1 . Aurora Borealis (北极光), the Northern Lights, showcases beautiful green, pink, blue and violet-colored lights dancing in the night sky. Here are some of the best places to see the northern lights around the world.
Tromso, NorwayTromso is right in the center of the Norwegian Arctic aurora zone. This city has the best northern light views from September to April. Travelers can stay in Thon Hotel Tromso, a mid-range hotel that offers viewing spots on the roof deck.
Thon Hotel Tromso rate: Starts at $111 per nightBest activity besides viewing the northern lights: Husky Tours
Orkney, Scotland
Orkney is 10 miles from the remote northern coast of Scotland and is one of the best locations to view the Aurora Borealis in the UK. Travelers can witness the northern lights between September and March during cold and dark evenings.
The Kirkwall Hotel: Starts at $86 per room per nightOther popular places in Orkney: Wideford Hill and Inganess Bay
Lapland, Finland
Lapland is in Finland’s northernmost part. Travelers can expect to see the Northern Lights from late August to April. One of the best bucket list (愿望清单) experiences is watching the light show from Santa’s Hotel Aurora.
Kakslauttanen Artic Resort Glass Igloos: Starts at $484 per nightSanta’s Hotel Aurora: Starts at S121 per night
Yellowknife, Canada
Yellowknife sits at the center of the Aurora Oval, with the best views from mid-November to early April. Aurora Village tours are also available for viewing the northern lights, with free pick-up from hotels around the area.
Aurora Village tour: Starts at $100 per personAurora Village Hotel package: Rates differ during fall and winter.
1. Which place has the longest season of viewing the Northern Lights?
| A．Tromso. | B．Orkney. |
| C．Lapland. | D．Yellowknife. |
| A．Live in an ice house. | B．Walk along the beach. |
| C．View the Northern Lights from the hotel. | D．Enjoy sightseeing tours around the area. |
| A．An encyclopedia. | B．A travel brochure. |
| C．A geographic textbook. | D．A journal. |
2 . The “Got Talent” crew is one of the pioneers in finding and publicizing music talent and has been giving the world some of its most favorite artists for almost two decades. In 2023, “Britain’s Got Talent” (BGT) uncovered a musical genius named Malakai Bayoh who impressed the audience with perfect high-note singing.
The London-based 13-year-old boy appeared for the show’s audition (海选) in April, 2023 and was accompanied by his mom and sister. “My big dream is to be an opera singer. I started singing at 7,” said Malakai to the BGT team. He then added jokingly, “My mom made me join the choir because she’s very bossy.” The teenager mentioned she was his biggest fan.
Malakai’s mom was worried as he was about to perform and said, “It scares me because, on his first show, somebody heckled (对……起哄) him. It was sad to see someone boo a child on stage because it might destroy his confidence completely.” Contrary to his mom’s fear, Malakai set the stage on fire singing a beautiful song and the entire crowd was impressed by his amazing voice. As he ended his song, the audience and the judges gave him a big round of applause. The performance won him Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer, sending him straight to the semi-finals of the show.
The other judges called Malakai’s performance “perfect” and “heavenly”. His angelic voice blew the audience away and the judges thanked the teen for coming to the show. Malakai went on to become one of the finalists of the show and signed a record deal with Universal Music.
Malakai’ s audition at the BGT went viral on social media, “I’m a trained singer, and a music teacher by profession, and sang this song as a young performer myself. I can say with absolute certainty this is the best I’ve ever heard this song sung, with proper technique and proper breathing. This boy is a gifted singer,” @mayacorinne878 posted.
1. What made Malakai’s mom feel worried?| A．The judge’s expression. | B．Her son’s performance on stage. |
| C．A bad experience. | D．Her son’s difficulty in singing in public. |
| A．He accidentally caused a literal fire during his performance. |
| B．His performance was extremely passionate and energetic. |
| C．His performance received the lowest rating possible. |
| D．He refused to perform unless certain conditions were met. |
| A．He has average talent but is well-received due to his age. |
| B．He has exceptional talent that is recognized by both professionals and the public. |
| C．He has talent, but his performance was not enough to send him to the semi-finals. |
| D．He lacks talent, but his story touched the hearts of the audience. |
| A．The rise of a young opera singer. | B．The impact of social media on music talent. |
| C．The history of “Got Talent” shows. | D．The challenges faced by young performers. |
3 . It’s Community Day again!
The event that Maple Estate residents are eagerly looking forward to is just around the corner! As usual, the Maple Residents’ Committee has planned a programme that is designed to promote community spirit. Maple Estate has been celebrating Community Day every month for more than a year. By now, we hope all our residents understand the importance of forming strong bonds with our neighbors. If you have just moved to our lovely estate and have not had the opportunity to know your neighbors, you can do so by joining at Community Day!
August Highlight: Maple Estate Chefs
Call all residents who are keen to practice your cooking skills and let your neighbors sample your cooking! You will be the stars of the upcoming event! Visit icuew.Maplerc.sg for more information and register for this activity. Kitchen equipment and basic ingredients will be provided. You will receive a $50 shopping voucher that you can use to purchase other ingredients from Maple Mart the day before the event. Remember to register before 21 July, 2024! We are sure everyone will enjoy the delicious dishes!
Time: From10 a. m. to 6 p. m., 6 August,2024
Place: Maple Community Club
Entry: Flash your Maple Resident Card
“My wife and I moved to Maple Estate when we got married. For a few months, we spent all our free time after work doing up our house. Even though we knew that our neighbors were friendly and would sometimes invite us for their gatherings, we were occupied with getting things ready. However, it wasn’t long before we grew curious about the Community Day celebrations. After we started attending them regularly, we met many neighbors. The first time we invited some of them over, we played games that helped us to get to know one another better!”
—Mr. Wang, a Maple Estate resident since 2022
1. What can we learn about the Community Day?| A．It is an event to boost community relationship. |
| B．It is an event launched by the local government. |
| C．It is a community event held every other month. |
| D．It is an event open to the community and beyond. |
| A．To pay a registration fee of $50． | B．To bring some basic ingredients. |
| C．To sign up before 21 July, 2024． | D．To purchase some cooking equipment. |
| A．They spent all their time on their work. | B．They were busy decorating their house. |
| C．They weren’t invited for the gatherings. | D．They lacked knowledge of the community. |
(1) 分析可能的原因；
(2) 给出你的观点；
(3) 期待回信。
注意：1. 写作词数80左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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5 . Best Places to Visit in Canada
Thinking about exploring Canada? Here is the perfect list of the great places that are worthy of being visited in Canada on your trip.
Niagara Falls
Have a great time enjoying the views and taking pictures of the cascading (倾泄) falls. You’ll have a matchless sightseeing experience when you visit it at night.
Best time to visit: June — August
How to reach: The nearest airport is just 30 — 40 minutes away. You can take a cab and reach the falls easily.
Things to do: • Witness the excellent waterfalls • Spend time at the MarineLand
Whistler
Home to one of the largest ski resorts in North America, it’s one of the best places in Canada for winter holidays. Skiing and snowshoeing are two thrilling sports to indulge (沉迷) in. You can enjoy yourself in this fascinating snow land!
Best time to visit: June — August, December — March
How to reach: The nearest airport is 2.5 hours away from Whistler. You can take a cab and reach Whistler easily.
Things to do: • Take part in snowmobiling • Visit dozens of art museums and cultural centers
Quebec City
Have an amazing time with your partner in the magical city. It is one of the most charming places to see in Canada because of art and cultural scenes.
Best time to visit: June, September — December
How to reach: You can take a cab from the airport to reach the city easily.
Things to do: • Visit the historic attractions • Walk along the scenic Terrasse Dufferin
Butchart Gardens
It’s the best place to explore with a camera in hand. With a charming display of flowers around and fun boat tours, there’s a lot to see and do!
Best time to visit: July & August
How to reach: The best way is by taking bus number 75.
Things to do: • Capture the excellent flowers around • Witness the fireworks show
1. According to the text, what can NOT be done while visiting the Niagara Falls?| A．See the stunning waterfalls. | B．Visit a charming flower display. |
| C．Enjoy a matchless night view. | D．Tour around the MarineLand. |
| A．They are open in the same months. | B．They are both accessible by boat. |
| C．They both appeal to culture lovers. | D．They both offer a hot air balloon ride. |
| A．A newspaper. | B．A leaflet. |
| C．An application. | D．A website. |
6 . Zhang Xiqing is an outlier in Chinese society. At 33, she is happily unmarried, has no plans to have children with her boyfriend, and left her job at Tencent for a start-up because she wanted to “try something new”. But Zhang faces immense pressure from her family. She does her best to deal with the pressure to break convention but it can be a lonely path to follow. Now, however, she is drawing inspiration from a reality show that has become a hit on Chinese television.
Instead of giving young girls a shot at fame, Sisters Who Make Waves, produced by Hunan Television, has invited established actresses and performers over 30, and some in their 50s, to compete for a spot in a five-member band. The show has been a hit, especially among women, since it started airing in June. For women like Zhang, the attraction is that it shows more experienced women using their confidence and expertise—rather than youth—to get what they need.
“Seeing them on stage, I am no longer anxious about my age,” one viewer, who is attracted by the show commented on Weibo. A blogger who goes by the pen name Shaoxi said the overwhelming popularity of the show reflected the desperate need for women in China to see themselves pictured in a different light. Other viewers resonated (共鸣) with the setbacks of some of the stars, who battled personal and professional difficulties with the images of sparkling versions of themselves.
But some critics say the show falls short of its ideals. Wu Changchang, an associate professor of journalism at East China Normal University, wrote that the show was “hollow feminism (空洞的女权主义)”. However, Shaoxi said, “judging an entertainment show on what degree of feminism it contained was missing the point.” It’s popularity said something about the female audience. “It means that compared with the past, more are favoring strong, independent women. I hope I can be more like them”, she said.
1. Why does the author mention Zhang Xiqing in paragraph 1?| A．To express a view. | B．To make an argument. |
| C．To introduce the topic. | D．To provide the evidence. |
| A．Its winners would form a band. | B．It was produced in Hunan TV in June. |
| C．It invited famous actresses in the country. | D．It attracted little attention at the beginning. |
| A．The various suggestions for the show. |
| B．The positive comments from viewers. |
| C．The negative influence of the show on the society. |
| D．The close connection between the show and the reality. |
| A．It spoke highly of feminism and self-discipline. |
| B．It highlighted the importance of beauty and experience. |
| C．It inspired women to be themselves and pursue their dreams. |
| D．It stressed the courage to fight against professional difficulties. |
7 . The Best Mini Freezers in 2024
There are hundreds of mini freezers on the market right now, so we’ve made the decision easier with a list of the best mini freezers, including various sizes and options in every price range.
Hotpoint Manual Defrost FreezerFor anyone who truly doesn’t know where to start, you can’t go wrong with the Hotpoint’s chest freezer. It offers 4.9 cubic feet of space. A removable organization basket is ideal for storing items you use the most to ensure they’re always on top and easily accessible. Plus, you can adjust the temperature as needed to ensure everything is completely frozen through.
Arctic King Upright FreezerIf you’re looking for a unit that’s relatively affordable, then this 1.1-cubic-foot upright mini freezer might be for you. It’s a quality mini freezer for dorms, bedrooms or anyone wanting extra storage for snacks and beverages. You might not be able to fit a lot inside, but it takes up minimal space and is ideal for a single person.
Mide a Mini FreezerWith 3. 5 cubic feet of space, this model from Midea is the best mini freezer on Amazon with thousands of five-star ratings. Unlike many chest freezers, it has a door that opens at various angles, making it easy to grab items quickly. It comes with a storage basket and temperature knob that gives you full control over how cold you keep your food.
Summit Mini FreezerThis mini freezer from Summit is available in stainless steel or wood-panel finishes. The freezer has 4. 7 cubic feet of space and an ice maker. Plus, it has a temperature memory function and a frost-free system that automatically adjusts the temperature to prevent excess frost from building up.
1. Which freezer offers the largest space?| A．Hotpoint Manual Defrost Freezer. | B．Arctic King Upright Freezer. |
| C．Mide a Mini Freezer. | D．Summit Mini Freezer. |
| A．It enables you to adjust temperature. |
| B．It is the best mini freezer in the world. |
| C．Its door remains open at different angles. |
| D．Its price is accepted by most customers. |
| A．Remove the basket. | B．Make ice. |
| C．Fit a lot inside. | D．Save money. |
8 . Gift Yourself Free Classes Today
Are you looking to bridge the gap between lifestyle and health, and start the positive journey of living longer and better? If so, then Goldster can help. Our friendly community embraces the challenges, the triumphs, and the expectations of ageing, through live online classes for all levels of abilities. Classes are science-backed, hosted by industry-leading experts and designed for the Over 50s.
What does it offer?
With up to 20 live classes daily, there’s always something to enjoy, from Pilates and Tai Chi to Resistance Training and Dance — there are even fitness classes suitable for all levels if you fancy something more energetic. Or if you prefer, develop your creativity with Creative Writing, Poetry and Art and sharpen your cognition (认知) with Brain Training classes and our well-received book club. You can even get some calm and melt into some meditation and mindfulness with classes that help to invite a peaceful night’s sleep.
How does it work?
Goldster classes are delivered online using Zoom, meaning you can join from anywhere in the world. Just find the class you want to join and click to participate. Plus, no payment details are taken upon registration.
Join Goldster now;simply log onto https://promo.goldster.co.uk/rd5 to claim your 5 free live and 5 free on-demand classes. Be inspired, keep active, healthy, and socially connected with Goldster.
1. What is Goldster mainly intended to do?| A．To enrich the lifestyle of the elderly. |
| B．To provide solutions to ageing challenges. |
| C．To promote healthy ageing in a scientific way. |
| D．To create a positive community for ageing people. |
| A．They can all be accessed free of charge via Zoom. |
| B．They are scientifically designed for people of all ages. |
| C．They range from fitness classes to brain-training classes. |
| D．They can be registered online with payment details needed. |
| A．Art and literature. | B．Health and lifestyle. |
| C．Sports and fitness. | D．School and education. |
On Wednesday, an English teacher-turned livestreamer Dong Yuhui invited two writers and the editor-in-chief of Harvest magazine, Cheng Yongxin to his Douyin program, Time With Yuhui.
The enthusiasm the writers brought to the livestream was
Cheng Yongxin, said throughout the hard times facing all printed publications, the magazine, without running any advertisements,
Roughly a month ago, Dong also had
Dong remembers the attention he received can partly
“Nowadays, it’s important that literary creations shouldn’t be only restricted
10 . Formerly known as Virtual Field Trips, PacSci’s Digital Discovery Workshops bring unique science experiences to you on your own schedule. With a focus on real world applications and spotlighting STEM careers, they bring classroom content to life and support Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Beyond your live class, each program includes a teacher toolkit packed with additional resources such as reading lists, hands-on activity guides, and STEM videos to extend the learning experience.
WHO ARE THESE FORDigital Discovery Workshops are designed for Pre K-12 graders joining from classrooms, library programs, or other community groups. Most programs have a max of 50 students to encourage a high level of interactivity for 1-2 classes per program.
HOW THEY WORKPacSci educators send you a private Zoom link, or join a virtual platform of your choice. Meet your educator for a short tech check, then start your 40-minute live program.
COSTS & BOOKING1-9 participants: $20 per person
10-49 participants: $30 per person
50+ participants: $40 per person
Qualified low-income schools will receive a 70% discount. Programs should be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED● One computer with a screen and speaker
● Internet connection
● Access to your selected virtual platform, such as Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet
● A webcam and microphone
● An adult must be present to help facilitate
Click on the link below and check out our Program Requirements and Pre-Program Checklist for more details.
1. Who will most probably sign up for the program?| A．A Pacsci educator. | B．A field trip guide. |
| C．A 9th grader. | D．A community librarian. |
| A．$90. | B．$180 | C．$210. | D．$300. |
| A．A mobile phone. | B．Connected Internet. |
| C．Selected teams. | D．A peer friend. |
