1 . If you are currently learning English, 1 highly recommend you check out the apps below.
Quizlet
When learning English, you probably have to memorize a lot of words. If you want to grow your vocabulary as fast as possible, a flashcard app like Quizlet is a great shortcut. With Quizlet, you can create a set of flashcards with new English words you are trying to learn, and practice typing them out until you know them by heart. It's a simple concept, but it's highly effective.
Spotify
Spotify is not a language learning app. But chances are that you already use it or a similar app for listening to music or podcasts（播客）, and one of the effective ways to study is combining something you already use into your existing habits. If Spotify is already on your phone, you can subscribe to some podcasts for English learners or download playlists of songs for learning English, or make your own.
Beelinguapp
Beelinguapp makes reading in English as convenient as possible. It shows you a text in your own language with the English translation side-by-side. Texts are short enough so that you can really dig into every word. They cover topics from fairytales, to science, to current news articles. There's even a "karaoke" feature where you can read along to audio, which helps you match up the English pronunciation with the English spellings.
Tandem
Tandem is a language exchange app which connects learners from all over the world. It can help you find a native English speaker who is trying to learn your native language, so you can swap language skills. If you only have five minutes to spare, you can simply exchange messages with a native English speaker. If you have more time, you can have a longer, digital language exchange" by sharing voice notes, or using video chat. It's a great way to test your English skills out with real people.
1. What is Spotify intended to help people do?| A．Develop a good habit. | B．Listen to music or podcasts. |
| C．Learn a foreign language. | D．Memorize words with flashcards. |
| A．Learners can use their native language as a reference. |
| B．It's convenient for learners to translate voice notes. |
| C．It provides learners a chance to tell their own stories. |
| D．Learners can sing English songs along to the music. |
| A．Quizlet. | B．Spotify. | C．Beelinguapp. | D．Tandem. |
2 . Here are four books recommended by one of the most respected editors from Reader’s Digest. If you have time to dip yourselves into the books, they can surely offer much food for thought.
Face It
Debbie Harry
HARPERCOLLINS
Picture this: it’s the late 1970s and the punk music scene is starting to take hold. The band releases the album ParallelLines, which becomes the greatest hit. Everyone wants to attend her concert and some teenage girls even dream to be her. Now 75, Harry bares all about herself in Face It, starting from her childhood. Part shocking, this book is as humorous, moving and vigorous as its subject.
Scatterbrain
Henning Beck
NEWSOUTHBOOKS
If there is no obvious connection among what we see, the brain will substitute in the rest of the information without you even noticing, Beck says in the chapter Memory. In this “user’s guide for your brain”, he argues that mistakes are the keys to success. He combines science with brain-boosting advice and real-life stories to take the reader on a fascinating adventure through human memory.
You’ re Not Listening
Kate Murphy
PENGUINERANDOM HOUSE
When was the last time you listened to someone? Really listened without thinking about what you wanted to say next? And when was the last time someone really listened to you? Compared with talking, listening isn’t considered so important, argues journalist Kate Murphy, but she insists it is actually the more powerful position in communication. Her insights could transform your conversations, your relationships and your life.
The Right-Brain Work Out
Russel Howcroft with Alex Wadelton
PENGUIN
In 1968,1600 five-year-olds were given a creativity test. They were retested at ages 10 and 15 and their scores were compared against adults. While 98 per cent of five-year-olds were assessed in the “highly creative” range (genius level), only two per cent of adults could be considered “highly creative”. In The Right-Brain Work Out, the authors promise to re-train your brain to be more creative, using 70 questions to challenge you.
1. What can we learn from the passage?| A．Parallel Lines became a great success in the 1970s unexpectedly. |
| B．Face It mainly reveals things about the band to the general public. |
| C．Scatterbrain helps stimulate your brain to take more adventures. |
| D．Beck holds that the importance of mistakes shouldn’t be ignored. |
| A．Two tests were given separately to the subjects. |
| B．The effect of the brain exercise is clearly proved. |
| C．Some questions are designed to enhance creativity. |
| D．Genius kids reserve their creativity into adulthood. |
| A．Face It | B．Scatterbrain |
| C．You’re Not Listening | D．The Right-Brain Work Out |
3 . New Jersey Botanical Garden Membership
It’s easy to join New Jersey Botanical Garden (NJBG) Membership or renew your membership online, by phone or by mail. And it’s so important to the Botanical Garden! Your membership dollars help to improve the Garden, and provide educational and recreational (娱乐的) activities for the general public. Thank you for your support!
To join or renew, please click on the appropriate section and membership category below for safe and convenient online payment processing by PayPal.
If you prefer to join by phone or mail, call the NJBG office at (973) 962-9534 or download and send in our membership brochure (Adobe Acrobat PDF file).
★Join NJBG Today
Membership Category | Individual | Dual (两人共用) | Student |
Annual Dues | $35 | $60 | $25 |
Special: Save $5 with Biennial Dues(两年会费) | $60 | $100 | $40 |
★Renew Your Membership
Membership Category | Individual | Dual | Student |
Annual Dues | $30 | $50 | $25 |
Special: Save $5 with Biennial Dues | $50 | $80 | $40 |
The Botanical Garden started life as Skylands, a large area in the grand manner. It is famous for a 44-room Tudor Revival granite mansion (公馆) designed by John Russell Pope. Skylands has 96 acres of formal and naturalized gardens and is surrounded by over 1,000 acres of meadows (草坪) and woodlands. Purchased by the State in 1966 and officially named as the New Jersey Botanical Garden in 1984, the gardens contain approximately 5,000 species and varieties of trees and flowers.
For you, the NJBG is an exciting and beautiful place to visit where you may enjoy each season’s best. Members enjoy special events, festivals, lectures, and rewarding educational opportunities for both city and country gardeners.
Your NJBG membership offers you discounts at participating nurseries, garden centers and other fine businesses. Simply present your NJBG membership card when beginning your purchase:
· Goffle Brook Farm and Garden Center, (201) 652-7540
10% off your purchase
· Metropolitan Plant Exchange, (973) 638-7613
12% off your purchase
· Rohsler’s Allendale Nursery & Florist, (201) 327-3156
15% off your purchase
1. The NJBG membership dollars can be used to ___________.| A．offer further education | B．update online payment |
| C．provide better service | D．protect the environment |
| A．(201) 327-3156 | B．(201) 652-7540 |
| C．(973) 962-9534 | D．(973) 638-7613 |
| A．$50 | B．$60 |
| C．$80 | D．$100 |
| A．was officially named in 1966 |
| B．was designed by John Russell Pope |
| C．invites members to organize activities |
| D．gives members discounts for their purchase |
