1 . Australian snowfields offer a unique experience for skiers looking for fresh snow with a beautiful backdrop.
Perisher Ski Resort (度假胜地)
Where: a six-hour drive from Sydney
If you like big ski resorts, then Perisher is for you. The resort features the best ski runs inAustralia. You can stay at Perisher without the crowds of a ski village with options like the MarritzHotel. Many skiers prefer to stay in the nearby town of Jindabyne, where you’ll find a variety of classic country cafés.
Thredbo
Where: a five-hour drive from Sydney
Whether you’re skiing down Australia’s longest ski run, or finding your feet in the beginner’s area, Thredbo has it all. You’ll have unforgettable experiences like the Sunrise Session to enjoy the first run of the day. When darkness falls, you have warm accommodation options like The Eastern orThe Denman.
Falls Creek Alpine Resort
Where: a five-hour drive from Melbourne
Falls Creek is a pedestrian (行人) — only ski village, where all the accommodation, dining and snow activities are ski-in/ski-out, so bring your boots! The largest ski resort in Victoria, it’s also great for families, with a ski school and child-friendly runs. If you love to explore something beyond the park, take a backcountry tour to find fresh snow.
Mount Hotham
Where: a four-hour drive from Melbourne
The ski village at Mount Hotham is on the top of the mountain, meaning your first ski of the day is down to the chairlift. This is a mountain for those who like their runs steeper (陡峭) and deeper, with an impressive mix of advanced and expert ski runs as well as a separate beginners’ area.
1. How long does it take to drive from Sydney to Perisher Ski Resort?| A．Four hours. | B．Five hours. | C．Six hours. | D．Seven hours. |
| A．It features Australia’s longest ski run. | B．It has the steepest ski run in Australia. |
| C．It is the largest ski resort in Victoria. | D．It sits at the foot of a huge mountain. |
| A．Thredbo. | B．Mount Hotham. |
| C．Perisher Ski Resort. | D．Falls Creek Alpine Resort. |
2 . London Cycle Hire Scheme
Renting a bike is not only one of the most pleasant ways to travel around the back streets of London, it’s also one of the cheapest. Approximately 12,000 bikes are available to rent 24 hours a day, all year round. You can hire a bike from any of the 800 docking stations and return it anywhere on the network. The three-speed bikes are pretty strong. They come with a bell, a front basket and a chain guard. The front and back lights come on when you start pedalling and the seat height is easily adjustable.
How much does it cost?
Unfortunately, the free under-30-mimite-ride deal was canceled in September 2022.
• £ 1.65 per 30 minutes
How to hire a bike?
There are two ways to hire a bike—at a clocking station terminal or via an app (the easier way).
At a docking station
• Touch the screen and insert a credit or debit card. The machine will print a receipt with a release code.
• Enter the release code. Wait until the green light flashes, pull out your bike and go.
Via the Santander cycle hire app
Smartphone users can now use an iOS or Android app to hire and pay for a hike. However, using the app does not reserve a bike. You still only have 10 minutes to use the release code, so make sure you’re near the docking station when you use it.
Please note: You have to be 18 or over to pay for a bike. You also need a credit or debit card — cash is not accepted.
1. How much should you pay for renting a bike for 2 hours?| A．£1.65. | B．£ 3.3. | C．£4.95. | D．£ 6.6. |
| A．Providing your personal information. | B．Taking enough cash. |
| C．Minding the time limit. | D．Making a reservation. |
| A．Bike rental service. | B．A docking station. | C．Traveling in London. | D．A bike hiring app. |
1. How much should a couple with a child aged four pay to visit The Beatles Story?
| A．£22.95. | B．£27.95. | C．£31.90. | D．£38.90. |
| A．It’s closed on weekends. | B．It’s open to the public for free. |
| C．It puts on a play every day. | D．It was designed and built in 2008. |
| A．Watch a football match. | B．Take a boat tour. |
| C．Find out about The Beatles. | D．Enjoy some coffee. |
4 . Here’s all the information you need to know about getting a membership to Sam’s Club.Explore all the membership offers below!
Sam’s Club Annual Membership.
Sam’s Club has two annual membership options, Club Membership and Plus Membership:
* Club Membership: This is the standard membership level and costs $50 per year.
* Plus Membership: This is the top membership level and costs $110 per year. Though the Plus Membership is more expensive, it gets you an additional 2% back on your purchases (up to $500 a year)
Sam’s Club 3-Month Free Trial Membership
A Sam’s Club 3-month Free Trial Membership allows you to experience everything that a Club Membership gets for 90 days.
This free trial offer is limited to new members only and you can only get one of these trial memberships per household(一家人).
The trial membership is set up to auto-renew(自动续订) and you will become a club member at the end of the three-month period automatically, so be sure to cancel before 90 days is up. You can cancel at any time during the free trial by calling 1-888-746-7726.
Sam’s Club 1-Day Shopping Pass
Sam’s Club offers a l-Day Shopping Pass, which allows non-member guests to shop at Sam’s Club for 24 hours without a membership. Though it came with a few restrictions:
* Shopping using a 1-Day Shopping Pass will be charged a 10% fee on all purchases.
* A Guest Membership is active for 24 hours starting at the time of purchases.
* Scan &Go can only be used by members and is not available for guests.
1. How much should a Plus Membership user pay for something bought by a Club Membership user priced at $30?| A．$28.8． | B．$29.4． | C．$ 30． | D．$30.6． |
| A．It offers less benefit than a Club Membership. |
| B．One can cancel it anytime before the end of 90 days. |
| C．One can get two of these trial memberships per household. |
| D．It is necessary for you to phone if you want to become a club member. |
| A．It is for non-member guests to purchase things. |
| B．Shopping with the pass will get a 10% discount. |
| C．Scan &. Go can be available to those with the pass. |
| D．Those with the pass can enjoy the top-level service. |
5 . Much-loved 100-Word-Story Competition
Our much-loved 100-Word-Story Competition is back! Enter for the chance to win prizes of up to₤ 1,000.
Rules and prizes
Please ensure that submissions are original, not previously published and exactly 100 words long(not including title). Don’t forget to include your full name, address, email and phone number when filling in the form. We may use entries in all print and electronic media.
Terms and conditions:
There are three categories—one for adults and two categories for schools (one for children aged12-18 and one for children under 12).
● In the adults category, the winner will receive £ 1,000 and one runner-up will receive £250.
● In the 12-18s category, the winner will receive a £200 book voucher (代金券) or a Kindle Paperwhite and a ₤ 100 book voucher for their school, and the runner-up will receive a £100 book voucher.
● In the under-12 category, the winner will receive a £100 book voucher or a Kindle Paperwhite and a £50 book voucher for their school, and the runner-up will receive a £50 book voucher.
Please submit your stories by 5 pm on January 5, 2024 either online or by post addressed to:
Reader’s Digest
00 Word Story Competition
Warmers Group Publications
West Street, Bourne
PE10 9PH
The editorial team will pick a shortlist of entries, and the three best stories in each category will be posted online at readersdigest.co.uk on February 1, 2024. You can vote you’re your favourite, and the one with the most votes will win the top prize. Voting will close on February 29,2024 and the winning entries will be published in our May 2024 issue, and posted online on April 16, 2024.
1. What do we know about the writing event from the text?| A．It will pick out 6 best entries. | B．Each entry is 100 words or fewer. |
| C．Only students over 12 can enter it. | D．Entries can be in electronic version. |
| A．A Kindle Paperwhite. | B．A £ 100 book voucher. |
| C．£250 in prize money. | D．An issue of Reader’s Digest. |
| A．On January 5, 2024. | B．On February 1, 2024. |
| C．On April 16. 2024. | D．On February 29,2024. |
6 . Where to Buy Art Online
Buying a piece of art is easier than ever. Now, art is at the tip of your fingers thanks to the internet. Here are platforms available for all prices and tastes.
ARTFINDER
ArtFinder focuses on selling original and limited edition artwork from independent artists around the world. With 5,700 five-star review son TrustPilot, ArtFinder is a reliable source for affordable art. Buyers like the simple purchasing process and appreciate the accurate representation of the artwork on the website. If you aren't satisfied with what you receive, the platform has a 14-day return policy.
FINE ART AMERICA
Fine Art America is the world's largest online art marketplace. It is home to hundreds of thousands of artists, photographers and global brands. You can also search thematic collections by high-level brands like Rolling Stone, so it's a good choice if you are looking for a print of a famous photograph. If you aren't satisfied with what you receive, the platform has a 30-day return policy.
ARTSY
If you are looking for a high-end gallery experience from home, check out Artsy. This highly respected platform has over 2 million pieces of art available. Artsy aims to make collecting art easy and allows art lovers to buy artwork and even sell pieces from their collections. Once you've purchased or made an offer, all sales are final.
SAATCHI ART
If you want to purchase from emerging and mid-career independent artists, Saatchi Art is a great option. Saatchi has original pieces and art prints ranging from under $500 to over $10,000. With over60,000 international artists on the platform, there is plenty to choose from. Saatchi has a 14-day return policy for original artwork.
1. What does ARTFINDER focus on?| A．Print of a famous photograph. | B．Pieces from personal collections. |
| C．Original pieces and art prints. | D．Original and limited edition artwork. |
| A．ARTFINDER. | B．FINE ART AMERICA. | C．ARTSY. | D．SAATCHI ART. |
| A．To educate. | B．To introduce. | C．To confirm. | D．To propose. |
7 . High School Competition 2023 Announcement
The CIVIC MUSIC MKE High School Competition is a well-known Milwaukee competition for high-school-age musicians. Musicians compete for the chance to perform (表演) on the Showcase Performance and to be one of four musicians to receive a total of $1, 500 in Young Artist Scholarships (奖学金), and one jazz musician to receive the Lee Guse Memorial Jazz Scholarship.
APPLY BY: August 15, 2023
COMPETITION DAY: October 21, 2023
SHOWCASE PERFORMANCE: December 12, 2023(Milwaukee Youth Art s Center)
REQUIREMENTS.
•Open to high school singing and instrumental students in grades 10-12 who live in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Washington or Racine County.
•Four to six minutes of performance time is required. The timer will stop the performer at six minutes.
•All students are expected to perform with an accompanist (伴奏者) and must provide their own.
HOWT OA PPLY:
•Online application will be open after July 31 and closed after August 15.
•Please feel free to email info@civicmusicmilwaukee. org with any questions.
JUDGES (裁判) FOR T HE 2023 COMPETITION:
•SINGING: David Hoffman, Wendy Rowe
•INSTRUMENTAL :Paul Hauer, James Ripley
•JAZZ: Johanna Brahm
1. When can you sign up for the competition?| A．On July 31. | B．On August 12. |
| C．On October 21. | D．On December 12. |
| A．A chance to perform at Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. |
| B．A six-minute personal performance video. |
| C．A place at a music school in Washington. |
| D．A $ 6, 000 Young Artist Scholarship. |
| A．David Hoffman. | B．Wendy Rowe. |
| C．James Ripley. | D．Johanna Brahm. |
8 .
Art of sushi making Bei Restaurant at the Opposite House offers the last sushi preparation class by Max Levy, a New Orleans-born New Yorker, who learned the art of sushi making from masters in Japan. Classes are scheduled at 11:30 am on Dec.2 or 5. Cost is 388yuan per person, including materials and use of materials.010-6410-5230 | Festive buffet CBD restaurant at Grand Millennium Beijing offers a festive buffet (自助餐), featuring roast turkey, until Dec.30. Turkey will be matched with stuffing, cranberry sauce, bread and butter pudding, honey-glazed ham, brandy fruit cakes, and existing gourmet buffet selections.010-6530-9383 |
Christmas dinner party Beijing Minzu Hotel prepares a dinner party on Christmas Eve. There will be song-and-dance performances, with famous French wines and exciting prizes to win. Cost is 1,680—2,580 yuan per person. 6—10 pm, Dec. 24, 1/F, Coffee Mii, Four Seasons Restaurant, 2/F Jin Xiu Palace, and 11/F East Hall and West Hall.010-6601-4466 ext 162 | Christmas shopping Get a gift idea at The Peninsula Beijing, where there is a wide range of offerings, or shop in style at The Peninsula Arcade, for fashion, jewelry, leather and other gifts. Or try online shopping at peninsula. com. The Peninsula Boutique is open daily from 11:00 am—9:30 pm.010-8516-2888 ext 6691 |
1. Many customers are attracted to Bei Restaurant for its ______.
| A．art of sushi making | B．song-and-dance performances |
| C．jewelry and leather | D．brandy fruit cakes |
| A．010-6410-5230 | B．010-6601-4466 |
| C．010-6530-9383 | D．010-8516-2888 |
| A．Bei restaurant | B．Grand Millennium Beijing |
| C．The Peninsula Beijing | D．Beijing Minzu Hotel |
9 . Visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Vatican City is not only the smallest country in the world, but also a treasure house of art and history. You can admire the impressive fresco paintings (壁画) of the Sistine Chapel, and explore the Vatican Museums, which house a big collection of masterpieces from ancient to modern times.
Skip-the-line tickets:
The best-selling tickets for access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Skip (跳过) the line tickets with priority access.
| Ticket | Type | Price | Reservation (预定) |
| Entrance | Full | €17.00/person | €4.00 |
| Entrance | Reduced | €8.00/person | €4.00 |
Reduced tickets:
Reduced tickets are available to children from 6 to 18 years of age, as well as students between the ages of 18 and 25. It is necessary to present a formal document at the university for the current year. There are no reductions for the over 65s.
Free entry:
Admission is free for children under 6 years of age. It is also free for disabled visitors and their carers. As it is not possible to book in advance, they will have to go directly to the “Special Permits” and /or “Reception” counters located in the entrance hall of the Vatican Museums.
Visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with audio guide
| Ticket | Type | Price | Reservation |
| Entrance +audio guide | Full | €24.00/person | €4.00 |
| Entrance +audio guide | Reduced | €15.00/person | €4.00 |
| Entrance +audio guide | Children (under age 6) | €13.00/person | €4.00 |
1. What does the Sistine Chapel feature?
| A．Fresco paintings. | B．Collected treasures. |
| C．The natural scenery. | D．The style of buildings. |
| A．Kids under age 6. | B．Students aged 6—25. |
| C．Adults aged over 65. | D．People with disabilities. |
| A．€48.00. | B．€61.00. | C．€63.00. | D．€75.00. |
10 .
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Trainee Hairdresser Full Time — 40 hours per week Learn from some of the best hairdressers in the world! You will work 8 hours a day, from Monday to Saturday. Your work will include: welcoming customers, washing hair, bringing coffee and tea to customers and keeping the room clean and tidy at all times. No previous (先前的) experience is necessary. Please apply NOW! Contact us at cathy@cut-above. Brighton. com |
Wowee Magazine Writers wanted! Wowee Magazine is looking for writers for its website. Pay is up to the number of people who read your articles. You may also receive free tickets to events. This is good for you to get valuable work experience. We want people who are: Chatty, interesting, skilled, friendly. Contact us at info@ wowee. com |
Calling All Models Think you could be a model? If so, we’d like to meet you! Working as a successful fashion model isn’t easy but it is very exciting. You should be over 16. Girls should be at a height no shorter than 172 cm and boys should be at least 182 cm. If you are under 16 but have the required height, you must bring a parent. Contact us at info@atop-model-agency. uk |
1. If you want to be a Trainee Hairdresser you can contact
| A．careers@a golden-care. com | B．cathy@acut-above. Brighton. com |
| C．info@ wowee. com | D．info@ top model-agency. uk |
| A．Lucy, who can work all the week. |
| B．Betty, who has no previous experience. |
| C．Peter, who once worked as a news reporter. |
| D．Fland, who is handsome with a height of 190 cm. |
| A．Good personality. | B．Enough experience. |
| C．Required age. | D．Required height. |
