1 . Journey Back in Time with Scholars
Classical Provence(13days)Journey through the beautiful countryside of Provence,France,with Prof. Ori Z. Soltes. We will visit some of the best-preserved Roman monuments in the world. Our tour also includes a chance to walk in the footsteps of Van Gogh and Gauguin. Fields of flowers, tile-roofed(瓦屋顶)villages and tasty meals enrich this wonderful experience.
Southern Spain(15days)
Spain has lovely white towns and the scent(芳香)of oranges,but it is also a treasury of ancient remains including the cities left by the Greeks,Romans and Arabs. As we travel south from Madrid with Prof. Ronald Messier to historic Toledo,Roman Merida and into Andalucia, we explore historical monuments and architecture.
China’s Sacred Landscapes(21days)
Discover the China of “past ages,” its walled cities,temples and mountain scenery with Prof. Robert Thorp. Highlights(精彩之处)include China’s most sacred peaks at Mount Tai and Hangzbou’s rolling hills,waterways and peaceful temples. We will wander in traditional small towns and end our tour with an exceptional museum in Shanghai.
Tunisia(17days)
Join Prof. Pedar Foss on our in-depth Tunisian tour. Tour highlights include the Roman city of Dougga,the underground Numidian capital at Bulla Regia, Roman Sbeitla and the remote areas around Tataouine and Matmata,uique for underground cities. Our journey takes us to picturesque Berber villages and lovely beaches.
1. What can visitors see in both Classical Provence and Southern Spain?
A.Historical monuments. | B.Fields of flowers. |
C.Van Gogh’s paintings. | D.Greek buildings. |
A.France. | B.Spain. | C.China. | D.Tunisia. |
A.White towns. | B.Underground cities. | C.Tile-roofed villages. | D.Rolling hills. |
2 . “You can use me as a last resort(选择), and if nobody else volunteers, then I will do it.” This was an actual reply from a parent after I put out a request for volunteers for my kids’ lacrosse(长曲棍球) club.
I guess that there’s probably some demanding work schedule, or social anxiety around stepping up to help for an unknown sport. She may just need a little persuading. So I try again and tug at the heartstrings. I mention the single parent with four kids running the show and I talk about the dad coaching a team that his kids aren’t even on … At this point the unwilling parent speaks up, “Alright. Yes, I’ll do it.”
I’m secretly relieved because I know there’s real power in sharing volunteer responsibilities among many. The unwilling parent organizes the meal schedule, sends out emails, and collects money for end-of-season gifts. Somewhere along the way, the same parent ends up becoming an invaluable member of the team. The coach is able to focus on the kids while the other parents are relieved to be off the hook for another season. Handing out sliced oranges to bloodthirsty kids can be as exciting as watching your own kid score a goal.
Still, most of us volunteers breathe a sigh of relief when the season comes to a close. That relief is coupled with a deep understanding of why the same people keep coming back for more: Connecting to the community(社区) as you freely give your time, money, skills, or services provides a real joy. Volunteering just feels so good.
In that sense, I’m pretty sure volunteering is more of a selfish act than I’d freely like to admit. However, if others benefit in the process, and I get some reward too, does it really matter where my motivation lies?
1. What can we infer about the parent from her reply in paragraph l?A.She knows little about the club. |
B.She isn’t good at sports. |
C.She just doesn’t want to volunteer. |
D.She’s unable to meet her schedule. |
A.Encourage teamwork. |
B.Appeal to feelings. |
C.Promote good deeds. |
D.Provide advice. |
A.She gets interested in lacrosse. |
B.She is proud of her kids. |
C.She’ll work for another season. |
D.She becomes a good helper. |
A.It gives her a sense of duty. |
B.It makes her very happy. |
C.It enables her to work hard. |
D.It brings her material rewards. |
3 . We’ve all been there: in a lift, in line at the bank or on an airplane, surrounded by people who are, like us, deeply focused on their smartphones or, worse, struggling with the uncomfortable silence.
What’s the problem? It’s possible that we all have compromised conversational intelligence. It’s more likely that none of us start a conversation because it’s awkward and challenging, or we think it’s annoying and unnecessary. But the next time you find yourself among strangers, consider that small talk is worth the trouble. Experts say it’s an invaluable social practice that results in big benefits.
Dismissing small talk as unimportant is easy, but we can’t forget that deep relationships wouldn’t
even exist if it weren’t for casual conversation. Small talk is the grease(润滑剂) for social communication, says Bernardo Carducci, director of the Shyness Research Institute at Indiana University Southeast. "Almost every great love story and each big business deal begins with small talk," he explains. "The key to successful small talk is learning how to connect with others, not just communicate with them."
In a 2014 study, Elizabeth Dunn, associate professor of psychology at UBC, invited people on their way into a coffee shop. One group was asked to seek out an interaction(互动) with its waiter; the other, to speak only when necessary. The results showed that those who chatted with their server reported significantly higher positive feelings and a better coffee shop experience. "It’s not that talking to the waiter is better than talking to your husband," says Dunn. "But interactions with peripheral(边缘的) members of our social network matter for our well-being also."
Dunn believes that people who reach out to strangers feel a significantly greater sense of belonging, a bond with others. Carducci believes developing such a sense of belonging starts with small talk. "Small talk is the basis of good manners," he says.
1. What phenomenon is described in the first paragraph?A.Addiction to smartphones. |
B.Inappropriate behaviours in public places. |
C.Absence of communication between strangers. |
D.Impatience with slow service. |
A.Showing good manners. | B.Relating to other people. |
C.Focusing on a topic. | D.Making business deals. |
A.It improves family relationships. | B.It raises people’s confidence. |
C.It matters as much as a formal talk. | D.It makes people feel good. |
A.Conversation Counts | B.Ways of Making Small Talk |
C.Benefits of Small Talk | D.Uncomfortable Silence |
4 . 假定你是李华,你的新西兰朋友Terry将去中国朋友家做客,发邮件向你询问有关习俗。请你回复邮件。内容包括:
(1)到达时间;(2)合适的礼物;
(3)餐桌礼仪。
注意:
1. 词数100左右;
2. 可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。
Few people I know seem to have much desire or time to cook. Making Chinese
While regularly eating out seems to
If you are not going to suffer this problem, then I suggest that the next time you go to your mum’s home
6 . A build-it-yourself solar still(蒸馏器) is one of the best ways to obtain drinking water in areas where the liquid is not readily available. Developed by two doctors in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it’s an excellent water collector. Unfortunately, you must carry the necessary equipment with you, since it’s all but impossible to find natural substitutes. The only components required, though, are a 5'×5' sheet of clear or slightly milky plastic, six feet of plastic tube, and a container— perhaps just a drinking cup — to catch the water. These pieces can be folded into a neat little pack and fastened on your belt.
To construct a working still, use a sharp stick or rock to dig a hole four feet across and three feet deep. Try to make the hole in a damp area to increase the water catcher’s productivity. Place your cup in the deepest part of the hole. Then lay the tube in place so that one end rests all the way in the cup and the rest of the line runs up — and out — the side of the hole.
Next, cover the hole with the plastic sheet, securing the edges of the plastic with dirt and weighting the sheet’s center down with a rock. The plastic should now form a cone(圆锥体) with 45-degree-angled sides. The low point of the sheet must be centered directly over, and no more than three inches above, the cup.
The solar still works by creating a greenhouse under the plastic. Ground water evaporates (蒸发) and collects on the sheet until small drops of water form, run down the material and fall off into the cup. When the container is full, you can suck the refreshment out through the tube, and won’t have to break down the still every time you need a drink.
1. What do we know about the solar still equipment from the first paragraph?A.It’s delicate. | B.It’s expensive. |
C.It’s complex. | D.It’s portable. |
A.The tube. | B.The still. |
C.The hole. | D.The cup. |
A.Dig a hole of a certain size. | B.Put the cup in place. |
C.Weight the sheet’s center down. | D.Cover the hole with the plastic sheet. |
A.the plastic tube | B.outside the hole |
C.the open air | D.beneath the sheet |
7 . The Public Transport Fares in New York
On our website, you can find out how much it costs to ride the subway, bus, Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North in the New York area.
★ Subways and buses
●Fare for most riders on subways and local, limited, and Select Bus Service buses:$2.85.
●Express buses cost $6.85.
More information about subway and bus fares
●Riding the subway costs $2.85 for most riders. People with disabilities or who are 65 or older are qualified for a reduced fare.
●An unlimited ride MetroCard can save you money. It gives you unlimited rides for a certain length of time.
●MetroCards cost $1. All cards except for the Single Ride card are refillable (可充值的).
●Up to three children under 44 inches tall ride for free when they are with a fare-paying adult.
●You pay the fare at turnstiles (旋转闸门) before you aboard the train. You don’t have to do anything afterwards.
★ Railroads: LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) and Metro-North
●Fares vary based on when and where you are travelling.
●Buying tickets on your phone is the most convenient option.
More information about railroad fares
●Peak (高峰的) fares are charged during business rush hours on any weekday train scheduled to arrive in New York City terminals between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. or depart New York City terminals between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. On Metro-North trains, peak fares also apply to travel on any weekday train that leaves Grand Central Station between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.
●Off-peak fares are charged at all other times on weekdays, all day on Saturday and Sunday, and on holidays.
●Use our trip planner to find fare information. Get schedules and directions and see whether a trip is during peak or off-peak hours.
1. How much might a subway trip cost a 68-year-old man with two children under 44 inches tall?A.$2.35. | B.$2.85. | C.$5.70. | D.$6.85. |
A.A weekday train leaving Grand Central Station at 10 pm. |
B.A weekday train leaving Grand Central Station at 7 am. |
C.A weekday train departing New York City terminals at 9 pm. |
D.A weekday train departing New York City terminals at 8:30 am. |
A.To know special offers. | B.To leave your advice. |
C.To check fare information. | D.To book a train ticket. |
8 . Monthly Talks at London Canal Museum
Our monthly talks start at 19:30 on the first Thursday of each month except August. Admission is at normal charges and you don’t need to book. They end around 21:00.
November 7th
The Canal Pioneers, by Chris Lewis. James Brindley is recognized as one of the leading early canal engineers. He was also a major player in training others in the art of canal planning and building. Chris Lewis will explain how Brindley made such a positive contribution to the education of that group of early “civil engineers”.
December 5th
Ice for the Metropolis, by Malcolm Tucker. Well before the arrival of freezers, there was a demand for ice for food preservation and catering, Malcolm will explain the history of importing natural ice and the technology of building ice wells, and how London’s ice trade grew.
February 6th
An Update on the Cotsword Canals, by Liz Payne. The Stroudwater Canal is moving towards reopening. The Thames and Severn Canal will take a little longer. We will have a report on the present state of play.
March 6th
Eyots and Aits-Thames Islands, by Miranda Vickers. The Thames had many islands. Miranda has undertaken a review of all of them. She will tell us about those of greatest interest.
Online bookings:www.canalmuseum.org.uk/book
More into:www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson
London Canal Museum
12-13 New Wharf Road, London NI 9RT
www.canalmuseum.org.uk www.canalmuseum.mobi
Tel:020 77130836
1. When is the talk on James Brindley?A.February 6th. | B.December 5th. |
C.November 7th. | D.March 6th. |
A.The Canal Pioneers. | B.An Update on the Cotsword Canals |
C.Eyots and Aits-Thames Islands | D.Ice for the Metropolis |
A.Miranda Vickers | B.Malcolm Tucker |
C.Chris Lewis | D.Liz Payne |
9 . A Game of Light and Shade
It was a sunny day. I had gone up and down the tower when, outside the door at the foot, a blind man came toward me. In a moment, he disappeared up the stairs. I looked at the sign that said “To the Tower”, and decided to
I caught up with him in the ticket office. There I was
“That man is blind. What would a blind man climb up the tower for?” I said to the attendant, expecting him to show some
“Not the
I bought a ticket and
At last, after ten minutes, I
He smiled. “Coming up the stairs, you will notice how not just light but sun
The blind man seemed quite
A.accept | B.follow | C.control | D.visit |
A.frightened | B.disappointed | C.surprised | D.embarrassed |
A.touching | B.climbing | C.hitting | D.covering |
A.pointing | B.attaching | C.contributing | D.leading |
A.respect | B.doubt | C.concern | D.sympathy |
A.view | B.test | C.prize | D.trick |
A.kick | B.jump | C.relax | D.escape |
A.struggled | B.explored | C.wandered | D.hurried |
A.promised | B.examined | C.imagined | D.confirmed |
A.steps | B.words | C.secrets | D.cheers |
A.standard | B.distance | C.expense | D.intention |
A.ahead | B.around | C.outside | D.behind |
A.recognized | B.surrounded | C.approached | D.witnessed |
A.why | B.how | C.when | D.whether |
A.knocks | B.pours | C.slides | D.bursts |
A.trend | B.reaction | C.change | D.honor |
A.light | B.space | C.mess | D.shade |
A.place | B.signal | C.object | D.period |
A.nervous | B.content | C.curious | D.patient |
A.unless | B.because | C.once | D.although |
10 . At a young age, Darrius Simmons fell in love with the piano. As he watched others play, he was
“I decided at age 10 that I wanted to learn how to play the piano,
The Warren, Ohio teenager was born with a genetic
Simmons knew he would have to
The now 18-year-old not only learned how to play and read music but also began composing.
His mother, Tamara Simmons, isn’t surprised by Darrius’
From mastering music to beating
A.frightened | B.amazed | C.interested | D.disturbed |
A.challenge | B.opportunity | C.fortune | D.trouble |
A.while | B.but | C.and | D.therefore |
A.more | B.much | C.fewer | D.less |
A.surprised | B.worried | C.sure | D.glad |
A.condition | B.environment | C.situation | D.tendency |
A.one | B.two | C.three | D.five |
A.encourage | B.prevent | C.remove | D.change |
A.actions | B.roads | C.instructions | D.passions |
A.reach | B.repair | C.remove | D.clean |
A.adopt | B.abandon | C.develop | D.change |
A.by | B.in | C.through | D.on |
A.support | B.run | C.operate | D.work |
A.why | B.because | C.when | D.whether |
A.easy | B.tough | C.funny | D.stupid |
A.ideas | B.creations | C.difficulties | D.achievements |
A.kind | B.determined | C.talented | D.generous |
A.spiritual | B.mental | C.physical | D.emotional |
A.please | B.persuade | C.inspire | D.cheer |
A.partner | B.symbol | C.aim | D.motivation |