1 . Popular Countries to Visit in 2024
ZimbabweZimbabwe is a country that travelers all over the world always talk about, not only because it is a friendly country, but also because it is one of Africa’s safest places. In Zimbabwe, you can visit many tourist attractions. For example, Big Five-filled national parks, forested mountains and the Victoria Falls. Here you can see African lions, African elephants, African buffaloes, African leopards, and rhinoceroses, which are called the big five animals.
JordanIf you have a taste for adventure (冒险), you will certainly love Jordan, because there is a 650-km-long path in Jordan and you can have a 36-day hike here. There are several other places for people to visit, for example, the Rift Valley is the best place that attracts travelers fond of adventure to challenge. Besides, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth, which can leave a deep impression on people.
IndonesiaFrom Sumatra to Papua, more than 17,000 islands make Indonesia a multicultural (多元文化的) country. On these islands, there are many kinds of tasty food, which could offer tourists good feelings and experiences. Thanks to heavy investment (投资) in new air, land and sea connections by the government, people from 169 countries can enter Indonesia with free visas (签证) . It has never been easier to explore this warm country.
BelarusBelarus becomes more and more popular because of the relaxed visa requirements. There are lots of art exhibitions, cafes and local parties in Belarus. In its beautiful old towns, people can go to the fashionable bars and join the happy summer street parties. Minsk, the capital of Belarus, has been chosen as the host city for many global events and meetings. 2024 European Games is on the list.
1. Where will you go if you are interested in African animals?| A．Zimbabwe. | B．Jordan. | C．Indonesia. | D．Belarus. |
| A．The 650-km-long path. | B．The 36-day hike. |
| C．The Rift Valley. | D．The Dead Sea. |
| A．Indonesia is one of the safest places in the world. |
| B．Many foreigners can visit Indonesia with free visas. |
| C．Indonesia is famous for its tasty food. |
| D．More than 17, 000 cities form the warm country. |
| A．Because the visa requirements have been less strict. |
| B．Because there are lots of art exhibitions, cafes and local parties. |
| C．Because people can get 30-day free visas. |
| D．Because people can join the happy summer street parties. |
| A．Zimbabwe. | B．Jordan. | C．Indonesia. | D．Belarus. |
2 . Cannes, a coastal city in France, is famous for hosting the Cannes Film Festival every year. It’s also a beautiful place to visit any time of the year. Here are 4 things to do in Cannes.
Stroll (漫步) along the famous La CroisetteEnjoy a stroll down La Croisette — a famous 2-mile waterfront road. It’s the place where the Cannes Film Festival takes place. Take a seat for people-watching or enjoy the beautiful scenery. Discover recreational (娱乐的) places for kids or go to summer music concerts at a low price.
Explore the historic Le SuquetLose yourself in the attractive streets of Le Suquet, the historic old town of Cannes. An impressive 5th century theater will take your breath away. Visit the World Explorations Museum, and enjoy wonderful views from the tower. Walk through narrow streets and discover cafes and wine bars.
Take a tour of Cannes with a screenwriterYou can set foot on a small-group tour, led by a screenwriter and historical researcher. Get fully immersed (沉浸) in the city’s rich film history, and see how it transforms itself into an international film center. Remember to book your tour on the Internet in advance.
Leave for Sainte-MargueriteTake a ship to Sainte-Marguerite, the largest of the Lerins Islands just off the coast of Cannes. Enjoy walks on coastal paths, or relax on the beaches, which are perfect for swimming and picnics. Enjoy local seafood, or go deep into the island’s past with a visit to the 7th century Fort Royal.
1. What can we know about La Croisette?| A．It holds free summer concerts. |
| B．It offers play areas for children. |
| C．It becomes well known for top-class service. |
| D．It allows visitors to take photos with film stars. |
| A．Stroll along the famous La Croisette. | B．Explore the historic Le Suquet. |
| C．Take a tour of Cannes with a screenwriter. | D．Leave for Sainte-Marguerite. |
| A．By water. | B．By car. | C．On foot. | D．By air. |
3 . While conquering the world’s swimming pools in the late 1990s and the 2000s. Amanda Beard had already included breathing exercises in her training. Several years after the end of her athletic career, she discovered walking meditation. Today the seven-time US Olympic medalist practices walking meditation in nature, around the house, or while walking the dog. It’s a daily practice with the focused mindfulness of meditation that contributes positively to every aspect of her life, she says.
You don’t need equipment or a designated space to start. The idea of a walking meditation is to pay attention to the way your body feels, noticing things like the sky, trees, tuning into all of your senses. This means you can meditate “on the go” in the countryside, in the city, in your backyard, and virtually anywhere. A simple, 10-minute walking meditation for beginners requires that you just start at ease. Consider what you hear, smell and see. Think about how your feet touch the ground. Fully focus on these feelings.
A report in Health Promotion Perspectives also found that walking meditation can improve your balance, adjust your heart rate, boost your mental focus, and help you battle anxiety and depression. “The benefits of meditation are many,” says Dr. Schramm, a board-certified family physician and meditation teacher. “When we do this over and over again, we train the brain to focus on only one thing at a time and this increases both our blood flow and actual neuronal (神经元) changes within our brains.”
“The magic of meditation is to be able to help you connect with yourself; meditation shouldn’t feel a certain way,” says Tara Stiles, a yoga and wellness expert. It’s a common mistake in meditation: People fear a wandering mind. “A wandering mind is completely normal,” Stiles says. “Even experienced meditators aren’t sitting there never having a thought, but when they have the thought they choose to guide themselves back to their breath instead of getting frustrated.
1. What is walking meditation?| A．Plain walking. | B．Mindful walking. |
| C．A competitive sport. | D．Deep thought while stationary. |
| A．A familiar environment. | B．A 10-minute walking time. |
| C．A relaxed but observant state. | D．A piece of special equipment. |
| A．Enhancing the blood flow. | B．Undergoing balance training. |
| C．Having more active thoughts. | D．Decreasing neuronal changes. |
| A．Carefree. | B．Frustrated. |
| C．Concerned. | D．Positive. |
4 . Working in an industry that’s constantly evolving is no small feat for musicians. Giving fans a memorable show is crucial, and some artists are looking to virtual reality to do just that. Travis Scott for example, partnered with Fortnite to bring his virtual-reality concert. Astronomical, to a global audience. The event drew in 12 million viewers. But interest in VR concerts came earlier. In 2019, the entertainment-technology company Wave launched a multichannel virtual platform for live concerts through various digital means: video games, live streaming channels, social networks, and more. Wave has since teamed up with the likes of The Weekend, Justin Bieber, and John Legend.
The appeal of such immersive concerts, by placing the audience in a digital world that stimulates both sight and sound to create an experience that makes one feel like they are truly part of the event, lies heavily in their experimental mature. Artists can try new ways to connect with listeners in digital environments. For fans skirting painful concert-ticket prices avoiding large crowds at venues, and experiencing their favorite musicians in an alternate world are convincing benefits.
VR has its downside. Only about 13% of households in the US own a VR headset so the technology isn’t common. In a survey, 67% of respondents who didn’t own a VR headset said its price tag kept them from purchasing one. Some people who paid a pretty penny have returned the headset because they simply didn’t know how to set it up or didn’t think the image quality was worth the cost. Discomfort is another issue: long-term use of a headset could cause discomfort in the neck and eyes, and according to the Food and Drug Administration, motion sickness is the most commonly reported negative side effect of VR. There’s also the possibility of VR separating users too far from reality, which could rewire their brains if they don’t moderate headset use. However, looking ahead. Amy Dorsey, the managing director of Dorsey Pictures, said that developments in advanced digital reality would pave the way for the next version of entertainment.
1. Which artist cooperated with Fortnite to deliver a virtual-reality concert?| A．Justin Bieber. | B．Wave. |
| C．Travis Scott. | D．Astronomical. |
| A．Cost-effective. | B．Environmentally friendly. |
| C．Quick and efficient. | D．Engaging and surrounding. |
| A．VR concerts could cause a decrease in video image quality. |
| B．They may prevent people from attending live concerts altogether. |
| C．Long-time standing with VR headsets may lead to motion disability. |
| D．The high cost of VR headsets could limit accessibility for some fans. |
| A．The historical development of VR technology. |
| B．Future directions and innovations in VR. |
| C．Present market trends in VR headset sales. |
| D．Comparisons between VR and traditional concerts. |
5 . As a big country, China’s economic and political influence is felt around the world. And its influence in education and culture has been growing too. The Confucius Institute offering free language classes has gained increasing popularity in both Hungary and Serbia. By offering opportunities to learn Chinese language and traditional arts, Confucius Institutes bring Chinese culture closer to interested learners serving as bridges between nations.
During my childhood, I held an unspoken fascination for Asian culture a passion cultivated through watching dramas such as the Monkey King. At the time, the idea of studying this captivating region didn’t occupy my mind. My turning point came when the desire to challenge myself led me to choose China for further education. It was a decision—not only for academic growth, but also to experience the responsibility of looking after myself. Taking the road that is less traveled means less company, less comfort. But it also means forging a life with an entirely different perspective I am seeking.
Undertaking Chinese language training presented a remarkable opportunity for many reasons. I firmly believe that acquiring proficiency in the language of the culture is not merely useful, but is also an effective means to truly understand that culture. The combination of learning the language in a classroom setting and applying it in everyday life offers an enriching experience. I participated in the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations held by my local Confucius Institute, such as trying my hand at Chinese crafts providing me with a first-hand experience of the culture.
If given another chance, I would explore even deeper into the rich cultural tapestry that surrounds me. Exploring renowned landmarks like the oriental Pearl Tower previously unvisited, felt like embarking on a new journey of discovery. I can say that along this path, I am gradually learning that valuable lessons unfold step by step.
1. What is the main function of the Confucius Institute in global cultural exchanges?| A．Offering language courses with a very small fee. |
| B．Fostering international understanding of Chinese culture. |
| C．Promoting Chinese tourism and business opportunities abroad. |
| D．Serving as a platform for economic cooperation between countries. |
| A．The TV drama the Monkey King. |
| B．The Asian cultural fascination. |
| C．The desire for whole-person growth. |
| D．The dream to study in a foreign place. |
| A．To highlight the challenges of living abroad. |
| B．To encourage others to participate in local festivals. |
| C．To criticize the traditional classroom language learning. |
| D．To emphasize interactive learning in cultural understanding. |
| A．The Path Less Traveled |
| B．Language as a Bridge to Culture |
| C．Guide to Studying Abroad in China |
| D．Embracing Art: Beyond the Classroom |
6 . Take a food tour along Italian shores from Tuscany to Northern Sicily with Amber Guinness. The food writer mixes stories from her travels with memories and cooking insights, sharing 60 easy-to-make recipes that offer a taste-of-specific Italian seaside regions — and the stories behind them including potato and ca per salad from the island of Salina and the delicious Amalfi lemon cream cake. Thames & Hudson, £29.99.
Professor of food studies and history, David E Bender shows how tourism has shaped our fascination with world cuisines through an examination of travel, from the age of the sailboat to the rise of the jet plane. He looks at how we eat on the road, covering subjects such as Tahitian roast pig in the 1840s, the occupational “discoveries” of fruit like the mangosteen (山竹), and 1970s hotel restaurants. Reaktion Books, £ 20.
Travel writer Sarah Baxter and illustrator Amy Grimes serve up a guide to 25 food destinations, uncovering local specialties like pastries handmade by religious sisters in Portugal, vegan curries (咖喱) in Southern India — where plant-based dishes have been offered to gods and travelers for centuries — and traditional Spanish seafood r ice from its Spanish birthplace in Valencia. Plus, visits to contemporary food capitals Montreal, Osaka and Melbourne, famed for global dishes and fusion food. White Lion Publishing. £14.99.
Try out the recipes served in Paris’s best small restaurants, cafes and restaurants in this taste-focused tour that takes in classic spots along the Seine as well as more local hangouts in hip hoods like Belleville. Divided into meals of the day, it includes 40 recipes enjoyed in France, including, wine braised chicken, and burnt cream dessert, plus plenty of practical tips on food shops, markets and more. Hardie Grant. £20.
| A．Students studying Italian history. |
| B．Collectors of traditional Italian travel souvenirs. |
| C．Tourists planning a visit to Italian seaside districts. |
| D．Professional Italian chefs interested in religious cuisine. |
| A．Southern India. | B．Portugal. |
| C．Valencia. | D．Melbourne. |
| A．They all focus on historical cuisines. |
| B．They combine cooking content with travel. |
| C．Each book is priced at more than 20 pounds. |
| D．All books are published by the same published be. |
7 . The fact that gender diversity is something that companies constantly desire highlights the problem in itself. Actually, there are several professional industries where the female to male ratio (比例) is still nowhere close to equal. Across industries, the workforce gender balance is still highly skewed (偏向……的), even in domains which do not conventionally involve laborious work. The tech industry is a case in point, with the workforce imbalance definitely being one of the most prominent on the list.
Diversity and inclusion need to go hand in hand, and women around the world are increasingly assuming important positions and taking core decisions in the tech sector. These women are driving technological change and innovation which impact the industry at large.
Gender diversity, like diversity in general, is important for varied perspectives and thought processes in a company. These perspectives are what help shape advancements and new ideas in technology and overall operations for the success of the business. This is especially true for technologies such as AI. The effects of personal biases on AI can tilt (使……倾斜) the results and, thus, they require a number of inputs and caution on the team’s part, to be able to produce accurate solutions based on diverse and inclusive data.
According to a 2017 report on Higher Education by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, women were at or near parity (对等) among undergraduate degrees in science IT and computer. Most women equal men when it comes to skills, but face discrimination in other areas, thus creating a gap and reducing the will to continue at the company.
According to reports, biased treatment within the workplace is the most frequently cited reason for leaving, followed by poor management. There is still scope for a shift in attitudes at workplaces, which is a major obstacle when it comes to retaining women employees. In order to retain this talent and hi re more talent like this, governments, NGOs and leaders from tech organizations need to come together to help close the gender gap further by providing more flexible work options and decision-making opportunities for women.
More and more women across the world are interested in pursuing tech careers or maintaining their existing ones. There is a need to encourage them to take up roles in AI and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) with opportunities that are both fair and equal. Given the computer-driven nature of AI, there is a need for women from diverse backgrounds to balance out the conventionally male-dominated profession to give an accurate representation. Thus, an inclusive and diverse workforce, combined with better HR policies will retain and draw in more women. This, in turn, will help the entire tech industry to develop a more comprehensive, empathetic (感同身受的) way of operations, which will undoubtedly influence the future socio-cultural thread driven by products and services developed by them.
1. From the first paragraph we know that ________.| A．gender balance problem remains to be solved |
| B．laborious work demands more gender balance |
| C．not all industries have gender balance problem |
| D．gender balance problem has been more serious |
| A．unsatisfying income | B．unfair treatment |
| C．competitive workplace | D．poor management |
| A．Encouraging women to take up all kinds of roles. |
| B．Treating women employees more kindly than to men employees. |
| C．Offering women diverse work choices and decision-making opportunities. |
| D．Providing a tolerant working environment combined with favorable welfare. |
| A．To appeal to women to protect their proper rights |
| B．To present the fact of gender bias in the tech industry |
| C．To call for more women representation in the tech industry |
| D．To teach the tech industry how to get rid of gender bias |
8 . Many people view cities largely in negative terms—as crowded, dirty, unhealthy environments that are breeding (繁殖) grounds for disease and crime. People fear that as cities get bigger, living conditions will get worse. To a growing number of economists, urban planners, and environmentalists, urbanization is good news. Many planners now believe big cities offer a solution to dealing with the problem of Earth’s growing population.
Harvard economist Edward Glaeser is one person who believes that cities bring largely positive benefits. Glaeser’s optimism is reflected in the title of his book The Triumph of the City. Glaeser argues that poor people flock to cities because that’s usually where the money is. Cities are productive because of “the absence of space between people”, which reduces the cost of transporting goods, people, and ideas. While the flow of goods has always been important to cities, what is most important today is the flow of ideas. Successful cities attract and reward smart people with higher wages, and they enable people to learn from one another. In the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street, employees work in one open, crowded space sharing information. “They value knowledge over space. That’s what the modern city is all about.”
Another champion of urbanization is environmentalist Stewart Brand. From an ecological perspective, says Brand, moving people out of cities would be disastrous. Because cities are dense, they allow half of the world’s population to live on about four percent of the land, leaving more space for open country, such as farmland. People living in cities also have less impact per capita (人均) on the environment. Their roads, sewers (下水道) , and power lines are shorter and require fewer resources to build and operate. City apartments require less energy to heat, cool, and light than larger houses in suburbs and rural areas. Most importantly, people living in dense cities drive less. They can walk to many destinations, and public transportation is practical because enough people travel regularly to the same places. As a result, dense cities tend to produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions per person than scattered, sprawling suburbs.
Despite the negative aspects such as pollution and serious problems like urban slums, it is a mistake to see urbanization as evil; instead, we should view it as an inevitable part of development. Rapid growth itself is not the real problem—the larger issue is how to manage the growth.
1. Why does the author mention the New York Stock Exchange in Paragraph 2?| A．To indicate the space there is valuable. |
| B．To show how goods can be exchanged. |
| C．To illustrate the importance of information flow. |
| D．To describe what a modern city should look like. |
| A．advocates something | B．challenges something |
| C．achieves something | D．protects something |
| A．urbanization would be more disastrous |
| B．life in cities is more economical than in rural areas |
| C．public transportation consumes more energy in cities |
| D．people living in rural areas have less impact on the environment |
| A．By quoting authorities. | B．By making comparisons. |
| C．By analysing the causes. | D．By criticizing opposing views. |
I have been meaning to write this letter for a while now. But somehow, I find myself writing it today, an hour and 17 minutes away from my 20th birthday. That will be the moment I cannot submit any further work to Teen Ink, and I wanted to say thank you.
Years ago, I was looking for an outlet, a place to store and share my writing, and I came across Teen Ink. At the time, I was a freshman in love, and Teen Ink was just what I needed. Shortly after registering, I shared my first piece titled “Winter Lovers”. I have grown so much since then. Teen Ink knew things about me before anyone else did. I came out here first.
I wrote of loves lost that no one knew started. I suffered, I cried. I laughed. I loved. Teen Ink was always here, a place to scream on the Internet about anything and nothing. In total, this will be my 24th post; they are truly a time line of me.
I am going to miss this place so much. It feels as if I am letting go of my last piece of childhood, and man, growing up is hard. In the past few days, I have been thinking about the fact that I will stop being a teenager. I will soon fully be an adult, and it’s a hard feeling. It’s many friends gone. It’s family aging. It’s cousins getting married. It’s the beginning of a new chapter filled with unknowns.
All of you—the staff, the writers, the readers, the sponsors—you were with me as I grew up. You got to see it in all of its ugly glory. Without you, the Lord only knows if I would have made it. Like all good things, this must unfortunately, come to an end. Good-bye Teen Ink. I will miss you.
Aaron Lee
1. What encouraged the author to start writing for Teen Ink?| A．A school assignment. |
| B．A recommendation from a friend. |
| C．A desire to become a published author. |
| D．A search for a channel to share his writing. |
| A．It facilitated his writing career progress. |
| B．It motivated him to share his experience. |
| C．It introduced his love stories to the readers. |
| D．It provided him a safe space for self-expression. |
| A．he will take social responsibilities |
| B．he will face all kinds of uncertainties |
| C．he will lose the companion of old friends |
| D．he will engage in complicated family affairs |
| A．Regret. | B．Gratitude. |
| C．Enthusiasm. | D．Determination. |
10 . The French Woods Music Camp is one of the finest non-competitive, comprehensive summer camps in the United States. Kids who are enthusiastic about music (aged from 7 to 17 years old) are given instruction on all levels and perform in ensembles (合唱) based on their age, ability and schedule.
Working conductors and musicians are at the heart of the professional faculty for the Summer Music Camp at French Woods. The counselor staff consists of music students and young music professionals.
Unlike other music camps, French Woods doesn’t require campers to audition (试听) before the summer. Students at all skill levels are welcome to French Woods and will gain from the summer experience.
Both group and individual private lessons are available from the staff for all orchestral instruments, piano, drums, voice and guitar.
French Woods encourages a cooperative environment between music campers. With this spirit, French Woods’ classical symphony is able to perform a concert within two weeks from the start of camp. Other youth orchestras normally take months to be ready to perform.
Besides our youth symphony we have concert bands, a jazz program, and a great rock and roll camp. The Rock & Roll Camp has five rehearsal studios and a 36-track professional recording studio. Instead of just doing covers of other groups, the bands at French Woods are encouraged to create their own songs. Most rock campers leave with a professional level CD of their work for the summer.
The summer isn’t just about music. The campers have plenty of time each day to try the other activities at the camp like water sports, skateboarding, horseback riding and the theater camp.
Please give us a call (800 634-1703) to arrange a visit to the camp grounds or to talk to the camp executive staff.
1. According to the passage, the French Woods Music Camp is intended for ________.| A．special music students | B．music loving children |
| C．private music teachers | D．young music professionals |
| A．gives campers tryouts before the summer |
| B．inspires campers to be creative in composing music |
| C．takes a few months to perform a classical symphony |
| D．focuses mainly on organizing various sports and games |
| A．A travel guide. | B．A news report. |
| C．An advertising brochure. | D．A course plan. |
