1 . Green Line Performing Arts Center
Upcoming Programs:
First Monday Jazz Series: Crosswind
Monday Feb 4 | 7-9 pm
First Monday Jazz is a free monthly event showcasing local Chicago jazz artists.
Green Light Series: South Side Story Time
Sunday Feb 17 |10-11 am
Bring your kids to listen, learn, sing, dance, and interact! South Side Story Time is a small gathering that centres on readings for its young attendees along with the chance for their parents to socialize. Open to families with children of all ages.
Sistergirls and Freedom Fighters: Stories in Celebration of Women’s Power and Grace
Wednesday Feb 20 |7-8 pm
Join us for an evening of storytelling featuring the dynamic singing, in the Spirit by Emily Hooper Lansana.
This performance will highlight a range of stories that demonstrate women’s creative and political genius from folk heroines to Nobel Peace Prize winners.
Family Saturdays: Art together
Every 1st Saturday of the Month | 3-5 pm
Explore your child’s artistic curiosity with hands-on art workshops designed to stimulate creativity and play. These interdisciplinary workshops are exciting for the entire family, offering activities from music to arts and crafts. Come to learn something new! Appropriate for families with children. Registration is encouraged.
Follow Arts + Public Life on Facebook for more event details and a full list of all upcoming performances.
1. When can people enjoy jazz in February?| A．At 8 pm every first Monday. | B．At 4 pm every other Saturday. |
| C．At 7 pm every first Wednesday. | D．At 9 pm every other Monday. |
| A．It lasts two hours. | B．It is organized by Emily. |
| C．It is a prize-winning performance. | D．It celebrates women’s achievements. |
| A．Activity types. | B．Event frequency. |
| C．Target participants. | D．Registration requirements. |
2 . What is PayQuick?
PayQuick is a fast payment service for shopping in the biggest supermarket in UK — Tesco. It allows you to add your credit or debit card details to the app so you can use your smartphone to pay for your shopping with just one scan, which means you can go wallet-free in all UK Tesco stores.
What are the benefits?
●Collect your Tesco points automatically
●Pay for your weekly shopping up to £250
●Use PayQuick offline, even with no signal
●Track your spending in Tesco
However, only one qualifying deal per week will collect the extra Tesco points. Additional payments in the same week won’t receive extra points. Tesco points will be added to your future Tesco points statement.
How to get your PayQuick?
Available to new customers who sign up by 3rd March 2024, the PayQuick app can be downloaded from the App Store or our official website. Once you have the app on your phone, register your personal details on the app to get an account. Note that for each customer, only one account is allowed and a family shared account will not be acknowledged. Finally, with all the preparation work done, you’ll be ready to shop using just your phone.
Plus, there’s no need to worry about your bank details being stored on your phone — they’re all securely protected in our data centers. So not only is it quicker and easier, it’s safer than going shopping with your wallet as well.
1. If customers use PayQuick in UK Tesco stores, they can ______.| A．purchase things only offline |
| B．get their Tesco points automatically |
| C．keep track of their daily spending |
| D．pay for their shopping without limit |
| A．To register by 3rd March 2024. |
| B．To download the PayQuick app. |
| C．To bring their phones with them. |
| D．To share the account with their family. |
| A．To ensure the safety of PayQuick. |
| B．To stress the importance of PayQuick. |
| C．To popularize the use of PayQuick. |
| D．To illustrate the application of PayQuick. |
3 . Typing.com is an online typing tutor for students of all ages. Typing.com’s proven curriculum helps students from beginners to advanced learners, focusing on technique, accuracy, and speed. The following are some frequently asked questions about typing on our website.
How long does it take to type without looking at the keyboard?An average student without learning differences will learn to touch type within eight to ten hours. They may be touch typing at a very slow speed (8-15 words per minute).
Is it bad to look at the keyboard when typing?Yes. Not only does it prevent you from practicing your fingering, but it also slows you down and makes you type less accurately. It's far more difficult to notice mistakes when you're not looking at the screen.
How do you get faster at typing?The most important technique to learn to type faster is touch typing. This is a technique based on developing muscle memory for your fingers.
How can I learn to type correctly?Focus on accuracy rather than speed. Use the entire keyboard correctly. Learn some keyboard shortcuts. Practice every day.
How do I increase my typing speed?Arrange your fingers properly. The most important step in improving your typing speed is ensuring that you place your fingers correctly on the keyboard. Rest the index finger (食指) of your left hand on the “F” key and the index finger of your right hand on the “J” key.
Is typing.com free?Typing.com is a free online typing tutor and digital literacy (读写能力) platform used by millions of students and education professionals around the world. We aim to provide valuable learning tools to as many school teachers and students as possible.
1. What do we know about typing.com?| A．It charges very little. | B．It is suitable for every student. |
| C．It helps to improve writing skills. | D．It can automatically correct typing errors. |
| A．Managers. | B．Salesmen. | C．Athletes. | D．Teachers. |
| A．To promote a typing website. | B．To share typing experience. |
| C．To correct typing mistakes. | D．To teach typing skills. |
4 . 假如你是天津国际中学的学生李华，协助国际学生服务中心工作。为增进国际学生知华、友华情怀，学校现在寒假期间面向本校外国学生开展“My China Surprise”短视频征集活动，从自身视角讲述在中国学习和生活的经历与感悟。作品上传学校网站 www.tjinternationalmiddleschool.org。请你在广播中发出英文通知。要点如下：
1. 活动介绍；2. 视频要求(如格式，时长，截止日期等)；3. 鼓励参加。
注意：
1. 词数不少于100； 2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Ladies and gentlemen,
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5 . Beyond its amazing landscapes, Banff National Park also boasts a rich cultural heritage. In this comprehensive guide, we will introduce you to a collection of museums of Banff, providing essential information to make your visit a truly immersive experience.
● Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
Location: 111 Bear St, Banff, Alberta, Canada
Operating Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Admission Cost: $12 CAD ($10 USD) for adults, $10 CAD ($8 USD) for students, and free for children under 12 years old and are valid for 90 days from purchase.
The museum showcases the art, culture, and history of the Canadian Rockies region. It features a diverse collection of artworks, historical photographs, and artifacts that highlight the natural beauty and human stories of the area.
● Canada House Gallery
Location: 201 Bear St, Banff, Alberta, Canada
Operating Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Admission: Free
It is a well-known art gallery that showcases contemporary and traditional Canadian artwork. The gallery features a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, and other artistic mediums created by Canadian artists. Visitors can explore the gallery and appreciate the talent and creativity of Canadian art.
● The Banff Park Museum
Location: 91 Banff Ave, Banff, Alberta, Canada
Operating Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Admission Cost: $4.90 CAD ($4 USD) for adults, $4.40 CAD ($3.50 USD) for adults 65and over, and free for youth under 17 years old.
The museum is a historic site featuring a collection of over 5,000 specimens (标本) of wildlife, including birds, mammals, insects, and plants. The museum building itself is a charming log cabin, dating back to 1903.
1. How much would a couple pay if they want to explore the Whyte Museum with a senior high student and an 8-year-old son?| A．$22 CAD. | B．$22 CAD. | C．$34 CAD. | D．$18 CAD. |
| A．At Canada House Gallery. | B．At the Whyte Museum. |
| C．At the Banff Park Museum. | D．At the Canadian Rockies region. |
| A．Travel. | B．Business. | C．Science. | D．Entertainment. |
6 . Let’s get to some famous attractions in London!
Chinatown
At the beginning of the 20th century, many Chinese immigrants gathered together in the East End of London and set about creating businesses to provide services for Chinese people who frequented the area. In the 1930s and 1940s, with a large inflow of immigrants from Hong Kong and a growth in popularity of Chinese cooking style, many Chinese restaurants opened elsewhere.
Natural History Museum
It was ever known as part of the British Museum which was established in 1753. The museum exhibits a large number of cultural relics. It holds collections coming from every continent around the globe. It exhibits millions of life and earth samples, and visitors can witness collections having great scientific value like samples that were collected by Charles Darwin.
Madame Tussauds London
The museum is created by the w ax sculptress, Marie Tussaud. Located on Marylebone Road, it is the first Madame Tussaud’s museum, which opened about 200 years ago, though there are now a variety of other branches within different cities around the globe. The museum hosts lifelike figures, including royal people, film stars, sports stars and models.
Royal Observatory, Greenwich
The Royal Observatory, Greenwich in London, has played a global role in the history of astronomy and navigation. It was established in 1675 with the key function being to set right the places of the fixed stars and find the desired navigational places. With its position overlooking the River Thames in central London, it makes for an excellent tourist attraction on a year-round basis.
1. Where is the text most probably taken from?| A．A course plan. | B．A tourism journal. |
| C．A science magazine. | D．A history textbook. |
| A．Its scientific samples. | B．Its birth city. |
| C．Its Chinese architectural style. | D．Its lifelike figures. |
| A．Chinatown. | B．Natural History Museum. |
| C．Madame Tussauds London. | D．Royal Observatory, Greenwich. |
7 . The UK has a rich literary heritage, with cities packed with bookshops, literary landmarks and comfortable cafes. If you love books, try one of these city breaks.
York
Earning a remarkable “bookspiration” score of 9. 4/10, York has claimed the title of the best UK city for book lovers. Having the highest number of reading spots per 100, 000 people among all cities analysed, literary lovers will find themselves spoiled for choice in this city. Home to 20 libraries and 33 highly-rated bookshops, this serves as a significant literary resource for a city of its population size.
Books inspired by York include: The Secret Garden, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre
Bath
Bath comes second, receiving a final “bookspiration” score of 8. 1/10. Beyond its plentiful quiet reading spots, more than seven libraries and 16 bookshops per 100, 000 people, the city also offers sufficient green spaces, perfect for eager readers to dive into their favourite books. It’s a dream destination for those with a preference for Jane Austen’s works. It’s also host to the annual Jane Austen Festival in September, featuring many immersive(沉浸式的)Regency-themed experiences.
Books inspired by Bath include: Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, Vathek
Belfast
In third place is Belfast, scoring a respectable 7. 3/10. The Northern Irish city has 18 libraries and 55 charming bookshops to choose from. Serving as the backdrop of inspiration for CS Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, Belfast also has a bookish culture as it plays host to an annual book festival drawing in the nation’s biggest bookworms.
Books inspired by Belfast include: Eureka Street, Mystery Man, The Star Factory
Bristol
Bristol with a score of 6. 8/10 secures fourth place to be a literary lover’s paradise. Thanks to its treasure of bookshops from independent to second-hand, over 17 bookshops per 100, 000 people, the lively South West city makes an incredible destination for book-shopping.
Books inspired by Bristol include: Shadow Dance, Birdcage Walk, Keep Him Close
1. Which city is the source of the inspiration for Wuthering Heights?| A．York. | B．Bath. | C．Belfast. | D．Bristol. |
| A．Rate bookstores of the city. | B．Attend theme-based activities. |
| C．Dive into CS Lewis’s books. | D．Take a South West city tour. |
| A．The best green reading spaces. | B．The highest “bookspiration” score. |
| C．The most attractive book festival. | D．The biggest second-hand bookstore. |
8 . Fight pain and improve health by walking
Many people know there are areas of the foot that, if stimulated—for example, with the right pressure - produce benefits to other parts of our body. Moreover, if we add magnetic therapy (磁疗), the benefits are increased, because magnets are natural stimulants.
Hence the idea of a group of French researchers to create a special insole (鞋垫) with hundreds of massaging microbeads (按摩微珠), as well as magnetic inserts at specific points on the bottom of the foot. In this way, both benefits are achieved: foot stimulation+magnetic therapy. And goodbye pain! After various improvements, the SoleltNow insoles have come into being, ending the pain of hundreds of thousands of people.
The SoleltNow is able to:
＊ tretch muscles
＊ Reduce back and joint pain
＊ Recover the body’s energy
＊ Reduce the feeling of heaviness in the legs
＊ Improve the blood flow around the body
＊ Assist in walking properly
＊ Relieve pressure points that cause great pain in the foot
How is it used?
The SoleltNow is worn like regular insoles and fits all types of shoes.
The SoleltNow is unisex: for men and women.
How can you get your SoleltNow insoles?
The SoleItNow can only be ordered from our official website and cannot be found in convenience stores or supermarkets.
Order now to get a discount during the launch period
LIMITED TIME OFFER: The SoleltNow is-available for $69.80 $34.90.
TIP: The SoleltNow is selling out very quickly right now! We strongly recommend that you place your order quickly before the end of the promotion!
1. What benefit does the SoleltNow offer?| A．Improving sleep quality. | B．Building up arm muscles. |
| C．Protecting injured joints and feet. | D．Relieving pain in the back and legs. |
| A．It is intended for men. | B．It can be bought online and offline. |
| C．It is available at a 50% discount now. | D．It is specifically designed for sports shoes. |
| A．To advertise a special kind of insole. |
| B．To stress the need of wearing insoles. |
| C．To introduce the benefits of foot massage. |
| D．To recommend ways of dealing with foot pain. |
| A．News | B．Talk shows. | C．Education program. |
10 . School-based Vocational (职业的) Training in Germany
If you want to do vocational training in healthcare, social services or technical professions, you can do school-based vocational training in Germany.
What is it?
School-based vocational training does not take place partly in a company, but only at a vocational school or a vocational college. Here you are not an apprentice (学徒) in a company, but you learn practically full-time at the school desk.
What does it teach you?
You will find a variety of professions that you can learn at a vocation al school or a vocational college. Offers are available for professions such as nurse, kindergarten teacher and medical-technical assistant. Many—but not all—of the more than 350 officially acknowledged vocational training programs in Germany are school-based.
How long does it take?
School-based vocational training in Germany is usually full-time. The duration and the curricula are fixed for the individual professions, but there are different vacation periods from school to school, which interrupt the training periods.
How much does it cost?
In contrast to in-company training, you will not usually receive a monthly training allowance for school-based training; in many cases, you will even have to pay for this training. If you go to a state vocational school or a college, there are usually no fees. However, this may not be the case with privately run vocational colleges or schools.
Germany’s vocational training system is known for its strong focus on practical skills and employability. According to a study by the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training, around 78% of students who completed a vocation al training program found employment within one year of graduation.
1. What can most probably be learnt in school-based vocational training?| A．Planting crops. | B．Taking care of the elderly. |
| C．Driving a vehicle. | D．Mastering a foreign language. |
| A．Attend a state college. | B．Receive an offer. |
| C．Have a full-time course. | D．Apply for a private school. |
| A．Science. | B．Education. | C．Business. | D．Entertainment. |
