1 . Mu Sa, a livestream host from Zhongning, Ningxia, demonstrates how the Internet has transformed many young unemployed people into useful talents contributing to society.
After graduating from university. Mu worked as an office clerk in Shanghai, a marketing assistant in Beijing and a data analyst in Hangzhou. Each time he struggled to realize his dream in big cities. However, Mu found that what touched him most was the strong feeling of homesickness. Mu returned home to seek chances.
Depressed, Mu thought of himself a “failure” at first. However, he was not deterred by his difficulties and quickly lifted himself up. Mu decided to create short videos about local people’s daily lives and uploading them online. A video clip showing his mother cooking local food turned out to be a surprise hit, which inspired Mu to carry on. He gradually found that village-related content was popular among his followers. Since then, his families, friends and neighbors, their small courtyards, chickens, sheep, and vast fields have all become the subjects of Mu’s camera lens. Many fans know about his hometown through Mu’s work.
As his work attracted more and more followers, Mu started promoting local specialties on his account. The sesame oil, wolfberries and tea he sold on his first day totaled 700,000 yuan. The popularity of local specialties consolidated his confidence that he could work as a “salesman” for the agricultural produce. With more than 5 million followers on social networking websites, Mu has become the No.1 “salesman” in Zhongning county, helping his fellow-villagers to sell local specialties online.
In January, Mu was invited to take part in a program at China Central Television in Beijing. Possessing millions of fans on social media, Mu still felt nervous sitting in tront of the camera in the studio. “Although livestream host is a common job, as long as I. can take advantage of the platform to do something for my hometown, rather than only for myself, I think I can do an extraordinary job,” said Mu.
1. Why did Mu return to his hometown?| A．He had difficulty in finding a job. | B．He didn’t enjoy life in big cities. |
| C．He missed his family terribly. | D．He found more chances there. |
| A．Discouraged. | B．Motivated. | C．Confused. | D．Shocked. |
| A．Caring and cheerful. | B．Confident and selfless. |
| C．Ambitious and outgoing. | D．Humorous and cooperative. |
| A．It is never too old to learn. | B．Challenges make life interesting. |
| C．Success belongs to the persevering | D．All good things come to those who wait. |
2 . Why Subscribe to Reader’s Digest?
The world’s best-loved general-interest publication contains something for everyone. Reader’s Digest magazine is bursting with stories, articles, advice, recipes, reviews, tips, jokes and anecdotes. Each issue is small enough to fit in your handbag or pocket, but big enough to keep you entertained for weeks on end.
From regular columns packed with information to gripping (扣人心弦的) human-interest stories and helpful how-tos, our magazine offers knowledge, positivity and humour. In this month’s issue you’ll find...
An interview with Hugh Dancy:
The newest addition to the leading roles of the TV series Downton Abbey on New York, Law & Order, and the nostalgia (怀旧) of playing an English gentleman.
Saving the sound of the Stradivaius:
Meet the experts fighting to save the unbeatable sound of history’s greatest violins, meeting the love of her life.
Community Power:
Across the UK, communities are coming together to save their pubs, shops, and more.
If Grace Dent ruled the world:
The restaurant critic shares her manifesto (宣言) for world domination.
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Plus, make sure you always keep up to date with all of the top stories, news and promotions from Reader’s Digest by subscribing to our weekly newsletter.
1. How often does the magazine come out?| A．Annually. | B．Daily. | C．Weekly. | D．Monthly. |
| A．Community Power. | B．If Grace Dent ruled the world. |
| C．An interview with Hugh Dancy. | D．Saving the sound of the Stradivaius. |
| A．£22.99. | B．£3. | C．£47.88. | D．£24.89. |
3 . What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in September
Movie Matinees Are Back!September l , 1:00pm: The Polar Express (2004)
September 7, 1:00pm: The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
We’re bringing our Movie Matinees back, and this month there’s trouble on a train! This is a drop-in program, no registration required. Come by for a movie on the big screen!
Art Journaling with Megan JefferySeptember 8, 6:30-8:00pm
Learn how you can get started in documenting your life with art journaling in this engaging workshop led by illustrator Megan Jeffery. Participants will create their own joumaling cards using a variety of supplies. Space is limited, so registration is required.
The Humane Gardener: Nancy Lawson (Online)September 15, 6:30-8:00pm
Join author Nancy Lawson as our special guest speaker in an online presentation related to her book The Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife, which explains the importance of coexisting with the local wildlife. Registration required to receive a Zoom link one hour before the start of the program.
Preschool Storytime (Ages 3-5)September 20, 10:00-10:45am
A program for preschoolers to learn through talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing! For children ages 3-5 and their caregivers. Registration: Cheshire residents may register beginning on September 6. Non-residents may register starting on September 13.
1. What is special about the movie-watching program?| A．It is held on a train. | B．It is an online program. |
| C．It includes hands-on activities. | D．It requires no advance registration. |
| A．Click a Zoom link. | B．Read her latest book. |
| C．Bring their own art supplies. | D．Submit an art journaling card. |
| A．Movie lovers. | B．Gardeners. | C．Preschoolers’ parents. | D．Artists. |
4 . MiG Prize 2024
The Michel Gelrubin Architecture Prize is designed to bring out new talents by giving students an opportunity for international recognition. Open internationally, the Prize is awarded annually to honor students whose work demonstrates a combination of vision and talent in the art of architecture and planning.
This Year’s Challenge
This year’s competition invites proposals for projects that integrate at least 3 different uses into a building. The projects should include private and public spaces, and consider the urban context.
Timeline
Launch: August 1st, 2024
Registration Deadline: September 15th, 2024 (registration is free)
Submission Deadline: November 19th, 2024
Result Announcement: December 17th, 2024
Prizes
First prize $5,000
Second prize $2,500
Third prize $1,500
The Jury (评委会)
The projects will be scored based on their originality, design, environmental effects, and presentation.
Participation
The competition is open to any student studying architecture during the academic year 2024-2025. Candidates can apply as individuals or as teams.
Materials
Electronic submission of the project files must include:
● Posters that integrate the documents explaining the project [plans, sections, elevations, photos, renderings (透视图), illustrations, images, diagrams, and text]
● A presentation of the project (max 15 slides)
● A video file (max 3 min.) is optional but highly recommended.
● All the documents must be written in English and sent in a PDF format (except the videos).
For more information, see https://migprize.com.
1. What do we know about the competition?| A．It offers $ 1,500 for second prize. |
| B．It is open to all graduates in architecture. |
| C．It charges an all-time low registration fee this year. |
| D．It focuses on designing a mixed-use building this year. |
| A．August 1st, 2024. | B．September 15th, 2024. |
| C．November 19th, 2024. | D．December 17th, 2024. |
| A．Integrated posters in the English version. |
| B．A video file of no more than 3 minutes. |
| C．A presentation of no less than 15 slides. |
| D．Paper documents explaining the project. |
5 . Home away from home
Pet boarding facilities in and around Rochester
Bear Creek Kennels (犬舍) Tel: 507-287-0045Offering boarding and day care for dogs of all ages, Bear Creek Kennels has both indoor and outdoor fenced areas. Dogs are encouraged to play with each other throughout the day. It costs $24 per night. The drop-off/pick-up times are: Mon. — Fri., 7 a. m. — 6 p. m.; Sat., 8 a. m. — 5 p. m.; Sun., 3 —5 p. m.
Bob’s Animal Friends Tel: 507-280-9572Bob’s Animal Friends wants your dogs to feel right at home, so much so that it offers a “Sleep Buddy” add-on for $10 per night. A caretaker will stay overnight with your dog, meaning extra care time and sleeping on the sofa. It costs $25 per night. The drop-off/pick-up times are: Mon. —Fri., 6:30 a. m. — 7 p. m.; Sat., 7 — 8 a. m. and 5 — 6 p. m.; Sun., 5 — 6 p. m.
K-9 Kennels Inc. Tel: 507-289-2470The owners of K-9 Kennels Inc. live on site, and the grounds include large fenced areas for outdoor play. Indoor kennels are climate-controlled, and there’s even an indoor play room to ensure your dogs get plenty of movement. It costs $25 per day. The drop-off/pick-up times are: Mon. — Fri., 7 a. m. — 7p. m.; Sat. and Sun., 8 — 11 a. m. and 4 — 6 p. m.
Dogs ‘n’ More Boarding Tel:507-226-5384Dogs ‘n’ More Boarding features 10 indoor/outdoor kennels for dogs and a boarding area for cats. Indoor areas feature windows for natural light and doggy doors for them to go outside at will. It costs $18 per night for dogs and $15 per night for cats. The drop-off/pick-up times are: Mon. — Sat.,6:30 a. m. — 8 p. m.; Sun., 1 — 8 p. m.
1. When can an owner drop off his pet at Bear Creek Kennels on Saturday?| A．At 6:30 a. m. | B．At 7:00 a. m. | C．At 5:00 p. m. | D．At 5:30 p. m. |
| A．$45. | B．$54. | C．$75. | D．$105. |
| A．507-289-2470. | B．507-287-0045. | C．507-226-5384. | D．507-280-9572. |
| A．Bear Creek Kennels. | B．Bob’s Animal Friends. |
| C．K-9 Kennels Inc. | D．Dogs ‘n’ More Boarding. |
6 . The “Got Talent” crew is one of the pioneers in finding and publicizing music talent and has been giving the world some of its most favorite artists for almost two decades. In 2023, “Britain’s Got Talent” (BGT) uncovered a musical genius named Malakai Bayoh who impressed the audience with perfect high-note singing.
The London-based 13-year-old boy appeared for the show’s audition (海选) in April, 2023 and was accompanied by his mom and sister. “My big dream is to be an opera singer. I started singing at 7,” said Malakai to the BGT team. He then added jokingly, “My mom made me join the choir because she’s very bossy.” The teenager mentioned she was his biggest fan.
Malakai’s mom was worried as he was about to perform and said, “It scares me because, on his first show, somebody heckled (对……起哄) him. It was sad to see someone boo a child on stage because it might destroy his confidence completely.” Contrary to his mom’s fear, Malakai set the stage on fire singing a beautiful song and the entire crowd was impressed by his amazing voice. As he ended his song, the audience and the judges gave him a big round of applause. The performance won him Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer, sending him straight to the semi-finals of the show.
The other judges called Malakai’s performance “perfect” and “heavenly”. His angelic voice blew the audience away and the judges thanked the teen for coming to the show. Malakai went on to become one of the finalists of the show and signed a record deal with Universal Music.
Malakai’ s audition at the BGT went viral on social media, “I’m a trained singer, and a music teacher by profession, and sang this song as a young performer myself. I can say with absolute certainty this is the best I’ve ever heard this song sung, with proper technique and proper breathing. This boy is a gifted singer,” @mayacorinne878 posted.
1. What made Malakai’s mom feel worried?| A．The judge’s expression. | B．Her son’s performance on stage. |
| C．A bad experience. | D．Her son’s difficulty in singing in public. |
| A．He accidentally caused a literal fire during his performance. |
| B．His performance was extremely passionate and energetic. |
| C．His performance received the lowest rating possible. |
| D．He refused to perform unless certain conditions were met. |
| A．He has average talent but is well-received due to his age. |
| B．He has exceptional talent that is recognized by both professionals and the public. |
| C．He has talent, but his performance was not enough to send him to the semi-finals. |
| D．He lacks talent, but his story touched the hearts of the audience. |
| A．The rise of a young opera singer. | B．The impact of social media on music talent. |
| C．The history of “Got Talent” shows. | D．The challenges faced by young performers. |
7 . Floating Markets in Bangkok, Thailand
One might feel as though they are entering a different world upon visiting a Thai floating market. While some countries in Asia have their own floating markets, none compare to Thailand’s, and the special experience is one you cannot miss while visiting the country.
Long-tail boats, ancient and traditional houses, and shouting vendors (商贩) are the major elements of floating markets in Bangkok. They are excellent options for experiencing the unusual culture and life of Thailand. Here are the top 8 floating markets in Bangkok, where you can experience the chaotic and charming atmosphere.
| Name | Distance from Downtown Bangkok | Open Times | Features |
| Damnoen Saduak | 80 km (50 mi) | Every day from 7 a. m. to 5 p. m | Long-tail boat cruises, remote villages, plantations |
| Amphawa | 90 km (55mi) | 11 a. m. to 9.30 p. m., Friday to Sunday | Thai food, little wooden houses, temples |
| Wat Sai | 23 km (14 mi) | 8 a. m.-6 p. m., Tuesday-Saturday | A mixture of Chinese culture and Thai culture |
| Taling Chan | 12 km (7 mi) | 8 a. m.-6 p. m., Saturday-Sunday | Temples, massages (按摩) on boats, foot massages under trees |
| Bangkhla | 100km (60 mi) | 8 a. m.-6 p. m., Saturday-Sunday | Remote countryside, charm, biking |
| Bang Nam Pheung | 20 km (12 mi) | 8: 30 a. m.-5p. m., Saturday-Sunday | Fruit, food, a nature sanctuary (避难所) |
| Bang Phli | 38 km (24 mi) | 11 a. m.-5:30 p. m., Tuesday-Saturday | Oldest, historical buildings, temples |
| Khlong Lat Mayom | 21 km (13 mi) | 7 a. m.-5p. m., Saturday—Sunday | Food, fruit, boat noodles |
1. Which floating market only opens on weekends with the shortest opening hours?
| A．Taling Chan. | B．Bang Phli. |
| C．Bang Nam Pheung. | D．Khlong Lat Mayom. |
| A．Delicious Thai food. | B．Numerous temple buildings. |
| C．Various massage services. | D．The traditional countryside life. |
| A．It is influenced by Chinese cultural elements. |
| B．Its number of open days in a week is the largest. |
| C．It is the centre of cultural exchange around the world. |
| D．It is a must-see tourist destination for Chinese tourists. |
8 . Are you ready to get down to a thrilling journey through the pages of captivating stories and profound knowledge? Join us for an unforgettable reading event that promises to ignite your passion for literature and broaden your horizons!
Celebrating the Richness of American Literature
Immerse yourself in a treasure of literary masterpieces that showcase the cultural richness and diversity of American voices. From timeless classics to contemporary gems, there’s something for everyone to discover and enjoy.
Book Highlights:
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: Delve into the timeless tale of justice, morality, and compassion set against the backdrop of the American South.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Experience the glitz, glamour, and disillusionment of the Jazz Age through the eyes of the enigmatic Jay Gatsby.
Beloved by Toni Morrison: Journey into the haunting world of slavery’s legacy and the enduring power of love and memory.
Meet the Authors: Signed Copies and Book Giveaways!
Don’t miss the opportunity to meet renowned authors and get your books personally signed! Plus, stand a chance to win exclusive giveaways and limited edition merchandise.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, March 23rd
Time: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Location: Central Public Library, 123 Main Street, Anytown, USA
Who Should Attend?
This event is perfect for crazy readers, literature enthusiasts, and anyone eager to explore the diverse landscape of American literature. Whether you’re a high school student preparing for college or a seasoned bookworm, there’s something here for you!
Registration and More Information:
Visit our website at www.booklovers.com to register for this exciting event and learn more about the featured authors and book selections.
Why It Matters:
By celebrating the rich tapestry of American literature, we not only honor the voices of the past but also inspire future generations to embrace diversity, empathy, and the power of storytelling.
1. Which book is NOT mentioned as an emphasis of the event?| A．To Kill a Mockingbird. | B．The Great Gatsby. |
| C．Moby-Dick. | D．Beloved. |
| A．Sign their own names on books. | B．See and greet famous authors. |
| C．Participate in a reading competition. | D．Watch a movie screening. |
| A．A food magazine. | B．An astronaut’s journal. |
| C．A sci-fi handbook. | D．A reading website. |
9 . A study conducted recently suggests millions of dollars can be made by using fleets of bright CubeSats (立方体卫星) to form advertisements high above Earth. This has concerned some scientists, as it would tarnish our already-threatened views of the night sky.
The purpose of the new study was to evaluate the “economic feasibility (可行性) of a space advertising mission that would launch a formation of satellites into orbit to reflect sunlight and display commercials in the sky above cities,” according to Shamil Bikimirov, the first promoter of the study.
Biktimirov and his colleagues envision (设想) 50 or more CubeSats working in concert to create images that are visible from highly populated urban areas. And they estimate that a single mission would cost about $65 million.
But in the view of astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, the “bright advertising messages themselves will be localized to urban areas,” but the “brightness of these solar sail satellites will still be substantial in other places and times,” which is something the Russian researchers didn’t consider.
The Russian researchers, in full anticipation of negative response, defended their idea, saying the ads would only appear at dawn or dusk (the CubeSats require at least some exposure to sunlight to become bright and visible) and that the space-based ads only make economic sense for “large cities that are already exposed to permanent light pollution”.
The promoters propose that the ads appear above the most profitable city within reach for a full minute before moving on to the next city. And an estimated $2 million could be made each day with this approach, so the whole thing could be paid off in about a month, the scientists argued. A single fleet of CubeSats could operate in this fashion for “several months” depending on the configuration (配置), they wrote.
Space-based ads may be feasible, but they’d spoil our natural, unobstructed views of space. That our cities are already flooded with light pollution and ads on the ground is hardly an excuse to embark on such an attempt. Here’s hoping that sensibility will win and that ads for soft drinks and fast food stay on the ground.
1. How can money be earned according to Paragraph 1?| A．By using bright CubeSats. | B．By displaying ads formed by CubeSats. |
| C．By damaging views of the night sky. | D．By putting up lights high above Earth. |
| A．Why space advertising can be influential. |
| B．How advertising can be carried out in space. |
| C．Which cities will welcome space advertising. |
| D．Whether space advertising has a commercial value. |
| A．It might cause light pollution in some places. |
| B．The advertising messages might be confusing. |
| C．It might be difficult to localize advertising messages. |
| D．The advertising messages might be affected by sunlight. |
| A．Unconcerned. | B．Disapproving. | C．Curious. | D．Supportive. |
10 . The summer vacation is coming. It’s time to relax. Come to join us!
World Youth Alliance (青年联盟) Asia Pacific SUMMER CAMPJUNE 30~JULY 4,2024 Subic Park Hotel, Zambales, the Philippines (菲律宾) | |
| WHAT TO EXPECT ·Develop your leadership and social skills through our all kinds of team-building activities. ·Have the chance to communicate with other young people and make new friends from different Asia-Pacific countries. ·Get the chances to take part in other WYA interational acivities. ·Understand that you have your own importance and value through our WAY training program, | HOW MUCH TO PAY ·Local teenagers: $125 each person ·Teenagers from other Asia-Pacific countries: $170 each person HOW TO APPLY (申请) ·Download the application form on our website wya, net/apsummercamp and email your form to wyaap. summercamp @ gmail, com. ·Please apply before April 30, 2024. CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION wуаар.summercamp@gmail.com +639210890 |
1. How long will the summer camp last?
| A．For four days. | B．For five days. |
| C．For a week. | D．For a month. |
| A．125. | B．170. |
| C．1,020. | D．750. |
| A．People of all ages can take part in the summer camp. |
| B．People from any country can apply for the summer camp. |
| C．People can only call to learn more about the summer camp. |
| D．People should apply two months before the summer camp starts. |
| A．A geography magazine. | B．A research paper. |
| C．A travel guide. | D．A sports magazine. |
