1 . What do you get when you mix the sports of rodeo (牛仔竞技表演) with skiing? An extreme winter sport called skijoring. The competition includes riding horses that use ropes to pull skiers over jumps and around barriers (障碍). At the same time, competitors try to hit round targets with a special stick.
Skijoring is a winter sport that celebrates the combination (结合) of competition and ski culture in the U. S. Mountain West. Horses — and sometimes dogs, snowmobiles and even cars — pull skiers by rope at speeds as high as 64 kilometers per hour. Skiers can go over jumps as high as 2.4 meters.
One of the most popular skijoring races in the country takes place in Leadville, Colorado. The event, called “The Granddaddy of Them All”, has been a tradition there since 1949.
Internet reports say skijoring takes its name from the Norwegian word skijoring, which means “ski driving”. It started as a way to get around in Scandinavia and became popular in Europe’s Alps Mountains around 1900.
Today’s sport is dangerous, and injuries are common among riders and skiers alike. One of the first riders in the Leadville race earlier this month fell off his horse and had to be removed from the track.
Skijoring is especially popular in Poland and Switzerland, as well as in the U. S. states of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Today, skijoring is growing in popularity because of social media. Five years ago, the sport had about 350 teams of riders, skiers, and horses in the U. S. Now, about 1,000 teams are competing, and the number of races has increased from about 15 a year to more than 30.
People hope it will one day be an event in the Winter Olympics. But getting the sport into the Olympics has proven difficult. There is no official governing body. It has no clear set of rules. And there is no system that would qualify (使……有资格) riders to take part in the Winter Games. In addition, every course is different, and every race has its own special traditions.
1. What did skijoring originally serve as?| A．A means of transport. | B．An event for pleasure. |
| C．A traditional festival. | D．A way to celebrate. |
| A．It is too dangerous to take part in. |
| B．Ⅱattracts a larger number of players. |
| C．It requires more measures to ensure safety. |
| D．It is faced with the challenge of attracting more audience. |
| A．Its unique playing conditions. | B．Its shortage of qualified riders. |
| C．Its difficulty becoming an Olympic event. | D．Its possibility of keeping special traditions. |
| A．Combination Brings Wonder | B．Tradition Never Dies with Time |
| C．The Wild Winter Sport of Skijoring | D．A Brief Introduction to Olympic Games |
2 . Four Films You Might Like
Meet Me in St. Louis
It is introduced by Khori Dastoor, General Director & CEO at Houston Grand Opera. Dastoor now serves on the Board of Directors for Opera America.
Judy Garland and Margaret O’Brien star in this heart-warming music al from Vincente Minnelli. The story concerns a colorful, early 20th-century St. Louis family’s emotional experience when they learn their father has been promoted to a nice position and they must move to New York.
Breaking the Code
Named “Best Historical Film” by the Dallas County Historical Commission in 2023, Breaking the Code is a deep introduction to Vernon Fisher (1943—2023), among Texas’s most praised and important artists. Director Michael Flanagan conducted many interviews with Fisher and his students to offer a unique understanding of the humorous style of Fisher’s practice and the unusual independence of his career.
This film is free with Museum membership. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
About Dry Grasses
The latest movie from famous Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan is a work based on a novel. Samet, a school teacher working in rural eastern Anatolia, hopes to move to his native Istanbul after being charged with punishing a student. A fellow teacher (Merve Dizlar, Best Actress winner at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival) offers Samet a new viewpoint on life.
The Artist’s Daughter, Oil on Canvas
A visit to her separated father’s art exhibition recover s the filmmaker’s relationship with him, but not the way she expected. Through conversations with her family, she discovers her feelings of neglect (忽视) throughout her life, and she begins to understand how much her father’s absence has damaged her sense of self, but she remains determined to find meaning from the emptiness.
1. What should you do to enjoy Breaking the Code for free?| A．Bring the ID card along. | B．Book a seat in advance. |
| C．Become a member of the Museum. | D．Accept the interview by Michael Flanagan. |
| A．They share the same producer. | B．They have something to do with family. |
| C．They are recommended by famous people. | D．They have won much praise from the audience. |
| A．About Dry Grasses. | B．Breaking the Code. |
| C．Meet Me in St. Louis. | D．The Artist’s Daughter, Oil on Canvas. |
3 . Explore more in Thailand’s parts unknown
Thailand’s southern beaches attract travelers worldwide, but there’s more to explore in the Southeast Asian country.
Ban Krut for beach fans
In Ban Krut, travelers will find one of the cleanest and quietest white sandy beaches within driving distance of the capital, Bangkok. This sleepy seaside community, known mostly by locals, is a five-hour drive or six-hour train trip down the Gulf of Thailand. Don’t miss the great Wat Tang Sai, a Buddhist temple located on Thong Chai Mountain.
Lopburi for history lovers
Lopburi, one of Thailand’s oldest cities, is home to Khmer-era temples and the uncrowded ruins of King Narai’s Palace, which was built in the 1600s. It’s also known for the monkeys that gather at Phra Prang Sam Yot temple in the center of town. A tip: Keep a safe distance from the monkeys and hide anything you don’t want them to steal.
Cave(洞穴) for holiday hikers
Hiking trails, wetlands and forests make Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park a weekend adventure worthy of topping your Thailand to-do list. The park’s crown jewel is the amazing Phraya Nakhon Cave. Outdoorsy travelers can camp in a park or choose better rooms in the nearby tourist town of Hua Hin.
Car rental costs about $20 per day, and an international driver’s permit is required. You can also hire a driver at most major car rental companies, book a taxi or explore by train.
1. What do we know about Ban Krut?| A．It is a crowded tourist destination. |
| B．It is where Wat Tang Sai is located. |
| C．It is the cleanest and quietest beach. |
| D．It is known to the people nationwide. |
| A．They might stare at you curiously. |
| B．They might suddenly hide themselves. |
| C．They might offer you a friendly wave. |
| D．They might take away your belongings. |
| A．The Thong Chai Mountain. |
| B．The tourist town of Hua Hin. |
| C．The Phra Prang Sam Yot temple. |
| D．Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. |
4 . The Secret of Happiness
An old man walked slowly into a restaurant with his cane (拐杖). His old overcoat and old shoes made him
A young waitress
Without
“You’re welcome, Sir,” she responded. “I’ll be back in a moment, and if you
After he finished the meal, Mary helped him up from his chair,
When Mary went to clean his table, she was
Actually, the old man is the
| A．sit down | B．stand out | C．turn to | D．try out |
| A．responded | B．gathered | C．named | D．inspired |
| A．help | B．decorate | C．hire | D．announce |
| A．saying | B．figuring | C．replacing | D．biting |
| A．sadly | B．suddenly | C．absolutely | D．safely |
| A．quietness | B．business | C．darkness | D．kindness |
| A．import | B．need | C．wrestle | D．clap |
| A．benefited | B．surfed | C．handed | D．pressed |
| A．aim | B．cure | C．belong | D．see |
| A．various | B．surprised | C．ordinary | D．significant |
| A．shows | B．roasts | C．rejects | D．scares |
| A．marched | B．retired | C．protested | D．found |
| A．shine | B．quote | C．confirm | D．battle |
| A．staff | B．chain | C．owner | D．physician |
| A．assumed | B．served | C．ensured | D．proved |
5 . SUMMER CAMP 2024 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Welcome to the USF Youth Experiences summer camp, where music meets technology! In this camp, you will have the opportunity to explore your creativity by making music using computers, iPads, DJ decks, guitars, ukuleles, drums, keyboards, and vocals.
Led by Haley Garrett and Dr. David Williams from the School of Music at the University of South Florida, this camp is designed for those who have no related experience in music but want to learn skills. We will guide you through the process of songwriting.
Camp Details:
During the camp, you will work with a small group to create your own sound and perform as part of a team. All you need will be provided, so you only need to bring your creativity and passion.
Our experienced instructors will teach you how to use various tools and techniques to produce your music, from using software to playing instruments. You will learn about different genres of music and explore how to make them into your own music.
Above all, this camp is designed to be fun! You will have a great time making music with new friends and discovering your own musical talents. Join us for an unforgettable summer experience and let’s make some amazing music together!
Camp Directors: Dr. David Williams and Haley Garrett
Camp Dates: June 17th — June 21st
Location: USF Tampa Campus
Grade Levels: Grade 7 — Grade 12
Learning Time for Everyday: 9:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.
1. Who are most likely to join in the camp?| A．The creative music professors. | B．The skilled computer engineers. |
| C．The teachers in the School of Music. | D．The beginners with no experience in music. |
| A．Make music by using tools and techniques. | B．Buy some instruments from the camp. |
| C．Appreciate and explore music alone. | D．Ask friends to discover their musical talents. |
| A．For 3 days. | B．For 4 days. | C．For 5 days. | D．For 6 days. |
1. What does the man want the woman to do?
| A．Make a schedule. | B．Organize a dinner. | C．Book a hotel. |
| A．Arrange buses. | B．Pick up visitors. | C．Send e-mails. |
7 . Yesterday, I was shopping in a store, minding my own business, when I saw someone
But the dog’s behavior got
At this point, I couldn’t stand it anymore, and
| A．mistreating | B．walking | C．selling | D．greeting |
| A．attention | B．praise | C．money | D．patience |
| A．neck | B．legs | C．tail | D．teeth |
| A．Probably | B．Luckily | C．Typically | D．Finally |
| A．saved | B．helped | C．frightened | D．attracted |
| A．looked at | B．made way for | C．searched for | D．fell in love with |
| A．worker | B．teacher | C．reporter | D．hunter |
| A．in safety | B．in need | C．in silence | D．in trouble |
| A．politer | B．worse | C．sillier | D．simpler |
| A．ground | B．tree | C．car | D．grass |
| A．candy | B．bread | C．fruit | D．milk |
| A．denied | B．considered | C．forgot | D．marked |
| A．bank | B．hospital | C．store | D．office |
| A．confident | B．sorry | C．worried | D．relieved |
| A．generous | B．humorous | C．good | D．rude |
On the occasion of the Year of the Dragon, the Tongliang Dragon Dance is certainly one of the most evocative (引起共鸣的) and atmospheric performances staged at
Tongliang Dragon Dance is a dance art form that began in the Tongliang District of southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality. The district expects to make use of the dragon culture
The dragon prop (道具)
“Tongliang is the home of the dragon dance, and the Tongliang Dragon Dance, during its long tradition, has evolved into more than 20 different
As one of the first national intangible cultural heritages, the Tongliang Dragon Dance
The Tongliang Dragon Dance has not only featured in major domestic (国内的) celebrations such
9 . Here is a great way for you to explore the beautiful countryside and colorful Chinese minority culture of southwest Guizhou during three days. Here is a suggested plan of a journey.
Day 1 Arrive in Zhaoxing Dong Village
Your personal guide will meet you at Congjiang train station and then drive you to Zhaoxing Dong Village. Your guide will walk around with you, explaining the style of the Dong wooden buildings, local customs, and the Dong people’s lifestyle. You can try a popular local snack: oil tea and sticky rice cakes with roast pork. The Dong people’s dancing and singing evening show is very enjoyable, too.
Day 2 Zhaoxing Rice Terraced Fields Hike and Villages
On the way to Huanggang Dong Village in the morning, you will stop to walk around the terraced fields and enjoy great views of the rice terraces and the villages on the mountain slopes. You will see more of the culture of the Dong people. They still live their traditional lives there, which have not been touched by tourism. In the afternoon, you will visit Biasha Miao Village and enjoy their traditional dancing and ceremony with guns.
Day 3 Zhaoxing Departure (离开)
In the morning, your guide will take you to visit a batik (蜡染) workshop. There, you can learn and experience making batik in the Dong style and appreciate the Dong people’s taste in art. You may even make a unique souvenir (纪念品) on your own. After that, your guide will send you to Congjiang Train Station for your departure.
1. When can people enjoy the Dong people’s dancing and singing during the journey?| A．On the first night. | B．On the third night. |
| C．On the first morning. | D．On the second morning. |
| A．Try oil tea. | B．Make batik. |
| C．Go around the terraced fields. | D．Visit Biasha Miao Village. |
| A．Entertainment. | B．Health. | C．Travel. | D．Business. |
10 . Bees are known to tell time by light and social clues. Now, researchers have shown that the biological clocks of bees can be changed by another surprising factor: temperature cycles inside the hive (蜂巢).
The researchers tried to better understand how bees lived in areas beyond where light entered the hive.They were surprised to find clear temperature fluctuations across the day throughout the hive, which was caused by daylight.
To understand how important this temperature cycle was to a bee's activity, the researchers put bees in total darkness all the time while exposing them to the temperature cycles they observed within the hive. Six days later, the scientists moved the temperature cycle back by six hours. “We saw that the bees changed their activity with the temperature, meaning their daily routines were reactive to temperature,” a researcher said.
The discovery that bees can tell exact time from temperature cycles inside the hive shows that on a cloudy day or when bees aren't going outdoors, they have other means to tell time exactly. This will affect the way that researchers understand, explain and combine what they know of bee behavior.
More broadly, as more extreme weather events occur around the world, bees will face challenges to continuing the activities that keep them and the agriculture they support healthy and energetic. If part of the southern U.S. is hit with an unexpected snowstorm, bees getting ready to search for food might not realize they need to save energy and heat the hive. In the event of a 100-degree day, bees will have to spend a lot of energy keeping the hive co. It is those considerations that will influence hive health or possible hive breakdown.
"We want to see how important this research is this winter in Tennessee，when bees aren't leaving the hive as much," researchers said. "We will be interested to see how our findings apply to zones where temperature varies more greatly across the year." This research will also reshape how researchers think about bees' biological rhythms.
1. What does the underlined word "fluctuations" in paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．Measures. | B．Changes. | C．Approaches. | D．Functions. |
| A．It was carried out at night. | B．It was based on a previous study. |
| C．It analyzed bees' daily routines. | D．It studied how bees react to challenges. |
| A．Significance | B．result | C．process | D．background |
| A．Lights Affect Bees' Biological Clocks | B．Bee Behavior Surprises Researchers |
| C．Bees React Smartly to Extreme Weather | D．Bees Can Tell Time by Temperature |
