1 . For many of us, it is not easy to feel inspired by the artworks that we see at museums. Here are some tips on how to create that meaningful connection.

Keep an open mind

Once you are in an art museum, try not to have any ideas about what you’re about to see.     1     . You can love it. You can hate it. Just tell yourself that it’s OK.

Draw personal connections to the art

When you see an artwork, just let your mind wander and follow your thought wherever it leads you.     2     . As a result, a deep connection will happen.

    3    

You can increase the chances of finding an art piece you connect with by going to a museum that interests you. If you’re interested in climate change, for example, you may pick a museum that’s showing artworks inspired by Earth conservation.

Really “look at” the art

After you have found an artwork you like, take time to observe it closely. You can take a finger to the air and follow the outline of the figure or the movement of the brushstrokes.     4     .

Keep your museum visit short and focused

Art museums can be huge. So be realistic about how long you can spend at the museum.     5     . After that, it’s hard to stay focused and understand what you’ve seen.

A．Reflect and appreciate

B．You don’t need more than an hour or two

C．Pick a museum that is related to your interests

D．Instead, allow yourself to feel how the art makes you feel

E．The free associations will help create emotional reactions in you

F．Such accompanying activities can help you more deeply appreciate the art

G．Study the subject of the art, which can affect on how you feel about the work

2 . A series of trains between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day add extra fun, especially for families. Here are four holiday trips to celebrate the season. All aboard!

Cascade Canyon Winter Train

This memorable five-hour steam (蒸汽) train ride takes passengers through the snowy ops of the Rockies and remote wilderness of San Juan National Forest. Enjoy a fireside lunch or a hike along the picture-like Animus River during your hour-long stop.

Aurora Winter Train

This seasonal train heads north from Anchorage to Denali, America’s highest mountain. You can stop after three hours at Talkeetna to ski down the mountain or continue on for another nine hours to Fairbanks for some breathtaking northern lights viewing. Trains leave every Saturday morning, with return trips every Sunday.

Amtrak California Zephyr

Long-distance train trippers love the Zephyr in any season, but winter adds the attraction of pretty snow outside the window as you go over the Rockies. Departing daily all winter from both Chicago and San Francisco, the 51-hour journey offers hotel-level service in a bedroom with a private bathroom and shower. Or, break up the trip with stops to sleep and ski in Denver or Salt Lake City.

The Polar Express

The Polar Express, a Caldecott Medal-winning children’s book and Tom Hanks’ movie, is re-created in 40 Polar Express rides in 24 states, putting more than a million annual passengers in train seats. The story is read and performed by onboard actors, while Santa and dancing chefs who serve hot chocolate and treats add to the fun on the way to the “North Pole”. Most of the rides will take you to scenic places like the Grand Canyon, Mount Rainier, and the Catskills.

1. How long does Cascade Canyon Winter Train stop at the Animus River?

A．One hour.

B．Three hours.

C．Five hours.

D．Nine hours.

2. Which train runs between Anchorage and Fairbanks?

A．The Polar Express.

B．Amtrak California Zephyr.

C．Aurora Winter Train.

D．Cascade Canyon Winter Train.

3. What can passengers do in the Polar Express rides?

A．Enjoy a fireside lunch.

B．See live performances.

C．Cook meals with Santa.

D．Watch Tom Hanks’ movies.

3 . 阅读下面材料,根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段,使之构成一篇完整的短文。续写的词数应为150左右。

I was never a fast runner and thus I always didn’t like running. Throughout my childhood, whenever we competed in the 50-meter run, the 400-meter, or any other type of race, I would finish in the bottom half. In my late teens, as a member of a baseball team, I was the slowest runner on the team. In the preseason training, I was always the one running by myself at the end.

Therefore, twenty years later, when I entered my first official running race — a 3,000-meter challenge in my city — at age 38, I certainly didn’t expect to win or come close to winning.

I was there because my college friend Jim Hosek was the director of the race, and he asked me to run. The race was aimed at raising money for the unfortunate patients in a hospital and encouraging the patients and their fanilies to be brave, determined, and confident with sportsmanship.

It was a heartwarming program.I wanted to support it, so I showed up, paid the entrance fee, had a number pinned (把……别住) on my back, and moved over to the starting line. There, I waited with about 300 other runners for the race to begin. I was nervous. Would I be the last one to finish a race again? Could I even finish the race? I wondered.

Before long, someone spoke into a microphole, “Anyone weighing over 200 pounds comes down to the scale (秤), please.” Knowing I was over 200 pounds, I walked down to the scale. A man told me to stand on it. “Two hundred and three pounds,” he said. Then he wrote down the race number that was on my back. Out of curiosity, I asked him why he did so,and then I was told there would be an award ceremony (仪式) after the race. One award was for the first finisher in the over 200-pound group, and this special award would be announced at the end of the ceremony.

Not expecting the award, I ran towards the starting line, never realizing there were only two runners weighing over 200 pounds.

Paragraph 1:
             Soon after, the race started.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2:
             Then came the last award, and to my surprise, my name was announced.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4 . Zhang has recorded and learned music from folk musicians he met while travelling, as ______ means to preserve endangered folk music styles.

A．the

B．these

C．a

D．those

5 . Four Best Plants to Give as Gifts

Choosing a gift for someone is always a challenge. Giving plants is one way to try if the recipient is already a plant-lover. Here are some sure to impress as thoughtful gifts.

Jade Plant

The jade plant is a large succulent (肉质植物) that makes a perfect gift for someone who’s mastered parenting succulents. With a woody stem (茎), it looks like a tree once growing tall enough. Besides occasional watering and a bright window, the jade plant has few other requirements. A good challenge for ambitious owners is to regularly cut off its heavy leaves to reduce weight.

Christmas Cactus

This is a succulent with eye-catching flowers that appear in winter. You might assume it a picky plant, but nothing could be further than the truth. It prefers bright, indirect light and grows well in average potting soil. This plant prefers a steady watering schedule, especially in winter. To encourage more growth, plant it in a hanging container that allows its branches to hang down.

Paperwhite

Some people just aren’t interested in keeping houseplants around long-term, and paperwhite flowers are an excellent gift for anyone you know who fits this mould. Paperwhites grow from bulbs (鳞茎) and will produce flowers out of season. The roots need to be kept relatively damp, but once they are blooming (开花), there’s not much that can go wrong. They can be replanted outside after they have run their course.

Corn Plant

The corn plant is forgiving of variable light conditions and watering routines. It grows slowly, but can reach a height of four to six feet, and can make an impressive floor plant. Its leaves turn paler in direct sunlight to reflect the extra light, and darker green in shady conditions to maximize sunlight absorption.

1. Which plant requires practised gardening experience?

A．Jade plant.

B．Christmas cactus.

C．Paperwhite.

D．Corn plant.

2. How can we help a Christmas cactus grow well?

A．By replanting it outside before blooming.	B．By watering it regularly during blooming.
C．By cutting off most of its heavy leaves.	D．By making its branches grow upwards.

3. What affects the colour of leaves of a corn plant?

A．The frequency of watering.	B．Its flowering time.
C．Its rate of growing.	D．The amount of sunlight.

6 .    Lots of kids like to talk about sports, but Joseph D’Avirro talks about sports like a professional host in a show called Sliders & Curveballs. The 9-year-old from Newington, Connecticut is a natural at sports talk and has been broadcasting the show—which is about baseball, basketball and other sports—with his dad, Mike D’Avirro, since September 2019.

   The D’Avirro started the broadcast after two former college roommates of Mike died, which made Mike want to spend more time with his son. Then the idea came to him. So far, they have done about 50 programs. Joseph’s favorite is when the father-and-son team interviewed Jim Calhoun, the coach leading the Connecticut Huskies to three national titles. They have also interviewed important sports authors.

   The father and son make about one 30- to 40-minute podcast each month. They prepare for the podcasts by deciding on the questions they want to ask the guest. Joseph asks half of the questions, and Mike handles the other half. Joseph reads his questions again and again to get them in his brain well. It is a lot of work, but Joseph says it is “a lot more fun than homework”. Joseph has also learned to speak up and speak clearly. He has to listen and to go with the flow of the conversation. For example, he said, “If the guest is talking about sports in the 1990s, you have to think about sports in the 1990s.”

When asked how long he and his dad will continue doing the show, he answered, “Until my dad starts growing gray hairs.” Joseph has other ambitions when he grows up—to be a sports player, a sports broadcaster or to own a basketball team. Those are big dreams, but Joseph is already living a dream: talking sports and spending time with his dad.

1. What is Joseph’s show about?

A．Some talk shows on sports.

B．Ways to get along with parents.

C．Stories about famous sports players.

D．Sports that his family loves playing.

2. What inspired Mike to start the show with his son?

A．His son’s talent for sports.

B．His wish to be a host since college.

C．The deaths of his college roommates.

D．The encouragement from his roommates.

3. What does Joseph think of memorizing his questions?

A．It’s as boring as homework.

B．It’s challenging to his brain.

C．It takes a lot of time but means a lot.

D．It’s more interesting than homework.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．A rising sports broadcaster

B．A long road to go to success

C．The father-and-son team hosts

D．Joseph D’Avirro’s big dream

7 . The Best Writing Contests of 2024

Kentucky Visions Short Story Contest

The Kentucky Visions Short Story Contest, an annual contest, is designed to highlight Kentucky’s rich literary talent and celebrate the best in short fiction written by Kentuckians or about our beloved Bluegrass State.

Top prize                         Best entry: $500
Entry requirements            Fee: FREE
Deadline                           March 31, 2024
Fiction Factory Flash Fiction

This is an international competition—we welcome entries from around the world. Maximum word count: 1,000, Stories may be on any theme. Entries must be previously unpublished. Results will be announced by April 2024. Minimum age: 16 years. Children’s compositions cannot be accepted sadly.

Top prize                       Best entry: £500
Entry requirements          Fee: FREE
Deadline                       March 31, 2024
Journalism Competition 2024

What are the most important issues taking place close to home? Perhaps a rare bird sighting near your town? Or a band of young people in your province fighting for access to higher education? This month, involve yourself in a newsworthy event inside the borders of your own country, and invite us there through your written reporting.

Top prize                       Best entry: $100
Entry requirements          Fee: FREE
Deadline                         July 22, 2024
Poetry & Spoken Word Competition 2024

“Poetry lays the foundations for a future of change,” wrote Audre Lorde. This month, sow your own seeds of change into poetry, or else write and perform an original piece of spoken word(poetry performed aloud). We’ll award two top prizes-one for a written poem, and one for a recorded performance.

Top prize                           Best entry: $100
Entry requirements             Fee: FREE
Deadline                            May 27, 2024
1. Which contest accepts entries both at home and abroad?

A．Kentucky Visions Short Story Contest.	B．Fiction Factory Flash Fiction.
C．Journalism Competition 2024.	D．Poetry&-Spoken Word Competition 2024.

2. What do we know about Poetry&-Spoken Word Competition 2024?

A．It offers two first prizes.	B．It only requests written compositions.
C．It provides the highest awards.	D．It inspires students to perform actively.

3. What is the author’s purpose of writing the text?

A．To compare some writing contests.	B．To recommend good writing contests.
C．To share tips on winning writing contests.	D．To remind students to enter writing contests.

8 . For more culture coverage and the new streaming services, www. vulture. com has prepared a wide range of funny things to see, hear, watch, and read.

TV: The Crown (Season Six)

Netflix, November 16.

The final season of The Crown is being divided into two parts, with four episodes on show before Thanksgiving and the remaining six landing on December 14. And, yes, those initial episodes will address the death of Princess Diana, played by Elizabeth Debicki, a talented Australian actress.

OPERA: Later the Same Evening

Juilliard Opera presents. Peter Jay Sharp Theater, November 12, 15, and 17.

Composer John Musto and play writer Mark Campbell turned those moody scenes into a one-act opera that’s become a student favorite but rarely gets seen on a greater stage. It would be a once in a life time chance to have a feast for eyes.

MOVIES: Fallen Leaves

In theaters, November 17.

Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki, a master of deadpan, returns with what might be his most romantic film so far — an unexpected meet up of an alcoholic construction worker and a headstrong supermarket employee.

MUSIC: Heaven Knows

Warner Records UK, November 10.

Pink Pantheress, 22, combines R&B, pop, and electronic music into relaxing but impactful tracks like “Do You Miss Me?” from December’s Take Me Home EP. This fall, her first complete studio-recorded album, consisting of 13 songs, will be released. Early tastes of Heaven Knows like “Capable of Love” and “Mosquito” suggest that we’re in for tighter hooks and longer, more ambitious compositions.

1. Which will attract those who enjoy Elizabeth Debicki’s performance?

A．Mosquito.	B．Malarkoi.
C．The Crown.	D．Fallen Leaves.

2. What do the streaming services have in common?

A．They are coming into market in November.

B．The works can be enjoyed once in a life time.

C．More details can be accessible from newspaper.

D．They are the works by the world-famous artists.

3. What do we know about Heaven Knows?

A．It is produced by Netflix.

B．It is divided into two parts.

C．It’ll be released on Nov.17.

D．It is her first full studio album.

9 . David lost his beloved dog Baya before Christmas two years ago. Baya was active and cute. David’s family spent many days _________ for their furry (毛茸茸的) family member. The kids said they wouldn’t want any _________ from Santa Claus. They just wanted to get their dog back. All attempts to find her turned out to be _________. Baya was nowhere to be found. It seemed that the family wouldn’t have any more _________.

Two years later, a homeless dog _________ alone on a busy road. Someone _________ it to the Animal Protection Association (协会). Thanks to the microchip (芯片) planted in the dog, the association was able to _________ the owner. They _________ David. When David got a phone call that they were going to get Baya back, the family were pretty _________.

Obviously, Baya is __________ to living in this home. She is quite __________ of where her feeding bowl is. Even though Baya isn’t the dog she used to be, David is confident she’ll become her old __________ again. He said, “She was a very healthy and __________ dog. She’s not like that anymore, but we’re going to get her back. Our whole family are taking __________ of her. Kids play with her happily. She’s __________ her joyful nature. We will love her even more.”

1.

A．preparing

B．searching

C．paying

D．begging

2.

A．calls

B．honor

C．gifts

D．rescue

3.

A．fruitless

B．generous

C．worthwhile

D．different

4.

A．advantage

B．challenge

C．decision

D．hope

5.

A．continued

B．appeared

C．hid

D．returned

6.

A．sent

B．forced

C．followed

D．invited

7.

A．refer to

B．rely on

C．track down

D．cheer for

8.

A．appreciated

B．impressed

C．recognized

D．contacted

9.

A．frightened

B．excited

C．confident

D．curious

10.

A．addicted

B．related

C．adapted

D．reduced

11.

A．aware

B．uncertain

C．afraid

D．proud

12.

A．native

B．self

C．partner

D．owner

13.

A．calm

B．average

C．pretty

D．active

14.

A．care

B．notice

C．control

D．advantage

15.

A．removing

B．identifying

C．recovering

D．reserving

10 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Zu Ti of the Jin Dynasty was a man who had with great ambition. When he was young, he had a good friend     1     (name) Liu Kun. They had such a deep friendship     2     they stayed together every day and got up at the same time every morning.

One day, when they were sleeping. Zu Ti heard the rooster crowing (鸡鸣) . He woke up Liu Kun and said, “How about     3     (get) up to play swords (剑) as soon as we heard the rooster crowing from now on?” Liu Kun was still     4     (sleep) . But he agreed with him     5     (joyful) . From then on, they got up and played swords once the rooster began crowing. They kept their word and never gave up no matter     6     cold in winter or hot in summer. Hard work     7     (pay) off. After a long period of hard study and training, they finally became the all-rounder. And they both did excellent jobs to their country.

The idiom “to rise with the rooster” teaches us that with ambition and hard work,     8     (succeed) is possible. When we can discover our shortcomings     9     time, it is not too late to try. But if you are not willing     10     (work) hard, you will not be able to achieve a career after all.