1 . Just Cycle And fold away
There’s no excuse not to get on your bike this spring. Get your indoor cycling fix and feel the benefits.
Great for general cardio (有氧的) fitness, exercise bikes can be a brilliant way of training at home. However, choosing the right bike is incredibly important, which is something that Roger Black and his team recognized when creating the Roger Black Folding Bike.
“Excellent value for money. Especially the ability to fold the exercise bike into a vertical (直立的) position and wheel it away for storage. This can also prevent you from throwing your clothes on it at the end of the day! Even if we are limited on space at home and work, we can continue physical activity with a Roger Black folding bike. This bike is helping me achieve my fitness goals following a recent running injury.”
——Brian Smith
“Best Present EVER are the words from my 77-year-old father who received his Roger Black fitness bike for his birthday. He said it is so simple and easy to use. The seat is VERY comfortable, so using it every day is a pleasure. It folds away nearly so it can be stored behind a door when necessary.”
——Anna Farnham
Roger Black is offering a 10% discount on the full www.rogerblackfitness.com range of home fitness equipment for all Reader’s Digest readers. Please use discount code DIGEST10 at checkout.
1. What can people do with a Roger Black Folding Bike?| A．Cycle in the mountains. | B．Work out at home. |
| C．Hang their clothes. | D．Get a discount. |
| A．Easy storage. | B．Reasonable price. |
| C．Comfortable seats. | D．Excellent quality. |
| A．A textbook. | B．A blog post. | C．A magazine. | D．An academic article. |
2 . Choosing a university or college
With over 160 universities to choose from in the UK, and limitless courses and study options on offer, you can make your UK university experience as unique as you are.
Understanding rankings
Higher education institutions are ranked each year by a variety of organisations. The QS World University Rankings, for example, focus heavily on research and reputation, but don’t include the quality of teaching or students’ views. The World University Rankings and the Complete University Guide focus more on research strengths and student satisfaction. The People and Planet University League even ranks UK universities on their environmental and ethical performance.
How to apply—undergraduate (本科)
1. Registering with UCAS
First, go to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website where you can fill in your application form.
Then write your personal statement. This is your chance to stand out from the crowd by explaining why you are interested in the course, the skills you have that make you suitable, and your life experiences and achievements.
Application deadlines
There are four application deadlines throughout the year:
October—for courses at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, or for most courses in medicine
15 January—“on time” deadline for most undergraduate courses
March—for some art and design courses
30 June—late deadline for most undergraduate courses. While you will be able to apply after the January deadline right up until 30 June, it is better to apply early.
2. Receiving an offer
UCAS will contact you with any offers from your chosen universities or colleges. If your offer is “unconditional”, you can relax. Some offers are conditional-usually this means you need to achieve certain results in your current studies or in English language tests.
1. Which would be the best choice if you want to know a university’s overall influence in the world?| A．The QS World University Rankings. | B．The World University Rankings. |
| C．The Complete University Guide. | D．The People and Planet University League. |
| A．Previous stories. | B．Future expectations. |
| C．Hobbies and interests. | D．Qualifications and strengths. |
| A．In October. | B．Before 15 January. |
| C．In March. | D．Before 30 June. |
3 . Black Box Thinking
—By Matthew Syed
This book is a new approach to high performance,a means of finding all edge in a complex and fast-changing world.It is not just about sport,but has powerful implications for business and politics,as well as parents and students,in other words,all of us.Drawing on a dizzying series of case studies and real-world examples,together with cutting-edge research on small gains,creativity and courage,Matthew Syed tells the inside story of how success really happens—and how we cannot grow unless we are prepared to learn from our mistakes.
Map Stories
—By Francisca Matteoli
In the book,the author tells 20 surprising stories on the geography of the world and,using beautiful maps from all countries and times,she explains the birth of the most magical places on Earth.The book is a journey through space and time,and a lesson about the world as it is and our place in it.
Making It up as I Go Along
—By Marian Keyes
It is a funny look at the absurdity of modern life and recognizes that we are all clearly making it up as we go along.It includes Keyes,guide to breaking up you’re your hairdresser,and her warning about the dangers of fake tan（古铜色）.And there is some secret truth about writers,or at least about Keyes.
Mog and Me and Other Stories
—By Judith Kerr
Judith Kerr was born on June 14,1923 in Berlin but escaped from Hitler’s Germany with her parents and brother in 1933 when she was nine years old.Judith went to 11 different schools and worked with the Red Cross during the war.For the past 30 years,she’s worked as an author and illustrator of children’s books.Come and play with everyone’s favorite family pet,in this huge board book collection of stories especially for younger readers.
1. If you are interested in exploring the world,which book do you prefer?| A．Black Box Thinking. | B．Map Stories. |
| C．Making It up as I Go Along. | D．Mog and Me and Other Stories. |
| A．Matthew Syed. | B．Francisca Matteoli. |
| C．Marian Keyes | D．Judith Kerr. |
| A．businessmen | B．parents |
| C．children | D．politicians |
4 . Because of the spread of COVID-19, many students are forced to study at home. But parents are worried about how their children can learn more efficiently. The following websites might give you a clue.
Scratch
With Scratch, you can program your own interactive stories, games, and animations — and share your creations with others in the online community. Scratch can be downloaded free of charge. Scratch is designed especially for ages 8 to 16, but is used by people of all ages. Scratch is used in more than 150 different countries and available in more than 40 languages.
Mr. Bob
Mr. Bob is a science teacher, author, maker, and presenter that knows how to share the world of science. Bob encourages parents and teachers to practice Random Acts of Science by providing instructions and videos for interactive science experiments on his website. Bob has also coauthored a very popular series of science adventure books for kids.
Oxford Owl for School
Oxford Owl for School is home to online teaching, learning and assessment resources and expert support for primary schools. Free teaching, learning and assessment resources are provided, including book recommendations, storytelling videos, activity sheets and teaching notes. With a library of free, tablet-friendly eBooks, you’ll find the perfect eBook for every pupil.
The National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization to explore and protect our planet. We fund hundreds of research and conservation projects around the world each year and inspire new generations. Our yellow border serves to explore the farthest reaches of the Earth and beyond. We reach millions of people around the world, with our television networks in 172 countries and our publications available in 41 languages.
1. Which website is most suitable for science lovers?| A．Scratch. | B．Mr. Bob. |
| C．Oxford Owl for School. | D．The National Geographic Society. |
| A．It owns a library in America. | B．It offers materials for students only. |
| C．It provides online books for free. | D．It is suitable for students of all ages. |
| A．They have users worldwide. | B．They choose books for kids to read. |
| C．They are designed especially for kids. | D．They are both nonprofit organizations. |
5 . Ready for more fun on board? Connect to roKKi Wi-Fi and tune in to exciting videos throughout your flight! Experience thrilling entertainment and discover new worlds as you enjoy a variety of international and local contents using your personal mobile device. To find out what’s screening on roKKi this month, simply visit www. rokki.com and catch the movies for free!
Polis Evo
The world conflicts when two cops, one from the city and the other from a small town, meet. As the two contrasting personalities go on a mission to take down Malaysia’s biggest drug lord, the two must learn to work together to weaken a cold-blooded drug organization.
The Journey
When Bee returns to Malaysia for the first time in a decade, she introduces her conservative father, Uncle Chuan, to her happy-go-lucky British fiancé, Benji. Despite language barriers, cultural differences and original hesitation from both parties, the two men come to realize that their priorities (优先权) are essentially one and the same.
Ola Bola
Set in the 1980s during a disorderly economic period, Ola Bola tells the story of an unlikely team of Malaysian footballers that has one last chance at international glory to qualify for the 1980 Olympic Games. Disturbed by disagreements that threaten to tear them apart, the team has to overcome their individual differences and unite for the sake of the entire country.
My Passion — Diving in Pulau Perhentian
Join AirAsia Allstars Andrew Scott and Anim Ezati both on an ocean adventure. They face the challenge of open water diving for the first time. From scuba training to discovering the beauty of Perhentian Island, My Passion follows them on their exciting journey of courage as they conquer their fears and manage it, making their great joy!
1. What is Polis Evo mainly about?| A．The union of a Malaysian football team. |
| B．Two policemen join forces and beat a drug group. |
| C．Two men from different cultures accept each other. |
| D．A highly challenging and successful ocean adventure. |
| A．Ola Bola. | B．My Passion. |
| C．Polis Evo. | D．The Journey. |
| A．Entertainment at Your Fingertips | B．Well Received Cinema Films |
| C．Bestsellers on www. rokki.com | D．Greatly Praised Movies |
Bad news sells. If it bleeds, it leads. No news is good news, and good news is no news. Those are the classic rules for the evening broadcasts and the morning papers. But now that information is being spread and monitored(监控) in different ways, researchers are discovering new rules. By tracking people’s e-mails and online posts, scientists have found that good news can spread faster and farther than disasters and sob stories.
“The ‘if it bleeds’ rule works for mass media,” says Jonah Berger, a scholar at the University of Pennsylvania. “They want your eyeballs and don’t care how you’re feeling. But when you share a story with your friends, you care a lot more how they react. You don’t want them to think of you as a Debbie Downer.”
Researchers analyzing word-of-mouth communication—e-mails, Web posts and reviews, face-to-face conversations—found that it tended to be more positive than negative(消极的), but that didn’t necessarily mean people preferred positive news. Was positive news shared more often simply because people experienced more good things than bad things? To test for that possibility, Dr. Berger looked at how people spread a particular set of news stories: thousands of articles on The New York Times’ website. He and a Penn colleague analyzed the “most e-mailed” list for six months. One of his first findings was that articles in the science section were much more likely to make the list than non-science articles. He found that science amazed Times’ readers and made them want to share this positive feeling with others.
Readers also tended to share articles that were exciting or funny, or that inspired negative feelings like anger or anxiety, but not articles that left them merely sad. They needed to be aroused(激发) one way or the other, and they preferred good news to bad. The more positive an article, the more likely it was to be shared, as Dr. Berger explains in his new book, “Contagious: Why Things Catch On.”
1. What do the classic rules mentioned in the text apply to?
| A．News reports. | B．Research papers. |
| C．Private e-mails. | D．Daily conversations． |
| A．They’re socially inactive. |
| B．They’re good at telling stories. |
| C．They’re inconsiderate of others. |
| D．They’re careful with their words. |
| A．Sports new. | B．Science articles. |
| C．Personal accounts. | D．Financial reviews. |
| A．Sad Stories Travel Far and Wide |
| B．Online News Attracts More People |
| C．Reading Habits Change with the Times |
| D．Good News Beats Bad on Social Networks |
7 . Bandhavgarh National Park in India is best known for its amazing setting, as well as having the largest number of tigers in India. In addition to tigers, there are also bears, deer, wolves, birds, etc.
Location: In the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh state. The nearest village is Tala, which is the access to the park.
Opening Hours and Safari (游猎) Times
Safaris operate twice a day, starting at dawn until late morning, and mid-afternoon until sunset. The best time to visit the park is early in the morning or after 4 p. m. to spot the animals. The park is closed from July 1 to September 30 because of the monsoon season (季风季节).
Bandhavgarh Zones
Bandhavgarh is divided into three main zones: Tala (the park’s best zone, with the most tigers), Magdhi (the second best zone to see tigers) and Khitauli (scenic and less visited, although tiger sightings do occur there; particularly good for birding).
Entry Fees and Charges for Jeep Safaris
Bandhavgarh has become expensive to visit in recent years. Entry fees have increased since October 2014. When you are going on a safari, separate fees must be paid for park entry and jeep hire. Entry tickets are priced per vehicle (up to six people). From 2015 to 2016, park entry tickets’ costs were as follows:
Tala Zone: 2,400 rupees for Indians, 4,800 rupees for foreigners. (Up to six people)
Other Zones: 1,200 rupees for Indians, 2,400 rupees for foreigners. (Up to six people)
Jeep Hire
Expect to pay about 2,200 rupees to hire a jeep, in addition to the entry cost. This can be done at the park entrance. All hotels can organize jeep hire and tours, but at a higher rate. It’s much less trouble though. Besides, unlike many national parks in India, it’s possible to take private vehicles into Bandhavgarh.
1. What is Bandhavgarh National Park most famous for?| A．Species of bears. | B．Lots of tigers. |
| C．Beautiful birds. | D．A number of wolves. |
| A．1,200 rupees. | B．2,400 rupees. |
| C．4,800 rupees. | D．6,000 rupees. |
| A．Tourists don’t have to hire jeeps. |
| B．Hiring jeeps from hotels costs less money. |
| C．Tourists can only hire one jeep from the park. |
| D．Jeep hire fees are included in the entry cost. |
8 . Washington, D.C. Bicycle Tours
Cherry Blossom Bike Tour in Washington, D.C.
Duration: 3 hours
This small group bike tour is a fantastic way to see a world-famous cherry trees with beautiful flowers of Washington, D.C. Your guide will provide a history lesson about the trees and the famous monuments where they blossom. Reserve your spot before availability — the cherry blossoms—disappear!
Washington Capital Monuments Bicycle Tour
Duration: 3 hours (4 miles)
Join a guided bike tour and view some of the most popular monuments in Washington, D.C. Explore the monuments and memorials on the National Mall as your guide shares unique facts and history at each stop. Guided tour includes bike, helmet, cookies and bottled water.
Capital City Bike Tour In Washington, D.C.
Duration: 3 hours
Morning or Afternoon, this bike tour is the perfect tour for D. C. newcomers and locals looking to experience Washington, D.C. in a healthy way with minimum effort. Knowledgeable guides will entertain you with the most, interesting stories about Presidents, Congress, memorials, and parks. Comfortable bikes and a smooth tour route(路线) make cycling between the sites fun and relaxing.
Washington Capital Sites at Night Bicycle Tour
Duration: 3 hours (7miles)
Join a small group bike tour for an evening of exploration in the heart of Washington, D.C. Get up close to the monuments and memorials as you bike the sites of Capitol Hill and the National Mall. Frequent stops are made for photo taking as your guide offers unique facts and history. Tour includes bike, helmet, and bottled water. All riders are equipped with reflective vests and safety lights.
1. Which tour do you need to book in advance?| A．Cherry Blossom Bike Tour in Washington, D.C. |
| B．Washington Capital Monuments Bicycle Tour. |
| C．Capital City Bike Tour in Washington. |
| D．Washington Capital Sites at Night Bicycle Tour. |
| A．Meet famous people. | B．Go to a national park. |
| C．Visit well-known museums. | D．Enjoy interesting stories. |
| A．City maps. | B．Cameras. |
| C．Meals. | D．Safety lights. |
9 . There are an unbelievable number of reasons to go to Greece; just like there are an unbelievable number of things to do once a traveler arrives there. Here is a look at just some of the great historical things to see when on holiday in Athens, Greece.
Agora
Agora lies in ruins now, but during its glory days it was a lively and active open marketplace where Greeks came to buy, sell, and exchange their goods and services. Agora has ties to common people of ancient Greece. Guided tours are available and there is also a small museum with many artifacts from this area on display.
Parthenon
One of the most famous landmarks in Athens is the legendary Parthenon. This building is still today admired by architects who are appreciative of the decorative design, as well as the engineering involved in its construction. Those interested in history will be impressed beyond belief with the opportunity to see this historic structure up close and personal.
Temple of Olympian Zeus
One of the most impressive monuments to see up close is the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Many people see this monument from far away, or even from the window of a taxi, and never stop for a first hand look themselves. This is a huge mistake as the size of it cannot truly be appreciated without visiting it up close.
Odeum of Herodes Atticus
Built into the hillside and providing a nice view of Athens is the Odeum of Herodes Atticus. This theater was constructed in the second century and was an important gathering place for both the upper and lower classes. It holds a little over 5,000 people, located just below the Acropolis, and is still used for performances to this day.
1. What did the ancient Greeks do in Agora?| A．They toured around. |
| B．They did business. |
| C．They visited museums. |
| D．They prayed for blessings. |
| A．Building designers. |
| B．Electrical engineers. |
| C．Ordinary visitors. |
| D．Religious people. |
| A．By looking in the distance. |
| B．By visiting up close. |
| C．By taking a bird’s-eye view. |
| D．By. seeing through a taxi window. |
| A．It has great historical value. |
| B．It has ties to common people. |
| C．It still serves its original purpose. |
| D．It is famous for its architecture. |
Description:
The National Gallery is the British national art museum built on the north side of Trafalgar Square in London. It houses a diverse collection of more than 2,300 examples of European art ranging from 13th-century religious paintings to more modern ones by Renoir and Van Gogh. The older collections of the gallery are reached through the main entrance while the more modern works in the East Wing are most easily reached from Trafalgar Square by a ground floor entrance.
Layout:
The modern Sainsbury Wing on the western side of the building houses 13th-to 15th-century paintings, and artists include Duccio, Uccello, Van Eyck, Lippi, Mantegna, Botticelli and Memling.
The main West Wing houses 16th-century paintings, and artists include Leonardo da Vinci, Cranach, Michelangelo, Raphael, Bruegel, Bronzino, Titian and Veronese.
The North Wing houses 17th-century paintings, and artists include Caravaggio, Rubens, Poussin, Van Dyck, Velaazquez, Claude and Vermeer.
The East Wing houses 18th-to early 20th-century paintings, and artists include Canaletto, Goya, Turner, Constable, Renoir and Van Gogh.
Opening Hours:
The Gallery is open every day from 10am to 6pm (Fridays 10am to 9pm) and is free, but charges apply to some special exhibitions.
Getting There:
Nearest underground stations: Charing Cross (2-minute walk), Leicester (3-minute walk), Embankment (7-minute walk), and Piccadilly Circus (8-minute walk).
1. In which wing can you see religious paintings?| A．In the East Wing. | B．In the main West Wing. |
| C．In the Sainsbury Wing. | D．In the North Wing. |
| A．Van Eyck | B．Cranach |
| C．Van Dyck. | D．Constable. |
| A．The National Gallery is the biggest British national art museum. |
| B．There are four exhibition areas in The National Gallery |
| C．The Gallery is open every day from 10am to 6pm |
| D．The Gallery is completely free |
| A．An artist magazine. | B．A tourist map. |
| C．A news report. | D．A museum guide. |
