1 . Pawn shops (典当行) have long been known as treasure banks of unexpected finds. From musical instruments to electronics, these establishments offer a diverse range of items that motivate the imaginations of both buyers and sellers. In this article, we explore the fascinating world of popular items frequently pawned at shops. Now, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a journey through the fascinating stock of pawn shops.
In today’s digital age, electronics have become an essential part of our lives. From smartphones and laptops to gaming devices and home entertainment systems, pawn shops have become hotspots for tech enthusiasts seeking bargains and unique finds. These shops are packed with the items that have bridged distances, captured memories, and entertained us in various ways.
Guitars have a magnetic charm, attracting musicians and enthusiasts alike. From vintage classics to contemporary models, pawned guitars arouse a sense of nostalgia and craftsmanship. They have been the backbone of countless melodies and the catalyst (催化剂) for musical dreams. Whether it’s a legendary electric guitar that once rocked a stadium or a humble acoustic (原声吉他) that accompanied close and friendly performances, each guitar carries a unique tale of passion and creativity.
Pawn shops are also renowned for their dazzling arrays of jewelry. Rings, necklaces, bracelets, and watches — these delicate pieces hold sentimental value and timeless beauty, carrying stories of love, milestones, and cherished memories. From vintage heirlooms to modern designs, the jewelry section of a pawn shop offers a remarkable mixture, where you can find unique and eye-catching pieces and appreciate the charm and craftsmanship of fine decoration.
So, the next time you find yourself near a pawn shop, step inside, explore the aisles, and let your imagination roam. You never know what hidden treasures you might uncover, or what remarkable tales you might encounter in the attractive world of pawned items.
1. Who would most probably enter a pawn shop?| A．A research chemist. | B．A travel planner. |
| C．A wedding food provider. | D．A family party organizer. |
| A．Conserve the antiques. | B．Appreciate fairy tales. |
| C．Practice with the craftsman. | D．Experience the history and love. |
| A．Emotional. | B．Social. |
| C．Economic. | D．Decorative. |
| A．Legends behind Pawned Items Never Disappear |
| B．Hidden Treasures in Pawn Shops Speak |
| C．Try Various Pawn Shops to Meet Your Beloved |
| D．Borrow Attractive Old Things from Pawn Shops |
2 . Tilly Williams, a Parkside primary student, has broken a world distance running record, beating other girls who were eight years older than her to run 5,000m in just 17 minutes and 22. 7 seconds.
Tilly started running just three years ago and has already shot straight to the top. When some of her friends told her about the international record, she decided to give it a go while competing at the SA State Championships.
“Some of my running friends told me about it and I was like, wow, it would be crazy if I got that and here I am,” Tilly said. “I am the kind of person who really enjoys the challenge,” she added, “I really love surfing and I love bike riding and hiking - all different kinds of adventures and sports.”
She started running in 2021 when she joined her school’s cross-country team. Since then, she has run two to three times a week with her dad, Mark Williams, or at the Adelaide Harriers Athletics Club.
Tilly said, “It’s good knowing that my family’s on my side and my friends are on my side as well. Usually I just go out and run with my running group and with my dad as well because it is like a bond.”
Tilly doesn’t follow a strict diet, so her favourite food is still on the menu - her dad’s home-cooked pizza. “I do love pepperoni pizza,” she said.
“You never think that anyone’s going to get a world record at this age, at any age really. It’s just surreal,” Mr. Williams said, “It’s very important to recognise these achievements, but also to stay very much grounded and just enjoy the other pursuits that she likes. She loves her running, but she does so many other things as well and I think it’s really important that the focus is on life rather than just one thing.”
1. What do we know about Tilly?| A．She prefers surfing to bike riding. |
| B．She failed at the SA State Championships. |
| C．She holds the 5000m record of her age. |
| D．She’s lucky to have her dad as her coach. |
| A．We’d better concentrate on a single thing. |
| B．Tilly deserves the reputation and praise. |
| C．Tilly should make efforts to keep her record. |
| D．People should consider needs more than hobbies. |
| A．Gifted and persevering. | B．Optimistic and careful. |
| C．Determined and humorous. | D．Dynamic and warm-hearted. |
| A．www. naturewatch. com. | B．www.thecookinghouse.com. |
| C．www. kidsnews. com. | D．www.adventuretours.com. |
3 . Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery with Saskia Wilson-Brown
Course DescriptionLed by Saskia Wilson-Brown, the founder and director of The Institute for Art and Olfaction, this course will provide an expansive overview of perfumery. Starting with the important social context for the global history of perfumery, the class will go on to cover fragrance families and classification, materials of natural and synthetic (合成的) origin, diluents, and the basics for a safe practice. Importantly, we’ll do the fun work of smelling, discussing each material in the kit through a process of sensorial evaluation. Finally, we’ll create several introductory perfume formulas and end the course with a glimpse into the perfume industry with a focus on independent and experimental practices.
SyllabusSession 1(7: 00-9: 00 pm, Mar. 18): Lah Basics: Safety, tools, and fragrance families
Session 2(7: 00-9: 00 pm, Mar. 25): Materials and Strategies
Session 3(7: 00-9: 00 pm, Apr. 1): Industry: Mainstream vs. artisan practice
Price
$215 per person(course only)
Course Materials
We offer a material kit containing 18 aromatic materials and some tools, which costs $75. We recommend ordering your kit instantly you have purchased the course to ensure your receiving it in time for class, though it’s not strictly necessary to have received it by the first sess10n.
Please note that these are professional-grade perfume materials and although we have carefully selected all our materials to prevent allergens, there is nevertheless a slight possibility that you may experience a sensitivity to one or two of them. We request you not work with your material kit until our first class, in which we will cover health and safety tips. If you’re highly sensitive to fragrance, we recommend you not take this class.
Please contact us at experiences@atlasobscura. com if you have any questions.
1. Which is covered in this course?| A．Strategy of selling fragrance. | B．Distribution of global perfumery. |
| C．Smelling scents. | D．Evaluating perfume formulas. |
| A．On Mar. 25. | B．On Mar. 18. | C．On Apr. 1. | D．On May 18. |
| A．The kit should be opened in advance. | B．The materials are safe for they are natural. |
| C．We need to pay $290 for the experience. | D．It is suitable for those sensitive to fragrance. |
4 . In the rich countries of the West, the electric vehicle revolution is well occurring. Climate-conscious consumers drive Teslas or Polestars for reasons of morality (道德) and fashion. Poorer countries are also experiencing a wave of electrified trend. In Bangladesh, electric three-wheeler taxis, known as tuk-tuks, are rapidly replacing gas-powered ones on the streets. Such electric vehicles are climate friendly, cost effective, and help reduce air pollution.
Yet a glance under the hood (引擎盖) of these vehicles shows a poisonous secret: each tuk-tuk runs on five massive lead-acid batteries (铅酸电池), containing almost 300 pounds of lead (铅) in total. Every year and a half or so, when those batteries need to be replaced and recycled, about 60 pounds of lead leaks into the environment. Battery recycling, often at small-scale unregulated factories, is a highly profitable (高利润的) but deadly business.
Lead is dangerous, and any exposure to it is harmful to human health. Lead that has entered the environment hurts people on an unexpected scale. The numerous ways lead enters air, water, soil, and homes across the developing world and the enormous damage it does to human health, wealth, and welfare cause one of the biggest environmental problems in the world yet receives little attention.
The World Bank estimates that lead kills 5.5 million people per year, making it a bigger global killer than AIDS, malaria, diabetes, and road traffic deaths combined. On top of the shocking deaths, the social burden of lead poisoning is heavy, as is its contribution to global inequality — our research on the cognitive (认知的) effects of lead poisoning suggests that it may explain about one-fifth of the educational achievement gap between rich and poor countries.
But unlike many challenges faced by developing countries, lead poisoning is a problem that can be resolved through financial investment (财政投入). Better monitoring, research, and rules can help protect children all over the world from the unpleasant effects of lead poisoning and reduce the massive global costs it brings.
1. How does the author describe the lead problem in paragraph 2?| A．By listing some numbers. | B．By analyzing hidden causes. |
| C．By making an interesting comparison. | D．By explaining its working principle. |
| A．Lead enters poor countries in one way. |
| B．Lead leaking has been avoided in all the countries. |
| C．Lead will definitely not harm anymore. |
| D．Lead poisoning may make poor societies poorer. |
| A．Fixing these used batteries. | B．Reducing the cost of recycling lead. |
| C．Ignoring the illegal use of lead. | D．Putting certain effort and money. |
| A．The Impacts of Lead Poisoning on Man. |
| B．The Global Lead Poisoning Problem. |
| C．The Ways to Solve Lead Problem. |
| D．The Benefits of Using Electric Vehicles. |
1. What happened to the girl?
| A．She was ill. | B．Her eye was hit. | C．She was late for class. |
| A．The girl’s brother. | B．The girl’s father. | C．The girl’s classmate. |
| A．Her phone was broken. |
| B．Her phone was out of power. |
| C．She forgot to bring her phone. |
1. Where does the conversation take place?
| A．In a restaurant. | B．In the school hall. | C．At a bus station. |
| A．15 minutes. | B．20 minutes. | C．30 minutes. |
| A．The noisy fan. | B．The hot temperature. | C．The careless organizer. |
| A．Meet her parents. | B．Go for a picnic. | C．Work late. |
1. What will the headmaster do tomorrow morning?
| A．Take photos in the lab building. |
| B．Meet the listeners in the library. |
| C．Introduce the school to the listeners. |
| A．The Statue of Liberty. | B．Central Park. | C．Brooklyn Bridge. |
| A．A talk show. | B．A lecture. | C．A party. |
| A．On Tuesday afternoon. | B．On Wednesday morning. | C．On Wednesday afternoon. |
1. What is the matter with Mr. Smith?
| A．He ate a lot. | B．He got a sore throat. | C．He can’t sleep at night. |
| A．English. | B．Chinese. | C．Physics. |
| A．He has rested for a week. |
| B．He has to help his students. |
| C．He wants to visit a university. |
