1 . Mrs. Oren, with her family, lived down the block from us. We were four kids living with our parents happily.
Our happiness
My morning
It was heartbreaking that I soon
What would have happened to us but for a caring
A.returned | B.approached | C.ended | D.spread |
A.Eventually | B.Fortunately | C.Temporarily | D.Particularly |
A.attended to | B.picked up | C.got back | D.came across |
A.in need | B.in the way | C.out of sight | D.at work |
A.business | B.movement | C.routine | D.career |
A.referring to | B.asking about | C.calming down | D.waking up |
A.relaxed | B.worried | C.dizzy | D.dynamic |
A.suppose | B.remember | C.forecast | D.reconsider |
A.kitchen | B.living room | C.bedroom | D.hall |
A.spotted | B.heard | C.imagined | D.left |
A.responsible | B.unprepared | C.unnoticed | D.desperate |
A.connected | B.rushed | C.forced | D.limited |
A.as usual | B.at first | C.by chance | D.in person |
A.result | B.truth | C.action | D.scene |
A.teacher | B.classmate | C.neighbor | D.relative |
2 . If you’re interested in increasing your academic knowledge, consider taking an online college course.
Open Culture
It provides access to over 1,700 college courses for free. They’re chosen from subjects like literature and computer science or specific schools like Harvard and Oxford. If you want to obtain an online degree, you pay the relevant fees. The site also provides access to certificates, movies, and e-books. Some course categories include:
Architecture
Communication
FutureLearn
It offers free membership classes in several subjects, like law and literature, taught by college professors and industry experts. Premium (高级) membership courses are available for a fee. There are various course types, which are short courses, online degrees, ExpertTracks and Microcredentials. You can complete the courses at your own pace. Featured courses include:
Copywriting Fundamentals
A Beginner’s Guide to Fashion Design
Academic Earth
It matches prospective students with online coursework, either to audit (旁听) or work towards a degree. It’s free to audit classes, but if you seek course credits, you pay a fee before attending the class. You may also select the university you wish to receive your online degree based on the ones the site offers. Its degree program includes subjects like:
Business
Education
Coursera
It affords students access to free courses and paid degree courses from several distinguished international colleges and universities. From the site, you can explore earning a certification or a degree based on your learning goals. If you’re seeking a new career path, the site can help you with the process by offering courses to develop your skills and earn professional documents. A few of the free classes offered include:
Financial Markets
Introduction to Psychology
1. What is special about FutureLearn’s courses?A.They can all be learned flexibly. | B.They all belong to premium members. |
C.They’re all related to law and literature. | D.They’re all taught by college professors. |
A.Academic Earth. | B.Open Culture. |
C.FutureLearn. | D.Coursera. |
A.They’re fit for beginners with free time. |
B.They specifically serve working people. |
C.They only charge for their certain courses. |
D.They offer courses for awarding degrees only. |
3 . One of the best essay contests of 2024, this competition sponsored by the Writer’s Digest promotes nonfiction of all kinds: “personal or political, traditional or experimental”, but your essay should be at least 1,000 words and 1,500 words at most.
Eligibility (资格):Students are eligible to participate if they are in grades nine through twelve in any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories, or if they are U. S. citizens/lawful permanent residents attending high school overseas. Students may be attending a public or private school. Entries from home-schooled students are also accepted.
Submission:Fill out the online registration form. All fields on the online form are required, including uploading a Microsoft Word (doc. or docx.) file of your original work with a title in English which should include a comprehensive list of sources consulted. Entries must be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman.
Teacher or parent: Student registration forms must have a teacher or parent name. That person may review the submitted essay and act as the key contact.
Do not place your last name or your school’s name on any of the pages of the essay.
Your essay will be disqualified if it does not meet the requirements or is submitted after the submission date of 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 1, 2024.
Prizes:$1,000 to the writer of the winning essay, in addition to an all-expense paid trip to the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference! The runner-up wins a writing coaching package valued at $650 and the third, a diversity editing package valued at $350.
1. Who can participate in the contest?A.A Chinese teenager. | B.A high school teacher. |
C.An American tenth-grader. | D.A professional writer. |
A.Uploading a Word version of the original work. |
B.Writing personal name on the first page of the entry. |
C.Filling in the application form and posting it in time. |
D.Making sure of the words of the entry beyond 1,500. |
A.A free trip. | B.A cash prize. |
C.A diversity editing package. | D.A writing coaching package. |
Hong Kong’s tiny Tai Hang district is usually one of the city’s
Dragon dance leader Chan Tak-fai, who has been organizing the event for the past 20 years, first got involved
5 . Washington, DC is a theatre town. Here’s where you can get the best performances and cultural experiences offered for every taste in the nation’s capital.
Kennedy Center
Kennedy Center hosts hundreds of world-class performances each year and is home to the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera. The Suzanne Farrell Ballet also counts Kennedy Center as its performance headquarters. The company—under the direction of Farrell—was first invited to perform there in 1993 and has since become one of the venue’s most famous attractions.
Woolly Mammoth CompanyWoolly Mammoth Company is an experimental theatre that welcomes original plays that push the boundaries of live theatre. The New York Times has called it “Washington’s most daring theatre company”, and the half dozen plays Woolly produces each year continue to live up to that reputation.
Shakespeare Theatre Company
For more than 25 years, Shakespeare Theatre Company has committed itself to serving as the nation’s classical theatre. It operates out of two spaces, including Sidney Harman Hall at the Harman Center, which seats 775, and the Lansburgh Theatre, which seats 451. The shiny, glass-walled Harman Center showcases classic Shakespeare plays, modern updates and Shakespeare-inspired original shows.
Wolf Trap
For locals, summer isn’t complete without at least one trip to Wolf Trap, the only national park dedicated to the performing arts. The venue is best-known for performances of touring artists. The open-air theatre offers covered seating, but when the weather warms up, we suggest buying seats on the grassland and packing a picnic.
1. When did the Suzanne Farrell Ballet first perform at Kennedy Center?A.In 1993. | B.In 1998. | C.In 2000. | D.In 2003. |
A.The Harman Center. | B.Woolly Mammoth Company. |
C.The Lansburgh Theatre. | D.Shakespeare Theatre Company. |
A.Its covered seating. | B.Its Shakespeare plays. |
C.Its selected directors. | D.Its open-air atmosphere. |
A.Food. | B.Animals. | C.Northern Canada. |
A.$4. | B.$6. | C.$12. |
8 . Festivals in March Around the World in 2024
SXSW Festival, USA
8th-16th March, 2024
SXSW is a famous festival in Austin. This media festival features plenty of film, music, and comedy events. SXSW also hosts tech panels (讨论会). Therefore, you have an opportunity to interact with celebrities and well-known businessmen. Austin is also famous for its outstanding drink and food! Travelers of all ages and interests can find something to enjoy at SXSW.
Pasifika Festival, New Zealand
9th-10th March, 2024
The Pasifika Festival showcases Pacific Island cultures. It takes place in Auckland where you can see contemporary art, music, dance, and cuisine from various Pacific communities. You’ll be able to witness and gain a deeper understanding about cultures like Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, and Maori, among others.
St Patrick’s Day, Ireland
14th-17th March, 2024
St Patrick’s Day celebrates Irish culture, music, food, and entertainment. Wrap up the party on St Patrick’s Day with a massive street carnival on 17th March. You’ll find parades, vendors (商贩), live music stages and fun across the centre of Dublin. You will find festivities all over Ireland, not just in the capital city.
Cape Town Jazz Festival, South Africa
22nd-31st March, 2024
For over twenty years, the Festival has attracted nearly 40, 000 people annually to its five major venues. It features music by dozens of musicians worldwide. Performers play Jazz, R&B, rap and so on. Enjoy the area before and after the Festival. Cape Town has extremely beautiful art and culture, restaurants, bars and outdoor activities.
1. Where can people attend a street carnival according to the text?A.In Ireland. | B.In South Africa. | C.In the USA. | D.In New Zealand. |
A.Pasifika Festival. | B.SXSW Festival. |
C.St Patrick’s Day. | D.Cape Town Jazz Festival. |
A.Attend technical panels. | B.Enjoy beautiful music. |
C.Meet well-known people. | D.Appreciate contemporary art. |
9 . The World-Famous Nine
By Ben Guterson, illustrated by Kristina Kister
Zander’s grandmother owns the most incredible department store in the world. When a string of mysterious accidents start happening at the store, Zander’s grandmother tells him that a monster called Darkbloom may have returned. The monster, which can control people, wants a magical object that disappeared from the store decades ago. Zander notices that walls on many floors contain mysterious symbols and takes them down in his notebook. Will the 11-year-old boy be able to solve the puzzle and secure the object before Darkbloom does? Packed with suspense, fascination, and a family drama, this mystery may remind you of a cross between Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Ask the Author
The Week: What inspired this book?
Ben Guterson: When I was growing up, Seattle had two big department stores. Something about these big buildings held many possibilities for mystery and discovery to me.
The Week: Why is Zander close to his grandmother?
Ben Guterson: I didn’t want Zander to be alone, so he’s got his loving grandmother there to give him some guidance and keep him safe.
The Week: Do you enjoy mysteries?
Ben Guterson: Yes, I like stories with a mysterious feel to them. I don’t think I have ever been drawn to straightforward realism.
1. What can we learn about Zander?A.He grows up in Seattle. | B.He lives alone at a store. |
C.He wishes to be a magician. | D.He wants to defeat Darkbloom. |
A.A kid loving true-life stories. | B.A kid enjoying fictional works. |
C.A kid interested in grandma’s dishes. | D.A kid drawn to online store shopping. |
A.A writer’s profile. | B.An interview outline. |
C.A children’s story. | D.A book recommendation. |
10 . Some buildings can leave you wondering how on earth they were built. Jaw-dropping architecture is not new. We’re still amazed that the Great Pyramid in Egypt was built 4,500 years ago! Read on for more recent examples of innovative 4 buildings constructed using technology developed in the last century.
Krzywy Domek (Crooked House) Sopot, Poland
COMPLETED: 2004
SIZE: About three-fourths the size of a football field
With its warped 13 walls, curved stained glass, and roof that looks like green dragon scales, Crooked House is popular with photographers. Staring at it for too long might make you dizzy! Inside though is a typical mall and office building. People can shop in the stores, eat in the restaurants and get their haircut in a salon. A favorite feature is the Wall of Fame with signatures from Polish celebrities. It’s modeled after the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Cube Houses Rotterdam, Netherlands
COMPLETED: 1984
SIZE: About one-fourth the size of a basketball court
The 38 Cube Houses are a popular attraction, but they are also real houses that people live in! The cubes have concrete foundations and floors with a wood-frame living space on top. Cement panels and zinc panels add visual appeal. The furniture is tailor-made to fit the odd angles where the walls meet.
Bubble Palace Cannes, France
COMPLETED: 1989
SIZE: Almost three times the size of a basketball court
This house may look like a space colony but it’s really a 10-bedroom palace. Made of cave-like bubbles forming a labyrinth (迷宫), it also has ponds, waterfalls, swimming pools, an outdoor theater that seats 500 people, and views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Wonderworks Pigeon Forge, Tenessee
COMPLETED: 2006 (Other locations followed)
SIZE: About nine-tenths the size of a football field
Looking at the cracks in this building, you might think, is it about to crumble? And how do they get palm trees and grass to grow upside down? But it’s all an illusion. This indoor amusement park is actually pretty normal. The upside-down features are just for show. Inside are more than 100 hands-on science exhibits and activities, including a laser-tag zone, a hurricane-force wind tunnel, a zero-gravity astronaut-training ride, and a three-story ropes course.
1. Which building has the smallest size?A.Wonderworks. | B.Cube Houses. |
C.Bubble Palace. | D.Krzywy Domek. |
A.The Wall of Fame with signatures from Polish celebrities. |
B.The tailor-made furniture to fit the strange angles. |
C.An illusion of palm trees and grass growing upside down. |
D.A labyrinth formed by cave-like bubbles. |
A.A textbook. | B.A tour brochure. | C.A magazine. | D.A report. |