1 . Can you imagine a cloud floating in the middle of your room? Do you want to know what it feels like to fly like a bird? Find your answers in Time Magazine's 25 "Best Inventions". Here, we have picked out the most interesting 4 to share with you.
Talking Gloves
Ever felt confused by the sign language used by disabled people? Here is the "helping hand" you need. Four Ukrainian students have created a pair of gloves that helps people with hearing and speech problems communicate with others. The gloves are equipped with sensors that recognize sign language and translate it into text on a smartphone. Then the smartphone changes the text to spoken words.
Google Glasses
Google Glasses are like a computer built into the frame of a pair of glasses. With its 1.3-centimeter display, the glasses allow you to surf the Internet and make calls without even lifting a finger. The glasses also have a camera and GPS mapping system. Users can take and share photos, check maps and surf the Internet just by looking up, down, left and right.
Indoor Clouds
It's not virtual.That's a real world. Dutch artist Smilde managed to create a small but perfect white cloud in the middle of a room using a fog machine. But it required careful planning—the temperature, humidity（湿度）and lighting all had to be just right. Once everything was ready, the cloud formed in the air with the machine. But it only lasted for a short while.
Wingsuits
The suit fulfills your dreams of flying like a bird.Well, not exactly flying, but gliding（滑翔）through the air. It increases the surface area of the human body, which makes it easier for people to float in the air. Fliers wearing wingsuits can glide one kilometer in about 30 seconds.
1. Who will probably be the users of “Talking Gloves”?| A．Disabled people | B．Normal people. |
| C．Trained people. | D．Working people. |
| A．By moving the mouse. | B．By tapping the keyboard. |
| C．By moving the eyeballs. | D．By pressing the button. |
| A．Talking Gloves. | B．Wingsuits. |
| C．Google Glasses. | D．Indoor Clouds. |
2 . The editor of the Cool Camping Britain chooses some of his favorite new finds in England, Wales and Scotland.
Cleadale, Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides
Is this Britain's most beautiful campsite? From the grassy point looking seaward to the mountains, it's not hard for campers to see how the island inspired fantasy landscapes in The Lord of the Rings.The campsite itself is as wild and wonderful as its setting.
Open April~September, pitches from £5 per tent per night.
Swattesfield, Thornham Magna, Suffolk
Deep in the wilds of north Suffolk, this seven-acre campsite has only been open for a few years, with two fields separated by a lake and surrounded by woodland. The position is perfect. It's a great place to do nothing and get into nature.You can set up your tent in the bottom field or the woodland beyond.
Open Easter~October, pitches from £10 per tent per night.
Pleasant Streams, near St Austell, Cornwall
This site, by a lake, is all about simple pleasures. Located in the former mining village, it has a summerhouse with books and games for a rainy day, many animals including pigs, hens, goats and ducks, and a pub just a 10-minute stroll (walk) away. There's very little to do here, no bells or whistles. Campfires are encouraged.
Open Easter~September, pitches from £10 per tent per night.
Troytown Campsite, St Agnes, Isles of Scilly
Its only campsite couldn't be in a more remote position. Isolation is its greatest asst (优点)－so bring plenty of books to read and don't expect a phone signal. But at least one of life's necessities is available. Lying on the hillside overlooking the bay and near the island of the Gugh, it might just win the prize for best beer garden view in England.
Open MarchOctober, pitches from 7.50 per tent per night.
1. Which place can you choose if you like a simple farm life?| A．Cleadale, Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides. |
| B．Swattesfield,Thonham Magna, Suffolk. |
| C．Pleasant Streams, near St Austell, Cornwall. |
| D．Troytown Campsite, St Agnes, Isles of Scilly. |
| A．buy many books in the bookstore. | B．get everyday necessities. |
| C．view the bay from the hillside. | D．communicate with others by phone. |
| A．To advertise the Cool Camping Britain. |
| B．To introduce some beautiful Britain sites for campers. |
| C．To attract film directors and photographers to Britain. |
| D．To show us some interesting activities in Britain. |
3 . Toronto is a city of neighborhoods, so wherever you are in Toronto, you’re bound to find yourself surrounded by shopping, dining and culture experiences unique to that specific area.
Toronto’s CN Tower
It’s one of the world’s tallest structures at 1,815 feet and the glassed-in elevators offer visitors a sense of just how high that is. In the tower’s 360 Restaurant, diners sit on a floor that performs a full cycle every 72 minutes, guaranteeing different views of the city with each bite of meal. Plus, if you order dishes at the restaurant, your entry to the CN Tower is free.
The Fairmont Royal York Hotel
It is one of Toronto’s oldest and most storied hotels. Since opening in 1929, it’s stood as one of the largest hotels in the British Commonwealth with 1,600 rooms. It’s also home to more than 300,000 bees, who live on the hotel’s rooftop and produce honey for the Fairmont Royal York’s dining facilities.
The Toronto Islands
North America’s largest urban car-free community offers plenty of green space and beaches for visitors of all ages. Those looking for exercise can explore the islands by bike while checking out the breathtaking views of Toronto’s skyline; visit the rental facility near the Centre Island ferry dock.
St. Lawrence Market
Voted the world’s best food market in 2012, the St. Lawrence Market complex consists of two buildings. The north building plays host to weekly Saturday fanner’s markets, while in the south building, open every day except Sunday and Monday, meat, baked goods, jewelry…are on offer. One of Toronto’s most iconic (标志性的) breakfasts —the pea-meal bacon sandwich is considered a signature dish.
1. Where can you have a bird’s eye-view of Toronto while dining?| A．The Toronto Islands. | B．Toronto’s CN Tower. |
| C．The Fairmont Royal York Hotel. | D．St. Lawrence Market. |
| A．Fantastic dishes. | B．Unique things. |
| C．Breathtaking scenery. | D．Diverse cultures. |
| A．A news report. | B．A popular novel. |
| C．A travel guide. | D．An advertisement. |
From digital devices (设备) to robots, a new generation is providing driving force for innovation (创新). It’s difficult
When Biibili uploader Lin Xiao, nicknamed Lingshiqi online, had too many bags to carry, instead of asking someone
Uploader He Shijie, known online as Hetongxue,
Many Internet users comment that such uploaders prove what Liang Qichao (1873—1929) wrote in his essay Shaonian Zhongguo Shuo (On the Young China) in 1900—Today’s
5 . The Bicycle Adventure Club (BAC) is a non-profit, bicycle touring club for serious cyclists with a current membership outnumbering several thousand. Members volunteer to create and lead a variety of bicycle tours. Our club goes back over 40 years to the Bicycle Touring Society. We have a large number of members who have been with the club for many years. We enjoy the fellowship of exploring the world with our cycling friends on tours developed by club members for other members.
Membership in BAC is open to experienced touring cyclists over 18 years old. The membership fee to join is $ 30 for an individual and $ 60 for a couple; renewal fees each year after that are $20 for individuals and $40 for couples and is due on the anniversary of your join date. Members that allow their membership to stop will need to rejoin the BAC at the full rate. Only BAC members can sign up for and participate in rides. New BAC members are required to have email access in order to receive club communications and to apply for club rides.
Each rider brings his/her own bicycle or rents one suitable for the ride. The bicycle should be in good condition and each rider is responsible for performing his or her own bike maintenance (维护) as necessary. It is up to each participant to determine that he or she is able to do any ride for which they sign up. However, the ride leader makes the final determination as to who is accepted for each ride.
If you’re a serious cyclist and this sounds like your type of club, please join us.
1. What can we learn about the Bicycle Adventure Club?| A．It is highly popular. | B．It is highly profitable. | C．It is newly-founded. | D．It is privately-owned. |
| A．$ 60. | B．$ 30. | C．$ 20. | D．$ 40. |
| A．To recommend a travel agency. | B．To explain an eco-friendly tour. |
| C．To encourage outdoor activities. | D．To introduce a bicycle touring club. |
6 . The Orchard
I had a very nice meal at the Orchard restaurant．The food was lovely and the service was quite good．We chose to eat in the garden which was full of beautiful flowers and very relaxing．The only disappointment was the dessert — the apple pie was far too sweet and it was cold too．Apart from that it was an enjoyable evening．As for the price — what a bargain，excellent value for money！
Park Inn
The best thing about Park Inn was the service — it was excellent．There was a warm welcome when we arrived and the waiters were very helpful all evening．However，the food wasn’t as good．The menu looked interesting but the meals were rather tasteless．It’s not a cheap restaurant and I wasn’t happy to pay so much for boring food．
Richard’s Place
When we entered the restaurant，we were surprised by the lovely interior (内部的) design of it．So stylish，so modern！ This is one of the most popular restaurants in town and it’s very easy to see why．The food was great and excellent value for money but it was ruined by very，very poor service！
The Riverside
It was lovely sitting outside and looking over the river．There were lots of little lanterns (灯笼) and colored lights everywhere and it all looked very pretty．The food was good，nothing very special but quite tasty．The service was OK; we didn’t have to wait too long for our food but the waiter never looked very happy！It’s quite an expensive place but with the view I think it’s quite good value for money．
1. In which restaurant can customers eat in the garden？| A．Park Inn． | B．The Orchard． | C．The Riverside． | D．Richard’s Place． |
| A．The food． | B．The price． | C．The service． | D．The environment． |
| A．receive good service | B．enjoy its modern design |
| C．listen to wonderful music | D．enjoy the beauty of a river |
7 . Most people above 16 years old have a strong wish that they should drive on the road by themselves. Thus, getting a license is an exciting time in their life. Ultimate Drivers is there to help your teen learn the rules of the road and get important driving experience.
What We Offer
Intimate Drivers’ program will help students prepare for their road test and give them the skills they need to become lifelong safe and defensive drivers.
The beginner program offers 20 hours of in-class training, 12 hours of homework assignments and 8 hours of in-car training. Each in-class training lasts 120 minutes and each one-on-one in-car training 80 minutes. What’s more, students can be picked up for free from home, work or school.
What You Need To Know
Students can complete the classroom part of the course in just two weekends or if it better suits their schedules, they can take it during the evenings on weekdays. There are also classes offered during the holiday break.
Students can start taking line classroom part of the driving training without the G 1 license, but do need it by the time they’re ready to start the in-car driving lessons.
What Extra Benefits Are
The beginner drivers can get much through the program. After that they’ll receive student testimonials (证明书) . The testimonials show teenagers who have taken the course feel more confident in their abilities and many believe they couldn’t have passed the road test without it.
Sign up before April 5th, and students can get an insurance discount!
1. How many times does the program offer in-class training?| A．20. | B．12. | C．10. | D．8. |
| A．Get the G 1 license. | B．Finish the classroom part. |
| C．Sign up before April 5th. | D．Receive a student testimonial. |
| A．A review. | B．An advertisement. |
| C．A guide. | D．An encyclopedia. |
8 . Music for Life Learning music is important for the educational and personal development of young people!
Learning an instrument: how do pupils choose?
All our teachers are highly qualified and experienced musicians, and pupils can learn to play a wide range of instruments, from the keyboard to the drums(鼓). We have open days when new pupils who are unsure which instrument to choose can come to the centre. They are able to speak to teachers about which instrument might be best for them, and they can also see and hear classes in action.
Who is responsible for buying the instruments?
Parents usually have to provide instruments. But parents of beginners are advised not to buy an instrument until they are told that a place is available. They should also find out from the teacher the most suitable type of instrument to get.
When and where do lessons take place?
Lessons are available in many schools, usually during the day. If there is no lesson available for a particular instrument in a particular school, other arrangements can be made at one of our music centres for lessons on Saturday afternoons or weekday evenings.
How are pupils taught?
Pupils can learn in small groups, in classes or individually, depending on their needs. Small groups of three pupils have lessons that last thirty minutes. Class lessons last forty-five minutes and have at least ten pupils. Individual lessons are offered only to pupils who have some experience.
Starting young: when can pupils begin?
Children are never too young to become interested in music. We have special “Musical Youth” classes for children from the age of 3 to 8. These are designed to encourage young children to enjoy music through a variety of activities including singing, musical games, listening and movement. “Musical Youth” classes take place on Saturday mornings with groups of about 18 children. A parent or other adult must attend each session, and they are encouraged to sit with their children and help them with the activities.
1. What can we learn from the passage?| A．New pupils can see classes on an open day. |
| B．Pupils can learn special instruments on Sundays. |
| C．Parents must accompany pupils during the learning process. |
| D．Teachers at the centre can provide the right instruments for pupils. |
| A．Lessons for groups of ten. | B．Individual lessons. |
| C．Lessons for small groups of three. | D．Special “Musical Youth” classes. |
| A．teachers | B．parents |
| C．musicians | D．pupils |
9 . Photography is important because it allows people to admire the most diverse situations recorded in a frozen moment. If you are thirsty to improve your photography skills, City Academy is a good choice.
Why Choose City Academy?
• Situated in Central London, it runs a wide range of evening and weekend photography classes.
• All tutors are industry professionals with rich teaching experience.
• Small class sizes mean you can be paid one-to-one attention.
• Online course materials are available for a small charge.
Our Photography Courses
• Introduction to Digital Photography, by James Ross on April 22nd. The course, either in the classroom or on London street for some shooting, is perfect for anyone new to digital photography.
• Fine Art Photography, by Georgia Metaxas on May 9th. You will be given projects and try out various techniques in a studio environment to create photos that express your personal ideas.
• Studio Lighting for Photography, by James Ross on June 29th. This course is designed to guide you through the science of studio lighting. Working in a studio environment, you will practice using flash lighting equipment.
• Documentary Photography, by Toby Glanville on July 3rd. The course, focused on photographing events or environments which are significant and relevant to historical events, will be perfect for photographers to produce a photo essay on a given theme in our classroom.
Special Offers
Any course above costs £295, but you can save 10% when you purchase two courses in the same booking. Save 20% when you buy three or more courses in the same booking.
1. What does City Academy offer to students?| A．Experienced tutors. | B．Weekday lessons. |
| C．Free online materials. | D．One-to-one classes. |
| A．Fine Art Photography. |
| B．Documentary Photography. |
| C．Studio Lighting for Photography. |
| D．Introduction to Digital Photography. |
| A．£944. | B．£1,044. | C．£1,062. | D．£1,180. |
10 . This year the annual reading challenge has been upgraded to the Reading Rush. The most important idea is to read seven books in seven days while hitting other specified challenges, and it has a website where you can track your reading: www.thereadingrush.com.
The Reading Rush takes place from July 22nd through the 28th. For more details, check out the site.
This will be my 5th year in this challenge, and I've even managed to pull in a few friends and family members to join me. Here's my current to-be-read list:
No.1 A book with purple on the cover
Sal & Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
No.2 A book in the same spot the whole time
Of Thee I Sing: A letter to my daughters by Barack Obama
No.3 A book you meant to read last year
57 Secrets for Organizing Your Small Business by Julie Bestry, CPO®
No.4 An author's first book
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
No.5 A book with a non-human main character
Animal Farm by George Orwell
No.6 A book with over five words in the title
Sooner or Later Everything Falls into the Sea by Sarah Pinsker
No.7 Read a book and watch the movie adapted from it
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (an audiobook which we can hear the content)
If you try to read seven books in seven days, you are guaranteed to read more than you would have otherwise, which is a success in its own right. If you've never tried the Reading Rush before, this could be the year you start!
1. What's the Reading Rush?| A．A yearly book fair. | B．A challenging reading. |
| C．An introduction on books. | D．A website to track reading. |
| A．The Hunger Games. | B．Sooner or Later Everything Falls into the Sea. |
| C．Sal & Gabi Break the Universe. | D．57 Secrets for Organizing Your Small Business. |
| A．introduce some books | B．share the author's reading list |
| C．advise people to join an activity | D．recommend a reading website |
