1 . North Rim to reopen on June 2 with limited services available

News Release Date: May 17, 2023
Contact: Joëlle Baird, 928-606-3154
Grand Canyon, Ariz

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open as scheduled, on June 2, with limited visitor services and water conservation measures due to a break in the North Rim water pipeline. A landslide from winter storms destroyed more than 300 feet of the North Rim water pipeline.

Visitor Services

The Grand Canyon Lodge will operate day-use services with limited food and beverage service beginning on June 2. No overnight accommodations will be available until at least July 23,2023.

The North Rim Campground, managed by the National Park Service, will operate as scheduled beginning on June 9 with potable drinking water and toilets available. The public laundry and shower facilities will not be open at least through July 23, 2023.

The North Rim Visitor Center and Grand Canyon Conservancy’s bookstore open as usual, 8 am to 6 pm daily, with a variety of ranger programs offered.

Visitors exploring the North Rim this summer should be self-sufficient and should bring adequate food and water for the day as services are limited and may be subject to change. Nearby, accommodating is available at the Kaibab Lodge and food services and fuel at the North Rim Country Store. Year-round accommodating, food services and fuel are located 45 miles north of the North Rim at Jacob Lake. As a result of substantial winter rockfall and landslides, trail (步道) repair work on the North Kaibab Trail continues. There is a trail closure in effect on the North Kaibab Trail and it will officially reopen on June 16, 2023.

1. Which was not affected and opens as usual?

A．The public laundry.	B．The Grand Canyon Lodge.
C．The North Kaibab Trail.	D．The North Rim Visitor Center.

2. What can we learn about the North Kaibab Trail from the text?

A．It offers food service.	B．It is around Jacob Lake.
C．It is under repair now.	D．It opens all the year around.

3. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To warn visitors of the oncoming landslide.

B．To inform visitors of schedules of some attractions.

C．To appeal to more visitors to the Grand Canyon National Park.

D．To advertise the products of the Grand Canyon National Park.

2 . Most Popular UK Destinations for a Staycation

Looking for a cheap stay cation to brighten up your winter? Here are the most popular destinations in the UK.

Blackpool

Whether you’re seeking the thrills of Blackpool Pleasure Beach or are keen to catch a glimpse of Blackpool Tower, the city’s most appealing attraction, the seaside town offers various amazing views. It’s no wonder the town has gained 980.8 million views on TikTok. With accommodation price £75 for a night, you’ll have a golden opportunity to enjoy Blackpool's Illuminations (彩灯) display and the Seaside Trail.

Searborough

North Yorkshire’s Scarborough sees 49,500 monthly searches and 686.4 million views on TikTok. One of the local highlights is the annual St Nicholas Fair. While a one-night stay in Scarborough costs £85, the town offers holiday-makers opportunities to experience ancient British culture at the 12th-century castle ruins.

Swansea

The Welsh town sees 27,100 monthly searches and has 622.4 million views on TikTok. Swansea’s Waterfront Wonderland brings with it the Alpine Village and various amusement attractions. Spending a night here costs just 10 pounds more than in Scarborough. But if you book a week earlier, you can get a 5 percent discount in total. With Cardiff only being an hour’s drive from Swansea, you have the perfect opportunity to catch a game of ice hockey.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth isn’t called Sunny Bournemouth for nothing, as holiday-makers can enjoy breathtaking views along the Jurassic Coast. With a World Heritage Site within its borders, it’s no surprise to see this town with the high number of views on TikTok (868.3 million). A one-night stay will cost you £105, giving you the perfect opportunity to get relaxed.

1. What is the most attractive in Blackpool?

A．Blackpool Pleasure Beach.	B．Blackpool Tower.
C．The Illuminations display.	D．The Seaside Trail.

2. How much will a tourist at least pay for a night in Swansea?

A．£ 70.

B．£ 85.

C．£ 85.75.

D．£ 90.25.

3. Which of the following has the second-highest number of views on TikTok?

A．Blackpool.

B．Swansea.

C．Scarborough.

D．Boumemouth.

3 . Writing groups support successful academic writing for students and visiting scholars whose first language is not English or whose educational culture is not North American. Registration for Summer Writing Groups is open. Groups will begin meeting in mid-May.

What happens in a writing group?

Small groups (4-6 writers) meet for a hour every week with an English Language Specialist who guides the group. Each week: one or more members share a draft of something they are writing. They ask group members for feedback. Group members ask questions, respond to the text, make suggestions for clarification or revision. The specialist teaches writing techniques, strategies, and grammar points where appropriate.

Who can join a writing group?

Our writing group welcome the students across the world who speak English as an additional language, including graduate students and visiting scholars working on any kind of English teaching or translating!We also provide the great chance to the students and scholars whose educational culture is not North American, regardless of first language.

When can I join a writing group?

There’s no limit on the number of semesters you can participate in writing groups. Some students participate in writing groups from their first semester of course work until they complete their dissertations (学位论文). Some join for a while, take a break, and then rejoin in a following semester. Some groups work together for several semesters or even years! Groups are scheduled every semester according to the participants’ availability.

How do I join a writing group?

Register now for Summer Writing Groups! We will send you a link to a Doodle poll in early May, so you can tell us what times will work for you during the Summer. Group members will begin meeting in mid-May.

1. Who can join the writing groups?

A．A Chinese exchange student.	B．An American scholar.
C．A Japanese chemistry teacher.	D．An Indian bridge engineer.

2. How do the participants improve their writing skills?

A．By learning in a writing class.	B．By discussing typical works.
C．By establishing principles.	D．By being taught by specialists.

3. How long will it take participants to know their tasks for discussion?

A．About two weeks.

B．About three weeks.

C．About four weeks.

D．About five weeks.

5 . Whether you’re hiking through Yellowstone or camping in the Ozarks, choosing the best backpacking stove (炉子) to take with you can make a big difference. Read on for some of our top picks.

Soto Windmaster 4Flex

Backpackers love its convenient built-in igniter (点火器), powerful heat output, and four-pronged (四管的) pot stabilizer, which provides a more stable platform for cooking than three-pronged stoves.

Buy it now at REI
Solo Stove Titan

The Solo Titan burns twigs, pine cones, leaves, and any other biofuels you may find out in nature, offering a safe and natural alternative to burning gas. The Titan is considered mid-size, ideal for cooking for several people.

Buy it now at SoloStove
Fire Maple Star X2 Cooking System

Based on hundreds of reviews, hikers say they’re impressed by this gas-powered stove’s easy setup. The Star X2 also features Heat Exchange Technology, which the company says provides superior wind-resistance in different weather environments, helping to reduce overall boil time.

Buy it now on Amazon
Soto Amicus

Weighing just 2.9 ounces, the Soto Amicus is well known for its light weight and attractive appearance. Multiple Amazon reviewers praise this backpacking stove’s easy setup and four integrated pot stabilizers, which create a stable base for cooking in the wilderness.

Buy it now on Amazon or REI
1. Which stove suits you best if you want a quick meal?

A．Soto Amicus.	B．Solo Stove Titan.
C．Soto Windmaster 4Flex.	D．Fire Maple Star X2 Cooking System.

2. What feature do Soto Windmaster 4Flex and Soto Amicus have in common?

A．Easy setup.	B．Wind resistance.
C．Relative stability.	D．Attractive appearance.

3. What is the text?

A．An adventure travel report.	B．An outdoor travel guide.
C．An advertisement for facilities.	D．A cookbook for easy meals.

6 . TikTok, the widely popular social media platform, has taken the world by storm with its short-form videos and addictive content. But did you know that there is also a Chinese version of TikTok?

The Chinese version of TikTok is called Douyin, and it has quickly become one of the most widely used apps in China. Launched in 2016 by Beijing-based tech company ByteDance, Douyin has attracted an enormous user base and reshaped the social media landscape in China.

So, how did Douyin gain such vast popularity in China?

One of the factors contributing to Douyin’s success is the large population of smartphone users in China. With over 1.4 billion people, China has a massive user base for social media platforms. Additionally, the rise in internet penetration and the availability of affordable smartphones have made it easier for people to access and use Douyin.

Douyin takes advantage of China’s culture of sharing and enjoying bite-sized content. In China. there has always been a strong demand for short-form entertainment, including popular formats like variety shows, quick comedy skits, and music videos. Douyin provides a platform for users to easily create and share short videos, allowing them to express their creativity and talent.

Douyin leverages the power of social network effects. Users can follow each other, like and comment on videos, and engage with a large community of like-minded individuals. This sense of belonging and community encourages them to spend more time on the platform.

Moreover. Douyin continuously improves its features and algorithms to enhance user experience and keep users engaged. The app uses advanced AI technology to analyze user preferences and provide personalized recommendations, ensuring that users see content that is relevant and interesting to them.

Overall, the rise of the Chinese version of TikTok, Douyin, can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the large smartphone user base, the popularity of short-form entertainment in China, social network effects, and continuous improvements in features and algorithms.

1. How is Douyin different from TikTok?

A．Its algorithms.

B．Its target groups.

C．Its user experience.

D．Its main functions.

2. Which of the following is one of the factors of Douyin’s success in China?

A．The popularity of long-form videos.

B．The low technology requirements to Douyin.

C．The large population of smartphone users.

D．The availability of different brands of mobile phones.

3. What does the underlined word “leverages” mean in Paragraph 6?

A．brings about

B．believes in

C．makes up for

D．makes full use of

4. How is the passage organized?

A．Opinion — Description — Discussion	B．Topic — Argument — Emphasis
C．Introduction — Explanations — Summary	D．Main idea — Supporting examples — Conclusion

7 . Here is something you need to know before your trip to Grenada.

When to Go

With an average annual temperature of around 25°C, the year in Grenada is divided into two seasons. The dry season is from January to May, and the rainy season is from June to December. The weather is hotter from June to November and cooler from December to March. Hurricanes occur during the rainy season.

What You Need

●A valid passport book and evidence of return/onward travel arrangements are required to enter Grenada.

●A valid passport means it doesn’t expire within 6 months after your return date.

What You Can Do in Grenada

There are so many fun and amazing things to do in Grenada. If you love beaches, you can find your joy in the Grand Anse Beach and the Levera Beach. And for nature lovers, Mount Qua Qua, Royal Mount Carmel Waterfalls and La Sagesse Nature Center are places you are sure to visit. You can’t miss Fort George and Fort Frederick built long ago, which have been standing for centuries. What’s more, if you like eating chocolate a lot, you can also come here in May to be part of the Grenada Chocolate Festival.

Safety & Security

Grenada is very safe but it’s always sensible to exercise caution regardless of where you’re traveling. Exercise these precautions while in Grenada.

●Stay in well-lit and populated areas after dark.

●Don’t leave money, credit cards, cameras and other electronic devices unattended, especially on the beaches or in vehicles.

●Most hotels provide a safe in the room. Lock important things, like your jewellery and passport in it.

1. In which month can you go to Grenada if you want to avoid hurricanes?

A．In December.

B．In November.

C．In June.

D．In March.

2. Which place is best for history lovers to visit?

A．Fort Frederick.	B．Grand Anse Beach.
C．La Sagesse Nature Center.	D．Royal Mount Carmel Waterfalls.

3. What are you advised to do when travelling in Grenada?

A．Leave your passport on the bus.	B．Avoid using cameras in the hotels.
C．Keep your valuables in a hotel safe.	D．Stay in less crowded outdoor areas at night.

8 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Who is probably the man?

A．A student.

B．A reporter.

C．An office worker.

2. When does the woman usually read online news?

A．In the morning.

B．In the afternoon.

C．In the evening.

3. What does the woman think of online news?

A．It’s informative.

B．It’s accessible.

C．It’s changeable.

4. Where does the woman’s father prefer to get the news from?

A．The internet.

B．The TV.

C．The radio.

9 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What will Todd Messegee be responsible for?

A．Directing a play.

B．Writing a play.

C．Starring in a play.

2. What will participants mainly do by the fourth day?

A．Attend a lecture on acting.

B．Practice the play.

C．Perform on stage formally.

3. What is the speaker doing?

A．Drawing up a plan for a program.

B．Advertising an acting program.

C．Announcing arrangements for a play.

10 . NPR’s STUDENT PODCAST CHALLENGE IS BACK — WITH A FOURTH — GRADE EDITION!

Microphone? Check. Headphones? Ready. A story you just can’t stop talking about? Got it! Yup, it’s time again for NPR’s Student Podcast (播客) Challenge. And we’re here to announce the opening bell of year six of this annual competition.

In our first half-decade, we’ve listened to podcasts from more than 80,000 young people all over the country. Students have deeply poured into their microphones personal stories about their families or their identities and serious issues, like how changing climate is impacting lives. On our end, we’ve listened to your feedback each year — great suggestions that have brought our ongoing College Podcast Challenge, and a special prize last year for the best podcast about mental health.

This year, we’ve got a big new change: Since the beginning, the contest has been open for students in grades five through twelve. But this year we are introducing our first-ever fourth grade contest! The sixth annual Student Podcast Challenge is now open for entries and will close on May 3, 2024. Our judges will choose winners in three categories: grade four, grades five through eight, and grades nine through twelve.

As in the past, entries must be submitted by a teacher, educator, or tutor who is 18 years or older. And don’t forget all the tips, advice and lesson plans we’ve compiled over the years, especially the rules around the maximum length of eight minutes, and about the use of music. The podcast should be completed independently. After years of listening to student podcasts, we’ve learned that shorter is better.

1. What is the theme of best podcast of the 5th Podcast Challenge?

A．Climate issues.

B．Identity crisis.

C．Mental health.

D．Family matters.

2. What is special about the sixth Student Podcast Challenge?

A．The fourth grade contest is set.

B．Grade five have their own category.

C．Elementary teachers’ entries are welcome.

D．The feedback for the programme is required.

3. What may cause the disqualification of your entry?

A．The length of 7 minutes.	B．Submission by your tutor.
C．Being accompanied by music.	D．Being created with your friends.