1 . Four Great Online Art Classes for Kids

Here are four of the best online art classes for kids that are either free or extremely affordable (负担得起的).

Carla Sonheim’s Kid’s Week

Carla Sonheim, the author of Drawing Lab, has a series of free art classes. They are taught not just by Sonheim but also by fellow artists and teachers. The classes, which all last less than an hour,only require a bit of time and basic art supplies. The classes are cool because they combine artist style with fun tasks that kids of any age can finish.   

Thrive Art School

Thrive Art School is an actual art school，but they have a variety of art lessons online for kids of all ages and abilities. The lessons are divided between beginner and intermediate (中级的) artists. The beginner videos help younger kids learn how to draw fish, creative castles, and dogs; the intermediate lessons provide instruction (指示) on how to draw dolphins, deer, and lions.

Udemy

Udemy offers art classes to kids with different skill levels. For around $15 - $20 per course, kids can learn drawing everything, and even drawing on an electronic device. Each course has a series of short lectures that kids can complete at any time, plus articles and downloadable resources.

Sparketh

Kids aged 6-18 can enjoy up to 1000 free online art classes for 30 days on Sparketh. Kids can take nature or animal drawing classes and upload their art on Sparketh. There are dozens of courses on Sparketh, so any kid could find just about anything they want to create.

1. What do kids need to do to take Carla Sonheim’s classes?

A．Pay tuition fees.	B．Design fun tasks.
C．Prepare art supplies.	D．Finish challenging tasks.

2. Which of the following should a kid choose if he likes to draw on an electronic device?

A．Carla Sonheim’s Kid’s Week.	B．Thrive Art School.
C．Udemy.	D．Sparketh.

3. What is special about Sparketh?

A．Its classes are free.	B．It offers classes to kids of all ages.
C．Its classes are graded.	D．It allows kids to upload their works.

2 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. How many children star in the show?

A．3．

B．4．

C．5.

2. What is Benny Bubbles’ superpower?

A．He can fly in the sky.

B．He can create force field.

C．He can operate unusual devices.

3. What do the young kids do?

A．They run a school.

B．They control everything.

C．They help the community.

4. What does the creator want to tell by the show?

A．Working hard at school.

B．Learning to be independent.

C．Applying science to daily life.

3 . Tracy Anderson

Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham are fans of the Tracy Anderson Method, which involves dance-based classes using body resistance and very light hand weights. Her online programme includes a new weekly workout, as well as access to existing classes, her digital magazine and meal planning guides. It’s at ￡69 per month, but you get a discount for annual membership.tracyanderson.com

Roar

The singer Ellie Goulding and the fashion designer Henry Holland are said to be fans of Roar’s daily live classes, which include the Overdrive—a high energy weights-based workout focusing on upper-body strengthening and cardiovascular fitness. Their founder, the three times Olympian speed skater Sarah Lindsay, has also trained the broadcaster Piers Morgan and the DJ Nick Grimshaw. There’s a 14-day free trial, then membership starts at โ12.50per month with live daily workouts and unlimited access to the library. roar-fitness.com

Centr

The Thor actor Chris Hemsworth and his personal trainer Luke Zocchi launched the Centr app in 2019. It features 20 and 40-minute session s of HIIT, Pilates, yoga, boxing and guided meditation, plus recipe ideas, a meal planner and stress and well being support. It’s offering a free seven-day trial, and starts from £7.83permonth. centr.com

Get It Done

The former professional footballer and celebrity trainer Bradley Simmonds launched his platform, Get It Done, in 2020. The app includes daily live streamed and on-demand classes featuring yoga, core fitness and strength. From ￡22 per month. Getitdone. fitness

1. What do Tracy Anderson and Centr have in common?

A．Dance-based classes.	B．Special magazines.
C．Meal planning guides.	D．A free trial period.

2. |Which can probably offer one-on-one classes?

A．Tracy Anderson.

B．Roar.

C．Centr.

D．Get It Done.

3. Who is the text intended for?

A．Professional athletes.	B．Fitness enthusiasts.
C．Famous celebrities.	D．Personal trainers.

4 . The Best War Novels

The God of that Summer

by Ralf Rothmann

The masterful and painful story is set in Germany. Luisa, a young girl growing up in rural Germany during World War Two, has managed to escape the horrors of city bombing. Unafraid of the realities of life and death, Luisa supports her family until, one day, an incident changes her life forever.

The Librarian of Auschwitz

by Antonio Iturbe

Based on a true story, The Librarian of Auschwitz is about fourteen-year-old Dita. Keeping the libraries’ eight books safe, Dita knows she is putting herself in danger. But she also knows it can help her and her fellow prisoners maintain hope during the darkest of times.

Pippo and Clara

by Diana Rosie

Pippo and Clara are brother and sister. When their mother goes missing one morning, they both go in search of her regardless of the danger of the war. With Clara turning right and Pippo left, the children’s lives are changed forever.

All Quiet on the Western Front

by Erich Maria Remarque

This classic war novel of the First World War is written in the first person by a young German soldier. Paul Bauer is just eighteen and he enters the army with six school friends, each filled with optimistic thoughts. However, they witness such horrors and such severe hardship and suffering that they are unable to even speak about it to anyone but each other.

1. What did Luisa and Clara have in common?

A．They are brave and sensitive.

B．Their lives are changed by the war.

C．They suffer much during World War Two.

D．They are separated from their family members.

2. How is The Librarian of Auschwitz different from the other books?

A．It is adapted from a real event.	B．It is written for children to read.
C．Its main character is a young girl.	D．It is a novel with a perfect ending.

3. Who wrote the novel in the first person?

A．Ralf Rothmann.

B．Antonio Iturbe.

C．Diana Rosie.

D．Erich Maria Remarque.

5 . Beach vacations

Virginia Beach

Home to 14 miles of sandy beaches and some of the best attractions in the entire state, Virginia Beach is dreamy—and a total dream for budget-minded travelers looking for cheap beach vacations. Apart from hitting the surf and sand, you’ll want to check out the Virginia Aquarium (水族馆) and the Ocean Breeze WaterPark, especially if you’re traveling with kids.

Erie

The best way we can describe Erie, Pennsylvania? It’s like the choose-your-own-adventure version of cheap beach vacation destinations. It’s a great destination for singles, couples or families—there’s really that much diversity here. The area is home to family-friendly attractions such as Waldameer Park & Water World and the Erie Zoo, but there are also wineries (葡萄酒厂) and museums in the region to appeal to adults.

Wildwood

Visitors to Wildwood enjoy all the same facilities you’ll find at expensive beach towns—without the high prices. Enjoy five miles of a very wide sandy beach and a two-mile boardwalk with shops and arcades (拱廊). Here, you can get cheap, delicious candy, slices of pizza, fries and a new airbrush T-shirt to remember your cheap beach vacation on the Jersey Shore.

Biloxi

Biloxi is not only one of the best beach destinations in Mississippi—it’s also one of the most affordable. The highlight here is Biloxi Beach, where the sand is soft and white, and the Gulf of Mexico’s barrier islands ensure the warm waters are quiet enough for swimming. Other draws in town include historical sites such as the Biloxi Lighthouse.

1. What do Virginia Beach and Erie have in common?

A．They are near the park.	B．They own some wineries.
C．They have famous museums.	D．They are suitable for a family trip.

2. What can you do in Wildwood?

A．Enjoy beautiful paintings.	B．Buy some delicious food.
C．Make your own T-shirt.	D．Swim in the warm waters.

3. Which place will you choose if you are interested in ancient places?

A．Biloxi.

B．Erie.

C．Virginia Beach.

D．Wildwood.

6 . Free Learning Tools for Self-learners

CCtalk

CCtalk is one of the most popular learning tools on your journey of self-growth and discovery. It offers over 4,000 free courses from various disciplines. One of the best things about the platform is that it is available in many other languages other than English. It also has a mobile app to keep your learning on the go.

Gaotu

Talking about learning on-the-go, Gaotu is also one of the most popular mobile learning apps. The app offers you the opportunity to learn a language in bite-sized units. Flashcards, multiple-choice questions and translation exercises help you pick up vocabulary and grammar.

Learning Communication

If you are the learner who likes text only, Learning Communication is a great resource. This site offers over 50 million e-books and textbooks on just about any subject you can think of. From an introduction to essay writing to the philosophy of artificial intelligence, Learning Communication offers you the full range of reading.

MOOC

MOOC offers self-learners more than 600 online courses, sets of teaching materials, and lecture series on its open education platform. This makes it one of the most valuable learning tools on the Internet. Unlike courses on other platforms, MOOC’s courses and lectures are not intended to introduce broad topics. Instead, learners can explore specific subjects in depth.

1. What do CCtalk and Gaotu have in common?

A．They both offer free courses.

B．They provide mobile learning.

C．They can provide various exercises.

D．They are only available in one language.

2. Which learning tool is suitable for those who enjoy reading text widely?

A．CCtalk.	B．Gaotu.
C．Learning Communication.	D．MOOC.

3. What does MOOC focus on?

A．Choosing online courses.	B．Processing teaching materials
C．Organizing broad-topic lectures.	D．Further studying concrete subjects.

7 . Virtual Postgraduate Open Days 2023

Our events offer a great opportunity to find out more about the Cambridge University’s 300+ postgraduate courses, the application process, student life, and a range of funding opportunities, as well as to get an idea of what it’s like to study here. Attend our virtual open days to learn all about postgraduate study at Cambridge:

Week 1: Subject sessions (23 to 27 October)

Join us live for online sessions where you can:

● Find out more about our courses and explore your subject

● Chat with academics, current students and other staff

Week 2: Pastoral, ICE, College and Finance sessions (30 October to 3 November)

During this second week of live online sessions you can:

● Explore more about the Colleges

● Find out about funding opportunities

● Discover what pastoral support is available at Cambridge

● Learn about our Institute of Continuing Education (ICE)

● Watch recordings of the subject sessions from Week 1

On-demand content

Everyone who books a place at the Postgraduate Open Days will receive access to on-demand video content, including recordings of the subject sessions from Week 1 (to be uploaded by 30 October).

Visit us

If you can’t come to our Postgraduate Open Day, there are other ways to visit:

● Check department websites for subject-specific events or contact the department directly to arrange an appointment to visit facilities and talk to a member of staff.

● Many of the Cambridge Colleges are open to the public at during term time. Contact them in advance to arrange a time to visit and to meet with current students or staff.

1. What do we know about the recordings of subject sessions from Week 1?

A．It is available to everyone.	B．It offers funding opportunities.
C．It can be replayed during Week 2.	D．It will be uploaded before 27 October.

2. What can you do if you can’t come to the Postgraduate Open Day?

A．Visit the department website.	B．Organize a subject-specific event.
C．Visit the school during the holiday.	D．Ask current students to arrange an appointment.

3. Who will be most interested in Cambridge Virtual Postgraduate Open Days?

A．Its founder.

B．Its sponsors.

C．Its working staff.

D．Its potential students.

8 . Movies Released in November

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

It’s prequel (前传) time again. In December, we’ll get to see the founding of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory in Wonka, but first there’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Based on the dystopian YA novel by Suzanne Collins, the prequel is set 64 years before the previous Hunger Games films.

Released (发行) internationally from 15 November.

The Marvels

Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel returns to save the planet from evil aliens, but her job is made considerably harder this time by a big problem that links her to two other superheroines (超级女英雄). Every time she uses her superpowers, she exchanges places with either Photon (Teyonah Parris) or Ms Marvel (Iman Vellani). The worlds we go to in this movie are worlds unlike others you’ve seen in the MCU.

Released internationally from 8 November.

Wish

Walt Disney celebrates its 100th anniversary with a cartoon that shows the themes and animation styles of the studio’s first century. Wish is a musical fairy tale set in a magical land where King Magnifico (Chris Pine) can satisfy his citizens’ wishes. But a 17-year-old girl, Asha (Ariana DeBose) , questions whether the king should keep that power all to himself. She wishes on a star -and the star then falls from the sky to help her.

Released intermationally from 22 November

Napoleon

Ridley Scott’s 28th film tells the story of Napoleon Bonaparte, a famous person in French history. It’s reported to be three hours long, with six major battle sequences — although it’s as much a character-driven drama as it is a war movie.

On general release from 22 November.

1. Which movie is about a historical figure?

A．The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.	B．The Marvels.
C．Wish.	D．Napoleon.

2. What do The Marvels and Wish have in common?

A．They last very long.	B．They tell imaginary stories.
C．They came out on the same day.	D．Their main characters are teenagers.

3. Where is the text probably from?

A．A history book.

B．A newspaper.

C．A novel.

D．A diary.

9 . Here is a great way for you to explore the beautiful countryside and colorful Chinese minority culture of southeast Guizhou during three days. With this 3-day Guizhou tour, you can appreciate the amazing wooden architecture of the Dong ethnic minority, discover a mysterious branch of the Miao ethnic minority, hike among the terraced fields, dress up in the traditional dress of the Dong people, and try their special tasty food. Here is a suggested plan of a journey.

DAY 1 Arrive in Zhaoxing Dong Village

Meet your personal guide at Congjiang train station. Drive to Zhaoxing Dong Village (about 10 minutes). Explore beautiful Zhaoxing Village in the afternoon. Your guide will walk around with you, explaining the style of the Dong wooden buildings, local customs, and the Dong people’s lifestyle. And the Dong people’s dancing and singing evening show is very enjoyable.

DAY 2 Zhaoxing Rice Terraced Fields Hike and Villages

Drive to Huanggang Dong Village in the morning. On the way, you will stop to hike around the terraced fields. Enjoy great views of the rice terraces and the villages on the mountain slopes (山坡).

Explore peaceful Huanggang Village and Zhanli Village, where you will see more of the authentic culture of the Dong.

Visit Biasha Miao village in the afternoon. Enjoy their traditional dancing and their ceremony with guns.

DAY 3 Zhaoxing Departure (离开)

Visit a batik (蜡染) workshop in the morning. Learn and experience making batik in the Dong style. Make a unique souvenir on your own (with guidance).

Transfer to Congjiang Train Station for your departure.

1. What can you do during the three-day tour?

A．Taste Dong people’s traditional drinks.

B．Try on Dong people’s traditional clothes.

C．Plant crops among the terraced fields.

D．Live Dong people’s traditional lives in the village.

2. Which activity can be enjoyed on both Day 1 and Day 2?

A．Watching Dong people’s evening shows.

B．Hiking around the terraced fields.

C．Visiting Dong people’s villages.

D．Making your own batik in the Dong style.

3. Where may you read this passage?

A．In a travel journal.	B．In a geography textbook.
C．In a government report.	D．In a tour handout.

10 . It’s an exciting moment when you decide that you are going to study in the US! Before you start packing your bags, here are several things that students need to have before applying to study in the US.

Application fee and financial information

Many students are not aware that they have to pay an application fee to apply to schools, colleges and universities in the US. While this might not be a normal practice in other countries, this is standard in the US. 

Application fees can range in price depending on the school. Some schools charge as much as $90 while other schools charge as little as $25. Generally, schools will waive (免除) the application fee under certain financial circumstances. If you need financial assistance to submit your application, contact your prospective university’s admissions office. 

In addition to the application fee, students are required to show proof of financial qualification. Generally, most schools will require a copy of your bank statement but some schools may allow other documents to show financial qualification.

Passport

As you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the US, you will need a passport to study in the US. Schools in the US require prospective students to submit their passport numbers on their applications. Without a passport, the school will not be able to issue the necessary forms for a student visa, if accepted. Most importantly, your passport must be valid (有效的) six months beyond the time your planned studies have been completed.

Academic records and test scores

There are many programs in the US and each has its requirements for admission. Some schools will require students to submit SAT or ACT scores before submitting their applications. As an international student, you will have to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score for consideration to an undergraduate program. 

In addition, schools will require your previous academic transcripts (reports). These transcripts should be from any previous learning institution, such as a high school. Obtaining academic transcripts can be a time-consuming process, so make sure to plan ahead.

Applying to study in the US can be an overwhelming process but if you remember these key elements needed to apply, you’ll experience an easy and simple application process.

1. What is a must for every international student to apply to study in the USA?

A．To pay application fees.	B．To prove their financial qualification.
C．To submit SAT or ACT scores.	D．To keep passports valid for 6 months.

2. What can we know from the passage?

A．The application process is easy, simple but time-consuming.

B．Paying application fees is not uncommon in other countries.

C．The admissions office offers loans to poor international students.

D．TOEFL or IELTS scores are vital for an undergraduate program.

3. In which column does the text probably appear in the newspaper?

A．American Campus.

B．Solving Stress.

C．Shared Future.

D．Summer Fun.