1 . It can be tough to pull kids away from their computers and mobile devices these days. While they’re playing games, wouldn’t it be great if they could be learning at the same time? Good educational apps offer fun challenges that teach specific grade-level skills. Here are four that combine fun and learning.
Understanding Math($3.99; iOS)
Understanding Math goes beyond basic comprehension to gain a deeper understanding of the whys and hows of math. The app tracks your child’s progress to determine strengths and weaknesses in different skill areas, and you can customize(订制)your child’s learning experience to suit the needs.
Word Creativity Kit($2.99; iOS)
Word Creativity Kit aims not only to make creative writing fun but also build up grammar rules. The app presents a series of words from seven categories, such as space or fantasy. Kids add their own words to finish the complete thoughts that these words have inspired.
Barefoot World Atlas($4.99; iOS)
Barefoot World Atlas helps kids learn about geography and world cultures with a touch of the screen. Each region features a set of sub-topics, from wildlife and natural features to native people, landmarks, and architecture. These facts and illustrations are delivered in photographs, sounds, and hundreds of mini videos.
My Grades & Homework($0.99; iOS)
A combination of grades and homework tracker, My Grades & Homework can help your child stay organized and on top of the progress in school. A convenient calendar and course list format and offer a glance at your child’s assignment schedule that he or she might not normally get from standard homework planners.
1. Which app is beneficial to children’s writing skills?| A．Understanding Math. | B．Word Creativity Kit. |
| C．Barefoot World Atlas. | D．My Grades & Homework. |
| A．They need purchasing when downloaded. |
| B．They help children improve their grades. |
| C．They make studies fun because of mini videos. |
| D．They inform parents of their children’s progress. |
| A．To wish readers to bring in more similar apps for children. |
| B．To encourage parents to allow their students to play apps. |
| C．To design the educational apps to combine fun and learning. |
| D．To introduce four educational apps for readers to buy and use. |
2 . International Language Camps
International Language Camps (ILC) provides fun language and activity-based summer and winter camps for children and teenagers aged 7-17 from around the world.
We offer holidays and vacations with a large number of activities and a complete French/ English language teaching program, all in the heart of the French Alps. Students can choose to stay for 1-6 weeks.
Our summer and winter camps take place in Megève, a French ski resort (滑雪胜地). It is situated in the foothills of the Mount Blanc massif (山峦), close to Chamonix and the Mount Blanc Tunnel, which is the gateway to Italy and the Aosta Valley. The nearest international airport is Geneva which is only 75 km away.
Our campers have the chance to study a foreign language with a multilingual (多种语言的) team from all over the world. As well as French/ English language classes, students can also take part in all sorts of sports including mountaineering, water sports, skiing, ice-skating and more.
Our campers can communicate with many young guys in a multicultural background, which naturally leads to the respect of others.
One of ILC’s purposes is to help our campers build confidence and discover their inner strengths.
Courses/Programs
Summer Language +Activity Camps
★English /French language lessons (ages 7-17)
★Fun Summer Program (ages 7-11)
★Intense Mountain Program (ages 14-17)
★3D Animation Program (ages 10-17)
Winter Camp (ages 7-17)
Our winter program is the perfect mix of sports and English / French language learning.
1. Where are the International Language Camps held?| A．Geneva | B．Megève | C．Chamonix | D．Aosta Valley |
| A．7 and 11 | B．7 and 17 | C．10 and 17 | D．14 and 17 |
| A．lasts about two months | B．mainly focuses on skiing |
| C．is set up for kids from Europe | D．offers English and French lessons |
3 . Apps can help any users, even those who are not students, get more organized and improve their work. Whether or not you are a student, here are some apps worth considering.
Quizlet
Quizlet is a study aid app. It is filled with flash cards on many subjects to study. Quizlet has links to subjects like: Arts & Literature; Languages & Vocabulary; Math & Science; History & Geography; Professional & Careers. The app has a mix of text, images and audio recordings, including pronunciation of words in different languages. Quizlet has games to play and tests to take. Cards are available on the app even when you are not connected to the Internet. Quizlet is available as a free app from Apple’s iTunes store.
Free Graphing Calculator App
The Free Graphing Calculator lets the user create up to four graphs(图表) at once, and lets users adjust the graphs for the best views. You can change measurements within the image easily using the app. The mathematics and science guide within the app can explain some important math or science ideas. The Free Graphing Calculator is free. Users can pay to remove the advertising.
PomoDone App
The PomoDone app can help divide time into blocks for work and for breaks. The app on the computer helps keep track of time blocks for each activity. The app will say when it is time to take a break and when it is time to get back to work. PomoDone can work with other apps and help the user keep track of one’s activities over long periods of time. The app is available for computers from the PomoDone website. The app is free. Paid extra features are available.
1. What kind of work can you use Free Graphing Calculator App to do?| A．Keep track of time blocks. |
| B．Remove the advertising for free. |
| C．Make a graph clearer. |
| D．Study Arts & Literature. |
| A．Free Graphing Calculator App. | B．Quizlet. |
| C．PomoDone App. | D．All of them. |
| A．They can be used to study English freely. |
| B．They can be used to divide time into blocks. |
| C．They can be used to explain some important maths. |
| D．They can be used to help users for free. |
4 . Women,with equal opportunities now in place,are able to choose.whatever professional path they desire.If a 9-to-5 office job isn’t your style,consider some of the fun and profitable professions available that are a little off the beaten path..
Wedding planner
While some women dream of their wedding day,others grow up to be imaginative wedding planners.Business opportunities are readily available,as more than 2 million weddings take place in the United States each year with an average spend of more than$1,000 per wedding for a wedding planner,according to The Wedding Report.
Chocolatier
If you want to have your chocolate and eat it too,consider becoming a chocolatier.Create new flavor combinations,market your product and sell it from your own store,or work for a large chocolate business and watch your creations sold to the masses.
Personal shopper
If you love to shop,particularly when you are spending someone else’ s money,then you should consider becoming a personal shopper.Personal shoppers assess their clients’ needs, lifestyles,likes and dislikes and then put that knowledge to use by purchasing their clothing and accessories.Although the job does have a few drawbacks,like fussy clients,Entrepreneur.com reports that,”mostly,it’s a pretty good time.”
Disney character
Imagine being paid to be a princess.For many women working at the Disney resorts,that is exactly what they do.The Walt Disney Company hires look-alikes to play the roles of Disney characters,like the Little Mermaid or Cinderella,at its Disneyland and Disney World resorts.
1. One can satisfy her desire for shopping by becoming a_________even if she cannot afford.| A．wedding planner | B．chocolatier | C．personal shopper:. | D．Disney character |
| A．wedding planner&chocolatier |
| B．chocolatier&personal shopper.. |
| C．personal shopper&Disney character |
| D．Disney character&wedding planner |
| A．Women wanting flexible working hours.. |
| B．Men fed up with 9 to 5 office work. |
| C．Housewives hoping for social equality. |
| D．Managers advertising for employees. |
In 2009, Whitacre received a video of a girl who was singing one of his works. Inspired, he asked his fans
6 . HOLIDAY FUN AT THE POWERHOUSE
Join in the holiday fun at the powerhouse this month linked to our new exhibition, evolution&Revolution: Chinese dress 1700s to now. DON'T FORGET our other special event, the Club Med Circus School which is part of the Circus (马戏团)! 150 years of circus in Australia exhibition experience!
●Chinese Folk Dancing: Colorful Chinese dance and musical performances by The Chinese Folk Dancing School of Sydney. Dances include: The Golden stick dance and the Chinese drum dance. A feature will be the Qin Dynasty Emperor’s court dance. Also included is a show of face painting for Beijing Opera performances.
Sunday 29 June and Wednesday 2 July in the Turbine Hall, at 11:30 am &1:30 pm.
●Australian Chinese Children’s Arts Theatre: Well-known children’s play experts from Shanghai lead this dynamic youth group. Performance include Chinese fairy tales and plays.
Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 July in the Turbine Hall, at 11. 30 am &1. 30 pm.
●Chinese Youth League: A traditional performing arts group featuring performance highlights such as the Red scarf and Spring flower dances, and a musician playing Er Hu.
Sunday 6 to Tuesday 8 July in the Turbine Hall, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
●Kids Activity: Make a Paper Horse: Young children make a paper horse cut-out. (The horse is a frequent theme in Chinese painting, indicating a kind of advancement.) Suitable for ages 8-12 years.
Saturday 28 June to Tuesday 8 July in the Turbine Hall, 12:00 pm to 1:00pm.
●Club Med Circus School: Learn circus skills, including the trapeze (空中飞人), trampolining (蹦床) and magic. Not only for children over 5. There are 40 places available in each I hour and these must be booked at the front desk, level 4, on the day.
Tuesday 1 to Saturday 5 July at 11:30 am &1:00pm.
Enjoy unlimited free visits and many other benefits by becoming a Family member of the Powerhouse. Our family membership covers two adults and all children under the age of 16 years at the one address.
Members receive Powerline, our monthly magazine, discounts in the shops and the restaurants, as well as free admission to the Museum. All this for as little as $50,000 a year! Call (02) 92170600 for more details.
1. When can you watch the Chinese drum dance?| A．On July 2. | B．On July 3. | C．On July 6. | D．On July 8. |
| A．Kids Activity | B．Chinese Youth League |
| C．Children's Arts Theatre | D．Club Med Circus School |
| A．Calling (02) 92170600. | B．Gaining family membership. |
| C．Coming for the holiday fun. | D．Paying Powerline $50,000 a year. |
7 . The following books have been published recently, and maybe you would like to read them.
This Atmosphere of Love
Franklin Bass Jr.
www.authorhouse.com
Paperback/E-book
$12.95/$3.99
This Atmosphere of Love shares Franklin Bass Jr.’s poetry collection from 2008 to 2012 that speaks about his true feelings and experiences of love.
An Irish Girl
Marilyn Hering
www.iuniverse.com
Paperback/E-book
$13.99/$3.99
Inspired by true events of the Irish famine(饥荒), An Irish Girl combines a tale of the famine with a heart-broken story of love and loss.
The Prison Planet
Handbook
Denis Goodwin
www.xlibris.com
Hardback/Paperback/E-book/Audiobook
$46.98/$34.45/$4.99/$9.99
Sometimes, the reality prescribed to us doesn’t explain what we experience. If you too know something isn’t right and want to see the bigger picture, the bottom line is here.
A Deadly Homecoming
Jane Bennett Munro
www.iuniverse.com
Hardback/Paperback/E-book/Audiobook
$23.99/$13.99/$3.99/$9.99
When her mother asks her to investigate a friend’s disappearance, Toni Day heads to her hometown to solve a complex murder case that leaves her own life hanging in the balance.
1. Who is a poet among the following writers?| A．Jane Bennett Munro | B．Marilyn Hering. |
| C．Denis Goodwin. | D．Franklin Bass Jr. |
| A．A biography | B．A storybook |
| C．A documentary. | D．A reference book. |
| A．The Prison Planet. | B．A Deadly Homecoming. |
| C．An Irish Girl. | D．This Atmosphere of Love. |
8 . An increasing number of students worldwide are considering studying abroad. The application process varies from country to country. If you’re looking for a university with a strong international outlook but feel swept over by all the application options, here is some guidance to get you started.
UK
International students must apply to universities in the UK through a system known as Ucas. This system allows students to apply to up to five universities with just one application. It costs £20 for a single choice or £25 for more than one choice.
The application consists of a series of questions to determine the student’s schooling and predicted grades. The biggest part of the application form is the personal statement, in which applicants should describe their personal interests and related experiences.
Switzerland
Switzerland has four official languages and is bordered by five countries so it is no surprise that its universities are among the most international in the world. International applicants may need to take an entrance exam if they have a foreign school certificate, and must also prove that they have a good grasp of the French language, usually through taking a language exam. The full application costs 50 Swiss Francs for a holder of a Swiss diploma and 150 Swiss Francs for holders of foreign diplomas.
Canada
International applicants have to write up a personal profile as part of their application, which is very similar to the personal statement required for a UK university application. Students will also have to prove their English-language competency—there are nine ways to meet the English Language Admission Standard, which are listed on many university websites.
Singapore
The process of applying to a Singaporean university is very much alike, but overseas students may be delighted to find that the domestic applicants have to cover the same procedures: filling out an online application form and submit identification documents, supporting documents and an application fee of S$20.
1. Which country requires international applicants know French well?| A．UK. | B．Switzerland. |
| C．Canada. | D．Singapore. |
| A．The application system. | B．The number of universities. |
| C．The application cost. | D．The personal statement. |
| A．Applicants need to pay a lot. | B．It is much simpler than elsewhere. |
| C．It’s no different for native students. | D．The competition is even more fierce. |
9 . The recent development in technology has led to better learning opportunities for students. Learning is an ongoing process, and students can have fun and learn many things on the go with these apps.
Exam Vocabulary Builder
Learning new English words is not difficult anymore when you have Exam Vocabulary Builder on your smartphone. Apart from learning new words with meaning, you can also find an example of using the word in a sentence. Moreover, you can test yourself in quiz mode comprised of challenging levels.
Quizlet
Quizlet is a simple app that allows you to learn anything, create your own study sets, and improve your class grades by studying with flashcards. It’ll give you a whole new experience on how you learn things in a fun way. Next time you have a problem with learning a new chapter or topic, try Quizlet and see how things work out.
Exam Countdown
If you’re feeling distracted (分心的) when the exams draw near, you might need Exam Countdown app. There might be a possibility that you forgot to submit your last assignment before the finals. The app acts like a scheduler where you can keep track of your assignments, exams, quizzes, and presentations.
MyScript Smart Note
Aren’t you quick enough to write notes in the classroom on your tablet’s QWERTY keyboard? No problem, because MyScript Smart Note is the perfect solution for you to easily take notes on your tablet. It allows you to edit your handwriting with special gestures. Moreover, you can also add pictures to the text, math equations, PDF files, or sound. It also comes with downloadable language packs.
1. What do Exam Vocabulary Builder and MyScript Smart Note have in common?| A．They both can be used for note taking. |
| B．They both can be used with hand gestures. |
| C．They both can be used to test language skills. |
| D．They both can he used for language learning. |
| A．Quizlet. | B．Exam Countdown. |
| C．MyScript Smart Note. | D．Exam Vocabulary Builder. |
| A．Introduce some wonderful learning methods for students. |
| B．Provide some good learning opportunities for students. |
| C．Introduce some useful learning apps for students. |
| D．Promote some practical teaching apps for teachers. |
10 . For some of us, the excitement of seeing a performance at a European opera house is just not enough. Fortunately, opera houses throughout Europe open their backstage doors to the public. Take advantage of these opportunities to look behind the scenes of some of the world's great opera houses.
Teatro alla Scala Opera House Tours—Milan
Discover the activities within the opera house on a backstage tour of the La Scala theater in Milan. The tour also includes an overview of the history of the theater and guides you through the auditorium(观众席) and the theater boxes.
Paris Opera House Tours—Paris
While it is possible to walk around the public areas of the beautiful Paris Opera House on your own, guided tours are also offered and are led by an English-speaking guide. During the 90- minute tour, you will learn about the theater's history and its architecture. You will also have an opportunity to visit the grand staircase.
Royal Opera House Tours—London
It is one of the most comprehensive of the opera house tours in Europe. The guide at the Royal Opera House takes you through sections of the backstage area to the props (道具) room, where workers build the sets, the costume shop and the ballet studios. There's a chance that you will even catch the ballet dancers backstage in practice in their big ballet studio.
La Fenice Opera House Tours—Venice
Teatro La Fenice in Venice offers a couple of options for visitors. A self-guided tour of the beautiful halls and grounds with a voice guide is available at the box office. Guided tours are also available with an expert that will explain the history of the opera house from its origins to its rebuilding.
1. In which opera house might you be able to see a costume shop backstage?| A．The Teatro alla Scala Opera House | B．The Paris Opera House |
| C．The Royal Opera House | D．The La Fenice Opera House |
| A．They all offer free guided tours. |
| B．They all open their backstage areas to the public. |
| C．They are all free to the public. |
| D．They are all located in France. |
| A．In a sports magazine | B．In an adventure novel |
| C．In a history book | D．On a culture website |
