1 . Should swimming lessons be mandatory in schools?
Guangdong province is set to make swimming lessons compulsory in primary schools starting from 2020, and proposing the courses be given from the fourth grade. Do we need to make swimming compulsory in schools? Forum readers share their opinions.
White Bear (Poland)
In Poland swimming lessons are not compulsory, but most of the schools have them. I think that when it is only possible—there should be the swimming lessons for kids. It is a lifesaving skill.
Mister Panda (France)
I come from France where swimming lessons in school are compulsory. I even got my lifesaving certificate in school.
Jet Feng (China)
As a boy born in a rural area, I learnt swimming in a river near my home when I was 7 or 8 years old. I used to play in the river with boys my same age every summer, which was also the only entertainment we could make at that time, but we enjoyed it so much! I just learnt how to dog paddle because no one taught us. Until I entered university, I got a chance to enhance my swimming skills in PE lessons. Compared with my classmates, I felt lucky because most of them couldn't swim.
I think it's a good idea for schools to teach students to swim. But as a matter of fact, not every school in China has the conditions to do that. In some less-developed areas, there is not even a swimming pool.
Boilermaker21 (Expat in China)
There are swimming lessons in my city, but I was very disappointed in how they were taught. The kids spent 45 minutes of the one-hour lesson practicing strokes ON DRY LAND. They only spent 15 minutes in the water. All of the children panicked and sank immediately to the bottom. Then all of the parents berated the children, telling them that they weren't paying attention to the teacher and that they were failures.
Cecilia Zhang (China)
It is a pity that many Chinese athletes won world championships in swimming while most schools don't have the swimming facilities. Swimming is an essential lifesaving skill that everyone should access to. The earlier, the better. The government needs to put money into the popularity of the sport.
1. What can be concluded from White Bear's opinion?| A．In Poland, swimming lessons must be given at school. |
| B．In Poland, the swimming sport is very popular. |
| C．Most of the schools have swimming pools in Poland. |
| D．In Poland, students are required to swim every day. |
| A．He didn't know how to swim. | B．He was brought up .1n a city. |
| C．He lived a colorful life in his childhood. | D．He didn't receive formal swimming training. |
| A．Disappointed. | B．Satisfied. | C．Excited. | D．Bored. |
| A．Chinese athletes won world championship in swimming events. |
| B．Chinese schools have not paid any attention to the swimming lessons. |
| C．The government hasn’t spent enough money on the popularity of the sport. |
| D．It is a pity that few Chinese athletes won world championships in swimming. |
| A．Entertainment. | B．Advertisement. | C．Education. | D．Technology. |
2 . As a kid, Enrique Olvera spent hours in his grandmother’s bakery in Mexico City. He loved watching everyday ingredients（原料）like flour, sugar and eggs mix into something entirely different. For Olvera, even the simple act of baking a cake felt like magic. He absorbed every detail as his grandmother was cooking. On Sundays, he joined his father in the kitchen, chopping onions and tomatoes for breakfasts of scrambled eggs and dry beef.
These advantages drive Olvera’s new cookbook, Tu Casa Mi Casa：Mexican Recipes for the Home Cook. But Olvera, the chef behind Mexico City’s Pujol, one of the world’s top restaurants, almost turned away from a career in the kitchen.
Despite the draw of the family bakery, Olvera’s father didn’t want his son to spend too much time there. He wanted Enrique to go to college and get a degree. Olvera made a compromise with his dad. He found a cooking program that offered a bachelor’s degree---at the Cooking Institute of America---and left Mexico for New York.
In New York, Olvera buried himself in the curriculum（全部课程）at the top cooking school. Like most training grounds for professional chefs, Olvera’s lessons were stuck in the cooking of Europe. For example, he dutifully learned to spot the edges of his dishes with little dots of sauce--drawing on the traditions of France, not Mexico. “Mexican food doesn’t respond to any of that,” he says. “So if you see how we cook，we don’t saute（快炒），we’re burning things down, we’re using the stems（茎）.The only thing that you can apply to Mexican technique is the passion for the craft. But the techniques are entirely different.”
At 24, Olvera returned to Mexico City---and opened Pujol. Olvera’s flagship has repeatedly made lists of the best restaurants in the world ---its success built on the techniques he learned as a kid in his grandma’s bakery and his parents’ kitchen. With Pujol’s success, Olvera went on to open four more restaurants in Mexico and two in New York. Now, he’s getting ready to roll out two more---this time, in Los Angeles.
1. What do we know from the first paragraph?| A．Enrique Olvera enjoyed cooking in his childhood. |
| B．Enrique Olvera was obsessed with homemade food. |
| C．The great variety of ingredients drove Enrique Olvera crazy. |
| D．The secret family recipe was passed down to Enrique Olvera. |
| A．inform the great achievement of Olvera. |
| B．tell about the world-known restaurant Pujol. |
| C．introduce the barrier for Olvera to overcome. |
| D．show the benefit of Olvera’s home environment. |
| A．He was attracted by French cooking traditions. |
| B．He eagerly absorbed European cooking techniques. |
| C．He combined European and Mexican cooking ways. |
| D．He had a different opinion of spotting dishes with decorations. |
| A．Launch. | B．Provide. | C．Reserve. | D．Improve. |
| A．an advertisement | B．a cookbook | C．a science book | D．a magazine |
3 . Teen Party Venues in Nashville, TN
Nashville, Tennessee, known as “Music City,” is home to around 601,000 residents, where you will find a broad range of places to choose from when it comes to planning a birthday party.
Pools and Resorts
If you plan your teen’s party at Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort, your teen and her guests will have a variety of activities to choose from. In the waterpark, guests can float down the lazy river, zip down the slides and play in the humongous wave pool.
Dinner or Dance
Teens looking for something a little more sophisticated or grown up to do on their birthday can have their party at one of the area’s finest restaurants or party venues. Rocketown offers facility rentals for teen events, to help create a safe environment for teens. You can choose which building you would like to rent to plan your teen’s dinner, dance or whatever else you have in mind and be confident knowing your teen’s party will be spectacular.
Bowling and Skating
Jaymar Family Entertainment Center is another fantastic venue for holding a fun teen party. Party packages can help make the planning a bit easier and may include things like bowling for all your guests, a private party room, food and drinks, etc. Teens that enjoy roller skating can hold their party at one of the Skate Centers in Nashville.
Additional Venues
Parents who are looking for something a little different to plan for their teen’s party could take the group to Nashville Paintball for some paintball action. Whether your party guests are new to paintball or old pros, the entire group is sure to have a great time. Alternatively, you can take your teen and his buddies to Climb Nashville for some climbing fun, which offers birthday and private parties that may include climbing, instruction, snacks and drinks.
1. Which place offers a private party room?| A．Rocketown. |
| B．Jaymar Family Entertainment Center. |
| C．Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort. |
| D．Nashville Paintball. |
| A．Have dinner. |
| B．Learn to climb. |
| C．Float down the river. |
| D．Enjoy roller skating. |
| A．You can rent facilities in Rocketown. |
| B．You cannot hold a party in the waterpark. |
| C．Jaymar Family Entertainment Center offers party packages. |
| D．You may enjoy yourselves at Nashville Paintball. |
| A．In a feature story. |
| B．In a geography textbook. |
| C．In a leisure magazine. |
| D．In a business website. |
4 . First aircraft carrying medical supplies from China arrives in U.S
An aircraft carrying personal protective equipment donated by China, along with U.S.-purchased medical supplies, arrived in New York on March 29.
The plane is the first in a series of flights over the next 30 days organized by the White House to help fight the coronavirus, the White House said. Most of the purchases are from Asia including Malaysia and Vietnam.
The Chinese Embassy in the U.S. retweeted a report from Axios, which said that 12 million gloves, 130,000 N-95 masks, 1.7 million surgical masks, 50,000 gowns, 130,000 hand sanitizer units, and 36,000 thermometers from China have arrived in the United States.
Along with the goods, Chinese company Huawei donated 10,000 masks, 20,000 articles of protective clothing, 10,000 gloves and 50,000 goggles to New York state.
Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed the donation and thanked Huawei on Twitter.
The plane was funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It landed at John F. Kennedy airport carrying gloves, gowns and masks for distribution in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, three hard-hit states battling to care for a crush of coronavirus patients.
The airlift is a product of a team led by White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, which formed "Project Airbridge," a partnership between large U.S. healthcare distributors such as Mekesson Corp, Cardinal, Owens & Minor, Medline and Henry Schein Inc, and the federal government.
The flight from Shanghai was the first of about 20 flights to arrive between now and early April, according to the White House. Additional flights will carry similar gear from China, Malaysia and Vietnam.
1. From the passage we know that ________.| A．all good on the plane are donated by China |
| B．all goods on the plane are purchased from China |
| C．all good on the plane are donated by Huawei |
| D．some of the goods on the plane are from donation while others are purchased from Asia |
| A．New York. | B．New Jersey. | C．California. | D．Connecticut. |
| A．The federal government. | B．A team led by White House senior adviser Jared Kushner. |
| C．Large U.S. healthcare distributors. | D．White House senior adviser Jared Kushner. |
| A．Protective equipment and medical supplies. | B．Parts of the machine. |
| C．Medicine. | D．Food. |
| A．A textbook. | B．A collection of stories. |
| C．A guide book. | D．An official report. |
5 . Bright Side did some research on many places throughout the world where you can buy a house for 1 dollar or for free!
Roubaix, France
If you like France, Roubaix located in the north of France is just for you. The local authorities want it to be populated and attractive. You can buy a small house in the industrial district for just $1. The buyer is supposed to live in this house for 3 years.
Buffalo, USA
Buffalo offers whoever qualifies to buy a house for $1. All you need is to be a lawful citizen of the city and invest amount of money into its decoration. Doing this, the authorities are hoping to make the city beautiful again without spending money.
Liverpool, Great Britain
In Liverpool, most of houses were abandoned by the working class during the years of unemployment. The government is trying to sell the houses for just $1. If you want to buy such a house, it has to be your first deal on buying property (不动产).
Candela, Italy
If you still have any doubts about spending $1 on a house, you should know: the government will pay you some money, if you move to Candela. In order to be paid, you need to become a permanent citizen and have an income of $7500 per year. If moving alone, you will get $700, and if you are going with your family, the pay can be four times as much as only one person.
For more information of other cities, please Click Here.
1. Which of the following statements is TRUE?| A．It is impossible to buy a house for $1. |
| B．The houses in some parts of the world are sold for $1 just for the same reason. |
| C．The authorities of Roubaix want more people to live there. |
| D．In Liverpool unemployed people have a lot of houses. |
| A．To improve the lives of poor people. | B．To solve the problems of employment. |
| C．To make the city attractive at no cost. | D．To attract people to the big cities. |
| A．You must be making the first house purchase. |
| B．You should live in the house for 3 years. |
| C．You need to be an unemployed citizen. |
| D．You have to repair and decorate the house. |
| A．$1 | B．$2800 | C．$700 | D．$7500 |
| A．a novel. | B．a magazine. | C．a letter. | D．the Internet. |
6 . The Ocean Awareness Student Contest
We invite middle and high school students from around the world to attend the 2017 Ocean Awareness Student Contest! The theme is Making Meaning out of Ocean Pollution, and it challenges you to research, explore, interpret, and say something meaningful about the connections between human activities and the health of our oceans.
This year, we challenge you to concentrate on one type of ocean pollution and “make meaning” of it through art, poetry or film. We encourage you to connect it with your own life, your own local community, or something else that is personally meaningful to you, but what’s most important is to pick a topic that inspires you.
To take part
(1) Research
Do research on your own. Ask tough and complex questions, and think about the way science and society help you explain the topic.
(2)Create
To explain your topic, create your own work of art, writing, poetry or film.
Submit(提交):
The closing date for entries is on June 13. 2017. at 11:59 pm.
Submit as an individual: This means that you are the only creator of your submission.
Submit as a group: Groups can be of unlimited size, but you must provide the names of each group member. There will be one group leader who will be the contact person for the group and prizes will be awarded to the group as a whole.
Prizes:
The winners will receive scholarships(up to S 1,500), and each year we give out over 140 prizes(totaling up to $80,000)as well as chances to the winners to work with us and to get their works exhibited and published.
1. The purpose of the contest is to____________.| A．encourage more people to explore the ocean |
| B．direct students to receive more scholarships |
| C．draw students’ attention to the health of the oceans |
| D．help students complete their works in various styles |
| A．college students | B．teenagers |
| C．art students | D．le of all ages |
| A．submit their works only in groups |
| B．experience the life in a local community |
| C．submit their works before July 13, 2017 |
| D．do research on their own and create their own work |
| A．Scholarships will be offered to the winners. |
| B．The organizers will let the winners work with them. |
| C．The winners will be admitted to famous universities. |
| D．The winners can get their works published. |
| A．A website | B．A diary | C．A novel | D．A report |
By Roald Dahl
Price:＄10.25
Gifted and sweet, Matilda White goes largely unnoticed by her less-than-loving parents. Things only get worse when she goes to school. Luckily, her teacher, Miss Honey, helps Matilda discover how special she is and encourages her to create the life she dreams about.
Ivy & Bean
By Annie Barrows
Price:＄4.59
When Ivy moves in across the street, Bean is sure they won't be friends. They are just too different. However, when Ivy helps Bean get away from her sister, who is trying to get Bean in trouble, a friendship blossoms between the unlikely pair. Kids who enjoy this book can read the whole series over the summer.
Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed
By Emily Pearson
Price:＄7.99
When Mary decides to give some fresh-picked wild blueberries to a neighbor, she starts a chain reaction of kindness. After Mrs. Bishop makes and shares newly-made cake, her recipients go on to spread kindness to others they meet. Mary might be a common little girl, but she learns that even children can help make the world a better place.
Frederick
By Leo Lionni
Price:＄14.39
Frederick is a mouse who lives with his family in a large field. During the summer, all of the mice begin to store food to prepare for the cold winter months.All of the mice except Frederick, that is. Instead, Frederick collects things such as rays of sun, rainbows and words.Although the others think he is stupid, they come to learn that everyone's contribution counts.
1. Whose book is mainly about friendship?| A．Roald Dahl’s | B．Leo Lionni’s |
| C．Emily Pearson’s | D．Annie Barrows’s |
| A．＄4.59 | B．＄7.99 |
| C．＄14.39 | D．＄10.25 |
| A．A story book. | B．A lesson plan. |
| C．A book review. | D．A kid's magazine. |
8 . It’s wonderful to have a relaxing bath in mineral water while looking out over beautiful scenery. If you live in the US or are planning a visit, consider going to one of the two natural hot springs (温泉) in the western US:
Travertine Hot Springs
At the edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Bridgeport, California lie the Travertine Hot Springs. The orange, green, and red rocks and the mountains create beautiful views for you to enjoy while you bathe. Each pool is a different temperature, so you can find one that’s comfortable for you. These springs can easily be reached by car. Take Route 395 south from Bridgeport and turn left onto Jack Sawyer Road. In about a mile you’ll arrive at the springs. If you like to camp, you can camp along Jack Sawyer Road.
Bagby Hot Springs
In the middle of an ancient forest you’ll find the Bagby Hot Springs. At the springs there are wooden bathhouses, with both private baths and communal baths. Through a system of pipes the spring water is brought to the baths at a temperature of 136 degrees Fahrenheit. If that’s too hot buckets of cold water are also available to mix into the bathtub (浴缸) or to cool off with after your bath.
The Bagby Springs are about 45 minutes from Estacada, Oregon, on Highway 224. To get to the bathhouse there is a 1.5-mile walk from the parking lot through the beautiful Mt. Hood National Forest. While in the area, make sure to visit Portland, which is known for its coffee, restaurants, and music.
The best time to visit the two hot springs is in late spring, or in summer or fall. While in the area, check out the Curecanti National Recreation Area, where you can enjoy canoeing, fishing, bird watching, camping, and hiking.
1. Which is not the advantage of bathing in the spring in California?| A．Beautiful scenery can be seen while bathing there. |
| B．You can choose different pools suitable for you. |
| C．It’s convenient for families with cars to travel there. |
| D．You can camp anywhere around the springs. |
| A．shared | B．comfortable |
| C．personal | D．common |
| A．the temperature of the two springs |
| B．beautiful views near the springs |
| C．the walking distance from the parking lot |
| D．the design of the bathhouses |
| A．May | B．July |
| C．October | D．December |
| A．A report. | B．A paper. |
| C．A magazine. | D．A diary. |
9 . Spanish River Park
Location: 3001 Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton.
Admission: $16 per vehicle on weekdays, $18 on weekends and major holidays.
Special Comments: About 95 acres, more than a half-mile of beach with lifeguards. No pets.1,680-foot nature path and large playground area.
Food/Dining: Picnic areas with barbecue grills. Phone: (561)393-7811
Restores: Restrooms and showers available.
Red Reef Park
Location: 1400 N.Ocean Blvd., Boo2 Raton.
Admission: $16 per vehicle on weekdays,$18 on weekends and major holidays.
Special Comments: Developed beach (67 acres) with lifeguards. No alcohol or pets permitted. It offers grills and a small playground area.
Food/Dining: Picnic areas available. Phone: (561) 393-7812
Restrooms: Restrooms and showers available.
South Beach Park
Location: 400 N.Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton.
Admission: $15 per vehicle on weekdays,$17 on weekends and major holidays.
Special Comments: 1,670 feet of beach, 25 acres, lifeguards, 955 feet of developed beach south of Boca Inlet with lifeguards.
Food/Dining: Picnic areas available. Phone: (561) 393-7813
Restrooms: Restrooms and showers available.
Coconut Cove Waterpark
Location: 11200 Park Access Road, Boca Raton.
Admission: Adult $7; Children(4~12)$5; 3 and under free.
Special Comments: The waterpark offers Sea Monster walk pool, Meandering River,
a waterslide and a waterfall. No alcohol or pets permitted.
Food/Dining: Concessions. Phone: (561) 274-1140
Restrooms: Restrooms and showers available.
1. Which of the following can not be done in Spanish River Park?| A．Play with your dog. | B．Walk on the path. |
| C．Go for a picnic. | D．Have a shower. |
| A．(561) 393-7811 | B．(561) 393-7812 |
| C．(561) 393-7813 | D．(561) 274-1140 |
| A．In a notebook. | B．In a newspaper. |
| C．In a report. | D．In a science book. |
| A．$22 | B．$19 |
| C．$29 | D．$24 |
| A．South Beach Park | B．Coconut Cove Waterpark |
| C．Spanish River Park | D．Red Reef Park |
10 . Activities in Cincinnati Museum Center
Movie Magic Camp
Everything is awesome at Museum Camp! Discover what happens behind the scenes of a movie. Learn how to make a storyboard, study movie magic secrets and create an animation movie（动画片）.
Admission: Admission Fee
Age Range: Grades 1-6
Category: Programs, Children, Education
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Inside a Viking（斯坦的纳维亚人）Home
Take a look at the inside of a Viking home.
Admission: Free to Members or with Museum Admission
Age Range: Early Childhood, Grades 1-6, Preteen, Teen, Adult
Category: Traveling Exhibits
Time: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Parochial（教区的）and Private Schools History Session
Hear about the establishment of private, Catholic, Jewish and other independent schools in Cincinnati including the growth of early Irish and German speaking schools.
Admission: Admission Fee
Age Range: Adult
Category: Programs, History, Education
Time: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Galaxy（星系）Explorers
Come to a camp that’s sure to be out of this world! Discover secrets of our solar system and learn about galaxies far away!
Admission: Admission Fee
Age Range: Early Childhood, Teen
Category: Programs, Science, Children, Education
Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
1. What can we do at Movie Magic Camp?| A．Tell your favorite story. | B．Listen to a wonderful story. |
| C．Learn how to make movies. | D．Appreciate an animation movie. |
| A．It is free to all people. | B．It suits both kids and adults. |
| C．It is open in the early morning. | D．It allows visitors to live in a house. |
| A．9:00 am to 4:00 pm. | B．9:00 am to 5:00 pm. |
| C．7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. | D．11:00 am to 12:00 pm. |
| A．Galaxy Explorers | B．Movie Magic Camp |
| C．Inside a Viking Home | D．Parochial and Private Schools History Session |
| A．A poster. | B．A report. |
| C．A novel. | D．A textbook. |
