1 . I still remember that busy autumn evening as I hurried with my eldest daughter, Athena, to get to her classroom on time for the parent-teacher night. We walked in and all eyes were on me. A few adults quickly quieted their kids’ whispers. A classmate yelled to my daughter, “What’s wrong with your mom’s face?” Shocked, I started to explain my condition, but my six-year-old daughter looked at him and said, “It’s my mom’s birthmark! Don’t be rude!” I was extremely proud of how she handled that situation.
I was quite young when I realized I looked different because of my large facial birthmark. I always thought I would be alone because of it. Being compared to Batman’s evil Two-Face made me believe I could never find love. But I was lucky enough to meet my husband, who saw me for who I am inside. When I had my first daughter, I was overjoyed, but I began to worry if the world would judge my children. I always worried I might pass my condition onto my children; I didn’t want them to grow up feeling judged. Unfortunately, my facial difference has impacted my children. My daughters get disinvited from birthday parties or sleepovers, or I learn certain kids are no longer friends with mine after their parents saw me at school.
When my kids were young, I explained how my special purple skin was rare and we talked about acceptance and never judging others on how they look. When my girls kiss my purple-skinned cheek, I feel “normal” around them and their unconditional love. With time going by, both my daughters have become my strongest supporters. Thanks to them, I’ve begun to feel more self-confident as I try to be a good role model.
Their worldviews are similar to mine. We see the world a little differently and with a kinder, more accepting heart. As the saying goes, your daughters will grow up to be your best friends. I know that will be the case for me!
1. What happened when the author went to attend the parent-teacher night?A.Athena was praised by others for her bravery and optimism. |
B.Athena defended her mother against her classmate’s rudeness. |
C.Some parents criticized their kids because of their misbehaviour. |
D.The author felt shocked at her daughter’s response to her classmate. |
A.Friendship needs to be watered by love. |
B.We should treat our children as best friends. |
C.We should accept other people’s differences. |
D.Our ability to handle difficulties can be developed. |
A.They have to drop out of school. |
B.They have the same physical condition as me. |
C.They have difficulty maintaining friendships. |
D.They feel worried because they are often judged. |
A.A birthmark to live with. | B.My strongest supporters. |
C.A kind and accepting heart. | D.The confidence to be different. |
2 . Occurring on October 31, November 1, and November 2, the Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday held to honor those who have died, brings people from all walks of life to Mexico. But cities across the United States are also joining in on the fun. Here is where you can find this year’ s best Day of the Dead celebrations without traveling south of the border.
The Historic Olvera Street in Los Angeles
For over three decades, the businessmen of Olvera Street have annually transformed the busy outdoor marketplace into a top destination for visitors. Starting on October 25 and coming to a close on November 2,this year’s event will include a collection of live performances, face painting, and a traditional May an procession(游行).
The East Village in Manhattan
Want to get a taste of the Day of the Dead while taking a bite out of the Big Apple? Come to East yard of St. Mark’s in-the-Bowery, a church in Manhattan. Besides watching performances, you can purchase all kinds of traditional Mexican food.
San Francisco’s Mission District
San Francisco has celebrated the Day of the Day for half a century. Every November 2, people flood to the Mission District - a colorful neighborhood rich in Mexican culture. At this popular event, visitors are invited to dress up in traditional Day of the Dead clothes, and go through the neighborhood all by the candlelight.
Downtown San Antonio
This year, the Day of the Dead will arrive early in San Antonio, Texas. On October 26 and 27, people can visit Hemisfair, the city’ s popular outdoor cultural center, with craft workshops, musical performances, and live poetry.
1. Where can visitors enjoy traditional Mexican food?A.In The Historic Olvera Street in Los Angeles. |
B.In San Francisco’s Mission District. |
C.In The East Village in Manhattan. |
D.In Downtown San Antonio. |
A.For 30 years. | B.For 50 years. | C.For 26 years. | D.For 27 years. |
A.Light candles. | B.Make faces painted. |
C.Wear traditional clothes. | D.Hear some great poems. |
3 . Here are some movie museums you can visit.
Rancho Obi-Wan Star Wars Museum
Reporter Steve Sansweet founded Rancho Obi-Wan Star Wars Museum in 1998. It’s a nonprofit museum that is the home to the world’s largest collection of privately-owned Star Wars memorabilia (纪念品), making it the Guinness World Record holder for “Largest Collection of Star Wars Memorabilia”.
La Cinématnèque Francalse
Paris’ La Cinémathèque Francaise is one of the world’s largest film collections Established in 1936, co-founders Henri Langlois and Georges Franju acquired a large collection of films and documents.
It’s a Wonderful Life Museum
It’s a Wonderful Life Museum opened in 2010. Actress Karolyn Grimes donated original photos and other memorabilia from her private collection.
Australian Centre for the Moving Image
Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) opened in 2002 and it grew to be an international exhibition of film, television, and digital culture. Over the years, the ACMI has featured lasting and traveling exhibits.
1. What is special about Rancho Obi-Wan Star Wars Museum?A.Henri Langlois and Georges Franju are its co-founders. |
B.Karolyn Grimes donated photos and memorabilia to it. |
C.It has featured lasting and traveling exhibits. |
D.It is a Guinness World Record holder. |
A.La Cinématnèque Francaise. |
B.It’s a Wonderful Life Museum. |
C.Rancho Obi-Wan Star Wars Museum. |
D.Australian Centre for the Moving Image. |
A.Steve Sansweet. | B.Karolyn Grimes. |
C.Henri Langlois. | D.Georges Franju. |
4 . China is a colorful country with amazing places and cultures. In this blog, we will introduce five most attractive places that you can’t miss if you are planning to go for a travel in China!
Beijing
Beijing, the capital of China for over 850 years, is the first choice for many travellers. A perfect combination of classic elegance and modernity, it is the best Chinese destination to give you a better understanding of the country. You can wander around the Forbidden City to feel the dignity of the city; or you can walk along the criss-crossing hutongs and enjoy yourself in everyday local life.
Xi’an
If you want to feel the history of China over the past 1,000 years, you can go to Beijing; however, if you want to experience the 5,000 years’ history of this ancient, oriental land, Xi’an is the best travel destination in China. As one of the four major capitals of ancient civilisation (together with Athens, Cairo, and Rome), Xi’an is the home of Chinese civilisation. The Silk Road starts from here, stretching through West China to the Mediterranean.
Guilin
Guilin, a peaceful city lying in the hilly south-western area of the country, is among the top Chinese destinations for its extraordinary natural scenery. The unique karst landscape with its four features, namely green hills, clear water, fantastic caves, and oddly-shaped rocks, makes it a famous tourist attraction.
Chengdu
Visiting the lovely giant pandas must be on everyone’s to-do list when planning a tour of the best Chinese destinations. Many cities have zoos with space for pandas, but the best place to get close to them is Chengdu for sure! Visiting Chengdu is also a treat for food lovers. Jin li Street is a great place to have a taste of well-known Sichuan food. Besides, you can also enjoy the comfortable atmosphere.
1. What can you do in Beijing?A.Enjoy the oddly-shaped rocks. | B.Have a taste of Sichuan food. |
C.Walk around the Forbidden City. | D.Learn the history of the Silk Road. |
A.Beijing. | B.Xi’an. | C.Guilin. | D.Chengdu. |
A.Another attractive place in China. | B.The introduction to karst landscape. |
C.Tips for travelling around the world. | D.The contact information of a museum. |
5 . Asia is the birthplace of the world’s three ancient civilizations: ancient China, ancient India and Babylon. Each gave the world different architectural styles and global landmarks, such as the Great Wall of China. Taj Mahal of India.With the conclusion of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilization, let’s take a look at the architecture of Asian civilizations.
The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is an ancient defense project with the longest construction time and the largest workload put into a landmark, stretching out to a total length of more than 5,000 kilometers. Only when you have been to the Great Wall and witnessed its majesty can you truly say you have visited China.
Angkor Wat,Cambodia
The Angkor Wat in Cambodia is one of the largest religious monuments in the world,built on a site measuring 162.6 hectares. It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman Ⅱ in the early 12th century in Yasodharapura(present-day Angkor),the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state temple and eventual mausoleum(陵墓).
Taj Mahal, India
The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the river Yamuna in the Indian city of Agra.It was commissioned in 1632 by Mughalemperor Shah to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being“the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage”
Al-Khazneh, Jordan
Al-Khazneh, also known as the Treasury, is one of the most delicate temples in the ancient Arab Nabataean Kingdom city of Petra,Jordan. The 45-meter-high and 30-meter-wide building is a magnificent building with a pronounced Greek style. It is said to have been a place where pirates hid their treasure.
1. What is special about the Great Wall compared with the others in the article?A.It is the longest man-made project in the world. |
B.It was listed in the UNESCO world Heritage Site. |
C.It was used as a defense project in the ancient China. |
D.It used to be used as a religious/purpose in China |
A.The Angkor Wat. | B.The Taj Mahal. |
C.AI-Khazneh. | D.The Treasury |
A.The Great Wall. | B.The Angkor Wat. |
C.The Taj Mahal. | D.AI-Khazneh. |
6 . Four Largest Art Museums in the World
Art museums all over the world offer space to display a wide range of art, from sculptures to paintings. This article takes a look at the largest art museums by area.
The Louvre
The Louvre, located in Paris, is the largest art museum in the world. It is considered a historic monument. This building first served as a castile before becoming a royal (皇家的) residence. Under King Louis XIV, it was used to house two art schools. The Louvre Museum was opened with 537 paintings. Today, it is home to around 38,0000 pieces.
State Hermitage Museum
The Sate Hermitage Museum located in St. Petersburg, Russia, is the second largest art museum in the world. It has a total area of 719, 480 square feet. This museum, one of the oldest in the world, is home to a collection of over 3 million pieces.
National Museum of China
The third largest museum is the National Museum of China. Located beside Tiananmen Square in Beijing, it covers an area of 700,000 square feet. Its chief aim is to educate the public and promote the history and arts of China. The National Museum of China house about 1.05 million pieces in its collection.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The fourth largest museum in the world is the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, which covers an area of 633, 100 square feet. Today, this museum is in .a building that is 20 times larger than the original and located on the border of Central Park. It is home to more than 2 million pieces. Additionally, it is known for its large collection of musical instruments.
1. What do we know about The Louvre from the text?A.Members of the royal family once lived there. |
B.It used to be a royal museum. |
C.It has the largest collection of paintings. |
D.Students majoring in art can receive education there now. |
A.The Louvre | B.State Hermitage Museum |
C.National Museum of China | D.Metropolitan Museum of Art |
A.It is much larger than the original in size. | B.It is the largest art museum in the world. |
C.It receives the most visitors in the world. | D.It has a large collection of musical instruments. |
7 . Sitting on the edge of the world, Sydney is considered as one of the world’s greatest cities for a reason. Want to relax yourself in Sydney? This shortlist of things to do and see in Sydney should point you in the right direction.
Hit the beaches
Everyone knows about Bondi Beach and its Icebergs pool, restaurants and the crashing waves are the postcard image of Sydney. Bondi is a great place to start. But after you’ve caught some sun or taken a surf lesson with Let’s Go Surfing, we’d suggest taking the Coogee Coastal Walk. Beginning at the Bondi Icebergs swim club, the 3.7-mile walk affords amazing cliffside views of rock pools and bays.
Catch a show
Sydney is full of events and performances every night of the week. The first place that jumps to mind is the iconic Sydney Opera House, designed by Jørn Utzon. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this incredible piece of architecture doesn’t just do opera. You’ll also find stand-up comedy, ballets, and more. But it’s not the only place in Sydney putting on a show. The 1920s State Theatre, in the central business district, is known to host international ballets, concerts and world-class orchestras.
Go to the zoo
From the skyline views to the charming grounds, there’s a reason why Sydney’s Taronga Zoo attracts more than 1 million visitors every year. The expansive space plays host to more than 4,000 animals, including tigers, giraffes, kangaroos, platypus, koalas, Komodo dragons, elephants, lions, chimps and more. Love it so much that you never want to leave? Stay the night in one of its luxury safari(狩猎)tents.
Climb the bridge
Nicknamed “the coathanger”, the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened in 1932. Like the Sydney Opera House, it was an engineering masterpiece that was way ahead of its time. Sure, you can walk or cycle across the bridge, but the best way to appreciate the architectural wonder is up close and personal.
1. What can you do at Bondi Beach?A.Enjoy an outdoor concert. | B.Appreciate incredible architecture. |
C.Enjoy cliffside views. | D.Cycle along the Coogee Coast. |
A.In a safari tent. | B.In your own car. |
C.At a five-star hotel. | D.On a rest bench. |
A.They both hold operas. |
B.They are engineering classics. |
C.They were built in the 19th century. |
D.They are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. |
8 . About three years ago, a tornado attacked our town. My father and I
Then, Grandma turned to me and asked with
Soon, my father asked if I was ready to go home. I silently
It took him a long time to respond, “Yes. She may not know where she is, but she will be there, no matter what.” The rest of the car ride home was
Ever since that talk with my Grandma, I have matured and
A.flew | B.cycled | C.drove | D.walked |
A.chatted | B.argued | C.consulted | D.whispered |
A.Finally | B.Suddenly | C.Immediately | D.Constantly |
A.loving | B.bright | C.watery | D.empty |
A.concerned | B.confused | C.cautious | D.curious |
A.identify | B.remind | C.persuade | D.tell |
A.Shocked | B.Amazed | C.Disappointed | D.Excited |
A.assistant | B.freshman | C.senior | D.genius |
A.shook | B.nodded | C.raised | D.lowered |
A.calmed down | B.cut in | C.called out | D.broke down |
A.attend | B.forget | C.celebrate | D.cancel |
A.dull | B.smooth | C.silent | D.uneasy |
A.character | B.status | C.power | D.role |
A.grown up | B.given up | C.cheered up | D.kept up |
A.exploded | B.burst | C.rang | D.flashed |
A.At 8:30. | B.At 8:45. | C.At 9:00. |
A.By foot. | B.By underground. | C.By bike. |