1 . Self drive Ireland tours are ideal for people who enjoy the freedom to go at their own pace and make their own plans. Go Irish Tours specializes in short Ireland self drive tours ranging from 5 to 8 days long-perfect for a mid-year getaway or a romantic honeymoon.
Short Break Away (5 nights). It takes you from Dublin through Cork, Kerry and the Midlands, providing a perfect taste of Irish culture and history. Drive around Ireland in style, guiding yourself through sprawling cityscapes and rolling green hills alike. Just start with Phoenix Park.
Romantic Love Tour (6 nights). This idyllic driving tour is short but sweet, perfect for newlyweds with a passion for adventure. You’ll fall in love with Ireland over the course of six nights, cosying up in castles and driving through the most romantic scenery on Earth. This tour is the perfect way to treat yourselves after the hustle and bustle of planning a wedding.
Haunted Ireland Tour (7 nights). This ghosty self drive tour is bursting with Irish culture, mythology and legend. Explore haunted castles and twisted woods, learning of our fantastic folklore (民俗学) and its origins. This tour is a truly unique way to explore Ireland on your own. Leep Castle is one you can’t miss.
Southern Loop Tour (8 nights). This is a fantastic introductory trip to Éire. This week-long escape draws a ring from Dublin through the south half of the island and back again, stopping in Cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway and the Midlands. Enjoy getting to grips with Ireland’s roads as you explore hills, valleys, mountains and villages behind the wheel of your personal rented car. This self-driving tour of Ireland will leave you dying to visit again!
1. What does Go Irish Tours possibly do?| A．A local expert travel agent. | B．A local government branch. |
| C．An international trade company. | D．A popular travel magazine. |
| A．Short Break Away. | B．Romantic Love Tour. |
| C．Southern Loop Tour. | D．Haunted Ireland Tour. |
| A．Go on a bike tour of the Phoenix Park. |
| B．Buy your bride one classic ladies gold ring. |
| C．Brave enough to visit the notorious Leep Castle alone. |
| D．Experience different road conditions when driving around. |
1. How much does it cost a grown-up to visit the Sea Life Centre?
| A．£2. | B．£4. | C．£10. |
| A．At 8:30 am. | B．At 9:30 am. | C．At 10:30 am. |
| A．Perform in a play. | B．Talk with an actor. | C．Watch a short film. |
| A．An open-air swimming pool. |
| B．An underwater glass passage. |
| C．An outside children’s play area. |
3 . Spring Break Camps are offered at PacSci in Seattle and Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue for grades K-5. Ignite (点燃) your child’s curiosity at one of our innovative week-long camps from April 8 — 12, 2024.
PLANT PALS Grades: K-5 Time: 9 a.m. — 4 p.m. Price: $ 545 Grab your shovel and watering can and get ready for a botanical bonanza! Campers will join us as we take a closer look at the plant life that surrounds us in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Whether viewing leaves under a microscope, or brainstorming how to farm in outer space, young botanists will explore it all! |
BLOSSOMING BOTANISTS Grades: K-5 Time: 9 a.m. — 4 p.m. Price: $ 530 Calling all friends of flora! Join us for a week of vegetation exploration at Mercer Slough. Discover how to identify trees, the secrets behind how fruit grows, and the wonders of native greenery. Let the science of plants take root this spring! |
CLIMATE CLOVE Grades: K-5 Time: 9 a.m. — 4 p.m. Price: $ 560 Adventure awaits! Join our mission throughout Pacific Northwest waters and beyond as we launch from Mercer Slough. Prepare yourself for a nautical week of tracking ocean currents, navigating sea storms, and searching for a treasure trove of tidal knowledge. Set sail with us on this environmental excursion! |
Extended care is an optional add-on on the last day, which promptly ends at 6 p.m. Any unplanned extended care or late pick-ups from camp results in a fee of $ 20 for 1 — 10 minutes late, plus $ 10 for every 10-minute interval (间隔) thereafter.
1. What do PLANT PALS and BLOSSOMING BOTANISTS have in common?| A．They explore vegetables. | B．They introduce some botanists. |
| C．They teach skills of gardening. | D．They provide plant-related experience. |
| A．$ 560. | B．$ 600. | C．$ 570. | D．$ 585. |
| A．Parents. | B．Nature lovers. |
| C．Teachers. | D．Students in grades K-5. |
The popularity of Chinese video-sharing social networking service TikTok continues to grow among young people in the United States, especially teens and young adults.
The service lets users create and share short videos, many of
TikTok
Last year, TikTok was the
While TikTok has continued to grow, some experts and parents have expressed concerns about videos
5 . With the availability of easy-to-use at-home kits, DNA testing for dogs has become increasingly popular among dog owners in recent years. It can provide invaluable insights into a dog’s breed, health risks, and even behaviors.
DNA testing typically works by analyzing the genetic material found in a sample of cells taken from the inside of your dog’s cheek. This sample is then compared to a database of known breeds and genetic markers associated with certain traits or health conditions.
The first step in obtaining a DNA test kit is selecting which type you want. Most companies offer several different types of tests that vary in cost and complexity. For instance, some tests just analyze your dog’s breed composition, while others can assess additional genetic markers associated with certain diseases or behaviors.
Then it’s time to collect your dog’s sample using the provided swab (拭子) kit or saliva-collection tube included with most kits. The swab should be gently rubbed inside your pet’s cheek according to the kit’s directions before being placed into the collection container provided by the company. After collecting the sample, it should be mailed back to the laboratory for processing according to instructions given by the company providing the service. Once received by the lab, it typically takes 1-2 weeks for results to be processed and sent back via email or mail. Results will vary depending on which type of test was purchased, but they generally include detailed information about your pet’s breed composition as well as any potential health risks or behavioral traits associated with their genetics that could affect their overall well-being and quality of life.
If you’re looking for an easy way to learn more about your pup’s background without spending too much money, then DNA testing might just be right up your alley.
1. What is the primary purpose of DNA testing for dogs?| A．To identify a dog’s personality traits. |
| B．To reveal a dog’s future behavioral changes. |
| C．To determine a dog’s socialization preferences. |
| D．To obtain a dog’s breed and genetic information. |
| A．By analyzing the dog’s hair and fur. |
| B．By conducting a blood test on the dog. |
| C．By matching the dog’s DNA with a database. |
| D．By studying the dog’s genetic health history. |
①get the sample processed ②rub the swab gently ③receive the result
④select the type of test ⑤place the swab into the container ⑥mail the sample back to the lab
| A．④-②-⑤-⑥-①-③ | B．④ ⑤-①-②-⑥-③ |
| C．②-⑤-④-①-⑥-③ | D．②-④-⑤-⑥-①-③ |
| A．A dog advertisement. | B．A dog DNA experiment. |
| C．A dog DNA testing survey. | D．A dog DNA test kit promotion. |
6 . If you want to understand China but can’t afford an expensive international flight, these four books can give you a complete overview of the country.
River Town
River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze by Peter Hessler — This book is a journal of the author’s two years spent teaching English in a small town called Fuling, situated on the banks of the Yangtze River. Hessler writes about his experiences living in a foreign culture and observing the lives of the town’s residents. The book was published in 2001 and has won several awards, including the Kiriyama Prize.
Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China
It is a book that tells the story of China’s modernization. It was written by Ezra Vogel and published in 2011. The author describes how Deng Xiaoping’s policies led to significant changes in China’s economy and society. The book has received critical honors and won the Lionel Gelber Prize in 2012.
The Search for Modern China by Jonathan Spence
This book is a comprehensive history of China from the Ming dynasty to the present day. The author, a prominent scholar of Chinese history, provides a detailed analysis of the social, cultural, and political changes that have taken place in China over the past 500 years. The book was first put out in 1990 and has since been revised and updated several times. This book was the top bestseller for years.
Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China
Written by Leslie T. Chang, this book, published in 2008, is a reportage on the lives of young women who leave their rural homes to work in factories in China’s cities. Chang, a former New York Times journalist, interviewed hundreds of factory girls to provide insight into the social and economic changes in China.
1. What type of literature is River Town?| A．A travel guide of Fuling. | B．A personal diary. |
| C．A science fiction. | D．A reference book. |
| A．It received positive reviews. |
| B．It was published 500 years ago. |
| C．It was written by a history teacher. |
| D．It has remained the same since its first publication. |
| A．River Town |
| B．The Search for Modern China |
| C．Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China |
| D．Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China |
| A．From his phone. | B．From newspapers. | C．From TV news stations. |
8 . By our very rough calculations, Reader’s Digest has published some 35,000 articles in nearly 1,200 issues. These small pages have held some very big names, including U.S. presidents, world leaders, sports legends, and, indeed, the biggest contributors of all, everyday Americans with a story to tell. These are some of our proudest moments.
How to Keep Young Mentally by Mary B. MullettThis first article in the first issue highlighted inventor Alexander Graham Bell and his belief in lifelong learning: “The first essential of any real education is to observe. Observe! Remember! Compare!” It was an appropriate beginning. reflecting our self-educated founder’s endless curiosity.
I’ve Come to Clean Your Shoes by Madge HarrahThe morning of a family funeral, an acquaintance shows up unannounced and says, “I’ve come to clean your shoes.” He spends the day quietly shining every pair in the house. The writer ends with: “Now, whenever I hear of an acquaintance who has lost a loved one. I try to think of one specific task suiting that person’s need. And if the person says, ‘How did you know I needed that done?’ I reply, ‘it’s because a man once cleaned my shoes.’”
Strange Encounter on Coho Creek by Morris Homer ErwinA miner spends days camping in the Alaskan wilderness, working hard to earn the trust of a mother wolf stuck in a trap before she and her four pups starve to death. Eventually, he is able to free her. Four years later, he encounters a wolf in the same meadow. Yes, the same wolf. When we shared this classic on rd.com in 2019, it went viral and it has now been read by many millions online and in print.
How Honest Are We by Ralph Kinney BennettOur famous “wallet drop” set up the ultimate test of honesty: If we left wallets in cities around the country, how many would be returned? Well over half, it turned out—67 percent. The most honest city? Seattle, whose upstanding residents returned nine out of ten wallets.
1. What do we know about the acquaintance in the story I’ve Come to Clean Your Shoes?| A．He shows concern by cleaning shoes. |
| B．He cleans shoes at the owner’s request. |
| C．He comforts the owner by telling his own story. |
| D．He visits the house where the owner is severely sick. |
| A．How to Keep Young Mentally. | B．I’ve Come to Clean Your Shoes. |
| C．Strange Encounter on Coho Creek. | D．How Honest Are We. |
| A．In a history book. | B．In a magazine. | C．In a novel. | D．In a brochure. |
9 . I’m a grandma in my 60s. In the spring of 2020, like the rest of the world, I spent a lot of time staring at a screen and that was when I first got into the YouTube world. I discovered that onscreen offerings were truly endless. From one YouTuber I learned how to plant my own vegetable garden. Someone else shared poetry from Robert Frost, wise sayings from Confucius, and a smattering (一知半解) of other philosophical viewpoints, all of which helped me through some dark days. Down the rabbit hole I went, scrolling for hours and hours, watching other people living their lives and giving me advice on how to live mine.
As the months rolled by, YouTube turned my attention away from the hard reality of what was going on in the world. I subscribed to several channels and waited anxiously for new weekly offerings. I watched people reading poetry or painting by streams or looking out windows into snowy landscapes. I found all this calming. Such lovely scenery, such beautiful background music, such pretty clothes they were wearing!
At some point though, I got upset by these artistic and seemingly perfect lives. Who is filming them? I wondered. Do they rehearse or just act on the spot? Isn’t it cold, stepping through snowbanks in dresses? The questions kept bothering me while forcing comparisons to my own somewhat more ordinary existence. I wanted to walk in a flowing dress through hilly green field filled with wildflowers! Instead, I was marching through my neighborhood’s city streets in mom jeans.
In a moment of insight, I realized that I had a full and happy life, which although it wouldn’t win awards for perfection onscreen, suited me perfectly. I put my phone away and started paying attention to my own life instead of watching other people live theirs. I still like checking in once in a while. YouTube can be a rich source of entertainment and inspiration, but I’ve limited my exposure. I am content with the knowledge that my addiction to life onscreen has been replaced by life itself.
1. What can be learned about the author in the spring of 2020?| A．She experienced some hard times. |
| B．She taught others about gardening. |
| C．She developed an interest in poetry. |
| D．She shared her philosophical views online. |
| A．It made her more anxious. |
| B．It improved her taste in art. |
| C．It taught her to accept reality. |
| D．It brought some comfort to her. |
| A．Desperate. | B．Connected. | C．Envious. | D．Proud. |
| A．Seek inspiration from YouTube. |
| B．Stop using her phone in daily life. |
| C．Focus on her own life instead of others’. |
| D．Continue watching other people’s lives. |
10 . Here come four most popular clubs in our school! Join us, and we will help you to find your own shining points, lead you to find beauty and to create beauty, and make your campus life as fulfilling and happy as a dream.
Basketball Club
Students will be able to develop their basketball skills further and have the opportunity to compete in basketball games with members from other international schools in Beijing. The club will be available to 10-16 members from Grades 5 to 8, and will practice twice weekly.
Public Speaking Club
The Public Speaking Club will be centered around the personal development of students along with developing public speaking skills. The club will be interested in focusing on all skills in delivering better speeches and improving communication skills. The club will be available to 10-12 members from Grades 7 to 12, and will meet once weekly (Wednesday).
Yoga Club
Yoga not only improves balance, flexibility, and joint stability, but also serves as a peaceful escape from the stress of daily life. Our students will have the chance to physically exercise while reducing some stress from their life. The club will be available to 10-16 members from Grades 7 to 12, and will meet once weekly (Tuesday).
Media Club
The Media Club teaches students the basics of journalism. The club engages in a wide range of activities like interviewing teachers and students, writing about big events on campus, and operating the weekly school radio broadcasts. The club will be available to 8-12 members from Grades 6 to 12 and will meet once weekly (Monday).
1. Which club will attract students who want to get both mental and physical benefits?| A．Basketball Club. | B．Public Speaking Club. | C．Yoga Club. | D．Media Club. |
| A．Set up a school radio. | B．Write imaginary stories. |
| C．Learn public speaking skills. | D．Interview teachers and students. |
| A．In a school introduction. | B．In a research paper. |
| C．In a history textbook. | D．In a guidebook. |
