1 . Dear readers,

“Persist.” — Viet Thanh Nguyen

“Success is no accident.” — Chris Bohjalian

“Keep writing and it’ll get easier.” — Lisa Jewell

“Be patient with yourself.” — Min Jin Lee

These are words of advice taken from our interviews with award-winning and bestselling authors. Notice, though, not a single mention of their status, prizes, or advances—in other words, their success. And while status, literary awards, and money can be indicators of a successful writer, one must actually sit down and write for any of those things to happen. That’s what all of these pieces of advice have in common: putting words on the page.

In this issue, you’ll find articles to help you succeed, no matter your goals. If it’s to figure out whether that mess of a novel you’ve got sitting in a drawer can be rescued or if you need to move on, Andromeda Romano’s article will offer questions to ask yourself. Michael La Ronn’s essay will give you an example of how an unexpected opportunity might be just the push you need. Or, if you’ve had trouble finding an agent, Ryan Van Cleave’s collection of tips and advice from 22 literary agents on every aspect of the business might change your luck. Matty Dalrymple shares ways to reach more readers and build a community with them.

Wish you success and happy new year!

1. The advice mentioned at the beginning highlights the importance of ______.

A．a big dream

B．constant practice

C．earning money

D．achieving success

2. Whose article may help those who are unsure whether to save an unsuccessful novel?

A．Matty Dalrympl.	B．Michael La Ronn.
C．Ryan Van Cleave.	D．Andromeda Romano.

3. Who might be the target readers of this issue?

A．Writers.

B．Businessmen.

C．Booksellers.

D．Literary agents.

2 . Bring It On:The Musical

Bitingly relevant and inspired by the hit film of the same name, Bring It On takes audiences on a high-flying journey that is filled with the complexities of friendship, forgiveness and self-definition.

Uniting some of the freshest and funniest creative minds on Broadway, Bring It On features an original story by Tony Award winner Jeff Whitty, music and lyrics by Tony Award-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, and music supervision by Tony and Grammy Award winner Alex Lacamoire. The production is directed and staged by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler. It was proposed as a candidate for the Tony Award for Best Musical.

Campbell, the main character, is a cheer-leading star at Truman High School and her senior year should prove the most joyful — she’s been named captain of the team! However,an unexpected redistricting has forced her to spend her final year of high school at the neighboring Jackson High School. Despite challenges, Campbell befriends the school’s dance crew. Together with their headstrong and hardworking leader, Danielle, they form a powerful team for the ultimate competition — the National Championships.

The show’s name alone will fill the seats, and audience’s word of mouth will pack the house. With a colorful variety of characters and an exciting fresh sound, Bring It On is sure to be everything that you hoped for.

1. Who wrote the story that Bring It On is based on?

A．Lin-Manuel Miranda.	B．Jeff Whitty
C．Andy Blankenbuehler.	D．Alex Lacamoire.

2. What can we learn about The Musical Bring It On?

A．Campbell met great difficulties at first in her new school.

B．It won the Tony Award for Best Musical for its creativity.

C．Campbell changed her school to be the captain of the team.

D．It was adapted from a movie focusing on a complex journey.

3. What is the text?

A．A short story.	B．An introduction to a theater.
C．A film review.	D．An advertisement of a play.

3 . Half of all people will have significant amounts of grey hair by the age of 50．If greying occurs before the age of 30, it is known as premature greying. Possible reasons for this happening:

·genetics

·long-term dieting

·lack of protein and nutrients

·extreme mental and emotional stress

·lack of iron, copper, zinc, and Vitamin B12

“If you color your hair too often with strong chemicals and put them on scalps (头皮) that are still growing, the cells in your hair might get damaged. This can change how melanocytes (生黑色素细胞) work. Because of this, they may stop making color earlier than normal,” says Trichologist and Director of Hari and Scalp Clinic, HairMantra, Dr Padmaja Redekar. She recommends yearly scalp check-ups should be as routine as annual medicals.

“At HairMantra, you will receive expert advice with solutions for your whole lifestyle, products and supplements for your hair problems, and a hair care routine to use at home. Call us today and balance your hair health from the inside out,” Padmaja adds.

1. What is considered a possible reason for grey hair showing up early?

A．Occasional dieting.

B．Genetic problems.

C．Extreme physical stress.

D．Insufficient protein and nutrient.

2. What would Dr Padmaja Redekar most likely to recommend?

A．Coloring your hair as you wish.	B．Changing how melanocytes work.
C．Protecting the cells in your hair earlier.	D．Getting your scalp checked every year.

3. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．An encyclopedia.	B．A healthcare report.
C．An advertisement.	D．A medical brochure.

4 . Whether you are looking for an exciting way to spend weekend nights or a new hobby that would help your teen live healthily, LKA Teen Nights are a perfect solution.

Our Montessori-inspired environment empowers students to focus on what interests them most be it exploring cooking art, learning new skills, or making meaningful connections. In Teen Nights, students are motivated to promote their knowledge about nutrition, eating locally and organically, and the impact of their food choices on their minds, bodies, and the environment.

Curriculum(课程)

During the sessions, our professional instructors cover diverse topics about food and nutrition that are essential for teenagers to sustain a healthy lifestyle. The curriculum mainly includes developing a moderate portion and preparing meals for various categories such as athletes, picky eaters, and people with eating disorder.

·We challenge our teens by making creative recipes with limited tools, or missing ingredients.

·Our recipes will involve trying a popular dish from a local restaurant and improving it.

·We will ask our teens to look up the price for the ingredients we are using to calculate the cost of our meals.

At the end of every session, we gather around the community table made from recycled chopsticks, where we enjoy the delicious meal teens worked so hard to create.   

Targeted Groups

Teen Nights are suitable for all learning styles from traditional schooling to alternative education for exceptional learners.

Opening Time

Our LKA Teen Nights run every Friday & Saturday night from 7:30 pm to 10 pm.

View information on the location-specific page for details on the enrollment.

1. Who is the text intended for?

A．Teenagers.

B．Parents.

C．Chefs.

D．Instructors.

2. What are Teen Nights mainly aimed at?

A．Improving athletic skills.	B．Raising healthy eating awareness.
C．Solving environmental problems.	D．Strengthening family connections.

3. What is known about the curriculum?

A．It encourages creative cooking.	B．It promotes community service.
C．It focuses on home-made dishes.	D．It recommends recycled materials.

5 . Buccleuch Place/ Buccleuch Place Lane

Overview

Buccleuch Place/Buccleuch Place Lane, 1-6&; 7-13, Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh, EH89LW

Buccleuch Place provides a mix of standard study bedrooms within flats, each with shared kitchen/living spaces and bathroom facilities.

Standard single en-suite room

Standard room with en-suite bathroom £ 10, 377 per year

BATHROOM: En-suite

CATERING: Self-catered property

BILLS: All utility（bills included- there is an average allowance of electricity but overuse can result in additional charges.

Twin room

Twin room with shared bathroom facilities £ 5, 215 per year

BATHROOM: Shared

CATERING: Self-catered property

BILLS: All utility bills included -there is an average allowance of electricity but overuse can result in additional charges.

Standard single room

Standard single room with shared bathroom facilities £ 8, 651 per year

BATHROOM: Shared

CATERING: Self-catered property

BILLS: All utility bills included -there is an average allowance of electricity but overuse can result in additional charges.

Cleaning and housekeeping

• Staff on site will regularly clean the laundry, common room, common room toilets, stairs and lifts.

• Staff will visit your flat weekly and assist you in keeping common areas clean (kitchens, any shared bathrooms and hallways). However, residents should also clean between visits.

• Residents should clear rubbish and remove al recycling to the designated areas: you are also responsible for keeping your own bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms clean.

• Please note that al our accommodation is non-smoking, this includes e-cigarettes.

1. Which of the following might be true about a standard single en-suite room?

A．It is the cheapest choice.	B．It provides a private bathroom.
C．Food is included in the bill.	D．Residents do not need to pay any bills.

2. A resident in the Buccleuch Place ________.

A．can have e-cigarettes in his room.	B．only needs to clean his own bedroom.
C．has staff visits on a daily basis.	D．should remove recycling to specific areas.

3. Which of the following section could this passage be possibly found?

A．Accommodation.

B．Jobs.

C．Finance.

D．Courses.

6 . The following is part of an interview between Professor Bernard Feringa (a Nobel Price winner) and a CNN reporter.

Q: You often say that universities should be playgrounds. How can we make sure that this is a case?

A: I’m a strong believer in challenging students at all levels — to think, to discover and to go beyond the current knowledge. The universities have a special role here, because academic training and science should go beyond the current horizon. I think that we shouldn’t forget that we shouldn’t train our students for today or tomorrow; we should train them for 10 to 20 years from now. Because then they will be the innovators in our society, and they will be the persons that make a difference. Train our students for future means that they have to be able to surpass the border of our current knowledge. This is what I mean with playground. I mean that you have sufficient space to think, to discover and to be free to make mistakes, but in particular to make the next steps, be creative and not limited by what should be done. A lot of things happen by accident and suddenly you get a major breakthrough or new insight. Schools should encourage students to ask questions and be creative.

Q: What is it that you like so much about teaching?

A: I really enjoy the transfer of the beauty of knowledge: insights, questions, things that we don’t know, or the limitations of what we know. I never get tired of my job. I think that you share with your students the opportunity to transfer some knowledge, but also get a lot of things back by asking questions and discussing. Across all fields, from natural sciences to humanities, you have knowledge and insights built upon generations and decades. At the universities we have to transfer a lot of knowledge and teach students the basic skills and techniques. But it’s also our duty to go beyond that — to ask them questions about what we don’t know and what improvements we can make for the future. Doing surgery in the hospital now might be taken over by robots in the future. How are we going to deal with that? Or will we be able to make fuel for airplanes? These are challenging and tough questions but to share those with the students is really nice. Most of all, I think the beauty of knowledge and the excitement of insights and discoveries is fantastic.
1. What does the professor agree to?

A．Students are bound to surpass their present teachers.

B．Students are expected to be different future citizens.

C．Students are supposed to have more academic training.

D．Students should definitely be encouraged to be challenged.

2. What does “plavground” mean to Bernard Feringa?

A．An area for physical activities.	B．An area for extra-curricular experiments.
C．An area for bold exploration.	D．An area for academic improvements.

3. Which saying can best describe the reason for the professor’s devotion to teaching?

A．He who teaches learns.	B．Work makes a workman.
C．Never too old to learn.	D．Truth never fears investigation.

4. How can you describe Professor Bernard Feringa?

A．Respectable and reliable.	B．Innovative and devoted.
C．Generous and sharp-minded.	D．Independent and professional.

7 . ABCmouse

ABCmouse is one of the most well-known learn to read apps for children. With its expert-made curriculum, the program offers endless hours of content for children aged 2 to 8. The interactive app offers thousands of activities to help develop this essential skill, with lessons that expose students to math, arts, and science at age-appropriate levels too. The cost after free trial is around $15 per month. Families who purchase a full year’s subscription can get about 70% off the price.

Homer

Homer provides a personalized learning path for children aged 2 to 8. Children will learn reading, math, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way. Instead of a one-size-fits-most approach, Homer customizes learning plans and allows students to take the lead in deciding what they want to work on. The price point is in line with similar apps at about $5 per month after a free trial, or roughly $60 for a full year or $100 for lifetime access.

Hooked on Phonics

Hooked on Phonics is an exceptional tool for homeschoolers, with a wide range of lessons, games, and fun activities. It is one of the most popular brands for teaching kids to read, and its integrated system makes it an ideal option for homeschooling students. Children are introduced to each new concept through a series of fun activities, videos, and even songs. The system is a little bit pricier than other apps, at about $16 per month after a trial month for roughly $1.

FarFaria

FarFaria invites children to join in on a magic al adventure that includes island hopping and the choice between reading the story or having it narrated completely with fun, magical animation. While the free membership offers one story a day, paid subscribers unlock access to unlimited adventures at roughly $8 per month. Readers can either read the books themselves or take advantage of the “read to me” option to have stories read aloud by professional narrators.

1. For an annual subscription to ABCmouse, how much does a family need to pay?

A．$54.

B．$105.

C．$126.

D．$180.

2. Which app best suits children who are taught at home?

A．ABCmouse.	B．Homer.
C．Hooked on Phonics.	D．FarFaria.

3. Which section of newspaper is this text probably taken from?

A．Finance.

B．Science.

C．Culture.

D．Education.

9 . USA TODAY’S Best-selling Booklist

USA TODAY collects sales data from booksellers representing a variety of outlets: bookstore chains, independent bookstores, mass sellers, and online retailers. Using that data, we determine the 150 top-selling titles of the week. The top 150 are published online Wednesdays at 6 a.m. The rankings reflect sales from the previous Monday through Sunday.

Fourth Wing by Yarros, Rebecca

“Suspenseful and with incredibly entertaining storytelling, the first in Yarros’ Empyrean series will delight fans of romantic, adventure-filled fantasy.” — Booklist, starred review

“Fourth Wing will have your heart pounding from beginning to end... A fantasy like you’ve never read before.” ― #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L.

●   Genre: Fantasy - Epic, Fantasy - Romantic
●   Published: May 02, 2023
●   Previous Rank: 1
Tom Lake by Patchett, Ann

In this beautiful and moving novel about family, love, and growing up, Ann Patchett once again proves herself one of America’s finest writers.

“Ann Patchett leads us to a truth that feels like life rather than literature.” — The Guardian

●   Genre: Literary, Family Life - General, Coming of Age
●   Published: August 01, 2023
●   Previous Rank: 2
Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair by Stardust, Mercury

Don’t panic — Mercury Stardust, AKA The Trans Handy Ma’am is here to help! For too many people, the simple act of contacting a repair person can feel like a game of chance. If you’ve ever felt panicked about opening your home to strangers in order to fix a maintenance issue, this book is for you.

●   Genre: Maintenance & Repair, Reference
●   Published: August 22, 2023
●   Previous Rank: n/a
1. What does USA Today do to ensure the reliability of its bestselling booklist?

A．Taking the readers’ reviews into account.

B．Laying emphasis on the books’ previous ranks.

C．Making the list based on the books’ monthly sales.

D．Obtaining sales data from different distribution channels.

2. What do Fourth Wing and Tom Lake have in common according to the reviews?

A．Both came out in the August of 2023.

B．Both are connected with the future of family life.

C．Both appeared in the previous rank of the Booklist.

D．Both writers are bestselling authors of New York Times.

3. Which book is probably the most popular with DIY lovers?

A．Fourth Wing	B．Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair
C．Tom Lake	D．The Guardian