1 .

________/10                                                                                Hardship                                                       Judy          May, 2020 Early on I thought this family was a bunch of complainers. But the focus of this reality show is how sweet family life was in the tough wartime era, which really touched me. But as I watched I noted that the 1940s mid-class family life was not that unbearable. Even though they didn’t have labor-saving facilities, they still had coal fire. Maybe, it’s only due to modern people’s sense of privilege that they promptly forget what immense, bodily labor was involved in the previous chore it replaced. So, the experiment was not that “real”?! Therefore, I recommend, but not highly, this show to you.

_________/10                                                                   Must See TV-Really!                                   Lily          June, 2021 For anyone interested in “Reality TV” with an emphasis on “Real”, checkout 1940’s House as soon as you can. The Hymer family from northern England spends 9 weeks living the life of a suburban 1940’s house during the infamous London blitz. Everything they use, wear, purchase, read comes from that time period - including ration books, blackout curtains, Victory gardens, and a self-built bomb shelter. What makes this   “House”   installment the best in   a long line   (see   “Frontier House”, “Colonial House”, “1900 House”) is the family’s willingness to immerse themselves in the project wholeheartedly. You as the viewer really begin to sympathize with the Hymer family’s struggles to live a 1940’s life with a 21st century mindset. I think most people will come away liking the attitude and spirit of the mother the best - she truly embodies the British spirit that was so essential and prevalent during England’s darkest hour. This is 3 hours of “history” that no one will want to end. Children would also enjoy this as there are 2 young boys (ages 10 and 7) who participate in the program wholeheartedly.

________/10                                                                                  A bit   sinister                                               David            February, 2023 Although it’s as well made as the other PBS reality shows, this one was disturbing. Many of the hardships imposed on the Hymers are by design, not circumstance. A committee of seven or eight experts privately judges them in a star chamber and decides how strict rationing will be and how much they will be fined for infractions. Watching the children go hungry while the experts debated how much to cut the food budget bothered me. The Hymers live more like lab rats than adventurers. It’s also hard to get worked up about how much wartime Brits suffered from rationing since it was nothing compared to the hardships undergone by eastern Europeans, Asians and even their own soldiers. The show was simply too narrow in scope and sinister.

1. The ratings of these three users have been hidden. Which of the following three ratings do you think are most likely to be real?

A．Judy: 6/10; Lily:3/10; David:1/10	B．Judy: 8/10; Lily:10/10; David:8/10
C．Judy: 6/10; Lily:10/10; David:1/10	D．Judy: 8/10; Lily:1/10; David:8/10

2. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A．From Judy’s perspective, the Hymers family has always been a bunch of complainers.

B．The “House” series consist of “Frontier House”,” Colonial House” and “1900 House”.

C．The mother personifies the essential British spirit so most people will like her.

D．The PBS reality shows are quite disturbing, especially “The 1940s House”.

3. The passage can probably be found ________.

A．on a website providing reviews about reality shows

B．on the advertisement of “The 1940s House”

C．on a textbook about how to make excellent movies

D．in a fantasy novel about travelling back to the 1940s

2 .

Life—it gets busy. Digital overload is real: photos, apps, emails... our devices can be a blessing—and a curse. So when it comes to the humble food shop you might be reticent about adding another rewards app to your bulging virtual wallet. Are they worth it? Not only that, some seem so complicated that they require Enigma code-level mastery to crack. Well, hold that thought, because the Asda Rewards App is a little different. Customers using Asda Rewards earn pounds not points, building up a Cashpot to spend at Asda in store or online. It’s easy and engaging to use and there are other benefits too, such as helping you to save for Christmas. When you buy something from Asda, you can scan every time to earn pounds not points. You’ll see your total in your Cashpot on the app. You can redeem the Cashpot as vouchers (代金券) to use against more of the items you love. There are a number of ways you can build up your Cashpot—and this is on top of the already great prices on household favourites.

Complete your first shop and you will get a First Scan Bonus worth ￡5, to get you started. In-app Superstar Missions—sounds very James Bond—could be anything from buying certain products to picking up something tasty for the family dinner. Keep an eye out for specially selected Star Products. Buying these will earn you 10 per cent of their price. Complete various milestone missions by reaching set spending targets to build your Cashpot faster. There’s no better time to download the app than this September to take advantage of Asda’s Spin the Wheel. Everyone who spins, wins. When you spend ￡5 or more you get the chance to spin the wheel to reveal a Cashpot prize. You could win anything from 50p up to ￡100... just like that.

1. How does Asda differ from other rewards apps?

A．It is complicated to navigate but engaging.

B．Subscribers can redeem points for free gifts.

C．Everyone can easily crack the code to get money.

D．Cash rewards are available for further purchases.

2. It’s recommended to download the app in this September in that you can ________.

A．earn a First Scan Bonus when completing the initial purchase.

B．enjoy a 10 percent discount on specially selected Star Products.

C．win the chance to see James Bond in a publicity campaign.

D．draw on the in-app lottery mechanism to obtain extra bonus.

3. Which step contributes to saving more for Christmas on the app?

A．Saving more than 40 Asda Pounds to claim the added bonus.

B．Starting as early as possible to stay ahead of other users.

C．Putting off all holiday purchases until Christmas Eve.

D．Spending excessive money on ‘Spin the Wheel’ to win big.

3 .

A．They both prefer e-textbooks.	B．The man is expecting printed textbooks.
C．The woman is against the use of tablets.	D．Neither of them needs tablets.

4 . “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”

George R.R. Martin, Author of “A Game of Thrones”

What do these 4 guys share that you don’t?

BILL GATES

MARK ZUCKERBERG

JEFF BEZOS

WARREN BUFFETT

No, it’s not their shoe size.

They read. At least two books a month, They’re also among the top 10 richest people in the world. And they’re not alone in their love for books, with 1,200 other millionaires, who quote reading as a core part of their self-education

You knew that reading books makes your life better, It’s not even all about money, fame and success. It’s about becoming a more knowledgeable and valuable person. Additionally, reading help; you prevent stress and keep depression at bay, while enhancing your confidence, improving your decision-making, increasing your empathy and overall satisfaction with life.

You know all the benefits of reading, so what’s stopping you from reading more books?

Time!

“I don’t have time to read.”

Have you said those words before?

You say it because...

you have an incredibly demanding college degree to study for…

your loved ones are sitting at home, counting on you to put food on the table...

you are too occupied with work to open a book.

But let’s imagine another reality for a second. What would your life look like if you read just two books every month?

Would you finally...

have what it takes to start that business?

be a better parent?

feel more fulfilled?

Hold on to that vision for a second. If you want to make it a reality, this email course, Time 2 Read, will be your guide for the next 10 days. Its free of charge and specifically designed to help you take time back, start building a daily reading habit and turn wanting to read into actual reading.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Lesson 1: How to get your attention span back

A simple, yet powerful idea and a fun experiment to help you start giving reading the place in your life that it deserves

Lesson 2: Why no one compares to you

Discover “The Rainbow Principle” & how to take stock of your current situation

Lesson 3: How to show yourself you DO have time to read

Why Charlie Munger doesn’t let himself get away easily with an opinion & what you can learn from the Italian Squad

Lesson 4: How you can make reading effortless

We’ll adapt a technique used by the world’s best mountaineers to help you build your reading habit like a pro would

Lesson 5: How you can trigger yourself to read without having to remember it

“The Bobby Fischer Principle will show you that what you think is a weakness might be your biggest strength

Lesson 6: What “The Nothing Alternative’ can teach you about consistent reading

Why neither inside the box, nor outside the box gets the job done & how Stoics happily trade control for consistency

Lesson 7: How to make reading more fun than ever & why that matters

What you can learn from Pokemon Go about reading & the one thing that’s totally okay for you to steal from Warren Buffett

Enter your email below to make time to read, start learning daily and become more valuable to the world

You’ll be sent 7 lessons via email over the next 10 days, starting right after you sign up here. Each email contains a story, a principle, and an experiment, Get started, and your reading life will never be the same!

1. Where does this passage probably come from?

A．A leaflet publicizing a reading activity	B．A website promoting a reading course.
C．A TV program advertising reading skills	D．A handbook providing reading materials

2. Why does the author mention the four famous people at the beginning?

A．To express his admiration for them.	B．To indicate the importance of reading.
C．To highlight their time management skills	D．To illustrate the success of the course.

3. Who are most likely to be interested in Time 2 Read?

A．Those who are willing to read more but struggle with time.

B．Those who are sick of making excuses to delay their life plans

C．Those who are eager to become a millionaire like the four guys

D．Those who are determined to be more and more self-disciplined

5 . Directions: Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.

Do you have a favorite podcast? That can be a difficult question to answer for some as there are so many options. That is because the world is full of interesting topics and thoughts about them. If you feel you have something engaging and valuable to share, start a podcast.

A podcast is a series of audio episodes that cover a particular subject. The first step to creating a podcast is to find your topic. It’s believed that the best topics are ones that you know a lot about and love.

Another important step is to make sure you have the right equipment. While podcast equipment can be complex and expensive, it doesn’t have to be. For your first podcast, you can simply rely on your phone and computer. You can record all of your audio on your phone. Then with your computer — and the right software — you can mix the audio. This is the process of putting your audio together into one perfect-sounding file.

After you have your topic and equipment, you’ll want to choose your format. Your podcast could be one person speaking, two people talking, or many people offering their opinions. Your podcast could also include more than one of these options.

Once you’ve decided, you can start drafting your episodes. However, whatever format or formats you choose, maintain the same structure for each episode. The next step is to find a quiet place and do your recording.

When you’ve completed your recording and audio mixing, you’ll need to find a platform for your podcast. Luckily there are plenty of free and paid platform options on which to upload your podcast. Before uploading, make sure you have an interesting title and good tags for your show. Be sure to post about your show on social media. Get your podcast listed in a podcast directory, too. You want to get the word out about your podcast to grow your audience. Your podcast just might become someone’s new favorite.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6 . Is the Sun setting on solar?

Tue Government solar incentive (激励措施) ends in April this year. Act now and take control of your energy bills.

REDUCED ENERGY BILLS

Since the turn of the century, the average energy bill has doubled. A solar energy solution from Project Solar UK helps you save money on electricity bills and protects against price rises imposed (征收) by the big utility companies. Go solar and future proof against energy rises.

RECEIVE A BONUS

As well as reducing your electricity bills, you can also generate income from the government through a scheme known as the feed in tariff (FIT). This included a generation tariff (收费) for the electricity you generate, and an export tariff for any extra electricity you don’t use, which is sold back to the grid (电网). Did you know that PV Solar panels only require UV light to work to their optimum, so only daylight, not sunshine, is needed to generate energy?

THE UKS NO.I SOLAR COMPANY

Over the past 7 years Project Solar UK have completed over 18,000 solar installations. They are the UK’s largest domestic solar installation and best rated company across all independent review sites. Their customers are in the safe hands of a dedicated and experienced team. Mr and Mrs Hughes described the service as “Excellent from start to finish! I would definitely recommend them.”

EASYINSTALLATION

Having solar panels fitted on your home is a simple, easy and hassle-free process. Project Solar UK only use their own highly skilled, qualified and experienced roofers and electricians. Mr Baldwin’s installation was “quick and efficient” and his home was also kept “clean and tidy”.

LIFETIME WARRANTY

Solar systems are almost maintenance free and some come with a lifetime product and performance warranty (保修). This means you can be safe in the knowledge that you’ve invested in a product that will stand the test of time.

CALL TODAY

Project Solar UK provide free, no-obligation advice to help you take advantage of tax-free incentives. They will explain exactly how a solar system works and advise the best system configuration for you.

Don’t delay. Act now. Earn and save today with Project Solar UK. One of our friendly and knowledgeable team will only be too happy to help.

CALL FREE TODAY 0808 302 8460 or visit our website www. Projectsolaruk.com

1. How can customers using Project Solar UK receive a bonus?

A．By getting electricity for free.

B．By receiving solar incentives from the government.

C．By generating more electricity with the help of sunshine.

D．By generating electricity and selling redundant energy back to the grid.

2. Which of the following statements is true about Project Solar UK?

A．It is a trustworthy and credible company.

B．It offers free installation and maintenance.

C．Over 18,000 families have chosen Project Solar UK in fear of price rises.

D．It provides charged service online and telephone assistance.

3. The writing is probably ________.

A．an advertisement	B．customer feedback
C．a newly-issued policy	D．a product description

7 . Directions: Complete the article with the words or phrases in the box. Each word or phrase can only be used once. There is one extra that you do not need.

A. motivate       B. remind       C. specific       D. analysis E. objective       F. reflection       G. is supposed to       H. concerning I. promote       J. impact       K. elements

Knowing how to write an influencer brief     1     be a task of priority when you’re working with creators. Because communication is crucial to a successful campaign. Sure, influencers can craft viral posts and content that translates into high-performing ads, that doesn’t mean they are mind-readers, whose     2     of public popularity is always correct. Influencers need direction. But not too much of it so as to     3     them to pursue their creative freedom. This balancing act is why influencer creative briefs require so much attention and can sometimes be particularly     4    —what if the brief is a total failure? What if something goes wrong? People in charge tend to be stuck with repeating     5     on such questions.

What is an influencer brief, anyway? It is an outline of instructions and expectations for creators prior to a social media campaign. These guidelines include everything from high-level creative direction to specific requirements. An influencer brief should sum up what a creator needs to create the best post possible. Simply put, brief are a blueprint for posts that delight brands and creators alike. Brands that cram (塞进) their instructions into an email don’t exactly reflect effort or attention to detail. Note that how you craft your influencer brief has a direct     6     on campaign performance.

Below are the     7     of what should be included in any given influencer brief:

Campaign Goals

You can’t provide direction to creators without defining what you want their content to achieve.

For example:
●   Do you want to     8     a product launch?
●   Are you trying to increase brand awareness?
●   Do you want to tie your influencer campaign to sales? Traffic? Engagement?

Be clear about your campaign     9    

Target Audience

An influencer brief should be     10     about who creators are speaking to, including:

●   Demographics (think: age, gender, location)
●   Interests
●   Wants, needs and pain points
●   Other brands they like and follow

You probably chose to work with specific influencers because their audience reflects yours, right?

Click here for more information on how to write an influencer brief.

8 . Weekend deals: Items to make tax prep easier

Tax season is in full gear, and the April 15th deadline will be here before you know it. Few people like the process of filing taxes, but it’s an annual task that must be done. Now is the perfect time to stop procrastinating, get organized, and purchase the tools you need so you can complete your taxes. We’ve put together a list of tax-prep helpers that are available at great prices to help you get started, get your taxes filed, and stop thinking about them for another year.

1.H&R Deluxe

Doing your own taxes is a great way to save money. H&R’s Deluxe tax software makes it easy for most consumers to file their taxes — it guides you through a step-by-step process with clarifying tips throughout. Although state taxes require a separate package and it’s not ideal for filers with complicated forms, the Deluxe package is an affordable and basic tax software. It’s currently marked down from $29.99 to $22.49.

2.H&R Premium

For filers with taxes that are a bit more challenging, H&R offers the Premium package that supports schedules A and C. It’s suitable for those who work as independent contractors or do freelance gigs, and can also handle the tax needs of investors and homeowners. It’s on sale for $34.99; regularly priced at $49.99.

3.Intuit TurboTax Basic

Are your taxes basic and your budget tight? TurboTax Basic is only $29.99 (last year $32.99) for the Mac and PC downloadable or disc versions. The basic version is easy to use and comes with free customer support despite the low price. That’s why it’s also a good choice for first-time filers.

4.HP 12CP Financial Calculator

Doing your taxes requires working with numbers, and working with numbers is easier with a reliable calculator. The HP 12CP Financial Calculator features a user-friendly design that makes it easy to take with you or set on your desk to compute numbers. It’s made with business purposes in mind and offers 120 functions for all of your mathematical needs. You can have yours in time to get your taxes calculated for only $49.73, a price that reflects 38% savings off retail.

5.WD 1TB Black My Passport Portable External Hard Drive

Don’t risk losing the important financial information you need for your taxes. The WD 1TB My Passport External Hard Drive is on sale for only $48.99, and has the capabilities that do-it-yourself tax filers need. In addition to providing password protection and ample storage space for your work, it has a streamlined design that makes it easy to transport if you need to visit your accountant.

6.Sauder Edge Water Lateral File Cabinet

From employer financial statements to receipts to the previous year’s taxes, you are going to need a place to store and organize your documents to make tax-time a bit more efficient. The Sauder Edge Water Lateral File Cabinet has an attractive design with an estate black finish that looks great in any room. There’s ample room to keep everything you need for this year’s taxes and beyond, all for the price of $203.66 — that’s a savings of $125.29 of the list price.

7.Apple MacBook Pro

In order to prepare and file your own taxes, you are going to need a reliable laptop computer. The latest version of this popular device offers loads of storage space and the speedy Intel Core i7 processor so you have can store your necessary documents, download tax software, and get the task done promptly and efficiently. We think you’ll also love the Retina display and the 15-inch screen. Get yours today at a $300 savings for the sale price of $2,499.

Written by Jennifer Manfrin from BestReviews — a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

1. In which section on the website can we most probably find this article?

A．Tax Filing Service	B．Terms of Service
C．Products Recommendation	D．Software Support

2. Which of the following statements is true according to the article?

A．BestReviews is a company which sells tools people need to complete their tax filing.

B．If a person wants a software having the biggest discount, he may choose H&R Deluxe.

C．Intuit TurboTax Basic is a good choice for a first-time filer.

D．Apple MacBook Pro cannot be used to store the tax-filers’ information.

3. What’s the main purpose of writing this article?

A．To give readers a clear picture of the process of tax payment.

B．To introduce products and software that help simplify tax filing.

C．To offer some advice to people on how to get taxes filed efficiently.

D．To promote the business of Tribute Content Agency, LLC.

9 .

Enjoy convenience, Premier service and a thank-you gift. With a busy life abroad, you have enough to think about without worrying about your offshore banking. That’s why we’ve designed our products and services to be easy and convenient. Bank offshore with HSBC Premier and enjoy: ◆24/7 phone access to a Relationship Management team. ◆Internet Banking that provides access to your HSBC accounts in over 34 countries from a single log on and the ability to make transfers immediately, without charge and with a preferential rate. ◆The ability to manage your money in a large range of emerging market currencies, use our global reach and knowledge of international business and get the best help and guidance. ◆An International Wealth Management service to help you make the most of your money. ◆The choice of either 12 months’ Airport Angel membership or an Amazon Kindle™ if you open a Premier account between 20 January 2011 and 30 April 2011 (inclusive) and deposit at least £60,000 (or an equal amount of money ) within 90 days of account opening. To qualify, refer to the full terms and conditions. To enjoy convenience, preferential rates and the expertise and security of the HSBC Group, why not open a premier account now?

1. You can choose 12 months’ Airport Angel membership, if you________.

A．deposit at least $60,000 within 90 days of account opening

B．have qualified for the service

C．deposit an equal amount of money within 90 days

D．open a Premier account on 30 April

2. The advertisement is mainly aimed at________.

A．people who want to do business

B．people who are over 34 years old and still single

C．people who have friends and relatives in foreign countries

D．people who have settled down abroad

3. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the advertisement?

A．You must know the detailed information before opening an account.

B．To make the best of your money, you are sure to open a premier account.

C．To enjoy the service, you must surf the Internet.

D．It is certain that you can deal with your banking in 24 hours.

10 . GymPact

We all need a little motivation when it comes to working out, and GymPact is the perfect way to get inspired.

How does it work? Make a commitment to work out a certain number of times a week. Choose the amount of money you are willing to risk if you don’t reach your goal. If you don’t achieve your goal? Your credit card gets charged. Achieved your goal? You get paid! The days of being paid to work out have finally come!

Compatibility(兼容性): iOS and Android
Zombie, Run! 2

That’s right. The zombie craze has even reached the fitness world. This action packed app adds an element that is sometimes missing from other workout apps-fun.

Zombies, Run! and Zombies, Run! 2 mix games and stories into your run as you complete missions in a world with zombies. Whether you’re gathering supplies, saving a human, or out-running a crowd of the undead, this app excites your normal jog with imagination and competition.

Compatibility: iOS and Android
Weight Watchers Mobile

Sure, you’ve heard of Weight Watchers, but there is a reason this company has been around so long. Their system gets great results—plain and simple.

Weight Watchers Mobile is a great way to track your calorie consumption by using their point system. Not only can you enter and search for different foods in their database, you can scan barcodes for instant information about what you’re eating. The app counts down your available calories by day and also by week.

Weight Watchers Mobile even has a section to find foods from your favourite restaurants, and information on portion control and healthy eating. Their clean-looking, easy-to-use interface makes dieting more manageable and straightforward.

Compatibility: iOS and Android
1. What’s the purpose of GymPact?

A．To reward those who keep their word.	B．To teach the importance of working out.
C．To show how to earn money by exercising.	D．To help people stick to their workout plan.

2. What is special about Zombie, Run! 2?

A．Zombies are used to train users to run faster.

B．The app users are to compete against zombies.

C．It is designed to make running more enjoyable.

D．This app can improve both health and imagination.

3. With the Weight Watchers Mobile app, you can do all of the following EXCEPT ________ .

A．record your calorie intake	B．easily organize your diet
C．order foods from a restaurant	D．get information about foods