1 . Best Movies to Watch with Your Dad
The Lion King
The lovely film The Lion King, a Disney cartoon classic, has won the hearts of audiences of all ages. The story of a young lion prince, who will one day become king, is told in this moving film. The Lion King teaches about the certain circle of life and the journey from child to man that is full of bravery, kindness and love. The music and unforgettable sights and characters make this movie so special.
Daddy Day Care
The humorous movie Daddy Day Care follows the experiences of two fathers who find themselves opening a daycare center after losing their jobs. Murphy’s attractive and lively performance makes the audience laugh. The pair learn the pleasure and benefits of building relationships with the kids in their center as they discuss the difficulties of running a daycare service.
Father of the Bride
The interesting film Father of the Bride gives audiences different feelings as they experience the disorder and joy that occur when a father’s world is turned upside down by his daughter’s coming wedding. Martin’s excellent performance in the film makes the story both funny and moving. The story cleverly shows a parent’s understandable worry and emotional journey as he faces the reality of their daughter growing up and beginning a new life.
Cheaper by the Dozen
The funny movie Cheaper by the Dozen, starring the gifted Steve Martin as college football coach Tom Baker, tells his life as a parent doing his job and raising his twelve kids. The film skillfully examines the difficulties, rewards, and unexpected experiences that happen in a home where there is a lot of love and variety. Cheaper by the Dozen will make you think about the value of family.
1. What can be learned from The Lion King?| A．The growth of kids. | B．The life of wild animals. |
| C．The pleasure of visiting Disneyland. | D．The friendship between animals and humans. |
| A．They both express deep love of father. | B．They praise the spirit of working hard. |
| C．The main roles’ jobs are related to kids. | D．The main roles stress the value of family. |
| A．The Lion King. | B．Daddy Day Care. |
| C．Father of the Bride. | D．Cheaper by the Dozen. |
2 . As children, our mother always taught my brother and me the value of acquiring life skills. “It sets you apart,” she would say. While my brother chose the path of mastering musical instruments, I gravitated towards the field of languages. Growing up in a multilingual household where Mandarin, Cantonese, and English mixed, I felt it natural to continue exploring new linguistic possibilities.
Languages fascinated me. I was attracted by the way words gracefully rolled off tongues and how each language seemed to unlock a door to an entirely new world, no matter how challenging they were to learn.
Eager to try beyond Asian languages, it was my mother who suggested French as a suitable starting point. The elegance and poetic charm of the language quickly attracted me. The melodic flow and the way the words effortlessly danced off my tongue caused a thrilling feeling, fuelling my desire to explore deeper into its complexity. Interestingly, despite my passion and talent for it, French proved to be the language that took the longest to fully grasp. Nevertheless, I insisted and never gave up expanding my linguistic arsenal (宝库).
After realizing that Spanish wasn’t the right fit for me, I found myself addicted to the fascinating world of German. Being enrolled in a German-speaking school speeded my progress, and when two years, my command of German surpassed (超过) my years of studying French. As time passed, I added Latin, Ancient Greek, and Japanese to my linguistic arsenal.
It fact, speaking multiple languages is not a mere accomplishment; it is a joyous celebration of the richness of human expression. For me, it serves as a powerful tool to develop connections with others on a great level, where humanity unites in a shared pursuit of compassion, harmony and mutual respect.
1. Why did the author’s mother value acquiring life skills?| A．It contributes to future success. | B．It is a tradition in their family. |
| C．It is part of making a living. | D．It makes an individual outstanding. |
| A．It widened his world. | B．It was necessary for his future. |
| C．It was a valuable part of his life. | D．It boosted his confidence. |
| A．He showed little interest in it. | B．He found it challenging. |
| C．He considered it unsuitable. | D．He quit it halfway. |
| A．Organized. | B．Reliable. | C．Creative. | D．Determined. |
3 . Positive Reinforcement Course with Terry Golson
Relationship building with your horse
·from the ground and in the saddle (马鞍)
Learn how to
·solve behavior issues
·communicate with your horse
·use rewards effectively
·deepen the friendship between you and your horse
Whatever you want to achieve—going out confidently in the fields, riding a fluent dressage (驯马技术) test, or self-loading into a carriage—this course can help.
The day begins with coffee and conversation. We’ll dig into behavior science and horse ethology (the study of animals in their natural environment). Next, we’ll discuss your individual horses and your training goals. Then, Terry will work with coach partnership to uncover what your horse is really saying to you, and how you react positively and productively so that the needs of both the horse and the rider are met.
Terry Golson is a lifelong horsewoman. She’s trained with some excellent dressage instructors, including Jessica Rechosen and Kim Litwinczak. In 2015, the first year of showing her horse, Terry and Tonka came in first or second in each of their ten classes.
When: Saturday, January 30, 8:30 am to 11:30 am
Location: Hermitage Farm, 179 Cherry Lane, Durham CT 06422
Horse and owner partnerships: $75
Auditors (旁听生) welcome: $10
If you want to know more information after the course, you can attend our private lessons in the afternoon. Please click here.
Sign up at: www, cooperativehorse.com
1. What information can we get about the course?| A．It will be held in Terry’s studio. | B．It will take place in the morning. |
| C．It offers private lessons any time. | D．It offers free tests for participants. |
| A．To teach you how to treat your horses’ illnesses. |
| B．To show you how to be a good dressage instructor. |
| C．To introduce how to get along well with your horses. |
| D．To display how to perform well in a riding contest. |
| A．A newspaper. | B．An art magazine. | C．A travel guide. | D．A personal website. |
4 . 4 Modern Robots That Will Shape Our Future
There was once a time when robots were limited to science-fiction movies and novels. Now we have a wide variety of robots, available for or service. Here are 4 examples.
Valkyrie
NASA’s “superhero” robot is 6 feet 2 inches in height and was originally designed for use on the International Space Station. Valkyrie is able to walk by itself, pick up objects and use tools. NASA hopes that one day, it can help humans in danger zones and disaster-stricken areas. The robot is basically a she-bot since it was built with female characteristics.
Schaft
This robot, made by a Japanese company (which was later bought by Google), won the recent DARPA robotics competition. The 4 feet 11 inches in height robot can power itself instead of a battery. This gives it greater movement since batteries limit how fast the robot can actually perform tasks. Schaft blew the competition away.
Ian the Invincible
Ian, based on the Atlas robot, is created by Google-owned, Boston Dynamics. The 6 feet 2 inches in height robot has 28 hydraulically actuated joints and stereo vision. What makes Ian unique is the software which allows him to drive a car. Ian came second at the Robo-Olympics, but the 330pound giant still has quite a way to go.
Telebot
Still under development at Florida International University, Telebot will give injured and disabled police officers an opportunity to go back to work. The robot is 180 cm in height, travels on wheels and is remote controlled. Three HD cameras give Telebot a 360 degree view and with multiple sensors, it helps cops to monitor any dangerous situation from a safe distance.
1. What does Valkyrie feature?| A．Built-in cameras. | B．The capacity to use tools. |
| C．Its unique gender design. | D．The ability to pick up objects. |
| A．They have the same height. | B．They offer similar applications. |
| C．They both won in the Robo-Olympics. | D．They now belong to the same firm. |
| A．The disabled. | B．The police. | C．The elderly. | D．The astronauts. |
5 . Scientists have developed a flying dragon, called the Dragon Firefighter that will be able to fight fire - by shooting water out of its mouth.
The Dragon, invented by Japanese researchers, is expected to join firefighter teams to put out fires that are too large and dangerous for humans to fight. “We here present a prototype (原型) of a four-meter-long, remotely controllable flying firehose (消防水带) robot, designed to safely and quickly put out fires in buildings by directly getting close to the fire sources,” said Dr Yuichi Ambe, from Osaka University. Researchers also worked closely with Japanese firefighters to understand the type of help they may need when fighting bigger fires.
This is not the first time the robot has shown its potential to the world, however. The Dragon Firefighter was introduced at the World Robot Summit in 2021, where it managed to put out a fire around 4 meters away. “Since the show at the World Robot Summit, we have continued to work on improving our Dragon and have learned many new things,” said Dr Yu Yamauchi, from Akia Prefectural University.
“For example, we found that the original passive dampening mechanism (洒水机制) had its problem: it took too long to prepare for flight. We also found that heat from fires can greatly influence the outdoor applications of the corrugated tube (波纹管) that holds the water hose and electric cables (电缆).”
Since its first show, improvements have been made to improve the mouth it uses to shoot out water. Despite this, it could be a long time before you see the Dragon Firefighter out in the real world. “We believe that it will take about 10 more years to offer our robot in real-world firefighting situations,” said Ambe. “The primary challenge will be to increase its reach to beyond 10 meters. Developing useful firefighting methods for this robot’s unique potential will be a key part of further development.”
1. Why is the Dragon Firefighter designed?| A．To help firefighters put out big fires. |
| B．To find out the causes of fire. |
| C．To direct firefighters in the future. |
| D．To check the progress of fire. |
| A．To stress the wide interest in the Dragon. |
| B．To introduce the Dragon’s second show. |
| C．To prove the Dragon’s potential. |
| D．To show the Dragon’s improvement. |
| A．Its wide applications. | B．Its original problems. |
| C．Its working conditions. | D．Its recent developments. |
| A．It is far from useful in the real world. |
| B．It should be tested in the show. |
| C．It has solved the primary challenge. |
| D．It needs time before application. |
6 . When Joseph Novetske finished raking (清理) leaves in his backyard a few weeks ago, he suddenly stopped. “I happened to look at my hand. No ring,” said Novetske, 80, who lives in Charlotte, Michigan, with his wife, Mary Ann. His handmade gold wedding ring, which he wore for 42 years, had gone missing. Worried, he began to look for it.
The couple searched the yard with no luck and it was getting dark. “I was feeling a little hopeless,” said Mary Ann Novetske, 71.
The following morning on Nov. 5, she posted in a private Facebook group called “What’s happening in Charlotte, Michigan now.” “Does anyone have a metal detector (探测器)?” she wrote in a post, explaining what had happened.
Shortly after sharing the post, Mary Ann Novetske had dozens of responses on her post. That afternoon, eight people showed up at their home, five of whom were strangers, and the other three were neighbors, to look for the ring. A few of them had brought metal detectors.
They searched the large backyard. It was filled with several tall piles (堆) of leaves Joseph Novetske had raked the day before. “They didn’t know us, but here they were,” said Mary Ann Novetske. “It was exciting to see so many people care about this.” Her husband was also touched. “We love community,” he said.
When the search had hit hour three, the group collectively began working on a pile of leaves at the back of the yard. Then Joseph Novetske saw something shiny. “I saw the ring shining because it was a beautiful sunny day,” he said. “There it was!” The searchers were overjoyed. While losing the ring was stressful, the couple said that finding it filled them with hope.
“It was a community hunt,” said Lisa Delcamp, who lives next door to the Novetskes. “We should lend a hand and be willing to step in when our neighbors are in need.”
1. What happened to Joseph a few weeks ago?| A．He lost his gold ring. | B．He fell in his backyard. |
| C．He couldn’t find his home. | D．He couldn’t contact his wife. |
| A．To start a group discussion. | B．To show her experiences. |
| C．To ask for a special tool. | D．To share happy moments. |
| A．They invited neighbors over. | B．They cleaned the leaves. |
| C．They were stressful. | D．They were moved. |
| A．Attend. | B．Help | C．Change | D．Challenge |
7 . Two years ago, from February 2016 to January 2017, I went on a student exchange program to Auckland in New Zealand. I chose to go to New Zealand because firstly, it is a safe country and secondly, I wanted to go to a country that is culturally different from my own.
I started considering going on a student exchange program after making a backpack trip around the world when I was a freshman (大一新生) at Waseda University. I met so many people of different backgrounds during my trip. When I was travelling, I realized the importance of speaking English. I felt that if I knew English, I could communicate and make friends with a lot of people around the world. Then, I made up my mind to work hard after coming back from the trip.
When I was at Auckland University of Technology, I mainly took classes related to language pedagogy (教学法). Unlike at Waseda University, many of the classes at Auckland University of Technology were held in small class size, usually a class size of 15 students to a teacher. In addition, rather than one-way passive learning, students were required to actively raise their opinions and take part in group discussions in class. The classes were also practical in nature and required a lot of preparation.
Spending a year studying abroad has made me feel more confident in communicating in English. I was also able to meet people of different backgrounds thanks to the exchange program. Comparing to the past, I am now a better listener and also better at voicing my opinions. Studying abroad does not only improve my language skills, but also makes me grow as a person.
1. Why did the author choose to go to New Zealand?| A．To do his research program. |
| B．To experience its culture. |
| C．To volunteer in a safe country. |
| D．To start his trips around the world. |
| A．Avoid people from different backgrounds. |
| B．Further his study during his trip. |
| C．Make more friends in his new university. |
| D．Make efforts to learn English well. |
| A．They are smaller. |
| B．They have fewer discussions. |
| C．They are quieter. |
| D．They call for fewer efforts. |
| A．He wants to teach language skills. |
| B．He decides to study abroad again. |
| C．He feels thankful for the program. |
| D．He listens more than he speaks. |
8 . This year’s best books for children address sadness and fear while celebrating love, strength, hope and joy.
The Big Dreaming
Michael Rosen and Daniel Egneus
Two bears are preparing for the Big Sleep, but Little Bear worries they won’t have enough dreams to last the winter. He sets out on a dangerous journey, from which he returns with stored visions of happiness, homecoming and hope.
A Way to the Stars
David Almond and Gill Smith
This is a story of the love between parent and child. When Joe is eager to reach the stars, his dad is fully on board. Together they build a tower, even a rocket(火箭), without success. But every time they laugh and try again, until Joe finally achieves his dream.
A Really Short Journey Through the Body
Bill Bryson
For children over 8 who love science, it is adapted for children by science journalist Emma Young. It is a sure-fire winner, especially among those who enjoy humorous writings.
Oscar’s Lion
Adam Baron
In this story illustrated(插图) by Benji Davies, Oscar is alarmed to discover that his parents have disappeared and that a large lion appears. But has he really eaten Oscar’s parents? This unusual story of love, sadness and family ties will particularly attract children who are coming to terns with loss.
1. What does Joe want to do?| A．Build a small tower. | B．Set foot on stars. |
| C．Have a sound sleep. | D．Take part in winter games. |
| A．Bill Bryson. | B．Emma Young. |
| C．Adam Baron. | D．Benji Davies. |
| A．They deal with sadness. | B．They are about a journey. |
| C．They are for children. | D．They are from one writer. |
9 . The best beaches in Zanzibar
This archipelago, located on the east coast of Africa, is known for clear waters and white sands. Here are our favorites.
Nungwi Beach
This beach is located in the north of the island. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in Zanzibar. If you like swimming, you will really enjoy yourself here. But be careful with the tides, because they can rise very fast and catch you. If you stay until sunset, you will be able to see an attractive one.
Paje Beach
It is in the east of the island and is famous for strong tides. You can also practice water sports such as kitesurfing, because this beach is known as one of the best in the world for this activity. Don’t worry about the food, as here you will find a great variety of restaurants with local and international dishes for all tastes.
Jambiani
Jambiani beach, one of the farthest beaches, is located southeast of the island. You can walk for miles to the sea, which is a real wonder, but do when the tide goes out. It is a very quiet and uncrowded beach.
Kiwengwa Beach
It is located on the northeast coast of Zanzibar, where the tides are strong and the water is warm, clean and clear. In the town of the same name, there are a lot of nightclubs, so it is a noisy but fun beach.
1. What can visitors do in Nungwi Beach?| A．Go kitesurfing. | B．Have a swim. | C．Watch the sunrise. | D．Taste various dishes. |
| A．Nungwi Beach. | B．Paje Beach. | C．Jambiani. | D．Kiwengwa Beach. |
| A．Wonderful sunset. | B．Fancy restaurants. | C．Strong tides. | D．Relaxing nightclubs. |
10 . Clubs in high school are amazing because they give you opportunities to find your passions (热情), connect with others who have similar interests, and have fun! If your high school doesn’t have a club that you’re interested in, the best thing to do is start your own. Use your brain and think outside of the box!
Types of high school clubs
High school clubs usually fall into ten main categories (范畴): eight subject area clubs, hobby clubs, and charity clubs.
Subject area clubs are clubs that come from an interest in a subject area taught in school. There are eight subject area club categories: Art, Drama, Film, Science, Math, Literature, History, and Language.
Hobby clubs are clubs that come from an interest in a hobby that most likely wouldn’t be taught in high school (such as chess, video games, and animation).
Charity clubs are clubs that are connected with a specific charity with the goal of raising awareness, working for that charity, or raising money for that charity.
The category a certain club has been placed into is not important. I simply created these categories to organize this list. No one category is better than another. It’s best to create a club you’re passionate about no matter the category.
Need some inspiration?
Art Review Magazine
●Start a magazine. ●Review famous pieces of art. ●Write reviews of local art shows.
Chess Club
●Host a chess competition between members.
●Bring in chess masters to discuss chess skill.
●Watch famous chess movies and documentaries.
Children’s Hospital Volunteer Club
●Organize volunteer opportunities at a local children’s hospital.
●Host a book donation activity to collect books to donate to the children’s hospital.
●Host a yard sale to raise money to donate to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
1. How many types of high school clubs are mentioned in the text?| A．Three. | B．Five. | C．Six. | D．Eight. |
| A．High school clubs usually have eight main categories. |
| B．Charity clubs are more important than other clubs. |
| C．The hobbies of the hobby clubs are usually taught in high school. |
| D．Joining a club is a great way to find like-minded friends in high school. |
| A．To praise some schools’ activities. | B．To report some students’ activities. |
| C．To introduce to students some club categories. | D．To encourage students to start their own clubs. |
