1 . Four Famous Festivals in the World

Holi Festival in India

The ancient Hindu festival of Holi is held in late February and early March. This colorful act symbolizes the victory of good over evil (邪恶) each year. It begins with a bonfire (篝火) , the flame of which burns away evil, and after that, the participants are in for some real fun. Crowds of people sprinkle (酒) each other with colored powder and organic paints as a sign of goodness and good luck.

Venice Carnival in Italy

The most romantic city in Italy fills with bright colors and sounds of music every year at the end of February. Residents and guests of Venice dress up in splendid costumes in the style of the Middle Ages and cover their faces with masks. The carnival ends with the awarding of the competitors who have showed the most original and colorful costumes.

Tomorrowland in Belgium

The biggest electronic music festival in the world is held at the end of July in the Belgian city of Boom. The famous three-day event annually gathers more than 300 thousand guests. The main stages are set up in a large park with artificial ponds and beautiful green areas. The area will be equipped in advance with food courts, grills, and all the necessary equipment.

Burning Man in the USA

Many cultural events pale in comparison to the legendary Burning Man, held in Nevada from the last Monday in August to the first Monday in September. The unique atmosphere is created not only by the organizers and the desert where the festival takes place but also by the participants themselves.

       They build a tent city with homemade art objects and the necessary equipment. The highlight of the festival is the burning of a huge wooden statue of a man and the main temple.
1. Which festival is held in late February and early March?

A．Holi Festival.	B．Venice Carnival.
C．Tomorrowland.	D．Burning Man.

2. What does Venice Carnival in Italy end with?

A．A bonfire.	B．A food feast.
C．The awarding of the competitors.	D．The burning of a huge wooden man.

3. Where is Burning Man held?

A．Near a pond.	B．In a desert.
C．In a large park.	D．Along the city street.

2 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. How old is Flora’s son?

A．8.

B．10.

C．12.

2. What does Flora want to know?

A．How to make her kids get along well.

B．How to encourage her kids to be brave.

C．How to help kids get along well with their friends.

3. How did the speaker’s son feel when he was compared with his sister?

A．Surprised.

B．Sad.

C．Calm.

4. Where does the speaker work most, probably?

A．In a hospital.

B．At a radio station.

C．In a company.

3 . The northern lights are an awesome natural phenomenon and most visible from October to April. You needn’t go to the Nordic countries close to the Aretic Circle. Here are places that offer you this spectacular night show as well.

Iceland

Iceland provides some of the best opportunities to witness the northern lights. They are typically visible from September to April, coinciding (同时发生) with dark, clear nights, though there is a chance that you may spot them in early spring. The peak viewing season, however, is from November to early March, when the nights are the longest.

Yukon Territory. Canada

This remote area of Canada has many spots to view the northern lights shining in the night sky. One of the best places to view the lights and learn about how the northern light s came into being as well as the folk stories about this gift from Mother Nature, is the Northern Lights Space and Science Center in Watson Lake.

Fairbanks. Alaska

The city lies directly beneath a band of northern light s activity so it is a perfect spot to view the phenomenon. The shining lights are most frequently seen between 11 pm and 2 am, so don’t forget to set your alarm clock. You can enjoy a stay in a hot springs resort (度假胜地) and enjoy the show while taking a relaxing bath.

Swedish & Finnish Lapland

Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland is the home of Santa, making it a great place to take a family vacation. There are plenty of daytime activities including sledding (滑雪橇), ice fishing, and learning about the unique culture of Rovaniemi. Santa Claus Village in Lapland is a popular place to cross the Aretic Circle: here the line is marked, and you can even get a certificate confirming the achievement.

1. When is the best time for visitors to view the northern nights in Iceland?

A．In early spring.	B．From September to April.
C．From November to early March.	D．From October to April.

2. Which is recommended if one wants to learn scientific knowledge of the northern lights?

A．Iceland.	B．Yukon Territory, Canada.
C．Fairbanks, Alaska.	D．Swedish & Finnish Lapland.

3. What can visitors do in Swedish & Finnish Lapland?

A．Enjoy daytime activities for free.	B．Take a bath in hot springs.
C．Explore Rovaniemi’s ancient villages.	D．Get a certificate of crossing the Arctic Circle.

4 . Thomas was a well-known wise man. One day, he wandered in a beautiful small town. Because of his fame, people from nearby towns who heard of his arrival all came to visit and seek his advice.

Many who came sought help with difficulties in daily life, and Thomas, unable to bear turning them away, patiently offered suggestions. Word spread quickly, and more and more people came to see Thomas for guidance.

One day, dozens of people crowded outside Thomas’s door, all clamoring (大声地要求) that their problems were the most serious and urgent, each insisting that Thomas address their concerns first, with no one willing to yield (让步).

After a moment of thought, Thomas took out some paper and a pen and said, “I can’t hear clearly with everyone talking at once. How about everyone write down your problem on a piece of paper and place it in this basket beside me?”

Once everyone had placed their notes in the basket, Thomas shook the basket and said, “Please each take a piece of paper from the basket and read what it says.”

As everyone read a note from someone else, they all realized that indeed, each person has their own troubles, and every household has its own challenges. Then Thomas spoke up, “Now, whose problem is the most urgent to solve?” Hearing that question, no one spoke again, because now no one dared to claim that their problem was the most severe.

Often, we are bound by our immediate feelings. When difficulties and problems strike, it feels as though we are caught in a vortex of pain. But if we shift our focus from ourselves and look towards others, we might discover that the problems we face are not so significant. Perhaps others are the ones who need help more urgently, or maybe there is something within our power that we can do for them.

1. Why did people visit Thomas?

A．For advice.	B．For a meeting.
C．For a competition.	D．For introductions.

2. How did Thomas handle the crowd?

A．He ignored them.	B．He listened to each one individually.
C．He prioritized the problems himself.	D．He asked them to write down their problems.

3. What did reading others’ problems show to the people?

A．The complexity of their difficulties.	B．The similarity of their situations.
C．Their need for more advice.	D．Their living conditions.

4. What lesson did Thomas teach?

A．Competition.

B．Sympathy.

C．Prioritization.

D．Self-confidence.

5 . What does the woman’s cat do when it sees mice?

A．It stays still.

B．It acts friendly towards them.

C．It tries to catch them.

6 . Wildlife Volunteer Programs for Teens

Age: 14-17
Duration: 2 weeks
Wildlife Orphanage Program, Zimbabwe

At one of the most successful wildlife care centers in Zimbabwe, volunteers work with wildlife ranging from monkeys to lions. These animals have been abandoned, injured, or rescued from illegal wildlife traders. Tasks include preparing food, cleaning out yards, and contributing enrichment ideas. Leisure time can be spent visiting Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park.

Age: 13-15
Duration: 4 weeks
Sea Turtle (海龟) Conservation Program, Greece

With this program, teens can help the endangered sea turtle while working alongside experts. Volunteers can expect long walks along the beach watching over sea turtles nesting areas or building fences to protect them from natural enemies. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to explore ancient ruins and sample delicious Greek cuisine.

Age: 17-19
Duration: 3 weeks
Yucatan Peninsula Program, Mexico

With this program, volunteers will learn about the issues facing the marine (海洋的) ecosystem, including pollution, overfishing, and climate change. Teens will gain valuable skills on how to conduct deep sea research and identify fish species. During free time, participants can explore Mayan ruins set in tropical (热带的) jungles.

Age: 16-18
Duration: 2 weeks
Preserving Nature’s Wonders Program, Galapagos

Volunteers joining this program help restore the natural habitat of native wildlife, which is in danger of losing its habitat. This program gives teens an experience of a lifetime where they can swim with sea lions and spot rare wildlife in one of the last untouched places on earth.

1. Where should teens go if they want to look after wounded animals?

A．Zimbabwe.

B．Greece.

C．Mexico.

D．Galapagos.

2. What can volunteers in the Sea Turtle Conservation Program do during their free time?

A．Visit a national park.	B．Enjoy tasty local food.
C．Set foot in an untouched place.	D．Explore ancient ruins in tropical jungles.

3. Which program is suitable for 19-year-olds with a 4-week holiday?

A．The Wildlife Orphanage Program.	B．The Sea Turtle Conservation Program.
C．The Yucatan Peninsula Program.	D．The Preserving Nature’s Wonders Program.

7 . What present does Eric get for his birthday?

A．A book.

B．An album.

C．A diary.

8 . My first job was at a fast-food restaurant called Carroll’s in my hometown. One spring day my next-door neighbor _________ me to apply for work with her there, and I agreed to have a try.

One little _________ was that I wasn’t 16 yet, so I just changed my birth date on the application from July to _________. Luckily, they didn’t ask for any ID to prove my _________, because there were few applicants for the job. Both of us were _________.

The pay was _________, only $1.60/hour with no tips. I worked at the _________ and only boys were allowed to work in the kitchen. I got a chance to make milkshakes, though, which I considered kind of fun. I also _________ the relationships with all the other workers, who were mostly easy-going teenagers.

It was great to _________ different diners. The restaurant was located on a __________ entryway into town, so all kinds of people came in. One day a man in plain clothes __________ but ordered many signature dishes. When he came to my counter to check out, I was __________ to find he was my idol.

Besides __________ about my age, I also failed to inform the manager that I was leaving in June to attend summer camp, so my first job only lasted a few __________. It has been long gone, but the __________ in the restaurant remains a sweet memory of my life.

1.

A．allowed

B．invited

C．forbade

D．taught

2.

A．topic

B．mistake

C．difficulty

D．opportunity

3.

A．March

B．June

C．August

D．October

4.

A．address

B．age

C．name

D．face

5.

A．fired

B．interviewed

C．refused

D．accepted

6.

A．low

B．high

C．enough

D．good

7.

A．counter

B．door

C．park

D．toilet

8.

A．damaged

B．ignored

C．enjoyed

D．missed

9.

A．help

B．thank

C．recognize

D．encounter

10.

A．hidden

B．secret

C．distant

D．major

11.

A．woke up

B．gave up

C．turned up

D．looked up

12.

A．surprised

B．ashamed

C．disappointed

D．frightened

13.

A．worrying

B．lying

C．complaining

D．arguing

14.

A．days

B．hours

C．months

D．years

15.

A．food

B．service

C．payment

D．experience

9 . A China Trip: Group Tours

Harbin Ice Festival Express       5-Day Tour
Departs: From 15 Jan 2023        Starts /Ends: Beijing        Prices: USD$1269 pp

Let it snow! See the world’s largest and most complicated ice sculptures at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. With Chinese New Year spent exploring the brilliant Ice Lantern Show in Zhaolin Park, this is a holiday like no other.

Trip Highlights

Harbin International Ice & Snow Festival	Great Wall of China
including Sun Island, International Snow Sculpture Art Expo, Harbin Ice and Snow World and Harbin Ice Lantern Show at Zhaolin Park	the mountainous Juyongguan Pass section of the UNESCO listed Great Wall of China
What’s included	What’s Not included
•4 breakfasts and 1 dinner •3 nights five-star hotel in Harbin •Flight: Beijing-Harbin •1 overnight sleeper train Harbin-Beijing •Touring of the Juyongguan area of Great Wall of China and Harbin Ice Festival •Accompanied by an experienced English speaking Chinese Tour guide •Beijing Capital Airport arrival transfer on day l and departure transfer day 5	•Tipping: USD$35-45 pp, paid in local currency •Entrance Fees: USD$120-130 pp, paid in local currency • International flights and visa •Tip for your tour guide is not included in the Tip Kitty. We suggest USD$3-5 per day, per traveler for a job well done, however the amount is up to you. •Beijing free time to explore

For more information: www.onthegotours.com-info@onthegotours.com, or dial:
UK 020 4571 1381        USA 866 616 5394        IRE 1800 936 885
NZ 0800 44 77 69        CAN 866 890 7038       AUS 1300 855 684
1. How much would a member of a group at least pay for the China tour?

A．USD$1269.

B．USD$120.

C．USD$35.

D．USD$45.

2. What is included in the trip?

A．The International flights and visa.	B．An experienced Chinese tour guide.
C．Three nights five-star hotel in Harbin.	D．One sleeper train from Beijing to Harbin.

3. Which number should you call if you start from New Zealand?

A．020 4571 1381.

B．866 890 7038.

C．1800 936 885.

D．0800 44 77 69.

10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. When will the speakers go shopping?

A．On Sunday.

B．On Saturday.

C．On Friday.

2. Who does the woman need to buy a present for?

A．Jimmy.

B．The man.

C．Her mother.

3. What is the relationship between the speakers?

A．Father and daughter.

B．Brother and sister.

C．Classmates.