1 . Here are some of the best UK swimming spots.
RIVER THAMES
The River Thames might inspire images of muddy, polluted waters snaking through the capital that you wouldn’t even think of dipping your toe into, let alone your head. But the famous waterway has more scenic settings along its route before it reaches the BigSmoke. Within easy reach of London, this section is unspoilt and a lot cleaner.
BUDE SEA POOL
This beautiful, part natural, part man-made tidal swimming pool is set in scenic natural surroundings. Constructed in 1930, it has provided safe bathing in Bude for almost 90 years. The pool is filled up by the sea at high tide each day. But be careful when entering as it’s part natural, it’s hard to give an exact depth, particularly as the environment changes with the tide.
LAKE MORLICH
This lake is surrounded by impressive views. You might have to stay away from a few windsurfers, but popularity brings great facilities. You can hire wet suits and warmup afterwards at the shoreline café. It also has Scotland’s only award-winning freshwater beach, so you can sunbathe between dips too.
RHOSSILI BAY
Voted the best beach in Wales and third in the UK, this is a must-swim. This impressive stretch of Celtic coastline, shaped like a giant sea snake, offers three miles of breathtaking views. It’s also a wildlife shelter, with a variety of cliff-nesting birds. Tides can be violent though, so if the sea looks rough, don’t swim.
1. Where can you come across animals?| A．RIVER THAMES. | B．BUDE SEA POOL |
| C．LAKE MORLICH. | D．RHOSSILI BAY. |
| A．It has the longest history. | B．It relies on the sea for refilling. |
| C．It is located by the sea. | D．It is the deepest swimming pool. |
| A．Modern facilities. | B．Convenient locations. | C．Long history. | D．Breathtaking scenery. |
2 . If you are looking for apps to learn English for studying abroad, you might be confused. There are so many apps to choose from. How can you decide which English language learning app is right for you? Our list of top four favourite apps to improve your English will help.
Hello English — Best app for middle learners
If you already understand the basics but want to improve your English, this app is for you. Hello English starts with a language test, and then serves English lessons based on your test results. Hello English supports learners with 23 native languages and lets you play games, watch videos and listen to audio books, too.
Free and paid versions available for iOS, Android and Windows.
Fluent U — Best media-based app
This app sources English-language videos from the real world — including news, music videos and businesses — to help you learn English. Interactive captions (字幕) allow you to tap any word and see more information about it.
Free trial and paid monthly versions available for Android and iOS.
Rosetta Stone — Most multi-use app
This award-winning English language learning app teaches vocabulary and English grammar. Rosetta Stone includes lessons on pronunciation so you can improve your English accent. You can also download audio lessons to learn offline.
Free trial and paid versions available for Android, iOS and Windows.
Duolingo — Most fun app
This personalised English-learning app turns studying into a game. Earn virtual coins to unlock new levels and spend them on fun upgrades. An animated owl (动画猫头鹰) keeps you company and encourages you as you learn. When you have questions, get help from fellow students inside the app using the Duolingo message boards.
Free and paid versions available for Android, iOS and Windows.
1. Which app is recommended for learners already familiar with basic English?| A．Fluent U. | B．Rosetta Stone. | C．Hello English. | D．Duolingo. |
| A．It offers interactive games for learning. | B．It must be paid in cash to upgrade. |
| C．It provides users with different lessons. | D．It relates English learning to fun. |
| A．They are available only for iOS. |
| B．They offer free and paid versions. |
| C．They focus on vocabulary building. |
| D．They provide lessons for advanced English learners. |
1. Who is the man?
| A．A host. | B．A farmer. | C．A businessman. |
| A．To save money. | B．To avoid wasting food. | C．To bring people together. |
| A．In a supermarket. | B．In a backyard. | C．By the roadside. |
| A．Jam. | B．Dried fruit. | C．Fresh vegetables. |
4 . When you are visiting the Florida Panhandle, take a day to visit the four beautiful lighthouses on the “Forgotten Coast”.
St. Marks Lighthouse
Built in 1842, it is located on the east side of the entrance to the St. Marks River. Over the years, oil, kerosene, and electricity have powered the lamp which could be seen up to 15 miles. In 1960, the light was automated. The tower is closed to climbing but the restored Keeper’s Quarters are open the first week of each month, 9 am — 5 pm.
Crooked River Lighthouse
The lighthouse stands on the mainland. It is open, if weather is fine, for climbs Wednesday through Friday 11 am — 4 pm, Saturday 9 am — 4 pm and Sunday 1 pm — 4 pm. The cost for climbing the lighthouse is $5 per person. All climbers must be at least 44 inches tall.
Cape St. George Lighthouse
It stands at the center of St. George Island. The beach erosion (侵蚀) caused its falling down on October 21,2005. Devoted volunteers saved more than 22,000 original bricks from the ruins and with community effort and public and private support, it was successfully rebuilt. The lighthouse is open all year round except December. Climbing fees are $5 for adults; $3 for children under 6 and seniors over 60. The lighthouse and gift shop are open daily 10 am — 5 pm (Sunday: noon — 5 pm; Thursday: closed).
Cape San Bias Lighthouse
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. Tower climbs are available ($5for adults, $3 for children over 44 inches tall and under age 12). It is open for climbing Wednesday through Saturday 11 am — 5 pm. Call to ask about extended summer or holiday hours and be sure to visit its Sleeping Beauty Gift Shop, where you can bring home paintings of all Florida’s lighthouses by Mary Alice Cullifer. suitable for everyone, from beginners to the best in the world.
1. When can tourists visit the Keeper’s Quarters of St. Marks Lighthouse?| A．At 8 am, Mar 5,2022. | B．At 6 pm, Feb 23,2022. |
| C．At 4 pm, Mar 5,2022. | D．At 12 am, Feb 23,2022. |
| A．It is free for children. | B．It is not open to seniors. |
| C．It is open to visitors all year long. | D．It was rebuilt with common efforts. |
| A．St. Marks Lighthouse. | B．Crooked River Lighthouse. |
| C．Cape St. George Lighthouse. | D．Cape San Bias Lighthouse. |
5 . Volunteering is a great way for teenagers to make a difference and meet new people. There are many different types of volunteer opportunities for teens available. Here are a few volunteer opportunities that you could encourage your teen to take up.
Help at a local food bank
Food banks always welcome donations and new volunteers. They provide perfect volunteering opportunities for those who are interested in helping the homeless. Your teen would be involved in anything, from preparing meals to working behind the scenes to repackage donated food items, serving food, and carrying boxes.
Help at a soup kitchen
A soup kitchen is one of the places where the hungry can get free or affordable meals (usually soup and bread). Most soup kitchens run primarily on donations and the generosity of people. As a soup kitchen volunteer, your child may be made to clean the tables and utensils (用具), help distribute food, cook food and more.
Volunteer for Meals on Wheels
By volunteering for Meals on Wheels, your teen will deliver nutritious meals to the elderly or the disabled. It’s perfect for teens who have just received their driving license and love to get behind the wheel for any reason! They can make a massive impact in a short amount of time. Alternatively, your teen can also volunteer in their kitchen and prepare meals for delivery. With a simple gesture, your teen can bring millions of smiles to people’s lives.
Work with Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity’s mission is to build or improve a place that someone could call home. Besides helping the community, your teen will learn valuable skills such as repairing fund-raising, painting, and building. You can sign them up for long-term projects or one-time program.
1. What do a food bank and a soup kitchen have in common?| A．The food available. | B．The source of food. |
| C．The prices of food. | D．The location of stores. |
| A．Lucy, who likes cooking. | B．Linda, who likes drawing. |
| C．Jack, who can drive a car. | D．Peter, who can play football. |
| A．A local food bank. | B．A soup kitchen. |
| C．Meals on Wheels. | D．Habitat for Humanity. |
6 . Yellowstone Poster Exhibition to Be on View at UW’s Coe Library
A first-of-its-kind exhibition that focuses on the history of Yellowstone National Park posters will be on display at the University of Wyoming’s Coe Library beginning Tuesday, February 1.
“Wonderland Illustrated” will present posters and poster-style illustrations of the park spanning from the 1870s through 2022. The exhibition will be located on Level 3 of Coe Library. It will be on view through Tuesday, May 31.
The exhibition takes place at the same time as this year’s 150th anniversary of the creation of Yellowstone National Park. The posters in the exhibition serve the purpose of both advertising and art.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Yellowstone collectors Jack and Susan Davís, and Larry and Thea Lancaster to bring this exhibition to the University of Wyoming as part of year-long celebrations recognizing Yellowstone’s 150th anniversary,” says Tamsen Hert, head of UW Libraries’ Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections. “This exhibition involves the history of printing, art, photography and advertising over 16 decades. The images reproduced are found on travel brochures, postcards and maps—many of which are held in our collections.”
One poster from the exhibition—Henry Wellge’s “Yellowstone National Park” from1904—was recently purchased with donated funds and is now part of UW Libraries’ Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections. Wellge, a productive bird’s-eye-view artist, designed the piece for the Northern Pacific Railroad, which used it to advertise the park. This is a unique piece, as posters such as this one were printed on soft paper and very few have survived.
1. How long will the exhibition “Wonderland Illustrated” last?| A．Two weeks. | B．Three months. | C．Four months. | D．One year. |
| A．To remember a famous artist. | B．To raise fund for Coe Library. |
| C．To mark the anniversary of a national park. | D．To tell the history of the University of Wyoming. |
| A．It is rare in the world. | B．It is in black and white. |
| C．It is printed on cloth. | D．It is owned by a professor. |
7 . Mascots (店标) are a recognizable connection between consumers and brand identity for fast food chains. Here’s the story behind four popular American fast food mascots.
Ronald McDonald (McDonald’s)
Ronald McDonald first appeared in 1963, though fans of today’s friendly cartoon clown (小丑) probably wouldn’t recognize the early version, based on a then-popular TV character called Bozo the Clown. When Bozo was canceled, McDonald’s hired the actor who played him to create another clown character whose costume was made of things then found in McDonald’s restaurants.
Wendy (Wendy’s)
Wendy’s is the third largest hamburger chain in the United States, behind McDonald’s and Burger King. Dave Thomas founded the first Wendy’s restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, in 1969. One of the fast food’s most famous logos, Wendy’s cartoon image of a smiling redheaded girl, was based on the appearance of Thomas’s daughter, who also inspired the company’s name.
The Cows (Chick-fil-A)
Chick-fil-A’s mascots have long been a pair of black-and-white Holstein cows with a strong sense of self-preservation and poor spelling skills, when they began urging people to “Eat Mor Chikin” instead of beef. The Cows made their first appearance in 1995 painting a billboard in Atlanta, but have since moved throughout the country and are featured on beautiful toys and calendars.
Colonel Sanders (KFC)
The Colonel isn’t just the KFC company mascot, but also its real-life founder-“Colonel” Harland David Sanders opened the first Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1930. He sold the company in 1964, strongly disapproving of various changes later made to his recipes. He died in 1980. In the late 1990s,an animated (动画片的) cartoon version appeared in KFC ads.
1. Which character was McDonald’s early mascot based on?| A．Wendy. | B．The Cows. | C．Bozo the Clown. | D．Colonel Sanders. |
| A．In Columbus. | B．In Atlanta. | C．In Kansas City. | D．In Birmingham. |
| A．In 1930. | B．In 1964. | C．In 1969. | D．In 1995. |
8 . 4 Traditional French Christmas markets you need to know about
More affordable and closer than Germany and Austria, French Christmas markets make a perfect destination for a festive trip. These are the four traditional French Christmas markets you need to know about this Christmas.
Toulouse
Dates: November 25, 2023—December 25, 2023
Opening times: Sunday to Thursday: 10.30 am—8.30 pm, Friday and Saturday: 10.30 am—10 pm
The market is located in the heart of Toulouse. It’s surrounded by beautiful buildings, including the Capitole itself and the Jacobins church. The city is well-known for its terracotta architecture which serves as an fairytale exterior to their Christmas market.
Colmar
Dates: November 24, 2023—December 30, 2023
Opening times: Monday to Thursday: 2 pm—7 pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 10 am—7 pm
The town’s Christmas market is an ensemble (整体) of six distinct mini markets. The area is home to a number of wineries and speciality (特产) wine-makers, alongside its seven speciality Alsatian wines, which can be tried at their speciality Christmas food market.
Arras
Dates: November 24, 2023—December 30, 2023
Opening times:Monday to Friday: midday—7.30 pm, Saturday: 10 am—9 pm, Sunday: 10 am—7.30 pm
The market transforms the city’s Grand Place into a wonderland taking over three squares with over 100 stalls in front of the Baroque style architecture. Crown your market visit with a night ride on the beacon (灯塔) of the market—the Ferris wheel, which offers a gentle ride and views of the own and surrounding countryside below.
Bordeaux
Dates: November 24, 2023—December 27, 2023
Opening times: Every day: 11 am—9 pm
The market is open from late November to December and features over 200 stalls selling a variety of locally-made and crafted gifts. There is one food in particular linked to the city, and that is chocolate made from high quality local ingredients, to take home with you.
1. What do Toulouse and Arras have in common?| A．Both are popular with little kids. |
| B．Both offer free gifts to the customers. |
| C．Both have distinctive architecture styles. |
| D．Both are closed on Sundays and Mondays. |
| A．A wide range of crafted gifts. | B．Its local culture and history. |
| C．Its traditional building style. | D．The views of beautiful coast. |
| A．Toulouse | B．Colmar | C．Arras | D．Bordeaux |
1. What does the man say about foxes?
| A．They are dangerous. | B．They also eat plants. | C．They look pretty and small. |
| A．8 hours. | B．4-5hours. | C．48 minutes. |
10 . Calling All Science Lovers
PacSci is always seeking exceptionally talented people who believe deeply in our mission and reflect our diverse community. PacSci offers a variety of job opportunities, from entry-level positions to management roles, all with opportunities to learn, and grow.
Is this you?
·Intensely curious and motivated
·Passion for science and science education
·Team player
·Service-oriented
You might find yourself
·Interpreting exhibits
·Running planetarium (天文馆) shows
·Rowing down River Mercer Slough with summer campers
·Tending to the tropical tree leaves in our Butterfly House
·Managing details for private event sales
·Making things run smoothly behind the scenes
Benefits and bonus
·Exciting location in Seattle Center
·Easy access to public transportation (take the Monorail to work!)
·100% employer paid medical, dental, and vision benefit options
·Approximately 4 weeks of paid vacation plus 12 paid holidays annually
·Annual membership including unlimited admission and other great benefits
·Regular opportunities to learn, grow, and develop new skills across departments and projects
Each PacSci team member plays a vital role in fulfilling our mission: to stimulate curiosity in every child and fuel a passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking in all of us. Join our team to help expand access to science, in the Pacific Northwest and beyond!
1. What is required of a PacSci member?| A．Prior experience. | B．Language skills. |
| C．Cooperative spirit. | D．Academic background. |
| A．Hosting talent shows. |
| B．Holding science exhibitions. |
| C．Planting tropical trees. |
| D．Accompanying summer campers. |
| A．unlimited vacation days |
| B．self-improvement opportunities |
| C．free public transportation |
| D．discounted annual membership |
