1 . The best science books inspire a sense of wonder and make you amazed at the incredible world we live in. Here are four of them to feed your imagination.
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
How did it all begin? And how did we get here? Combining history and science, the book offers a comprehensive yet entertaining answer to these questions. Bill Bryson takes the reader on an impressive journey through the greatest scientific discoveries in history. It explains scientific topics in a vivid way, but it’s quite a long read.
Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe
How do helicopters work? Or cells? Randall Munroe explains how things work using illustrations and only the most common 1,000 words in English. It will shift your approach to explanation. So, next time explain how something works rather than merely call it by its name. However, additionally providing more technical terms might have enhanced the understanding and learning experience.
Ask an Astronaut by Tim Peake
What does it feel like to fly into space? How do you prepare for it? Astronaut Tim Peake answers all the questions you never knew about going into space. The book gives insights into the cutting-edge science, as well as the day-to-day life on board of the International Space Station. Its question and answer format makes it easy to quickly find answers, but it can become less appealing due to the lack of descriptive language.
Deep Time by Riley Black
Want to know the story of our planet? Riley Black takes us on a journey, in the order of time, through the geological (地质的) events that have shaped our planet. The fascinating high-quality images are supported by easily digestible explanations of key historical moments. It also expands on key concepts in geology, astronomy and biology. Yet, measuring the size of some objects on the photos is difficult due to the lack of a scale bar (比例尺).
1. Which book is organized in the format of question and answer?| A．A Short History of Nearly Everything. | B．Thing Explainer. |
| C．Ask an Astronaut. | D．Deep Time. |
| A．It is rather too long. | B．It is written in plain language. |
| C．It lacks technical terms. | D．It fails to include clear images. |
| A．They combine science and history. | B．They feature vivid illustrations. |
| C．They introduce astronauts’ daily life. | D．They entertain readers of all ages. |
| A．Reporting news. | B．Reading a paper. | C．Writing an article. |
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 . Monet: The Immersive (沉浸式) Experience
Monet: The Immersive Experience in Liège invites you to step into the world of the French painter Claude Monet, one of the greatest artistic geniuses of the nineteenth century!
Explore some of the most breathtaking paintings by Claude Monet with the help of a digital 360-degree presentation. The unique exhibition concept is staged with state-of-the-art multimedia technology, which shows very large images of Monet’s paintings on the walls and floors of the building. It has music, the smell of flowers, and voice-over in several languages to make the paintings come alive in a way never seen before.
To fully get into the world of the French painter, visitors are guided through three experience rooms. Each room is a highlight on its own and provides visitors not only with an insight, but also with new experiences and new viewpoints on Monet’s life, his work and his masterpieces.
Practical info·Date: from March 2024
·Opening hours:
Wednesday, Thursday: 10: 00 am-7: 00 pm
Friday: 10: 00 am-8: 00 pm
Saturday: 9: 00 am-8: 00 pm
Sunday: 9: 00 am-7: 00 pm
Monday and Tuesday: Closed
·Duration: the visit will take around 60 to 75 minutes
·Location: Eglise Saint-Pholien, Rue Saint-Pholien, 4020 Liège
·Please consult the FAQs of this experience here
1. How does the exhibition help visitors explore Monet’s paintings?| A．It uses digital technology. | B．It gives lectures on art. |
| C．It offers stages to visitors. | D．It provides language services. |
| A．An exploration on French art. | B．An introductory tour of painters. |
| C．A unique journey to Monet’s world. | D．An encounter with Monet-inspired artworks. |
| A．11: 30 am (Wed, Feb 21). | B．10: 00 am (Tue, Mar 19). |
| C．6: 30 pm (Thur, Mar 28). | D．4: 00 pm (Sun, Apr 7). |
5 . This year, we are once again bringing our annual Adopt-a-Book Evening online via two salons (沙龙). The program provides essential funding to support the conversation, acquisition, and digitization of books, manuscripts, and other materials held by the world’s largest museum complex and research institution.
September 20—Adopt-a-Book Salon: The Lived Experience
5: 30 to 6: 45 pm ET
Focusing on stories of life from across the Libraries and Archives (档案馆).
September 26—Adopt-a-Book Salon: Your Smithsonian: Past, Present, and Future
5: 30 to 6: 45 pm ET
Showing items celebrating the Smithsonian, past, present, and future.
$35 per person, per event. We’re offering a discount if you attend both salons: $ 60 for both.
FAQs.
How will the salons work?
The events will be held on Zoom, and each one will feature about 20 books presented by six of our librarians and archivists. After you buy your ticket, you’ll get the link to join. Right before 5: 30 pm ET on the day of the event, you’ll click on that link to join the Zoom. Then you’ll be rotated (轮换) through three “rooms”. While it would be great to see you during the event, you certainly don’t need to have your camera on if you don’t want to! However, we do recommend that you join by computer so that you can see the presentations.
How do I adopt during the event?
This year, you’ll be able to bid on (竞标) your favorite items during and after the events. After you buy your tickets, you’ll receive the link to the online auction (拍卖) before the event, and you’ll have the chance to browse. Once the auction opens, you’ll be able to place the bid. You will have to set up an account and provide your credit card information to ensure that your bid is legal. If you have the winning bid, a member of our team will follow up to process your donation with you or provide our address for you to send a check.
1. How much should a couple pay if they attend both of the salons?| A．$60 | B．$70 | C．$120 | D．$140 |
| A．It will last more than two hours. |
| B．It will be held in three virtual rooms. |
| C．It aims to excite people’s interest on reading. |
| D．It helps people learn about the Smithsonian’s history. |
| A．Providing your mailing address. |
| B．Sending a check to the provided address. |
| C．Joining by computer while keeping your camera on. |
| D．Setting up an account and providing your credit card information. |
6 . Louis Pasteur once said, “Chance favors the prepared mind.” That’s the truth behind the following inventions — the scientists were prepared and were able to see the magic in a mistake.
MauveIn 1856, William Perkin was trying to come up with an artificial medicine, but his experiments produced a thick mess. But the more Perkin looked at it, the more he saw a beautiful color in his mess. Turns out he had made mauve, the first-ever synthetic dye (合成染料), which was far better than any natural dyes: the color was brighter, clearer, and didn’t fade or wash out.
SuperglueThis super-sticky substance was discovered by accident — twice! Chemist Harry Coover had been attempting to make clear plastic gun sights, and in 1942 one method he tested produced an extremely quick bonding adhesive (黏合剂). It was useless for his gun sights, though, and he forgot about it until almost ten years later, when he came across it again while developing heat-resistant parts for airplanes. This time he realised its potential, and the product was put on the market.
PlasticIn 1907, shellac (虫胶) was used in electronics. It was costly, so American chemist Leo Hendrik Baekeland tried to produce an alternative. Instead, his experiments produced a material that could take high temperatures. He later developed it into plastic, and it was soon used in the production of almost everything.
TeflonBack in the 1930s, Young DuPont chemist Roy Plunkett was working to make a new kind of CFC for refrigeration. After storing the gas in certain containers, he opened one to discover that it had changed into a white powder that was extremely sticky and had a very high melting point. Three years later, the substance, which was named Teflon, was patented.
1. Which invention came out earliest?| A．Mauve. | B．Superglue. | C．Plastic. | D．Teflon. |
| A．William Perkin. | B．Harry Coover. | C．Leo Hendrik. | D．Roy Plunkett. |
| A．They were made by accident. | B．They could take high temperatures. |
| C．They received no recognition at first. | D．They could be used in medical fields. |
Considering the most beautiful seas, it’s worth paying attention to the southern water bodies, although, without doubt, each sea is attractive and charming in its own way.
The most beautiful sea in the world-Coral SeaIf we consider the beauty of the seas, and not their coasts, then the first place should be given to the Coral Sea. The Coral Sea is a dangerous place for sailors, and at the same time one of the most beautiful places for diving and all this is due to the unique coral reefs that are home to a wide range of creatures.
The second place-Red SeaThe Red Sea is a truly magnificent place. It has rich fish stocks, a huge number of amazing creatures live in it, and the underwater world is exceptionally rich, which makes it one of the most attractive destinations for divers around the world.
The third place-CaribbeanThis is the warmest exotic(异域风情的)place where not only the sea but also the plants on its coast please the eye. It’s located between North and South America, and on its shore there are a number of small countries. Many tourists come here, because rest here is inexpensive, and you can experience different cultural traditions.
The fourth place-Bali SeaThe Bali Sea is located in the Pacific Ocean. This is another paradise(天堂)for relaxation, receiving many tourists every season. The sea has a warm climate, creating ideal conditions for relaxing on the islands of Java, Sulawesi, Sumbawa and Madura.
1. Where should you go if you like diving and various sea creatures?| A．Red Sea and Bali Sea. | B．Caribbean and Bali Sea. |
| C．Coral Sea and Red Sea. | D．Coral Sea and Caribbean. |
| A．To appreciate different cultures at a lower cost. |
| B．To take a close look at a number of wild plants. |
| C．To look for more corals and the best places to dive. |
| D．To relax on the islands of Java, Sulawesi and so on. |
| A．Its coast. | B．Its islands. | C．Its tourists. | D．Its climate. |
8 . Photo Retouching Services
Fixthephoto offers online photo retouching (修图) services. Today we provide professional online retouching services of the highest level. Our retouchers make any kind of Photoshop work. Simply upload photos, write your requirements, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Photo Editing (编辑) Services We Provide:
Figure
Only $6 per photo. We will make portrait (肖像) photos look good and professionally edited. Our retouchers will improve body shapes and remove all unwanted imperfections.
Services included: color adjustment, skin smoothing, spots removal, and make-up correction.
Wedding
Only $0.25 per photo. Give a romantic feel to your photos. Our team will add highlights, adjust colors and improve the background fast.
Services included: color correction, smoothing out wrinkles on the skin and clothes and fixing lighting issues.
Product
Only $2.50 per photo. We will help you appeal to more customers. Our experts will skillfully edit your product photos and make them attractive.
Services included: background replacement, color correction, editing out shadows and noise reduction.
Jewellery
Only $5 per photo. Make your jewellery photos shine and look perfect. We will enhance jewels, replace background, make color correction and remove any unwanted objects.
Services included: background replacement, making the jewels look shiny, color enhancement, reflection removal and making metal surfaces smoother.
Use our online photo editing service, following just 4 simple steps:
1. Create an account and upload your photos.
2. Write detailed instructions and attach sample photos.
3. Get your edited photos back.
4. Accept the work or request changes.
Our photography retouchers will meet all your needs. You take photos, we edit.
1. How much will you spend if your portrait photo needs make-up correction?| A．$0.25. | B．$5. | C．$2.50. | D．$6. |
| A．Figure and Wedding. | B．Figure and Product. |
| C．Product and Jewellery. | D．Wedding and Jewellery. |
| A．Open an account on this website. | B．Upload your photos to retouchers. |
| C．Give a detailed self-introduction. | D．Take down your own requirements. |
9 . Family: Poems—by Mr. Keith Keenan
·Kindle $0.00, Hardcover $12.50, Paperback $7.00
The poet describes personal thoughts and feelings in a lyrical journey to understand and celebrate his family. “Family” looks at living honestly in places, not illusions. Figurative language, a love of metaphor and sharp images all make the poems work.
Time to Heal—by Alexandra Vasiliu
·Kindle $9.99, Hardcover $21.94, Paperback $12.64
From the bestselling author comes an inspirational poetry book about love, healing, and growth. It is a reminder to strive to change for the better. Featuring more than 130 uplifting poems and black-and-white illustrations, it’s a great companion when you need to embrace self-love and personal transformation.
Seeds from a Birch Tree —by Clark Strand
·Kindle $9.99, Hardcover $26.80, Paperback $16.95
Seeds From a Birch Tree makes nature into a spiritual path. Its message was simple: Haiku teaches us to return to nature by following the seasons—seventeen syllables at a time. With its mix of poetry and memoir(回忆录), the book guides us to the joy hidden in plain sight, leading us to get into a good state of body and mind.
A Poem for Every Day—by Allie Esiri
·Kindle $9.99, Hardcover $28.05, Audio CD $18.05
This audio book is a collection of 366 poems which link to events on key dates—funny for April Fool’s Day, festive for Christmas. This is the perfect gift for poetry lovers of all ages. These poems are informative, peaceful, and energetic!
There are a large number of poetry collections on Amazon. More information, please click here.
1. How much will you pay if you are to buy a hardcover edition of haiku?| A．$12.50. | B．$21.94. | C．$26.80. | D．$28.05. |
| A．Family: Poems features plain language. |
| B．Time to Heal features colorful illustrations. |
| C．Seeds from a Birch Tree focuses on human nature. |
| D．A Poem for Every Day focuses on festive celebrations. |
| A．A website. | B．A magazine. |
| C．A book review. | D．A travel brochure. |
10 . Things to do in Miyakojima
Famous for its sunny beaches and natural wonders, Miyako Island welcomes many visitors during holidays.
Unique beaches
Yonaha Maehama Beach is the most famous beach in Miyakojima, where whites and stretches for seven kilometers. The ocean is colored in blue, attracting visitors with its beauty. Compact Sunayama Beach, known for its arch-shaped (拱形的) rock, is hidden in a small cove (小海湾), and can be reached by walking through a narrow tunnel of trees.
Different kinds of colorful fish
Snorkeling (潜水) is a must-try in Miyakojima, where there are thick coral reefs, all kinds of tropical (热带的) fish, and plenty of space to free dive to depths of 8 to 15 meters close to the shore.
For beginners, Aragusuku and Shigira are a good choice but advanced snorkelers may see Waiwai Beach and Shimojishima as their favourite spots.
The bridges
Irabu Bridge connects Miyakojima and Irabujima, stretching for 3540m. It is the longest vehicle-only bridge in Japan. On Shimoji Island, there is a boardwalk around Tooriike, two sea ponds connected to each other and the sea by an underwater cave system.
Fresh island taste
Delight your senses with melt-in-your-mouth Miyako beef, delicious Miyako noodles, or fresh fruit. Okinawa district have the highest mango products in Japan, and Miyako Island’s warm climate is best for growing fresh, juicy mangoes. Ice cream with a bit of salt known as “yuki shio (snow salt)” does more than simply keep you cool.
1. Where is this text probably taken from?| A．A travel leaflet. | B．A science fiction. |
| C．An academic article. | D．A nature report. |
| A．Enjoy the arch-shaped rock on the Yonah a Maehama Beach. |
| B．Go snorkeling and appreciate different kinds of tropical fish. |
| C．Take a walk on the Irabu Bridge, the longest bridge in Japan. |
| D．Taste the fresh juicy mangoes and play with snow to keep cool. |
| A．Rich beaches. | B．Thick coral reefs. |
| C．Warm climate. | D．The underwater cave system. |
