1 . International ShakeOut Day This Year
This year’s International ShakeOut Day is October 17, when millions of people worldwide will take part in earthquake drills (演习) at work, school, or home! It is a great way for your family or organization to become better prepared to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes.
At 10:17 am (local time) on 10/17, you can join millions of people across the world in practicing earthquake safety. While we encourage everyone to take part, you can sign up for your ShakeOut drill for any day of the year, and drill at a time of your choice, You can also include people in different locations through videos.
FIND YOUR REGIONMost participants (参与者) are in one of the official ShakeOut Regions listed below the page (with current sign-up totals). People and organizations in other countries can also sign up.
All regions take part in it on October 17,2024, unless specified.
（As of Today） | Global Totals | US totals |
oct.17,2024 Drills | Over 270,000 | Over 260,000 |
All 2024 Drills | Over 1.10million | Over 950,000 |
All 2023 Drills | Over 57.3million | Over 19.3million |
ShakeOut began in California and has also been organized in many other states and countries. Official ShakeOut Regions require special local or regional cooperation, typically by an emergency (紧急情况) management agency or a union of many organizations. If you are interested in establishing ShakeOut for your region, please contact us at https://www.shakeout.org. If your state, province, or country is not yet taking part, you can sign up for yourself or your organization as part of the global participation total.
1. What is the purpose of the activity?| A．To raise people’s safety awareness. |
| B．To stress the challenges of earthquakes. |
| C．To help people get ready for an earthquake. |
| D．To warn people of the danger of earthquakes. |
| A．Over 270,000. | B．Over 950,000. | C．Over 57.3 million. | D．Over 19.3 million. |
| A．A website. | B．A book review. | C．A guidebook. | D．A diary entry. |
2 . Where do you expect to see graffiti (涂鸦)? Probably not in a museum. Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, in the south-west of England, was the kind of place you went to see classical statues and stuffed animals in cases until the arrivals of the ‘Banksy Versus the Bristol Museum’ exhibition in 2009. The exhibition hosted more than 100 works by Banksy, one of the world’s most famous graffiti artists.
Banksy is a man of mystery (神秘). He hardly ever gives interviews and likes to be anonymous (匿名的). Nobody knows much about his life or his background but many people believe that his real name is either Robin Cunningham, Robert Banks or Robin Banks and that he was born in 1973 near Bristol.
Banksy’s questioned ‘street art’ includes paintings on live sheep and cows and graffiti on the huge wall put up to divide two areas. Brand Pitt spent over 82 million on a Bansky original. Banksy designed an album cover for the Britpop group Blur in 2003 but he has refused requests to do adverts for Nike. A year after the Bristol exhibition, Banksy made a film called Exit Through the Gift Shop. The film tells the story of a French street artist in America. Exit Through the Gift Shop received many positive reviews. Nobody knows if it was about a real artist or an invented character from Banksy’s imagination.
Bristol isn’t the only place in Britain to welcome graffiti. The DPM Park in Dundee, Scotland has the longest legal graffiti wall (almost 110m long) in the UK. Anyone can paint on the council-owned wall any time they like. Mike Crilley, the graffiti wall project organiser, promotes the positive side of graffiti and runs workshops for local children.
Is everyone doing graffiti? Can we do graffiti where we want these days? Not exactly. It’s illegal to paint on somebody else’s possessions, so make sure you find a legal graffiti wall like the one in Dundee if you want to have a go.
1. Why is Banksy a man of mystery?| A．His works are mainly set in Bristol. | B．His works are not universally recognized. |
| C．He’s likely to use a penname in his works | D．He comes from an area unfamilar to others. |
| A．It was produced in the year 2010. | B．It was based on Banksy’s true story. |
| C．It was directed and starred by Banksy. | D．It was filmed for the Bristol exhibition. |
| A．On any wall in the UK. | B．On somebody’s outer wall. |
| C．In Mike Crilley’s workshops. | D．In any nation-owned parks. |
| A．Different opinions on graffiti. | B．Britain’s famous graffiti artist. |
| C．Banksy’s most successful graffiti. | D．Graffiti in major cities in the world. |
3 . A woman in Lakewood, Washington, wanted to find a boy who left $5 and a heartbreaking apology note on her doorstep. On Friday, Marie found this note from “Jake”:
“I am sorry that I took your butterfly wind chimes (风铃) without your permission. My mum died and she liked butterflies so I took them to put by our window. Now I feel terrible for my past behaviour. I am sorry. This is the only money I have. Please do not be mad at me.”
Mari e told KCPQ she was not mad and wanted to find Jake to return his $5. “I wanted to cry because apparently he felt bad for what he had done. And I think he might be scared,” she told the station. Marie said she knows stealing is immoral, but she is sympathetic to the child. “I’m not agreeing with the stealing act but he did try to make up for what he had done. I lost my mum at a young age so I really make sense of his feeling and know how hard it is,” she said.
Marie wanted to find Jake, not to punish him, but to return his money for his honesty. Marie moved to the neighbourhood two months ago and didn’t know many people there, which made tracking down Jake difficult.
In order to find the boy, she turned to Facebook. Almost a week later, her Facebook post got much attention from social media, but she still didn’t hear from the boy. Marie said she wanted Jake to know that she had no intention of embarrassing or scaring him by asking him to reveal himself. She also said she was willing to help Jake with his schooling if she could find him.
1. Why did Jake feel sorry?| A．He caught butterflies in Marie’s garden. | B．He stole five dollars from a woman. |
| C．He lost something borrowed from Marie. | D．He took Marie’s wind chimes without permission. |
| A．Their mums liked butterflies. | B．They lost their mums in childhood. |
| C．They collected wind chimes. | D．They took something of neighbours. |
| A．Her neighbours’ unwillingness to help her. |
| B．Her considerable shyness. |
| C．Her announcement to punish the boy. |
| D．Her being unfamiliar with the neighbourhood. |
| A．Kind and sympathetic. | B．Devoted and caring. |
| C．Generous and humble. | D．Honest and careful. |
4 . Eric Moussambani is the first swimmer from Equatorial Guinea to compete in the Olympics. He found his passion for swimming shortly after high school. At the time, he didn’t know how to
Unfortunately, there were no
After about eight months of swimming, Eric gained
In Sydney, Eric saw an Olympic-size swimming pool for the first time. It was so big that Eric said he was so
On September 19, 2000, Eric stepped out for the men’s 100-metre freestyle competition. “I swam the first 50 metres really well,” said Eric. After turning for the second length, however, Eric found his legs stiffened (变僵硬). “It was then I heard the crowd shouting, encouraging me to go. It gave me the
| A．swim | B．compete | C．participate | D．apply |
| A．risk | B．promote | C．pursue | D．continue |
| A．clean | B．perfect | C．similar | D．standard |
| A．Eventually | B．Strangely | C．Naturally | D．Certainly |
| A．reach | B．discover | C．rent | D．use |
| A．congratulating | B．guiding | C．focusing | D．pointing |
| A．entry | B．ability | C．experience | D．right |
| A．solve | B．protect | C．award | D．encourage |
| A．interested | B．frightened | C．embarrassed | D．disappointed |
| A．fighting for | B．looking for | C．preparing for | D．answering for |
| A．adjust | B．study | C．doubt | D．benefit |
| A．fortune | B．way | C．strength | D．gratitude |
| A．expanded | B．finished | C．estimated | D．revealed |
| A．slowest | B．earliest | C．highest | D．timeliest |
| A．released | B．left | C．tolerated | D．cheered |
5 . With the start of new school, most freshmen were excited to meet new classmates and teachers.
Jeff Wilkins, the teacher of Sergio’s engineering class,
For the next four
Then came the final testing day. The whole class
The life-changing gift for Sergio drew huge attention. Jeff and his students became an instant
| A．However | B．Then | C．Instead | D．Therefore |
| A．how | B．what | C．who | D．whether |
| A．carried | B．watched | C．figured | D．looked |
| A．think highly of | B．let go of | C．keep track of | D．take advantage of |
| A．failed | B．worked | C．continued | D．appeared |
| A．decades | B．hours | C．weeks | D．years |
| A．meeting | B．exam | C．project | D．course |
| A．gradually | B．slowly | C．immediately | D．eventually |
| A．different | B．common | C．energetic | D．good |
| A．clapped | B．gathered | C．studied | D．discussed |
| A．wore | B．controlled | C．touched | D．connected |
| A．pulling | B．waving | C．holding | D．trembling |
| A．left | B．right | C．only | D．single |
| A．story | B．joke | C．hit | D．spot |
| A．cover | B．send | C．fight | D．interview |
6 . Floating Markets in Bangkok, Thailand
One might feel as though they are entering a different world upon visiting a Thai floating market. While some countries in Asia have their own floating markets, none compare to Thailand’s, and the special experience is one you cannot miss while visiting the country.
Long-tail boats, ancient and traditional houses, and shouting vendors (商贩) are the major elements of floating markets in Bangkok. They are excellent options for experiencing the unusual culture and life of Thailand. Here are the top 8 floating markets in Bangkok, where you can experience the chaotic and charming atmosphere.
| Name | Distance from Downtown Bangkok | Open Times | Features |
| Damnoen Saduak | 80 km (50 mi) | Every day from 7 a. m. to 5 p. m | Long-tail boat cruises, remote villages, plantations |
| Amphawa | 90 km (55mi) | 11 a. m. to 9.30 p. m., Friday to Sunday | Thai food, little wooden houses, temples |
| Wat Sai | 23 km (14 mi) | 8 a. m.— 6 p. m., Tuesday— Saturday | A mixture of Chinese culture and Thai culture |
| Taling Chan | 12 km (7 mi) | 8 a. m.— 6 p. m., Saturday— Sunday | Temples, massages (按摩) on boats, foot massages under trees |
| Bangkhla | 100km (60 mi) | 8 a. m.— 6 p. m., Saturday— Sunday | Remote countryside, charm, biking |
| Bang Nam Pheung | 20 km (12 mi) | 8: 30 a. m.— 5 p. m., Saturday— Sunday | Fruit, food, a nature sanctuary (避难所) |
| Bang Phli | 38 km (24 mi) | 11 a. m.— 5:30 p. m., Tuesday— Saturday | Oldest, historical buildings, temples |
| Khlong Lat Mayom | 21 km (13 mi) | 7 a. m.— 5 p. m., Saturday — Sunday | Food, fruit, boat noodles |
1. Which floating market only opens on weekends with the shortest opening hours?
| A．Taling Chan. | B．Bang Phli. |
| C．Bang Nam Pheung. | D．Khlong Lat Mayom. |
| A．Delicious Thai food. | B．Numerous temple buildings. |
| C．Various massage services. | D．The traditional countryside life. |
| A．It is influenced by Chinese cultural elements. |
| B．Its number of open days in a week is the largest. |
| C．It is the centre of cultural exchange around the world. |
| D．It is a must-see tourist destination for Chinese tourists. |
7 . Hawaii lawmakers are considering legislation (立法) that would require visitors to pay for a year-long license or pass to visit state parks. Josh Green is the state’s governor. He said, “We get between 9 and 10 million visitors a year, but we only have 1.4 million people living here.” He added, “Those 10 million travellers should be helping us sustain our environment.” Lawmakers still debating how much they would charge.
The governor campaigned in 2022 on the idea of having all tourists pay a $50 fee to enter the state. Legislators think this would violate US constitutional protections for free travel. They instead think visitors should pay to enter parks and trails. Either policy would be a first of its kind for any US state. Hawaii’s leaders are following the example of other popular tourist areas with similar fees or taxes. They include Venice, Italy, and Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands.
Hawaii State Representative Sean Quinlan is the leader of the House Tourism Committee. He said changes in the activities of travellers are part of Hawaii’s push. He said golf rounds per visitor per day have dropped 30 percent over the past 10 years while hiking has increased50 percent. People are also seeking out isolated places they have seen on social media. The state does not have the money to oversee and protect all these places, he said.
Most state parks and trails are currently free. Some of the most popular ones already charge, like Diamond Head State Monument. That trail leads hikers from the floor of a 300,000-year-old volcano up to the top. It gets 1 million visitors each year and costs $5for each traveller.
A bill currently before the legislature would require visitors over the age of 15to buy a yearly pass to visit forests, parks, trails or “other natural area on state land”. People who live in Hawaii would not need to pay.
1. What does the underlined word “violate” mean in Paragraph 2?| A．Break. | B．Establish. | C．Uphold. | D．Perfect. |
| A．The decreasing number of tourists to Hawaii. |
| B．Advantages of Hawaii’s tourism resources. |
| C．The increasing financial burden of Hawaii. |
| D．One reason for wanting to charge tourists. |
| A．None of the attractions in Hawaii charge fees currently. |
| B．The goal to charge fees is to limit the number of tourists. |
| C．Lawmakers are arguing about whether charging fees is legal. |
| D．Charging fees is beneficial for Hawaii’s natural environment. |
| A．A news report. | B．A travel guide. |
| C．A law textbook. | D．A promotional brochure. |
8 . If something’s standing in your way to greatness, these top books on motivation can help you overcome roadblocks so you can realize your dreams. Here’s a look at some of the best books on motivation.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff ... and It’s All Small Stuff by Richard Carlson
Learn how to turn problems into opportunities and stay calm in stressful situations with this handy guide focused on helping readers find happiness and peace of mind. Discover how to master your thoughts and fully live in the moment to appreciate what you have and get the most out of life.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Highlighting the habits that distinguish those people who deal particularly well with the world from everyone else, this popular motivation book explains how you can become a better person by adopting the attitude of the highly effective and aligning (使……一致) your life with universal principles.
How to Win Friends &Influence People by Dale Carnegie
A favorite presenting basic rules for how to make a good first impression and effortlessly win people over, this bestselling motivational book offers timeless advice backed by engaging anecdotes (轶事). Carnegie explains the easy techniques to help anyone become more popular and persuasive, and he shares simple guidelines to instantly make yourself more likable.
Smarter Faster Better by Charles Duhigg
Being productive isn’t just about managing your to-do list; it’s also about making the right choices and maintaining the proper mindset. Staying motivated means sticking to your goals even when the world throws a challenge of bother at you. And by adopting a few easy methods to stay on track, nothing will stand between you and your dreams.
1. If you want to be popular, which book may you read?| A．Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff... and It’s All Small Stuff. |
| B．The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. |
| C．How to Win Friends & Influence People. |
| D．Smarter Faster Better. |
| A．Richard Carlson. | B．Stephen R. Covey. |
| C．Dale Carnegie. | D．Charles Duhigg. |
| A．It motivates you to achieve your dreams. | B．It emphasizes the importance of willpower. |
| C．It teaches you how to keep a peaceful mind. | D．It tells about specific basic rules for success. |
9 . All three of my children were subject-matter experts before they even left primary school. My eldest son memorized every statistic on every football trading card he got his hands on. His brother knew hundreds of car makes and models by heart. And I’m sure that my daughter — a huge One Direction fan — remembered more facts about the band than they did! The experience of becoming an expert can bring long-term benefits for learning — and it’s never too late. “Having a specialist subject helps you learn anything,” says our memory expert, Jonathan Hancock, “There are good reasons for all of us to do a spot of specialist learning.”
It schools our observation: a vital first step to remembering. Children are particularly good at seeing slight differences — like my younger son and his cars — then using them to organize information and inspire recall. But focused learning like this can push anyone to start noticing key details — ready to remember them.
It gives us a mental framework (框架), to which we can attach unrelated ideas. Even when his trading-card period was over, my son often linked new numbers with stored-away sports statistics. Your own area of interest might help you by suggesting soundalike words for people’s names, or letting you “map” travel directions.
It gets us learning in a variety of ways, often with the help of all our senses. My daughter’s pop knowledge was a rich mix of music, dances and colourful costumes, with precise facts. Burying yourself in a subject boosts your brain to work at its best.
It restores our confidence to remember. We get to see what a difference it makes to be interested in something, to build up information in layers (层次), and to keep refreshing, testing and showing off what we know. It can give all our learning a boost.
Why not pick a topic that interests you, find some books, take a course, join a club... and enjoy becoming at least an entry-level expert? Even a short spell of specialist study can reawaken learning skills that used to feel like child’s play.
1. What do the author’s children have in common?| A．Having a variety of hobbies. | B．Dreaming of being a top-class expert. |
| C．Learning school subjects well. | D．Showing exceptional talent in their areas. |
| A．Recognizing a pair of twins. | B．Lecturing at an opening ceremony. |
| C．Learning English by watching a film. | D．Planning a tour route in a strange city. |
| A．To advocate. | B．To confirm. | C．To evaluate. | D．To explain. |
| A．Raise Children’s Memory | B．Remember Like an Expert |
| C．Reform Learning Methods | D．Reawaken Learning Skills |
10 . Emily was once invited to a party. Not knowing anyone except the host, she was anxious. An hour before her scheduled
You can do something to fight such anxiety. First, step outside your comfort zone, and gradually you’ll find the world
| A．performance | B．departure | C．return | D．interview |
| A．arrange | B．confirm | C．announce | D．cancel |
| A．Apparently | B．Originally | C．Temporarily | D．Repeatedly |
| A．struggle | B．assist | C．deal | D．engage |
| A．design | B．complete | C．revise | D．attend |
| A．inspector | B．leader | C．teacher | D．monitor |
| A．growing | B．messing | C．dressing | D．standing |
| A．simpler | B．smaller | C．less confusing | D．less frightening |
| A．permission | B．evidence | C．support | D．respect |
| A．strategies | B．treatment | C．communication | D．teamwork |
| A．escapes | B．seizes | C．ignores | D．angers |
| A．discuss | B．ask | C．resolve | D．know |
| A．enjoy | B．reflect | C．reward | D．adjust |
| A．take off | B．catch up | C．look out | D．fit in |
| A．risks | B．invitation | C．promises | D．outcome |
