1 . Those of you who have seen the amazing National Geographic documentary Free Solo will know just how fascinating it can be to watch a professional climber scale the side of a mountain.
A new documentary, Explorer: The Last Tepui, shares a lot with Free Solo, which won the 2019 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Not only does it star rock climber Alex Honnold, it also shows him hanging off the side of a mountain in precarious positions that will make your stomach drop in extreme fear.
While his athletic achievements are amazing, Honnold isn’t the most appealing character in the film. That honor goes to Bruce Means, who has spent his academic career finding new species throughout South America to prove to the world that the area is a biodiversity hot spot to be protected at all costs. In Explorer:The Last Tepui, the 80-year-old ecologist decides to climb the 300-plus metres to the peak of the Tepui, deep in Guyana’s Amazon rainforest.
Means, Honnold, leader Mark Synnott and a world-class team of climbers have to hike 56 kilometres over 10 days across increasingly dangerous areas to reach the base of the Tepui. This is a very big deal because Means has problems with his knees. Once at the Tepui, Honnold and other team members plan to climb to the top and then pull Means up, which will allow him to explore the cliff wall for novel animal and plant species.
Unsurprisingly, because of the area they must cross to reach the Tepui, various major barriers soon get in the way of the party. The detailed descriptions of Means’ determination to overcome these challenges due to his age and health just add real suspense (悬念) to the documentary.
The constantly changing viewpoints and potentially life-threatening issues ensure that Explorer: The Last Tepui remains compelling (扣人心弦的) to the very end. Even though it is just 54 minutes long, you will still feel tired out, as well as inspired, by the time it is over.
1. What does the underlined word “precarious” in paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．Comfortable. | B．Dangerous. | C．Easy. | D．Correct. |
| A．The 2019 Academy Award. |
| B．The discovery of new species. |
| C．Means’ plan to climb the peak of the Tepui. |
| D．Honnold’s appearance in the film. |
| A．Ensuring food supplies at the base of the Tepui. |
| B．Topping the Tepui as quickly as possible. |
| C．Helping Means find long lost species. |
| D．Assisting Means in carrying out the exploration. |
| A．It is inspiring and funny. |
| B．It is long and tiring. |
| C．It is full of heart-stopping moments. |
| D．It is filled with complicated elements. |
2 . You probably consider calorie (卡路里) burning with training. You can get great calorie burning effects with the following exercises.
RunningRunning is one of the best calorie burners out there. An average person can burn anywhere from 500 to 1,000 calories in one hour of running. Speed and pace are all factors that can affect calorie burning. But running uses every muscle group in the body, allowing you to burn more calories.
High Intensity Interval (高强度间歇运动) Training (HIIT)If you want intensity, HIIT is right for you. This physical exercise involves working hard in intervals, then resting. Because your heart rate will stay at a high level, you’ll burn more calories in less time. On average, a person will burn 400 to 600 calories in 30 minutes.
Jumping ropeThis childhood activity can actually do wonders for your health. Jumping rope is great for strengthening the lower and upper body while training your balance and coordination (协调能力), because your mind has to work while you jump. Jumping rope can burn 600 to 1,000 calories in an hour.
SwimmingSwimming is a low-intensity form of exercise that also uses muscle groups of your body. In just 30 minutes of swimming, an average person can burn 200 to 300 calories. Swimming also helps to shape body, control blood pressure, and increase strength—all great reasons for you to jump into the water.
1. Which kind of exercise burns the most calories in an hour?| A．Running. | B．Swimming. |
| C．Jumping rope. | D．High Intensity Interval Training. |
| A．Those who want to train their mind. | B．Those who want to have good balance. |
| C．Those who want to control blood pressure. | D．Those who want to do low-intensity activities. |
| A．To encourage people to compete in sports. | B．To teach people how to do exercise. |
| C．To provide ways to burn calories. | D．To promote a healthy lifestyle. |
1. Where does this conversation take place?
| A．On a radio show. | B．In a classroom. | C．On TV. |
| A．One year ago. | B．Two years ago. | C．Three years ago. |
| A．To give poor people jobs. |
| B．To raise money for schools. |
| C．To help old people and kids. |
| A．200. | B．2,000. | C．14,000. |
4 . Life Book
There is no greater gift that you can give to the next generations of your family than your story. How? By sharing your story in the form of a private autobiography (自传).
Life Book, providing a full range of services, will unlock thoughts and memories, bringing them together in a way that will be enjoyable, stimulating and deeply rewarding, and create your own autobiography, 200 pages plus 60 of your own photos.
Your book in 3 simple steps
★ Relive memories and stories
Your personal interviewer will be skilled in the art of listening. Over 12 meetings, he or she will learn your story, helping you recall memories in an enjoyable and stimulating way.
★ Finish the manuscript (初稿), complete with photos
Every minute of your conversations with our interviewer is recorded and then shared with your devoted writer. He or she will work with you to finish a manuscript you are happy with.
★ Share your life story with loved ones
When the manuscript is done, it’s time for the final stage of producing your book. Soon,10 copies of a beautifully bound, hardback book will be delivered directly to you and the family members you’ve chosen to receive a “first edition”. Then enjoy the excitement and pride of sharing your very own personal autobiography with your family, now and forever.
Remember and be remembered
My hope is that my grandchildren and the next generation will get some of the values that are important to me. It is the best gift I could have given to my family.
—Jerrie Rudd-Breen
My children and grandchildren were amazed when I presented them with the books. My eldest so n then immediately read his copy from cover to cover.
—Harry Gow
Start your storytelling journey and preserve your legacy into your very own private autobiography! It’s easy to get started; call today on 08009992280.
1. What service does Life Book provide?| A．Recalling memories in an enjoying way. | B．Choose a great gift for one’s family. |
| C．Improve one’s thinking ability. | D．Write a book about one’s life. |
| A．Pick out sixty photos. | B．Rewrite your manuscript. |
| C．Meet your interviewer for the last time. | D．Record your conversations with your writer. |
| A．To call for comments. | B．To promote some writers. |
| C．To share some good stories. | D．To attract customers to Life Book. |
5 . Best Hotels Along the California Coast
Crystal Cove Beach Cottages
These 1938 beachfront rooms occupy a part of Newport Beach’s Crystal Cove State Park. At the beginning, developed as a movie set, these attractive houses, now repainted in lively beach style, aim to remain the original look with Murphy beds.
Advance booking is required, as the rooms sell out the moment they are available (可获得的).
www.crystalcove.org.
Montage Laguna Beach
Standing guard over 30 beachfront acres, Montage Laguna Beach transports you to that pleasant house with marble baths, comfortable bedding and ocean views.
Three swimming pools, including one just for kids and another relaxation space, four onsite restaurants and a kids club are just a small part of the outstanding service offered by this hotel.
www.montagehotels.com.
Terranea
Just south of Los Angeles, atop the Palo Verdes Peninsula, Terranea offers ocean-view guest rooms along with heated baths and rain showers.
Families love the huge swimming pool, the water slide, the kids program, the nightly bonfire (篝火) and the selection of kid-friendly restaurants. The young appreciate the dirt road that snakes away into the distance.
www.terranea.com.
El Capitan Canyon
Just north of Santa Barbara in a coastal corner, El Capitan Canyon promotes a life lived outdoors, with some extra comfort.
Guests stay in heated tents (帐篷) decorated in the Native American style with raised beds, and private outdoor picnic tables. Guests can also access a swimming pool, and taste dinners at the award-winning restaurant.
www.elcapitancanyon.com.
1. What are you required to do to go for your holiday at Crystal Cove Beach Cottages?| A．Bring a quality tent. | B．Book a room in advance. |
| C．Get a membership card. | D．Prepare food for a picnic. |
| A．A room with Murphy beds. | B．An original movie set. |
| C．A special pool for children. | D．An outdoor picnic table. |
| A．www.crystalcove.org. | B．www.terranea.com. |
| C．www.montagehotels.com. | D．www.elcapitancanyon.com. |
6 . Online Annual Refresher
This interactive yearly refresher course provides first aiders with an opportunity to practice and update their skills as qualified first aiders, at any time while their first aid certificates (证书) are valid (有效的).
Course description
Employers are legally required to ensure their first aiders are competent and maintain their skills throughout the three years in which their certificates are valid.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) strongly recommends that first aiders attend a refresher course once every year during this three-year period.
Course content
Session (阶段) 1:
Choking — 30 minutes to complete.
After this session, you will be able to help an individual who is choking.
Session 2:
Chest Pains — 30 minutes to complete.
After this session, you will be able to help an individual who is experiencing chest pains.
Session 3:
Severe Bleeds — 45 minutes to complete.
After this session, you will be able to help an individual who is bleeding severely.
Session 4:
Recovery Position — 45 minutes to complete.
After this session, you will be able to help an individual who is unresponsive and breathing normally.
Session 5:
Basic Life Support & AED (Automated External Defibrillator) — 30 minutes to complete.
After this session, you will be able to help an individual who is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
Booking details
Please click this button below if you are the person who wishes to buy and sign up for the course. You will be directed to our Learner Management System where you will be asked to login or register for an account. You will then be given the option to buy access to the course.
1. What is HSE’s suggestion for first aiders?| A．Buying a four-year first aid course. |
| B．Attending an yearly refresher course. |
| C．Updating identity information regularly. |
| D．Downloading their certificates from the Internet. |
| A．Session 1. | B．Session 2. | C．Session 3. | D．Session 4. |
| A．A news report. | B．A diary entry. |
| C．A research article. | D．An advertisement. |
7 . Paisley Museum and Art Galleries being repaired, Paisley Art Institute will be using alternative venue of the Glasgow Art Club for the annual exhibition. Due to space restrictions, applications for entries are for members only. The exhibition will run from 28 December, 2023 to 3 February, 2024. Further details on hand-in are below.
WALL-BASED WORKS
The maximum height or width of wall-based works should be 5 feet. Because this venue is not as large as our home venue, some larger works may not be hung. Works should be suitably presented for the exhibition, no clips or metal frames. All works framed or unframed should be strong enough to hang.
SMALL WORKS
Only small works under 16×16 inches (total size framed or unframed) must be strung but please cover rings to avoid damaging other works.
SCULPTURE WORKS
The Glasgow Art Club is restricted from displaying free-standing sculptures as the venue is also used for dinners and entertainment.
Sculptural works must be of the scale that will not create a health and safety issue when displayed on a plinth (底座).
We do have a few plinths but if sculptors can supply their own plinth, this would be to their advantage.
HAND-IN
Works can only be handed in on the following dates.
Hand-In Dates 2023 | Sculpture Delivery Time | Wall-Based Work Delivery Time |
Thurs, 20 December | 11: 30 a. m. — 6: 00 p. m. | 6: 15 p. m. — 8: 30 p. m. |
Fri, 21 December | 11: 30 a. m. — 5: 30 p. m. | 11: 30 p. m. — 5: 30 p. m. |
Sat, 22 December | 11: 30 a. m. — 5: 30 p. m. | 11: 30 p. m. — 5: 30 p. m. |
Note: hand-in on Thurs is specially set aside for sculptures up to 6 p. m. All other time may be busier. | ||
1. What kind of works may be suitable for the exhibition?
| A．Free-standing sculpture works. |
| B．Exhibits applied by non-members. |
| C．Small framed entries with 2×3 feet. |
| D．Wall-based works with wooden frames. |
| A．11: 30 a. m. — 5: 30 p. m., Fri, 21 February, 2023. |
| B．11: 30 a. m. — 5: 30 p. m., Sat, 22 December, 2024. |
| C．11: 30 a. m. — 6: 00 p. m., Thurs, 20 December, 2023. |
| D．11: 30 a. m. — 6: 00 p. m., Thurs, 20 December, 2024. |
| A．A flight timetable. | B．A working schedule. |
| C．An advertisement. | D．An announcement. |
8 . We love the idea of writing contests, but we hate con test fees. That’s why we’ve rounded up these 4 writing contests that all have no entry or reading fees. Some end soon, so be sure to apply for those right away if you’re interested.
The Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry is currently open for submissions. Poets can submit a book-length manuscript, but there is no page requirement. The winner will receive $10,000 and publication by Milkweed Editions. Deadline is March 1. To learn more, click the prize submission guidelines.
The Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award is currently accepting nominations (提名，推荐). Indiana-born or Indiana-based Authors may nominate themselves or be nominated. There are several award categories. The cash awards range from $6,000 to $10,000. Deadline for nominations is March 18. To learn more, click the award guidelines.
Winning Writers is currently hosting its Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest. Poets can submit one humorous poem for consideration. The first place winner will receive $1,000; second place will receive $250; and 10 honorable mentions will receive $100 each. All winners will be published online. Deadline is April 1. To learn more, click the contest guidelines.
The Griffin Poetry Prize welcomes poets and translators to submit their work. Two prizes will be awarded. The Canadian Prize will go to a Canadian poet or translator who has published or translated a work. The International Prize will go to a poet or translator from any part of the world. Each prize winner will receive $65,000 CAD. Deadline is June 30, with a second deadline of December 31. To learn more, click the prize guidelines.
1. What do the four contests have in common?| A．All of them are for poetry only. | B．The winners’ works will be published. |
| C．Everyone is welcome to submit their works. | D．Application for the contests is free of charge. |
| A．The Griffin Poetry Prize. | B．Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest. |
| C．The Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry. | D．The Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award. |
| A．In a magazine. | B．On a website. | C．In an advertisement. | D．On a poster. |
Hong Kong film director Wong Kar-wai’s first television series, Blossoms Shanghai (《繁花》),
Set in Shanghai during the 1990s, the
Jin wrote Blossoms Shanghai hoping it would help erase stereotypes (刻板印象) of Shanghai
In typical Wong Kar-wai style, the show’s filming took three years to complete; the director is well known for
10 . Four Best Natural Parks in America
Everglades National Park, Florida
Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical (亚热带) wilderness reserve in America. This amazing destination is a 1.5-million-acre ocean of grass which flows gradually from central Florida all the way south to the sea. This makes it -an important habitat for numerous rare and endangered species like manatee, American crocodile, and Florida jaguar.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park is home to one of the largest canyons in the world. If you visit between mid-May and mid-October, you can see the Canyon from the North Rim. About 90% of all visitors see it from the “South Rim”, because it is open all year and has easy-to-get-to overlooks.
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
The caves house 200 animals, most of them being invertebrate (无脊椎) species. 42 of these species live in total darkness. These caves are incredible enough to be featured in Planet Earth——a must-see BBC documentary series.
Olympic National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park has a little bit of everything rugged Pacific coastline, high mountain peaks, broad sandy beaches, clear lakes, rain forests. With such a wide variety of ecosystems, Olympic is one of the most diverse wilderness areas in the United States. The park is an important habitat for species like wild salmon (鲑鱼), northern spotted owls.
Olympic National Park is very large and there are no roads that cross the park. If you visit in April or May, you may see gray whales pass by on their way to Alaska.
1. What animals live in the Everglades National Park?| A．Northern spotted owls. | B．Invertebrate animals. |
| C．Gray whales. | D．American crocodiles. |
| A．Grand Canyon National Park. | B．Mammoth Cave National Park. |
| C．Everglades National Park. | D．Olympic National Park. |
| A．It is open all year. |
| B．It has a rich biodiversity. |
| C．It is located in the state of Kentucky. |
| D．It has easy roads for visitors to drive across the park. |
