1 . Shipping containers are gaining popularity as an alternative to traditional houses. These 20-or 40-foot containers can be obtained for as little as several hundred US dollars a piece, and it’s not surprising that some industry professionals and even city planners consider them the future of home building. Below are details of some amazing homes made out of shipping containers.
London Container City (I and II)
London’s Container City first sprang up in the heart of the docklands in 2001. It took just five months to complete the original 12 work studios. Shortly after that, a fourth floor of studios and living apartments was built on top of these. The first container city was so successful that another—Container City II—was added to it.
Los Angeles Redondo Beach house
With its modern lines and appealing spaces, the award-winning Redondo Beach House is a luxury beachside showpiece built from eight recycled steel shipping containers, along with some traditional building materials. According to the architects, the modified containers are “nearly indestructible”.
Amsterdam Keetwonen
Amsterdam’s massive Keetwonen complex houses 1,000 students and it is the largest container city in the world. The housing project is a roaring success and features units that are quiet and comfortable. Each resident enjoys a bathroom, a kitchen and separate sleeping and studying quarters. The complex even has central heating and high-speed internet as well as areas for parking bikes.
Mexico M2ATK Container House
M2ATK designed this unique container house for an artist. It’s fully equipped with heating and cooling, a kitchen and bathroom. On the bottom floor of the house are “public spaces” such as the kitchen and living room. The second floor are bedrooms, and the top floor is a studio space in which to work, read and “let fly the imagination”.
1. Compared to traditional houses, container houses are________.| A．easier to maintain | B．less expensive to build |
| C．more comfortable to live in | D．more fashionable in style |
| A．It is the first container city in the world. | B．It’s equipped with modern facilities. |
| C．It features a luxury and unique style. | D．It includes living space and car parks. |
| A．London Container City (I and II) | B．Los Angeles Redondo Beach house |
| C．Amsterdam Keetwonen | D．Mexico M2ATK Container House |
2 . 
 ________/10 Hardship Judy May, 2020Early on I thought this family was a bunch of complainers. But the focus of this reality show is how sweet family life was in the tough wartime era, which really touched me. But as I watched I noted that the 1940s mid-class family life was not that unbearable. Even though they didn’t have labor-saving facilities, they still had coal fire. Maybe, it’s only due to modern people’s sense of privilege that they promptly forget what immense, bodily labor was involved in the previous chore it replaced. So, the experiment was not that “real”?! Therefore, I recommend, but not highly, this show to you. |
 _________/10 Must See TV-Really! Lily June, 2021For anyone interested in “Reality TV” with an emphasis on “Real”, checkout 1940’s House as soon as you can. The Hymer family from northern England spends 9 weeks living the life of a suburban 1940’s house during the infamous London blitz. Everything they use, wear, purchase, read comes from that time period - including ration books, blackout curtains, Victory gardens, and a self-built bomb shelter. What makes this “House” installment the best in a long line (see “Frontier House”, “Colonial House”, “1900 House”) is the family’s willingness to immerse themselves in the project wholeheartedly. You as the viewer really begin to sympathize with the Hymer family’s struggles to live a 1940’s life with a 21st century mindset. I think most people will come away liking the attitude and spirit of the mother the best - she truly embodies the British spirit that was so essential and prevalent during England’s darkest hour. This is 3 hours of “history” that no one will want to end. Children would also enjoy this as there are 2 young boys (ages 10 and 7) who participate in the program wholeheartedly. |
 ________/10 A bit sinister David February, 2023Although it’s as well made as the other PBS reality shows, this one was disturbing. Many of the hardships imposed on the Hymers are by design, not circumstance. A committee of seven or eight experts privately judges them in a star chamber and decides how strict rationing will be and how much they will be fined for infractions. Watching the children go hungry while the experts debated how much to cut the food budget bothered me. The Hymers live more like lab rats than adventurers. It’s also hard to get worked up about how much wartime Brits suffered from rationing since it was nothing compared to the hardships undergone by eastern Europeans, Asians and even their own soldiers. The show was simply too narrow in scope and sinister. |
1. The ratings of these three users have been hidden. Which of the following three ratings do you think are most likely to be real?
| A．Judy: 6/10; Lily:3/10; David:1/10 | B．Judy: 8/10; Lily:10/10; David:8/10 |
| C．Judy: 6/10; Lily:10/10; David:1/10 | D．Judy: 8/10; Lily:1/10; David:8/10 |
| A．From Judy’s perspective, the Hymers family has always been a bunch of complainers. |
| B．The “House” series consist of “Frontier House”,” Colonial House” and “1900 House”. |
| C．The mother personifies the essential British spirit so most people will like her. |
| D．The PBS reality shows are quite disturbing, especially “The 1940s House”. |
| A．on a website providing reviews about reality shows |
| B．on the advertisement of “The 1940s House” |
| C．on a textbook about how to make excellent movies |
| D．in a fantasy novel about travelling back to the 1940s |
3 . National Science Center Guide
We’re excited to have you visit the National Science Centre (NSC). Spark your curiosity and explore the wonders of science and innovation with hands-on exhibits, live science shows and demonstrations.
◆Activities & Workshops| DNA Workshop Let’s uncover the secret behind DNA. See what DNA looks like by extracting it from cells, and get up close and personal with its structure by making your own DNA model! Suitable for 9-12 years old. |
| LED’s Play Ever wondered how electricity comes about? How is it possible that with a flick of the switch, the lights turn on? With all the materials to play with LEDs, learn more about electricity, circuits and even make your very own LED light-up card! Minimum age is 7 years old. Students below 12 must be accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. |
| Science of Magic Do you want to perform magic? Join us where all is revealed! Enjoy a private tour through the ‘Mind’s Eye Exhibition’ and a workshop. You will learn the science concepts behind magic — cut a whole rope and fix it, make coins vanished and appear behind your ear! Suitable for 10 years old and above. |
◆Rental Information
Lockers are available to store any belongings during your visit. The lockers are located near the front entrance and outside the Innovation Centre. Pushchairs and wheelchairs are available to rent at the Information Desk in the Great Hall. ID required.
◆Support us
Since 1969, National Science Center has been inspiring a passion for discovery and lifelong learning in science, math and technology. Today National Science Center serves more than 1 million people a year and brings inquiry-based science education to classrooms and community events all over the country. It’s an amazing accomplishment and one we cannot achieve without generous support from individuals, corporations, and other social organizations. Please click here to make a donation.
1. Which of the following activities is suitable for an 8-year-old boy?| A．Discover the secret of DNA. | B．Make a LED light-up card. |
| C．Make coins vanished and appear. | D．Experiment with chemicals in a lab. |
| A．At the front entrance. | B．Outside the Great Hall. |
| C．At the Information Desk. | D．In the Innovation Centre. |
| A．To encourage donations. | B．To advertise coming events. |
| C．To introduce special exhibits. | D．To introduce the center’s history. |
4 .
ADT HEALTH &SENIOR SAFETY Staying home or stepping out — help is always on hand when you need it | |
| There is an ADT Medical Alert system to fit any lifestyle, so your grandparents can maintain independence when loved ones return to work or can’t visit often. | |
Medical Alert Plus Offers independence for the elderly who like to garden or relax in the yard. - In-home operations - Home temperature monitoring - Multiple help button options - Ready for use out of the box - Fall detector |
On-The-Go Provides freedom and peace of mind for the elderly while at home or miles from it. - Mobile base unit for active lifestyle - GPS location capabilities - Multiple help button options - Ready for use out of the box - Fall detector |
FREE $50 Visa Prepaid Gift Card and FREE shipping | |
| For more information call 800-658-7230 *Fall detector does not detect 100% of falls *Medical Alert Plus and On-The-Go medical alert devices can ONLY be discounted and sold over the phone. For more details visit http://www.adt.com. | |
| A．A high school student who goes home after school without parents. |
| B．A newly married man whose wife is on a business trip. |
| C．An old lady who lives alone in a suburban house. |
| D．A young traveler who loves travelling on his/her own. |
| A．Both devices can be delivered to users free of charge. |
| B．Medical Alert Plus can help monitor body temperatures. |
| C．People can order the devices either on the phone or online. |
| D．On-The-Go can give warnings whenever users fall on the ground. |
| A．In a science fiction novel. | B．In a literature book. |
| C．On an ad page in a magazine. | D．In a textbook on medical theories. |
5 .
Life—it gets busy. Digital overload is real: photos, apps, emails... our devices can be a blessing—and a curse. So when it comes to the humble food shop you might be reticent about adding another rewards app to your bulging virtual wallet. Are they worth it? Not only that, some seem so complicated that they require Enigma code-level mastery to crack. Well, hold that thought, because the Asda Rewards App is a little different. Customers using Asda Rewards earn pounds not points, building up a Cashpot to spend at Asda in store or online. It’s easy and engaging to use and there are other benefits too, such as helping you to save for Christmas. When you buy something from Asda, you can scan every time to earn pounds not points. You’ll see your total in your Cashpot on the app. You can redeem the Cashpot as vouchers (代金券) to use against more of the items you love. There are a number of ways you can build up your Cashpot—and this is on top of the already great prices on household favourites. | Complete your first shop and you will get a First Scan Bonus worth ￡5, to get you started.
In-app Superstar Missions—sounds very James Bond—could be anything from buying certain products to picking up something tasty for the family dinner. Keep an eye out for specially selected Star Products. Buying these will earn you 10 per cent of their price. Complete various milestone missions by reaching set spending targets to build your Cashpot faster. There’s no better time to download the app than this September to take advantage of Asda’s Spin the Wheel. Everyone who spins, wins. When you spend ￡5 or more you get the chance to spin the wheel to reveal a Cashpot prize. You could win anything from 50p up to ￡100... just like that. |
1. How does Asda differ from other rewards apps?
| A．It is complicated to navigate but engaging. |
| B．Subscribers can redeem points for free gifts. |
| C．Everyone can easily crack the code to get money. |
| D．Cash rewards are available for further purchases. |
| A．earn a First Scan Bonus when completing the initial purchase. |
| B．enjoy a 10 percent discount on specially selected Star Products. |
| C．win the chance to see James Bond in a publicity campaign. |
| D．draw on the in-app lottery mechanism to obtain extra bonus. |
| A．Saving more than 40 Asda Pounds to claim the added bonus. |
| B．Starting as early as possible to stay ahead of other users. |
| C．Putting off all holiday purchases until Christmas Eve. |
| D．Spending excessive money on ‘Spin the Wheel’ to win big. |
6 .
 The National Gallery The National Gallery displays one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of paintings in the Western European tradition. It includes many famous works, such as Botticelli's Venus and Mars, Titian's Bacchus and Ariadne, Caravaggio's Supper at Emmaus and Monet's The Water-Lily Pond. All major traditions of Western European painting are represented from the artists of the late medieval period and Renaissance to the French Impressionists. Become a Member Join today and enjoy free entry to exhibitions, exclusive (专属的) events, special offers,and more. To join, visit national gallery.org.Uk/ membership, call 0207747 2850, or speak to our Visitor Engagement team. Support us If you have enjoyed your visit, please make a donation in our visitor donation boxes, which can be found at all entrances. Donations from visitors make areal difference to the Gallery, helping to preserve and care for this unique collection. Thank you for your support. Free Wi-Fi nationalgallery.org.uk | Visiting information Admission free Opening hours Open daily 10 am-6 pm, Friday Lates 6-9 pm. Closed 1 January, 24-26 December. • Eat, drink and shop The National Dining Rooms Level 1, Sainsbury Wing Entrance Open daily 10 am-5 pm, (8:30 pm Fridays). Waiter service • The National Cafe Level 0, Getty Entrance Monday to Friday 8 am-11 pm, Saturday 10 am-11 pm, Sunday 10 am-6 pm Self-service cafe waiter and service restaurant. • Espresso Bar Level 0, Getty Entrance Open daily 10 am-5:45 pm, (8:45 pm Fridays). Self-service • Shops Open daily 10 am-5:45 pm(8:45 pm Fridays). Shop online at nationalgallery.org. uk Events For information on events and programs, please consult the What's On guide located at the entrances or go to nationalgallery.o rg.uk |
1. Which of the following is the most probable source of this passage?
| A．A guide to the National Gallery. |
| B．A research paper on Western European art. |
| C．A speech script introducing the National Gallery. |
| D．A newspaper article about collections in the National Gallery. |
| A．Free admission and free Wi-Fi. | B．No need to queue at all entrances. |
| C．Free meals inside the National Gallery. | D．Exclusive events and special offers. |
| A．Shops. | B．Espresso Bar. |
| C．The National Cafe. | D．The National Dining Rooms. |
7 . Have you ever dreamed of having a fashionable watch of great value?
A small watchmaker in Switzerland in 1922 designed the first automatic watch to show day, month, and date. Only seven of these splendid watches were ever made and these watches were almost lost to history. Today, it is so hard to get an original watch that some watch historians are even willing to offer $ 200,000 for one.
These watches attracted a lot of people for their splendid color, fashionable style, and uses in the 1920s.The owners of the watches were admired and set apart from the crowd. Because the number of the original watches is very limited, owning such a watch will make you feel very special.
Today, you are offered the same kind of watch with improvement. It has a 24-jet mechanical movement, the kind desired by watch collectors. The watchmaker has made movement of the watch much more modern with an automatic rotor (上弦装置) so that the watch never needs to be wound by hand. The watch comes in a very beautiful case with a crocodile design on it. To get a watch in such a perfect design means to get a chance to know a piece watch-making history and to wear such a watch will show your personal taste and social position.
You can get the watch either in person or by mail at an affordable price. You will also receive good service from the watch seller. If you are not satisfied with the watch after you get it, you simply return it within 30 days. Don’t miss the chance to realize your dream.
1. The original automatic watches are valuable because________.| A．the watches were made many years ago |
| B．the watches were made by a Swiss watchmaker |
| C．only rich people can afford the watches |
| D．only a few watches of the kind were made |
| A．mechanical movement | B．splendid color |
| C．fashionable style | D．new uses |
| A．buy the watch | B．return the watch |
| C．wear the watch | D．receive the service |
SCREENGRABS | |
| BBC1 PLANET EARTH 9 PM Fresh Water provides an expensive subject for the third programme in the BBC’s fascinating new natural-history series. Broadly, we investigate the world’s lakes and rivers and the creatures which inhabit them. Thus we visit the deepest lake on the planet, Lake Baikal in Siberia. We observe large colonics of Indian smooth-coated otters (水獭) looking around. A magical series which give us a real sense of context in relation to the planet we inhabit. | ITV1 AGATHA CHRISTIE'S POIROT 9 PM Cards on the Table. Tonight’s mystery concerns the death of one of the richest and most mysterious men, Mr Shaitana (Alexander Siddig) who has a fascination with crime. Shaitana hosts dinner and a game of bridge in his apartment, but when the time comes the first guests to take their leave, they discover that their host has been killed by a knife through his heart. |
| BBC2 FAMILY GUY 11.45PM Road to Europe. Without proper identification, Brain and Stewie stow away on a plane they think is leaving for England. They’re wrong, and soon they’re in Saudi Arabia (Brain: “Oh my God, we are finished. We are lost in the desert.”) at a beginning of a long trip home. | CHANNEL4 THE GAMES: LIVE 9 PM For the first time on The Games, the men fight in a Kendo Tournament, using 1.2m shinai (Bamboo swords). The woman compete in the cycling, racing wheel-to wheel on competition bikes with no brakes. Plus other news the English Institute of sports in Sheffield. |
1. The Fresh Water series at 9 PM ______.
| A．explores the lakes, rivers and the creatures in them |
| B．is devoted to the freshwater creatures in the world |
| C．explains the relationship among inhabitants on the earth |
| D．focuses on the deepest river on the planet |
| A．hide secretly | B．talk excitedly | C．operate easily | D．guide successfully |
| A．BBC1 | B．BBC2 | C．ITV1 | D．Channel 4 |
1. According to the poster above, which groups of items will be the best for the Pearson family (father with chronic disease, mother, a 10-month-old infant, and a pet dog) to pack into their limited-size emergency supplies kit besides necessities such as food, water and clothes?
| A．passport, paper cups, whistle, rain gear, flashlights |
| B．formula, blanket, medication, diapers, pet food |
| C．pet food, cottont-shirt, plastic sheeting, books |
| D．medication, bank account records, diaper, can opener, formula |
| A．To provide more appropriate protection. |
| B．To create a sense of security and familiarity. |
| C．To make them feel more physically comfortable. |
| D．To simulate a seemingly school-like environment. |
| A．Families should adjust the contents of the emergency supplies kit every other year based on needs. |
| B．There are no specific items in the poster that address the needs in different natural disasters. |
| C．All of the supplies in the emergency kit should not be stored in waterproof and portable containers. |
| D．Children should not be allowed to include their favorites books and stuffed animals in the kit. |
10 . On January 15th, the Guardian showed off its new, smaller look, shifting from its distinctive “Berliner” format to a tabloid(娱乐小报) shape with a redesigned logo in black type. But the more dramatic makeover is of the financial books of Guardian Media Group (GMG), publisher of the Sunday Observer and the daily Guardian, which may find its new operation in the black next financial year. A newspaper business that two years ago was threatened with existentially worrying losses appears on the edge of breaking even.
The turnaround is partly due to steep cost-cutting, which is a dog-bites-man story in journalism. But the Guardian would manage the achievement while still giving away news free online, and that is a story worth telling.
In January 2016 David Pemsel, the new chief executive of GMG, and Katharine Viner, the new editor-in-chief of the Guardian, informed staff that GMG’s endowment fund, meant to ensure the financial security of the paper in the long run, had lost £100m ($140m) in just half a year, taking it to £740m. Mr Pemsel was advised by industry peers to cut costs and put online news behind a paywall. He and Ms Viner cut costs by 20%, or more than £50m. Alan Rusbridger, Ms Viner’s predecessor(前任), had led the newspaper to global relevance with a large online readership. But he spent without thinking of the consequences. In two years GMG has reduced its employees by 400, to about 1,500.
Yet unlike a growing number of newspapers, the Guardian has not put up a paywall. Instead it has pursued a membership model, asking online readers to contribute whatever they like. About 600,000 now do, with annual payments or one-off amounts. American readers tend to choose the latter option, Ms Viner says. GMG says the total figure amounts to tens of millions of pounds per year. Ms Viner says revenue from readers (including 200,000 print subscribers) is now greater than revenue from advertisers.
The result is steadily declining operating losses: from £69m two years ago to £45m last financial year and, Mr Pemsel says, less than £25m in the year that ends on April 1st. He predicts breaking even next year. Giving up its own printing presses and going tabloid will help, saving several million pounds a year. The Guardian may now physically look more like its peers, but its turnaround story remains distinctive.
1. The phrase “in the black”(Paragraph 1) most probably means ______.| A．making profit | B．taking on a new look |
| C．losing support | D．enjoying great popularity |
| A．He advised GMG to cost costs. |
| B．He got the Guardian into trouble. |
| C．He was the founder of GMG’s endowment fund. |
| D．He was fired due to his failure to bring the Guardian online. |
| A．To pay as they like. | B．To skip the advertisements. |
| C．To join its membership club. | D．To connect to other newspapers. |
| A．The Guardian has been reduced to a tabloid. |
| B．The Guardian succeeds by giving away news free online. |
| C．The Guardian turns around by looking more likes its peers. |
| D．The Guardian has broken even by cutting its operation costs. |
