1 . The year 2023 saw a wide variety of TV and Internet variety shows in China, offering amazing entertainment to audiences. Here are some popular variety shows of the year. It’s never too late to start enjoying them.
Become a Farmer
The farming-themed show took Chinese social media by storm in the first half of the year, shining a spotlight on farming — a crucial part of Chinese culture. The word “farming”, however, may be unfamiliar to many young urban Chinese citizens.
In an effort to connect these individuals with the industry, the show tries to deal with the topic by inviting 10 men to experience life.
Divas Hit The Road-Silk Road
The fifth season of the reality show, featuring popular celebrities traveling to various destinations, has been airing since October 2023.
This season saw Chinese actresses start a journey to Saudi Arabia, Croatia and Iceland. They explored the beautiful landscapes and diverse cultures of these countries and learned about the Belt and Road Initiative.
Infinity and Beyond 2023
With an amazing viewership, the music cultural program emerged as a success in the first half of this year. The show was broadcast from March to June, generating massive online attention with 8.9 billion views of topics related to the show.
Featuring a star-studded cast, the show brings about cross-Strait (海峡两岸) connection and classic and popular songs dating back to the 1970s.
Riding the Wind 2023
Singers from various backgrounds at home and abroad tune into one another during hit reality show.
Starting its latest season this year, the program seeks to expand cross-cultural cooperation and mutual support among women, regardless of their different languages, ages or personality traits. To achieve this, the show has invited female celebrities from diverse cultural backgrounds to participate in group performances throughout the rounds of competition.
1. What can audiences experience in Become a Farmer?A.Social media’s impact. | B.The countryside life. |
C.Young citizens’ growth. | D.The challenge from the reality. |
A.Music shows. | B.Four months’ broadcast. |
C.Academic competitions. | D.Women’s contributions. |
A.Lifestyle. | B.Business. | C.Travel. | D.Culture. |
2 . Selection of events for December
2 December, 7 pm — 8.30 pmDiscussion (In-person, Ambleside)
Music and environmental activism
Join Sarah Smout for an evening of wonderful music, with time for conversation about the role of music and art in encouraging positive environmental change.
Venue (活动场地): Percival Lecture TheatreTickets: £10
https: //bit.ly/47merV4
4 December, 6.30 pm — 7.45pm
Lecture (In-person, London, and online)
Tipping points in lakes
Lake pollution has deep impacts on ecological (生态的) structure, function and overall biodiversity (生物多样性). Professor Pete Langdon will discuss how and why lakes fall into polluted states and how easily they can recover (恢复).
Venue: Royal Geographical SocietyTickets: Free
https://bit.ly/491JI1M
16 Decembe — 21 April 2024
Exhibition (展览)(In-person, Hawkshead)
Earth Photo 2023 at Grizedale Forest
Visit Grizedale Forest to see an impressive collection of photos from the 2023 Earth Photo competition that tell powerful stories about our planet.
Venue: Grizedale ForestTickets: Free
https://bit.ly/49ni9Q6
18 December,7.30 pm — 8.45pm
Lecture (In-person, Chester)
Studying the landscape
Mike Blackburn shows how the landscape has changed over many centuries of human settlement in Cheshire on the Wirral and along the River Dee.
Venue: Grosvenor MuseumTickets: £5
https://bit.ly/3FMNIoY
1. Which of the following websites will a music lover most likely visit?
A.https: //bit.ly/491JI1M. | B.https://bit.ly/49ni9Q6. |
C.https://bit.ly/47merV4. | D.https://bit.ly/3FMNIoY. |
A.Show his knowledge of forest recovery. |
B.Share his opinions on lake pollution. |
C.Tell people about the importance of biodiversity. |
D.Encourage people to work for wildlife protection. |
A.Royal Geographical Society. |
B.Percival Lecture Theatre. |
C.Grosvenor Museum. |
D.Grizedale Forest. |
3 . Let’s face it: Life is hard. But it doesn’t have to be, especially if you have the following products. From a workout mirror to a water purifier, your day-to-day routine is about to get a lot easier.
Tempo Move
$495 SHOP. TEMPO. FIT
Tempo makes exercise truly convenient from your own home. You may recognize it as one of the many workout mirrors on the market, but the new tempo move system allows you to easily connect your phone and their apps to a TV and follow along with all their wonderful classes.
VIVE Flow
$499 AT VIVE. COM
Vive goggles will bring an extremely accessible and refreshing approach to the VR world. The Vive goggles are, well, a pair of goggles not unlike something you’d wear to snowboard. They’re extremely lightweight with a lightning fast set-up that’s suitable for things like watching Netflix, or meditation (冥想). It’s the calmest headset I’ve ever worn and uses cameras to let you control everything with just your hands.
Hisense 75”U 80X0GR 8K ULED Roku TV
$1, 800 AT BEST BUY
8K sounded like a luxury, but now that brands like Hisense, which focus on a more affordable version, have got some time with the tech. You can finally bring the deep color output and astonishing detail into your living room. Calling it “affordable” may be a little overstate but compared to most 8K TVs which all run over $5, 000, it’s the most cost-efficient version of the tech we’ve got.
LARQ Water Purifier
$139 AT LIVELARQ. COM
Larq just made your water cleaner with light technology. The best part is that it somehow manages to taste clean and fresh too. And while I thought it may be a trick, I’ve forced friends, family, and strangers to compare, and they all agree. Even if you don’t care about clean water, you’ll care about that, right?
1. What can be inferred about Vive Goggles?A.They are user-friendly. | B.They help keep track of weight. |
C.They are intended for snowboarders. | D.They can control everything. |
A.Its look is luxurious. | B.Its tech is advanced. |
C.It is economical. | D.It features deep color. |
A.To present the author’s review. | B.To introduce products. |
C.To make people’s life easier. | D.To attract consumers. |
4 . Top Museums to Visit in Paris
Think Paris is all about the Louvre? Think again! Dive into the vibrant art scene of the City of Light with our guide to the best museums you shouldn’t miss.
Louis Vuitton Foundation
Designed by the renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Louis Vuitton Foundation is a masterpiece of modern architecture. But it’s not just the building that’s stunning; inside, you’ll find an impressive collection featuring artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Ellsworth Kelly, and Jeff Koons, among others. Admission is €16.
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (closed Sundays)
Paris Museum of Modern Art
Located in the 16th arrondissement, the Paris Museum of Modern Art boasts an array of monumental artworks and captivating exhibits. While entry is technically free, a suggested donation of €5 helps support the museum’s preservation efforts and grants access to the permanent collection.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (closed Mondays)
Musée National Picasso-Paris
Immerse yourself in the genius of Pablo Picasso at the Musée National Picasso-Paris. Home to thousands of Picasso’s works, this museum offers a comprehensive exploration of the artist’s life and legacy. Admission is €14.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 am to 6:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 am to 6:00 pm (closed Mondays)
Musée Marmottan Monet
Step into the world of Impressionism at the Musée Marmottan Monet. Devoted primarily to the works of Claude Monet, this museum houses a remarkable collection donated by Monet’s son, Michel. Tickets range from €9 to €14.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; late nights on Thursdays until 9:00 pm (closed Mondays)
There you have it! With these top museums, you’ll experience Parisian art and culture at its finest, beyond the iconic halls of the Louvre.
1. How much is the suggested donation for entry to the Paris Museum of Modern Art?A.€10 | B.€5 | C.€20 | D.€15 |
A.Works of Jean-Michel Basquiat | B.Sculptures by Rodin |
C.Works of Claude Monet | D.Contemporary art installations |
A.Michel Monet | B.Jean-Michel Basquiat |
C.Olafur Eliasson | D.Frank Gehry |
A.She missed the TV special. |
B.She fell asleep while watching. |
C.She recorded the dolphin show. |
6 . International Literature Festival Dublin (ILFD) is now seeking plans for its 2024 programme edition responding to the theme of “Words Upside Down”. For this year’s open call, ILFD invites artists, creative practitioners (从业人员) and groups from all arts backgrounds to give in event plans responding to the theme and suitable for showing at ILFD’s new Literary (文学的) Village in one of Dublin City’s finest parks, Merrion Square Park, running from 17th to 26th of May, 2024.
We encourage plans which accept curiosity and wonder, cause conversation or new ways of listening. This year, we are especially interested in work that will bring its audience in close contact with either the natural or the artificial (人工的) world or both. We welcome plans which are suitable for audiences ages 16+. Above all, we welcome plans that break away from the forms of traditional literary events. We are only able to accept plans made from artists based in the island of Ireland.
Successful applicants (申请人) will be supported by the festival team to bring their ideas to life during this year’s programme which will be presented in Dublin City’s Merrion Square Park. The closing date for applications is Monday 11th of March, 5 pm.
Conditions:●The content of the plan must be presented during the festival dates.
●The festival expects that the artist or author is able to work independently and has a clear idea for the operation of their plan.
●The festival will provide access to its technological equipment(projectors, speakers, media players, etc).
●Funds ranging from € 500 to € 1,000 are provided for each project.
1. What do we know about the programme titled “Words Upside Down”?
A.It will run on 11th of March. | B.It is one of ILFD’s 2025 programmes. |
C.It will raise money for the new village. | D.It will be shown at Merrion Square Park. |
A.By providing experts’ guidance. | B.By paying participants for € 2,000. |
C.By offering technological support. | D.By deciding the content of each plan. |
A.In a lesson plan. | B.In a science fiction. |
C.In a health article. | D.In a literature magazine. |
7 . Tobias, a 35-year-old Belgian musician, has become popular on social media for his excellent grasp of the Shanghai dialect. He has been sharing his everyday experiences, which he
In the videos, he speaks
Tobias did not bury his nose in textbooks or
Tobias said he did not expect he would
A.acts | B.delivers | C.competes | D.votes |
A.approaches | B.habits | C.platforms | D.communities |
A.likes | B.dollars | C.medals | D.chances |
A.ancient | B.sweet | C.modern | D.fluent |
A.understand | B.write | C.create | D.practise |
A.advancing | B.searching | C.recording | D.observing |
A.testing | B.reviewing | C.selling | D.posting |
A.notes | B.comments | C.reports | D.replies |
A.interrupt | B.assess | C.conduct | D.appreciate |
A.materials | B.methods | C.objectives | D.resources |
A.secretly | B.slowly | C.happily | D.bravely |
A.fun | B.work | C.fame | D.show |
A.stick to | B.contribute to | C.focus on | D.rely on |
A.advantage | B.opportunity | C.honor | D.option |
A.authority | B.history | C.custom | D.culture |
8 . The ebike has become an essential item, and even the King has been spotted riding one. According to the market research company Mintel, sales have almost tripled over the past five years. While ebikes have become increasingly commonplace, they are still undeniably expensive. You can pick up a perfectly adequate pushbike for £300, but most ebikes cost over £2,000. Now, Cycling Electric, designed to help consumers choose an ebike, offers the following recommendations.
Best folding bike
Carbo Model X
Price: £ 2,799|Weight: 13.3kg
Range: up to 34 miles
This is one of the most convenient bikes, from a little-known label. The lightweight Carbo X is the perfect example of convenience thanks to its carbon frame and belt drive, instead of a metal bike chain. This makes it lighter and less likely to get messy than an electric Brompton, with its more traditional, oil y chain.
Most stylish
Temple Cycles Classic
Price: from £ 2,995|Weight: 19kg
Range: up to 74 miles
This Bristol-based brand is known for its elegant pushbikes, which are hand-built in the city. This is its electric version. It’s a very sleek and functional commuter option and not too heavy. Temples have fewer proprietary (品牌专卖的) parts and so are serviceable in an y bike shop. Stylish as they may be, the VanMoofs and the Cowboys can be a bit more complex to get back-up and service.
The money-no-object option
Riese & Müller Nevo4 GT Vario GX
Price: £ 5,380|Weight: 28. 4kg
Range: up to 93 miles
This is a prime example of the attention to detail delivering a high-quality experience in functionality, comfort and practicality — if you can afford it. It has the capacity to handle 25kg of luggage in a pannier, powerful road lights and a beautifully smooth motor.
1. What is the advantage of the Temples over other stylish ebike brands?A.They are more light weight. | B.They are more comfortable. |
C.They have more functions. | D.They have easier access to service. |
A.Carbo Model X. | B.Riese & Müller Nevo4 GT Vario GX. |
C.Temple Cycles Classic. | D.The VanMoofs and the Cowboys. |
A.A magazine column. | B.A store advertisement. |
C.An official document. | D.A market research report. |
9 . Events at the Fleet Science Center
Superpower Dogs
Join an adventure to experience the life-saving superpowers of some of the world's most amazing dogs on the big screen. No stranger to superheroes himself, Chris Evans narrates(讲述) this inspiring true story about remarkable dogs that save lives.
Time: March 2, 2: 00 pm
Price: Adult(Age 13-65)$21; Junior(Age 3-12)$18; Senior(Age 65+)$19
The Sky Tonight
Early show: March 4, 7:00 pm to 8: 00 pm
Late show: March 4, 8:15 pm to 9:15 pm
Join us for a tour of the solar system. Journey through the universe with us as we explore a new topic each month.
Price: Adult(age 13-65)$19; Junior(Age 3-12)$17; Senior(Age 65+)$18
Make-It Workshop
We invite you to stop by Studio X to try your hand at making. Make-It Workshop activities change monthly and fees vary.
Participants can purchase tickets at Studio X on the day of the workshop.
Time: March 7, 11: 30 am to 3: 30 pm
Suds & Science
Sometimes , the most interesting discussions occur over a beer or a glass of your favorite wine. That's the concept behind Suds &Science, a monthly event that brings scientists face-to -face with the general public in a neighborhood bar.
Location: Thorn Brewing, 3176 Thorn St, San Diego, CA 92104
Time: March 8, 6: 30 pm to 8: 00 pm
Price:$6 at the door. Food & drinks are available for purchase. Please come early to place your orders at the bar, as staff will not be available to take orders during the event.
1. When will the Sky Tonight’s late show end?A.At 8: 00 pm | B.At 9: 15 pm | C.At 8:30 pm | D.At 9: 00 pm |
A.It needs advance reservations. | B.It has Chris Evans narrate a story. |
C.It is a hands-on activity. | D.It includes a tour of the solar system. |
A.For four hours. | B.For half an hour. | C.For one hour. | D.For two hours. |
A.Bring some food and drinks. | B.Buy their ticket online in advance. |
C.Prepare a question or two for discussion. | D.Arrive at Thorn Brewing before 6: 30 pm. |
10 . Branding Events of China Daily
Since its launch in 1981, China Daily has grown to become the nation’s leading English-language newspaper. With a combined print, online and mobile readership of more than 350 million, it serves a vital role in telling the world about China, providing a valuable insight into the world’s second largest economy. A series of branding events are conducted by China Daily to improve public diplomacy and international communication.
Vision China Lectures
A series of talks are organized by China Daily in which leading political and business figures are invited to speak and interact live with domestic and foreign audiences. The Vision China lectures focus on major issues facing China and the world, explore what Chinas story means for the world, and show how Chinese wisdom can help the world.
China Watch Think Tank Forum
Elites, including opinion leaders, politicians and business people with expertise on China, discuss topics on the development and the future of China and the world in China Watch Think Tank Forum.
Asia Leadership Roundtable
Asia Leadership Roundtable provides a platform for high-level dialog and communication among leaders and social elites in the fields of politics, business and academia in Asia.
“21st Century Cup” National English Speaking Competition
The competition is the most famous English-speaking competition in China. It is the qualifying round for students who wish to represent China in the International Public Speaking Competition in London.
For more details, click here.
1. What’s the main purpose of launching China Daily?A.To hold various branding events. |
B.To promote interpersonal communication. |
C.To combine the print, online and mobile readership. |
D.To help people around the globe know China better. |
A.They involve politicians and business people. |
B.They focus on major issues facing China and the world. |
C.They provide a platform for celebrities to compete against each other. |
D.They discuss topics on the development and the future of China and the world. |
A.A newspaper. | B.A textbook. | C.A website. | D.A magazine. |