1 . York Minster—The Best Cathedral in England
Commonly known as York Minster, the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York is one of the finest old-fashioned buildings in Europe and was completed in 1472.
In addition to daily services, there are many features to discover. York Minster has one of Europe’s biggest collections of stained glass, with 128 windows made from approximately 2 million individual pieces of stained glass. In the interactive underground chambers, you can discover the 2000-year-old history of York Minster. In the grounds outside the Minster, the Old Palace houses famous historical treasures, collections and a library.
For the best view in York, climb the Tower for a splendid view of the surrounding Yorkshire countryside. All year round there are special events, including performances by the York Minster Choir.
OPENING TIMESMon to Sat: 9:30 am—4:00 pm
Sun: 12:45 pm—2:15 pm
TICKET INFORMATION
MINSTER ONLY | MINSTER AND CENTRAL TOWER |
Adult/Senior: £18 Child (17 and under)*: free with a paying adult *Up to four children with one paying adult | Adult/Senior: £24 Child (8-17): £6 To climb the tower you must be aged 8* |
It costs £30,000 a day to run York Minster and your admission fee directly supports the future of the cathedral. We never charge for people to enter the cathedral to pray, light a candle or attend a service.
BOOKINGAs a working church, we do need to close from time to time at short notice so we strongly recommend booking in advance so we can keep you informed of any changes in opening times.
For more information or to book, please contact our team using the details below or complete our enquiry form.
T: 01904 557275E: bookings@yorkminster.org
1. What can visitors do in York Minster?
A.Stay in the Old Palace. | B.Explore its rich history. |
C.Make windows from stained glass. | D.Climb the Tower to watch performances. |
A.£24. | B.£36. | C.£42. | D.£48. |
A.It takes on a modern style. | B.It bans climbing of the Tower. |
C.It may have temporary closures. | D.It charges people attending services. |
2 . SpoGomi is a sport involving litter-picking by teams of three. You’re given an area of 1.5 sq km, and have to
We
With 21 nations participating, the competition was
Without the competition, I wouldn’t have been someone who would have picked up litter off the street before. Now we are just much more
A.load | B.store | C.collect | D.bury |
A.priced | B.labeled | C.sorted | D.weighed |
A.held up | B.headed for | C.broke through | D.put off |
A.Gradually | B.Immediately | C.Constantly | D.Initially |
A.profile | B.shape | C.wisdom | D.mood |
A.advantage | B.adventure | C.preference | D.priority |
A.educational | B.competitive | C.sensitive | D.recreational |
A.assessed | B.protected | C.favored | D.motivated |
A.intense | B.fair | C.smooth | D.friendly |
A.relaxed | B.growing | C.aching | D.strengthened |
A.amazing | B.familiar | C.ordinary | D.complex |
A.training | B.watching | C.pushing | D.waiting |
A.monitored | B.deserted | C.occupied | D.discovered |
A.guilty | B.nervous | C.envious | D.aware |
A.conclude | B.contribute | C.compete | D.complain |
3 . The language of Gaelic has been spoken in Scotland since at least the 10th century and was at one time the country’s main language, widespread in towns and cities across the nation. Since the union of Scotland and England in the early 18th century, though, it has been in decline. These days you are most likely to find native Gaelic speakers in the Highlands of Scotland, with concerns having been raised about the future of the language.
Now, a new initiative from Community cafe and Gaelic cultural centre seeks to turn the tide with the release of the first Gaelic edition of the board game Scrabble.
Titled Scrabble Gàidhlig, it contains only the 18 letters found in the Gaelic alphabet and includes the grave accent on vowels À È Ì Ò and Ù. The frequency with which each letter appears has been reconsidered to reflect its usage in Gaelic, and scoring has been reformulated (重新设定) to reflect the respective ease and difficulty of using different letters in the language.
“We worked closely on the development of the new game with the team at An Taigh Cèilidh, who have done a fantastic job of localizing the material and ensuring that the game plays really well,” said CEO Jim Harrison. “I hope everyone enjoys playing it as much as we enjoyed making it.”
“It will help people improve their oral skills and the range of their vocabulary in Gaelic,” said McLeod, professor of Gaelic at the University of Edinburgh. “In particular, many Gaelic speakers are not very confident with their written Gaelic and Gaelic Scrabble could give them a valuable boost. It will be very helpful for Gaelic learners too. Gaelic spelling is very logical once you are familiar with the system, but it does take time to master it.”
Scrabble was invented in 1948 and has been common in UK homes ever since, with about half of all households owning at least one set. It is sold in more than 120 countries and available in 28 languages and counting.
1. Why was Scrabble Gàidhlig invented?A.To help keep a declining language alive. | B.To add a new type to board games. |
C.To help reunite the two countries. | D.To promote a language game. |
A.Its origin. | B.Its feature. | C.Its advantage. | D.Its function. |
A.It will improve their language competence. | B.It will boost their confidence in socializing. |
C.It will raise their interest in the board game. | D.It will enhance their hands-on ability. |
A.Add some background information. | B.Make some further predictions. |
C.Raise a reasonable doubt. | D.Introduce a global trend. |
Baiyang Lake, also known as Lake Baiyangdian, is located in the Xiong’an New Area of Baoding. As the largest freshwater lake in North China, it has gained
The old Chinese movie “Zhang Ga, the Soldier Boy” is famous for the lake
However, the lake almost dried out because of climate change from 1983 to 1988. Local governments launched 26 rehabilitation projects in 2005
5 . I am one of the healthcare assistants in our neighborhood charity organization. Our
Working for the charity, we operate every single day of the year, and I find myself
I remember one particular family with three sisters and the fourth who was in the end-of-life stage. When I arrived, she was
There are some heartbreaking situations, but when we are there
A.hope | B.role | C.existence | D.plan |
A.living | B.discovery | C.difference | D.decision |
A.at leisure | B.at home | C.on business | D.on duty |
A.care for | B.pray for | C.wake up | D.calm down |
A.bother | B.surprise | C.disappoint | D.impress |
A.saved | B.spent | C.left | D.fixed |
A.anxious | B.bitter | C.confident | D.positive |
A.dying | B.sleeping | C.disappearing | D.thinking |
A.regret | B.sorrow | C.panic | D.fright |
A.worried | B.disturbed | C.unconscious | D.dizzy |
A.make | B.see | C.put | D.think |
A.bible | B.photos | C.clothing | D.peaches |
A.foresaw | B.predicted | C.survived | D.tolerated |
A.relieving | B.comforting | C.upsetting | D.embarrassing |
A.at | B.in | C.until | D.before |
6 . HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF EVERY BOOK YOU READ
Reading books can be one of life’s greatest pleasures and learning experiences.
Understanding why you’re reading a book can significantly impact how you approach it. The right goal will help you pay attention to what’s most important. If you’re reading a book about photography, you may want to pay particular attention to the images.
After finishing a chapter, take a few minutes to summarize it in your own words.
The process of reading doesn’t end when you turn the last page. Regularly revisiting your notes, summaries, and reflections keeps the material fresh and relevant. Consider setting aside time each month to review previous reads and reflect how they’ve shaped your thoughts and actions. Not for every book, of course, just for the most impactful ones.
A.Repeat reading for deeper insights |
B.Review and reflect |
C.You may notice details, themes, or ideas that were hidden during your first reading |
D.This exercise deepens your understanding and helps identify the central themes and ideas |
E.So spend some time reflecting on what you hope to achieve and let that guide your reading process |
F.However, many of us struggle to remember and apply what we’ve read |
G.Taking action on what you’ve read transforms theoretical knowledge into practical wisdom |
The core value of Chinese traditional culture is the concept of harmony. Harmony is, in fact, a complete cultural system that consists of not only
At the centre of Chinese cultural harmony is the belief in the interconnectedness of all things. It
The significance of harmony in Chinese culture cannot be overstated. It has shaped China’s approach to international relations,
8 . When Mark Twain visited Florence (佛罗伦萨) in 1867, he dutifully visited the city’s museums, churches, and tombs. But as he stood by the Arno, he began to sense the Italians’ insistence that it was a river, not a stream. “They all call it a river, and they honestly think it is a river, do these dark and bloody Florentines,” he complained, “I might enter Florence under happier circumstances a month hence and find it all beautiful, all attractive. But I do not care to think of it now, at all.”
It’s normal to feel uncomfortable outside your home culture. Feelings of discomfort, dislocation, and overload among travelers are referred to by many as “culture shock.” But Susan Goldstein, a professor at the University of Redlands says, “ Though the term has existed for many years, ‘Culture shock’ implies a dramatic, unexpected, negative event. Though many travelers will experience such challenges, a real sense of ‘shock’ is untypical. So untypical that many researchers no longer use the term.”
It was the vivid description of culture shock by Canadian researcher Oberg, written in 1960 in response to his own multicultural experiences, that won over audiences. The researcher spoke of the adjustment process as “an occupational disease of people who have suddenly been transplanted abroad” — a “disease” that progressed from a honeymoon phase, through rejecting the new environment, to finally adjusting fully to it. By the 1970s many researchers adopted the idea that, like physical illnesses, culture shock progressed through a remarkably consistent and universal set of stages.
Modern research, however, suggests that the experiences of adaptation are individual, not universal. “People will have their ups and downs, but for the most part, they will become increasingly comfortable and competent over time,” Goldstein says. And while many connect the causes of culture shock to the host culture itself, an individual’s internal expectations and differences are just as important.
As for Mark Twain, the moody author was able to ride out his feelings of upset and dislocation while traveling. He eventually finished out his European tour - and in his bestselling travel memoir The Innocents Abroad, famously remarked that travel is “fatal to prejudice and narrow-mindedness.” With the right attitude - and the willingness to seek help if you need it - it’s more than likely that you, too, can adapt and grow in new settings, building new memories-and toughness - with each new stamp in your passport.
1. How did Mark Twain feel about Italians’ insistence?A.Annoyed. | B.Calm. | C.Uninterested. | D.Curious. |
A.It would lead to physical diseases. |
B.It was regarded as an avoidable thing. |
C.It was named for people’s adjustment. |
D.It had gained wide acceptance by the 1970s. |
A.Suggestions about culture shock. |
B.A change in understanding culture shock. |
C.Stress of the importance of culture shock. |
D.A criticism of previous idea of culture shock. |
A.To remember him. | B.To inform and anticipate. |
C.To conclude and encourage. | D.To make the ending humorous. |
9 . On February 17th, the Clermont County Animal Shelter, Ohio, shared a story. A woman met with her missing dog Will again.
While
Hannah explained in her Facebook post that Will, a six-year-old went missing from her home in 2019. Although her family looked everywhere, they couldn’t
A shelter volunteer said, “Just yesterday we
It was nothing short of a
A.commenting on | B.checking out | C.speaking of | D.looking for |
A.celebration | B.adoption | C.demonstration | D.recommendation |
A.dynamic | B.lovely | C.familiar | D.friendly |
A.shelter | B.describe | C.forget | D.locate |
A.received | B.forwarded | C.left | D.delivered |
A.duties | B.achievements | C.owner | D.appearance |
A.possibly | B.obviously | C.actually | D.typically |
A.hesitation | B.guilt | C.anger | D.panic |
A.popular | B.thankful | C.supported | D.reunited |
A.guess | B.know | C.discuss | D.doubt |
A.heartwarming | B.mind-bending | C.convincing | D.entertaining |
A.danger | B.need | C.happiness | D.uncertainty |
A.sharing | B.reading | C.revising | D.saving |
A.connection | B.treasure | C.wonder | D.success |
A.excited | B.motivated | C.amused | D.urged |
A Birthday Surprise
I stood at the kitchen window watching Papa as he sat in the old, wooden lawn chair staring out at the lake. Ralph, his old black dog, lay on the ground at his side. Papa’s hand absently stroked (抚摩) the head of his old companion as they dreamed the dreams of old men and old dogs in the evening sun. “He does this day after day?” I asked Mama.
She nodded, sadness filling her eyes. “I don’t know what to do for him. There is a strong desire in his eyes that I can’t satisfy -a desire for the past. The past can’t be brought back to the present. Once days are gone, they are gone forever,” Mama sighed.
“I’m going down to talk to him,” I said.
I called out to Papa and handed him a cup of coffee. “What are you and Ralph thinking about all these hours you spend out here?” I asked,
“We’re not thinking,” he said softly. “We’re wishing.” I sat on the grass beside his chair. “Wishing for what?” “For the impossible, I suppose,” he sighed. “You always told me that nothing was impossible if you wanted it badly enough and were willing to work hard for it,” I reminded him.
He laughed softly, but there was no amusement in the sound. “But Ralph and I have come to learn that when you reach our age, some things are actually impossible.” “Maybe I can help you. What do you want so badly?” I asked.
Papa grinned (咧嘴大笑), and his eyes shone brightly at the thought of his dream becoming a reality. “Ralph and I want to fix up the old boat and go out on the lake again. We used to spend all day out on the lake, fishing, drinking beer and eating sandwiches,” Papa said.
Yes, I remember. When I was young, Papa and Ralph often enjoyed themselves on the lake on weekends. They’d start for home when the sun went down, totally satisfied with themselves and with life. Now, Papa was almost eighty-five years old and had a heart condition, so Mama was horrified by the idea of him going out on the lake again at first. But eventually I managed to convince her.
注意:1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
After Mama agreed, I persuaded my friends to join in my secret plan.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________On the day of Papa’s birthday, we were all eager to give him a surprise.
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