1 . Pullman is a superb writer and Seagull is a brilliant communicator. They had a debate after Seagull posted a question on his social media platform: “When you were trying to create an environment for learning, what were your best pieces of classical music to listen to?” He received hundreds of suggestions — and one negative reply, from Pullman: “That’s not what classical music is for. Treat it with respect.”
That did it! Everyone — professional musicians, students, teachers — weighed into the argument, and the majority supported Seagull and were criticizing Pullman.
It’s easy to see why people are annoyed. We all want classical music to be as accessible as possible, especially to the young. If some of them are using Bach or Schubert as a tool to help them study, what’s the problem? They may also develop an attachment to classical music.
So is Pullman ridiculous and supercilious by objecting to classical music being used as background music? At first sight, his idea seems stuffy and extreme. By suggesting that classical music should be “treated with respect” and not used as background music, Pullman seems to be closing classical music of to millions of people.
It’s worth pointing out, however, that he isn’t the first to express concerns about classical music being devalued by becoming too commonplace in today’s technologically shaped world. In Benjamin Britten’s 1964 speech, the composer expressed exactly the same worries as Pullman. Britten suggested, “The true musical experience demands some preparation, some effort, a journey to a special place, saving up for a ticket, some homework perhaps”. In short, it demands as much effort from listeners as from composers and performers.
I don’t agree with such an extreme viewpoint, but I do think it touches on a reality. You will never fully grasp the beauty of classical music if you half-hear it only in the background. That doesn’t necessarily matter. Music can be enjoyed on many levels. What Pullman and Britten are really saying is that, in a drive for “accessibility”, we shouldn’t deny the emotional and intellectual complexity underpinning (构成) much classical music.
1. What did Seagull’s posting result in?| A．Great admiration for Seagull. |
| B．Public criticism of classical music. |
| C．A discussion about learning environments. |
| D．An argument over the role of classical music. |
| A．Self-important. | B．Open-minded. | C．Impatient. | D．Considerate. |
| A．To show his affection for classical music. |
| B．To introduce young people to classical music. |
| C．To demonstrate classical music is demanding. |
| D．To support Pullman’s idea over classical music. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Doubtful. | C．Objective. | D．Uninterested. |
2 . The cost of living crisis is causing suffering for millions this winter. One in five people are worried about where their next meal will come from. Parents who live near you are burdened with anxiety about how they will afford to feed their children. Families are struggling and don’t know where to turn. Yet while people go hungry, three million tonnes of surplus(剩余的) food is being wasted every year.
Fare Share is a national charity working to get that food to people who are struggling—but we need your help. A gift of £90 could provide three meals a day to a family of four for a whole month. Plus, you may be entitled to recover 25p of tax on every £1 you give as gift money.
Your gift will help us redistribute food to our network of 8,500 local charities and community groups across the UK. You’ll also help people to access other services and support through these groups, strengthening communities and easing loneliness through food.
WILL YOU DO YOUR FARESHARE? PLEASE HELP PEOPLE GOING HUNGRY THIS WINTER | |||
| How could your £90 help feed a family in your community? |
|
|
|
We’d love to keep you up to date on Fare Share’s work including fundraising updates. Please get in touch by calling us on 0300 302 3677 or emailing fundraiser@fareshare.org.uk
To give online, please visit fareshare.org.uk/community 1. For more information please scan the QR code.
| A．Providing gifts for families. | B．Redistributing surplus food. |
| C．Organizing festival events. | D．Offering tax recovery services. |
| A．They will receive a tax refund. |
| B．They will help run the local charities. |
| C．They will be recognized as organizers. |
| D．They will receive free meals for themselves. |
| A．A travel blog. | B．A news report. |
| C．A community noticeboard. | D．An entertainment magazine. |
3 . For most of December, Adele Adkins had the top-selling album in Australia, followed by Ed Sheeran, and then there was a collection of songs that took everyone by surprise.
Songs Of Disappearance is a collection of calls from endangered Australian birds. Last month, it briefly reached No.3 on the country’s top 50 albums chart (排行榜) — ahead of Taylor Swift.
Anthony Albrecht, a PhD student at Charles Darwin University, produced the album with Professor Stephen Garnett. “I knew it was a crazy thing to suggest. But Stephen’s a little bit crazy like me and he let me do it,” Albrecht said.
Songs Of Disappearance was published with a university report which found that 1 in 6 Australian bird species are now threatened. The album records 53 of those species.
“Some sing what you might think of as bird songs, but not all of them,” said SeanDooley, who represents the conservation organization Bird life Australia. “Songs from the golden bowerbird sound like a death cry from some sci-fi series. And the love songs from Christmas Island frigate bird, which has a piece of skin hanging under its mouth that caninflate (膨胀) like a huge red balloon, sound as bizarre as its unusual looks.”
There’s also the Christmas Island pigeon. When people hear that pigeon, they might think that it’s a human making silly noises, Dooley added.
The Charles Darwin University and Bird life Australia report does document successes in protecting endangered birds, the hope being that the album will protect more species.
“The increased awareness can make a difference,” Dooley said. “When we have a community on board, that brings pressure to the government to do the right thing. We know that these conservation actions do work.”
1. Whose album reached No.1 on the chart in December?| A．Taylor Swift’s. |
| B．Adele Adkins’. |
| C．Ed Sheeran’s. |
| D．Anthony Albrecht’s. |
| A．About 53 bird species are threatened in Australia. |
| B．It has not found success in protecting endangered birds. |
| C．One sixth of Australian bird species are now endangered. |
| D．Music is very powerful in encouraging people to protect birds. |
| A．Strange. |
| B．Beautiful. |
| C．Loud. |
| D．Sharp. |
| A．Crazy. |
| B．Amusing. |
| C．Uncreative. |
| D．Helpful. |
4 . Are you a fan of outdoor adventures? Do you enjoy scenic views to relax? Look no further, as the following destinations offer all that and more.
Athabasca Falls
Alberta, Canada
Water from the Canadian Rockies flows down into the waterfalls of Jasper National Park, creating a flow with wild energy. The falls are wheelchairs accessible, with a paved path taking admirers to a number of viewpoints. If visitors leave the path, they can explore both the upper and lower regions of the trail.
Akaka Falls Trail
Hakalau, Hawaii
A short half-mile hike is big on sights and low on hard activity. The well-kept ring like trail guide visitors around to see a number of waterfalls, including the 442-foot main attraction, and beautiful local flora (植物群) among the famous landscape. Though there are no hills to climb, there are a number of stairways to go.
Nugget Falls
Juneau, Alaska
Located in Tongass National Forest about 12 miles from Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier has produced Nugget Falls, a fan-like waterfall that leads into a lake. A series of short hikes allows for different views of the waterfall and icy surrounds, which are also known for frequent brown bear sightings.
Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, California
Yosemite National Park is one of the oldest national parks in America and home to the fifth tallest waterfall in the world. Hikers can reach it by taking a 1-mile trail from the lodge or the 7.2-mile round-trip Yosemite Falls Trail route. Late spring is best, with the highest water flow. In the winter, the temperatures dip below freezing. A park admission fee applies.
1. Where can visitors expect to see frequent brown bear sightings?| A．Athabasca Falls. | B．Akaka Falls Trail. | C．Nugget Falls. | D．Yosemite Falls. |
| A．Winter. | B．Spring. | C．Summer. | D．Fall. |
| A．In a travel magazine. | B．In a novel. | C．In a history book. | D．In a diary. |
5 . Some places are to be appreciated and visited during the winter months, with fresh layers of snow transforming already beautiful landscapes into wonderlands. Read on to discover these winter resorts around the world that are enough to wake you up.
Gullfoss Waterfall, Iceland
The falls are especially impressive in winter. It has two impressive layers, reaching up to 36 feet and 69 feet, and it’s quite dramatic to see the golden light reflected off its steep water at sunset. If you want to catch a sight of the polar lights on your trip, you can also see it from September to mid-April in Iceland.
Tromso, Norway
Tromso is a charming fishing village and energetic university town. Located on the Norwegian Sea off the northern coast of Norway, Tromso is particularly suitable for winter holidays as it is a popular gateway to the Arctic Circle. Surrounded by picturesque glaciers (冰川), the winter landscape of this region is unforgettable. You can also take part in many guided tours designed around the local Sami culture and maritime history.
Banff National Park, Canada
As Canada’s first national park, Banff National Park offers excellent views of the snow- covered Canadian Rockies. Located about two hours’drive from Calgary, the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with cross-country skiing opportunities.
Crater Lake National Park, United States
Crater Lake National Park, about a four-hour drive south of Portland, Oregon, is especially notable during the winter when the volcano lake is covered in snow. Crater Lake was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption some 7,700 years ago and is now a must-see for travelers seeking natural experiences, such as camping and cross-country skiing.
1. Where will you go if you are interested in Sami culture?| A．Gullfoss Waterfall. | B．Banff National Park. |
| C．Tromso. | D．Crater Lake National Park. |
| A．They feature the polar lights. | B．They offer cross-country skiing. |
| C．They are formed by volcanic eruptions. | D．They are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. |
| A．To share winter travel tips. | B．To ask us to enjoy delights of nature. |
| C．To persuade people to come to Iceland. | D．To recommend winter tourist attractions. |
6 . For many years, the Caribbean island of Redonda was a bare (光秃秃的) rock with very little wildlife on it. Thanks to local environmental groups, it has now returned to its former state and was recently named a protected area by the government.
Redonda was once a peaceful place for wildlife. In the 17th century, people set foot on the island for the first time and found that guano (海鸟粪) produced by seabirds was useful to help farm crops grow. Humans began to mine the guano, and with the people came goats and black rats—invasive (入侵的) species.
Although humans eventually stopped collecting guano and left the island, the goats and rats stayed behind. They ate many of the island’s plants and preyed on other species, eventually leaving Redonda a plantless landscape. Without plants, birds began to fly away from there and some of the soil broke into pieces and then into the sea.
In 2016, conservationists started a project to help the island and its wildlife recover. They began by removing the invasive species. Within months, the island’s plants began to grow back on their own. As the environment gradually became healthier, species that were native to the island began to appear again.
The new protected area, the Redonda Ecosystem Reserve, includes the island itself plus the sea around it, including seagrass field and a coral reef. Conservation groups will ensure that the island is protected from other invasive species, and strict rules about fishing in the area will be put in place.
1. What can we learn about the island Redonda now?| A．It is full of strange rocks. | B．It isn’t peaceful again. |
| C．It is a protected place. | D．It has little wildlife. |
| A．Helped. | B．Hunted. | C．Protected. | D．Removed. |
| A．Living in harmony with seabirds. | B．Rules to protect the environment. |
| C．The reasons for protecting plants. | D．One island’s unusual comeback. |
7 . Around the World
Here is big news from Around the World.
Science Fiction Museum opens
Chengdu, China
The Chengdu Science Fiction Museum has opened its doors to the public. China’s newest museum—a star-shaped building on a lake was built in 12 months. Technology sped up the design and construction of the 635,070-square-foot museum, which has galleries, educational spaces, and cafés.
Day of the Dead is celebrated
Mexico
Thousands of people lined the streets of Mexico City to watch its annual Day of the Dead parade. The holiday was observed from October 31 to November 2 to remember and celebrate loved ones who have died. During this time, the dead are believed to return to the world. Families welcome them back with offerings, such as their favorite food.
Modern art at ancient pyramids
Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
A modern art exhibit at the Pyramids of Giza, titled Forever Is Now, has returned for a third year. This year’s show is the biggest yet and features works by 14 artists. The free event aims to celebrate ancient Egyptian culture with modern skills. Artists were careful not to harm the 4,500-year-old World Heritage Site.
Schools close due to heavy air pollution
Delhi, India
Elementary schools in Delhi are closed for at least one week because of the city’s poor air quality. The amount of harmful materials in the air has reached nearly 100 times the acceptable limit. Delhi is often very polluted in November because that is when many farmers burn their remaining crops. To reduce the smog, officials in the city have banned polluting vehicles, construction work, and the use of fireworks.
1. Where can you visit a museum on the lake?| A．In Chengdu, China. | B．In Mexico City. |
| C．At the Pyramids of Giza. | D．In Delhi, India. |
| A．To build the newest museum. | B．To hold a modern art exhibit. |
| C．To celebrate the Day of the Dead. | D．To avoid the harm caused by air pollution. |
8 . Sometimes it only takes a shopping trip to change your life. When Shannon Murray-Doffo headed out to buy a shirt for her four-year-old son in 2019, little did she imagine it would be the spark to start her own kid-friendly clothing company. What Murray-Doffo found at not one but six different children’s clothing stores was that boys’ clothing is a disappointment.
“Boys’ clothes in every store were in gray, black or white—I mean, who buys white for a four-year-old boy? The graphics on the shirts were either giant rubbery logos across the chest or grown man or monster (怪兽). I remember coming home empty-handed and disappointed,” she said.
This bothered her, as she felt the fashion industry was sending a damaging message to little boys—that their clothes don’t matter as much as girls’, due to their location in the store and far fewer options, and that they should be violent.
She decided to start her own clothing company called Living Loudly. The result is a collection of T-shirts with fun, creative, and non-violent designs that appeal to boys and their parents.
The material makes a kid keep reaching for the same shirt day after day, and will stand up to hours of rough physical play. The T-shirts are shipped in a plastic-free, zero-waste cardboard tube used as shipping container and packaging. Inside, the shirt is wrapped in a sheet of seed paper, which will bloom if planted. A story is printed on the paper to entertain and educate the child about valuable lessons. “From developing self-control and healthy emotional expression to discovering the importance of being heard, our short stories give families fun, easy, and teachable moments. ”
Being the innovative entrepreneur as she is, Murray-Doffo didn’t stop at T-shirts. While conducting market research into her target audience, she spent a lot of time on online parenting forums to follow trending topics.
1. Why did Murray-Doffo come home empty-handed?| A．The shirts were too expensive. | B．She wanted to make shirts herself. |
| C．The shirts she wanted were sold out. | D．She considered the shirts unsuitable for boys. |
| A．They matter a lot to boys. | B．They should feature monsters. |
| C．They provide too many options. | D．They should lead the fashion. |
| A．Why Living Loudly was originally started. |
| B．How Living Loudly makes shirts appealing. |
| C．What Murray-Doffo plans to do in the future. |
| D．Where Murray-Doffo got the inspiration of her shirts. |
| A．Patient. | B．Generous. | C．Creative. | D．Humorous. |
9 . As a 16-year-old student, Charlie has been a successful business owner. When he was in middle school, he
At the same time, he received great support from others in his community, who tried to help him succeed at such a young age. They were
Now Charlie is helping to educate and inspire other kids in his community to start their own business. He has been sharing his story with
The key to his success is to
| A．made use of | B．turned down | C．came up with | D．asked about |
| A．efforts | B．rules | C．decisions | D．choices |
| A．easy | B．hard | C．important | D．necessary |
| A．reminded | B．saved | C．helped | D．inspired |
| A．Finally | B．Unbelievably | C．Thankfully | D．Hopefully |
| A．reduce | B．keep | C．donate | D．increase |
| A．national | B．lucky | C．brave | D．local |
| A．character | B．age | C．pressure | D．impression. |
| A．set | B．break | C．study | D．change |
| A．talent | B．passion | C．opinion | D．surprise |
10 . The University of Exeter is launching a new program in September 2024 called the Master of Arts (MA) in Magic and Occult Science. This program is all about exploring ideas in a different way, according to its leader, Professor Emily Selove.
Selove explained on BBC Radio 4’s Today program that this degree in magic takes a fresh approach to studying history, science, philosophy, religion, and literature. It looks at these subjects from a unique viewpoint that hasn’t received much attention from scholars before.
The university mentioned that this course will give students a chance to dig into the history and effects of witchcraft (巫术) and magic worldwide, including their influence on society and science. Expert s in various fields will teach the course and help students understand how magic has played a role in both Western and Eastern cultures.
The University of Exeter already received more than a hundred inquiries for MA degree. The “innovative” MA has been created following a “recent surge in interest in magic”, the course leader said. The interest in studying magic is on the rise, both within and outside of academic circles. This is because people are searching for fresh viewpoints on how we connect with other human cultures and the natural world, Selove explained.
Selove said that our ancestors had some interesting ideas that we may have ignored. These ideas have the potential to be valuable philosophical thoughts and could provide us with a new way of understanding society. “The MA in Magic and Occult Science would challenge the belief that the Western world is only characterized by rationalism (理性主义) and science while the rest of the world is associated with magic and superstition (迷信),” she added.
Furthermore, the university mentioned that this course can prepare students for various career paths, including teaching, consulting and tourism as well as work in heritage settings and museums, art organizations, and the publishing industry among other options.
1. What do we know about the MA in Magic and Occult Science?| A．It provides a new way to study science and physics. |
| B．It gives students the opportunity to be exposed to witchcraft. |
| C．Its course focuses on the magic al world of Eastern culture. |
| D．Its course allows students to do some magic experiments. |
| A．Increase. | B．Drop. | C．Success. | D．Balance. |
| A．Not many students are interested in the degree. |
| B．Some ideas about philosophy from our ancestors are ignored. |
| C．There are no supernatural phenomena in the rest of the world. |
| D．The Western world is regarded as a rational and scientific world. |
| A．Challenging. | B．Uncertain. | C．Brilliant. | D．Worrying. |
