1 . Events at Olbrich for This Month
Alcohol Inks & Acrylic Bouquets
June 4, 2024, 1: 00 pm
In this workshop, we’ll use alcohol inks and special paint to create two 9 × 12 flower bouquet (花束) paintings. Learn techniques that transform abstract backgrounds and use negative-space painting to create beautiful works of art.
Macro Botanical Photography & Bouque t Making
June 6, 2024, 2: 00 pm
Join us to learn how to make your own bouquet and then gain some tips on how to photograph your flowers to make their beauty last. All levels welcome and no previous photography education necessary. Bring your DSLR camera, and ensure you have its basic working knowledge as we will not be able to help onsite. You will leave with a flower bouquet and macro photography tips booklet to ensure you’ve got the essential knowledge.
Virtual Tai Chi Meditation at Home
June 7, 2024, 6: 00 pm
“Move like a great river; be still like a mountain” instructs the age-old description of the meditative exercise and movement art of Tai Chi Chuan. This class offers standing movements and seated practices rooted within the Chinese tradition of Tai Chi and Chi Kung for the enrichment of body, mind and spirit. All physical abilities welcome, including those in need of chair-based practice.
Bike for Butterflies Virtual Lecture — Sara Dykman
June 9, 2024, 1: 00 pm
Join us for a special virtual lecture by an inspiring professional working hard to bring more attention to butterfly conservation. Learn how he combines long biking journeys with his passion for butterflies.
1. What’s one requirement for you to learn macro photography?| A．Taking good care of your flowers. |
| B．Bringing a flower bouquet. |
| C．Being able to operate a DSLR camera. |
| D．Taking along your previous flower photographs. |
| A．It is aimed at specific age groups. | B．It offers face-to-face instructions. |
| C．It is a kind of chair-based exercise. | D．It welcomes even the physically disabled. |
| A．On June 4, 2024. | B．On June 6, 2024. |
| C．On June 7, 2024. | D．On June 9, 2024. |
2 . Volunteer Art &Architecture Tour Guide for Boston Public Library, Copley Square
The goal is to generate public interest in the history, art, and architecture of Boston Public Library, including its special collections and exhibitions at the Central Library in Copley Square.
ROLE AND EXPECTATIONS
●To conduct public and private group tours of the Central Library’s art, architecture, and exhibitions, answering questions from groups and recording attendance statistics after tours conclude.
●To continue to inform oneself of the art, architecture, history, holdings, and exhibitions of Boston Public Library.
QUALIFICATIONS
● Interest in history, art, and architecture in general, and of Boston Public Library in particular.
● Confidence in addressing and presenting information to large groups; prior guiding or public speaking experience desirable.
●A strong command of the English language is required, and fluency in other languages is highly preferred.
TRAINING
Accepted candidates will be asked to attend tour guide training meetings. New guides are expected to complete training around four months. Progress evaluations will be ongoing throughout the training period, and continue through the first six months of working as a full guide.
REQUIREMENTS
●Minimum commitment of two tours per month (or 24 tours per year).
●Commitment to attending tour guide meetings and enrichment programs for continuing education.
REVIEW
Regular assessments and evaluations will be conducted based on the above criteria to ensure that volunteers meet the necessary qualifications.
Interested candidates should complete the application form below and send it to tours@bpl.org.
1. What does a volunteer tour guide need to do after tours?| A．Ensure safety of the artworks. |
| B．Maintain cleanness of the hall. |
| C．Document the numbers of visitors. |
| D．Answer questions about qualifications. |
| A．4 months. | B．6 months. | C．10 months. | D．12 months. |
| A．Insufficient (不足的) working hours. |
| B．Absence of a second language. |
| C．Little relevant volunteer experience. |
| D．Limited knowledge about exhibitions. |
3 . A total solar eclipse (日食) of the sun will have millions of people from Texas to Maine gazing up at the sky on the afternoon of April 8. If you can’t make it outside, here are some apps to track the eclipse on your computer or mobile device.
Total Solar Eclipse
Solar Eclipse is an “innovative” app developed by the Exploratorium, a museum of science, technology and arts in San Francisco, in partnership with NASA, according to app’s description in the Apple App Store. The app has a 3.8-star rating on the App Store and is designed exclusively for iPads and iPhones. You can download it here.
Eclipse 2024
This app, designed by developer Saira Creations, allows people to tap a marker anywhere on a map to see if that location will experience a total eclipse, in addition to the start time and duration. The app has a 3.1-star rating on the Apple App Store and is designed exclusively for iPads and iPhones. You can download it here.
One Eclipse
One Eclipse is an app designed by Simulation Curriculum Corp in collaboration with Astronomers Without Borders. It has a 4.7-star rating in the Apple App Store and you can download it here.
The NASA App
According to the AAS, the NASA App allows you to watch live streams of the eclipse. In addition to livestreams, the NASA App also offers the latest NASA images, news, mission information, podcasts and interactive augmented reality experiences to explore. It has a 4.8-star rating and you can download it here.
1. Who created the app Eclipse 2024?| A．The Apple APP Store. | B．Saira Creations. |
| C．Exploratorium. | D．Simulation Curriculum Corp. |
| A．Total Solar Eclipse. | B．Eclipse 2024. |
| C．One Eclipse. | D．The NASA App. |
| A．A textbook | B．A newspaper |
| C．A science journal | D．A website |
4 . 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 aged 16 and above. 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．Plans aimed at primary school students. |
| B．Plans related to traditional literary events. |
| C．Plans made by creative artists from Ireland. |
| D．Plans bringing artists into the natural world. |
| A．By providing experts’ guidance. |
| B．By paying applicants for € 2,000. |
| C．By deciding the content of each plan. |
| D．By offering technological support. |
5 . Four beautiful trips combining bikes and trains
Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail (小径)The trail is an 87-mile pathway from Cleveland to Bolivar in Northeast Ohio. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) stretches out separately along the trail from Akron to Thornburg Station, a 31-mile stretch that passes through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The trail hugs the outline of the original Ohio and Erie Canal. Today, the trail passes many landmarks, including bridges, museums, and villages.
Danube Cycle PathIt is a path that follows the Danube River for about 745 miles, from Donaueschingen, Germany to Budapest, Hungary. The path is most popular in Austria featuring 245 scenic miles serviced by local and long-distance trains. Most cyclists choose to ride from west to cast with the flow of the river, to take advantage of the natural slope (斜坡) of bicycle traffic.
Lehigh Gorge Rail TrailThe trail extends for 25 miles through woodlands next to the Lehigh Rive. A historic tourist railway called the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway follows the trail, allowing cyclists to create a one- way ride rather than backtracking. The rail trail is mostly flat and passes through Lehigh Gorge State Park. While the train operates most days, the bike service is only offered one weekend a month from May to November.
Cinder TrackThe Cinder Track is a 21-mile broken-stone pathway along the coast of Yorkshire, England: The towns of Scarborough and Whitby, where the trail begins and ends, both have train stations near the trail. The train journey is not a direct pathway between the two towns—in fact, the tracks of the original direct pathway were removed to create the trail. The trail, meanwhile, hugs the Yorkshire coast, with views of seaside bluffs (峭壁), fishing villages, etc.
1. What is special about the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail?| A．It offers a chance to visit museums. |
| B．It goes past many cities and villages. |
| C．It shares most of its trail with CVSR. |
| D．It provides cyclists with a view of the sea. |
| A．The numerous sharp slope. | B．The extremely rough path. |
| C．The connection with a railway. | D．The time limit of bike service. |
| A．The Cinder Track. | B．The Danube Cycle Path. |
| C．The Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail. | D．The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail. |
6 . Watching the latest Hollywood movie in a great cinema brings about a lot of excitement. Here are the best movie theaters in the world.
Prasad—Hyderabad, India
Can you think of anything better than a movie viewed on a screen measuring 97×117 feet? Prasad has the answer. It has been screening movies since 2003. Every day, it gets round 1,500 inquiries (咨询) on its phone booking system.
Castro Theater—San Francisco, United States
Back during the 20s, movie palaces with huge reception halls and video halls were put up for the pleasure of customers. This theater, with a cathedral façade (立面), is one of the last from that period.
Cine de Chef—Seoul, South Korea
Want to go out for dinner and a movie? Here you get to do both. And the food is not just the typical popcorn and soda, but a real meal made up of French and Italian cuisine (菜肴).
Secret Cinema—Worldwide
Secret Cinema is a group based in London that holds monthly screenings of a movie. You have to sign up for it, and they will tell you where and when to go for the movie. Hired actors will then act out the scenes from the film.
1. What makes Prasad well-known?| A．Its long history. | B．Its large-sized screen. |
| C．Its special decoration. | D．Its phone booking system. |
| A．Prasad | B．Castro Theater. | C．Cine de Chef. | D．Secret Cinema. |
| A．To advertise. | B．To educate. | C．To persuade. | D．To introduce. |
7 . 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. |
| A．£ 70. | B．£ 85. | C．£ 85.75. | D．£ 90.25. |
| A．Blackpool. | B．Swansea. | C．Scarborough. | D．Boumemouth. |
| A．Talk shows. | B．Sports. | C．News. |
Whether you are a lifelong bookworm or are trying to develop a love for reading in your little ones, the 2024 Miami Book Fair is for you.
❉When and Where Is the Fair?This much-loved South Florida event will be held from May 12 to 18, 2024 at the MDC Wolfson Campus Plaza in Downtown Miami. During this week-long book feast, you will find a group of events running from morning to night.
❉What to Expect at the Fair?This year, the fair will feature more than 400 celebrated authors from around the world. There will be a rich collection of writers and their works of nonfiction, romances, children’s literature, and almost every other type under the sun. For green writers, it’s a place to connect with their favorite editors. For book lovers, it’s an opportunity to get autographs (亲笔签名)from many popular authors and ask them some questions.
❉Is the Fair Kid-Friendly?Absolutely. Far from a boring cultural event, this literary festival has fun parent-children interactive games and educational tents. Besides, little readers can not only explore arts and crafts, but also experience face painting and book giveaways.
❉How Much Does the Fair Cost?On Friday, the fair is free. On Saturday or Sunday, it is $10 for adults for one day, or you can get a two-day pass for $15. Kids under age 12 can attend for free and the kids aged 13-18 are $5 per day. For people aged 62 and over, you can also get tickets for $5.
So head to Downtown Miami, and enjoy yourself in the heart of the city’s literary scene.
1. What can be expected at the fair?| A．Interacting with talents from all industries. | B．Seeking cooperation with publishers. |
| C．Voting on yearly best-sellers. | D．Exchanging ideas with favorite editors. |
| A．Learn face painting from artists. | B．Play games with their parents. |
| C．Exchange books with others. | D．Set up camp on their own. |
| A．$10. | B．$15. | C．$20. | D．$25. |
10 . Best Sunglasses for Cycling
A pair of cycling sunglasses is a smart buy, whether you ride on the road or the track.
The direct light of the sun can cause cyclists to see dark or black spots which can gradually develop into blindness if not immediately taken care of. Risks such as sand, insects and even rain can also seriously damage your eyes.
Aside from protecting your eyes, glasses need to be comfortable and to stay in place. Adaptability is important too, which is why some cycling glasses come with different coloured lenses (镜片).
Here’s our picks for this year’s best glasses so you can choose the perfect pair for you.
Fancy Eye V7Optics (光学) company Fancy Eye is big in the snow sports and motor sports worlds, known for producing cool-looking glasses. The V7 glasses are half-frame, specially designed for mountain biking. Its lenses react quickly to brightening conditions, quickly changing colour from yellow to a dark shade.
Price: £135
Quest Collection S125Quest Collection’s S125 glasses (31g) combine attractive looks with functionality. No wind or light will trouble you as you ride, which is very nice. The lens itself is photochromic – under low light conditions the lens is smoky grey, turning dark grey as lighting conditions improve. For really cloudy days, or if you’re riding in darkness, it also comes with a second, clear lens.
Price: £99
Roderick Optics 2001The latest-edition Roderick Optics 2001 glasses are totally frameless, enlarging your field of vision both vertically and horizontally. The lens is one of the clearest we’ve tried. Unique to this second version is the adjustable nose piece – though it can only move a few millimetres, it does make a difference in where the lens sits on your face.
Price: £120
1. According to the passage, which is NOT considered when choosing cycling sunglasses ?| A．Being able to prevent light and insects from harming your eyes. |
| B．Having no dark or black spots on the lens. |
| C．Being comfortable to wear and not easy to move. |
| D．Adapting to different environments with colour-changing lenses. |
| A．Changing colours with the light. | B．Enlarging the field of vision. |
| C．Attractive-looking and useful. | D．Protecting eyes from the light and wind. |
| A．If you usually ride your bike in the mountains, Fancy Eye V7 is a good choice. |
| B．Quest Collection’s S125 provides two pairs of lenses which can be used in different conditions. |
| C．Roderick Optics 2001 and Fancy Eye V7 both have half-frame designs. |
| D．Roderick Optics 2001’s nose piece can be adjusted to fit your face. |
