1 . Over 40 students with low vision study at a school in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. It was designed by Anand Sonecha, founder of an architecture company. Featuring a bright yellow entrance door, which stands out against the white walls, the school is decorated with a variety of sweet-smelling plants everywhere. Inside the classrooms, the walls feel smooth in contrast to the rough outside of the building. These all help students familiarize themselves with the area straightforwardly, without any trouble.

The school provides an open space serving as a platform for the visually-challenged students to play, perform, or celebrate festivals and the students are easy to orient themselves according to the sound, smell, sight and touch. “The idea behind the design was to make the school more accessible to the students,” Sonecha says, “They come from remote villages and towns in Gujarat, and I am eager to help them.”

During the construction, Sonecha used contrasting colors so that students could easily distinguish between the elements. Blue was used for all classroom doors, yellow for the entrance gate, black for switch buttons, and yellow and green for the furniture. All these colors contrasted with the white walls of the school, helping the students locate different elements. Different areas are of different height and width, which makes the sounds and noises change according to the echo (回音) produced in these spaces. Furthermore, he cooperated with fellow landscape architect Lokendra Balasaria to plant more than 1,000 plants of 37 species. These sweet plants have been grown not only to lead the children to move in the school through smell but also to attract butterflies and birds, and provide shade.

“The structure of the building is designed similarly to any other school building, only with a few clever elements. My intention was to avoid making it look distinct from other schools,” Sonecha explains, “I hope that there are no different schools for such students. Instead, all these elements should be added to public spaces for them. And my follow-up efforts may be there.”

4 . Born with no right leg, Anthony Robles, one of the best wrestlers in the NCAA, started wrestling when he was in high school. When his cousin first ________ him to wrestling, Robles wasn’t a/an ________. However, he gradually fell in love with it and he has been doing it ever since .

While some people might have ________ his decision to take on the sport, his family was a huge ________ of support and encouragement. He said: “They ________ in me from a young age that I could do whatever I ________ my mind to. “They didn’t give me any special ________. They raised me like others.”

While the physical aspects of the sport seemed to be the most challenging part, at one point Robles realized he needed to be ________ tougher. After ________ seventh at nationals in his junior year, he took a ________ from wrestling for a little while. He said. “I was ________. That really just helped me to mentally get back to the sport.”

Then came the last match. Robles was so scared that he was almost starting to cry. When he defeated defending national champion 7-1, the ________ were quite different. “I couldn’t even ________ it.” He said, “It was just a great experience.”

Now Robles is ready for the next page in his life, “I really want to help other people achieve things in their lives that others might say are ________.” Robles plans to put his amazing attitude and energy to ________ as a motivational (激励) speaker.

5 . A garden is a project that often requires a fairly large initial investment of both time and money from the start — as well as a commitment to maintain it.     1    . Those who like their home garden find it rewarding both as a place to relax, and as a fun and healthy hobby.

If you’re lucky enough to have a backyard, you can imagine the enjoyment you’d receive from changing that dusty, weedy dead space into a green, relaxing environment.     2    . With regular, low-level maintenance it will continue to thrive (茁壮成长）and provide you with pleasure.

So, how can you build a pleasant home garden? Some clever gardeners use drought-resistant plants such as cacti (仙人掌), and a little bit of watering and inspiration to produce spaces that are both relaxing and pleasing to the eye.     3    .

    4    . If you put in the plants and walkways yourself, it will be good for your health. Many people find that spending a while digging holes for trees or pulling weeds is easier to stomach than half an hour on a running machine, and who can blame them? It might take a while to see the fitness results, but a few days’ work can literally transform your yard.

There are many popular home garden books and magazines.     5    , as many books contain detailed plans for complex projects. Use these resources as a starting point and put together something uniquely yours — within the limits of your time and budget.

6 . Sau Hoyin, a 16-year-old student at Hong Kong International School, has devoted the past seven years to writing fiction. He has already published two novels, and a third is on the way. Sau’s journey as a writer began in the 4th grade when he started a school “passion project”, leading him to create his first novel Pym. This story follows Luke Connors, an ordinary boy who grew into a brave fighter against evil.

Sau’s fiction evolved with his own personal growth. At the age of 13, he created Pyro 2. a story when Connors faces challenges that mirror Sau’s struggles with math. “I tried to overcome these challenges on my own at first hut finally found that I need to seek the aid of others,” he said. In the novel, Connors learns that in moments of great challenges. seeking help from those around him is a test ament (证明) to growth. Currently, Sau is working on Pyro 3, a project enriched by his global travels and diverse cultural experiences. “I treat writing as a way to record my life and express myself. It also helps me to think deeply about various issues,” he said.

Sau spends two to three hours on weekends on his writing and around two hours daily during breaks. To practice his skills, Sau also joined a literary club at school, exchanging insights into his fiction with his peers.

“In arts and literature class, our teacher also nurtures (培养) our creativity by teaching creative poetry.” Sau added. For instance, inspired by the English language poem Show With Buddha he learned in class, he wrote Playing Saxophone With the Statue of Liberty in d imagined the statue dropped her torch or a moment, playing jour while thinking about whether the truths of American liberty are really held or not.

Sau also shares his essays and poetry on his personal website and takes part in writing competitions. This summer, he won the Harbinger Prize awarded by Harbingers’Magazine, a weekly journal in the US.

Next year, Sau will start university and is resolute in his decision to major in literature. “For me, literature is a utopia (乌托邦) where I can not only express myself but also enjoy the beauty of language, its purity and its lasting power.” he said.

7 . Some books to look forward to in 2024

The first few months of 2024 are piled with exciting and interesting reads . If you’re looking to get a jump ahead on the holds from your local library, here are just a few books we ‘re looking forward to.

James by Percival Everett

Celebrated author Percival Everett gives us Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s point of view. It’s far from a straight re-telling, though. Instead, Everett (but off his 2001 book Erasure being adapted into the film American Fiction) uses the beats of the original story to give us a send up of language and race.(Pub. March.19)

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

This standalone fantasy was inspired by the best-selling author’s own family history. It takes place during the Spanish Golden Age and follows a servant, hiding the fact that she can perform miracles. (Pub. Apr.9)

Private Equity by Carrie Sun

A memoir (回忆录) about the daughter of Chinese immigrants who ended up becoming an assistant to a billionaire hedge fund founder. It’s an examination of the hustle and tiring lifestyle that spreads American work culture, and the costs of extreme wealth. (Pub. Feh.13)

Legacy by Uché Blackstock

Uché Blackstock has had a long career in medicine as a doctor and as a professor of emergency medicine. Her account follows her growing up wanting nothing more than to be doctor, and discovering all parts of the systemic issues that lend to poorer health outcomes for Black Americans. (Pub, Jan.23)

8 . Over the past few decades, technology has advanced at an unprecedented rate, revolutionizing industries and shaping new ways of life.     1    

According to the International Telecommunication Union, a key advocate of technological advancement, the rapid growth of technology has significantly improved the quality of life in numerous communities. It cites studies that show the integration of technology into daily lives has led to increased efficiency, more access to information, and even progress in healthcare in numerous regions.     2    

Those who embrace technological progress argue that it creates new opportunities for individuals and businesses alike. For instance, farmers in remote areas can now access real-time market information and weather updates through smartphones, enabling them to make more informed decisions about their crops. Additionally, small businesses can expand their reach globally through online platforms.     3     They argue that while technology may bring benefits to some, it often expands the difference between the technologically informed and the digitally excluded. Studies conducted by organizations like the United Nations Development Programme reveal that many individuals, particularly those in developing regions or with limited resources, lag behind in accessing and utilizing technological advancements.     4    

Furthermore, critics fear that the unchecked growth of technology may have negative impacts on society and the environment. For example, the rise of social media and the internet has led to an increase in cyberbullying, privacy concerns, and the spread of misinformation. Moreover, the overuse of technology may contribute to do-nothing lifestyles and other health issues.

One thing is certain about technological progress — it is an inevitable trend. The rapid pace of innovation and the widespread availability of technology make it impossible to turn back.     5    

Shuttlecock (毽子) kicking is a traditional popular folk game,     1     (date) as far back as the Han Dynasty.The fun game gained popularity during the Tang Dynasty, when     2     (store) specializing in the shuttlecock business appeared. In the Qing Dynasty, shuttlecock kicking reached its peak in terms of both making techniques and kicking skills.

To make a feather shuttlecock, a piece of cloth wrapped around a coin     3     (need). Through the coin hole you can stick some feathers,     4     function is to delay the rising and falling of the shuttlecock.

There     5     (be) a great number of variations in styles and methods of kicking. With one leg fixed on the ground, the shuttlecock is kicked by the inner ankle of     6     other. Some other styles include kicking the shuttlecock backwards and forwards between two people. Those who advance to a high level of mastery can perform some actions that are     7     (fair) wonderful. The challenge of the increasingly difficult levels of shuttlecock kicking has made it a popular and timeless game among Chinese children.

Playing with shuttlecocks is     8     (benefit) to health. When people are kicking shuttlecocks, various parts of the body need to work together, which enhances balance capabilities and physical flexibility and helps them strengthen their legs. Besides, shuttlecock kicking is convenient     9     (play). It can be practiced just about anywhere and anytime.

Since the establishment of the Chinese Shuttlecock Kicking Association in 1987, the national shuttlecock kicking tournament has been held annually, appealing     10     people of all ages.