1 . We’ve collected some of the greatest royal (皇家的) palaces and castles to visit in Britain. Here are our picks.
Windsor Castle, Berkshire
Windsor Castle is the oldest castle in the world. It used to be an official accommodation for Her Majesty the Queen and was the place where the wedding of Prince Hary and Meghan Markle was held. The site of Windsor Castle was chosen and built by William in around 1070 to guard the western ways to London from a possible attack.
Open all year round to the public.
Buckingham Palace, Westminster
The official accommodation of the King and Queen and one of Britain’s most recognized historic sites, Buckingham Palace is often used for national celebrations and events. It was bought in 1761 by George II for his wife Queen Charlotte.
Buckingham Palace is open to the public during the summer months and for a limited number of tours in December, January and at Easter each year.
Kew Palace, Richmond-Upon-Thames
Sitting on the banks of the River Thames in London, Kew Palace might be the smallest of the royal palaces. With the big Kew Gardens around, the palace was built in 1631 for the London silk businessman, Samuel Fortreas.
Kew Palace is open for the summer season.
Hampton Court Palace, Surrey
Set on the edge of the River Thames, Hampton Court Palace in Surrey was a Tudor palace created by Cardinal Wlosey in the early 16th century and was once home to Henry VII over the years. There are beautiful gardens nearby and the palace was opened to the public in 1838 by Queen Victoria.
Open all year round, except 24-26 December.
1. Why was Windsor Castle built?| A．To promote western culture. |
| B．To find new ways to the west. |
| C．To guard London from attacks. |
| D．To protect the roads to London. |
| A．They are very small. |
| B．They are near the River Thames. |
| C．They were built by a businessman. |
| D．They were opened to the public by a Queen. |
| A．Windsor Castle. | B．Buckingham Palace. |
| C．Kew Palace. | D．Hampton Court Palace. |
2 . School Activities for Kids and Teens
July is a month of fun—filled activities for kids and teens as long as you know where to find them. When you want some fun activities for July, consider these ideas happening in this month.
| Secret of the Dragon Time: Monday, July 1, 2020, 10:30 a. m. Cost: Adult: $7.40 Children (under 15): half Bookings: Phone the booking office at 34032578. Address: Brisbane Botanic Gardens Note: Secret of the Dragon is a magical story about two children who are taken on a dragon. | The Search for Life: Are We Alone? Time: Thursday, July 4, 2020, 2:00 p. m. Cost: Adult: $14.50 Children: $8.70 Bookings: Phone the booking office at 34037689. Address: Brisbane Botanic Gardens Note: Are we truly alone in space? Is there any life out there? These are the questions asked in this show. |
| Magic Class Time: Friday, July 12, 2020, 10: 00 a. m. Cost: Free Booking: Please call 34038470. Address: Centenary Community hub, 171 Dandenong Note: Would you like to be a magician? Then join David, the magician, to learn about real magic with playing cards, coins, ring ropes and DIY projects and be able to become the life of the party. | Science With Me: Making Your Own Guitar! Time: Saturday, July 20, 2020, 3: 00 p. m. Cost: Free Booking: Please phone 34031226. Address: 10, Egginton Close Note: Do you want to make a guitar with Katy and her mom? Science with me is going to be with you. Please remember to bring a piece of wood, a hammer, some rubber bands and some nails with you. |
| A．Magic Class | B．Science with Me | C．The Search for Life | D．Secret of the Dragon |
| A．$7.40 | B．$11.10 | C．$14.80 | D．$23.20 |
| A．They can all be booked by phone. | B．They happen in the same place. |
| C．They are all weekend activities. | D．They are all free. |
3 . Four Documentaries to Watch
We’ve dug deep to find four of the most exciting documentary films for you to enjoy in the coming winter holiday. Documentary films have the capacity to inspire, entertain or even change people and the world around them. |
| Elizabeth: A Portrait in Parts In June, the Queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee (白金禧年) to mark her 70th year as monarch. In this film, Roger Michell pieced together archive footage from hundreds of sources to show the Queen from a more human perspective.  The trailer shows the Queen yelping in pain as Princess Eugenie steps on her foot and Paul McCartney even pops up for an interview. Sadly, Michell died just as the film was being completed and his final gift to the world is available in cinemas and on Amazon Prime. |
| The Sanctity of Space The Sanctity of Space is a visual feast for the eyes that promises to take us into the heart of the snow-topped mountains of Alaska.  Inspired by a legendary 20th-century mountain photographer named Brad Washburn, directors Renan Ozturk and Freddie Wilkinson come up with a plan to make a long walk through a dangerous mountain range in his honor. |
| Last Exit: Space Is there anything more fascinating than a night sky filled with stars, planets and everything in between? In Last Exit: Space, Werner Herzog explores the human potential for colonizing space and sending people where they’ve never been before. Since planet Earth is possibly going to hell in a handcart, the film promises to ask the question: where else might we call home?  |
| Gorbachev. Heaven As leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev was once one of the most powerful people on the planet who governed a landmass so big that it covered 11 time zones. Gorbachev’s legacy is a complex one—he oversaw the end of the Cold War but many Russians blame him for the Soviet Union’s collapse. In this film directed by Vitaly Mansky, Gorbachev reflects on his impact on the world and his life.  |
| A．Elizabeth: A Portrait in Parts. | B．The Sanctity of Space. |
| C．Last Exit: Space. | D．Gorbachev. Heaven. |
| A．It introduces the planets in space. |
| B．It is about how humans are colonized. |
| C．It describes the fascination of the night stars. |
| D．It gets us to think about where to settle down. |
| A．To inspire and entertain readers. | B．To advertise exciting films. |
| C．To introduce film directors. | D．To recommend documentary films. |
4 . Theater is a big part of what makes New York shine. This city is full of talent that even the youngest can appreciate, and at the best Broadway shows, everyone in your crew will be interested.
The Lion King (Ages 8 and up.)
There’s a reason Simba’s story continues to draw in crowds year after year: It’s an amazing production with amazing sets and a moving score. Seeing The Lion King live is something like a ceremony for New York kids. Unconvinced? Ask the 100 million+ audience members worldwide who’ve seen the performance.
Six (Ages 10 and up.)
On a concert stage, backed by an all-female band, the six wives of Tudor Dynasty Henry Ⅷ air their complaints in the form of modern pop. The queens sing their heads off, and the audience loses its mind. Some of the stories are pretty dark, but the girl-power dance moves will make older kids excited.
Wicked (Ages 8 and up.)
Based on novelist Gregory Maguire’s 1995 adult variation on L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Wicked shows what happened before the events in the children’s book. The musical addresses complex themes, such as standards of beauty and morality. While children five and up are permitted in the theater, little ones might be afraid of the flying monkeys.
Come from Away (Ages 10 and up.)
One of the more unlikely musicals on Broadway is an excellent choice for the family: Come from Away is the tense but humane story of an airport in Gander, Newfoundland, where 38 planes and more than 6,000 passengers were forced to land on September 11, 2001. It raises big topics, but in such a way that invites thoughtful discussion.
1. Which musical combines royal history with modern art form?| A．The Lion King. | B．Wicked. | C．Six. | D．Come from Away. |
| A．It features female dancers and singers. | B．It leaves much room for deep thinking. |
| C．It includes standards of beauty and morality. | D．It stresses harmony between human and nature. |
| A．Musical talents. | B．Foreign visitors. |
| C．Parents and their children. | D．Teachers and their students. |
5 . A trip to the capital wouldn't be complete without seeing the following attractions in London.
The London Eye (Tickets from £24.50)
Explore London from above on the London Eye. Your ticket includes a 30-minute flight with breathtaking views over London as well as an amazing 4D experience. Book ahead to save money and skip most of the queues with a fast-track entry ticket.
Tower of London (Tickets from £25)
Hear the many stories of the Tower of London on a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour. See the famous Crown Jewels, the White Tower and find out what it was like to be a prisoner in the Tower of London.
Kidzania London (Tickets from £18.50)
Test out a range of professions and activities including journalism, animal care, cabin crew and tour guiding at KidZania London. Work to earn KidZos and save them for next time or spend them in the Airport Shop. Great for kids to learn and have fun.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich (Tickets from £16)
Visit the home of time and explore outer space at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. See and stand astride the Prime Meridian line (子午线), the reference point for Greenwich Mean Time. Learn about the history of longitude (经线), touch a piece of rock from outer space, and enjoy amazing views over London.
Coronavirus information: London is currently subject to a four-week national lockdown from 5 November, which means attractions are temporarily closed. You can still book tickets in advance ready for when they reopen with social distancing and other safety measures in place. Cycle or walk to these attractions where possible.
1. What can you do when visiting the London Eye?| A．Spend £24.50 at the most. |
| B．Buy the ticket on your arrival. |
| C．Get a special entry ticket to save time. |
| D．Pay extra money to enjoy the 30-minute flight. |
| A．It combines learning with entertainment. |
| B．It enables visitors to have a good view of London. |
| C．It offers visitors an experience of being a prisoner. |
| D．It is not influenced during the four-week lockdown. |
| A．The London Eye. | B．Tower of London. |
| C．Kidzania London. | D．The Royal Observatory Greenwich |
6 . Best smartwatches you can buy right now
1. Apple Watch SE
The Apple Watch SE is the best smartwatch money can buy right now, but it’s only the right choice for you if you own an iPhone. If you do have an iPhone, you may wonder why the Apple Watch 6 doesn’t take our title of the very best smartwatch? That’s because the Apple Watch SE does almost everything that smartwatch can, but for a much lower price.
The Apple Watch SE comes with a high-end design and a great range of features that you can’t get on every other smartwatch right now. The battery life isn’t the best on the market based on our tests, and there isn’t an always-on display, but if you’re after a great value for money choice for your next wrist companion you should opt for the Apple Watch SE.
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a wearable that had a lot of publicity around it. This sees Samsung return to Wear OS, having used Tizen for recent models. But this isn’t Wear OS as you might know it — it’s a new take on the operating system, designed alongside Samsung, and with a very Tizen-like skin on the top.
Add to that great performance, what we found to be a comfortable fit, a lightweight build, and interesting new body composition measurement tools, and this makes for a top smartwatch, especially for those interested in tracking their health and fitness.
But with some of its features requiring a Samsung phone, and no support for iPhones, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 isn’t something we can recommend to everyone. It also arguably isn’t worth upgrading to if you already own a recent Galaxy Watch.
3. Apple Watch 6
The Apple Watch 6 hasn’t taken the top spot in our best smartwatch list, but this is the absolute best device you can get if you own an iPhone. Why isn’t it ranked above the Apple Watch SE? Because it’s a lot more expensive than that option.
It isn’t a huge upgrade over the Apple Watch 5 though. There are new features like blood oxygen monitoring and an upgraded chipset, but largely it’s a similar device with the exact same screen and design.
That said, if you’re after an Apple Watch this is the best from the company ever, we just found the lack of any major upgrades a slight disappointment.
1. What is a disadvantage of the Apple Watch SE?| A．It has a poor range of features | B．The display is always on |
| C．It is poor value for money | D．The battery life is not outstanding |
| A．It doesn’t support iPhones | B．It is comfortable |
| C．It can’t be recommended to everyone | D．It uses a different operating system |
| A．The blood oxygen monitor | B．The screen |
| C．The price | D．The chipset |
7 . 4 Popular Places to Go This Winter
Harbin, China
China Harbin’s winter is for the brave ones—the average temperature is 1.8°F- but those who brave the cold will be rewarded with experiencing one of the world’s largest winter festivals. 2021 marks the 37th Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival (January-March), when massive frozen structures rise and are lit up, transforming the city into a winter wonderland.
Lyon, France
Paris may be called The City of Light,but every December, light takes center stage in Lyon, France’s third-largest city. That’s when the annual Festival of Lights (around December 8) takes over, with light installations (装置)that transform the city’s streetscapes into modern works of art. The city is also home to two Christmas markets (one in La Croix-Rousse; the other at the Place Carnot; through December 25).
Lima, Peru
Peru’s capital Lima is home to the world’s highest number of cooking schools per person. Aside from its delicate dining, the city also has great cocktail bars where you can taste classic or contemporary takes on the Pisco Sour.Combine that with the oceanfront setting and temperatures in the 80s, and you’ll understand why Lima should no longer be ignored this winter.
Vermont, US
Winter in Vermont means skiing and snowboarding, Many resorts (度假胜地)have greatly upgraded their snowmaking abilities as part of a $15 million statewide program that replaced many outdated snow guns with new, low-energy models.These new machines will also improve the quality of snow surfaces and lengthen the season, meaning this will be one of the best winters for skiing and riding in Vermont in recent memory.
1. What similarities do the first two places have?| A．They are decorated with lights. | B．They offer snow sculptures. |
| C．They have three-day festivals. | D．They are extremely cold. |
| A．Harbin. | B．Lyon. | C．Lima. | D．Vermont. |
| A．Skiing and snowboarding. | B．A longer winter. |
| C．Cooking schools. | D．Updated equipment. |
8 . MOA Shop Indigenous (土著的) Artist Contest
Are you an Indigenous artist, between 15 and 25 years old, with a story to tell? Submit a design that expresses your identity, and the MOA Shop will help share it with the world. The winning artwork with your signature will be printed on a T-shirt and sold and promoted only through the MOA Shop for one year. The winner will receive both a $250 prize and copyright income from every sale.
Qualification
Any individual 15 to 25 years of age who identifies as Indigenous, Aboriginal, First Nations, Inuit or Métis.
Rules + Guidelines
•Artwork may be from the artist's pre-existing work or made for this contest.
•Artwork may use a maximum of two colours and must be easily visible.
•Artwork must fit on the front of the T-shirt.
•Artwork must be submitted with file extension .ai, .eps, .pdf, fxg, or .svg.
•Entries from artists who have submitted in previous years are welcomed.
Submission checklist
•Artwork submission(s)
•Completed entry form found here.
•Artist biography (about 250 words)
Profits
Artists hold full copyright of any submitted entries. The winning artwork will be licensed by the MOA Slop for one year and the artist is free to license or sell their winning artwork. A large percentage of money from the sale of T-shirts goes towards MOA's public programs.
Time and contact
The submission deadline has been extended to March 31st, 2021 and the winner is announced by June 2021. We look forward to receiving your artwork! Please send all submissions and any questions to shoptshirt@ moa. ubc. ca.
1. What will the winner get?| A．A T-shirt with his artwork on. |
| B．The signature of the Indigenous artist. |
| C．The right to immediately sell his work. |
| D．An award and some profits from the sale. |
| A．It must be received before June 2021. |
| B．It must be printed on the back of the T-shirt. |
| C．It must be included at least two visible colours. |
| D．It must be submitted with the artist's self-introduction. |
| A．To the owner of MOA. | B．To the winner of the contest. |
| C．To the shop's public programs. | D．To the promotion of the artworks. |
9 . Since you are applying for a visa for a short-term study in the USA, here are a few steps you should take to ensure you can do it smoothly.
You can apply for it if you
●do a short course of study in the USA, such as an English language course or a training course.
●do a short period of research as part of a degree course in the USA.
You must prove that you
●have been offered a place on a course in the USA at an accepted place of study.
●have enough money to support yourself without working or help from public funds.
●can pay for your return or onward journey.
●have permission from your parents or guardian to study in the USA if you are under 18.
You must provide
●proof of the course you're studying, for example, a letter of acceptance from the educational institution — an official headed paper; stating the course's name, duration and cost (including accommodation).
●a current passport or other valid travel identification.
●evidence that you can support yourself during your trip, for example, bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months.
●details of where you intend to stay and your travel plans.
●contact details for at least one parent or guardian in your home country if you’re under 18 years old.
You must
●apply online for a short-term study visa.
●have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre as part of your application.
●pay £97 for a 6-month visa or £186 for an 11-month visa.
You may
●be allowed to stay an extra 30 days if your total stay in the USA is no more than 6 months.
1. Who is the passage intended for?| A．A graduate to pick up a full time job in the USA. |
| B．A university professor to teach Chinese in the USA. |
| C．A high school student to have a short-term travel in the USA. |
| D．A scholar to conduct a short degree-related research in the USA. |
| A．Your previous passport. |
| B．Details of your study plans. |
| C．A proof of your parents’ support. |
| D．An official document of your target course. |
| A．It is free for a one-year study visa. |
| B．You need to apply through the Internet. |
| C．You can extend one-month stay as you please. |
| D．Your photo must be taken and submitted online. |
10 . The Galápagos: Evolution in Action
11 days, 10 nights, 14 travelers
Departs March 14, May 23 and November 21, 2020
Charles Darwin called the Galápagos Islands “a little world within itself”. This journey lets you explore the world’s most fascinating wildlife destination while traveling in comfort. Experience evolution in progress and learn more about these historic islands. Visit islands with wildlife species (物种) that exist nowhere else in the world. See giant tortoises and seabirds, and swim with sea lions.
Winter in Yellowstone
7 days, 6 nights, 25 travelers
Departs January 10 and 24, 2020
Yellowstone National Park is magical, where visitors are few and wildlife viewing is wonderful. In the freezing air, see mud pots and pouring springs strangely covered in steam. The journey puts one of our greatest ecosystems on full display. View wildlife in their habitat as few see them.
Flying in Zero Gravity
7 days, 6 nights, 25 travelers
Departs March 12, 2020
The fantasy of floating through the air, weightless, is one that has been realized by only a few. Now, you can experience it for yourself. Join one of the famous ZERO-G Experience flights for a true weightless experience. You’ll also learn about the frontiers in the universe scientists are seeking to control.
A Family Hunt for Dinosaurs
6 days, 5 nights, 25 travelers
Departs June 25, 2020
Join this adventure to western Colorado’s red rock country, for children 8 and older and their families. Go behind the scenes at a university laboratory for a special hands-on experience to learn how fossils (化石) are cleaned, identified and preserved. Dig on your own for 250-million-year-old fossils, which you can bring home.
1. What did Charles Darwin say about the Galápagos Islands?| A．It had a small population. | B．It was actually a small island. |
| C．It had unique wildlife species. | D．It was a rarely visited island. |
| A．Winter in Yellowstone. | B．Flying in Zero Gravity. |
| C．A Family Hunt for Dinosaurs. | D．The Galápagos: Evolution in Action. |
| A．Attend a lecture about fossils. | B．Learn to identify the red rocks. |
| C．Spend a week in the lab. | D．Discover ancient fossils. |
