1 . Chinese Festivals
As an ancient country, China has various festivals.
The Spring FestivalIn the evening before the Spring Festival, families get together and have a big meal. Children also get lucky money from parents.
The Lantern FestivalDuring this festival, there is special food called “tang yuan”, which is said to symbolize both the first full moon and family unity and completeness. Part of the Lantern Festival tradition involves a game to guess riddles (谜语) attached to the lanterns.
Stilt walking, drumming and the dragon and lion dance are the main entertainment forms of the Lantern Festival.
The Dragon Boat FestivalIt is to celebrate the patriotic poet Qu Yuan, a loyal and highly respected minister, who brought peace and prosperity (繁荣) to the state but ended up drowning himself in a river as a result of being vilified (诽谤).
The Double Seventh FestivalOn the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, there is a traditional festival full of romance. Recently the youth have celebrated it as Valentine’s Day in China.
The Mid-Autumn FestivalIt is a traditional festival for both the Han and minority nationalities in China.The custom of worshipping (礼拜) the moon can be dated back to the ancient Xia and Shang dynasties. The Mid-Autumn Festival is also a holiday for members of a family to get together.
The Double Ninth FestivalOn the ninth day of the ninth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, people celebrate the Double Ninth Festival. People usually climb mountains and eat double-ninth cakes, which means our life will become better and better.
1. Which is NOT included in the entertainments of the Lantern Festival?| A．Guessing riddles. | B．Lucky money. |
| C．Drumming. | D．Dragon dance. |
| A．The Dragon Boat Festival. | B．The Spring Festival. |
| C．The Double Seventh Festival. | D．The Mid-Autumn Festival. |
| A．Families’ reunion. |
| B．Festival full of romance. |
| C．Worshipping the moon. |
| D．Symbolizing the first full moon. |
2 . Neyland Stadium
More than a century of traditionNeyland Stadium is the sixth-largest college football venue in the nation. Recent decades have brought six-figure expansion. The stadium’s seating capacity adds up to 101,915.
Other recent stadium enhancements include the restoration of the historic V-O-L-S letters along the top of the facility’s south end (2022), a second videoboard on the upper-north deck (2022) and bronze statues honoring four of Tennessee’s Black football trailblazers (2021). The upgrade also includes the widening of concourses, construction of expanded gates and entryways and provision of additional restrooms and concession areas (特许区) and more food and beverage offerings. It modernizes the fan and visitor experience through enhanced facilities and diversified seating options, improving fan safety.
HistoryThe present day Neyland Stadium, Shields-Watkins Field, had its beginning in 1919. Col. W. S. Shields, president of Knoxville’s City National Bank and a UT trustee, provided the initial capital to prepare and equip an athletic field. Thus, when the field was completed, it was called Shields-Watkins Field in honor of the donor and his wife, Alice Watkins-Shields.
The name—Neyland Stadium today was named for the man most responsible for the growth and development of Tennessee’s proud football tradition—General Robert R. Neyland.
Stadium tours• 65-minute guided tours offered at 10:00 am Monday-Thursday only.
• Pre-purchased tickets are required to participate in the tour.
• Tours are unavailable Friday-Sunday, on University-observed holidays, home football gamedays or when construction/special events happen.
• Tours begin at Gate 21 of Neyland Stadium.
Tickets:
• Adults: $20/person
• Youth: $10/person (13 & under)
1. What do we know about the upgrades to the stadium?
| A．It improved visitors’ comfort and safety. |
| B．It combined ancient styles with modern ones. |
| C．It were constructed by world famous designers. |
| D．The number of its seats is six times of the original one. |
| A．A football coach. | B．An athlete. | C．A historian. | D．A financial figure. |
| A．Tickets should be booked in advance. | B．They are available on a daily basis. |
| C．They last for an hour and a half. | D．Visitors are offered guides daily. |
3 . An estimated 1 to 2 million people work out in virtual reality monthly. If you’re like me and find it hard to spend meaningful time in the gym, VR fitness might be for you. Here are my picks from the apps I’ve tested:
①Les Mills BodyCombat: Les Mills BodyCombat is great for beginners with a lot to offer—the works center around punching, squatting, and knee-striking targets. While the update added workouts and a new mixed reality mode showing you the room around you, I still look to other apps and games for variety. It also doesn’t have a “cool down” after the workouts—so I’ll typically switch to another app after my workout to relax. $30/ one time purchase
②FitXR: FitXR is a subscription-based app with a diverse line of workouts. A recent update added Zumba and a mixed reality mode called Slam to a list that includes boxing, combat, high-intensity interval training, sculpt and dance. I enjoy FitXR quite a bit, but it’s not my top recommendation due to the cost, the poor pictures, and some missing mixed-reality options. $9.99/month
③Supernatural: Supernatural is one of the most popular VR fitness apps. Unsurprisingly, it’s a polished experience with beautiful locations from around the world, popular music you’ll recognize, and energetic trainers with two main workout types—Boxing and Flow.$3.00/one time purchase
④Xponential + : Xponential +, the newest offering for Quest platforms, has partnered with other workout studios to bring their workouts to reality. I love how the app brings the work out into your living room by displaying a small version of the trainer on your floor or ceiling when it detects that you’re in a plank, pushup, or lying on your back. $9.99/month-also includes access to workouts via app or web.
1. What do Les Mills BodyCombat and FitXR have in common?| A．Both provide mixed reality mode. | B．Both are at a high price. |
| C．Both are suitable for beginners. | D．Both provide various workouts. |
| A．①② | B．①③ | C．③④ | D．②③ |
| A．A course plan. | B．A sports website. |
| C．A science magazine. | D．A tourist brochure. |
4 . These days, more and more people go to the gym to work out. But with so many gyms out there, how do you know which one is the right one for you? We find some information about the best gyms in New York City so you can have a better idea of what each gym offers.
New York Sports Club
Initiation Fees: Neighborhood membership, $49.99; Passport membership, $49.99.
Membership Costs: Neighborhood membership, $44.99 a month; Passport membership, $ 99.99 a month.
Additional Fees: Neighborhood membership, $49.99 a year; Passport membership, S 49.99 a year.
Locations: Locations in all five boroughs.
Classes: Studio classes, athletic conditioning, boxing, kickboxing and yoga.
Planet Fitness
Initiation Fees (入会费): Regular membership, $5; Black Card membership, no initiation fee. Membership Costs: Regular membership is $10 a month and includes free fitness training and free wifi. Black Card membership is $ 22.99 a month and includes access to all Planet Fitness locations, free fitness training, free wifi, half-priced cooler drinks and worldwide travel deals.
Additional Fees: $39 membership fee a year.
Locations: Locations in all five boroughs (区).
Classes: None.
Chelsea Piers
Initiation Fees: Call to request.
Membership Costs: For a specific gym, varies by location.
Locations: Chelsea and Brooklyn.
Classes: Strength and conditioning, cycling and yoga.
24 Hour Fitness
Initiation Fees: $0 on select memberships.
Membership Costs: $79.99 for Ultra Sport.
Locations: Midtown and Madison Square Park.
Classes: Studio classes, free weights, group cycling and personal training.
1. What can you do in 24 Hour Fitness?| A．Boxing. | B．Yoga. | C．Free weights. | D．Athletic conditioning. |
| A．$39. | B．$5. | C．$10. | D．$22.99. |
| A．It has no initiation fee. |
| B．Its membership costs depend on its location. |
| C．Its gyms can be found in all five boroughs. |
| D．Its black card members can enjoy half-priced drinks. |
5 . Day Trip to Tarangire National Park
Tarangire is one of those parks whose beauty is not fully recognized by people. It is often only visited for day trips because it is close to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. It is full of elephants, zebras and lions. It also has some superb scenery to go with it. You can also see sights such as the Tarangire River.
Tarangire has the second highest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania after the Serengeti and the highest concentration of elephants in the world. It has over 700 lions living there as well as a wide selection of other animals.
Itinerary(行程)You will be picked up from your accommodation. After an approximate 3 hours’ drive, you will arrive at Tarangire National Park. The name of this national park originates from the Tarangire River that crosses the park. The park is considered as one of the best places to view elephants up close. From the open roof of the safari (野外观兽旅行) vehicle you will be able to absorb the landscape and see the animals wandering around. In the late afternoon you will have a hot meal, and then you will leave the park and drive back to Moshi.
Included in the price (US $620 per person)☑Al l Tanzania national park fees ☒International flights to/from Tanzania
☑ Meals according to the itinerary for ☒Alcoholic and soft drinks
each day ☒Personal expenses & tips
☑Bottle of mineral water for each day ☒Travel insurance & visa fees
☑Professional English-speaking guide ☒Extra activities within the park
☑Safari 4 ×4 jeep with all accessories ☒ Hotel accommodation before and after the safari
Come and start your day trip! Click here and fill out the form to send a booking request immediately.
1. What do we know about Tarangire?| A．It offers day and night trips. | B．It owns the biggest lion population. |
| C．It’s better than people think. | D．It has more wildlife than the Serengeti. |
| A．Wander along the river. | B．Watch animals in jeeps. |
| C．Interact with elephants. | D．Spend a night in the park. |
| A．Guide services. | B．Travel insurance. |
| C．Meals and soft drinks. | D．Round-trip airfares. |
6 . Beginning on January 24, Wyoming residents will benefit from private spaces with Internet and the necessary technology to connect with health care providers through the new telehealth booths (小隔间) recently fixed in some Wyoming libraries. Booths are now available for use at the Natrona County Library, the Park County Library, and the Goshen County Library.
At each location, a soundproof (隔音的) booth is available for customers to schedule for use during telehealth appointments. Technology, including a computer, speakers, and Internet connection, as well as medical equipment, is provided. Library staff can offer support to customers when needed.
These booths are a pilot project of Public Access Telehealth Spaces (PATHS) and were made possible by funding through the Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board, with additional support from the University of Wyoming, College of Education, Counselor Education Program and the College of Health Sciences, Wyoming Institute for Disabilities. PATHS is based on a national model for promoting access to safe, secure, and accessible spaces to connect all community members to fair health and wellness resources and services. Booths in three additional Wyoming libraries are planned as part of a future project.
People can access the State Library website https: //library. wyo. gov/services/wyoming-residents/telehealth/to guide them to specific library websites to schedule an appointment to use a telehealth booth. For further information on telehealth, contact The Wyoming Telehealth Network, Wyoming Institute for Disabilities at (307) 766-2944 or send an email at wy-telehealth@uwyo.edu.
1. How many libraries can offer telehealth booths now?| A．Two. | B．Three. | C．Four. | D．Five. |
| A．They can earn much money. |
| B．They provide various education. |
| C．They offer customers free Wi-Fi. |
| D．They are fully equipped with technology. |
| A．Ask library staff for help. |
| B．Surf State Library website. |
| C．Send an email at wy-telehealth@uwyo.edu . |
| D．Contact the Counselor Education Program. |
7 . Bring a new story home with you today
Intra-Operative Monitoring: A Comprehensive Approach
Donald Farrell M.D.
www.xlibris.com
Paperback $92.99 | E-book $3.99
This book introduces the basics of evoked potentials(诱发电位)and their use as a diagnostic tool and as an intra-operative tool to reduce injury during surgery on the central and secondary nervous systems.
Retribution: A Jack Sanders Novelette
Philip Barnard
www.xlibris.com
Hardback $24.99 | Paperback $15.99 | E-book $3.99
Horrified by what he finds, clinical psychologist Dr. Jack involves himself in a dangerous journey in an attempt to apologize for his family’s murderous behavior.
Energy Made Easy: Helping Citizens Become Energy-Literate
Ronald Stein / Todd Royal
www.xlibris.com
Hardback $29.99 | Paperback $19.99 | E-book $3.99
From renewable intermittent(间歇性的)electricity to global warming and electrical nets, Energy Made Easy brings easy-to-read, layman’s explanations to complex issues helping citizens become energy-literate.
Nature Is My Teacher: Baby Steps to Follow Mother Nature
Prabhash Karan
www.xlibris.com
Hardback $26.99 | Paperback $18.99 | E-book $3.99
Mother has been and will always remain the same with love, devotion, and dedication; and giving nature the features of a mother-life-giving and fostering-is simply personification as a caring mother. When Mother Nature teaches, we learn. Nature Is My Teacher reveals the deep emotional connection between human evolution and civilization.
1. What do Retribution and Energy Made Easy have in common?| A．They have the same topic. | B．They have the same author. |
| C．They introduce the similar experiences. | D．They have the same price of the e-book. |
| A．Intra-Operative Monitoring. | B．Retribution. |
| C．Energy Made Easy. | D．Nature Is My Teacher. |
| A．Economy. | B．Advertisement. | C．Fashion. | D．Entertainment. |
8 . National Public Radio (NPR) Music’s Tiny Desk Contest is back. Artists can begin to submit an entry from this morning on Feb. 2nd. The submission will last 14 days. This isn’t just another regular year of the Contest-it’s the 10th anniversary.
The panel (小组) of judges has doubled in size compared to previous years. The panel has a group of industry experts who are eager to see what this year’s participants can share. And there’s a great team of NPR’s Music station hosts on the panel: Amelia Mason. Novena Carmel and Stas THEE Boss.
Also new this year: Not only will the 2024 winner play a Tiny Desk concert，be interviewed on All Things Considered and go on tour with NPR Music-they’ll also be paired with a tutor in the industry who will help them navigate their music journey. Our judges are determined to give this year’s winner the support they’ll need to take their music to the next level. The winner will also be featured at two festivals this summer: Celebrate Brooklyn and the Millennium Park Summer Music series in Chicago.
And for the first time this year, the Contest is introducing a fan favorite vote. Later this spring, Contest judges will share their favorite entries as part of the annual Tiny Desk-Contest Top Shelf series on YouTube — and then artists and fans will be able to vote for their favorite among those selections.
Here’s how to enter: Record a video of you playing one original song — behind a desk, upload your video to YouTube. and submit the video on our Tiny Desk Contest website.
1. What’s the deadline of the submission?| A．Feb. 21. | B．Feb. 2. | C．Feb. 16. | D．Feb. 15. |
| A．There are fewer judges in the panel. | B．Fans are able to vote in the Contest. |
| C．Judges go on tour with NPR Music. | D．Winners host festivals this summer. |
| A．To attract people to join in the Contest. | B．To remember musicians in the Contest. |
| C．To mark the anniversary of the Contest. | D．To talk about the history of the Contest |
9 . The fitness center offers a variety of (各种各样的) activities for members of all ages throughout the week. Activities on Monday 12 July, 2017:
Learning to swim. Classes for preschool children aged five and under start at 10 am. Classes last 30 minutes and parents must attend (参加) with their children. Don’t forget to book (预定) in advance, as places are limited, and to pack some warm clothes for using after the lesson.
Woman’s aerobics (有氧运动). Sessions last (持续) for one hour and begin at 10:45 am, led by Melissa. Come along and join us every Monday for an exhilarating (令人高兴的) hour of exercise and fun. Leave your kids at the nursery (托儿所) and take time out for yourself. Wear a track suit (运动服) or something similar.
Lunchtime yoga (午间瑜伽). Take a break at lunchtime (1:00—2:00 pm) for an hour of meditation (沉思) and yoga. Enjoy the peace and quiet of our meditation room, and relaxing sessions designed for active people with busy lives. Use your own mat (垫子) for floor (地板) work or hire (租) one from us for a small sum (金额).
Family shootaround. 10:00—5:30 pm. Family shootaround is open for members and guests to bring the family out for basketball. Half court games are only during this time. There are no full court games during family shoot around hours. All participants must sign in (签到) at the front desk and wear a wristband (腕套) during the play.
1. If you want to join in “Learning to swim”, you must__________.| A．Sign in at the front desk. | B．Wear a wristband. |
| C．Book in advance. | D．Hire a mat. |
| A．From 10:10 am to 10:40 am. | B．From 10:45 am to 11:45 am. |
| C．From 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. | D．From 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. |
| A．Lunchtime yoga. | B．Learn to swim. |
| C．Women’s aerobics. | D．Family shoot around. |
| A．Lunchtime yoga. | B．Learn to swim. |
| C．Women’s aerobics. | D．Family shootaround. |
10 . 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. |
