1 . 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. |
2 . Here are some of the best nonfiction books of recent years.
Somebody’s Daughter
$ 16 at Amazon
Ashley C. Ford talks about growing up as a black girl in Indiana, dealing with poverty, the complexities of adolescence, and a tense relationship with her mother. She often wished that she could express her feelings with her father, but failed for reasons she didn’t know. Until one day — after going through a heart-broken experience with a boy, which she kept from her family — her grandmother told her. And what she learned turned her entire world upside down.
Crazy Stories About Racism
$ 14 at Amazon
New York-based comedian Amber Ruffin, along with her sister Lacey Lamar, shares their everyday experiences about their bad conditions. It gets especially bad for Lacey who still lives in their home state of Nebraska, and is a start for these ridiculous but all-too-real encounters (遭遇).
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain
$ 25 at Amazon
If you want to get in touch with your creative side, this book might just be the trick. As the title suggests, A Swim in a Pond in the Rain is a literary master class that takes readers into the mind of Booker Prize-winning author George Saunders. He discusses what makes great stories, how they work, and what they say about ourselves and today’s world.
All In
$ 21 at Amazon
Sports legend Billie Jean King writes a self-portrait that talks about the highs and lows of her amazing tennis career, her work in activism, and the ongoing fight for social justice and equality.
1. What is special about Somebody’s Daughter?A.It tells a girl’s relationship with parents. | B.It tells a confused girl. |
C.It tells a girl’s education. | D.It describes a girl’s secret. |
A.The steps of writing a good story. | B.The secret of George Saunders’ success. |
C.The situations of the present society. | D.Experiences of swimming in a pond. |
A.All In. | B.Somebody’s Daughter. |
C.A Swim in a Pond in the Rain. | D.Crazy Stories About Racism. |
3 . Beijing People’s Art Theater, arguably the most famous professional theater company in China, will present Teahouse by Lao She, which is the cornerstone of its repertory (剧目), as its New York City(NYC) appearance.
Teahouse will play at the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts in NYC from 27 Nov. 1 Dec. this year. The production will be performed in Mandarin Chinese with simultaneous (同时的) English translation through headphones.
Teahouse is set in a typical, old Beijing teahouse and follows the lives of the owner and his customers through three stages in modern Chinese history, from approximately 1898 to 1948. It brings a cast of over sixty actors delivering their characteristic performance. Together, they reflected the changes in the then Chinese society through the Yutai Teahouse, a place where people from all walks of life came together.
The production in NYC will be the final stop of a U. S. tour that has also included performances in Houston and Los Angeles. As a well-received classic in its homeland. Teahouse is a must-see for everyone interested in contemporary Chinese literature, and anyone interested in catching a glimpse of the remarkable changes in modern China within two hours and thirty minutes.
Tickets are now available to purchase for the price of just $100 apiece (每人) at the booking office. You will enjoy a 5% discount off the price if you purchase through our website or app. For our local theatergoers who have bought our yearly plan, an extra 5% discount will also come your way.
1. What can the audience enjoy while watching Teahouse?A.Classical Chinese music. | B.Distinctive group performance. |
C.Grand stage sets. | D.Translation on the screen. |
A.Devoted theatergoers. | B.Literary critics. |
C.China enthusiasts. | D.English speakers. |
A.180 dollars. | B.190 dollars. | C.195 dollars. | D.200 dollars. |
4 . 2023 Illustration Competition
Enter the competition most respected and admired in the industry for creativity in illustration, the Communication Arts Illustration Competition. Selected by distinguished professionals, the winning entries will be distributed worldwide in the Communication Arts Illustration Annual and on commarts. com, ensuring important exposure of the creations. Each winner will receive a professionalized Award of Excellence, made from solid aluminum, and an award certificate. Communication Art’s Award of Excellence is one of the most desired awards. If chosen, winning places you in the highest ranks of your profession.
What To Enter With
Any illustration first published or produced from Jan. 2022 to Jan. 2023 is qualified. Entries may originate from any country. Descriptions in English are necessary for the judges to read.
Entries Can Be Submitted In The Following Formats
Digital Images: RGB images in JPG format with a maximum file size of 2 MB. GIF images may be livelier, but would be turned down, and so would the PNG ones.
Motion Entries: In MOV, MP4 or MPG format, with a maximum file size of 500 MB.
Illustration Competition Categories & Entry Fees
Category | Single illustration | Series of illustrations |
Books (covers, jackets, etc.) | $ 40 | $ 80 (limit of 5) |
Motion (media for films, videos, etc.) | $ 90 | $ 180 (limit of 3) |
Student Work | $20 (Image) $ 45 (Video) | $40 (Image, limit of 5) $ 90 (Video, limit of 3) |
For more categories, please download the category PDF.
Late Fees
Entries must be registered no later than Jan. 13, 2023. Entries registered after that date will be charged a fee of $ 10 each. No entries can be registered after Jan. 27, 2023.
1. What will the winner gain?A.A bonus from Communication Arts. | B.Exposure to world-famous works. |
C.Wide recognition in the industry. | D.A personalized award certificate. |
A.A newly produced motion entry. | B.A series for covers of three illustrations. |
C.A student work from Argentina. | D.A PNG image with a file size of 1 MB. |
A.$80. | B.$90. | C.$110. | D.$120. |
1. How do scientists at University College London measure memory loss?
A.By recording the time people spend on TV. |
B.By tracking people’s living habits. |
C.By using memory and fluency tests. |
A.Watching television for hours. |
B.Playing video games for hours. |
C.Surfing the Internet for hours. |
A.It can maintain their mental function. |
B.It can educate them on using the Internet. |
C.It can help them relax. |
A.Make more friends. |
B.Sleep eight to ten hours per night. |
C.Balance TV viewing with other activities. |
6 . The Best Smart Water Bottles of 2023 for Better Hydration (补水)
You can expect to pay between $20 and $120 for a smart water bottle. Less-expensive options may include some smart features, like Bluetooth connectivity, hydration reminders, or a power bank that can charge your smartphone. If you’re looking for more advanced smart features, like self-cleaning modes, hydration tracking through an app, or location-tracking, then you may want to consider a more expensive smart water bottle.
Best Overall: Hidrate Spark STEEL Smart Water Bottle
Pros: Frequent hydration reminders Wide range of sizes and colors | Location-tracking feature
Cons: No self-cleaning feature
Best Budget: ICEWATER 3-in-1 Smart Water Bottle
Pros: Can be locked when not in use | Plays music | Easy to use with one hand
Cons: Can’t track your water intake | Only comes in one size
Best Self-Cleaning: Larq Bottle PureVis
Pros: Long battery life | Modern design | Durable
Cons: Can’t track your water intake
Best Durable: CrazyCap UV Water Purifier & Bottle
Pros: Two self-cleaning modes | Comes with a lifetime warranty (保修期) | Wide range of colors
Cons: Can’t track your water intake | Only comes in one size
Best for Tracking Hydration: Gatorade Smart Gx Bottle
Pros: Large capacity Can be personalized | Set goals in the app
Cons: Not insulated (绝缘) | Might not be as durable
Best Lightweight: Monos Kiyo UVC Bottle
Pros: Durable | Long battery life | Modern design
Cons: Expensive
Best Rechargeable: Philips Water GoZero Self-Cleaning Smart Water Bottle
Pros: Self-cleaning | Dishwasher safe | Two-year warranty
Cons: Can’t track your water intake
1. What do Larg Bottle PureVis and CrazyCap UV Water Purifier & Bottle have in common?A.They can track the amount of water you’ve drunk. |
B.They have the same self-cleaning modes. |
C.They cost much more comparatively. |
D.They are easy to take with. |
A.Monos Kiyo UVC Bottle. |
B.ICEWATER 3-in-1 Smart Water Bottle. |
C.Hidrate Spark STEEL Smart Water Bottle. |
D.Philips Water GoZero Self-Cleaning Smart Water Bottle. |
A.It can remind you of bottle cleaning. |
B.It’s suitable for forgetful people. |
C.Its colors may match its designs. |
D.It comes only in one size. |
7 . Born in 1873 in an old town, the Carival of Viareggio now is one of the most popular events held in Vareggio, Italy. Some of the biggest carnival floats (彩车) in Viareggio are known to the whole world, turning into a kind of symbol (象征) showing peace, unity and love.
The Location And Transportation
The huge street parades (游行) take place on the seaside walkway of Vareggio. To get to Viareggio before the parades, visitors can easily arrive here by direct trains from Florence, Pisa, Lucca and Cinque Terre. The train station is only 10-15 minutes walk from the seaside walkway.
The 2024 Time Plan Of The Carnival
2023 was special because it was the 150th birthday of the Carnival of Viareggio. All stories and cultures of the carnival come from different corners of the world. This is why people call it “a common carnival”. Only a few days after the end of the 2023 carnival, its organization already worked out the dates of the 2024 carnival’s parades, The following is the schedule of the 2024 carnival’s parades.
Date | Time | Event |
Saturday, Feb 3 | 4 pm | First floats parade |
Thursday, Feb 8 | 6 pm | Second floats parade |
Sunday, Feb 11 | 3 pm | Third floats parade |
Tuesday, Feb 13 | 5 pm | Fourth floats parade |
Sunday, Feb 18 | 3 pm | Fifth floats parade |
Saturday, Feb 24 | 5 pm | Sixth and final floats parade |
The winners will be showed and there will be fireworks at the end of the parades.
1. What is the Carnival of Viareggio famous for?A.Its carnival floats. | B.Its long history. |
C.Its famous stories. | D.Its seaside walkway. |
A.By boat B By plane C.By railway. D. By subway. |
A.On Tuesday, February 13, at 6 pm. |
B.On Sunday, February 11, at 3 pm. |
C.On Sunday, February 1l, at 5 pm. |
D.D.On Tuesday,February 13,at 3 pm. |
8 . Take A Scenic Ride On The World’s Steepest Railway For Passengers—If You Dare!
Originally built for mining in 1878, the Scenic Railway is now a tourist ride that can take your breath away! In the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, the former mining railway became a tourist attraction in 1945. It currently holds the Guinness World Records as the steepest passenger train with the steepest railway gradient (坡度).
The gradient of 52 degrees is comfortably viewed from inside an 84-seat, glass-enclosed carriage car. The passenger car travels along on a cable-driven system of rails as it navigates the steep terrain. During the tour, passengers will see the train travel through sandstone cliffs and a rock tunnel next to Orphan Rock.
Orphan Rock was once available for trail climbing. Following rock slides in the 1950s, the trail was partially closed. The trail access was completely closed in 1974 and never reopened due to potential risks.
On the Scenic Railway, you will see stunning views from a slightly different angle than Orphan Rock. The railway is open every day of the year, making the trip along the rails every ten minutes.
Sight-seeing passengers can ride the steepest railway up from the Jamison Valley or travel on the cable car. Either option affords incredible scenic views of the Blue Mountains. The glass roof in the passenger cars allows for a fantastic view from every seat on the train.
Just take a look for yourself!
1. Where might the Scenic Railway originally lead to?A.A mine. | B.A village. | C.A mountain. | D.A valley. |
A.It is a rock tunnel. | B.It is out of use. |
C.It is partially open. | D.It is a 10-minute trip. |
A.Eco-friendly. | B.Absurd. | C.Demanding. | D.Adventurous. |
9 . Need a Job This Summer?
The provincial government and its partners offer many programs to help students find summer jobs. The deadlines and what you need to apply depend on the program.
Not a student? Go to the government website to learn about programs and online tools available to help people under 30 build skills, find a job or start businesses all year round.
Jobs for Youth
If you are a teenager living in certain parts of the province, you could be eligible(符合条件)for this program, which provides eight weeks of paid employment along with training.
Who is eligible: Youth 15-18 years old in select communities (社区).
Summer Company
Summer Company provides students with hands-on business training and awards of up to $3,000 to start and run their own summer businesses.
Who is eligible: Students aged 15-29, returning to school in the fall.
Stewardship Youth Ranger Program
You could apply to be a Stewardship Youth Ranger and work on local natural resource management projects for eight weeks this summer.
Who is eligible: Students aged 16 or 17 at time of hire, but not turning 18 before December 31 this year.
Summer Employment Opportunities
Through the Summer Employment Opportunities program, students are hired each year in a variety of summer positions across the Provincial Public Service, its related agencies and community groups.
Who is eligible: Students aged 15 or older. Some positions require students to be 15 to 24 or up to 29 for persons with a disability.
1. What is the age range required by Stewardship Youth Ranger Program?A.15-18. | B.15-24. | C.16-17. | D.15-29. |
A.Summer Company. | B.Summer Employment Opportunities. |
C.Jobs for Youth. | D.Stewardship Youth Ranger Program. |
A.It provides awards for running new businesses. |
B.It requires no training before employment. |
C.It offers more summer job opportunities. |
D.It allows one to work in the natural environment. |
1. Where is Smithfield College located?
A.In a small town. | B.In a big city. | C.In a large town. |
A.To enjoy the Chinese food. |
B.To earn more money. |
C.To experience the real American culture. |
A.A Master’s. | B.A Doctor’s. | C.A Graduate’s. |
A.Ones with unique opportunities. |
B.Ones with American culture. |
C.Ones with ten years’ experience in teaching. |