1 . Watching movies is great for improving your English. And if you choose films that you enjoy watching, you’ll learn English without even realising it! Here are four movies that are perfect for English learners.

Charlotte’s Web (2006)
Story: The power of friendship between a pig(Wilbur)and a spider(Charlotte).

The live-action film, a fine adaptation of E. B. White’s book, will entertain the young audience with cute talking animals and easy-to-follow language. Adults will also be charmed by heartwarming good time and learn to look at the world with curiosity and joy.

Toy Story(1995)
Story: A cartoon film about toys that come to life when children and adults aren’t around.

The storylines are clear and the characters use simple but useful language. Though it’s mainly for kids, Toy Story doesn’t feel childish. The story and jokes also attracted adults, so parents would be more likely to take their children to see the film.

Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Story: Things go wrong when a group of kids get a free tour of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

This film is also great for English learners as it is generally easy to follow. And you’ll hear some extracts(选段) from English literature because Willy often quotes well-known writers   such as Oscar Wilde and Shakespeare.

The Sound of Music(1965)
Story: A young woman (Maria) becomes the nanny for seven children in a house in the Austrian   Alps.

The Sound of Music is a musical and listening to music is one of the best ways to improve your English. Many of the film’s songs have become classics because they’re so catchy.

1. Which movie attracts cartoon lovers most?

A．Charlotte’s Web(2006).	B．Toy Story(1995).
C．Charlie & the Chocolate Factory(1971).	D．The Sound of Music(1965).

2. What do Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and The Sound of Music have in common?

A．They are preferred by housewives.	B．They are musicals.
C．They are based on classic works.	D．They have children characters.

3. Where is this text probably taken from?

A．A music blog.	B．A language magazine.
C．A movie poster.	D．A toy advertisement.

2 . London Theatre Shows

Alice In Wonderland

Each ticket to the show includes free entry to Kew Gardens., Alice in Wonderland is playing at the Kew Gardens from 22 July to 28 August 2023.

Running time: 1 hour 10 minutes with no interval (幕间休息)

Performance days

Matinees (日场): Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Important information: Children under 2 years old go free.

Back To The Future: The Musical

It is based on the iconic Back ta the Future films. Back to the Future: The Musical tickets at the Adelphi Theatre, London are available to book for performances up to 11 February 2024.

Age restrictions: Suitable for general audience aged 6+. Children under 3 will not be admitted.

Running time: 2 hours 40 minutes (including interval)

Performance days

Evenings; Monday, Wednesday. Thursday. Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Matinees: Thursday, Saturday, Sunday.

Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour

This show sees Blippi in the ultimate curiosity adventure. Dance, sing, and learn with Blippi as he discovers what makes different cities unique and special. Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour runs at Rose Theatre, Kingston from 29 August to 9 September 2023.

Age restrictions: Recommended for ages 2+.

Running time: 1 hour (no interval)

Performance days

Matinees: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Dinosaur World Live

Join our brave explorers across unchartered territories to discover a pre-historic world of remarkably life-like dinosaurs. Dinosaur World Live runs from 11 August to 3 September 2023 at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London.

Age restrictions: 3+

Running time: 50 mins + a 15-minute post show

Performance days

Matinees: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

1. What do we know about Back to the Future: The Musical?

A．It has no performances on Tuesdays,

B．Booking starts on 11 February 2024.

C．Children under 3 years old can go free.

D．It lasts 2 hours 40 minutes without intervals.

2. Where should you go if you want to learn more about cities around the world?

A．Kew Gardens.

B．Adelphi Theatre.

C．Rose Theatre, Kingston.

D．Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

3. Which show provides after-show interaction?

A．Alice In Wonderland

B．Dinosaur World Live

C．Back To The Future: The Musical

D．Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour

3 . Food books can bring a culture to life. The following food books are bursting with delicious food, as well as entertaining and engaging storytelling.

	Pierre Thiam’s latest book aims to share everyday, easy-to-cook recipes like baked ginger-chili plantain kelewele. He explains how so many dishes and ingredients from the American South and other regions can trace their origin to West Africa. The 80 recipes are accessible and present a range of traditional and modern takes on the cuisine.
	Fuchsia Dunlop’s book examines classic Chinese dishes, like mapo tofu, soup dumplings and Dongpo pork. This book includes history, philosophy, cooking techniques, and Dunlop’s on-the-ground research conducted over three decades to present a fascinating exploration of this ever-changing cuisine.
	Tamar Adler seeks to make leftovers more appealing and lower food waste in the process with her latest book, which contains around 1,500 recipes. This isn’t what you’d call a beautiful coffee table-style cookbook — it’s practical and the creative secrets within are truly mind-blowing.
	Natasha Pickowicz is an innovative chef. More Than Cake is her first cookbook, full of invaluable tips like how to build a layer (层) cake. Aside from great baking recipes, this cookbook tries to live up to its name by sharing how baking can provide so much more than just tasty sweets — it can give community, purpose, joy and love.

1. Who explores Chinese food culture in the cookbook?

A．Pierre Thiam.	B．Fuchsia Dunlop.
C．Tamar Adler.	D．Natasha Pickowicz.

2. What do Simply West African and The Everlasting Meal Cookbook have in common?

A．They are the writers’ latest books.	B．They advocate lower food waste.
C．They have the same number of recipes.	D．They aim to share West African dishes.

3. Which book favors cake-baking lovers?

A．Simply West African.	B．Invitation to a Banquet.
C．The Everlasting Meal Cookbook.	D．More Than Cake.

4 . Is your child interested in a camp with Girl Scout (童子军) activities? Attending a summer camp with this focus is a perfect way for them to explore while giving them experience and confidence. Browse our selection and find the perfect fit for your child.

Code Ninjas Camps (CNC)

Transform your child’s love for technology into an exciting learning adventure. Guided by our team of Code Senseis, Code Ninjas Camps empower kids to gain valuable tech skills and make new friends. It’s an unforgettably fun learning experience! Our camps invent, inspire and create to bring out the inventor and creator in your child this Summer and Spring Break.

Fighting Illini Sports Camps (FISC)

The University of Illinois has committed itself to the development of well-rounded summer camp programs for boys and girls. Camps are offered for boys and girls in cheer leading, cross country, golf and swimming. Also offered are camps for boys in baseball, football, gymnastics and wrestling, as well as camps for girls in basketball, gymnastics, soccer, softball and volleyball. Team camps are available in Cheer leading, Basketball, Football and Volleyball.

Girl Scouts of Central Indiana (GSCI)

Campers will enjoy the great outdoors, improve their mental health, make new friends and learn more about themselves! Girl Scouts of Central Indiana has five unique camps, each situated on beautiful sprawling acres, and each with their own special touch. Activities vary by camp program/event/location, and may include: hiking, swimming, jumping on the giant trampoline, horse or pedal car riding. It’s definitely more fun than you’d ever expect for such a great price!

1. Who is CNC intended for?

A．Girls interested in science.	B．Kids fond of sports.
C．Teenagers addicted to games.	D．Children keen on adventures.

2. What is special about FISC?

A．Activities are organized outdoors.	B．Activities are available to boys.
C．Programming courses are provided.	D．Campers need to be creative.

3. What activity is provided by both FISC and GSCI?

A．Soccer.

B．Hiking.

C．Swimming.

D．Wrestling.

5 . Place an Advertisement or a Legal Notice in Los Angeles Times

Some moments and milestones need to be shared? Place a legal notice, advertise your services, or sell your goods in the award-winning newspaper. No need to be an expert. There’s no responsibility to create an account or provide a credit card until you are ready to check out on our site.

3 Easy Steps

1. Go through Our Choices. Having trouble finding the right choice? We’ll guide you.

2. Design & Schedule Your Ad or Notice. Customize your notice and get real-time price updates (更新).

3. Check Out. Once you check out, you can continue to edit your order until the deadline (最后期限).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What product or package should I choose?

The Los Angeles Times offers dozens of advertising choices. The simplest way to find the right one for you is to visit our Ad Options page, and use the left hand navigation (导航).

2. What if I can’t find the type of advertisement that I want to place on the Self-Service site?

Please contact us to see if we can find the right choice for you. Our inside sales team can be reached at 1-800-LATIMES, ext. 72769.

3. How far in advance do I need to hand in my advertisement in order for it to run?

You can find the specific deadlines for the product you’re interested in, by visiting the More Info page for that specific product.

4. Do I need to create an account?

Yes, in order for us to schedule your advertisement and charge (收费) you for it, we need you to create an account. But feel free to go through our products and design your advertisement without registering. If you need more information regarding our Privacy Policy, please click here.

1. What can we know about placing an advertisement or a legal notice in Los Angeles Times?

A．You can enjoy the lowest price ever.

B．You can edit it whenever you like.

C．You don’t need to put in much effort.

D．You don’t need to create an account.

2. What can one do if he isn’t sure when to hand in his advertisement?

A．Visit the More Info page.	B．Contact the inside sales team.
C．Search the Privacy Policy page.	D．Use the navigation on the Ad Options page.

3. Where is this text probably taken from?

A．A newspaper.

B．A website.

C．A magazine.

D．A guidebook.

6 . Central Park Picnic Experiences

Having a picnic with family, friends or colleagues at the Pool with iconic views of the NYC backdrop would give you good feelings. We handle all aspects of your event from beginning to end, so you can just show up and have a great time! Fresh baked service! — You can now add games to any picnic experience (details below).

Family-Style Picnic

Serves a minimum of 15 people

Our family-style picnic experience is perfect for big groups! Includes set up & clean up, plus fruits and food. Also includes coolers with ice, blankets, pillows and parasols (遮阳伞). $60.00 per adult, $30.00 per child. Includes a 2-hour picnic with set up and clean up. $50 per add 1 hour.

Social Picnic Party

Serves 10 to 12 people

Comes complete with an entire picnic set up including extra space, blankets, pillows, parasols. The meal is a sampling of sandwiches, roast chicken, potato salad, seasonal greens, local cheese platter, lemonade, water and something sweet for dessert. Perfect for meeting new friends.

We Love This Formal Picnic!

Serves 4 to 10 people

Looking for something more formal? This is special and for you! Includes set up with a set low-rise table for business talk, a great selection of delicious food, flowers, and clean up! Tips not included — and should go direct to your picnic expert.

Birthday Party Picnic

Serves 2 to 18 people

Besides our signature birthday party cake, we also offer a local cheese platter (拼盘), seasonal salad, chips, lemonade and water, plus cookies & brownies for dessert! When you arrive at your picnic spot, one of our picnic experts will have everything set up, ready and waiting for you when you arrive! Includes a 2-hour picnic for 2 with set up and clean up. Add up to 16 additional guests. $50 per add 1 hour. $50 per add 1 guest. Max 18 guests.

Contact us with questions!
1. What is a new service for the picnic experiences?

A．New spots with wonderful views.	B．Whole-process service.
C．Allowing for adding games.	D．Offering freshly-made bread.

2. How much to pay if families with 12 adults plus 10 kids have a 2-hour picnic?

A．$720.

B．$1,020.

C．$1,070.

D．$1,150.

3. What is the most likely basis for setting up these types of picnics?

A．Expense of picnic.	B．Number of people.
C．Age of the group.	D．Purpose of the activity.

7 . While Alice has her adventures in the Wonderland, you can have your own as well this summer. British contemporary artist Philip Colbert has created a Lobster (龙虾) Wonderland in Changsha, Hunan Province.

Date: July 15

Location: Changsha International Finance Square (Changsha IFS)

About Philip Colbert

His globally welcomed lobster series has won the hearts of a large number of followers. The artist, with a master’s in philosophy, takes lobster as his second personality.

Through large installations, public art theme exhibition and new media art, the artist has introduced works from galleries and created a surreal art scenery in city’s public space with a combination of pop art and local culture.

Features

In Changsha IFS, Colbert’s exhibition, which is the London-based artist’s first large-scale outdoor public art installations, has three major sectors, showcasing his large installations, sculptures and new media arts as well as the special works created for the event.

The opening ceremony, an art carnival, saw the debut (首次登台) of a 12-meter-long Lobster Taikonaut specially made by Colbert. His Lobster Flower and Lobster Shark also found their way in the parade. At the southwest square, people can find Lobster Fountain towering 12 meters and enjoy two major theme sectors, Lobster Island and Lobster Skate Park.

Lobster Rainbow, a lobster breaking through a roof with a rainbow behind it, is the artist’s brand-new work for Changsha IFS. In his works, such as Daydreamer, Colbert also expresses his wish of narrowing the distance between art pieces and people.

1. What is Philip Colbert well known for?

A．Alice Wonderland.	B．Shark experience.
C．Lobster series.	D．Rainbow story.

2. What can we learn about the exhibition according to the text?

A．It took place in the open air.

B．There was no special works for the event.

C．People can enjoy lobster fountain and lake.

D．Lobster Island is the artist’s brand-new work for Changsha IFS.

3. Where can the text probably be found?

A．A shopping brochure.

B．An art magazine.

C．A science report.

D．A fashion advertisement.

8 . Best Movies of 2023

Determining the “best” movies is subjective and can vary depending on personal tastes and preferences. However, here are some highly rated movies from 2023 that received positive reviews.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
140 min |Animation, Action, Adventure
☆Rate 8.7

Miles Morales travels across the Multiverse, where he meets a team of Spider-People. When the heroes fight over how to handle a new threat, Miles must redefine what it means to be a hero.

Directors: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson

Votes: 310,763

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3
150 min |Action, Adventure, Comedy
☆Rate 7.9

Still depressed from the loss of Gamora, Peter Quill gathers his team to defend the universe and one of their own — a mission that could mean the end of the Guardians if not successful.

Director: James Gunn

Votes: 350,483

Wonka
116 min |Adventure, Comedy, Family
☆Rate 7.4

With dreams of opening a shop in a city known for its chocolate, a young and poor Willy Wonka discovers that the industry is run by a group of greedy chocolatiers.

Director: Paul King

Votes: 9,342

Barbie (I)
114 min |Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
☆Rate 7

Barbie suffers a crisis that leads her to question her world and her existence.

Director: Greta Gerwig

Votes: 403,759

Click here to see more and vote for your favorite movies of 2023.

1. Which movie gives an insight into the meaning of heroes?

A．Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.	B．Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3.
C．Wonka.	D．Barbie (I).

2. Who may be most attracted by Wonka?

A．Science fiction addicts.	B．Action movie fans.
C．Chocolate enthusiasts.	D．Doll lovers.

3. Where is this text probably taken from?

A．A movie magazine.	B．A movie website.
C．A movie poster.	D．An academic paper on movies.

9 . Animal volunteering abroad is the perfect opportunity for animal lovers who want to do something good while traveling. Here are several programs.

Leatherback Turtle Ambassador

Our main mission is to protect endangered sea turtles such as the leatherback sea turtle and the green sea turtle. By working with locals and environmental education programs, we will be able to educate people on the importance of protecting the valuable sea ecosystem.

Location: Limon, Costa Rica

Requirements: Age: 18-50; Language skill: basic English

Fee: 266€ per week

Wildlife Shelter Carer

Every year, hundreds of thousands of native animals are injured or become sick, often because of interaction with people or pets. Our wildlife shelters have rescued sick, injured native wildlife and loved them back to health to be returned to the natural environment. Since we receive no funding from governments, the shelters rely on the donations of volunteers and the public.

Location: New South Wales, Australia

Requirements: Age: 18-50; Language skill: fluent English

Fee: 706€ per week

Thai Elephant Sanctuary

Our program helps domesticated elephants rescued from a life of working on the streets or logging and provides care to rescued elephant population. The program has won numerous awards for its ethical contribution to the assistance of Thai Elephants. The team have rescued dozens of elephants and given them shelters in beautiful, open spaces.

Location: Phetchaburi province, Thailand

Requirements: Age: 18-50; Language skill: fluent English

Fee: 647€ per week

Force-free Horse Sanctuary Assistant

Are you passionate about horses and eager to make a positive impact on horse welfare? Join our incredible Force-Free Horse Sanctuary Program, where you’ll become part of a devoted team caring for our beautiful horses. Through positive reinforcement and force-free horsemanship skills, you’ll help improve the lives of these magnificent animals.

Location: Atajate, Spain

Requirements: Age: 14-50; Language skill: basic English or basic Spanish

Fee: 392€ per week

1. Which program costs least per week?

A．Leatherback Turtle Ambassador.	B．Wildlife Shelter Carer.
C．Thai Elephant Sanctuary.	D．Force-free Horse Sanctuary Assistant.

2. What can you do in the program of Wildlife Shelter Carer?

A．Advocate protecting sea animals.

B．Attend to animals in poor condition.

C．Adopt endangered animals as your pets.

D．Acquire complicated horsemanship skills.

3. Where can you volunteer if you are a 15-year-old English speaker?

A．Limon, Costa Rica.	B．New South Wales, Australia.
C．Phetchaburi province, Thailand.	D．Atajate, Spain.

10 . Amusement Parks in Seattle
·The Seattle Great Wheel

The Seattle Great Wheel, open to the public in 2012, is a popular landmark in the city located on the west coast. The great Ferris wheel is 175 feet high. Appropriate for all ages, it is a must try ride in the city for a full view of Seattle. Fine dining restaurants and great wheel light shows add up the cheer to the place.

Timings: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Ticket Price: $14 (Adults) $9 (Kids)

·Great Wolf Lodge

The Great Wolf Lodge was opened in 2008 with variety of amusement activities. Attractions like body slides, tube slides, lazy river etc. are featured in the amusement mark, making it perfect for all age groups. Fun rides, fitness centre and food court increase the enjoyment in the park.

Timings: 11:00 AM to 08:00 PM

Entry Fee: $50 per person

·Wild Waves Theme Park

Wild Waves Theme Park is one of the major amusement parks in Seattle. It was opened in 1977, serving Seattle’s population with an exciting and fun experience. Rides and attractions in the park are divided into 5 major sections. It also celebrates annual festivals with lights, making the place more attractive.

Timings: 11:00 AM to 06:00 PM

Entry Fee: $34 (Adult) $24 (Children)

·Oaks Amusement Park

One of the oldest amusement parks around Seattle, Oaks Amusement Park was opened in 1905. Among various amusement divisions, rides, skating rink, miniature golf court are few popular spots. The rides section of the park featuring kiddie rides, thrill rides, family rides, and height rides.

Timings: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Entry Fee: $10 to $100 (Varies as per the activities)

1. What can visitors do at the Seattle Great Wheel?

A．Have a full view of Seattle.	B．Play in the golf court.
C．Enjoy the festival celebration.	D．Experience the body slides.

2. How much would a couple with one child pay to visit Wild Waves Theme Park?

A．$37.

B．$50.

C．$92.

D．$100.

3. Which of the following is the earliest to open?

A．The Seattle Great Wheel.	B．Great Wolf Lodge.
C．Wild Waves Theme Park.	D．Oaks Amusement Park.