1 . School’s out for summer! The long break is the perfect time to lounge (躺) around with a good book, and luckily we have a selection of the best reading out right now. From pizza-based chaos to detective penguins, we’re sure you’ll find what you’re looking for in our book guide.
Safiyyah’s War
By Hiba Noor Khan Paperback ₤7. 99
War comes to the streets of Paris, and Safiyyah must pick up all her courage to run dangerous errands (差使) around the city and help save the lives of hundreds of Jewish people. The book is based on the incredible and inspiring true story of the resistance run from the Grand Mosque of Paris.
Einstein the Penguin: The Case of the Fishy Detective
By Iona Rangeley Hardback £ 12. 99
An unforgettable friend returns! After his first adventure in London, the fairy penguin from Sydney really has no place in this city, so he sets out for Australia. It’s time for Einstein the Penguin to turn detective again in this warm and fantastically funny follow-up to Iona Rangeley’s first best-seller.
Until the Road Ends
By Phil Earle Paperback £ 7. 99
An exciting WWII animal adventure from the author of When the Sky Falls. Stray dog Beau becomes an unexpected war hero. At night, as bombs rain down on London, Beau searches the ruins, rescuing survivors. Then disaster strikes and Beau sets off on an incredible journey to find his friend Peggy. . .
Pizza Pete and the Perilous Potions
By Carrie Sellon Illustrated by Sarah Horne Paperback £ 7. 99
When Pete finds a briefcase of magical potions (药剂) in the small room above his dad’s pizza shop, he thinks he’s found the answer to all their money worries. Then Pete’s life turns from boring pizza margherita into chaotic spicy pepperoni… A funny and heartwarming story, filled with delightful illustrations by Sarah Horne.
1. What is special about Einstein the Penguin: The Case of the Fishy Detective?| A．It features fascinating pictures. | B．It is a paperback priced at £ 12. 99. |
| C．It introduces an unexpected war hero. | D．It continues the story of an earlier book. |
| A．Safiyyah’s War. | B．Until the Road Ends. |
| C．Pizza Pete and the Perilous Potions. | D．Einstein the Penguin: The Case of the Fishy Detective. |
| A．They tell stories in wartime. | B．They are based on true stories. |
| C．They are about animal adventures. | D．They describe the life of Jewish people. |
2 . On Friday, students around the world will walk out of their classrooms and gather in joint protests to highlight the global crisis created by climate change. The goal? To get elected officials and industry leaders to actually act to stop the coming disaster.
Climate change poses a terrible threat to humanity, and politicians aren’t doing enough to find solutions, protest organizers wrote on the Global Climate Strike website. Greenhouse gas emissions (排放) are a primary driver of global warming, but leaders have been irresolute about abandoning fossil fuels, even as global temperatures continue to climb.
Strikes and protests by students in more than 2,500 locations aim to show that the younger generations won’t stand easily by while their future — and their planet — hang in the balance. The strike follows a summer of extreme weather linked to climate change: strange global heat waves, wildfires and ice loss from glaciers (冰川). In July, three studies found that the global climate is changing more quickly than it has in the past 2,000 years.
Sixteen-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who is currently visiting New York City, is one of the strike’s key organizers. Thunberg will speak at a Friday demonstration at Foley Square there at 12 p. m. local time, after which protesters will march to Battery Park. Thunberg will also address the UN Climate Action Summit on September 23. The emergency meeting is being organized so that world leaders can present “concrete, realistic plans” for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with the goal of reaching zero emissions by 2050, according to a UN statement.
Thousands of protests are planned for Friday — just three days prior to the summit—and collectively, they will be the biggest climate action in history.
1. Why will students gather together?| A．To make their voice heard by leaders. |
| B．To call on moves to protect the earth. |
| C．To celebrate the newly elected officials. |
| D．To organize a big protest for civil rights. |
| A．Hesitant. | B．Concerned. | C．Decisive. | D．Thoughtful. |
| A．Electing new leaders of the summit. |
| B．Reorganizing the UN department. |
| C．Reaching zero emissions by 2050. |
| D．Protecting the whole human beings. |
| A．Global Students Mobilize for Climate Action |
| B．Why Not Join the Students for a New Planet? |
| C．Organize a Climate Talk for the Only Earth |
| D．A New Strike Will Be Staged Worldwide |
3 . In 2024, the number of people fancying digital nomadism (游牧) has continued to rise. Here are the best places in the world for you to be a digital nomad.
San Juan del Sur, NicaraguaSan Juan del Sur in Nicaragua is a good destination when it comes to digital nomads in search of a place that integrates work and leisure. With connectivity and Internet speeds ideal for most remote tasks and a warm and sunny climate that starts in December, it’s a great choice for those who enjoy being outside. The town also offers a supportive community as well as plenty of co-working spaces and cafes.
Queenstown, New ZealandAs well as plenty of activities surrounded by stunning scenery, Queenstown offers high-speed Internet access and lots of co-working spaces. The weather in December is also perfect for exploring the landscapes via the likes of bungee jumping, hiking and even skiing. Plus, there’s a huge focus on local produce in Queenstown which makes the culinary (食物的) experience just as memorable.
Pokhara, NepalPokhara, an engaging choice for those in search of peace and natural beauty, is cool and dry in December, which means it has the perfect condition for working outdoors and exploring the Himalayan landscapes. There’s a growing community of digital nomads too — thanks to reliable Internet connections and an affordable way of life.
Playa del Carmen, MexicoThis Mexican coastal resort is a favorite with holidaymakers and digital nomads for its beaches, culture and affordable lifestyle. There’s a prosperous community of digital nomads in Playa del Carmen, fostered by numerous networking events, co-working spaces, and social gatherings. There’s also a great Internet connection! December is dry in Mexico which makes it an ideal time for beach activities. Plus, the diverse and lively nightlife is likely to only add to Playa del Carmen’s appeal.
1. Which of the following might be preferred by adventure seekers?| A．San Juan del Sur. | B．Queenstown. |
| C．Pokhara. | D．Playa del Carmen. |
| A．Various seaside activities. | B．Distinctive local food. |
| C．Breathtaking landscapes. | D．Numerous co-working spaces. |
| A．They suit remote workers well. |
| B．They enjoy warm climate in December. |
| C．They guarantee visitors colorful nightlife. |
| D．They provide strong community support. |
4 . There are many potential sources of clean energy out there: solar energy, wind energy, hydrogen-based energy, and more. One of the less-known sources of clean energy is wave energy. Now the energy is being put to use in an almost funny way, turning seawater into drinking water by Oneka, a Canadian startup.
In general, there are two traditional kinds of desalination (脱盐) technology. In the first technology, seawater is heated till the water changes into steam, leaving the salt behind, and then the steam is cooled, turning into water, and made available for use. In the second one, seawater is pushed through a see-through thin material, separating the salt and the water, which consumes relatively less fuel compared with the first technology. Whichever technology is used, however, most desalination plants run on non-renewable energy.
Desalination equipment is traditionally powered by fossil fuels, but the world has certainly reached a vital point where it’s necessary to move away from fossil fuel-powered desalination. This is where Oneka’s unique desalination technology comes in. Oneka uses floating desalination machines, attached to a kind of floating device which then absorbs energy from the ocean waves, and changes it into mechanical forces, to pump the water through the see-through thin material system. The fresh water is then pumped to land, through the power of the waves.
The waste from conventional desalination plants contains high concentrations of salt which is discharged into the sea, creating a zone where sea life dies off. Oneka’s technology steers clear of this, because the water that streams back into the ocean only has a 30 percent increase in the salt concentration, and is quickly spread by the waves.
This innovative technology shows us that sometimes the solutions to complicated problems don’t have to be complicated at all. Sometimes all you need are the ocean waves.
1. Which can best describe the first technology in paragraph 2?| A．It is labor-intensive. | B．It is energy-hungry. |
| C．It separates salt via cooling. | D．It outperforms the second one. |
| A．It’s slightly complicated. | B．It leaves little salt behind. |
| C．It reshapes fresh water storage. | D．It’s mechanically driven. |
| A．Relieves. | B．Facilitates. | C．Envelops. | D．Achieves. |
| A．Eco-driven Desalination Machines | B．Ocean Waves: The New Energy Solution |
| C．Wave-powered Green Desalination | D．Desalination: The Future of Fresh Water |
5 . Cathy Winston is a sports nutritionist. Among her regulars are athletes. Cathy thrives on the variety, with each new sport providing new challenges and a renewed appreciation of her chosen field of expertise. In her view, dealing with athletes from various sport backgrounds helps her become seasoned, which is a key part of being a successful nutritionist. “You have to understand nutrition and people, and then you can begin to work in this field,” she says. “Besides, in tennis you must learn to be reactive, because you don’t know how long the match lasts. However, it’s 90 minutes in football so you know what you’re fueling for.”
Regardless of the sport, Cathy’s attitude remains the same: Any athlete failing to respect nutrition is one who is failing to fulfill their potential. It’s a key part of the training process. It’s not just something that you take casually. She advises her athletes to hold nutrition in the same regard as they do their most crucial bit of equipment. “Just as you wouldn’t forget to put your shin pads (护腿板) or your boots in your kit bag, don’t forget to put in your drinks and your snacks. That informs how well you train, because you can’t get out if you haven’t put in.”
Nutritionists are sometimes unfairly represented as militant (斗志昂扬的) types telling what athletes can and can’t eat. But Cathy insists that when to eat is more important than what. “It’s about when’s the right time to have it in,” she says. It’s a message that Cathy says can take a while to sink in. “A lot of boxers say, ‘but bananas make you fat, right?’, and there’s this inherent belief that we mustn’t eat those kinds of things. But it’s not about what to cut out. It’s about making sure that you’ve got the foundation right for health and performance. It’s that one size fits one. It’s what works for you. To be an excellent athlete, you really need to be an exceptional eater.”
1. What does Cathy think about her job?| A．It hardly faces new challenges in every competition. |
| B．It mainly focuses on the duration of matches. |
| C．It merely needs to understand nutrition and people. |
| D．It highly values experience and flexibility. |
| A．By making a comparison. | B．By analyzing a phenomenon. |
| C．By telling a story. | D．By providing data. |
| A．Focusing on the timing of the diet. |
| B．Cutting out specific foods from the diet. |
| C．Following a strict and militant diet plan. |
| D．Increasing the variety of foods. |
| A．Food has a say in the sports field. |
| B．Nutritionists act as unsung heroes behind athletes. |
| C．Nutrition determines the results in the competition. |
| D．A good eater is a great athlete. |
6 . Hong Kong has the largest collection of high-rise buildings on Earth, many of which have been designed by world-famous architects.
HSBC Headquarters Building
In 1979, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation(HSBC) launched an international design competition for its new headquarters. Foster +Partners, headed by architect Sir Norman Foster, won the competition with an out-of-the-box idea. With a budget of roughly S667 million in the day’s currency, the British visionary had the modular (模块化的) pieces constructed in the US, Japan and the UK before shipping them to Hong Kong for assembly (组装).
The Henderson
Zaha Hadid Architects(ZHA) has revealed plans to replace a multi-story car park in Hong Kong’s central business district with a new 623-foot tower. Like so many of ZHA’s visionary projects, the office tower, completed in 2023,integrates technology with natural environments. For instance, there is a sky garden which is an outdoor recreational space with a running track and a planting network that acts as an effective biological air-purifying filter by consuming pollutants.
Two International Finance Centre
On a clear day, you can see straight across Hong Kong from the offices in Two International Finance Center(2IFC), completed in 2003. Designed by the late Cesar Pelli, the 1,352-foot tower was the tallest in the city upon its completion. It transformed the skyline when it opened with its breath taking height and tapered (锥形的) shape, symbolizing Hong Kong’s rise.
Bank of China Tower
The 1,205-foot tower, completed in 1990,broke records at the time and became an instant landmark as the first tower over 985 feet outside North America. A vision of urban energy, expansion and geometry, the Bank of China Tower(BOC Tower)was designed to resemble a bamboo shoot, symbolizing strength, vitality and China’s emergence as a significant player in international finance.
1. What is special about the HSBC Headquarters Building?| A．It was designed by several architect teams. | B．It was funded by countries across the world. |
| C．Its style was considered to be the most creative. | D．Its design was a winning work of a competition. |
| A．HSBC Headquarters Building. | B．The Henderson. |
| C．Two International Finance Centre. | D．Bank of China Tower. |
| A．They are known for being eco-friendly. | B．They were completed in the same century. |
| C．They used to be the tallest in Hong Kong. | D．They were designed by the same architect. |
1. What does the woman plan to do?
| A．Paint her house. | B．Buy a new house. | C．Expand her house. |
| A．They are architects. |
| B．They are expecting a baby. |
| C．They are good at different instruments. |
| A．Go shopping. | B．Attend a concert. | C．See a dentist. |
1. What can we learn about “prom”?
| A．It is a formal celebration． |
| B．It is held at the start of college． |
| C．It is a unique American tradition． |
| A．In Canada． | B．In Australia． | C．In the US． |
| A．It’s a sign of becoming an adult． |
| B．It’s an opportunity to find a job． |
| C．It marks the end of their schooling． |
| A．Schools． | B．Students． | C．Parents． |
1. Why did the woman have to stay at the bottom of the mountain?
| A．She was worn out． |
| B．She was scared of heights． |
| C．She loved the scenery there． |
| A．Relaxing on the beach． | B．Sailing in a boat． | C．Diving under water． |
| A．One hour． | B．Two hours． | C．Four hours． |
| A．Boating． | B．Cave exploring． | C．Rock climbing． |
10 . Head to Mozambique for your holiday? This southeast African country is filled with beautiful beaches and interesting architecture. Here are some destinations to add to your Mozambique timetable.
The City of Maputo
The capital city, south of the country, is famous for its architecture, with one of the most popular buildings being the train station. Because this country was colonized (殖民) by the Portuguese, there is an almost southern European feel to the city and its structures. Tour the open-air markets and take advantage of the unique culture and plentiful accommodations Maputo has to offer! The city is currently experiencing a period of growth and renewal, as many overseas businesses are opening up locations here.
Ponta do Ouro
With such a beautiful coastline, you can’t just visit Mozambique and stop at its beaches. Take a trip under the sea in Ponta do Ouro and get an up-close and personal take on this country’s underwater life. This town also offers dolphin watching tours, the most favored event, as well as a wonderful beach to get sunbathed.
Mt. Namuli
Most of the area surrounding this granite (花岗石) dome is dominated by heavy forests and tea plantations. The view of Mt. Namuli is breathtaking. It’s difficult to get to the mountain, but there are trails nearby that are pretty to walk. If you are determined to climb Mt. Namuli, hire a local guide who can detail local customs and act as a go-between for you.
Lake Malawi
Located near the northern border of Mozambique is Lake Malawi, which is shared with another two African countries, Malawi and Tanzania. As this is a destination for locals and international tourists, you can expect to find all the usual water sports and easy access to accommodations.
1. What kind of style does Maputo’s architecture probably have?| A．British. | B．European. | C．Polish. | D．American. |
| A．Walking under the sea. | B．Hiking along the beach. |
| C．Having a look at dolphins. | D．Taking photos underwater. |
| A．The City of Maputo. | B．Ponta do Ouro. |
| C．Mt. Namuli. | D．Lake Malawi. |
