1 . It’s Community Day again!
The event that Map le Estate residents are eagerly looking forward to is just around the corner! As usual, the Map le Residents’ Committee has planned a programme that is designed to promote community spirit. Maple Estate has been celebrating Community Day every month for more than a year. By now, we hope all our residents understand the importance of forming strong bonds with our neighbours. If you have just moved to our lovely estate and have not had the opportunity to know your neighbours, you can do so by joining at Community Day!
August Highlight: Map le Estate Chefs Call all residents who are keen to practice your cooking skills and let your neighbours sample your cooking! You will be the stars of the upcoming event! Visit www.maplerc.sg for more information and to register for this activity. Kitchen equipment and basic ingredients will be provided. You will receive a $50 shopping voucher that you can use to purchase other ingredients from MapleMart the day before the event. Remember to register before 21 July, 2024! We are sure everyone will enjoy the delicious dishes! Time: From 10 a.m.to 6 p.m,6 Aug.,2024 Place: Maple Community Club Entry: Flash your Maple Resident Card |
“My wife and I moved to Maple Estate when we got married. For a few months, we spent all our free time after work doing up our house. Even though we knew that our neighbours were friendly and would sometimes invite us for their gatherings, we were occupied with getting things ready. However, it wasn’t long before we grew curious about the Community Day celebrations. After we started attending them regularly, we met many neighbours. The first time we invited some of them over, we played games that helped us to get to know one another better!”
—Mr. Wang, a Maple Estate resident since 2022
1. What do the Community Day events aim to do?| A．To teach how to cook meals. | B．To develop community spirit. |
| C．To meet diverse needs of neighbours. | D．To make the community cleaner. |
| A．To sign up before 21 July , 2024. | B．To provide basic ingredients. |
| C．To use your own kitchen equipment. | D．To pay a registration fee of $50. |
| A．they spent all their time at work |
| B．they weren’t invited for the gatherings |
| C．they were busy beautifying their home |
| D．they lacked information about the community |
2 . Welcome to the California Science Center
Here is a guide to the California Science Center.
Accessibility Services & FacilitiesWe are committed to breaking down any barrier to access. If you have questions about accessibility, please call us at (213) 744-2019 or contact us online or stop by our Information Desk just inside the main entrance.
Sensory & Mobility ConsiderationsLight, noise and crowds vary widely throughout the building. Please feel free to bring your own noise-canceling headphones or other calming items. All spaces in the center are wheelchair accessible. All floors are accessible by elevator or stairs.
● Parking & RestroomsAccessible parking spaces are available on the three floors of the Science Center parking lot. Accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is $15 per vehicle.
All the restrooms here are wheelchair accessible. Private family style restrooms are available upon request, please see any Guest Services Host.
● Wheelchairs & Service AnimalsStandard manual wheelchairs are available for free at the Information Desk, used inside the California Science Center.
Service dogs trained to do work or perform specific tasks for a guest with a disability are welcome in all of the Science Center spaces. Emotional animals and pets are not permitted.
Language & Communication Considerations● Language Assistance
Our Bilingual (双语的) Guest Services and Education staff members wear buttons indicating languages in which they are fluent. In addition, the Information Desk offers maps in six different languages.
● Audio GuidesAudio guides in both English and Spanish are often available for special exhibits. For special exhibits with audio guides, transcripts are available at the entrance to the exhibit upon request.
Click here for more information about the center. We want every guest to participate equally in the excitement of experiencing science!
1. How many ways to inquire about accessibility in the California Science Center are mentioned?| A．3. | B．4. | C．5. | D．6. |
| A．It is unfriendly to the disabled. | B．Its parking spaces vary in price. |
| C．It offers multi-language service | D．It allows emotional pets to enter. |
| A．A web page. | B．A news report. |
| C．A science textbook. | D．An academic paper. |
3 . Four Unique Festivals In Europe
Anything that exists or doesn’t exist can be the main theme of one of Europe’s festivals. Add excitement to your future travel plans with these unusual events.
Battle of the Oranges, Ivrea, ItalyEvery year on the third week of February, the Italian town of Ivrea turns into a battlefield filled with oranges, where participants launch 600, 000 kilograms of oranges at each other during the historic carnival of the city. According to history, the Battle of the Oranges aimed to reconstruct a 12th-century battle between the locals and Napoleon’s royal army.
Air Guitar World Championships, Oulu, FinlandAnyone can try to play the guitar, but it takes a special talent to play an invisible guitar. Every August, musical instrument artists from all over the world flock to northern Finland, putting their best onstage “shamelessly” with their invisible instruments to compete for the event. Held in conjunction with the Oulu Music Video Festival, this contest since 1996 has been aiming to promote world peace.
Running of the Bulls, Pamplona, SpainThis internationally recognized event, which starts on July 7th, has grown massively. It originated from men using fear and excitement to hurry the process of taking cattle to market. Nowadays the event is a lot more organized, and thousands now run through a barricaded (设路障的) course being chased by a thundering herd of bulls!
Kettlewell Scarecrow (稻草人) Festival, Kettlewell, BritainIn medieval times, farmers in England would often make unique human dolls out of straw to chase away fierce animals and birds, and place them in the fields to protect the crops. Later, this tradition gradually evolved into this national farmers’ festival. For two weeks in August, a variety of activities have emerged, including the finely crafted scarecrow production, and competing for the champion in the competition.
1. Which festival has its origin related with a war in history?| A．Battle of the Oranges. | B．Air Guitar World Championships. |
| C．Running of the Bulls. | D．Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival. |
| A．It is intended to appeal to special talents onstage. |
| B．Its participants perform with imaginary instruments. |
| C．Its participants are limited to people in northern Finland. |
| D．It provides participants with specially-made instruments. |
| A．They take place at the same time. | B．They share the similar celebrations. |
| C．They originated from traditional practice. | D．They showed the abundance of the locals. |
4 . Dublin is one of Europe’s smaller capital cities, but it has an outsized number of places to see. Here’s a decent sampling of the great attractions that await when you come to Dublin to play.
National Gallery of Ireland
Ireland is a country known for its literary contributions, but don’t overlook its contributions to the artistic world. It houses a number of works by Rembrandt, Goya and Monet. The collection’s 15,000 Irish and European works date from the 13th to mid-20th centuries and include paintings, prints and national portraits (肖像). Particularly prized is the Yeats Collection, consisting of works and other materials related to Irish painter Jack B. Yeats, brother of poet and playwright W. B. Yeats.
Ha’penny Bridge
This modest cast-iron bridge over the River Liffey has become the symbol of Dublin, with its wonderful design and old-fashioned lampposts. Before it became a tourist attraction,
Ha’Penny Bridge was a welcome addition for local people. Before its construction, most of them had to ferry (摆渡) across the river. When it was built in 1816, Ha’penny Bridge was the first iron bridge across the Liffey.
Dublin Castle
You’re in Europe. It’s hard to resist a good castle. And you have one right in the heart of Dublin. And like all good castles, it has a storied history—from its start in the 1200s on the site of a Viking settlement to 1922, when it was handed over to the new Irish government after independence from the United Kingdom. A fire in 1684 damaged a good bit of the castle, and in reconstruction, parts of it took on the look of a Georgian palace, making for an interesting mix of styles today.
St. Stephen’s Green
As a treasured part of the city for centuries, the park, which is in the heart of Dublin, has important sculptures of major figures in Irish history and well-maintained Victorian grounds in the center. A variety of trees line the perimeter (周边) to help block city noise, and it’s a haven for birds as well as people.
1. What can visitors see in National Gallery of Ireland?| A．W. B. Yeats’ collection of poems. |
| B．Works about painter Jack B. Yeats. |
| C．Over 15,000 European literary works. |
| D．Irish paintings dating from the 11th century. |
| A．Attracting foreign visitors. | B．Offering shelter to ferrymen. |
| C．Replacing a cast-iron bridge. | D．Helping people cross a river. |
| A．They feature a variety of rare birds. |
| B．They are not well-maintained at present. |
| C．They are located in the center of Dublin. |
| D．They take on the look of a Georgian palace. |
5 . While there are many summer programs for high school students in NYC, the Career Edge, an NYU high school summer program, affords students an exceptional college and career readiness experience. It has served thousands of high school students from around the world in exploring career paths and experiencing what it is like to live on the NYU campus and learn at a well-known university.
Program overview
The program offers you the chance to explore a career path before you declare it as a college major. Many students choose to attend multiple weeks, taking a different course each session.
Academic experience
The courses focus on the content that provides a comprehensive overview of your area of interest. Field trips to related companies and organizations bring what you learn in class to life.
NYC experience
Living and learning in NYC is an unforgettable adventure. You’ll dive deep into the course content that immerses you in industry, while enjoying the culture and excitement of the city.
Students’ feedback
Tony: The Finance class was great. We explored Wall Street, visited Federal Hall and the Museum of American Finance, and learned how to trade stocks. The instructor made the course interesting and entertaining.
Ava: The Integrated Marketing class was very informative. The instructor was a real professional. Visits to digital agencies and marketing firms gave me an insider’s view of what it’s like to work in the field.
1. Who is the program intended for?| A．College students. | B．Primary school students. |
| C．Junior middle school students. | D．Senior high school students. |
| A．Learn American history. | B．Set up new organizations. |
| C．Visit some places in NYC. | D．Work in a foreign company. |
| A．It’s costly. | B．It’s boring. | C．It’s ordinary. | D．It’s wonderful. |
6 . College. It means that you are finally going to leave your parents’ nest and experience a lot of personal freedom and independence. You’ll wear whatever you want. You’ll make new friends. And you are definitely ready to enjoy your time in “paradise”.
However, college might be different than you have considered. When an English speaking contest was held in Beijing, about two-thirds of the 62 college students recalled their frustrations about their life in college.
Many of them said they didn’t know what they were supposed to do in college. “Most of the time, I lingered around in my dorm, idling hours and hours away, watching entertainment shows or soap operas on the Internet, or chatting with roommates, ”Huang Xuan, 23, from Guangxi University, said of his first two years of college life.
However, one day his mum asked him about his future plans after college. It was then that he realised his future would be ruined if he kept up such self-indulgence.
Li Yan, 20, from Shenzhen University, suffered a loss of not being one of the “marked” students. She was neither the chairman of the Student Union nor the one with the highest scholarship. Sun Tingting, 21, from Suzhou University of Science and Technology, dominated all the exams with the highest scores, but she felt confused because when she was free, she could think of nothing else to do and no one else to talk to. Zhang Xin, 19, from Beijing Foreign Studies University, began to re- examine what “college” means after she noticed many graduates from elite schools ending up in a job that does not pay well. “Our future is not guaranteed by our college, but rather by how we reshape ourselves in college.”
“Young people are experiencing ‘growing pains’,” said Li Fang, a mental health consultant. In the process of self-discovery, she thinks many Chinese young people suffer more than their peers in the West. Their independence comes much later. They are so used to relying on their parents that when independence suddenly comes in college, it can be difficult.
“Relax,“ Li advised. “This is part of growing up.”
1. The underlined expression “idling hours and hours away” in paragraph 3 can be replaced by “________”.| A．killing time | B．making use of time |
| C．saving time | D．valuing time |
| A．They are no longer the “best” students. |
| B．They have no friends to talk to in their spare time. |
| C．They have trouble communicating with their parents. |
| D．They realise that good college doesn’t guarantee a good job. |
| A．They often abandon themselves to watching TV or shows on the Internet. |
| B．They are accustomed to counting on their parents before coming to college. |
| C．They have never left their parents’ nests. |
| D．They are definitely ready to enjoy their time in college. |
| A．Learn from their peers in the West. |
| B．Consult a psychologist. |
| C．Relax and consider this as part of growing up. |
| D．Stop relying on their parents and learn to take responsibility. |
7 . Listed below are some nice family-friendly museums in Chicago, pick one that interests your kids most and take your little ones there to have fun.
Shedd Aquarium (水族馆)
It was open to the public on May 30th, 1930. Visitors with limited movement can use easy slopes (斜坡) to reach the exhibits, which are also explained to children through an app.Families can spend the night in the aquarium during the special event called Asleep with the Fishes.
Elmhurst History Museum
It’s a museum about history that has won awards and was created in 1957. It shows different exhibits about many history-related subjects, has a fun interactive exhibit about its own history, and offers various public programs, tours of exhibits, and special events for the community. The museum is a fantastic place for families to visit for a day or two, and it even has places for picnics and holiday train journeys.
Chicago Children’s Museum
Founded in 1982, the museum displays impressive exhibits for children, featuring dinosaur bones, a play area only for babies and a famous and fun climbing area for children.Moreover, the museum offers various exhibitions and daily art classes for children, which are free of charge. Visiting the museum on the weekend is a good choice for economical family amusement.
Field Museum of Natural History
With millions of things in its store, it was established in 1893. Disco ver more than 4billion years of life on Earth through interesting displays and interactive events, and discover protection campaigns worldwide. It is now considered as famous as the Smithsonian Institution, established in 1846 in Washington, and the American Museum of Natural History, which originated in 1869 in New York.
1. What is special about the Shedd Aquarium for family visitors?| A．They can go on a picnic there. |
| B．They can sleep overnight there. |
| C．They can surf the Internet. |
| D．They can learn the history of Chicago. |
| A．Have discounts on holidays. | B．Watch dolphins’ exhibitions. |
| C．Take a fun climb. | D．Take free art classes on an app. |
| A．Shedd Aquarium. | B．ElmhurstHistoryMuseum. |
| C．Chicago Children’s Museum. | D．Field Museum of Natural History. |
8 . Top Chinese Restaurants in the Greater Seattle Area
Dumpling Generation
As the name implies, baskets of steamed dumplings are the move here. The wrappers are hand-rolled—not too thin or thick—and the fillings are savory and juicy. Ifyou prefer a strong taste, get the dumplings that include Chinese chives (韭菜), which have large, flat leaves that aren’t afraid to announce their presence.
Xi’an Noodles
Biang biang noodles take their name from the satisfying sound you hear when chefs slap dough (面团) on the counter. The impact creates the specialty noodles of the northwest Chinese city of Xi’an. These chewy, hand-ripped noodles center in most dishes on the menu. Order them as a soup,or as a bowl tossed with spicy cumin (孜然) lamb or just some chili hot oil.
Friendship BBQ
The Northeastern-Chinese-style grilled baroque restaurant is actually the Seattle branch of a New York-based chain. Meats and seafood come coated in a cumin-forward seasoning with your choice of spice level. Don’t miss the side dishes, including the garlic eggplant, which is roasted until the flesh is covered with a garlic sauce. Despite its authentic taste, you’ll constantly be wowed by its cool new recipes. That’s probably what sets it apart in the Chinese food scene.
Imperial Garden
The dim sum menu contains all the favorites and any extras make great takeaway. But Imperial Garden’s star remains the Peking Roast Duck—shaved pieces of meat topped with long narrow pieces of shiny duck skin,served with steamed pancakes. While the restaurant uses white tablecloths and is spacious enough to accommodate large banquets, the vibe (氛围) isn’t formal.
1. What do Dumpling Generation and Xi’an Noodles have in common?| A．Steamed foods. | B．Plain taste. |
| C．Handmade dishes. | D．Northwestern origin. |
| A．It’s not locally owned. | B．It has innovative spirit. |
| C．It features roasted dishes. | D．It has casual atmosphere. |
| A．Imperial Garden. | B．Dumpling Generation. |
| C．Friendship BBQ. | D．Xi’an Noodles. |
9 . The Walt Disney Company turns 100 years old in 2023, and the whole world will celebrate its stories, characters and imagination — but only Philly’s Franklin Institute will house Disney 100: The Exhibition.
Making its world debut (首秀) right here in Philadelphia, the exhibition takes guests behind the scenes into the magical world of Disney at what’s sure to be one of the region’s must-see exhibitions of 2023.
When to Visit
From February 18 to August 27, 2023
What to Expect
Disney 100: The Exhibition features 10 large galleries, each with a distinct theme relating to the history of the House of Mouse, celebrating the classics from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Strange World.
The Walt Disney Archives (档案馆) is displaying its treasures, including more than 250 of its “Crown Jewels”, rarely seen artworks, costumes and other memorabilia (纪念品).
Admission & Tickets
Tickets to Disney 100: The Exhibition are on sale now, and guests have several options when it comes to experiencing the Disney magic.
Folks looking to visit in the daytime (9 am to 5 pm) can buy timed tickets for $45 (adults) and $41 (children aged 3-11). The best part: General museum admission to the rest of the Franklin Institute is included in the cost.
Looking to save on tickets? Consider visiting during the exhibition’s evening hours, which run from 5 pm to 8 pm from Thursdays to Saturdays. Tickets run $25 per person and do not include admission to the rest of the museum.
For maximum flexibility, consider picking up Flex Time Tickets, which allow exhibition access for any time. These run $61 per person and must be purchased in person at the Franklin Institute or over the phone.
Location & Contact
The Franklin Institute 271N. 21st Street Philadelphia, PA 19103(215)448-1200
1. What can guests do at the exhibition?| A．Watch a new Disney movie. | B．Try on different Disney costumes. |
| C．Create artworks about Disney characters. | D．Learn about the history of the House of Mouse. |
| A．They are available at a low price. | B．They can help avoid a long wait. |
| C．They can be bought over the phone. | D．They include general museum costs. |
| A．$50. | B．$131. | C．$90. | D．$86. |
10 . Jamil Jan Kochai, the author of 99 Nights in Logar, searched for more than a decade for Susan Lung — the second-grade teacher who had changed his life over 20 years earlier. On Saturday night, the two were finally reunited at one of his book-reading events.
The writer was born in a refugee camp (难民营) for Afghans in Peshawar, Pakistan, and his family moved to California when he was just a year old. At home, they spoke mostly Pashto and some Farsi, so by the time he reached first grade, he was at a total loss because he could hardly speak English. Then came Mrs. Lung, who quickly realized that Kochai was deeply struggling at Alyce Norman Elementary School.
The two got to work, meeting for one-on-one lessons nearly every day after school. At the end of the school year, Kochai won reading-comprehension competitions.
Lung and Kochai lost touch when Kochai’s father got a job in another city and the boy moved on, with a new love of reading and writing. When he grew older, Kochai’s parents encouraged him to find his former teacher to thank her. But despite his efforts, he failed to track her down.
“I didn’t know her first name. She was always just Mrs. Lung to me, so when I called places to ask about her, they couldn’t find any records of her,” Kochai said.
Then, while promoting his first novel, he wrote an essay for Literary Hub magazine touching on the transformative impact that Lung had on his life. Lung’s doctor happened to read it, and told the now-retired educator about that.
Lung’s husband saw a Facebook post about Kochai’s reading event on Saturday in Davis, California and suggested he drive his wife there.
“I had no idea they were going to be there,” Kochai said. “It was just like a sweet dream. Mrs. Lung was sitting in the front row. She was just the same Mrs. Lung. Just as sweet, kind and warm as ever.”
Kochai and Lung hugged, and Kochai finally got the chance to express to her how much he still thought of her and how much she meant to him.
1. How did Mrs. Lung help Kochai?| A．By dropping by his house regularly. | B．By asking him to read more in class. |
| C．By spending extra time tutoring him. | D．By saving him out of a refugee camp. |
| A．There were few records about her. | B．His parents provided little support. |
| C．He was too young to remember her. | D．He had limited information about her. |
| A．Surprised and delighted. | B．Shocked and angry. |
| C．Ashamed and regretful. | D．Proud and grateful. |
| A．A Distinguished Guest Showed Up at a Reading Event |
| B．A Writer Was Finally Reunited With His Former Teacher |
| C．A Famous Teacher Saved a Poor Student’s Whole Life |
| D．A Book Changed a Celebrity and a Retired Teacher |
