1 . Four Festivals From Around The World

It seems every country has its inviting events on the annual calendar. Here we’ve boiled down the options to add to your bucket list.

Boryeong Mud Festival, Republic of Korea

The extensive beneficial qualities of the mud in Boryeong coastal region have prompted wellness-related lines, as well as an entire coastal festival. The festival celebrates the natural benefits of this precious resource with a dose of pops, beach fun and street food, drawing visitors from around the world to get messy and learn about the region’s resources.

Rock Oyster Festival, England

Rock Oyster Festival is a summer event on the Cornish coast. With musical performances from the huge names, the three day festival also showcases some of the best chefs and restaurants from around Cornwall as well as cooking demonstrations. Big shots in the food world like Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Olia Hercules and Andi Oliver share their stories, while over at Mussel Beach, there’s a celebration of live fire cooking in all its glory.

Copenhagen Photo Festival, Denmark

Copenhagen Photo Festival showcases s international contemporary photography in a stunning, dramatic setting at the water’s edge. The Festival Centre and exhibition park are located in an urban coastal wilderness, formerly an industrial shipyard site. With the theme “Entanglement” for the 2024 edition of the festival, it encourages people to think relations on all the ways we are co-dependently connected.

Noosa Festival of Surfing, Australia

Noosa is an iconic surf spot on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Big waves crash on to the sunny and expansive beaches, backed by bars, cafes and the Noosa National Park. The annual festival is a homage to global surf culture and talent. Exhibitions, art shows and live music punctuate the moments between the actions on the water, while lighthearted activities such as dog surfing competitions accompany the more serious contests.

1. Which festival is most likely to appeal to people who are health-conscious?

A．Boryeong Mud Festival.	B．Rock Oyster Festival.
C．Copenhagen Photo Festival.	D．Noosa Festival of Surfing.

2. What can you do on Rock Oyster Festival?

A．Take part in a cooking contest.	B．Meet masters in food industry.
C．Visit an industrial shipyard site.	D．Make alive fire cooking freely.

3. What do the four festivals have in common?

A．Free food is available.	B．Celebrities are invited there,
C．They provide live music shows.	D．They take place in coastal areas.

2 . Recent studies suggest four out of 10 persons feel lonely at least one or two days per week, with younger persons (Millennials and Gen Z) exhibiting signs of extreme alienation (疏远) and disconnection more than other generations. Even older people, who are frequently regarded as lonely with few persons to speak to and objectively have lost many family members and friends, report less loneliness than Millennials. Why do Millennials report being the most lonely, and what can be done to address it?

Thirty percent of people between 23 and 38 said they often “feel lonely”. “But wait,” you may say. “Aren’t they connected through technology, social media platforms, and various apps?” Yes, but one of the challenges of extensive smartphone and app use today is that we are being trained to stare at screens rather than meet and have face-to-face conversations with people. Still, at the same time, people who spend more than 8 hours a day on screens per day tend to report other issues: depression, anxiety and other serious challenges to their well-being.

A meeting of minds used to happen via religious gatherings and school. So a possible solution is to create spaces and locations where one (and not just Millennials) can meet folks who share additional common interests. One possibility is through regular exercise outside the home. Going to a YMCA or a gym to a Zumba, yoga, or cycling class presents an opportunity to enjoy physical activity and have brief conversations with them before and after the session.

In addition to the obvious positive physical effects of the exercise, it can be surprising how beneficial a quick conversation can be with someone you may have just met. The boost in mood is palpable and can lead to better workouts due to increased available energy and motivation.

In conclusion, spending a little less time on the phone and a little more time walking in the neighborhood, in a park, or going early and staying late at the gym can work wonders for one’s mood and health.

1. Why do Millennials often feel lonelier than other generations?

A．They refuse to open up their inner world.

B．They don’t like to go to religious gatherings.

C．They are less connected with others in real life.

D．They have fewer opportunities to interact with people.

2. What is the possible solution mentioned in the text to address loneliness?

A．Limiting screen time.	B．Going to a nightclub with classmates.
C．Joining a group to exercise together.	D．Strengthening the parent-child bond.

3. What does the underlined word “palpable” in paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Noticeable.

B．Comfortable.

C．Fortunate.

D．Temporary.

4. What’s mainly talked about in the text?

A．The ways for millennials to make new friends.

B．The importance of face-to-face communication.

C．How to make new friends for Millennials and Gen Z.

D．Why Millennials feel lonely and solutions to address the problem.

3 . Love knows no bounds, especially when it comes to the person you’ve shared your life with. Peter Burkhardt, a 90-year-old man from Netherlands, is the embodiment (体现) of this idea. Every day, he travels 17 kilometers to accompany his wife of 63 years who now lives in a hospice (养老院) in Apeldoorn. While on days when the weather is very bad, he takes a cab or is driven then by his children, most times he gets on his bike and crosses the city on his own. It takes him an hour to get there and an hour to cycle back home.

In the colder months, Burkhardt keeps himself warm with a blue ski suit with a body warmer on top and a white cap to keep his head warm. “I’ve done skiing with pleasure. Cold doesn’t bother me and with rain, you can put on a rain jacket,” he told an interviewer. “So I’ll always get to my wife.” Burkhardt knows the route by heart, as he has been traveling to his wife’s hospice for the past seven years.

Even if he wanted to drive, Burkhardt’s license wasn’t approved and he hasn’t had a car. However, nothing stops this senior in love. “I walk a lot less now, but cycling is still going well.”

Burkhardt says that his wife doesn’t know what it takes him to reach her every day. “It is completely outside her field of experience. But when I’m back, I notice that she gives me a very nice hug every now and then.” His children have encouraged him to keep on visiting their mom every day.

Burkhardt’s devotion has certainly moved others. But above all, he has done everything in his power to spend as much time as possible with the love of his life-no matter what it takes.

1. Why does Peter Burkhardt visit his wife every day?

A．To help her recover.	B．To show off his love.
C．To keep her company.	D．To check on her condition.

2. How does Peter Burkhardt usually get to the hospice?

A．By bus.

B．By car.

C．By taxi.

D．By bike.

3. Which of the following can best describe Peter Burkhardt?

A．Faithful and reliable.	B．Capable and brave.
C．Successful and helpful.	D．Adventurous and curious.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．The Power of Ageless Love

B．Peter Burkhardt’s Daily Routine

C．Peter Burkhardt Doesn’t Give Up on His Wife

D．Man Cycles 17 Kilometers to Visit His Wife in Hospice Daily

4 . Four wonderful books you can’t miss

Old Herbaceous: A Novel of the Garden by Reginald Arkell

If you’re yet to read a “novel of the garden”, pick up Old Herbaceous. Perfect for fans of P. G. Wodehouse, this is the story of Bert Pinnegar, an awkward orphan(孤儿) who spends his childhood days picking wildflowers and avoiding farmers, before slowly maturing into the famous head gardener “Old Herbaceous”.

The Rural Diaries by Hilarie Burton Morgan

If you dream of quitting the corporate world and starting a farm, The Rural Diaries should be your kind of book. This is actress Hilarie Burton Morgan’s bestselling story of leaving Hollywood for a different life after the birth of her son, buying a working farm in upstate New York to explore a slower way of living.

The Art of Frugal Hedonism by Annie Raser-Rowland and Adam Grubb

If you want to live a life with less consumerism and more low-cost experiences and pleasures, you should absolutely read The Art of Frugal Hedonism. It’s about letting go of society’s expectations, peer (同龄人) pressure, and the fear of missing out to rediscover the most simple and joyful ways of living.

Recipe for a Kinder Life by Annie Smithers

Part memoir (回忆录), part recipe book, and part guide to caring for the land, this comforting and wholesome book is full of practical advice and wisdom collected from a life devoted to seasonal food, simplicity, and gentle living.

1. Who is the main character in Old Herbaceous: A Novel of the Garden?

A．P. G. Wodehouse.	B．Bert Pinnegar.
C．Hilarie Burton Morgan.	D．Annie Smithers.

2. What kind of life does the book written by Burton Morgan describe?

A．A simple and slow life.	B．A boring and tiring life.
C．A busy and luxurious life.	D．A colorful and ambitious life.

3. Which book will offer a guide to spending less while enjoying more?

A．Old Herbaceous: A Novel of the Garden.	B．The Rural Diaries.
C．The Art of Frugal Hedonism.	D．Recipe for a Kinder Life.

5 . How to prepare for a museum visit

●Decide which museum to go to.

If you’re visiting a small city, then it’s pretty simple. Your choices will necessarily be limited. If you’re going to a big city like London, Paris or Rome, then you’re faced with a large number of choices.     1     You may prefer small less crowded museums to large museums.

●Identify the museum’s masterpieces.

Once you’ve chosen a museum to visit, visit the museum’s website.     2     Then, read up on its collection and highlights. This kind of pre-trip studying will make the art and artifacts (文物) more fun and accessible.

●Decide how long you want to visit a museum.

Another good tip for visiting a museum is to decide in advance how long you want to stay. This may depend on the size of the museum. Or, it may depend on how long you can stare at art without getting “museum tiredness” and starting to glaze (变呆滞) over the artworks.     3    

●Get a museum or audio guide.

Another way to have an enjoyable and relaxing museum visit is to book a private tour, especially for a very large museum or popular tourist attraction. The tour guide knows the museum very well.     4     Besides, Museums typically have either free or docent (讲解员) museum tours available as well. They are super informative and usually last roughly two hours. And you’ll also have a chance to ask any questions.

●    5    

If you’re visiting a big museum, you’ll want to be efficient with your time. In the case, the best museum tip is to look at the layout of the building in advance. Some museums are shockingly disorganized, sometimes because they’re housed in ancient buildings.

A．Learn the museum layout.

B．So you’ll get a deep look at the museum highlights.

C．Check out the hours and what day the museum is open.

D．It’s a good idea to figure out your parking options in advance.

E．As the length of a museum visit increases, your attention decreases.

F．Most museums have virtual tours or online collections that you can explore.

G．If that’s the case, do your research and pick a museum that matches your interest.

6 . Dr. Franeis Collins is one of America’s leading scientists. In an interview, Dr. Collins was asked if there was any special spark (火花) or any moment in particular that _________ him to pursue a life of science. Dr. Collins _________ that in fact there was. He said that when he was in high school, on the first day of his first science course, the teacher handed each student a box _________. The boxes were sealed (封住) on the outside and hollow (空的) on the inside. But each box _________ something. And as young Collins turned the box on its side and turned it around, he could _________ something rolling around inside.

What was it? The teacher told the students that their _________ was to determine what was inside the box. They could _________ any kind of test or ask any kind of question that would lead them to find out what was inside the box. But they couldn’t _________ the box. They had to find ways to _________ what was in the box.

“That’s what __________ is,” the teacher carefully __________, “being curious, and thinking of questions to ask, until you find out the answer.” Dr. Collins was __________. He said that that day in class completely __________ his life. From then on, he was __________ to spending a life in science, where his job was to be __________ and ask lots of questions.

1.

A．forced

B．inspired

C．ordered

D．requested

2.

A．doubted

B．recognized

C．imagined

D．replied

3.

A．carefully

B．hurriedly

C．secretly

D．impatiently

4.

A．represented

B．meant

C．contained

D．told

5.

A．see

B．hear

C．fancy

D．monitor

6.

A．campaign

B．desire

C．ambition

D．assignment

7.

A．avoid

B．design

C．pass

D．mark

8.

A．open

B．roll

C．throw

D．hit

9.

A．pick up

B．draw on

C．figure out

D．stick to

10.

A．experiment

B．science

C．education

D．study

11.

A．answered

B．apologized

C．argued

D．explained

12.

A．attracted

B．confused

C．frightened

D．disappointed

13.

A．controlled

B．improved

C．saved

D．changed

14.

A．opposed

B．exposed

C．committed

D．used

15.

A．curious

B．smart

C．generous

D．optimistic

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is David probably?

A．A coach.

B．A tour guide.

C．A hotel manager.

2. Which lesson will be added to this year’s camp?

A．Swimming.

B．Surfing.

C．Diving.

3. Why does Wendy feel nervous?

A．She is weak at sports.

B．The schedule is too tight.

C．She is not good at socializing.

4. Where will Wendy go first?

A．To David’s office.

B．To the dining hall.

C．To her dormitory.