1 . 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. |
2 . 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. |
3 . The UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) Volunteer Center works with many external partners to provide this list of current volunteer opportunities. Search here for an opportunity in the community that suits your interests or skills. Good luck!
Medical Volunteer Abroad Programs
Volunteering Solutions have been organizing medical volunteer abroad programs in different countries for 12 years. Participants (preferably medical students) joining these programs will work under the guidance of professional doctors and nurses. The medical volunteering opportunities, offered in different areas like Emergency and General Medicine, are available throughout the year with flexible start dates and durations.
Answer Crisis Calls at a Helpline
Community Helpline currently has opportunities for students as a Volunteer Crisis Listener. It provides a nonjudgmental listening ear to the callers while also assisting individuals in coping with mental health issues to prevent serious crises. No previous experience is required but completion of a five-week training program is required. The crisis line is open from 8 am to 8 pm every single day. A "shift" consists of 3 hours and we ask that you sign up for 1 shift a week.
Youth Education Volunteers Needed
Youth Education Volunteers at LINC Cares serve at after school programs and summer camps that provide fun recreational activities support strong educational habits, and promote good health and positive social development for children from low-income families. Volunteers serve at the after-school program one weekday per week from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
1. What do we know about Medical Volunteer Abroad Programs?| A．Volunteers will work domestically. | B．There are various volunteering areas. |
| C．Volunteers will work independently. | D．There is a fixed volunteering time. |
| A．Judge the caller when listening. | B．Be capable of stopping crises. |
| C．Complete a training program. | D．Work twelve hours per day. |
| A．Volunteer programs. | B．Educational courses. |
| C．Recreational activities. | D．Charity work. |
4 . Today we know Antarctica as an extreme environment containing ice and snow. But new research provides evidence that the area had a rainforest in the past.
The researchers collected a piece of Earth sediment from under the seafloor off the coast of Antarctica. In the sediment, they discovered forest material that was estimated to be about 90 million years old. This would have been in the Cretaceous Period, when dinosaurs were the main land animals. The sediment was removed by scientists on the research icebreaker RV Polarstern in the Amundsen Sea near Pine Island Glacier.
Johann Klages is a geologist with the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research in Germany. He was the lead writer of a study on the findings, published in the journal Nature. He said the sediment was collected from a depth of about 30 meters below the ocean floor. Klages said an examination showed that the material didn't form in the ocean.
The researchers estimate that the area — about 900 kilometers from the South Pole — had average yearly temperatures of about 12 to 13 degrees Celsius. During the warmest summer months, average temperatures likely reached between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. The soil included fine dirt particles and hard clay, as well as substances linked to at least 65 different kinds of plants, the study found. Klages added that the plants included trees, ferns and flowering plants. While no animal remains were found, Klages said there were likely dinosaurs, flying reptiles and many insects in the environment.
The research represents new evidence of the major climate changes Earth has experienced in the past — and is currently undergoing today. The soil in the sediment dates back to the planet’s warmest period of the past 140 million years, with sea level about 170 meters higher than today. The researchers said that the rainforest environment in Antarctica was especially surprising because each year, the area experiences a four-month polar night when there is no sunlight to fuel plant life. Klages said no ice sheets were present during the time, but seasonal snowfall was likely.
1. How did the researchers reach their findings?| A．By exploring ice in Antarctica. |
| B．By analyzing the Earth sediment. |
| C．By collecting data on climate. |
| D．By researching special plants. |
| A．Its material developed in the ocean. |
| B．It dates back to cold times in Antarctica. |
| C．Its material formed on the land. |
| D．It contained different animal remains. |
| A．Antarctica’s natural environment has changed greatly. |
| B．Polar nights in Antarctica are getting shorter than before. |
| C．There were ice sheets 140 million years ago. |
| D．Seasonal snowfall made the forest disappear. |
| A．Researchers study the secrets of Antarctica. |
| B．Antarctica had a different history of climate. |
| C．There’s various wildlife in Antarctica. |
| D．Antarctica has an extreme environment containing ice and snow. |
5 . IVHQ(International Volunteer Headquarters), one of the world’s most trusted volunteer abroad organizations, offers volunteer programs in more than 50 destinations. Here are some of them.
Marine Conservation Program
Volunteers of this program work in Queensland, Australia. You will join conservation efforts like collecting sea rubbish.
Requirements: Volunteers need to be 18 years or over. Able to swim. Speak fluent English. Present a police check. Have travel insurance. Complete our free pre-departure training.
Fees: 1 week $1,010; 2 weeks $2,020; 3 weeks $2,980
Shriners Hospitals for Children Program
Volunteers in Shriners Hospitals for Children in Honolulu, Hawaii need to pick up patients, deliver supplies and tutor patients.
Requirements: Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Available to volunteer two hours per week for at least five months. Agree to a police check and a drug test. We offer free training upon your arrival.
Fees: No fees are needed.
Youth Support Program
Volunteers are placed in community centers of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA to provide tutoring and positive activities for the youth. You can also help organizations by beautifying spaces, re-organizing classrooms and preparing materials.
Requirements: Volunteers need to be 18 years or over. Have travel insurance and provide a police check. The training fee is included in the program fee.
Fees: 1 week $520; 2 weeks $825; 3 weeks $1,125
Pre-School English Program
Volunteers working in Cusco, Peru will teach English in pre-schools with younger children of 4 to 5 years old.
Requirements: 18 years and over. No previous teaching experience is required, but a basic understanding of Spanish is. Emergency contact, police check and resume(简历) are required. Training will be conducted online for free.
Fees: 1 week, $320; 2 weeks $550; 3 weeks $735
1. Which program suits a 17-year-old volunteer?| A．Marine Conservation Program. | B．Youth Support Program. |
| C．Shriners Hospitals for Children Program. | D．Pre-School English Program. |
| A．Emergency contact. | B．Travel insurance. | C．Drug test. | D．Police check. |
| A．Collect sea rubbish. | B．Re-organize classrooms. |
| C．Pick up and tutor patients. | D．Teach the English language. |
6 . Whatever she likes, you can always find something perfect for your mom, whether it is wine, coffee or clothes.
►For the bookworm
For the woman who took you to the library to get your very first card, show how much you appreciate her love of language and words with one of these book-themed cups for a Mother’s Day gift. You can choose from a good old-fashioned library card, a funny banned book’s pattern, or ones featuring your favorite literary characters, including Edgar Allen Poe and Alice in Wonderland. These are some of the most meaningful Mother’s Day gifts that moms have ever received. Library Card Cup, $ 18.49, Amazon. com.
►For the business traveler
When she’s not busy teaching her children how to tie their shoes and mind their manners, the mom you love is flying across the country for an important client meeting. She needs clothes that don’t give her anything else to worry about. It dries quickly and resists wrinkles. Florence Travel Dress by Orvis, $ 119, Amazon. com.
►For the gardener
If gardening is your mom’s beloved pastime, introduce her to the rapidly growing world of succulents (多肉植物) with this DIY kit (工具箱). Inside, you’ll find a white moss ball planter, a metal chain and hanging hook, two colors of reindeer moss (驯鹿苔), planting instructions, and an optional live succulent. Succulent Kokedama String Garden Kit, $ 33.97, windowbox. com.
►For the coffee lover
Every kid knows the number one rule of the household: Don’t talk to mom until she’s had her coffee. Show your understanding with a monthly brew (酿造) subscription. The coffee beans come from all over the world, including Peru, Brazil, Papua New Guinea and more. Atlas Coffee Club Subscription, $ 60 for three months, atlascoffeeclub. com.
1. Which of the following gifts should you send your mother if she loves reading?| A．A cup with a library card. | B．A fashioned library card. |
| C．A banned book’s pattern. | D．A book with literary characters. |
| A．It can resist being wet. | B．It’s convenient to carry. |
| C．It seems cheap to buy. | D．It can be wrinkle-free. |
| A．Moms looking after kids require more coffee. |
| B．Atlas Coffee Club provides world-class coffee beans. |
| C．People must purchase succulents in advance. |
| D．Succulents are popular nowadays. |
7 . Paris boasts a wealth of world-class museums and arehitectural masterpieces. From the world’s largest art museum to France’s most famous landmark, there is plenty to experience in the French capital.
The Louvre Museum
As the most visited art museum in the world and also the largest, the Louvre should be top of your list. It would take you no fewer than 100 days to visit the 35,000 works of art on display across 300 rooms – and that’s if you spend just 30 seconds looking at each one.
The Moulin Rouge（红磨坊）
The Moulin Rouge in Montmartre, with its iconic red windmill, was built in 1885. The venue pioneered the famous French cancan dance, and has now become one of the most famous cabarets in the world. Expect flamboyant handmade costumes of feathers and elegance at every turn.
The Eiffel Tower
Originally built to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution in 1889, the impressive Eiffel Tower has become the most iconic landmark(地标) of France. The first floor is home to the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant while the second-floor observation deck provides spectacular bird’s eye views – the best in the city.
The top of the Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe, a Neoclassical take on the ancient Roman areh, is one of Paris’s most iconic attractions. It’s worth hiking the 284 stairs to reach the platform on top of the areh as the views span right across the city, towering above the capital at 50m tall.
1. What can visitors expect to do while visiting Paris?| A．Watching the ballet. |
| B．Enjoying the local food. |
| C．Reaching the platform on top of the areh easily. |
| D．Fully understanding the Louvre within one day. |
| A．The Arc De Triomphe. | B．The Louvre Museum. |
| C．The Eiffel Tower. | D．The Mourin Rouge. |
| A．Museum-goers. | B．Hiking-lovers. |
| C．Dance-lovers. | D．Travel-devotees. |
8 . Gary Koppelman, an award-winning science teacher, didn’t think he’d make it to college. In elementary school, he struggled with math and reading. Speaking in front of his classmates made him awkward. He was teased constantly. By the time he began high school, his instructor told him to forget about college.
Fortunately, Koppelman’s high school teacher, Doug Cline, frequently praised Koppelman’s strengths, and helped him handle incidents of teasing. In 1970, Koppelman got admitted into Eastern Michigan University to pursue a degree in teaching. There, his professor noticed his difficulty in reading and challenges with hearing. Following his professor’s advice, Koppelman started seeing his teachers after lectures to receive extra help and designing projects to understand theories better. In 1976, Koppelman graduated with a master’s degree in elementary education.
Koppelman’s discoveries about his own learning challenged him to design an alternative method to teach science to young children and create the Environmental Life Lab at Blissfield Elementary. He tries to provide opportunities for students to engage with natural world, ask questions, collect and analyze data, and work together to come up with answers. “In the science lab, every day feels like a field trip day,” a seventh grader said.
“At a young age, children are so attracted by animals and insects,” Koppelman said. “It’s hard to explain to people who are not teachers what it looks and feels when something in nature or science touches a child’s sense of awe and wonderment. But I see it every day.”
“Life science is a powerful springboard to get students interested in earth and physical science, and then extend that into math, geography, and social studies. There is nothing else like it,” claimed Linda Mueller, the school’s headmaster. “Blissfield consistently outperforms state averages on standardized science tests, and sometimes near the top of the state.”
1. What do we know about Koppelman’s elementary school life?| A．It was interrupted constantly. | B．It was unforgettable with joy. |
| C．It was filled with achievements. | D．It was depressing with difficulty. |
| A．By having daily field trips. | B．By getting them exposed to nature. |
| C．By giving standardized tests. | D．By seeking help from other teachers. |
| A．It is hard to explain science to people. |
| B．Science is different from other subjects. |
| C．Koppelman’s teaching method has paid off. |
| D．Blissfield tops the state’s elementary schools. |
| A．Devoted and creative. | B．Reliable and punctual. |
| C．Humorous and modest. | D．Disciplined and talkative. |
9 . You have distinct opinions on where the best coffee is in your local area. But if the entire city had a high chance of providing a tasty cup, it could be the personal heaven for coffee lovers.
Rome, Italy
Italy is known for its love of quality food, and the same applies to the coffee. Rome is packed with cafes that keep the city running. Coffee brewers take their business very seriously, so that you rarely meet a watered-down cup.
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne loves coffee so much that they hold an annual coffee festival and have their own coffee-related publication, the Melbourne Coffee Review. What makes Melbourne coffee shops unique is the way the city is divided: the city is divided into several villages, each with its own specific culture. The most recommended drinks to get in Melbourne are typically lattes or other coffee drinks with milk.
Vienna, Austria
When it comes to coffee, Vienna goes hard: the city had its coffee shops listed as “intangible heritage(非物质文化遗产)” by UNESCO in20l1. Vienna cafes pride themselves on their atmosphere, taking the furnishings and decoration of shops quite seriously. These spaces are great social or people-watching atmospheres. Viennese particularly enjoy cappuccinos and the local Wiener Melange.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Considered the “birthplace of coffee”, and one of the world’s top coffee bean producers today, it’s no surprise that coffee is an important part of Ethiopian culture. If you have friends or relatives there, expect to be invited to coffee ceremony. You’ll enjoy roasting and grinding(研磨) the beans, then brewing them in a clay pot before finally enjoying the final product with your hosts.
1. Which city hosts a coffee festival every year?| A．Rome | B．Melbourne. |
| C．Vienna. | D．Addis Ababa. |
| A．Their atmosphere is unique. | B．They are hardly decorated. |
| C．Their signature coffee is the latte. | D．They divide the city into blocks. |
| A．Produce coffee beans. | B．Buy hand-made cups. |
| C．Enjoy self-made coffee. | D．Decorate coffee shops. |
10 . ★LOUDOUN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
Grades: Preschool-Grade 8
LCDS.org • 703-777-3841
Award-winning school features a low student-teacher ratio (比率). Courses include art, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), computer programming, languages, athletics, instruments. BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology), one-to-one program in fourth through eighth grades. It’s famous for its unique field trips.
★NYSMITH SCHOOL
Grades: 3 years-Grade 8
Nysmith.com • 703-552-2912
Top 10 in the world, fun, award-winning program, up to 4 grade levels of diversification (多样化) in reading and math classes, daily science, computers, logic, foreign languages, much more. 1:9 ratio. Minimal (最少的) homework. Hands-on experimental learning, a great attraction for students across the country. 2014 Tommy Award from TJ for the special achievement of Nysmith Alumni.
★FUSION ACADEMY TYSONS
Grades: 6-12
FusionTysonsCorner.com • 866-461-8039
Fusion Academy is a private middle and high school where all classes are one-to-one: one student and one teacher per classroom. Here, positive relationships unlock students’ potential. Scheduling is personalized, and no homework goes home. Come soon to Tysons, Virginia, and achieve school & life balance.
★RANDOLPH-MACON ACADEMY
Grades: 6-12, Postgraduate
rma.edu • 540-636-5484
R-MA is a college-prep boarding school with Air Force JROTC, devoted to developing students of academic achievement, leadership, and responsible citizenship. With smaller classes - on average, 14-17 students per class - students at R-MA find themselves building their confidence because our teachers care about each student. Graduating classes have a 100% college acceptance rate and average over $56.6 million in college scholarships offers each year.
1. What makes LCDS different from the others?| A．field trips. | B．a variety of courses. |
| C．one-to-one classes. | D．award-winning programs. |
| A．It has no homework. |
| B．It is the world’s best school. |
| C．It is a frequent winner of the Tommy Award. |
| D．It gives them a chance to learn from experience. |
| A．LOUDOUN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL. |
| B．NYSMITH SCHOOL. |
| C．FUSION ACADEMY TYSONS. |
| D．RANDOLPH-MACON ACADEMY. |
