1 . The local education department is looking to hire an additional two part-time employees to support its ongoing mobile library van project. The projected working hours shall be an average 23 hours per week spread out over 5 or 6 days from Tuesday to Sunday.
PAY RATES
Pay rates are competitive and are split into three pays bands: Weekdays 9 a.m. — 6 p.m. paid at $5.50 per hour, weekdays 6 p.m. — 9 p.m. paid at $7.50 per hour, and work on weekends anytime 8:00 a.m. — 8:00 p.m. will be paid at $10 per hour.
QUALIFICATIONS
Qualifications for the position are minimal in that there are no specific qualifications required. However, regarding experience, previous library experience is preferred but not absolutely necessary. What is considered to be beneficial for the applicant is having good people skills and a strong desire to help people. A good knowledge of software programs and computers is required, so this position would favor an applicant with excellent computer skill. A valid driving license is essential.
BENEFITS
The employee will also be eligible for certain other benefits, such as full health insurance, whilst pension contributions and paid annual leave will be calculated on a prorata basis. Free access to all library materials both physical and digital will be offered to the employee with certain limits depending on customer demand.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS&NOTIFICATIONS
Firstly and most importantly is that the employee must be completely flexible to work any shifts as needed, and that work schedules will be planned monthly in advance. On Mondays the mobile library van is closed for regular maintenance and cleaning. The employee will never be asked to work over 30 hours per week unless agreed upon in advance with the employee.
1. If Simon works 4 hours a day from Wednesday to Saturday, how much will he be paid at most per week?| A．$106. | B．$120. | C．$124. | D．$130. |
| A．Adequate computer skills. | B．Previous working experience. |
| C．Good communication skills. | D．An interest in literature. |
| A．Health&Diet section. | B．Job Hunting section. |
| C．Education section. | D．Book Review section. |
2 . Check out what’s coming soon, and what’s in development. Playbill will update these listings when new information is made available.
THE COLLABORATION at Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
The play tells a true story in New York. Fifty-six-year-old Warhol’s star is falling. Jean is the new wonder-kid taking the art world by storm. When Jean agrees to work together with Warhol on a new exhibition, it soon becomes the talk of the city. The two artists set foot on a shared journey, both artistic and deeply personal, which redraws both their worlds.
ALMOST FAMOUS at Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
Based on the 2,000 film of the same name, the musical features Pulitzer winner Kitt and a book by Crowe, who earned an Oscar award for penning the original film based on his own teenage experience. The coming-of-age story tracks a 15-year-old music fan named William who follows the emerging band Stillwater on tour.
THE PIANO LESSON at Ethel Barrymnore Theatre
The play is the fourth in Wilson’s Century Cycle, which digs into the Black experience in every decade of the 20th century. Set in Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1936, it centers around a brother and a sister involved in a battle over a piano carved with the faces of their ancestors.
KIMBERLY AKIMBO at Booth Theatre
Kim is a bright and funny high school girl, who happens to look like a 72-year-old lady. And yet her aging disease may be the least of her problems. Forced to deal with family secrets, and possible crime charges, Kim is determined to explore happiness in a world where not even time is on her side.
1. What kind of play is THE COLLABORATION?| A．A romance. | B．A sci-fi story. | C．A fairy tale. | D．A life story. |
| A．Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. |
| B．Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. |
| C．Ethel Barrymore Theatre. |
| D．Booth Theatre. |
| A．Struggles against crime charges. |
| B．Cutting-edge film technology. |
| C．Award-winning performances. |
| D．Teenagers’ growth experiences. |
3 . Ben Miller is a British actor, as well as a productive writer for children. Here, he shares his favorite books.
King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green
I loved reading when I was little. My parents were both English teachers, and our home was full of books. Dickens was a family favorite. But the book that really fired my imagination was King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green.
Buy King Arthur and His Knight of the Round Table here
Diary of a Nobody by George and Weedon Grossmith
I’m a fool for a classic, and I’m so glad I finally managed to finish Diary of a Nobody by George and Weedon Grossmith. Put simply, its the funniest book I’ve ever read, with text by George and illustrations by Weedon.
Buy Diary of a Nobody here
Exhalation by Ted Chiang
It’s never too late to have your life changed by a book， and it happened to me again recently when I read Ted Chiang’s collection Exhalation. Story of Your Life, one of the best in it, inspired the sci-fi alien visitation classic Arrival. I love that too, but each and every piece in Exhalation is its match in imagination.
Buy Exhalation here
Ben Miller’s new book The Night We Got Stuck in a Story is available now.
* This post contains some links, so we may earn a small amount of money when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
1. Who wrote the book Ben Miller considers the most amusing?| A．Dickens. | B．Roger Lancelyn Green. | C．Ted Chiang. | D．George and Weedon Grossmith. |
| A．Fairy tale. | B．Poetry. | C．Science fiction. | D．Comics. |
| A．To advertise some books. | B．To attract new subscriptions. |
| C．To recommend a famous actor. | D．To share Miller’s reading habits. |
4 . Finding yourself in an unfamiliar country is difficult enough, and not being able to read or speak the native language can make the change greatly more difficult. Programs that teach English as a Second Language (ESL) help non-English speaking students acclimate to life in the United States more smoothly.
The ESL Newcomers program at Palmer Elementary in Newport News, Virginia, serves children coming from areas of South America, Afghanistan, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. When members of the Kiwanis Club of Peninsula at Oyster Point-which has a long-standing relationship with the school-learned about the program in 2020, they were eager to help.
To date, the club has donated (捐赠) $1,600 to Palmer Elementary’s ESL Newcomers program. The money has helped the school gain classroom resources (资源), plan virtual (虚拟的) field trips and bring guest speakers into the classroom. Money has also been used to help with the buying of winter clothing, which some children didn’t have when they arrived in the United States.
“In the ESL Newcomers program, the children are taught English, math, history and even some cultural information about their new home,” explains Joseph Slabinski, club president. “The program will also help their families, as students can enter into the programs while they are at home.”
The club also helps the children with gardening. This gives students another chance to learn and practice English, make friends and feel more connected to their new home.
Over the years, the Kiwanians also have taken part in reading programs, bought dictionaries for young students and helped LeapFrog learning stations. The ESL Newcomers program is another chance for members to connect with students and improve education in a meaningful way.
“We have the ability to help these students with their learning and show them that America has people that are concerned and willing to help others in need,” says Slabinski, “We will always be there to help the children of Palmer Elementary.”
1. What does the underlined phrase “acclimate to” in paragraph 1 mean?| A．Apply for. | B．Turn down. |
| C．Look forward to. | D．Get used to. |
| A．Helping kids get through winter. | B．Teaching parents culture. |
| C．Buying school buses. | D．Growing healthy foods. |
| A．Making friends. | B．Gardening. |
| C．Education. | D．Connecting families. |
| A．A Forever Relationship | B．America, Newcomers’ Helper |
| C．New Home, New Working Place | D．A Meaningful Teaching Programme |
5 . It can be tough to pull kids away from their computers and mobile devices these days. While they’re playing games, wouldn’t it be great if they could be learning at the same time? Good educational apps offer fun challenges that teach specific grade-level skills. Here are four that combine fun and learning.
Understanding Math($3.99; iOS)
Understanding Math goes beyond basic comprehension to gain a deeper understanding of the whys and hows of math. The app tracks your child’s progress to determine strengths and weaknesses in different skill areas, and you can customize(订制)your child’s learning experience to suit the needs.
Word Creativity Kit($2.99; iOS)
Word Creativity Kit aims not only to make creative writing fun but also build up grammar rules. The app presents a series of words from seven categories, such as space or fantasy. Kids add their own words to finish the complete thoughts that these words have inspired.
Barefoot World Atlas($4.99; iOS)
Barefoot World Atlas helps kids learn about geography and world cultures with a touch of the screen. Each region features a set of sub-topics, from wildlife and natural features to native people, landmarks, and architecture. These facts and illustrations are delivered in photographs, sounds, and hundreds of mini videos.
My Grades & Homework($0.99; iOS)
A combination of grades and homework tracker, My Grades & Homework can help your child stay organized and on top of the progress in school. A convenient calendar and course list format and offer a glance at your child’s assignment schedule that he or she might not normally get from standard homework planners.
1. Which app is beneficial to children’s writing skills?| A．Understanding Math. | B．Word Creativity Kit. |
| C．Barefoot World Atlas. | D．My Grades & Homework. |
| A．They need purchasing when downloaded. |
| B．They help children improve their grades. |
| C．They make studies fun because of mini videos. |
| D．They inform parents of their children’s progress. |
| A．To wish readers to bring in more similar apps for children. |
| B．To encourage parents to allow their students to play apps. |
| C．To design the educational apps to combine fun and learning. |
| D．To introduce four educational apps for readers to buy and use. |
6 . Global English Club
♦ English training in four skills. listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
♦ 4-month (800 yuan), 6-month (1,400 yuan) and one year (2,500 yuan) courses.
♦ Choice of morning or evening classes, 3 hours per day, Mon.-Fri.
♦ All native teachers from Canada and USA.
♦ Tel. 8872806 Add. 306 Xinhua Road
Body-building Club
♦ All facilities(设备) supplied.
♦ On the top floor or Sunny Hotel.
♦ Every evening from 6:00 to 9:00, Mon.-Sun.
♦ Drinks and fruits ready for you during breaks.
♦ Tel. 6353188
♦ Add. 369 Dunhuang Road
Piano Club
♦ One-to-one training on Sat. & Sun. From 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm (150 yuan per hour)
♦ Experienced teachers.
♦ Pianos supplied(设备) for free.
♦ Convenient transportations.
♦ Tel. 8756038
♦ Add. 808 Park Road
1. In English training class you will have________teachers.| A．French | B．Chinese | C．Canadian | D．Italian |
| A．450 yuan | B．800 yuan | C．300 yuan | D．150 yuan |
| A．You have to pay 800 yuan for 4-month English training. |
| B．You have to pay more for using the piano supplied in the class. |
| C．It is very convenient to get to the Piano Club. |
| D．You can enjoy drinks and fruits after body-building exercises. |
7 . 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. |
8 . Product placement (植入式广告) is a form of advertising in which a company pays a content creator to place its products on the set of a movie, TV show or music video. The oldest examples of products appearing in films date back to the production of a French motion picture in 1896. Recent years have witnessed the bloom of product placement. With viewers migrating to web videos, this trend makes sense.
When watching web videos, about 90% of consumers either skip or ignore those traditional ads that run before the video. So as advertisers struggle to reach potential consumers, they’re increasingly turning to product placement, spending their advertising budgets to get their ads into media content in ways that the ads can’t be skipped. Studies have shown product placement can increase viewer’s awareness of products and their positive attitudes toward them.
But not all product placement works as intended, and research has shown that advertisers need to engage in delicate dance with viewers to effectively influence them. Viewers tend to be turned off if the product placement is too obvious — as when a character in the show holds the product and talks about it. Most viewers don’t want to be immersed (沉浸) in an intense drama only to be reminded that they’re being targeted by corporations.
In contrast, viewers are most influenced by product placement in which the product or the brand name is spoken by one of the characters but not shown. These pieces of product placement are more likely to be noticed by viewers than those where products are simply shown on the screen. Also, viewers may be more attracted to product placement that appears earlier in a show or movie. Because they become more engaged as a movie or a show progresses. If the placement at the climax — the moment when their attention is fixed on what will happen next — they’re either less likely to notice the placement or more likely to be annoyed by it if they do notice it.
With increasing online viewers and better designed product placement, perhaps advertisers will consider product placement as their first choice. After all, it’s incredibly effective at getting the targeted audience interested without influencing their viewing experience.
1. What can we know about product placement?| A．It’s still popular nowadays. | B．It first appeared in TV shows. |
| C．It was overlooked in the 1890s. | D．It aims to make videos interesting. |
| A．It has a lower price. | B．It’s more interesting. |
| C．It’s less likely to be ignored by viewers. | D．It makes advertisers understand customers well. |
| A．Gain satisfaction. | B．Get confused. | C．Feel funny. | D．Lose interest. |
| A．Product Placement: the Future Trend for Advertising |
| B．Product Placement: a New Driving Force Behind Movies |
| C．Product Placement: a Mirror of the Advertisement History |
| D．Product Placement: the Perfect Companion to Online Videos |
9 . 
Letter 1 Your article (November) mentioned a doctor's visit for “heat and compression” treatment. I bought an inexpensive microwavable moist-heat eye compress online and use it for several minutes at bedtime to help open the oil glands. Plus, the warmth and ritual help me relax and fall asleep. No more messy washcloth compresses for me! —Julie Evans Minneapolis, Minnesota | Letter 2 The Quality Inn in Kodak, Tennessee, turning into a shelter during a historic winter storm showed so much kindness that I read the story twice (November). For Sean Patel to open his hotel to locals in need during the storm and power outage, at Christmastime and for just $25 (the lowest price the corporate regulations would allow), was priceless. The town is a better place because of Patel and his staff. —Annette Wolfe Shelton, Connecticut |
Letter 3 You suggested using toothpicks to raise a pot lid and prevent the pot from boiling over (October). I prevent boilovers by just laying a wooden spoon over the open pot. The spoon will pop most of the bubbles on contact — hasn't failed me yet! —Pam Snellgrove LaGrange, Georgia | Letter 4 The story about a snorkeler, Carter Viss, who lost his arm after getting hit by a speedboat (October) — and then forgiving the driver — was among the most compelling I've ever read. Here was a story of health and loss, sea and shore, healing and the hope to endure out of the darkness into the light. Simply marvelous! —Leander Jones Northport, Alabama |
| A．We Found a Fix. | B．Dealing with Dry Eye. |
| C．Run Over by a Speedboat. | D．So Nice You Have to Read It Twice. |
| A．Annette Wolfe. | B．Pam Snellgrove. |
| C．Carter Viss. | D．Leander Jones. |
| A．They are notes on past issues. | B．They give advice on how to read. |
| C．They are remarks on human virtues. | D．They offer information about health. |
10 . Since the beginning of history, people have played games. Children in one country may play games that are quite different from those played anywhere else in the world. Here are some interesting games that you and your friends can try.
The Mouse Game (The Philippines)
In this game, a piece of string is tied to the player’s hand. One part of the string represents (代表) the “cat” while the other part is the “mouse”. The aim of the game is for the cat to catch the mouse and for the mouse to escape just in time. It teaches you to focus and move your fingers fast.
Pinata (Mexico)
A pinata is a colorful box made from papers and filled with sweets and toys. Children are blindfolded and take turns at trying to hit the pinata, which usually hangs (悬挂) on a tree or pole. When someone breaks open the pinata, the children run to get the sweets and toys, which they can take away as gifts. This game improves your sense of direction.
Help (China)
Chasing games are popular all around the world. In China, one player is chosen to be the chaser and runs after the other players until someone is caught. No equipment is needed to play this game, but it helps to run fast and have a loud voice for shouting.
Doorkeeper (Afghanistan)
In the villages of Afghanistan, there is no limit to the number of players who can take part in the game. A small rubber ball is all you need to play the game. It helps to have quick reactions and focus your eyes on the ball because you need to prevent the ball getting into the net.
1. Which game offers players presents in the end?| A．The Mouse Game. | B．Pinata. | C．Help. | D．Doorkeeper. |
| A．It needs no equipment. | B．It limits player numbers. |
| C．It trains quick reaction. | D．It needs close attention. |
| A．To explain the game rules. | B．To introduce some fun games. |
| C．To tell the origin (起源) of games. | D．To show the advantages of games. |
