1 . A One-woman Cinderella Show Is Coming to Fairfield

A one-woman show that reimagines the classic fairytale Cinderella is coming to the Fairfield Community Arts Center. The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati will present Cinderella Wore Cowboy Boots for one night only on Jan.26. The traveling show is for children ages 4 and up and promises “knee-slapping” comedic moments and heartwarming life lessons.

“I love children's theatre,” says Rosvic Siason, who plays Cinderella. “Kids are our future and we introduce them to these stories. We all have situations at one point in our life that look like this conversation. It just kind of helps you develop your brain and learn how to think as a developing person. It’s really important to expose kids to theatre and well-rounded actors they can talk to for guidance.”

These one-man, one-woman shows have so much beauty because it is very raw. People actually follow along much easier than you think. It’s easy to share a feeling. They will be expected to interact, deliver lines and repeat after Cinderella throughout the production. Cinderella Wore Cowboy Boots will deliver a funny, meaningful twist on the classic fairytale that encourages audiences to expand their imagination.

“Using imagination helps kids to think of things in more ways than one,” Siason says. “It opens them up and makes them think, ‘Hey, this is one way this could work.’ Or, ‘I could try this way,’ and then see what happens.”

Visit fairfield-city. org for tickets and more information.

1. What is Cinderella Wore Cowboy Boots?

A．A book.

B．A theatre.

C．A performance.

D．A lesson.

2. Siason thinks stories in children’s theatre can _________.

A．offer temporary amusement	B．help deal with life’s challenges
C．allow individuals to avoid reality	D．provide opportunities to make friends

3. What might Siason encourage children to do?

A．Stick to the rules.	B．Dare to dream big.
C．Always follow the crowd.	D．Think outside the box.

2 . Taking toddlers to the hairdressers isn’t always a walk in the park. But worry no more. There are lots of great kids’ hair salons in Singapore that make the whole process a breeze.

LA Kids Cowboy

Wouldn’t it be good if you or your partner could head somewhere for a quick cut and have the kids’ hair cut at the same time? Sure would, which is why we’re loving LA Kids Cowboy. It’s Singapore’s first parent-child haircut and styling concept. Cut s are a great value of $20, making it a cheap and cheerful barber for kids.

Bonbon Blowout Bar

Bonbon Blowout Bar comes with individual tablets and sweets, so haircuts won’t seem like such a terrible affair for kids. The full-service salon provides haircuts, styling, and hair perm services for children from $28; and if it’s their first haircut, your kid will even bring home a First Haircut Certificate!

BabySpa

If you’re looking for a baby haircut, look no further. At BabySpa, your kids’ hair is in good hands. The wonderful stylists will ensure the gentles t of haircuts while your baby watches Barney, sitting in a toy car. BabySpa also offers a bathing service for kids up to age two.

Kids ‘N’ Me

This kids’ hairdressers over at United Square are a firm fan favorite. It’s down to the experienced hairstylists, who are known and loved for their awesome kids’ haircuts for football matches, from simple “short back and sides” to a full-on Mohawk. We hear children can even have their hair sprayed with temporary hair d ye for special occasions!

1. Where will a boy probably have a haircut for a football match?

A．At LA Kids Cowboy.	B．At Bonbon Blowout Bar.
C．At BabySpa.	D．At Kids ‘N’ Me.

2. What is offered by LA Kids Cowboy?

A．An adult haircut.

B．A toy football.

C．A bathing service.

D．A Haircut Certificate.

3. Who are the target readers of the text?

A．Parents.

B．Hairstylists.

C．Children.

D．Athletes.

3 . As far as fantastic drives go, few can compete with Highway 395. Here’s what you need to know before starting a road trip along it.

▲ What to Know About Driving on Highway 395

Highway 395 begins in Hesperia, a city about 90 minutes east of Los Angeles. It then continues for 1,300 miles until its end point at the Canadian border (边界). While the entire drive is beautiful, its most famous section runs from the Los Angeles area up to Reno, Nevada.

▲ Where to Stop Along Highway 395

CONVICT LAKE

Convict Lake, one of California’s clearest bodies of water, is a beloved destination for photographers. During your drive, you can pull over for a photo, or quickly hop on a boat and cast a fishing line to see what you can catch.

MAMMOTH MOUNTAINM

Just around the corner, you’ll find Mammoth Mountain, one of America’s best ski destinations. Mammoth is renowned for its extended ski season, often lasting until July, and offers excellent terrain (地形) for all skill levels.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

During your drive, pay n visit to Yosemite National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you can watch climbers make their way up Half Dome, feel the power of Yosemite Falls, and enjoy the beauty of Tuolumne Meadows.

▲ When to Drive on Highway 395

Because many attractive places along Highway 395 are all-season destinations, there’s really no wrong time to depart on this road trip. However, it’s important to remember the road can get rather dangerous in winter. Check the highway website before leaving to ensure you’re aware of the conditions.

1. Where is this text probably taken from?

A．A travel website.	B．An official document.
C．A science report.	D．A geography textbook.

2. What do the three recommended places to visit have in common?

A．They are places suitable for sports fans.

B．They show the historical changes in America.

C．They have beautiful views and excellent terrain.

D．They offer chances for people to get close to nature.

3. What can we learn about Highway 395?

A．It starts in Los Angeles and ends in Canada.

B．There isn’t a bad time to start a road trip along it.

C．No special preparations are needed before leaving for it.

D．Its most famous destinations are in the Los Angeles area.

4 . Long ago, Anne and I had a big argument over a piano!

“The family should learn to play,” she said, having seen one in a shop. I told her there was ________ I’d pay so much money for a(n) ________ none of us could play.

Later, I found a grand piano at an auction (拍卖). It was a fine piece, if a bit ________. I told the auctioneer I would buy it if it went for less than £50. ________ , it ended up in our living room. Anne had ________ it and placed a vase of flowers on top.

She was ________ of her piano. The children took lessons, but it turned out they weren’t naturally talented in ________.

One day, Anne came back from tea with a friend, full of praise for her friend’s ________ room. “There was room to move, with the chairs set well back —no ________.” She quietly indicated that our piano should be ________. I didn’t react. The matter was ________, but not for long.

When I returned home one day, the piano was in the doorway, ready for the removers to take it to a sale. We came as near to a ________ as we had ever been. “Do you love the piano or me?” she ________ firmly.

In fairness to Anne, she loves the house and I am proud of it. I couldn’t handle the ________ anymore. The piano was sold. I’m sorry, but ________ I never could play the thing.

1.

A．no way

B．no problem

C．no doubt

D．no risk

2.

A．sport

B．game

C．song

D．instrument

3.

A．ugly

B．light

C．old

D．big

4.

A．Eventually

B．Gradually

C．Surprisingly

D．Fortunately

5.

A．repaired

B．examined

C．painted

D．polished

6.

A．critical

B．ashamed

C．proud

D．careful

7.

A．thinking

B．acting

C．music

D．entertainment

8.

A．spacious

B．comfortable

C．bright

D．elegant

9.

A．furniture

B．piano

C．vase

D．flower

10.

A．removed

B．replaced

C．valued

D．played

11.

A．tackled

B．dropped

C．discussed

D．clarified

12.

A．comeback

B．comedown

C．breakup

D．breakthrough

13.

A．repeated

B．asked

C．announced

D．suggested

14.

A．pain

B．loss

C．pressure

D．failure

15.

A．in the end

B．in general

C．above all

D．after all

5 . Reading a good book at the end of the day can be relaxing. But if you don’t have the right app, the reading experience is not as good as it could have been. The following reading apps can offer you different options.

Media365

Media365 is a free reading app for Android that lets you read all of the books in its library. Authors can self-publish on the Media365 platform, but there are also a large number of popular published books available, like the Harry Potter book series.

Hoopla Digital

Check out the Hoopla Digital app, another excellent app making use of your kid’s library card. It’s great for all ages, giving kids the ability to borrow free digital eBooks, audiobooks, plus music and other media available in your local public library. No wonder it’s one of the top 15 book apps in the App Store.

Literal: An Addictive Reader

What makes Literal: An Addictive Reader such a cool reading app for tweens and teens is that it takes both classic titles along with newer books and turns the format into something Gen Z knows well: Group Chats. Kids can read books together with their friends through a book group, which is easy to use through the Literal app.

ComiXology

ComiXology is one of the oldest and most popular services for reading comic books digitally. The ComiXology online store, now owned by Amazon, offers thousands of new and classic comic books from major publishers like Marvel, DC Comics, and Image Comics.

1. What is special about Media365?

A．It features classic books.

B．It is only available on iPhones.

C．It is a free reading app for all ages.

D．It allows writers to self-publish their works.

2. Which app best suits people who wish to read books through group chats?

A．Media365.	B．Hoopla Digital.
C．Literal: An Addictive Reader.	D．ComiXology.

3. Which column is the text most likely from?

A．Science Study.	B．Culture Focus.
C．Learning Kit.	D．Book Review.

6 . Going away for your mini break? Bring these long weekend essentials to make the most of the leave.

ECCO Offroad Athletic Sandals, £ 59.38

Whether you’re off on a city break or exploring beaches, chances are you’re getting your steps in this holiday, which will be hard going on your feet. These ECCO sandals are specially designed and most comfortable when hiking, with an EVA footbed and ECCOFLUIDFORM design offering extra cushioning (减震) and flexibility.

Kindle(2022 release), £ 84.99

Every travelling bookworm’s best friend is now smaller and lighter, at just six inches screen width. With 16GB storage, you can download thousands of books to keep you busy on any long holiday journeys, and the battery life now lasts up to six weeks on one single charge, but may vary depending on use.

PowerAdd Portable(便携式的)Charger Power Bank, £15.99

Portable chargers have gained popularity recently, but this one is genuinely pocket-sized without any loss of the charging power. The power bank itself can be fully charged within a speedy two hours, and delivers roughly two charges for an iPhone 15. At10.5cm length, and 99g weight, you can easily slip this into your bag without feeling weighed down.

Lixada Sling Chest Bang, £29.99

Give yourself some extra pence of mind with this anti-theft crossbody bag, which helps you keep your valuables secure and within easy reach. The chest bag has an extreme slim design at less than half an inc h thick, which makes it lightweight and easy to fit under your clothes.

1. What is an advantage of ECCO Offroad Athletic Sandals?

A．Reasonable price.	B．Light weight.
C．Great comfort.	D．Maximum security.

2. Which product best suits people with low battery anxiety?

A．ECCO Offroad Attletic Sandals.	B．Kindle(2022 release).
C．PowerAdd Portable Charger Power Bank.	D．Lixada Sling Chest Bag.

3. Who will be more interested in the text?

A．Holiday makers.

B．Bag lovers.

C．Nature explorers.

D．Electronics enthusiasts.

7 . The music world lost a rock and roll superstar this week when guitarist Eddie Van Halen passed away. He was only 65 years old.

Eddie Van Halen was a founding member of the band Van Halen. He formed the group in 1974 with his brother Alex, who played the drums. Van Halen released (发行) its most popular single, the song Jump, in 1983. Jump rose to the top of Billboard Magazine’s list of Hot 100 songs and stayed there for five weeks. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio lists Jump among its “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll”. Eddie Van Halen released at least 15 record albums with his band over the years, selling more than 80 million around the world. In 2007, Van Halen entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Van Halen brothers were born in the Netherlands. Their father was a professional musician. Their mother was from Indonesia. In the 1950s, some Netherlanders did not support the mixed-race (混种族) marriage, so the family moved to the United States. They settled in southern California. Eddie and Alex Van Halen had to learn English in their new land. Both brothers studied piano for years before getting interested in rock and roll.

As a child, Eddie was considered musically gifted. Eddie told a reporter he did not learn to read music. He said he would watch his teacher play and memorize his moves. He also said that he never took a class on playing the guitar, although he studied under Eric Clapton for a time. His father was among the first to recognize Eddie’s guitar skill. “You’ve got it, kid,” Eddie’s father said to him early on.

Eddie’s guitar playing was hard and fast. He was energetic while performing, often jumping like an acrobat (杂技演员) as he played. He was known for the way he tapped on the guitar strings with both hands. It influenced many musicians that followed.

1. What’s paragraph 2 mainly about?

A．Eddie’s band.	B．Eddie’s Jump.
C．Eddie’s life story.	D．Eddie’s achievements.

2. Why did the Van Halen family move to the USA?

A．To make a good living.	B．To escape racial prejudice.
C．To receive better education.	D．To experience different cultures.

3. What’s the author’s purpose of writing the text?

A．To remember a famous musician.

B．To express sadness for a superstar’s death.

C．To praise Eddie Van Halen for his contributions.

D．To show the excellence of Eddie Van Halen.

8 .

Aging Wisely Life from Fifty to Seventy-five Years Viola B. Mecke, Ph.D., ABPP With retirement, life is expected to be easier. Four stages of retirement are described, showing how pleasures and contentment mix with complexities of bring fears, problems that may loneliness, and sorrows. www.xlibris.com Hardback | Paperback | E-book $28.99 | $16.99 | $3.99	Cosmic Quest C. Argon Cosmic Visitors were high-energy carriers from the Perseus Arm of the Milky Way galaxy. They needed to rent abandoned earth bodies for their planets’ DNA diversity and Cosmic Quest. www.authorhouse.com Hardback | Paperback | E-book $31.99 | $20.99 | $3.99
The Black Three Gene Skipworth Grayville never had a black basketball player. Now it has three. A block doctor just moved to the town whose three sons took Weston to the Ohio State basketball championship. www.authorhouse.com Hardback | Paperback | E-book |Audiobook $23.99 | $13.99 | $3.99 | $9.99	Jazzy and Rhumbì Dorl Seider This heartwarming and adventurous tale is told from the perspective of two smart kitties, Jazzy Girl Muffin and Rhumbi Boy, who secretly influence their humans Boy, who secretly influence their humans to love and rescue more animals. www.xllbris.com Hardback | Paperback | E-book $40.99 | $32.99 | $3.99
Tackle Box Troubles Fish Tale #1: Sammy Spinner Susan Duke Sammy Spinner is the newest fishing lure to join Tackle Box Troubles. Can Sammy learn fishing tips to catch really big fish, or will he find himself in trouble? www.xlibris.com Hardback | Paperback | E-book $22.99 | $14.99 | $5.99	The Origin and Future of Mankind Shaun Dowling Shaun Dowling describes in detail how the universe was formed, how our planet developed, when life appeared, and how it has evolved over time. www.authorhouse.com Paperback | E-book $21.55 | $4.99

1. Which book concerns the connection between animals and humans?

A．Cosmic Quest.	B．Jazzy and Rhumbi.
C．Tackle Box Troubles.	D．The Origin and Future of Mankind.

2. What do these books have in common?

A．They are all intended for kids.	B．They each have a digital version.
C．They all have three different prices.	D．They can be downloaded from the same website.

3. What is the text?

A．A book review.

B．A library poster.

C．An academic column.

D．A book advertisement.

9 . When our youngest son was little, his favorite toys were “happy meal toys”. We collected them when we ______ at the different fast-food restaurants. He ______ his bookshelves with them. Often I would carefully remove them out of his hands when he ______.

As he got older, he felt ______ when asking for the children’s meal, so I would ______ the happy meal and give him the toys for his collection. ______ he finally gave up the idea of ______ happy meal toys, I continued to pass them on to his children.

When I visited them, I hid the toys in different parts of my huge ______ so that each day when I was there, they were allowed to ______ one toy to play with. These little toys seem to be a bigger ______ than any other big or expensive gift that I could bring them.

Without really trying, I guess I created a little ______ between us. They knew they could always find a happy meal toy stuck ______ in their Nana’s luggage (行李).

Whether it is a happy meal toy, the smell of cookies, or giving a book to a child, children need a ______ with their families.

Today, families are often spread across the country or even the globe. Keeping long-distance family ties requires some ______ but is well worth it.

When we mix love with every moment, even something as ______ as a happy meal toy can create sweet and lasting memories.

1.

A．ate

B．shopped

C．played

D．begged

2.

A．fixed

B．protected

C．lined

D．balanced

3.

A．fell asleep

B．had a dinner

C．fell ill

D．had a shower

4.

A．annoyed

B．excited

C．awkward

D．confident

5.

A．cook

B．deliver

C．serve

D．order

6.

A．Unless

B．Before

C．Though

D．Until

7.

A．producing

B．collecting

C．exchanging

D．selling

8.

A．car

B．bag

C．house

D．garden

9.

A．search for

B．decide on

C．clean up

D．bring in

10.

A．request

B．trade

C．honor

D．treat

11.

A．situation

B．fashion

C．tradition

D．solution

12.

A．anywhere

B．somewhere

C．nowhere

D．everywhere

13.

A．celebration

B．conversation

C．competition

D．connection

14.

A．advice

B．effort

C．trust

D．risk

15.

A．simple

B．expensive

C．beautiful

D．unique

10 . Whatever your interest is — Titanic, history, food, music or even Game of Thrones’ filming sites — one of the different tours on offer here in Belfast can satisfy you.

.GAME OF THRONES TOUR

A guided coach tour takes you to explore some of the exciting filming sites in the hit show. You can step into “Winterfell” and experience archery in a recreated film set in “Stark Family” costumes, or even meet some “Stark Family” members!

.TITANIC TOUR

Take the world’s only guided Titanic Boat tour to see the ever changing story of Belfast’s rich sea heritage and how the area has developed into a major tourist attraction. Exploring the Titanic story, the boat tour allows you to view the Titanic Quarter from the water. You also have a chance of seeing many seals living in Belfast.

.MUSIC TOUR

Take a bus journey through the heart of this rock and roll city. Sit back, relax, and enjoy music by way of amazing guitar players, from folk songs to rock and Hollywood soundtracks. Finish up at the wonderful Belfast Music show at the Oh Yeah Music Centre in the Cathedral Quarter.

.CITY TOUR

If you’re short on time but still want to get a general overview of the city, book a private guided taxi tour or a guided open top bus tour. It’s the best and quickest way to find out all about the city’s history and other places of interest.

1. Which tour is suitable for visitors with limited time in Belfast?

A．GAME OF THRONES TOUR.	B．TITANIC TOUR.
C．MUSIC TOUR.	D．CITY TOUR.

2. What can visitors do during the TITANIC TOUR?

A．Learn how to sail a boat.	B．See a large number of seals.
C．Appreciate the movie Titanic.	D．View the Titanic Quarter on land.

3. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A science magazine.	B．A history textbook.
C．A research paper.	D．A travel brochure.