1 . Four Best Outdoor Winter Activities Around the Midwest
Don’t let winter freeze you out. When the outside ices over, Midwesterners should take advantage of it. Look through our list and find the season’s coolest activities.
Walk on (Not) Thin Ice, Wisconsin
Once you walk, the ice talks, or rather, sings. When you step onto a frozen lake (remember, the ice must be at least 4 inches thick), it responds with different sounds. Even in the stillness of winters, the lake reminds you it’s still here—and still alive.
Let It Go, Minnesota
To all Queen Elsa’s fans: Your palaces are waiting for you. Ice artists here have carved walk-through castles with underground passages, slides and frozen fountains looking like natural formations. At night, colorful LEDs light up the ice. Take a seat on an ice throne—the cold never bothers you anyway.
Sled(乘雪橇) like an Olympian, Muskegon, Michigan
Live out your Beijing 2022 fantasies at the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park. Three-time Olympian Frank Masley designed an 850-foot long track where green hands are accepted. Sleds can reach speeds of up to 30 mph on it. Come and enjoy this unique experience!
Fly a Kite, Clear Lake, Iowa
In the clear blue sky, a school of fish is streaming in the wind, tailed by a hungry, fierce dragon. Look up, and you’re floating in a fantasy world. Look down, and you realize you’re grounded—on solid ice. Clear Lake’s Color the Wind kite festival began about 20 years ago to brighten up dull winter days.
1. What do Activities 1 and 4 have in common?| A．They feature the beauty of winter. | B．They make the lake more attractive. |
| C．They are done on the ice. | D．They include a special festival. |
| A．In Minnesota. | B．In Wisconsin. | C．In lowa | D．In Michigan. |
| A．Sled with an Olympian. | B．Design their own track. |
| C．Celebrate the Winter Olympics. | D．Try sledding with no experience. |
As COVID-19 continues to spread in China, watching a fitness livestreaming (网络直播) video,
Liu,
Experts voiced
China has the largest fitness market in the world. However, whether this trend has long-lasting power will depend on how money
3 . Ten years after introducing “Google Glass”, Alphabet Inc. has created a new kind of smart eyeglasses. The company says the wearable computer device can translate different languages in real time.
A working model of the yet-unnamed device was presented to the public this week during the yearly Google I/O developer conference. Google did not say when the glasses might go on sale to the public.
The first Google Glass device included a wearable camera that could film what the wearers saw. That caused widespread privacy concerns. The camera element also gave Google Glass a kind of science-fiction look. The latest device looks more similar to traditional glasses.
A brief demonstration of the new eyeglasses described its translation ability, but did not provide additional details. The company also did not say whether the new device would be equipped with a camera. A demonstration explained that a person, wearing the glasses and talking with someone who speaks a different language, can see the spoken words in their own language. The description showed translations involving English, Mandarin, Spanish and American Sign Language.
The new device is one of several products shared at the conference that are currently in development. The company says the products aim to better connect Google services with activities happening in the real world. This includes company offerings for searching and viewing maps, as well as other services using the latest developments in artificial intelligence.
Eddie Chung, a director of product management at Google, spoke to developers about the new eyeglasses. “What we’re working on is technology that enables us to break down language barriers, taking years of research in Google Translate and bringing that to glasses,” he said.
1. What can we learn about the smart eyeglasses?| A．They have a kind of science-fiction look. | B．They can translate some languages into oral English. |
| C．They will be equipped with a camera. | D．They can help certain people remove language barriers. |
| A．To share a wearable computer device on sale. | B．To advertise the smart eyeglasses for sale. |
| C．To introduce a new product in development. | D．To show the development of Google Glass Device. |
| A．Deaf men at international conferences. | B．E-readers reading foreign original works. |
| C．Japanese talking with Frenchmen. | D．Travellers searching and viewing maps abroad. |
| A．Concerned. | B．Doubtful. | C．Disapproving. | D．Positive. |
4 . Ottawa is the capital of Canada.It is the second largest city in Ontario and the fourth largest city in the country.
The Centre Block is the main building on Parliament Hill (国会山). It is also the location of several ceremonial spaces, such as the Hall of Honor and the Memorial Chamber.The present Centre Block is the second iteration of the building, after the first was destroyed by fire in 1916, and it is one of the most recognizable buildings in Canada.
Downtown Ottawa is the commercial and economic centre of the city.Most of the buildings are office towers.While most of Ottawa's hightech industry is based elsewhere, it has a significant presence in the downtown core.The downtown also contains a number of apartments, hotels, and the older single family homes and townhouses along its edges.
The National Gallery of Canada is one of Canada's premier art galleries.The Gallery has a large and varied collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs.Although its focus is on Canadian art, it also holds works by some noted American and European artists.
The Rideau Canal is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America.At the very beginning, the purpose of the Rideau Canal was military, as it was intended to provide a secure supply and communication route between Montreal and the British naval base in Kingston. It remains in use today primarily for pleasure boating, with most of its original structures undamaged.The locks on the system open for navigation in midMay and close in midOctober.
1. The underlined word “iteration” in the 2nd paragraph probably means “ ”.| A．repair | B．design |
| C．copy | D．landmark |
| A．a large number of tall towers |
| B．head offices of Ottawa's hightech industry |
| C．a number of apartments and hotels |
| D．the older single family homes and townhouses |
| A．paintings and drawings |
| B．sculptures and photographs |
| C．works by Canadian artists |
| D．artwork by Americans and Europeans |
5 . Smart Home Products for Living a Connected Life
What makes something a smart home product? Generally, it’s defined by its ability to connect to a Wi-Fi network, allowing users to interact（互动）with it from their smartphones.We’ve rounded up some cool, diverse offerings that you’ll love to have in your home.
Nest Cam IQ
walmart.com
$299.00
The Nest Cam IQ is a beautifully designed home security camera that can recognize faces. It can warn you if there’s a stranger in your home. The device also supports two-way communication via built-in microphones and a powerful speaker.
Logitech Harmony Elite
amazon.com
$249.99
The Logitech Harmony Elite is one of the best universal remote controls available on the market. It can control just about every piece of electronics you own（it supports over 270，000 devices！）in every room of your house or apartment, including TVs，streaming devices, and sound systems.
Apple HomePod
bhphotovideo.com
$349.00
The Apple HomePod has better audio quality than any other smart speaker available today. Available in white or space gray, the Siri-powered device also allows you to control a number of devices with your voice.
August Smart Lock Pro
amazon.com
$279.99
The August Smart Lock Pro is compatible（兼容的）with most locks. A mobile app allows you to manage access to the lock, check its usage history, and get informed when someone opens the door. You can control it and check on the state of your door with voice commands.
1. What can the Nest Cam IQ help you do？| A．Properly use your smartphone camera |
| B．Control electronics with your voice. |
| C．Check the locks of your house. |
| D．Keep your home safe. |
| A．Nest Cam IQ. |
| B．Apple HomePod. |
| C．August Smart Lock Pro. |
| D．Logitech Harmony Elite. |
| A．Technology. |
| B．News. |
| C．Society. |
| D．Education. |
6 . OPENINGS AND PREVIEWS
Animals Out of PaperYolo！Productions and the Great Griffon present the play by Rajiv Joseph, in which an origami(折纸术) artist invites a teenage talent and his teacher into her studio. Merri Milwe directs. In previews. Opens Feb. 12. (West Park Presbyterian Church, 165 W. 86th St. 212-868-4444.)
The AudienceHelen Mirren stars in the play by Peter Morgan, about Queen Elizabeth II of the UK and her private meetings with twelve Prime Ministers in the course of sixty years. Stephen Daldry directs. Also starring Dylan Baker and Judith Ivey. Previews begin Feb. 14.(Schoenfeld, 236 W. 45th St. 212-239-6200.)
HamiltonLin-Manuel Miranda wrote this musical about Alexander Hamilton, in which the birth of America is presented as an immigrant story. Thomas Kail directs. In previews. Opens Feb. 17.(Public, 425 Lafayette St. 212-967-7555.)
On the Twentieth CenturyKristin Chenoweth and Peter Gallagher star in the musical comedy by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, about a Broadway producer who tries to win a movie star’s love during a cross-country train journey. Scott Ellis directs, for Roundabout Theatre Company. Previews begin Feb. 12.(American Airlines Theatre, 227 W. 42nd St. 212-719-1300.)
1. What is the play by Rajiv Joseph probably about?| A．A type of art. | B．A teenager’s studio. |
| C．A great teacher. | D．A group of animals. |
| A．Helen Mirren. | B．Peter Morgan. |
| C．Dylan Baker. | D．Stephen Daldry. |
| A．Animals Out of Paper. | B．The Audience. |
| C．Hamilton. | D．On the Twentieth Century. |
7 . Washington, D.C. Bicycle Tours
Cherry Blossom Bike Tour in Washington, D.C.
Duration: 3 hours
This small group bike tour is a fantastic way to see a world-famous cherry trees with beautiful flowers of Washington, D.C. Your guide will provide a history lesson about the trees and the famous monuments where they blossom. Reserve your spot before availability — the cherry blossoms—disappear!
Washington Capital Monuments Bicycle Tour
Duration: 3 hours (4 miles)
Join a guided bike tour and view some of the most popular monuments in Washington, D.C. Explore the monuments and memorials on the National Mall as your guide shares unique facts and history at each stop. Guided tour includes bike, helmet, cookies and bottled water.
Capital City Bike Tour In Washington, D.C.
Duration: 3 hours
Morning or Afternoon, this bike tour is the perfect tour for D. C. newcomers and locals looking to experience Washington, D.C. in a healthy way with minimum effort. Knowledgeable guides will entertain you with the most, interesting stories about Presidents, Congress, memorials, and parks. Comfortable bikes and a smooth tour route(路线) make cycling between the sites fun and relaxing.
Washington Capital Sites at Night Bicycle Tour
Duration: 3 hours (7miles)
Join a small group bike tour for an evening of exploration in the heart of Washington, D.C. Get up close to the monuments and memorials as you bike the sites of Capitol Hill and the National Mall. Frequent stops are made for photo taking as your guide offers unique facts and history. Tour includes bike, helmet, and bottled water. All riders are equipped with reflective vests and safety lights.
1. Which tour do you need to book in advance?| A．Cherry Blossom Bike Tour in Washington, D.C. |
| B．Washington Capital Monuments Bicycle Tour. |
| C．Capital City Bike Tour in Washington. |
| D．Washington Capital Sites at Night Bicycle Tour. |
| A．Meet famous people. | B．Go to a national park. |
| C．Visit well-known museums. | D．Enjoy interesting stories. |
| A．City maps. | B．Cameras. |
| C．Meals. | D．Safety lights. |
