1 . Florida is a desirable place to retire because of the suitable cost of living and location close to the beach. In addition, it has provided different kinds of services to support the retirement community. Here are some best Florida cities for retirement.
MiamiPopulation: about 605,800
Share of population age 65+: 18.2%
Median monthly rent: about $1,500
Miami has higher housing and costly health care, so seniors retiring in Miami need to face the higher cost of living. However, it offers retirees plenty of activities. It’s more expensive, but the rich cultural experience, dining, shopping, and health care services are top-tier.
Fort MyersPopulation: about 752,200
Share of population age 65+: 28.4%
Median monthly rent: about $1,300
Fort Myers scored well on the desirability and happiness metrics (指标). Many retirees are able to comfortably afford a home, which frees up retirement income for other important expenses. Seniors in Fort Myers can create a relaxing beach retirement lifestyle, even on a limited budget.
TallahasseePopulation: about 382,700
Share of population age 65+: 14.6%
Median monthly rent: about $1,000
Tallahassee has four clear seasons, and its short winters are colder than the state’s coastal areas. Housing is more affordable here than in other Florida cities. Retirees can take classes at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Florida, or enjoy one of Tallahassee’s many museums, historic sites and parks.
OcalaPopulation: about 370,000
Share of population age 65+: 28.5%
Median monthly rent: about $990
This equestrian (马术) town is best known for award-winning horses. Retirees can attend horse shows and equestrian events and enjoy regular horseback rides. Ocala’s inexpensive housing makes it easy to relocate to the area. The Ocala National Forest has hundreds of lakes, rivers and springs where you can swim and fish.
1. What is an advantage of Miami?| A．It offers services in a wide variety. | B．It gives the suitable cost of living. |
| C．It provides discount housing. | D．It organizes volunteer activities. |
| A．Miami. | B．Fort Myers. | C．Tallahassee. | D．Ocala. |
| A．Create a beach retirement lifestyle. | B．Explore the depth of the forest. |
| C．Visit many historic sites. | D．Take part in equestrian events. |
| A．It’s a reward. | B．It’s a success. | C．It’s a problem. |
3 . Women’s sport is experiencing growth. This season, the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) league kicked off with a campaign to transform ideas of women’s rugby. Here are the stories of four remarkable women who are powered differently — born to break the stereotypes (刻板印象).
Abbie Ward, 30, Bristol Bears
Abbie has marked a successful return to the rugby field this season playing her first match since the Rugby World Cup Final in November 2021, just four months after giving birth to her daughter, Hallie. Abbie’s journey showcases a ground-breaking shift in the sport’s approach to motherhood. Abbie is eager to integrate Hallie into her playing life, maintaining a balance between being a mother and a professional sports person.
Jodie Ounsley, 22, Exeter Chiefs
Jodie attracts audiences as a deaf athlete. As the first deaf person to be selected for the England 7s squad, she in 2020 won Young Deaf Sports Personality of the Year. Jodie detailed, “I’ve had parents messaging me saying ‘My daughter with a cochlear(耳蜗的) implant hasseen you online playing rugby, and wants to do it, too.’”
Rachel Lund, 29, Gloucester-Hartpury
Rachel is a proud member of the “dual career club”, a nickname Rachel has given to the PWR players taking other regular jobs around their training and match days. She devotes herself to a full-time role as a physiotherapist (理疗师) with her commitment to female sport extending beyond the field. According to Rachel, “Research on female health is minimal at best. I’m keen on improving female health.”
Amanda Swartz, 23, Leicester Tigers
Amanda’s journey from a professional figure skater to a professional rugby player shows the determination that defines her athletic journey. Seeking a new challenge beyond skating, she discovered rugby. The discipline and goal-oriented drive experienced during her figure skating days became invaluable in her rugby change. Amanda has accepted her new sporting path and takes pride in promoting the visibility of rugby in Sweden.
1. Who is a disabled player?| A．Abbie Ward. | B．Jodie Ounsley. | C．Rachel Lund. | D．Amanda Swartz. |
| A．She focuses on female health. | B．She was fired by the former team. |
| C．She has just given birth to a baby. | D．She was a professional figure skater. |
| A．They experience a tough life. |
| B．They have the same athletic journey to rugby. |
| C．They change people’s view of women’s rugby. |
| D．They urge women to improve their mental health. |
| A．Some books. | B．A magazine. | C．A computer. |
5 . 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival Student Art Competition
To celebrate the 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival, National Mall and Memorial Parks is hosting a youth art competition. We need your artistic help to inspire visitors to become Cherry Blossom Protectors! The blooming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin has come to symbolize the natural beauty of our nation’s capital city. Thousands of people come every year to see the cherry trees and enjoy the festival.
ParticipantsThe contest is open to all Washington, D.C. students, K-6. One submission per student please.
ThemeArtworks should focus on the theme “Cherry Blossom Protector.” Draw or paint a picture that shows what you appreciate about the cherry blossoms, how we can take care of them, and why we should. Submissions must include the words “Cherry Blossom Protector”.
DeadlineArtworks will be accepted starting December 13, 2023. All submissions must be postmarked by February 25, 2024.
Submission requirementsA valid submission will contain the following information:
1. An original copy of the artwork. Each piece must be original, authentic (真实的), unpublished, the sole property of the entrant (参赛者), and not previously submitted in any other contest.
2. Your personal information, printed on either the back of your artwork or on a separate sheet attached to your physical artwork or provided with the e-mail for your digital entry: First and last name, grade/age.
3. A completed and signed entry form. Print out the entry form and send it to us when you send your artwork. Entries cannot be accepted without a signed entry form by a parent or guardian.
Delivery addressMailed submissions must be sent to:
National Mall and Memorial Parks
c/o 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival Student Art Competition
1100 Ohio Drive, SWWashington, DC 20242
1. Why do National Mall and Memorial Parks host the art competition?| A．To honor the national heroes. | B．To improve students’ art skills. |
| C．To protect the cherry blossom. | D．To attract more visitors to the parks. |
| A．Volunteer as a cherry blossom protector. | B．Choose your own theme for the contest. |
| C．Email all your artworks to your school. | D．Summit artworks before February 25, 2024. |
| A．Personal information. | B．A previous submitted copy. |
| C．A guardian’s recommendation. | D．An electronic application form. |
6 . The Best Places to Camp in Olympic National Park
With more than 2.5 million visitors annually, Olympic National Park is one of the most popular parks in the US. If you’re looking for breathtaking views, these are the best places to camp inside Olympic National Park.
| Campground | Brief Introduction | Cost |
| Deer Park | Tent-only. 14 campsites are available on a first come, first served basis from June through mid-October. | $15/night |
| Staircase | 49 campsites. The location is open through the whole year. Some of its facilities are only available during the summer. | $24/night |
| Kalaloch | With its 170 campsites, Kalaloch is the largest and most popular campground in the entire park. It is recreational, vehicle-friendly. | $24/night |
| Dosewallips | Dosewallips features roughly 30 campsites, none of which can be reserved ahead of time. It is accessible throughout the year. | Free |
●Bring a B ear Canister (防熊罐): The park is filled with all kinds of wildlife that are more than willing to help themselves to your food. Bring a bear canister to keep your supplies safe.
●Firewood: Some campgrounds have firewood for sale, but visitors are allowed to collect kindling (引火物) in locations where that isn’t the case.
●Group Camping Sites: The park offers large-group camping sites in Kalaloch. The reservation may require a phone call to complete and has different pricing models. Visit the website for more information.
●Reservation Fees: All fees for the various campsites are payable by credit card only. No cash is accepted. Be sure to have a card with you if you are not making a reservation online ahead of time.
1. What do Staircase and Dosewallips have in common?
| A．They charge the most. | B．They welcome tents only. |
| C．They are open year-round. | D．They need a reservation. |
| A．Staircase. | B．Kalaloch. |
| C．Dosewallips. | D．Deer Park. |
| A．Making a fire. | B．Feeding wild animals. |
| C．Paying in cash. | D．Bringing some firewood. |
7 . More people than ever are interested in learning to speak Chinese. The challenge that many face is finding the best resources to learn this new language. Fortunately, there are 4 amazing tools that can make learning Chinese much easier.
HelloTalk
This is an app that connects anyone interested in learning a foreign language to a native speaker who is willing to engage in conversation with learners, and help them practice and master their new language. It includes a voice-to-text feature that is perfect if you cannot understand your conversation partner. The text- to-voice feature that is included helps you to learn the proper pronunciations.
iTalki
No tool is going to take the place of one-on-one interaction(互动) with a real person. This is why iTalki is one of the most popular online language learning systems. If you join the iTalki community, you will be connected with an instructor who is a native speaker. They will work with you one on one to improve your vocabulary and conversational language skills.
FluentU
FluentU has made a wide variety of videos for your viewing pleasure. Each one is in Chinese and is a real-world movie or video. With FluentU, you can interact with the videos, pause and get pronunciation and definition information. In addition to this, there are quizzes(小测验) added to the videos to help you evaluate your own progress.
Pleco
This mobile app was designed specifically to help users learn Chinese. It includes an OCR reader that can be used to scan(扫描) Chinese language characters for translation, the ability to translate Chinese words from other apps and web pages, a document reader and an audio translator. It also comes with several dictionaries and the ability to create flashcards.
1. What’s the advantage of iTalki over other tools?| A．Providing one-on-one instruction. | B．Providing various learning videos. |
| C．Providing the text-to-voice feature. | D．Providing interesting playing games. |
| A．They offer the most famous learning tools. | B．They record your learning process directly. |
| C．They help you improve your pronunciation. | D．They provide you with various funny videos. |
| A．HelloTalk. | B．iTalki. | C．FluentU. | D．Pleco. |
8 . Spending time outdoors has long been linked (联系) to better health. Gardening goes beyond just beautifying outdoor spaces—it can have a deep effect on our physical and mental (身心上的) health.
Gardening involves physical activity that works all the main muscle (肌肉) groups, which is helpful for overall health. “Activities such as digging, planting, weeding and harvesting require movement and can help to improve strength,” said Clayton, CEO of an online lawn care company. “Performing these activities regularly can help burn calories, and keep a healthy weight.”
Beyond burning calories and building muscle, lots of studies have shown that gardening can improve the immune system (免疫系统). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people get at least 150 minutes of exercise each week, and gardening is listed as a suitable activity. Doing garden work for that time each week can reduce the risk of obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease. Additionally, spending time outdoors makes us get close to natural sunlight, which is important for vitamin D synth.
Gardening provides a chance for social connection, too. It can be a shared activity among family members, friends or neighbors, building relationships and a sense of belonging.
Gardening also offers cognitive (认知的) benefits. It excites the senses, improves focus and encourages problem-solving and creativity. It provides a chance to learn about plants, ecosystems and the environment, developing a deeper understanding and appreciation for nature.
1. What is Clayton’s attitude towards gardening?| A．Supportive. | B．Doubtful. | C．Unclear | D．Uncaring. |
| A．It improves focus. | B．It is a waste of time. |
| C．It can keep a body in shape. | D．It helps to reduce the risk of diseases. |
| A．It contributes to creativity. | B．It encourages problem-solving. |
| C．It builds relationships between people. | D．It improves people’s awareness of safety. |
| A．How to Start a Garden | B．Choose a Garden or Not |
| C．What Plants Grow Best in a Garden | D．Start Gardening and Get the Health Benefits |
9 . With the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park to its east, Zhongnanhai to its south, Beihai Park, also known as Northern Sea Park, is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved ancient imperial gardenst (皇家花园) in China located in the center of Beijing.
Beihai Park is said to be built according to a traditional Chinese legend. The story is that once upon a time there were three magic mountains called “Penglai”, “Yingzhou” and “Fangzhang”. Gods in those mountains had a kind of medicine which would help humans gain immortality (永生). Consequently, many emperors constantly sought those mountains. I For example, Emperor Qin Shihuang had sent people to look for the magic mountains but they failed. Emperor Wudi, the fifth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty did similar things.
It was believed that different mountain-water combinations in ancient Chinese architecture led to totally different effects. So from then on, almost every emperor during the succeeding dynasties would build a royal garden with one-pool-with-three-hill layout near his palace. Beihai Park was surely built after this traditional style: the water of Beihai with Zhongnanhai is the Taiye Pool; the Jade Flowery Islet, the island of the Circular City and the Xishantai Island represent the three magic mountains.
Actually, Beihai Park was initially built in the Liao Dynasty (916-1125) and was repaired and rebuilt in the following dynasties including Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing. The large-scale rebuilding in the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) generally established the present scale and pattern. In 1925, it was first opened to the public, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.
It is enjoyable to walk around the various scenic areas in Beihai Park. There are many places to visit, including the Bai Ta, Five-Dragon Pavilions, Nine-Dragon Wall, Yong’an Temple and so on. There is also a classy restaurant called Fangshan Restaurant where the Empress Cixi once dined.
1. Where is Beihai Park?| A．Near the ocean. | B．In the south of Zhongnanhai. |
| C．To the west side of Jingshan Park. | D．In the uptown area of Beijing City. |
| A．They loved to listen to stories. | B．They both pursued immortality. |
| C．They were mountain-climbing lovers. | D．They were the first emperor of their dynasties. |
| A．Less than 100 years old. | B．About 500 years old. |
| C．About 1, 000 years old. | D．Nearly 2, 000 years old. |
| A．A famous park. | B．Historical palaces. |
| C．An unforgettable legend. | D．Ancient architectural styles. |
10 . A conference programme
9:00-9:30
Conference opening Dr Jon Martinez
9: 30-10: 45
Management styles Helena Clark
Consider the different management styles and how you can adapt yours to suit your team.
Conflict management Tracy Edwards
Conflict can create problems in your team, but managing conflicts well can bring about development. Learn how to manage conflicts in this workshop.
Giving feedback Amelia Novak
Explore the different ways to give feedback to maximize development.
10: 45-11: 15 Coffee break
11: 15-12: 30
Using storytelling in leadership communication Antoine Martin
Sometimes, the best way to communicate with your team is by telling stories. Find out how to do this in this workshop.
Develop creative thinking in your team Mariana Silva
How can you get your team to think creatively? Explore the different ideas that can help your team see things in a new way.
Leading in uncertain times Omar Abboud
Uncertainty can affect the success of your team. Learn to bring confidence to-your team in a time of uncertainty.
12: 30-2: 00 Lunch
2: 00-3: 15
Managing international projects Alisa Petrov
Consider how to ensure successful intercultural communication in your international teams.
Leading small business Cheng Wei
How is leading small businesses different and how can leaders of small businesses bring success to their team?
Managing change Akira Yoshida
Help your employees deal with change and see the positives change can bring.
3: 15-4: 15 Group discussions
4: 15-5: 00 Conference closing Dr Grace Moloney
1. Who may help you solve disagreements among your teammates?
| A．Helena Clark. | B．Tracy Edwards. |
| C．Amelia Novak. | D．Antoine Martin. |
| A．dealing with the problems with change. | B．How to communicate with your team. |
| C．Building a team with innovative minds. | D．How to lead a small business. |
| A．3 hours | B．3.5 hours | C．4 hours | D．4.5 hours |
