1 . International Day of Education

24 January

Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed (宣布) 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. Today, 250 million children and youth are out of school, and 763 million adults are illiterate (文盲的). Their right to education is being violated (侵犯) and it is unacceptable. It’s time to transform education.

International Day of Clean Energy

26 January

The International Day of Clean Energy on 26 January was declared by the General Assembly as a call to raise awareness and mobilize action for a just and inclusive transition (过渡) to clean energy for the benefit of people and the planet. 26 January is also the founding date of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), a global intergovernmental agency established in 2009 to support countries in their energy transitions.

World Health Day

7 April

It is celebrated annually and each year draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. The date of 7 April marks the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948.

The theme for World Health Day 2024 is “My health, my right”, which was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions.

World Environment Day

5 June

World Environment Day, held annually on 5 June, brings together millions of people from across the globe, engaging them in the effort to protect and restore the Earth. People from more than 150 countries participate in this United Nations international day, which celebrates environmental action and the power of governments, businesses and individuals to create a more sustainable world. The event has been led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) since its start in 1973.

1. On what day is the event about world energy marked?

A．24 January.

B．26 January.

C．7 April.

D．5 June.

2. Which of the following event began in 1973?

A．International Day of Education.

B．International Day of Clean Energy.

C．World Health Day.

D．World Environment Day.

3. What do the four events have in common?

A．They have a common goal.	B．They have a long history.
C．They’re international events.	D．They benefit world environment.

2 . Austin Community College (ACC) offers a stimulating schedule of art classes year-round for beginners and seasoned artists of all ages, from toddlers (学步幼儿) to adults. Taught by experienced professional artists, ACC’s classes are small, scheduled around the school, and tuition fees are affordable. ACC’s art students have access to the excellent contemporary art in our galleries to help stimulate and inspire their own efforts.

Classes for Toddlers: In keeping with research suggesting the value of art in early childhood education, ACC offers its My First Portfolio program for preschoolers, forking alongside their caregiver, young children develop their cognitive (认知的), sensory, and motor skills, and explore their creativity with age-appropriate art activities. Both toddlers and caregivers benefit from this unique and artistic bonding experience.

Classes for Children: Classes for school-age students introduce techniques, including clay modeling, collage, and more. Many classes introduce themes such as art history and current events. Students interact with a professional instructor, meet contemporary artists, and see inventive artwork in the galleries, while developing their creative skills.

Classes for Teens: Classes for teens at ACC are focused on specific themes or techniques, and aim to develop fundamental skills as well as individual artistic voice.

Classes for Adults: Both beginners and experienced artists will find engaging classes at ACC. Our class schedule regularly features drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed media classes. In addition to professional instruction, adult students are regularly exposed to the work of contemporary artists.

1. What does ACC promise to its participants?

A．Free tuition.

B．Small classes.

C．Great progress.

D．Online courses.

2. What can we learn about My First Portfolio program?

A．It is suitable for all ages.

B．It is beneficial to both toddlers and carers.

C．It helps teens improve their athletic skills.

D．It connects the researchers with the caregivers.

3. Which of the following best suits people interested in learning basic artistic skills?

A．Classes for Children.	B．Classes for Adults.
C．Classes for Teens.	D．Classes for Toddlers.

3 . Explore ART X Lagos on Artsy

31 October-3 November 2024

ART X Lagos was launched as an active platform to show and support the breadth of contemporary art from Africa and beyond. The fair, begun in 2016 by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, has become a cornerstone of the African art every year. The first of its kind in West Africa, ART X Lagos is a special cultural event that goes beyond the traditional art fair. The fair, which hosted over 40 artists and galleries from Africa and worldwide, bridges the gap between continent-based and foreign artists.

ART X Lagos has become renowned for its ambitious program, which includes ART X Talks — a lively discussion series; ART X Live—a one-of-a-kind music show; ART X Cinema — a film theatre; and ART Books — a feast to the latest books on art.

For its 2024 edition, the fair’s theme “The Dialogue” will place an emphasis in this unique year, on conversation and community, and will see audiences raising their voices on these present challenging times, not just for Nigeria, but on the continent and globally.

“We decided to go ahead with this different format for ART X Lagos 2023 due to the current socioeconomic challenges Nigeria is facing, and to fulfill, at the same time, our desire to continue to support the ecosystem in a way that is responsible and sustainable,” said the fair’s founder, Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, in an email exchange, “We want people to take time to talk to each other and this is why we have placed our talks at the center of the fair — we are inviting our audiences to get deeply involved and encourage the act of dialogue, at this key time.”

1. Which is true about ART X Lagos?

A．It lasts about a month.	B．It is open only to African artists.
C．It was the first exhibition in Africa.	D．It’ll come to the ninth edition in 2024.

2. If a visitor intends to enjoy music performance, which can be recommended?

A．ART X Talks.

B．ART X Live.

C．ART X Cinema.

D．ART Books.

3. What will the ART X Lagos 2024 stress according to Tokini?

A．Conservation.

B．Economy.

C．Entertainment.

D．Communication.

4 . At Reader’s Digest, we understand a holiday is never just a holiday. It’s visiting new and inspiring places, enabling you to experience different cultures, broaden minds and discover the unknown. It’s something exciting to look forward to and talk about when you get home. It’s making memories that will last a lifetime.

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1. From which is the text probably taken?

A．A magazine.	B．A web page.
C．A book guide.	D．A shopping list.

2. Who can get the promo codes for discounts on travel bookings?

A．Experienced authors.	B．Experts in group travel.
C．Reader’s Digest subscribers.	D．Publishers of Reader’s Digest.

3. How much can a couple save with promo codes for a holiday of 7 nights?

A．£60.

B．£100.

C．£120.

D．£200.

5 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

A total of 99 traditional culture enthusiasts, mostly in their 20s and 30s,     1     (gather) at the television show Yellow River Culture Competition, where they provided a youthful interpretation of the     2     (country) “mother river”, according to a meeting recently     3     (hold) in Beijing.

Initiated by Shandong Radio and Television Station in     4     (associate) with eight other provinces and regions along the banks of the Yellow River, the show adopted multiple formats to combine competitions and performances, such as singing folk songs and     5     (recite) poetry, to promote the history and culture of the civilizations that have thrived (繁荣) along the river for thousands of years.

The show invited four famous     6     (scholar), namely Kang Zhen, Meng Man, Li Bo and Yang Yu, as guest celebrities, sharing lesser-known knowledge about the historic moments     7     have been part of Yellow River’s cultures.

Meng Man, a professor at the Minzu University of China, quoted some of     8     most famous poems featuring the Yellow River in ancient China. “The Yellow River is the mother river of the Chinese nation and the     9     (spirit) source of Chinese civilization. Through this program, the audience can not only have a deep understanding     10     the history of the Yellow River, but also take a close look at the happy life of the people living along its banks,” she added.

6 . Where to Find the Perfect Christmas Tree Around Baltimore This Year

A handful of the area’s best choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms are only a quick road trip away.

A SNOWBALL’S CHANCE TREE FARM

This choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm of 16 acres has been run by a couple since 2005. Open for one weekend only, Dec. 3-4, this year, the new location in Woodstock will offer eight and nine-inch pre-cut Fraser Firs or cut-your-own White Pines & Blue Spruces.

10231 Harvest Fields Drive, Woodstock

DAVIDSON CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

Although it’s been active for more than two centuries, this family-owned Upperco Farm didn’t start to plant Christmas tree seedlings until the late 1960s. The fields are open seven days per week from Nov. 18 to Dec. 17. Wander through its 60-plus acres for eight tree varieties, such as the silver-blue Concolor Fir.

1101 Emory Church Rd., Upperco

FROSTEE TREE FARM

The appropriately named Helen and George Winter began planting and selling trees at their Perry Hall farm in 1974. The two have since passed away, but the farm, now operated by Paul Stiffler, has 15 acres of ready-to-cut trees ranging from Scotch Pine to White Pine, Douglas Pine, and Norway Spruce. The farm re-opens on the last weekend of November, after Thanksgiving.

8926 Cowenton Ave., Perry Hall

GAVER FARM

Owner Michael Gaver was just 17 when he established this Mt. Airy farm in 1978. Today, it holds 70 acres of cut-your-own trees, with varieties such as the Colorado Blue Spruce and the whisper-soft White Pine. Christmas tree shopping starts on Nov. 24. What distinguishes this farm from others is that you can step into the family farm’s cafe for apple cider doughnuts, beef sandwiches, and hot cocoa before you leave.

5501 Detrick Rd., Mt. Airy

1. Which farm has the shortest history of Christmas tree cutting?

A．A SNOWBALL’S CHANCE TREE FARM.

B．DAVIDSON CHRISTMAS TREE FARM.

C．FROSTEE TREE FARM.

D．GAVER FARM.

2. Where is the farm run by Paul Stiffler?

A．10231 Harvest Fields Drive, Woodstock.

B．1101 Emory Church Rd., Upperco.

C．8926 Cowenton Ave., Perry Hall.

D．5501 Detrick Rd., Mt. Airy.

3. What is unique about the largest one of the four farms?

A．It offers drinks and foods.	B．It includes White Pine.
C．It is owned by a family.	D．It is active for about 200 years.

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Who is Charlotte?

A．A tour guide.

B．An enthusiastic audience.

C．A guest of Travel the World.

2. What benefit can a couchsurfer enjoy?

A．Finding a place to stay for free.

B．Saving money on transportation.

C．Booking discounted tickets on a platform.

3. What country is Jessica from?

A．Australia.

B．Switzerland.

C．The USA.

4. How did Mariana help Charlotte?

A．By helping with a wedding.

B．By offering a bedroom to her.

C．By taking care of her twin babies.

8 . Mobile Birthday Party

Book the Mobile Children’s Museum for your child’s birthday party! San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum can now bring the Museum directly to you.

Length of time:
Set-up and Clean-up: 30 minutes each
Party: 1.5 hours
Hours:
Weekends: 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Pricing:
Up to 20 guests: $300
Up to 30 guests: $400
Up to 40 guests: $500
Museum members will enjoy a 10% discount.
Birthday Party Package includes:
•Arts and Crafts activity
•Three Mobile Children’s Museum exhibits

。Ball Wall: Party guests discover the fundamentals of physics through a custom-built Ball Wall. By arranging magnetic (磁的) tracks into patterns, they must use gravity and slope to help a ball travel from one end of the wall to the other.

。Imagination Playground: Party guests use large foam (泡沫) blocks to discover the fundamentals of architecture. Skills are put to the test as kids work together to complete a challenge.

。Wind Tunnel: This exhibit allows party guests to experiment with aerodynamics (空气动力学). They can explore how lift, drag, and air pressure affect a flying object. Party guests can launch a scarf or handmade object into the wind tunnel and watch as it floats to the top or gets stuck at the bottom.

•Two Museum fun promoters
•A special gift for the birthday child
Registration

Please register at least two weeks in advance and list multiple date options.

1. How much should a museum member pay for a party up to 40 children?

A．$350.

B．$400.

C．$450.

D．$500.

2. What can children learn about in Imagination Playground?

A．Gravity.

B．Construction.

C．Experiment.

D．Wind.

3. Who is the text mainly intended for?

A．Parents.

B．Travelers.

C．Teenagers.

D．Freshmen.

9 . プロジェクトセカイカラフルステージ!feat. 初音ミク(Project SEKAI Colorful Stage! feat. Hatsune Miku)is a rhythm game jointly developed by SEGA, Craft Egg, and Crypton Future Media, and produced by SEGA Games and Craft Egg’s subsidiary Colorful Palette. It is also known by the abbreviations “プロセカ” and “PJSK (Beer Barbecue)”.

About the Project SEKAI

The Project SEKAI Colorful Stage! feat. Hatsune Miku primarily takes the real world area near Shibuya, Japan as its backdrop.    1     ,singing songs created by various creators as virtual singers. The other stage, “SEKAI”(“world”), originates from the realm of thought, where numerous songs are also created. One of the main characters, “Shino Ichigo”, serendipitously encounters Hatsune Miku here.

In addition to Shino Ichigo, the game features other characters with their own aspirations.Initially released, five distinct groups emerged, each with their own “aspirations”, “worlds”, and “musical styles”. The developers also mentioned the potential addition of new groups in the future. Furthermore, unlike previous rhythm games LoveLive and BanG Dream, which feature a predominantly male or female cast, PJSK includes both all-female and mixed-gender groups.

Game Features

Regarding the storyline, players will navigate between the ”real world“ and the ”world“. The storyline dialogue scenes feature Live2D technology, and players can unlock new clothing, songs, and other elements as they progress through the story. Additionally, characters featured in 3DMV can be freely customized, and clothing purchased in the real world will be showcased in 3DMV. Players can appreciate the vivid and beautiful 3DMV with their favorite characters or designs.

    2    

As for the gameplay, commands will appear in a top-down format, coordinating with rhythm and various commands to create combos. During gameplay, the background will showcase 3DMV animations produced by SEGA Games for players’ enjoyment. However, considering the impact of the songs themselves, some tracks will be presented in the 2DMV format.

The game features three types of notes: single tap (TAP), flick (FLICK), and hold (HOLD).    3    The difficulty of songs ranges from the easiest ”Easy“ to the most challenging ”Master,“ divided into five stages, allowing players to freely select a difficulty level that suits their play style.

The design style of the game’s musical score is highly reminiscent of SEGA’s arcade rhythm game CHUNITHM, featuring intertwined long-hold sliders and notes of varying widths.    4    The game features a “Virtual Live” mode that enables players to engage in real-time concert experiences within the game. During this mode, players can wave their support sticks by tapping the screen, freely adjust their viewpoint by sliding or tilting the device, and collaboratively support other players using a variety of methods, including changing the color of their support sticks or utilizing gifts, actions, and expressions.

Worldview

In the “Project SEKAI”, Shino Ichigo and others accidentally stumbled into the “world” and encountered six virtual singers.    5    . People gain entry to the world via untitled tracks. These songs, devoid of lyrics or melodies, coalesced simultaneously with the world. Only those imbued with profound yearnings will encounter “untitled” tracks. Upon the world’s possessor discovering their authentic aspirations, the Untitled transform into a song, known as the group’s “group song” (colloquially).

A．Notably, some songs in the game will be divided into ”original ver. “ (virtual singer ver. ) and ”world ver. “ sung by both virtual singers and original game characters.

B．Virtual singers manifest in distinct guises and inhabit distinct worlds, aiding individuals in discerning their authentic aspirations

C．When it comes to the 3DMV and songs, PJSK combines 3DMV with popular VOCALOID tracks, which widely attract various players.

D．Judgment criteria differ, such as the ability to simultaneously hold a unique-shaped long HOLDs with multiple fingers but not to swipe through dense single TAPs.

E．Virtual singers, such as Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin·Len, Megurine Luka, MEIKO, and KAITO,are portrayed as being the same as how we perceive them in the real world

F．In the tangible world, the virtual singer Hatsune Miku, along with Kagamine Rin·Len, Megurine Luka, MEIKO, and KAITO, is collectively referred to as “Hatsune Miku and her partners”

G．In terms of songs, PJSK has featured a wide selection of highly popular VOCALOID tracks and collaborates with renowned VOCALOID composers (VOCALOID P) to release original songs.