1 . Las Vegas can offer a lot more than you expect. Here are the best guided tours to help visitors make the most of their Sin City getaway.
Big Bus Las Vegas — Open Top Night TourAdmire the glittering lights downtown on this evening double-decker bus tour. Along the drive, you’ll pass well-known buildings before hopping off to enjoy the free light shows on Fremont Street. Tour-takers praise the guides for their informative, friendly account.
Passengers can board the buses at the LINQ Promenade starting at 7 p.m. each evening.
Cowboy Trail Rides — Red Rock Canyon Sunset Horseback RideWhen you need a break from the city life, put on a cowboy hat and boots for a sunset trail ride through Red Rock Canyon. On the ride, you’ll follow a guide through the picturesque desert landscape, watching for wildlife. Travelers warn that it can get chilly on the ride, so they advise wearing warm layers.
Trail Rides are offered Tuesday through Sunday.
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters — Grand Celebration TourPapillon Grand Canyon Helicopters’ Grand Celebration tour offers bird’s-eye views of sought-after sights, like Eagle Point and Lake Mead. The tour also includes a Champagne picnic. The pilots and staff earn praise for their friendliness and professionalism.
There are several daily departure options.
Secret Food Tours — Las Vegas StripEvery day Secret Food Tours take groups of 10 participants to five-star restaurants on the Strip to sample a variety of cooking delights, including pizza, chocolates and lobster. During the walking tour, highly praised guides teach tourgoers about the city’s food and culture. Travelers say the food on the tour is plentiful and tasty, but they warn that you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
Tickets include all food tastings.
1. What can visitors do during the Open Top Night Tour?| A．Admire charged light shows. | B．Explore well-known buildings. |
| C．Board buses on Fremont Street. | D．Enjoy an evening double decker bus tour. |
| A．Visitors can try a horseback ride. |
| B．Visitors can have some food to taste. |
| C．Visitors can enjoy views from high in the air. |
| D．Visitors can learn about the history of Las Vegas. |
| A．Secret Food Tours — Las Vegas Strip |
| B．Big Bus Las Vegas — Open Top Night Tour |
| C．Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters — Grand Celebration Tour |
| D．Cowboy Trail Rides — Red Rock Canyon Sunset Horseback Ride |
| A．8: 20. | B．9: 50. | C．7: 30. |
On the occasion of the Year of the Dragon, the Tongliang Dragon Dance is certainly one of the most evocative (引起共鸣的) and atmospheric performances staged at
Tongliang Dragon Dance is a dance art form that began in the Tongliang District of southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality. The district expects to make use of the dragon culture
The dragon prop (道具)
“Tongliang is the home of the dragon dance, and the Tongliang Dragon Dance, during its long tradition, has evolved into more than 20 different
As one of the first national intangible cultural heritages, the Tongliang Dragon Dance
The Tongliang Dragon Dance has not only featured in major domestic (国内的) celebrations such
4 . Want to explore new cultures, meet new people and engage in meaningful pursuits? You can do all the three with Global Development Association (GDA). No matter what life stage you’re at, wherever you go, and whatever project you undertake with us, you’ll create positive changes in a poor and remote community.
We welcome volunteers from all walks of life and backgrounds. While the majority of our volunteers are between the ages of 17 and 24, we’re currently in need of volunteer managers aged 25 to 75, who play a very important role in the safe and effective operation of our programs. Our positions include project managers, mountain leaders, and communication officers.
Your chosen role could vary from enhancing a community’s access to clean drinking water to preserving valuable local cultures. Or perhaps you might design adventure challenges to train our young volunteers.
Not only will you be aiding the personal growth of our young volunteers, but you’ll also be picking up new skills and expanding your cultural insights. You’ll likely meet individuals who could become lifelong friends.
This summer we have both 4-week and 7-week programmes:
Country | Schedule | |
4-week programmes | 7-week programmes | |
Algeria | 5 Jul. — 1 Aug. | 20 Jun. — 7 Aug. |
Egypt | 24 Jul. — 20 Aug. | 19 Jun. — 6 Aug. |
Kenya | 20 Jul. — 16 Aug. | 18 Jun. — 5 Aug. |
South Africa | 2 Aug. — 29 Aug. | 15 Jun. — 2 Aug. |
GDA ensures that volunteers work with community members and local project partners where our help is needed. All our projects aim to promote the development of poor and remote communities.
There is no other chance like a GDA programme. Join us as a volunteer manager to develop your own skills while bringing benefits to the communities.
Find out more about joining a GDA programme:
Website: www.glodeve.org
Email: humanresources@glodeve.org
1. What age group does GDA primarily target for volunteer managers?| A．17—24. | B．25—40. | C．25—75. | D．17—75. |
| A．Egypt | B．South Africa | C．Kenya | D．Algeria |
| A．explore new cultures | B．protect the environment |
| C．gain corporate benefit | D．help communities in need |
5 . When I was a little boy, I lived in my grandma’s old house. It was
As a little boy, I was confused by all the effort she
Now as I’ve grown older, I am beginning to
| A．threatened | B．torn | C．surrounded | D．destroyed |
| A．flowers | B．potatoes | C．tomatoes | D．carrots |
| A．discovered | B．sold | C．watered | D．forgot |
| A．honesty | B．love | C．strength | D．courage |
| A．put into | B．looked into | C．ran into | D．turned into |
| A．identify | B．manage | C．defend | D．feed |
| A．rather | B．even | C．still | D．never |
| A．led | B．referred | C．tended | D．pointed |
| A．disappointed | B．worried | C．awkward | D．puzzled |
| A．casually | B．hardly | C．entirely | D．secretly |
| A．child | B．doctor | C．parent | D．artist |
| A．question | B．concern | C．challenge | D．understand |
| A．taking | B．hanging | C．expanding | D．spotting |
| A．free | B．worthy | C．full | D．aware |
| A．achievement | B．doubt | C．lie | D．reminder |
6 . Dr. Janet S. Choi, a doctor at Keck Medicine of USC, wanted to know whether recovering hearing with hearing aids (辅助设备) may increase the chances of living longer.
“The group of patients who are using hearing aids regularly have a 24% lower risk of death compared to the group who never use hearing aids,” says Choi. The findings do not prove that it’s the hearing aids that lead to longer life. It could be that people who use hearing aids regularly are also more likely to put off isolation (孤独), remain more active in socializing with other people or have reduced risk of falls, which could explain why people who never use hearing aids likely die more prematurely than those who use them regularly. The effect holds up even when the researchers consider differences such as age, ethnicity, education and medical history.
Choi knows from personal experience the difference hearing aids can make. She was born with hearing loss in one ear. And for years she says she resisted the idea of wearing hearing aids, given that her hearing was very good in one ear. But when she became a surgeon, she realized she was missing out. Now she uses hearing aids regularly.
There can be several limits to recovering from hearing, including the cost of examining and the cost of hearing aids. But the technologies have improved and there are more affordable choices compared to several years ago. Still, some people avoid wearing them due to shame or the annoyance of getting used to them.
So, if you have hearing aids sitting in the back of a drawer, not being used, Choi says, try them again. She recommends new users wear their hearing aids every day for 30 ongoing days to get used to them.
1. What did the study find about patients often wearing hearing aids?| A．They are at risk of more falls. |
| B．They more possibly hate isolation. |
| C．They usually have good medical history. |
| D．They are more likely to communicate with others. |
| A．Early. | B．Unexpectedly. | C．Unhappily. | D．Suddenly. |
| A．To list an unusual example. |
| B．To state some pleasant scenes. |
| C．To pity people with hearing loss. |
| D．To prove the benefit of using hearing aids. |
| A．The high cost of hearing aids. |
| B．The process of examining hearing. |
| C．The rules of protecting hearing aids. |
| D．The troubles of recovering from hearing. |
7 . The Himalayan mountains are increasingly filled with mounting waste left by mountaineering activities over the years. There is no official data, but Nepal’s Department of Tourism estimates（估计）that on Qomolangma alone, there is nearly 140,000 tons of waste.
Now some of that material is finding its way to local craftswomen（女工艺师）, thanks to a new plan led by Shilshila Acharya. Acharya owns Avni Center for Sustainability, a waste processing business in Kathmandu. She has been working with the cleaning activity since 2019, targeting mountains such as Qomolangma, Makalu, Dhaulagiri, Ama Dablam and Annapurna.
“Metals go through the recycling（回收利用）process, but we were not able to find a way to recycle these ropes and small cooking gas cans,” she says. It occurred to her that the non-recyclable waste could be reused, but it wasn’t until she met Maya Rai at an event that a solution was born. Rai, helped connect Acharya with Sunita Chaudhary and her team of Tharu craftswomen in the hope of turning the mountain waste into economic opportunity.
“People like me, who are far from the mountains but belong to the local Tharu community, are using our traditional skills to change this waste into something entirely new,” Chaudhary says.
Finished crafts are sold at craft exhibitions. The craftswomen are paid according to how many items they make and sell, earning an average of 400 Nepali Rupees per half-day’s work. With flexible hours, the project gives women an opportunity to earn money even as they keep their household responsibilities.
1. What is the trouble for the Himalayan mountains according to paragraph 1?| A．No true data about waste. | B．Tons of mounting waste. |
| C．Mountaineering activities. | D．Lack of funds for environment. |
| A．The recycling process. | B．Meeting Rai at an event. |
| C．A cleaning activity in 2019． | D．A visit to Chaudhary’s house. |
| A．They learn new skills. | B．They receive fixed pay. |
| C．They sell crafts at exhibitions. | D．They explore the Himalayan mountains. |
| A．Mountaineering Adventures in the Himalayas |
| B．Exploring Traditional Skills of Local Craftswomen |
| C．Crafting Economic Opportunities from Mountain Waste |
| D．Promoting Tourism in Kathmandu |
8 . Established in 1986, the James Beard Foundation assists culinary (烹饪的) professionals who plan to further their education at a culinary school having official permission. International students may qualify for many, but not all, of our programs, and are encouraged to apply. As of 2024, we will be offering the following programs.
The Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Grant (补助金)Chef (厨师) Jean-Louis Palladin is considered one of the culinary talented people of the 20th century. The James Beard Foundation is proud to offer the Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Grant. Created to keep up the mission and programs of the Jean-Louis Palladin Foundation, the project will provide two yearly grants up to $4,000 to working chefs.
The Chef Mashama Bailey Tuition Waiver (学费减免)Chef Mashama Bailey is a graduate of ICE’s Culinary Arts program in 2001. She is the executive chef/co-owner of The Grey, in Savannah, Georgia and Austin, Texas. This tuition grant, for $20,000, was established to honor her achievement. Preference will be given to applicants who can communicate a clear personal interest and appreciation for regional food, particularly southern regional food in America.
The FCI Legacy of Excellence Tuition WaiverThe French Culinary Institute(FCI)was established in 1984 in New York City, with a focus on French technique as the foundation for teaching professional cooking. This tuition grant, for $15,000, was established to honor the legacy of FCI. Preference will be given to applicants who have a desire to one day be the head chef of a restaurant.
Johnson & Wales University Tuition WaiverUp to one waiver of $3,000 will be offered toward tuition at Johnson & Wales University campus in Providence or Charlotte, North Carolina. The award is renewable up to four additional years (for a total of $12,000). To remain qualified for the award, the student must keep satisfactory academic performance.
1. To get the highest award, which of the following can one apply for?| A．The Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Grant. |
| B．The Chef Mashama Bailey Tuition Waiver. |
| C．The FCI Legacy of Excellence Tuition Waiver.. |
| D．Johnson & Wales University Tuition Waiver. |
| A．An applicant who wants to be a head chef. |
| B．An applicant who must be a working chef. |
| C．An applicant who is interested in southern American food. |
| D．An applicant who graduated from Johnson & Wales University. |
| A．In a novel. | B．In a history book. |
| C．In an education magazine. | D．In a travel brochure. |
9 . I have struggled with feelings of unworthiness since forever. My most painful moments were at parties. My friends made fun of me because I was rhythmically (有节奏地)
Around age 12, I decided that the way to
After several years of spiritual growth, it
The
| A．adjusted | B．bothered | C．challenged | D．acknowledged |
| A．twisted | B．annoyed | C．limited | D．awkward |
| A．belong | B．appeal | C．match | D．appear |
| A．bear | B．cure | C．release | D．arouse |
| A．boost | B．work | C．polish | D．preserve |
| A．included | B．praised | C．inspired | D．appreciated |
| A．internally | B．academically | C．professionally | D．critically |
| A．occurs to | B．happens to | C．calls on | D．takes on |
| A．desires | B．strengths | C．achievements | D．efforts |
| A．well | B．soon | C．much | D．far |
| A．Still | B．Therefore | C．Meanwhile | D．Rather |
| A．definition | B．welfare | C．pose | D．sense |
| A．discovery | B．access | C．journey | D．experience |
| A．differ | B．separate | C．steal | D．free |
| A．hall | B．gym | C．dance | D．balcony |
10 . Do you think cookies can tell stories? Jasmine Cho, 35, does.
A baker, artist, entrepreneur and activist, Cho tries to spread knowledge about social justice issues and diversity through the delicious medium of cookies.
It was in high school that she discovered her love of baking. At a sleepover a friend taught her how to make a dessert, “sort of demystifying baking and that whole process”.
Later, Cho realized her second passion: learning more about her Asian, American culture. An elective in college that taught Asian-American immigrant experiences brought an emotional moment for her. “So many emotions came up that I just couldn’t articulate. It was like this mix of anger, of relief, empowerment, sadness…” Cho said.
Cho realized she could combine these two passions to educate others about influential Asian American people and showcase matters that were important to her. With her online bakery, she designed cookie portraits about people she admired and posted the images on Instagram. “I don’t think I ever really knew how to communicate these stories until I found cookies,” Cho said. “Cookies are just so disarming. Who doesn’t like cookies?”
One cookie that Cho has identified with deeply is one she made of George Helm, a Hawaiian activist in the 1970s.
“It’s insane the amount of injustice that the native Hawaiian population has faced as well through the whole annexation (吞并) of the kingdom. There were so many horrific stories that I heard about nuclear testing and the fallout (核爆炸后的沉降物) impacting native Hawaiian populations in all of this,” Cho said, “George Helm was one of those activists who really represented the spirituality of the native Hawaiians and the connection to their land, to nature.”
Among her amazing cookie art are other political figures such as Larry Itliong, a Filipino-American labor organizer, and pop culture figures such as Keanu Reeves, a Canadian actor.
Cho hopes her cookie art continues to inspire people to be creative and think positively.
“Instead of trying to think of something new and original, just look inward and see, maybe there’s already a passion or a love that you have,” Cho said. “Use that for something that will serve the world in a better way.”
1. What inspired Cho to take an interest in Asian-American culture?| A．One of her sleepover experiences. |
| B．One elective course she took at college. |
| C．The process of learning baking from her friend. |
| D．A book she read about Asian-American immigrant experiences. |
| A．Cookies don’t cost much. | B．Cookies are easier to make. |
| C．Cookies have different images. | D．Cookies are favored by many people. |
| A．To show what Cho focuses on with her cookies. |
| B．To introduce the spirituality of native Hawaiians. |
| C．To explain why Cho is interested in political activists. |
| D．To inform the reader of Helm’s contributions to Hawaii. |
| A．Hold your horses for a better self. |
| B．Think outside the box to break new ground. |
| C．Spread something original to one’s heart content. |
| D．Throw yourself into your inner world for a better one. |
