1 . World-famous Botanical Gardens
From botanical history to scientific discovery, here are the top picks for people to explore.
Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, London, England (1840)
Located in London, Royal-Botanic Gardens at Kew are home to the world’s biggest collection of living plants. As a global resource for plant and fungal knowledge, it has more than 50,000 species of native and exotic plants, trees, and flowers on site. It is a setting rich in history that spans from royal decorations to wartime bombing, and its mission is to protect plants for the future of all life on Earth.
The Humble Administrator’s Garden, Suzhou, China (1513)
The Humble Administrators Garden in Suzhou is a great masterpiece with its attractive design and careful arrangement of natural elements. It’s centered around water features, with beautiful fountains, complex rockwork, and historic buildings surrounded by thick vegetation. The combination of these elements creates a picturesque landscape. Because of its exceptional cultural and historical significance, the garden has become a world heritage.
Parque de Monserrate, Sintra, Portugal (1789)
Monserrate is a combination of wild landscape with old ruins, formal lawned areas and lovely gardens. The garden sits on the lower slopes of the Sintra Mountains, which have one of the mildest climates in Europe, so the garden is frost-free. At its very centre is a grand palace, which has a distinctive mixture of different architectural styles. It has been the site of various buildings and gardens for hundreds of years.
Missouri Botanical Garden, St Louis, USA (1859)
Established in 1859, Missouri Botanical Garden is the oldest botanical garden in continuous use in North America. It is recognized internationally for its scientific research. With almost 50 themed gardens, Missouri Botanical Garden has been involved in the conservation of plants from native American regions and also from Madagascar, China and Central America.
1. Why are the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew established?A.To collect tropical plants. | B.To conserve various plants. |
C.To record the history of British plants. | D.To provide a shelter for people in wartime. |
A.It highlights the waterscape. | B.It is surrounded by formal lawns. |
C.It includes many themed gardens. | D.It shows different architectural ruins. |
A.London. | B.Suzhou. | C.Sintra. | D.St Louis. |
2 . After years of writing papers and cramming for tests, many young travelers look forward to their cap toss and the celebratory trip, which serves the purpose of celebrating the completion of this phase of schooling.
Danube River, Europe
Experience Europe by booking your family on a Danube River Cruise to have a great trip with your college-age kids. You can visit eight cities in four different countries as you cruise from Germany to Hungary, having a peep into European history and culture.
New York City, New York
If your college-going kids are into theater, a visit to New York City’s Broadway will be the perfect family vacation destination you can gift them. There is some new show that’s happening there always and could even be on the bucket list of the young adults in your family!
London, England
If your young ones have been bitten by the Harry Potter bug, a visit to the Wizarding World in London will be irresistible for them. See Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in his West End home, and then proceed to the Palace Theatre.
Kruger National Park, South Africa
South Africa’s Kruger National Park covers nearly two million hectares of land with a wide diversity of life forms along with historical and archaeological sights. The Cape buffalo, African elephant, leopard, the fish eagle and Marula trees are within sight.
For more information, please refer to the chart below:
Ratings | Danube River, Europe | New York City, New York | London, England | Kruger National Park, South Africa |
Activities Attractions | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Affordability | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Safety | 4/5 | 3. 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Accessibility | 3/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Accommodation Options | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
A.Danube River, Europe. | B.New York City, New York. |
C.London, England. | D.Kruger National Park, South Africa. |
A.Accommodation choices. | B.Financial costs. |
C.Personal security. | D.Transport system. |
A.Graduates. | B.Parents. | C.Travel bloggers. | D.Tour guides. |
3 . Ready for a creative journey like never before? Welcome back to Axis Bank Splash! We are excited to invite you to dive into a world of imagination, where colors, words, and creativity come to life. But this year promises to be more exciting as entries showing your talents in drawing, craft, and literature are highly anticipated.
Themes
Choose the themes suiting yourself.
Group | Theme |
Kids 7—10 | Helping One Another |
Kids 11—14 | Making The World A Kinder Place |
Prizes
The excitement doesn’t end with just showing your creativity. Winners in each age group have the chance to win fantastic prizes.
Cash Rewards: A generous reward awaits those whose creativity stands out.
Customized Campus Tours: Absorb yourself in the creative environment with a customized tour of noted art and design campuses.
Virtual Workshops from NID: Learn from the best! Winners will have the opportunity to attend virtual workshops conducted by the National Institute of Design (NID), a celebrated institution in design education.
Registration
Click on “Register”, add your phone number, and fill in the OTP (One-time Password). Fill in the “Submission Category” and attach your creative file. Need guidance? If yes, check out the sample submission here.
Don’t miss the chance to make a hit with your creativity. We are waiting for your masterpieces!
1. What is Axis Bank Splash?A.An organization. | B.An art museum. | C.A tour. | D.A contest. |
A.A check reward. | B.Admission to NID. |
C.A visit to art colleges. | D.Access to design studios. |
A.Completing the submission category. | B.Changing the password first. |
C.Submitting the work by email. | D.Referring to the given sample. |
4 . The Children’s Museum of Manhattan Exhibitions Beginning in 2024
PlayWorks (Ages: birth years)We’ve designed every aspect of PlayWorksTM to help families prepare children to enter school. By combining hands-on games and learning, PlayWorksTM creates a fun and rewarding experience for children.
For adults, PlayWorksTM provides an opportunity to observe each child’s unique learning style and appreciate how play creates a strong foundation for later learning. This innovative environment includes Alphie — a giant talking dragon who “cats” letters! Come to get more resources to support your child’s language development.
Adventures with Dora and Diego (Ages: 3-6 years)Join Diego on a series of animal rescue missions. Learn facts about animals and their habitats by helping Diego rescue animals in trouble. Explore a cave, a beach and the rainforest or rub animal footprints, even build a bear’s nest! By helping Dora and her friends, kids will learn problem-solving skills, and gain a greater appreciation and awareness of Latin American culture.
Inside Art (Ages: 4-10 years)The exhibition continues our tradition of providing families with access to beautiful, complex, and challenging art, as well as access to working artists and opportunities for art making. Come to celebrate art as a vehicle for building healthy communities and explore ideas of home and identity.
Superpowered Metropolis: Early Learning City (Ages: 2-6 years)The exhibit invites children and their grown-ups to feel like heroes, building their learning brain skills together. These skills, known as executive functions, include self-control and mental flexibility. Children practise these learning “superpowers” with Zip, Zap, and Zoom, who guide families on a series of city adventures exploring the subways, parks, music, travel, tree houses, and more.
1. Which exhibition is suitable for a boy aged 3 who is learning spelling?A.Adventures with Dora and Diego. |
B.Inside Art. |
C.Superpowered Metropolis: Early Learning City. |
D.PlayWorks. |
A.Learn more about nature and culture. |
B.Draw a map of city subways and parks. |
C.Graduate with a specific qualification. |
D.Get resources for language learning. |
A.They are free of charge for kids. |
B.They are only designed for kids. |
C.They improve kids’ academic performance. |
D.They provide kids with hands-on experience. |
When it comes to ancient Chinese detectives, the name Di Renjie, a famous judge and administrator of the Tang Dynasty (618—907), often
The new TV series “Judge Dee’s Mystery” records the life of Judge Dee. While solving various criminal cases in different places
However, the series never intends
Li believes that every audience can gain
6 . Young Writers Awards
About the Contest
Bennington College has a unique literary tradition. We’ve bad twelve Pulitzer Prize winners, three US poet laureates, four MacArthur Geniuses, and two of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people. In celebration of this, Bennington launched the Young Writers Awards to promote excellence in writing at the high school level. Students are invited to enter with the following work:
● Poetry: A group of three poems
● Fiction: A short story (1,500 words or fewer) or one-act play
● Nonfiction: A personal or academic essay (1,500 words or fewer)
Three students among all the finalists are selected in each category (类别) as first-, second- and third-place winners. We welcome participation of both US and international students.
Awards & Rules
First-place winners in each category are awarded a prize of $1,000; second-place winners receive $500; third-place winners receive $250.
● No charge for entrance. Fees for accidents caused by participants are required.
● All entries must be original work reviewed, approved and guided by a teacher. We will use your teacher as a contact for the competition should we have any questions. For homeschooled students, please also contact a teacher to assist in your writing even if you have experience in such competitions.
Young Writers Awards finalists and winners are also qualified for college scholarships at Bennington if they choose to apply for this college and get admitted. Young Writers Awards finalists who gain admission to Bennington College will receive a $10,000 scholarship every year for four years, for a total of $40,000. Young Writers Awards winners admitted to Bennington will receive $15,000 every year, for a total of $60,000.
1. What can be learned about the Young Writers Awards?A.It’s a long-time tradition. |
B.It rewards three winners at last. |
C.It accepts participants worldwide. |
D.Finalists will be admitted to Bennington. |
A.Find a teacher to help with the entry. | B.Pay an entry fee on time. |
C.Have related writing experience. | D.Hand in a personal essay. |
A.$10,500. | B.$15,500. | C.$40,500. | D.$60,500. |
1. What was the man doing?
A.Looking at an interesting picture. |
B.Watching a funny video. |
C.Reporting a nice story. |
A.He hit a big tree. |
B.He had a car accident. |
C.He was attacked by bees. |
A.Sunny. | B.Windy. | C.Cloudy. |
A.Listen to the music. |
B.Surf the website. |
C.Go to the park. |
8 . Four One-Day Trips in the UK
First Light Pavilion,CheshireIt's a newly-designed visitor centre at the Jodrell Bank Observatory. It is inspired by the Lovell Telescope and is designed to act like a sundial (日晷). Visitors can experience a meteor shower (流星雨),operate a radio telescope and launch a digital satellite there.
£8.50 adults/£6.50 children,jodrellbank.net
Clifford's Tower, YorkThis 800-year-old tower is all that remains of York Castle. It was a treasury (财宝库) and prison, but its inner space was damaged by fire in 1684. Now, after a £5 million project by English Heritage, the ruin is reopening. Walkways will replace the lost first floor. A new roof floor will provide views of York Minster, the city and the North York Moors beyond.
£8.10 adults/£4.80 children, english-heritage.org.uk
The Rig Climb Experience,GreenwichThe Cutty Sark, one of just two surviving tea sailing ships in the world, is launching anew experience. For the first time, visitors will be able to step from the main deck and arrive at the top platform. Visitors will hear tales of life at sea in the 19th century and the tough conditions sailors had to work in.
£21 adults/£12 children (includes general entering the ship), rmg.co.uk/cuttysark
The Intelligence Factory, BuckinghamshireA newly-restored building at Bletchley Park is opening as the site's biggest ever exhibition space. The Intelligence Factory in Block A will focus on the years 1942-1945 when9,000 staff members helped win World War II. The exhibition lasting for a long time will include objects, personal stories and interactive elements, showing how operators handled huge amounts of information. There is also a space for temporary exhibitions-the first is on data visualisation.
£21 adults/£12.50 children, bletchleypark.org.uk
1. What can visitors do at First Light Pavilion in Cheshire?A.Learn how to make a sundial. |
B.Use a telescope to observe stars. |
C.Watch the launch of a satellite. |
D.Interact with astronomers in the centre. |
A.£22.5. | B.£28. | C.£57. | D.£58.5. |
A.Recent repair work. | B.Advanced equipment. |
C.The same period of history. | D.Bird's eye view of the cities. |
9 . 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. |
10 . The year 2023 saw a wide variety of TV and internet variety shows in China, offering amazing entertainment to audiences. Here are 4 popular variety shows of the year. It’s never too late to start enjoying them.
Become a Farmer (Feb. -Jul., iQIYI)
The farming-themed reality show took Chinese social media by storm, shining a spotlight on agriculture. In an effort to connect young urban Chinese with the agricultural industry, the show invites 10 young men from various fields to experience life on the farmland.
Great Escape Season 5 (May-Sept., Mango TV)
This reality show has taken viewers on an immersive journey. It enlisted well-known celebrities, who faced challenges within intricately designed escape rooms. They had to search for hidden clues, solve puzzles and decipher codes to. unlock the rooms in which they are trapped.
The Big Band 3 (Aug. -Oct., iQIYI)
The Big Band 3 showcases various musical genres with 27 bands from China. In the 2023edition, folk Chinese musicians took center stage, with notable performances by Wayina from Guangxi and Anda Union from Inner Mongolia.
Call Me By Fire, Season 3 (Aug. -Nov., Mango TV)
Featuring a lineup of 32 male entertainers, this season showcased performances in both group and solo formats, with participants ranging in age from 27 to 55. Throughout the season, the participants showcased their versatility by exploring various forms of artistic expression, including singing, dancing and acting.
1. Which show will make audiences feel immersive?A.Become a Farmer. | B.The Big Band 3. |
C.Call Me By Fire, Season 3. | D.Great Escape Season 5. |
A.They centre on farming. | B.They were produced by iQIYI. |
C.Their participants are male. | D.They showcase various musical genres. |
A.They made a hit in 2023. | B.They featured well-known celebrities. |
C.They were aired in the first half of 2023. | D.They showcased various musical performances. |