1 . What makes a good reader? You can find the answer in Readers Club. Today, we have some books for you. Come and join the fun!

The Old Man and the Sea won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1953. A year later, Hemingway won the Nobel Prize for Literature. The Old Man and the Sea is generally considered by many to be his greatest achievement. The leading character in this book is a person who can face difficulties and never give up.
Hardback ￥21.70   Paperback ￥16.00
Heart, written by Edmondo De Amicis from Italy, is a diary of an Italian boy Eric. In his diary, he writes about the greatest love in the world: love for the nation, for the society, and also teachers’ love, classmates’ love, parents’ love, children’s love.
Hardback ￥27.20   Paperback ￥16.40
Peter Pan, created by Scottish novelist and playwright J.M. Barrie. Peter Pan is a young boy who can fly and never grows up. He spends his never-ending childhood having adventures (冒险) on the mythical island of Neverland as the leader of the Lost Boys, playing happily with children both inside and outside Neverland.
Hardback ￥22.70   Paperback ￥14.60
Club members will get a discount (折扣) of 10% for hardback books and 20% for paperback books.

If you buy any of the two hardback books, e-books will be free for you.

1. Who won the Nobel Prize for literature?

A．Hemingway.

B．Leo Tolstoy.

C．Edmondo De Amicis.

D．Eric

2. Which word can be used to describe the topic of the book Heart?

A．Love.

B．Success.

C．Adventure.

D．loss.

3. What is the book Peter Pan about?

A．A boy who likes keeping diaries.

B．A boy who always misses his family.

C．A boy who enjoys his never-ending childhood.

D．A boy who loves his teachers and classmates.

2 . 4 Ice Rinks (溜冰场) In The UK

Winter Wonderland, Cardiff, Wales
Duration: 16 November 2023—2 January 2024

This r ink is see-through, allowing views of Cardiff Castle while being sheltered from the elements. For further fun on the ice, travel down the Ice Walk that extends through the grounds for 150 m with a breathtaking backdrop of the Norman Keep.

Somerset House, London, England
Duration: 15 November 2023—14 January 2024

The magical r ink is at Somerset House. This rink offers skate school classes and wheelchair sessions, so everybody has access to it. Treat yourself post-skating with the Skate Extras at the Chalet Suisse in the West Wing of Somerset House, including a hot chocolate and chocolate fondues(奶酪火锅).

Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, Brighton, England
Duration: 28 October 2023—7 January 2024

Those summer scorchers at the seaside might be a distant memory, but there’s still reason to head to the coast this Christmas. Set against the city’s Indo-Saracenic-style former royal residence, Brighton’s green-energy ice rink has special free sessions for under-5s, and warming offers at the rink side Bar &Kitchen include hot chocolate with marshmallows.

Edinburgh’s Christmas Ice Rink, Edinburgh, Scotland
Duration: 17 November 2023—6 January 2024

When you’ve had enjoyed the delicious food at the Christmas Markets along Princes Street, make your way to George Street to enjoy a glide across the ice. Fixed between Castle Street and Charlotte Square, the covered r ink makes its mark with its scenic backdrop of the City Chambers.

1. What is special about Somerset House?

A．It provides free wheelchair sessions.	B．Foods are served before skating.
C．Anyone can skate there.	D．People can travel down the Ice Walk.

2. Which ice rink can offer visitors the longest open time?

A．Royal Pavilion Ice Rink.	B．Somerset House.
C．Winter Wonderland.	D．Edinburgh’s Christmas Ice Rink.

3. Who are likely to visit these places?

A．Those who enjoy delicious foods.	B．Those who are fond of shopping.
C．Those who like to travel around.	D．Those who are keen on skating.

3 . 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.

2. Which group can get reduced tickets?

A．Kids under age 6.	B．Students aged 6—25.
C．Adults aged over 65.	D．People with disabilities.

3. How much will a couple with their 5-year-old pay for the tickets with audio guide?

A．€48.00.

B．€61.00.

C．€63.00.

D．€75.00.

4 . Wonka

Paddington 2 has been hailed as one of the all-time great family films. Now its director, Paul King, and his co-writer, Simon Farnaby, have turned their attention to another much-loved British children’s book character, Willy Wonka from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In this musical prequel, the top-hatted Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) opens his first sweet shop, with the help of an Oompa-Loompa played by Hugh Grant.

Released from 6 December internationally

The Boy and the Heron

Hayao Miyazaki is the director of such landmark works as My Neighbour Totoro and Howl’s Moving Castle. Now aged 82, he has said that his latest film, The Boy and the Heron, will be his last. Beginning with the bombing of Tokyo during World War Two, the story moves first to the countryside and then to a magical realm reminiscent of Spirited Away.

Released on 8 December in the US and Canada, and 26 December in the UK and Ireland

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Momoa is back as Arthur Curry, the king of Atlantis, alongside Patrick Wilson as his half-brother, Amber Heard as his girlfriend, Nicole Kidman as his mother, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as his arch-enemy, Manta. The film’s director, James Wan told Clark Collis at Entertainment Weekly, “The beauty of this movie, this Aquaman world, is that ... we are our own separate universe.”

Released from 20 December internationally

Leave the World Behind

A family is having a quiet holiday in a rented house when some uninvited visitors announce that the world is coming to an end. That was the premise of Leave the World Behind, another apocalyptic thriller adapted from a novel. It features Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke as the holidaying couple, and Mahershala Ali as the mystery man who turns up with his daughter, Myha’la Herrold. Can either family trust the other one? The film is “one of the year’s best and no doubt will spark massive amounts of conversation”, says Kristen Lopez in The Wrap.

Released on 8 December on Netflix internationally

1. Who is the director of Paddington 2?

A．Simon Farnaby

B．Hayao Miyazaki

C．Paul King

D．James Wan

2. When can you enjoy Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom?

A．from 8 December.	B．from 20 December.
C．from 6 December.	D．from 26 December.

3. What kind of passage is this?

A．News report

B．Argumentation

C．Exposition

D．Advertisement

5 . 听下面一段长对话，回答小题。
1. How does the man feel about watching Star Wars?

A．He wouldn‍’t mind seeing it again.

B．He‍’d prefer to watch something else.

C．He‍’d like to watch it if he had more time.

2. What does the man dislike doing?

A．Fixing things.

B．Getting up early.

C．Cleaning the bathroom.

3. What do the couple decide to watch?

A．A talk show.

B．A sports event.

C．A reality show.

6 .

WHO WE ARE

China Daily, China Daily Website, the China Daily App and the Discover Beautiful China platform are calling for submissions of photos, illustrations and videos from now until the end of December, 2023.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Photos, illustrations or short videos with four major themes:

■Special topic for the 2023 submissions could include specific experiences of culture or tourism you have enjoyed, including but not limited to:

＊ “Famous mountains I have explored in China”

＊ “Rivers in China that have left a deep memory for me”

＊ “I have climbed the Great Wall”

＊ “My stories of learning Chinese culture”

WHAT YOU CAN GET

1. We will select the works of individuals and organizations separately.

2. We offer three types of prize respectively for photos, illustrations and short videos.

3. Individual winners will receive cash prizes and certificates; and winning organizations will receive certificates for their distinguished contribution.

4. Some of the best works have a chance to be featured on the China Daily Website.

FORMAT OF WORKS

·PHOTO/ILLUSTRATION:

No more than 10 images, 5 MB maximum for each; with an introduction of up to 200 words in either English or Chinese, offering background information of the work.

·SHORT VIDEO:

Format: MP4 or MOV.

Size: 1 GB maximum, up to 4 minutes.

Caption: No more than 200 English or Chinese words to give a brief introduction.

Music: Music is optional for the video, but if included, it must have obtained international copyright from a legitimate source.

Quality: Clear and stable image.

1. Which of the following is qualified for the submissions?

A．“My Chinese friends in France”.

B．“My stories of the Grand Canal”.

C．“My growing coffee business in China”.

D．“My experiences of playing football in Shanghai”.

2. What will happen if you submit a short video as an individual?

A．You will be given money and certificates if you win.

B．You will compete with other individuals and organizations.

C．You will have your works displayed on the China Daily App.

D．You will be given certificates for your distinguished contribution.

3. What must be included in the submitted works?

A．A piece of music.	B．Copyright of photos.
C．A brief introduction.	D．The Chinese language.

7 . Four Magazines Your Kids Won’t Put Down!

In a world where screens are taking over, magazines can be a fun alternative to give our kids’ eyes a rest. There are all kinds of educational/teacher-recommended magazines you can subscribe to that your kids will love. Here is a list of our favorite magazines for kids to start reading today!

National Geographic Kids

We all know and love the adult version of National Geographic with inspiring and interesting stories and images of various cultures and animals around the world. Help your kids discover these same wonders with a subscription filled with fun activities and a range of topics.

Learn more: nationalgeographic.com

Sports Illustrated Kids

Does your kid love sports and nutrition? Or maybe you’re hoping to inspire them to grab a ball and play outside? Regardless, this sports magazine has the latest updates on athletes, health, and fun articles to learn about the life and experiences of sports players presented in a kid-friendly way.

Learn more: sikids.com

The Week Junior

This educational magazine has tons of engaging stories for girls and boys regarding current events and daily life. You can use this magazine as a tool for reading practice and a source for open and educational discussions at the dinner table.

Learn more: theweekjunior.com

Muse Magazine

This magazine subscription is your kid’s ticket to all things science and crafts-related. The weekly publication includes interesting storytelling, science experiments, and engaging activities for your kids to try at home!

Learn more: shop.cricketmedia.com

1. Which should you subscribe to if your kid is interested in wildlife?

A．National Geographic Kids.	B．Sports Illustrated Kids.
C．The Week Junior.	D．Muse Magazine.

2. What do The Week Junior and Muse Magazine have in common?

A．They are both vividly illustrated.

B．They are both published weekly.

C．They both include science experiments.

D．They are both sources for educational discussions.

3. Where is this text probably taken from?

A．A textbook.

B．A kid magazine.

C．A novel.

D．A website.

8 . Many libraries around the world are as amazing in their architecture and organization as they are in the huge amount of knowledge they contain. With shelves and shelves of books, various collections and amazing historical and cultural displays, there are plenty of undiscovered wonders.

Beinecke Rare Book Library (New Haven, Connecticut)

Yale University has one of the most beautiful college campuses in America, and one of its most interesting features is the Beinecke Rare Book Library. It is one of the largest buildings in the world devoted to rare books and manuscripts (手稿) of famous people. From 2015-16 the library building was closed for 18 months for major improvement. Inside there is a statue of its main founder that rises up high.

Vennesla Library (Vennesla, Norway)

Located near the southernmost tip of Norway, Vennesla Library is more than a collection of books—it’s a city cultural center and meeting place. The building hosts a coffee shop, open meeting spaces, classrooms for children and adult education courses, and a cinema. It is mainly built out of wood. The long, thin beams (横梁) on the inside were designed to look like the inside of a whale.

Suzzallo Library (Seattle)

Among the many beautiful features of the campus at the University of Washington, such as its cherry flowers and a light rail station, Suzzallo Library was built in the Collegiate Gothic style. Its buttresses (扶壁) are decorated with 18 statues featuring famous academics and writers such as Plato, Shakespeare, Leonardo da Vinci, Dante, Galileo, Beethoven, Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.

Library of Muyinga (Muyinga, Burundi)

A school for deaf children, the Library of Muyinga in Burundi was built with local techniques and traditions. A rope hammock (吊床) that hangs between the first and second floors of the library serves as part of the children’s reading room, a great place for indoor activities.

More information of them is just a click away.

1. Which one is suitable for people who want to appreciate statues?

A．Beinecke Rare Book Library.	B．Vennesla Library.
C．Suzzallo Library.	D．Library of Muyinga.

2. What makes Vennesla Library different from others?

A．It is mainly intended for children.	B．It is built in the shape of a whale.
C．It is located within the campus.	D．It is a kind of culture complex.

3. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A culture magazine	B．A travel brochure.
C．A website.	D．A historical book.

9 . Top Chinese Restaurants in the Greater Seattle Area

Dumpling Generation

As the name implies, baskets of steamed dumplings are the move here. The wrappers are hand-rolled—not too thin or thick—and the fillings are savory and juicy. Ifyou prefer a strong taste, get the dumplings that include Chinese chives (韭菜), which have large, flat leaves that aren’t afraid to announce their presence.

Xi’an Noodles

Biang biang noodles take their name from the satisfying sound you hear when chefs slap dough (面团) on the counter. The impact creates the specialty noodles of the northwest Chinese city of Xi’an. These chewy, hand-ripped noodles center in most dishes on the menu. Order them as a soup,or as a bowl tossed with spicy cumin (孜然) lamb or just some chili hot oil.

Friendship BBQ

The Northeastern-Chinese-style grilled baroque restaurant is actually the Seattle branch of a New York-based chain. Meats and seafood come coated in a cumin-forward seasoning with your choice of spice level. Don’t miss the side dishes, including the garlic eggplant, which is roasted until the flesh is covered with a garlic sauce. Despite its authentic taste, you’ll constantly be wowed by its cool new recipes. That’s probably what sets it apart in the Chinese food scene.

Imperial Garden

The dim sum menu contains all the favorites and any extras make great takeaway. But Imperial Garden’s star remains the Peking Roast Duck—shaved pieces of meat topped with long narrow pieces of shiny duck skin,served with steamed pancakes. While the restaurant uses white tablecloths and is spacious enough to accommodate large banquets, the vibe (氛围) isn’t formal.

1. What do Dumpling Generation and Xi’an Noodles have in common?

A．Steamed foods.	B．Plain taste.
C．Handmade dishes.	D．Northwestern origin.

2. How is Friendship BBQ different from other Chinese restaurants?

A．It’s not locally owned.	B．It has innovative spirit.
C．It features roasted dishes.	D．It has casual atmosphere.

3. If you plan to organize a grand family gathering, which is the most suitable place?

A．Imperial Garden.	B．Dumpling Generation.
C．Friendship BBQ.	D．Xi’an Noodles.

10 . The best places for wild sleeping in England and Wales

Challacombe Meadows, Devon

Best for: privacy

Challacombe Meadows is close to miles of walking trails near Widecombe. Basic toilet facilities and running water are a short walk away, and there’s a cosy pub and a farm shop also nearby, for when it’s time to return to civilization. Tents from £ 45 per tent.

Bush Farm, Cornwall

Best for: freedom of choice

At Bush Farm, campers are offered the freedom of choice. Map in hand, you can put up your tent wherever you please. Days can be spent wild swimming, wandering through the countryside and, come the evening, there’s star gazing beneath ink-black skies. Tents from £12 per person.

The Wildman Woods, Carmarthenshire

Best for: life on the riverbanks

At this little-known site, you can put your tent on the banks of the River Sawdde. The Wildman Woods are as simple as they sound, with leafy pitches scattered among the trees near the water. During the day, it’s the perfect place for a paddle. Tents from £10 per person.

Penrhos Isaf Bothy, Gwyned

Best for: packing light

Bothies, simple huts traditionally used as mountain refuges that are open to all and free of charge. They’re a great alternative to wild camping if the weather is looking unstable and you don’t mind sharing with other travellers, who can arrive at any time.

1. Which place best suits people who emphasize private camping?

A．Challacombe Meadows, Devon.	B．Bush Farm, Cornwall.
C．The Wildman Woods, Carmarthenshire.	D．Penrhos Isaf Bothy, Gwyned.

2. What can campers do at Bush Farm, Cornwall?

A．Swim indoors.

B．Go to the pub.

C．Appreciate stars.

D．Walk downtown.

3. What do the listed places have in common?

A．They are free of charge.

B．They are suitable for a paddle.

C．They were used as mountain shelters in the past.

D．They are favored by people enjoying wild sleeping.