Yours，

Li Hua

2 . When you think of wildlife holidays in the UK, Scotland is probably the first destination(目的地) that comes to mind, with quite a few breathtaking natural sites that offer a wonderful base to watch wildlife.

It was the first national park established in Scotland. The Loch Lomond at the center of the park is the largest body of freshwater in the UK. The largest land mammal (哺乳动物) in Britain, red deer can be found in the park. Keep an eye out as you pass through forests, woodlands and open hills.

The Isle of Staffa is famous for its dramatic rock formations, and for the cave known as “Fingal’s Cave”, Staffa provided inspiration to Felix Mendelssohn, the German musician. He visited in 1829 and, afterwards, composed his Hebrides Overture. The island is also famous for its adorable seabirds—puffins, which are known for their vibrant beaks (鸟喙) and big personalities.

The Cairngorms National Park is in northeast Scotland. With an area of 1,748 square miles, the park covers the Cairngorms range of mountains and surrounding hills, and is the largest national park in the UK as the second national park in Scotland. Over 25% of the UK’s endangered species make their home in the park’s ancient pine forests, among which you can find the red squirrel—the UK’s only native squirrel (松鼠) species.

4 . My great-grandfather, my grandfather and my father are all farmers. My father expects me to become a farmer and _______ them all but I don’t agree with my father.

Three years ago, my father took me to an airport to visit one of his friends. His friend _______ a small airline. It was the first time I had seen a _______ airplane. After my father’s friend discovered I had never been in an airplane, he _______ me to fly with them. When we took off, I felt excited. While we were in the air, I almost forgot I had to _______ the ground. All I could think of was flying would be my _______ in life and how I wanted to fly again and again.

Since then, if I had time, my father’s friend would teach me how to fly. He _______ let me fly alone once. I wanted to become a pilot but I would have to go _______ my father.

At the age of 18, I had to tell my father what I wanted to do but I didn’t want to make him _______. As he walked ahead of me and I ________, I didn’t know what I could say to help him understand my ________ for flying. I took my courage and said, “Father, I have something ________ to tell you. I want to go to college and become a pilot. I have talked to the schools and they agreed to give me financial (金融的) help. “I felt nervous in his ________. Then he spoke,” I was wondering when you would tell me. I have been ________ money for you. ” When I heard this, I couldn’t help crying. For the first time, I really understand his ________ love for me.

8 . Hazel Mayfield usually cooks the Thanksgiving meal for her extended family in Houston, Texas. She usually welcomes friends and neighbors who are eager to taste her fried turkey, green bean casserole, candied yams, homemade cornbread dressing, and dirty rice — just a few of her signature dishes (招牌菜). Known as Sugar Mama, because her grandchildren think she’s so sweet, the 91-year-old typically likes to do her own shopping for the ingredients to make her special dishes.   

“My mother is the head cook of the family,” said Panulette Mouton, Mayfield’s daughter. “Because of her reputation (名声), you know, there’re people in and out all day and every family comes through. They want to get some of Sugar Mama’s cooking, and some of them would like to learn from her how to cook the food.”     

But Mayfield hasn’t been to the grocery store since March. And there is little about Thanksgiving in 2020 that’s usual. Because of Covid-19, the deadly virus (病毒) that has killed so many people in the U.S. and spoiled life around the world, everything is different. Since limiting close face-to-face contact with others is the best way to reduce its spread, hundreds of thousands of American families have re-imagined the holiday with virtual celebrations and called off or delayed travel plans. There can only be small gatherings with people in their households in response to COVID-19.        

This year, Mayfield’s family members, without exception, are lamenting the absence of a big gathering. They’ve explained to their young children and grandchildren why this year’s Thanksgiving is different. Mayfield’s youngest daughter, Michelle Sanders, says it’s difficult to help her grandchildren understand why they can’t see some of their other family members and why they have to stay at home, celebrating Thanksgiving all by themselves.       

“It’s really hard, trying to explain to them,” Sanders said. “When you’re talking to them and they want to come over, you have to tell them no. They really don’t know how to be careful.” Sanders added, “And, they don’t understand that, being three, four, and six, you know they don’t really understand that. So, it’s...it’s really, really hard, and heartbreaking.”

9 . You probably know who Marie Curie was, but you may not have heard of Rachel Carson. Of the outstanding ladies listed below, who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years?

Jane Addams(1860-1935)

Anyone who has ever been helped by a social worker has Jane Addams to thank. Addams helped the poor and worked for peace. She encouraged a sense of community (社区) by creating shelters and promoting education and services for people in need. In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Rachel Carson(1907-1964)

If it weren’t for Rachel Carson, the environmental movement might not exist today. Her popular 1962 book Silent Spring raised awareness of the dangers of pollution and the harmful effects of chemicals on humans and on the world’s lakes and oceans.

Sandra Day O’Connor(1930-present)

When Sandra Day O’Connor finished third in her class at Stanford Law School, in 1952, she could not find work at a law firm because she was a woman. She became an Arizona state senator(参议员) and, in 1981, the first woman to join the U.S. Supreme Court. O’Connor gave the deciding vote in many important cases during her 24 years on the top court.

Rosa Parks(1913-2005)

On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks would not give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. Her simple act landed Parks in prison. But it also set off the Montgomery bus boycott.It lasted for more than a year, and kicked off the civil-rights movement. “The only tired I was,was tired of giving in,”said Parks.

10 . If you are looking for apps to learn English for studying abroad, you might be confused. There are so many apps to choose from. How can you decide which English language learning app is right for you? Our list of top four favourite appe to improve your English will help.

Hello English — Best app for middle learners

If you already understand the basics but want to improve your English, this app is for you. Hello English starts with a language test, and then serves up English lessons based on your test results. Hello English supports learners with 23 native languages and lets you play games,watch videos and listen to audio books,too.

Free versions available for iOS, Android and Windows.

FluentU-Best media-based app

This app sources English-language videos from the real world — including news,music videos and commercials (商业)— to help you learn English. Interactive captions (字幕) allow you to tap any word and see more information about it.

Free trial (试用) and paid monthly subscriptions available for Android and iOS.

Rosetta Stone — Most multi-use app

This award-winning English language learning app teaches vocabulary and English grammar. Rosetta Stone includes lessons on pronunciation so you can improve your English accent. You can also download audio lessons to learn offline.

Free trial and paid versions available for Android,i0S and Windows.

Duolingo — Most fun app

This personalised English-learning app turns studying into a game. Earn virtual coins to unlock new levels and spend them on fun upgrades. An animated owl (动画猫头离) keeps you company and encourages you as you learn. When you have questions, get help from fellow students inside the app using the Duolingo message boards.

Free and paid versions available for Android, iOS and Windows.