1 . The Most Beautiful Train Stations in the World
Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building
The wide-open entrance square on the Marunouchi side of Tokyo’s main train station would look more at home in Amsterdam or Paris. Kingo Tatsuno’s classical European design took over six years to complete, finally opening in 1914. The statin has received several facelifts since the Second World War, most recently in 2012. It’s one of the biggest and busiest train stations in the world.
Beijing West Railway Station
The idea of building this station in the capital of China was put forward as early as 1959 but didn’t come to reality until 1996. It was the largest station in Asia at the time, although Shanghai’s Hongqiao Station has since surpassed it. The station itself has a unique architectural (建筑的) style, with the main body of the building having quite a functional Russian look, but the rooftop is decorated with three amazing Chinese pagodas.
Duoliang Station, Taiwan
This is the smallest station on this lit by a distance. In fact we’re not really choosing Duoliang for architectural reasons. This station is all about location, location, location. Surrounded by hi top greenery on one side and amazing Pacific Ocean scenery on the other, it’s one of the most scenic spots in all of Taiwan. This isn’t even a working station anymore, but the platforms have been adapted into viewing spots, extremely popular with local train spotters.
Stazione Milano Centrale in Milan
Milan’s central train station looks pretty much exactly as you’d imagine it. There are a mix of styles at play here, from Art Nouveau to Art Deco, but the entire building is filled with a classic sense of Roman monumentality. The outer look is guarded by two statues, while its insides are equally impressive, as grand stonewalls curve (弯曲) into the station’s glass ceilings.
1. What do Tokyo Station and Beijing West Railway Station have in common?| A．Both have European features. |
| B．Both were built in the early 1990s. |
| C．Both have been rebuilt several times. |
| D．Both are the largest domestic stations. |
| A．Its distance. | B．Its small size. |
| C．Its surrounding scenery. | D．Its architectural style. |
| A．Roman buildings | B．Its various styles. |
| C．Statues on the walls | D．The curving ceilings. |
2 . This is the time when we start thinking of travel plans for the coming holiday. Will we go back to our old favorites? Try somewhere new? The following list will give you fresh ideas of where to stay.
Matca, Transylvania (Romania)
Matca, which means “queen bee” in Romanian, is a nickname for the hotel. Transylvania’s rural landscapes have long been a favorite of those in the know — the UK’s royal family has a house two hours north — and hilltop Matca renews its 16 rooms with the spirit of Romanian traditions, from hand carved beds to traditional carpets over the floorboard. Expected to be open in March.
Maria, Helsinki (Finland)
The Maria has been the first choice for Helsinki travelers since it met the public last month, with its “spa suites” plus private saunas (桑拿) or steam rooms. The hotel sits across four protected buildings dating back to 1885, and as such the look is modern classic, with plenty of copper and iron gray and big windows to let as much of that light as possible into the supersized rooms.
Casa Lucia, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Though Argentina looks set to be entering a period of financial uncertainty in 2024, this new Buenos Aires hotel is looking for new ideas by turning to the city’s golden age a century ago. Featuring “royal suites” and opening soon in April in the Edificio Mihanovich, a skyscraper in the Retiro district, the Casa Lucia is an upgraded version of the former Sofitel.
The Leinster, Dublin (Ireland)
For all too long, there’s only been room for one famous hotel on Dublin’s Merrion Square. The Leinster is about to change that. Opening next month, it’s bringing an almost Kit Kemp style of boutique chic (精品时尚) to the historic square, with lively patterned headboards brightening the modern rooms. The other hotel on the square — The Merrion — had better look to its laurels.
1. Which hotel is already receiving guests?| A．Matca. | B．Maria. | C．Casa Lucia. | D．The Leinster. |
| A．They face financial uncertainties. |
| B．They draw inspiration from the past. |
| C．They are famous among royal families. |
| D．They are single buildings in rural areas. |
| A．Stay calm and optimistic. |
| B．Stick to the original look. |
| C．Try not to lose its advantage. |
| D．Look up to the newcomer. |
3 . The year 2023 witnessed the occurrence of significant cultural events, with culture and tourism becoming even more closely connected. Let’s review the major cultural events of 2023 as we bid farewell to the year and embrace the new year of 2024!
Museum visits rise in popularity in summer
Tourists were seen queuing for long hours in front of museums and obtaining entrance tickets became more challenging. In response to the growing demand, 46 museums in Beijing canceled their customary Monday closures and remained open daily until August 31. The rise in “museum fever” can be credited to various factors, including the public’s increasing enthusiasm for traditional Chinese culture, the booming market for youth educational tours and summer camps, as well as the continuous innovation of museums.
Old tea forests in Pu’er win World Heritage Site title
The newly named heritage site, located in Lancang Lahu autonomous county in Pu’er, Yunnan province, consists of five large-scale, well-preserved old tea forests, which stand 1,250 to 1,500 meters above the sea level, three protective barrier forests, and nine ancient villages in the old tea forests, which are mainly inhabited by Blang and Dai ethnic groups. The cultural landscape was jointly created by the ancestors of the Blang people—who immigrated to the Jingmai Mountain in the 10th century AD and later discovered and domesticated wild tea trees—and the native Dai people.
Protection plan released for Beijing’s Central Axis
The plan is said to be one of the necessary steps toward bidding for UNESCO World Heritage status. Alongside regulations on the protection of the Central Axis carried out earlier, the plan is in line with the requirements of World Heritage conservation. The 21 member countries of the World Heritage Committee will decide on whether Beijing’s Central Axis can be added to the World Heritage List at the committee’s 46th annual conference in 2024. If the application succeeds, it will reinforce Beijing’s top position among cities worldwide by number of World Heritage Sites.
1. Which of the following is NOT the reason for the rise in “museum fever”?| A．Museums’ ceaseless innovation. |
| B．The constant innovation of summer camps. |
| C．The growing market for youth educational tours. |
| D．People’s growing passion for traditional Chinese culture. |
| A．46 museums in Beijing stayed open all year round. |
| B．The Blang people are the natives in Jingmai Mountain. |
| C．The heritage site in Pu’er consists of four large old tea forests. |
| D．Beijing’s Central Axis hasn’t been added to the World Heritage List yet. |
| A．Wonders of the Natural World | B．Scientific Exploration |
| C．Chinese Culture Research | D．Art and Architecture |
4 . The Best Writing Contests of 2024
Kentucky Visions Short Story Contest
The Kentucky Visions Short Story Contest, an annual contest, is designed to highlight Kentucky’s rich literary talent and celebrate the best in short fiction written by Kentuckians or about our beloved Bluegrass State.
Top prize Best entry: $500
Entry requirements
Fee: FREEDeadline March 31, 2024
Fiction Factory Flash Fiction
This is an international competition—we welcome entries from around the world. Maximum word count: 1,000, Stories may be on any theme. Entries must be previously unpublished. Results will be announced by April 2024. Minimum age: 16 years. Children’s compositions cannot be accepted sadly.
Top prize Best entry: £500
Entry requirements
Fee: FREEDeadline March 31, 2024
Journalism Competition 2024
What are the most important issues taking place close to home? Perhaps a rare bird sighting near your town? Or a band of young people in your province fighting for access to higher education? This month, involve yourself in a newsworthy event inside the borders of your own country, and invite us there through your written reporting.
Top prize Best entry: $100
Entry requirements
Fee: FREEDeadline July 22, 2024
Poetry & Spoken Word Competition 2024
“Poetry lays the foundations for a future of change,” wrote Audre Lorde. This month, sow your own seeds of change into poetry, or else write and perform an original piece of spoken word(poetry performed aloud). We’ll award two top prizes-one for a written poem, and one for a recorded performance.
Top prize Best entry: $100
Entry requirements
Fee: FREEDeadline May 27, 2024
1. Which contest accepts entries both at home and abroad?
| A．Kentucky Visions Short Story Contest. | B．Fiction Factory Flash Fiction. |
| C．Journalism Competition 2024. | D．Poetry&-Spoken Word Competition 2024. |
| A．It offers two first prizes. | B．It only requests written compositions. |
| C．It provides the highest awards. | D．It inspires students to perform actively. |
| A．To compare some writing contests. | B．To recommend good writing contests. |
| C．To share tips on winning writing contests. | D．To remind students to enter writing contests. |
5 . Hotels Where Wild Animals Wander Free
Check in to one of these hotels where wild animals wander free, and you could be sharing your breakfast table with giraffes, relaxing poolside with elephants, or viewing out from your hotel room window penguins.
Makanyane Safari Lodge
Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa
Located within the Madikwe Game Reserve, the Makanyane Safari Lodge offers guests up close views of the surrounding bush and the wildlife that resides within it. The suites have floor- to-ceiling glass windows perfect for watching passing elephants, and the main lodge is conveniently located next to a water hole visited by a variety of wildlife.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort
Orlando, Florida
A stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort in Orlando will feel more like a visit to Africa than Florida. Take a walk around the grounds, and you’re likely to spot more than 30 species of African wildlife. The lodge is home to 200 resident animals and birds, including gazelles, flamingos, zebras, and giraffes.
Giraffe Manor
Nairobi, Kenya
This hotel outside of Nairobi lets you get up close and personal with Rothschild giraffes. The original place was built in 1932 and has served as a giraffe shelter since the 1970s. Today, Giraffe Manor has six bedrooms and offers guests the chance to share their breakfast table with the eight resident giraffes. All of the hotel’s profits go to support the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife.
Sea Lion Lodge
Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands
Despite the name, it isn’t sea lions you should look out for here: A group of Gentoo penguins has been known to set up camp next to Sea Lion Lodge, a comfortable 3-star hotel in the Falkland Islands. Aside from penguin spotting, the lodge offers expansive views of the South Atlantic Ocean where nothing but water separates you from Antarctica.
1. In which hotel can you view elephants through the windows?| A．Makanyane Safari Lodge. | B．Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. |
| C．Giraffe Manor. | D．Sea Lion Lodge. |
| A．It offers guests free breakfasts. | B．It is home to varieties of wildlife. |
| C．It has been doing charity for wildlife. | D．It provides a stay like a visit to Africa. |
| A．Giraffes. | B．Penguins. | C．Sea lions. | D．Elephants. |
6 . Last week my four-year-old son Basti and I went for a walk in a park.
That evening, I came across a community post from a (n)
The next morning, I had to break the
The lovely toy was returned. Feeling unhappy, yet I thought we had made a good
| A．Climbing | B．Crashing | C．Noticing | D．Approaching |
| A．found | B．bought | C．mentioned | D．recognized |
| A．brief | B．shallow | C．amazing | D．familiar |
| A．bed | B．dining-room | C．workshop | D．kitchen |
| A．awkward | B．anxious | C．energetic | D．frightened |
| A．damaged | B．lost | C．rented | D．stolen |
| A．happy | B．angry | C．excited | D．concerned |
| A．calmed | B．invited | C．contacted | D．comforted |
| A．news | B．effect | C．cup | D．letter |
| A．contributing | B．holding | C．painting | D．washing |
| A．borrowed | B．hid | C．loved | D．needed |
| A．accept | B．recover | C．return | D．keep |
| A．plan | B．contribution | C．promise | D．decision |
| A．quickly | B．slightly | C．fortunately | D．actually |
| A．pulled up | B．cheered up | C．responded to | D．belonged to |
7 . South Africa does have a calendar filled with more festivals than most people can think of. In fact, many of these festivals have won international popularity.
Aardklop Arts Festival
Every year during the last week of September, the southern region of the northwest province prepares itself for one of the country’s greatest cultural festivals. Held in the university town of Potchefstroom with its thousands of students, it offers a five-day feast of classical music, jazz, hard rock, visual arts, poetry and more, ending with the “OppiAarde” rock festival on the final day.
Grahamstown National Arts Festival
At the end of June each year Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape is transformed into one huge happening for a period of 11 days, when the Grahamstown National Arts Festival gets underway. It’ s a national phenomenon of arts. The festival offers more than 500 shows from opera, drama and jazz to stand-up comics and folk music.
Arts Alive International Festival
The Arts Alive International Festival , held in Johannesburg every September since 1992, is an annual festival of music, dance, theatre and performance-poetry. Over 600 artists take part in the four-day festival, which consists of a musical feast, dance performances and events , poetry readings , theatrical productions, and workshops. The festival ends with the popular “Jazz on the Lake“ held on the final day.
Cape Town Jazz Festival
Since its birth in the year 2000, the Cape Town Jazz Festival has grown into a successful international event. Arguably the best jazz festival in Africa, it takes place in Cape Town every last weekend in March. It features around 40 international and local artists. Performances are held on stages in exhibition halls throughout Cape Town, including one free , open-air show.
1. Which festival lasts the shortest?| A．Aardklop Arts Festival. | B．Cape Town Jazz Festival. |
| C．Arts Alive International Festival. | D．Grahamstown National Arts Festival, |
| A．Potchefstroom. | B．Grahamstown. | C．Johannesburg. | D．Cape Town. |
| A．Enjoy music. | B．Taste cuisine. |
| C．Appreciate drama. | D．Experience local customs. |
A businessman stops to cut a rose at a garden for his daughter, Bella. But a
Bella has to go to his castle
A wise and wealthy man bought a beautiful house with a huge garden. However, not all people
One fine day, the wise man woke up in a good mood (情绪). He opened the gate and a big bag full of garbage
10 . The West Philadelphia Tool Library
Who are we?
The West Philadelphia Tool Library (WPTL) lends tools to community members so they can perform simple home repairing tasks, tend their yards and gardens, build furniture, start projects, and learn new skills in a safe and affordable manner.
Where are we?
We are on the west side of S. 47th Street about 200 feet south of Woodland Avenue.
WPTL open hours
Monday through Thursday: 5:30 pm-8:30 pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 pm-3:00 pm
Become a member
To join the Tool Library, stop by during hours of operation to complete the application, or join today by completing the on-line application.
After joining, but before you borrow your first tools, we will ask you to show us two forms of identification, including one that is a government-issued ID photo (like a driver’s license) and one that includes your current address. We also ask you for the names and phone numbers of two references (担保人), who know you well and who could guarantee your reliability in returning tools timely.
Your membership application is not complete until you pay your membership fees. We ask that you pay between $20 and $50 per year based on your income. Consider becoming a Lifetime Member for $400 if you can afford it. The money you pay will help the Tool Library buy more tools that you can borrow.
1. What can we know about the West Philadelphia Tool Library?| A．It collects tools from the locals. | B．It helps the locals repair their tools. |
| C．It provides the locals with a tool lending service. | D．It sells garden tools to local community members. |
| A．At 10:00 am on Tuesday. | B．At 6:00 pm on Wednesday. |
| C．At 9:00 pm on Friday. | D．At 8:30 am over the weekend. |
| A．Complete the application. | B．Visit it during hours of operation. |
| C．Hand in the application in person. | D．Supply WPTL with some tools. |
