1 . Traveling to Europe can be so expensive. If you have a tight travel budget, we have other options for your next European vacation. We found some places as cheap as Thailand while looking as pretty as Spain, Greece or Italy.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria is often characterized as being a country of stunning landscapes and friendly people with a rich history of culture. And it has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. In Bulgaria you can find accommodation for under fifteen dollars per night and a meal at a local restaurant will cost you no more than five dollars. From Sofia the capital, why not take a train to Istanbul for about fifteen dollars? What an adventure!

Romania   

Romania is a country that not a lot of people know about, but it might be one you want to try on your next trip. Bucharest has a rich, historic architecture and a great nightlife for younger travelers. Besides the capital, there are many other beautiful places to explore in Romania, like you can go to Transylvania and see Dracula’s castle. Good accommodation and a lot of restaurants are available here at a low cost. What a deal!

Albania   

A perfect alternative to Spain or Italy, Albania has a lot of history and culture, but without all the crowds of tourists that you’ll find in those places. It has some of the best beaches in Europe, so you can take advantage of that as well. The food is cheap and the average cost of accommodation in Albania is also low, with around thirty dollars per night for a mid-range budget.

1. What do the three travel options have in common?

A．Mild climate.	B．Delicious food.
C．Diverse culture.	D．Low travel costs.

2. Which place is appealing to those active in the evening?

A．Sofia.

B．Istanbul.

C．Bucharest.

D．Transylvania.

3. What sets Albania apart from the other destinations?

A．Attractive seaside views.	B．Satisfying tourist service.
C．Rich European culture.	D．Advanced public transport.

2 . 4 Children’s Museums You Can Visit Virtually

Young learners can explore the subjects of art, history, science, archaeology, and more through children’s museums that offer a virtual window into real-time curiosities via webcams, live streams, computer-generated tours, and 360-degree photographs.

Glazer Children’s Museum

Creating life-long learners has always been the goal at Tampa, Florida’s Glazer Children’s Museum. Make a Rube Goldberg Machine, learn about atmospheric pressure through hands-on experiments, and participate in coloring activities, all from the comfort of your own home.

Children’s Museum of South Dakota

 Seize the Play invites kids to pick a topic and then complete the scientific challenge. There are many activities to choose from like making puffy paint, creating fizzy bubbles, building an indoor fort, paper making and more. There’s a special page just for grown-ups where parents can gain access to extra resources like reviews, activity suggestions and more.

Kohl Children’s Museum

You’ll be able to access remote learning opportunities through Kohl Children’s Museum’s Home Zone. Each web series will walk you through science experiments, art projects, music classes, and more, all of which you can complete while at home.

Minnesota Children’s Museum 

The Minnesota Children’s Museum has a huge library of videos that families can watch while at home. Kids can learn how to create a time capsule, learn about the color wheel through mixing primary paint colors, and create sensory bins. Read research on the science of play, get helpful tips, and stay informed by subscribing to a newsletter.

1. Which museum offers additional tips for guardians?

A．Kohl Children’s Museum

B．Glazer Children’s Museum

C．Minnesota Children’s Museum

D．Children’s Museum of South Dakota

2. How can we get updated information about Minnesota Children’s Museum?

A．By getting helpful tips.

B．By subscribing to a newsletter.

C．By watching a huge library of videos.

D．By reading research on the science of play.

3. What do these museums have in common?

A．Creating indoor activities for children.

B．Teaching children to create sensory bins.

C．Offering children access to scientific experiments.

D．Encouraging children to complete the living challenge.

3 . The teenage years are a transformative period marked by great physical, psychological, and emotional changes.     1     They refer to the feelings that arise during interactions with others, such as gratitude, shame, sympathy, guilt, and pride.

Understanding and managing social emotions can help develop teenagers’ identities. Teenagers experience a wide range of emotions from social interactions, which significantly influences their self-understanding and social awareness. In the process, they learn to understand, and appropriately respond to both their own emotions and those of others.     2    

In academic settings, social emotional competencies like self-regulation, motivation, and social awareness directly impact a teenager’s ability to learn, participate, and engage in school activities.     3     Teenagers with strong social emotional skills are better equipped to handle stress, resist peer pressure, and avoid risky behaviors, reducing the likelihood of developing mental health issues.

Learning social emotions involves a combination of personal experience, guidance, and formal education.     4     This environment influences teenagers’ earliest understanding of how to communicate and manage their emotions. They feel safe and supportive to express their emotions freely and learn to manage them without fear of judgment. Schools also play a significant role through social emotional learning programs that teach these skills in a structured environment. Community involvement, extracurricular activities, and peer (同伴) interactions offer additional opportunities for teenagers to practice and refine their social emotional skills.

    5     It contributes to a teenager’s ability to manage their own emotions, understand others’ emotions, and face social complexities. This learning is a cornerstone for shaping their identity, influencing their interpersonal relationships, academic success, mental health, and future life outcomes.

A．What exactly are social emotions?

B．The journey into mature emotion is quite easy.

C．Social emotion learning for teenagers is essential.

D．Central to this phase is the concept of social emotions.

E．This helps shape their own personal principles and beliefs.

F．Families play a crucial role in modeling and developing these skills.

G．Moreover, social emotional skills are closely linked to mental health.

5 . You are staring at a blank page 5, 000 words to go. You are well aware that your computer can write this thing for you. To use AI or not to use AI? That is the question.

The rapid development of AI tools has led many people to question their impacts on academic life. During an event to educate students about AI and academic integrity, Emily Bonano, chief justice of the All-Campus Judicial Council (ACJC), which is responsible for hearing individual cases relating to academic integrity, stressed that although AI as a common tool is a recent development, its impacts on academic honesty are already clear. “People are using it practically like any common tool,” Bonanno said. “People run into issues where they make assumptions and say ‘Oh, I’m just going to use it’ or ‘It doesn’t really matter. It’s just a little paragraph’. But it does matter.”

The Academic Honesty Policy defines academic honesty as “Acting with truthfulness and sincerity in carrying out all aspects of our individual and collaborative (合作的) work, maintaining ownership of our work and acknowledging our debt to the work of others”. The use of AI tools in completing tasks might be thought of as the breach of academic integrity if it went against this policy, Bonanno said. She explained that using AI without an instructor’s permission might be considered as receiving or using unauthorized aid under the policy.

Many instructors prohibit the use of AI in their classrooms because it runs the risk of disregarding academic integrity, but there are exceptions. Professor Whitney is teaching a course called Writing About and With Artificial Intelligence, which examines the role that AI can play in writing and involves using AI tools to better understand how to write with them. Regardless of whether an instructor allows or forbids the use of AI, its rules should be laid out clearly, Bonanno said.

1. What do Emily Bonanno’s words in paragraph 2 imply?

A．We should be careful about academic use of AI.

B．AI has been a major risk to academic integrity.

C．Occasional use of AI tools for tasks is acceptable.

D．AI is far from a common tool in the academic field.

2. What does the underlined word “breach” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Misinterpretation.	B．Clarification
C．Representing	D．Breaking.

3. Why is Professor Whitney mentioned?

A．To present the practical application of AI.	B．To show another view on using AI in class.
C．To stress the important role of AI in writing.	D．To encourage the appropriate use of AI tools.

4. Which can be the suitable title for the text?

A．Is AI a Real Threat to Education?	B．Will AI Be Prohibited Academically?
C．Is Using AI Academically Dishonest?	D．Should You Use AI to Complete Tasks?

6 . One Saturday in December, Annacarin Elf, the head of operations at Gothenburg City Library, just happened to walk by her workplace. Noticing that the door was open, she entered the library, and was astonished to see the heartwarming scene that people were using it like on a regular day.

It was scheduled to be closed for the New Year holiday. The people in the library behaved as usual. Many were sitting reading newspapers, some families were in the children's section and others were searching for books on the computer.

It seemed that Elf's colleagues had simply forgotten to lock the door, and because this popular library is usually open on Saturdays. visitors just assumed they could walk in. Elf called to check with her staff team, before announcing to the people present that the library was about to close. Then she expressed her regret for what had been done wrong and caused them a problem. It later turns out that 446 locals visited the city library borrowing a total of 246 books during the day. What's remarkable is that people checked out their books through the library's electronic self-service system, and that to date, all the books have been retuned!

Many Swedes have reacted positively to this uplifting demonstration of local respect for the library, a center that can be seen as a sign of the community, and what the locals did has strengthened their sense of belonging in their community.

Elf says, “Nothing was destroyed. It's amazing that Gothenburgers entered an empty library and treated and so lovingly.” The city leader has even suggested that this unusual Saturday serve as an accidental experiment to analyse the possibility of operating a totally automated library without staff.

1. Why did Elf feel surprised after entering the library?

A．The library staff were in it.	B．People kept reading on holidays.
C．People came in without permission.	D．It was used though supposed to be closed.

2. What did Elf do that Saturday?

A．She left the library open.	B．She asked the staff back
C．She apologized to the visitors.	D．She read books in the library.

3. What do many Swedes think of the behavior of Gothenburg locals?

A．It displays community spirit.	B．It gives the library much uplift
C．It is a positive reaction to society.	D．It strengthens trust between people

4. What does the author want to convey through the story?

A．People tend to show care for others	B．Life is always full of the unexpected
C．Libraries can be automated sometimes	D．A library can bring out the best in people.

7 . 2024 Western Colorado Elementary Science Fair

EUREKA! and D51 are partnering to host our annual elementary (小学的) science fair! Here’s your chance to apply your love of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) by conducting your own scientific investigation.

Participation is open to all 3-5^th graders living in Wester Colorado, and students can either enter as an individual or as a team of no more than 3 members. Judging will be based on grade, and a team composed of students from multiple grades will be judged in the grade category of the oldest participant’s grade.

Project Submission

All participants must complete all of the following by March 7, 2024:

●Complete the registration form (one per team)

●Create a display poster (either physical or electronic) summarizing their project and email the file or a clear photo of it to the science fair committee

● Create a video presentation (less than 5 minutes) explaining their project to the judges, and submit it to the science fair committee

Public Viewing

Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Location: EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum

Participants can display their posters and present their projects to the public (optional) .

Safety Regulations

It is important to wear proper protective gear (装备) when necessary in addition to disposing of (处理) waste properly when conducting a scientific investigation. We strongly recommend that guardians look up and study Safety Data Sheets for any chemicals that their students use and have responsibility for not allowing students to experiment with dangerous chemicals. EUREKA! holds the right to not display projects if they believe the components break our safety regulations.

1. What is an entry requirement for the science fair?

A．A team must consist of three members.

B．A team must be led by-the oldest participant.

C．All participants must be from Western Colorado.

D．Teams must be formed by students in the same grade.

2. What are participants required to do by the submission date?

A．Submit a display poster.	B．Video the investigation process.
C．Present their project to the public.	D．Fill in the registration form individually.

3. Which of the following will result in your project not being displayed?

A．Disposing of waste improperly.

B．Performing experiments without a guardian.

C．Involving harmful chemicals in your project.

D．Conducting your investigation without protective gear.

8 . 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。

In the soft glow of the Lantern Festival, a woman moves gracefully through the crowd in her Ma Mian Qun. As she walks, the folds of her skirt flow like waves,     1    （bring） the embroidered (刺绣的) dragons and phoenixes to life, as if they were whispering tales of ancient times.

Ma Mian Qun,     2    （common） known as the horse-face skirt, was the most typical style for Chinese women in the Song Dynasty. Traditionally, the skirt     3    （comprise） of two pieces of identical cloth tied at the waistband, wrapping around the body     4    （ensure） coverage in the front and back—a design particularly suitable     5     horse-riding. The cloth was decorated with delicate     6    （pattern） that represent joy and good luck, featuring dragons, phoenixes and historical stories.

Over the years, Ma Mian Qun     7    （experience） a series of changes, developing from the practical function of the Song Dynasty and adapting to the fresh and     8    （elegance） style of the Ming Dynasty, the luxury of the Qing Dynasty and finally the modern fashion innovation. Yet, the “horse face” design has been a constant feature.

Paired with Han suit Ao (袄), Ma Mian Qun displays an air of dignity and gentleness, making     9     a significant symbol of traditional Chinese costume culture,     10     influence on Western fashion has lasted for generations.

9 . How to Make Family Fishing Trips Fun for All

There’s something truly special about fishing trips, especially when they involve the whole family.     1     But how can we make fishing trips enjoyable and memorable for all family members?

The first step in planning a family-friendly fishing trip is selecting the right destination. It’s important to consider places that are safe, easily accessible, and suitable for families. Destinations like lakeside cabins, or coastal towns are often perfect spots that offer great fishing opportunities.     2    

For many families, fishing trips are not just about catching fish. They’re also about teaching and learning new skills together. When it comes to introducing beginners, especially children, to fishing, it’s important to keep the techniques simple. Begin by familiarizing everyone with the basic parts of a fishing pole and reel (卷轴). Show them how to hold the pole, cast the line, and reel it in.     3     Encourage them to enjoy the experience and the surrounding nature while waiting for a catch.

    4     But it’s still important to have other activities planned. This could include exploring nearby trails, having a picnic, or playing simple outdoor games. These activities ensure that the trip remains engaging for family members who might not be as interested in fishing.

Safety should always be a top priority on fishing trips. This includes making sure everyone has a life jacket.     5     Also, having a first aid kit on hand is essential for dealing with any minor injuries or accidents.

By choosing the right destination, preparing adequately, engaging in various activities, and prioritizing safety, your fishing trips can become a cherished family tradition.

A．Fishing is of course the main attraction.

B．Unlike many modern-day activities, fishing needs patience.

C．It happens that the fish aren’t biting or the kids are losing interest.

D．They also provide a scenic backdrop that adds to the overall experience.

E．They offer a mixture of adventure, relaxation, and bonding opportunities.

F．Remember to take sunscreen, hats, and appropriate clothing for the weather.

G．Educate your family about the basics of water safety and what to do in case of an emergency.

10 . How much will it cost to live in Oxford, if you study in this world-renowned university? The lower and upper range of likely living costs for 2024-25 is provided below. These costs are based on a single, full-time student with no dependants, living in Oxford. We provide the cost per month and you can multiply up by the number of months you expect to live here, so that you are fully aware of and consider very carefully the likely living costs associated with your chosen courses of study at Oxford.

Likely living costs
	For 1 month		For 9 months
	Lower range	Upper range	Lower range	Upper range
Food	£300	£470	£2,700	£4,230
Accommodation	£700	£860	£5,040	£6,192
Personal items	£180	£305	£1,620	£2,745
Social activities	£40	£90	£360	£810
Study costs	£35	£80	£315	£720
Other	£20	£35	£180	£315
Total	£1,275	£1,840	£10,215	£15,012

In order to provide these likely living costs, the University and the Oxford Student Union have conducted a relevant survey among existing students about the expenditure data.

Food: Three ordinary meals on campus each day, dining out not counted.

Accommodation: The figures above show a 20% discount, which is commonly accepted in Oxford, if the same apartment is rented by the same student for 9 months and more in a row. They also include related bills (for example, utilities such as electricity and heating).

Study costs: These are likely costs directly related to your studies, such as text books, stationery, printing and photocopying, course-related equipment and materials.

Other: These are small, mixed costs which do not fall under the other categories above.

You may need to make additional budget for costs such as travel to and from fieldwork out of the city, or for international students the visa and health care costs (see student visa webpages). These costs are not included in the figures above.

1. How do the data come out?

A．It’s estimated by the authority.	B．It’s based on the costs of last term.
C．It’s provided by the graduates.	D．It’s collected from current students.

2. How much at least does an Oxford student spend on accommodation for a year?

A．£6,192.

B．£6,300.

C．£6,720.

D．£8,400.

3. What fees may be added to the above figures for an average student’s living cost?

A．The chosen courses.	B．Electricity and heating.
C．The transportation.	D．The visa and health care.