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. |
A.On the right of the bridge. |
B.At the end of Centre Walk. |
C.Opposite the Physical Education Building. |
7 . 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. |
8 . Henry Ford didn’t always pay attention in school. One day, he and a friend took a watch apart. Angry and upset, the teacher told them both to stay after school. Their punishment is was to stay until they had fixed the watch. But the teacher did not know Ford’s genius. In ten minutes, this mechanical wizard had repaired the watch and was on his way home.
Ford was always interested in how things worked. He once plugged up the spout of a teapot and placed it on the fire. Then he waited to see what would happen. The water boiled and, of course, returned to steam. Since the steam had no way to escape, the teapot exploded. The explosion cracked a mirror and broke a window. The young inventor was badly scalded (烫伤).
Ford’s years of curiosity and thinking paid off. He dreamed of a horseless carriage. When he built one, the world of transportation was changed forever.
1. Henry Ford __________ in school.A.studied very hard | B.was absent-minded |
C.never paid attention | D.did very well |
A.punish his friend |
B.stay at school until he had repaired the watch |
C.go home at once |
D.stay at school and take the watch apart |
A.Henry Ford. | B.Ford’s friend. |
C.Ford’s teacher. | D.A mechanic. |
A.broke a mirror | B.broke a window |
C.hurt Henry Ford | D.All of the above |
A.was interested in everything |
B.was the youngest inventor in the world |
C.paid for a horseless carriage |
D.built one of the earliest car |
9 . Hello! My name is Bob. I’m an English boy. But now I’m in China with my parents Jack and Helen, and my sister Sally.
In China, November 11th is a special day. Many people buy a lot of things on Taobao. This year, my mother buys some things for us. They are a quilt, four jackets, two cups and a pen. The quilt is blue. It’s for me. The yellow jacket is for Sally. The black jacket is for my father and the green jacket is for me. My mother buys herself a red jacket. She likes red very much. The white cup is for Sally and the other cup is for my father. It’s blue. The pen is black. It’s for Sally.
My mother likes shopping on Taobao. She says it’s convenient because she doesn’t need to go out. What do you think of it? Tell me about your ideas.
1. Bob is in __________ now.A.England | B.America | C.Japan | D.China |
A.Bob | B.Sally | C.Bob’s father | D.Bob’s mother |
A.a red jacket and a white cup |
B.a green cup and a red quilt |
C.a yellow jacket, a white cup and a black pen |
D.a yellow jacket, a green cup and a blue pen |
A.靠近的 | B.方便的 | C.迅速的 | D.浪费的 |
A.It’s about what Bob’s mother buys for him. |
B.It’s some information about Bob’s family. |
C.It’s about different ways of shopping. |
D.It’s about a special way of shopping — shopping on Taobao. |