1 . Eurail Passes
Ever dreamed of traveling around Europe? If so, then there are several types of Eurail passes available for unlimited rail travel in up to 33 countries. Which one is best for you?
Eurail Global Pass
The Eurail Global Pass is the standard pass, available for unlimited first-class travel for continuous periods ranging from 15 days to three months. Keep in mind that if you choose, say, the 15-day option, you must travel for 15 continuous days; if you skip a day because you want to stay a little longer in Paris, you’ll lose that day of travel.
Eurail Global Pass Flexi
If you’re planning to spend a few days in each city before moving on, the Eurail Global Pass Flexi may be a better option. This pass offers first class travel for any 10 or 15 days within a two-month period. The travel days can be continuous or non-continuous; the choice is yours.
Eurail Select Passes
While Eurail Global Passes are ideal for extensive multinational transportation, travelers who are visiting only three to five countries may be better off purchasing a Eurail Select Pass. With this, you may choose to travel within three, four or five bordering European countries for a duration of five, six, eight or 10 days within a two-month period. If selecting five countries, you also have the option of 15 travel days. The 28 different countries available allow for hundreds of different combinations.
Youth Pass
Travelers between the ages of 12 and 26 can save 35 percent by purchasing the Youth Pass, which essentially provides the same benefits as the regular Eurail Global Pass, except that you travel in second class rather than first class. Passes for children 4–11 cost half of the adult fare, and children under 4 travel free.
1. How is the Eurail Global Pass Flexi different from the Eurail Global Pass?| A．It is more flexible. | B．It is more reliable. |
| C．It is available in more countries. | D．It offers more travel days. |
| A．Traveling through 28 different countries. |
| B．Traveling for five to 10 days in 10 countries. |
| C．Traveling for 15 days in three to five countries. |
| D．Traveling through three to five neighboring countries. |
| A．The Eurail Select Pass. | B．The Youth Pass. |
| C．The Eurail Global Pass. | D．The Eurail Global Pass Flexi. |
2 . Nowadays, it is more common for people to express their thoughts in an e-mail or text. In fact, more and more students use technology for written communication in their lives. Even so, research shows that teaching handwriting skills has its benefits (好处). However, are the benefits worth spending valuable classroom time on teaching handwriting skills when students could be learning more about computer keyboarding?
States across the country have good reasons to require students to learn computer keyboarding skills. For one, students are learning a technology that will help them communicate faster with more people and in many different forms, such as e-mails, websites, blogs, and so on. Also, the better a student's computer keyboarding skills, the greater the chance that student has to become a better writer. Computer tools such as the grammar and spell check make correcting quick and easy, although not 100% accurate (准确无误的). With these and many other tools, students gain important computer skills. Furthermore, students no longer have to worry about their writing being graded poorly by teachers. All in all, computer keyboarding skills are a step in the right direction.
Still, the advantages of computer keyboarding skills may not be enough to leave handwriting instruction in the dust. Marlena Hamilton, professor of neurology at University of Pennsylvania, did an experiment with her co-workers to study what happens in students' brains when writing. They found that many of the areas of the brain light up. These are the same areas that are used to learn to read. They then wondered if the same would be true when students looked at letters on a keyboard. “What we found,” she states, “is that brains are much less involved when we just view letters. When we actually use our hands to make things, the brain works much harder.”
Schools across the nation are looking at the evidence and deciding what to do. William McIntyre, a reading coach at Sunshine Elementary School in Albany, New York, says, “What we have learned from the research is that learning handwriting benefits students educationally. What we also know is that students need to be taught keyboarding skills.” Now, it is up to each school to make a decision.
1. What does the second paragraph mainly want to show?| A．The roles of computer tools. |
| B．The importance of communication skills. |
| C．The advantages of keyboarding skills. |
| D．The necessity of developing writing skills. |
| A．Worried | B．Doubtful | C．Supportive | D．Uncaring |
| A．Handwriting is helpful for learning. |
| B．Keyboarding skills are very useful. |
| C．Keyboarding makes our brain more active. |
| D．Handwriting is more difficult than keyboarding. |
| A．Whether schools should still teach handwriting. |
| B．Whether schools should offer computer classes. |
| C．Whether students should learn keyboarding skills. |
| D．Whether students should use the grammar and spell check. |
3 . Tropical ( 热带的) rainforests are disappearing at an alarming rate, and according to a new report by Rainforest Foundation Norway, humans are to blame. The world’s dependence on coal, farming, beans, palm oil and mining has resulted in two-thirds of Earth’s tropical rainforests being completely destroyed, and the remaining ecosystems being put closer to a tipping point.
Tropical rainforests once covered 14.5 million square kilometers of Earth’s surface, but now, just one-third of that remains undamaged. Of the original area tropical rainforests once occupied, 34% is completely gone and 30% is suffering from damage. All that remains is roughly 9.5 million square kilometers, and 45% of that is in a degraded (恶化) state, the report says.
Researchers blame human consumption for the loss. While agriculture has always been a driving factor of rainforest loss, the report said that energy consumption, international trade and the production of beans and palm oil, logging and mining have been the largest threats (威胁) over the past century. A significant number of US products rely on resources from tropical rainforests. The country heavily relies on palm oil, rubber and cocoa, all of which come from forests around the world. Often, these resources are harvested from illegally destroyed lands.
Tropical rainforests are home to more than half of the Earth’s biodiversity and have more carbon in living organisms than any other ecosystem. In addition to supporting significant animal life, tropical rainforests are also necessary for slowing down global warming. “These unique ecosystems are suffering from constant abuse, through our bottomless appetite for land and resources,” said Anders Krogh, the author of the report. “We expect that upcoming UN climate and biodiversity summits provide specific targets and measures to protect tropical rainforests.”
The researchers also believe that the loss of tropical rainforests puts the whole world at the risk of future diseases. “Huge deforestation (毁林) is violating nature’s natural virus protection systems,” Krogh said. “The outbreak of COVID-19 should bring rainforest protection to the top of the agenda of all policy makers and world leaders concerned about preventing the outbreak of new diseases.”
1. Why are the data listed in Paragraph 2?| A．To show the serious loss of tropical rainforests. |
| B．To present the process of rainforest degradation. |
| C．To stress the role of rainforests in the ecosystems. |
| D．To explain the reason for the disappearance of rainforests. |
| A．Traditional method of farming. |
| B．Global imbalance of international trade. |
| C．The world’s much dependence on clean energy. |
| D．Human unreasonable consumption of rainforest resources. |
| A．The loss of rainforests will destroy the future generations. |
| B．Immediate attention should be paid to protecting rainforests. |
| C．The disappearance of rainforests has accelerated the spread of the virus. |
| D．Politicians are concerned about preventing the outbreak of new diseases. |
| A．Tropical rainforests are declining |
| B．Rainforests slow down global warming |
| C．Humans are to pay for the loss of rainforests |
| D．World leaders are acting to protect rainforests |
4 . It was an afternoon in August. I was just short of turning 18. I stood in front of a six story, red brick building. It was to be my new home for the next several years. It was my first day of college, and I was very excited. I had two suitcases and a bag with me. Everything I thought I would need was packed in them. I carried them up the five flights of stairs to my dorm and wondered what life had in store for me –a young girl.
It was another afternoon in August. I was just short of turning 42. My daughter was 18, and we were standing in front of the same building at the same college that I had gone to years before. I smiled as I helped her carry her things up to her room, but I also noticed that we were making more than one trip. All the students seemed to have much more stuff (东西) than I did all those years ago. Yet, it didn't seem to make things any better for them. In fact, they looked more stressed. As I threw down another box of my daughter's stuff, I wondered what life had in store for her.
Last night I had a dream that I'd had many times before. I was back in that same dorm with my belongings piled on my bed searching for my course book and wondering what classes I would take. I often wondered what this dream meant, but when I woke up this morning, it became crystal clear to me. We are sometimes teachers in this life, but we are always students in it. We are here to learn to love ourselves and everyone as ourselves. It takes a lifetime. The stuff we carry with us through this life doesn't matter at all. It is the stuff we carry inside of us when we leave this life that counts.
1. How did the author feel about her new life in college?| A．Calm. | B．Confident. |
| C．Thrilled. | D．Disappointed. |
| A．They were friendly to each other. |
| B．They felt curious about a new life ahead. |
| C．They got everything ready for their college. |
| D．They were more worried than she was at college. |
| A．She had to keep learning all her life. |
| B．She ought to learn to love her daughter. |
| C．She was sure she could be a good teacher. |
| D．She was not well prepared for her classes. |
| A．He who loves others is to be loved. |
| B．What we learn in life is of significance. |
| C．Life is a journey with many difficulties. |
| D．We should be confident about our future. |
5 . More museums are showing multisensory art, which asks people to use more than one of the senses. Sometimes, the art has a smell. Others have sounds. The artists are finding new ways for people to understand their work.
The Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the Arts is in Watertown. Recently, the center created “Please Touch the Art”. The special show lets visitors touch the work. Aneleise Ruggles works at the Mosesian Center. She is in charge of the museum’s shows. She says that “Please Touch the Art” rethinks meaning in art. The artist must go beyond sight. Forty artists created 52 pieces for the show. Ruggles explained that “Please Touch the Art” is not a show for blind people. Everyone can enjoy the show. Guests use all five senses. The work, though also includes people who are blind or have low vision. “Touchable art creates something people can share.” He also said, “Touch is key to understanding the works.”
A group of guests with low vision visited “Please Touch the Art”. At first, they were nervous about touching the work. One man touched a raised blue painting. The work is Claudia Ravaschiere and Michael Moss’s “Whirl”. Soft music followed his movements. By the end, the visitors were no longer shy. They wrapped each other in hanging cloth.
Shows like “Please Touch the Art” can change what we think of as fine art. Ruggles says the change will take time. The art world must find a new understanding of art. They also need a new way to talk about touchable art.
1. Whom is “Please Touch the Art” intended for?| A．Anyone who is into art. | B．People with poor eyesight. |
| C．Anyone who understands art. | D．People with blindness. |
| A．It makes them question what real art is. | B．It helps them regain some of their eyesight. |
| C．It helps them understand and enjoy art. | D．It encourages them to create their own art. |
| A．listing numbers | B．making comparisons |
| C．offering reasons | D．giving examples |
| A．To attract visitors to the show. | B．To show the creativity of the blind. |
| C．To enrich the lives of blind people. | D．To introduce a special art show. |
6 . Every superhero, no matter how small, needs a cape. That was Robyn Rosenberger’s motivation when she started sewing superhero capes for kids with cancer, heart defects, and other serious diseases. It all began when she was making a cape as a birthday present for her nephew. Rosenberger heard of a girl named Brenna who was battling a potentially deadly skin condition called harlequin ichthyosis. Anyone suffering from what she was going through had to be tough. “I had an aha moment (顿悟),” Rosenberger says. “Brenna was a superhero! She needed a cape.” So Rosenberger sent her one, and Brenna’s mother was delighted.
Rosenberger found ten more kids online and sent out ten more capes. Before long, she quit her job at a software company to dedicate herself full time to tinysuperheroes.com, a website where people can buy hand-made capes for brave kids facing illness and disability.
Since 2013, Rosenberger and her small paid staff have sent more than 12,000 handmade capes to kids in all 50 states and 15 other countries. The capes come in pink, blue, purple, or red and can be decorated with the child’s initials or specialized patches, including a heart, a rocket, or a lightning bolt. One recipient was eight-month-old Gabe, who was born with a cleft palate (腭裂), which causes distinct facial features. Rosenberger sent him a red cape with a bright yellow G in the center. It was a hit.
Gabe is now a fixture on the company’s social media posts. “The Tiny Superhero community has been a wonderful connection to have,” says Gabe’s mom, Kate Glocke. In fact, two years later, “We still bring Gabe’s cape with us to every hospital appointment.”
1. Rosenberger started making capes because she _______.| A．wanted to set a good example to sick kids |
| B．hoped to encourage kids with serious diseases |
| C．aimed to cure the kids with serious diseases |
| D．made an attempt to make money online |
| A．Optimistic. | B．Independent. |
| C．Diligent. | D．Caring. |
| A．Purple capes with the child’s initials. |
| B．Pink capes with the child’s photo. |
| C．Red capes with a heart-shaped patch. |
| D．Blue capes with a patch shaped like a rocket. |
| A．Cover Story. | B．Book Review. |
| C．Medical Research. | D．Campus Life. |
7 . Scientific research on yoga has found that yoga practice can help with problems such as back pain, depression and anxiety. Still, yoga studies tend to be of uneven quality, often relying on self-reported survey data. However, a 2019 review paper focused on a more objective measure: brain scans. Though far from definitive, the findings show that the practice may improve brain health, and they indicate a way to bring yoga and science more convincingly together.
The review, led by Neha Gothe, director of the Exercise Psychology Lab, examined 11 papers that used various types of brain scans to assess the impact of yoga practice on the brain. Gothe and her colleagues limited their review to studies in which all three major elements of yoga were included: the physical poses, breathing exercises, and meditation or mindfulness. Three patterns emerged with some consistency: yoga practice could be linked to increased gray matter volume(体积) in the hippocampus, a key structure for memory; increased volume in certain regions of the prefrontal cortex, the seat of higher-order-cognition(认知); and greater connectivity across the default mode network. This network plays a role in processing memories and emotions.
Jessica Damoiseaux, a co-author of the review paper, focuses her research on aging-related changes in the brain, and she notes that the structures that seem to be strengthened by yoga are ones that tend to shrink with aging. The greater volumes linked to yoga are similar to those seen in studies of aerobic (有氧的)exercise. This raises a question: Is there really anything special about yoga or is it just another brain-preserving workout?
At this point it’s hard to say. Clearer answers will come with better studies that build on the smaller experiments. Gothe, for example, recently received government funds for a study that will assign 168 old adults to six months of classes of yoga, aerobic exercise, or stretching and strengthening. “It’s exactly the kind of trial we need,” says Gothe.
1. What do we know about the 2019 review paper on yoga?| A．It is far from objective. | B．It is centered on brain scans. |
| C．It proves to be of low quality. | D．It relies on self-reported data. |
| A．Three major elements of yoga. | B．The key structure for memory. |
| C．The finding of the review by Gothe. | D．The emotion processing network. |
| A．Take aerobic exercise. | B．Apply for government funds. |
| C．Assign old people to jobs. | D．Carry out smaller experiments. |
| A．Yoga back in fashion. | B．Age can affect brain power |
| C．Brain trials on the way | D．Yoga may boost brain health |
8 . It’s hard to overstate just how much Writer’s Digest has survived to make it to its centennial. The Great Depression. World War II. The many wars and societal revolutions of the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. The technological revolution and the creation of the internet. The shift from being family-owned business to a corporation with investors. And most recently, global pandemic(流行病).
It is because WD survived all that, that I view this anniversary issue as a love letter to every single person who has contributed to keeping WD alive over these amazing, and tough, and change-filled 100 years. Thank you to the Rosenthal family for starting a magazine—a community—like this. To the publishers, editors, and all the other behind--the-scenes folks who made sure each issue over the many decades was the best it could be, thank you for your hard work and long hours. To the absolutely incomparable list of writers who shared their wisdom, insights, and encouragement: This magazine was made better by your contributions.
But most of all, this is a love letter to our readers. You give the magazine purpose and the motivation to keep going. Without you, WD wouldn’t exist, so on behalf of all the current and former WD staffers, we offer our sincerest thanks.
You’ll see a collection of new columns coming in 2021. We are thrilled to have Bryan Washington, award-winning author of the short story collection Lot and the new novel Memorial, as our first guest columnist. The WD team started planning this issue more than a year ago and putting it together has been a joy. We hope you find as much pleasure and inspiration in reading it as we found in creating it. See you in year 101.
1. What does the underlined word “centennial” mean?| A．The first publication. | B．The collection version. |
| C．The 100th anniversary. | D．The opening ceremony. |
| A．It has a long list of guest columnists. |
| B．It was once a family-owned business. |
| C．It is financially supported by the community. |
| D．It contributed to the technological revolution. |
| A．She used to be a novelist. | B．She is with Writer’s Digest |
| C．She was a business owner. | D．She is one hundred years old. |
| A．To express gratitude. | B．To promote sales. |
| C．To introduce a magazine. | D．To employ new staff. |
9 . There are around 400,000 students in London. As university can be a costly time, many of these students will want to look for part-time work. Here are 4 relatively easy jobs to bag yourself in London and ensure a bit of pocket money through your university experience.
Waitressing
It is not hard to find waitressing jobs since London has an abundance of pubs and eateries. Gumtree and Indeed are good places for such opportunities. Hospitality UK and Next door are other great websites. However, as many of these positions are advertised on the windows of restaurants and pubs, going inside and asking the staff there about the positions is a much better idea. This will also demonstrate you as active and confident. Rates are around £12--15 an hour.
Mystery (神秘)shopping
It may not have you laughing to the bank but it's extra pocket money. You go at any time as a regular customer and check out the services that the business provides. You report back to the client and they will pay for your purchases alongside £5 —10.
Care Assistant
For those who have a heart of gold and want to help, caring is the way. There's a huge demand for people to spend your free time with elderly people or help people with disabilities. It can be cooking meals or making sure they're taking their medicine on time.
Receptionist
If you're a good communicator and can act professionally, a receptionist might be a great opportunity for you, which will help you build administrative skills and experience. Receptionist jobs are available at doctors surgeries, dentists, gyms, large offices and more.
1. Which is the preferable way to land a waitressing job?| A．Referring to Gumtree. | B．Surfing Next door. |
| C．Inquiring about positions in person, | D．Contacting advertisement company. |
| A．Amusing bank staff. | B．Working at fixed times. |
| C．Making purchases for clients, | D．Feeding back service quality. |
| A．Waitressing. | B．Mystery shopping. |
| C．Care Assistant. | D．Receptionist. |
10 . The surprising experiment I am about to describe proves that air is all around you and that it presses down upon you. Air pressure is a wonderful force. When you swim underwater, you can feel water push down your body. The air all around you does the same. However, your body is so used to it that you do not notice this. The pressure is caused by a layer of air called the atmosphere. This layer surrounds the Earth, extending to about five kilometers above the Earth’s surface.
The following experiment is an easy one that you can do at home. But make sure that you are supervised, because you will need to use matches. Now for the experiment!
What you need is a hard-boiled egg without the shell, a bottle with a neck slightly smaller than the egg, a piece of paper and a match.
Metheod: check that the paper will sit firmly on the neck of the bottle, tear the paper into strips and put the strips into the bottle, light the paper by dropping a burning match into the bottle and quickly sit the egg on the neck of the bottle.
Astonishingly, the egg will be sucked into the bottle. Your friends will be amazed when you show them the experiment. But be careful when you handle matches.
Do you think it’s a simple and interesting physical experiment? Why did it happen this way? As the paper burns, it needs oxygen and uses up the oxygen (air) in the bottle. The egg acts as a seal in the neck of the bottle, so no more air can get inside. This reduces the air pressure inside the bottle. The air pressure must equalize, so more air from outside must enter the bottle. The outside air presses against the egg and then the egg is pushed into the bottle! This proves that air is all around and that it is pressing down on us.
1. Why is there the need to take care when you are doing the experiment?| A．The bottle could break. |
| B．The egg needs to be shelled. |
| C．You need to light the paper with a match. |
| D．The egg has to be perfectly placed on the neck of the bottle. |
| A．make a seal in the neck of the bottle |
| B．finish up the oxygen inside the bottle |
| C．produce more oxygen inside the bottle |
| D．equalize the air pressure inside and outside |
| A．It became salt without the shell. |
| B．The neck of the bottle was wide enough. |
| C．The oxygen inside the bottle sucked the egg in. |
| D．The outside air pressure forced it into the bottle. |
| A．The air pressure is not equalized around us. |
| B．The pressure of air around us has a powerful force. |
| C．Water pushes on your body when you swim underwater. |
| D．The earth is surrounded by a layer of air called the atmosphere. |
