with minimal investment. You will learn how to develop a strategy in online routes to market, identify multi-channel and B2B online opportunities.
LOCATION: East Midlands Business Ltd, Unit 5 Merus Court, United Kingdom
PRICING: Free
TEL: 0658-1714889
International Business Festival — Urbanisation (城市化) & Cities
Examine the considerable leadership and governance challenges that must be overcome if cities are to fulfil their potential as engines for growth. Find opportunities in a changing world and meet future partners, buyers, investors and develop relationships.
LOCATION: Exhibition Centre Liverpool, Kings Dock, L3 4BX, United Kingdom
PRICING: 105 pounds for a festival pass and 50 pounds for a day pass. FEST11 provides a 20 percent discount until the end of April.
TEL: 0289-6032899
Please call at 0789-1056888 if you are having any problems registering for the site.
1. Which number should you call if you have some questions about future transport event?| A．0658-1714889. | B．0789-1056888. |
| C．0121-7804141. | D．0289-6032899. |
| A．Exhibition Centre Liverpool. | B．East Midlands Business Ltd. |
| C．Kings Dock, L3 4BX. | D．West Midlands B401NT. |
| A．105 pounds. | B．21 pounds. | C．10 pounds. | D．40 pounds. |
3 . A handwritten letter by a little boy asking Santa for a “very good dad” has captured hearts worldwide.
The boy, known only as “Blake” in the letter, wrote, “Dear Santa, We had to leave our house. Dad was mad. We had to do all the chores. Dad got everything he wanted. Mom said it was time to leave and she would take us to a safer place where we don’t have to be scared.”
“Blake is a 7-year-old boy in one of our shelters, and his mom found this letter in his backpack...” Posted by SafeHaven of Tarrant County on Wednesday, December 18, 2019.
“I’m still nervous. I don’t want to talk to the other kids,” he continued. “Are you going to come this Christmas? Can you bring a dictionary, and a compass and a watch?”
The most heart-wrenching part of the letter was the last line that read, “I also want a very very very good dad. Can you do that too?”
Officials with SafeHaven of Tarrant County, a group seeking to help end domestic (家庭的) violence, posted Blake’s letter to its Facebook page. Now, some of the child’s wishes have come true. All of the gifts he asked for have been donated by people in the community. Though SafeHaven received more than 10,000 gifts this year, they want to shine a light on the bigger issue of domestic violence.
“To us, it was kind of a story that we’ve heard all the time,” Kathryn Jacob, the organization’s president and CEO, told Today. “Like tonight, we have 73 kids in the shelter. Blake is just one of many.”
1. The little boy asked Santa for a “very good dad” because ________.| A．his dad was too strict with him | B．he was forced to do all the chores |
| C．he was ill-treated by his dad | D．his dad didn’t buy him any gifts |
| A．It has received a lot of concern so far. | B．It provides services for homeless children. |
| C．It posted Blake’s letter without permission. | D．Part of its goal is to earn money. |
| A．To advertise their shelter. | B．To introduce their shelter. |
| C．To tell more information about Blake. | D．To draw attention to domestic violence. |
4 . International Students House
International Students House （ISH）, a unique club and accommodation center founded in 1965, offers a range of services to aid students while they are studying in London. It is located in the heart of London's West End and is close to all public transport facilities.
Accommodation
♦Comfortable accommodation for up to 450 people in single, twin, 3/4 bedded and multi-bedded rooms
♦44 self-contained flats for married students and families
♦ Long and short stays welcomed
Membership
Club membership is open to all full-time students. Membership costs are kept to an absolute minimum to enable the widest possible access. You can join for as short as one month and for up to one year at a time. Membership entitles you to use the various facilities of the House. It has:
• Restaurants
• Clubs and societies
• Study rooms
• Dance, music and films
• Fitness training
• Student bars and coffee shops
• Travel and much more!
The best way to check out all we have on offer is to drop in any Tuesday evening between 7.15 pm and 8:30 pm for Open House in the Club Room. This is an opportunity for you to meet the staff and other club members, enjoy a free cup of coffee and find out all about what's going on. You can take advantage of special membership offers. (Useful tip: Bring along 3 passport-size photographs if you wish to take out membership.)
The Students Adviser
Thanks to the support of STA Travel and in association with the London Conference on Overseas Students (LCOS), ISH now provides the service of the Students Adviser. This new welfare service is open to all students at London's academic institutions. It aims to provide welfare support to help students overcome any personal or practical difficulties they may be experiencing while studying in Britain. One of the key features of the service is that the Students Adviser can be seen during the evenings until about 8:00 pm, Monday to Thursday.
1. What can be learned about ISH?| A．It has a history of almost 50 years. | B．It is designed for married students. |
| C．It offers flexible accommodation options. | D．It is far away from public transport facilities. |
| A．Make acquaintance with the staff | B．Obtain special membership offers. |
| C．Study or work in London. | D．Come with the required photos. |
| A．Its service is free for students in Britain. | B．It is accessible on weekdays. |
| C．Its purpose is to raise academic standards. | D．It gets aid from STA Travel. |
5 . Voluntary organizations
Horizon School Peru
Area: Peru
We are a non-profit organization based in Trujillo, Peru. We provide free English classes for the nearby area, which we believe can help the community get out of poverty. By learning English, people here will be able to get more job chances.
As a volunteer, you will have to teach English both in Horizon and at a local public school. It’s also a chance to explore Trujillo and the local beach town. Volunteers will get to experience the Peruvian culture and cooking as well as the language. Please get in touch with us at contact@horizonperu.com.
Do-it.org.uk
Area: the United Kingdom
If you want to make a difference, meet new people or learn new skills through volunteering, then look no further than do-it.org.uk — a volunteering website of the UK, which provides over a million chances to volunteer.
Just enter your postcode (邮编) and interest at www.do-it.org.uk, look through the chances and apply online. It’s as simple as that.
Aim Abroad
Area: India
Aim Abroad is a non-profit volunteer organization based in India. International volunteers are welcome to take part in the programs for the improvement of society. For more information, please visit www.aimabroad.org.
Adventist Nepal
Area: Nepal
We are a non-profit organization lying in Kathmandu, Nepal, with the purpose of providing volunteer services in Nepal in the field of education, health, human rights, writing, travel, etc. If you are interested in working as a volunteer and looking for help, please feel free to get in touch with us at info@adventistnepal.org. We also provide home stay service for visitors.
1. What are volunteers in Horizon School Peru required to do?| A．Attend English classes. | B．Offer free English lessons. |
| C．Experience the local culture. | D．Talk in English with the locals. |
| A．Aim Abroad. | B．Do-it.org.uk. |
| C．Adventist Nepal. | D．Horizon School Peru. |
| A．Their aim is to help the poor. | B．They only accept local volunteers. |
| C．Their volunteers must have many skills. | D．Volunteers can apply for positions online. |
