5 . The summer holidays have just begun, but it is a busy morning at Cadoxton Primary School, in Barry, an industrial town in Wales. It runs a summer programme for hard-up (拮据的) children, providing meals and activities over the holidays with the aim of helping kids to spend the time more meaningfully. As young people run laughing and screaming into the school cafeteria for breakfast, their parents hung out, some visibly relieved. Just three days into the six-week school holidays one mother says her nine-year-old daughter has already asked five times to go bowling. “Without the school’s help,” she says, “it would be a long and expensive six weeks.”

In the popular imagination, school summer holidays conjure up (使……呈现于脑际) a picture of carefree youthful exploration. But many parents rely on the term-time services that schools give their kids, such as tutors and meals. If the holidays approach, they can suddenly find their schedules and budgets stretched. Researchers also say that the long break often sets back children’s learning, and that children from poorer backgrounds are desperately affected due to their shortage of money.

Many poor children fall behind their wealthier peers over the holidays. “Summer is the most unequal time of the year,” says Matthew Boulay of the National Summer Learning Association. “Well-off parents can fill the gap left by school and consolidate (使巩固) their children’s unfamiliar knowledge well, keeping their children stimulated with summer camps, trips abroad or private tutors. Poorer families, apparently, find this harder, since their income is relatively low and demand for sponsored activities offered by governments,” he adds.

Holidays can be a financial stress, which is absolutely true. In countries where some children receive free school meals, summer means bigger grocery bills for hard-up families. Households where both parents work have to pay for extra childcare, too. The Family and Childcare Trust, a charity, says that in Britain, where childcare costs are the highest in the OECD, a club of mostly rich countries. Parents will spend an average of 33 per child per week on childcare this summer, mainly because of the sharp shortage of governmental funding sponsor.

1. What is the purpose of the summer programme?

A．To lengthen students’ school life.	B．To keep students busy all the time.
C．To provide students with free meals.	D．To enrich students’ summer holidays.

2. What does the underlined word “stretched” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Rich.

B．Tight.

C．Reasonable.

D．Affordable.

3. Which statement does Matthew Boulay probably agree with?

A．Badly-off parents are likely to give up sponsoring their kids.

B．Well-off parents are unwilling to offer their kids extra tutors.

C．Students from poor family can well deal with the peer pressure.

D．Students from rich family can strengthen their learned knowledge.

4. Why must British parents pay for the childcare in summer holiday?

A．Because of insufficiency of free tutors.	B．Because of shortage of social sponsor.
C．Because of shortage of free school meals.	D．Because of lack of governmental support.

6 . Application Procedures

Step 1: Check visa type and document list beforehand

Please make sure that the visa type and country you have chosen correspond (相一致)to your main destination and main travel purpose, you have well prepared all the required documents according to the document list of the correct visa type you are applying for.

Step 2: Register on website and reserve an appointment

Please take a few seconds and provide your e-mail address to create an application account.

If you already have an account, please click on login to continue online registration and reserve an appointment.

Reserve an appointment to submit your application at the Visa Application Centre. If you want to check appointment availability, please visit the page Service Standard.

Step 3: Submit your application at Visa Application Centre

Please arrive on time for your scheduled appointment with the appointment confirmation letter. Your application and supporting documents will be examined for completeness and transferred to the consular (领事的) authority upon your approval.

For more information on biometric (生物统计的) enrolment procedure and exemption of biometric enrolment, please click on the FAQ.

In case of any lateness, you will be required to make a new appointment, which could result in putting off your application.

Step 4: Collect your passport

Once your passport is returned to Visa Application Centre from the consular authority, you will be informed by e-mail. You can then collect your passport in Visa Application Centre.

If you have chosen Express Delivery Service, your passport will be sent to you directly by express to the address you have provided upon the submission of visa application.

1. What should you do to check whether appointment is accessible?

A．Check your document list.	B．Create an application account.
C．Click on the FAQ.	D．Visit the page Service Standard.

2. What do we know from Step 4?

A．You will receive your passport at your workplace.

B．You can gather your passport by means of express.

C．You will be informed by telephone call from the centre.

D．You can collect your passport directly from the consular authority.

3. Where can the text be found?

A．In a guidebook.

B．On the Internet.

C．In a magazine.

D．In a brochure.

7 . ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

       Adventure Camp at Ohio Dreams is the perfect way to enjoy traditional summer camp. Campers will be able to learn about multiple sports and outdoor adventures. We provide the equipment (设备) and the schedule so you can start from scratch and learn from the best, and even the new comer who may lack experience can make up for it with the spirit for adventure.
       Athletics, Creativity, Science, Knowledge and Social Skills are the backbone of our camp. We offer a wide variety of activities for campers that are full of energy and curiosity.
       ▪Learn Skateboarding: Learn the basics of skating from balancing, dropping in and even a few tricks.
       ▪Learn Mountain Biking: Try one of our mountain bikes and take a few laps on our five-mile track across the countryside or learn the basics of jumping on our Freeride courses.
       ▪Hiking: Pack a snack and hike to beautiful waterfalls and caves while learning how to identify plant species and many different wildlife animals.
       ▪Beach Volleyball: Everybody should know how to jump in a game of pick-up volleyball at the beach. Learn about where to be and how to pass, set, and hit the ball to win.
       ▪Swimming Lessons: If you aren’t the best at swimming, this week-long program will help you to find your sea legs (and arms) so you will have more confidence when swimming.
       Click here for deals, news and early registration discounts.
1. What is an advantage of Adventure Camp?

A．It has the best equipment.	B．It is suitable for the inexperienced.
C．It offers both indoor and outdoor activities.	D．It is the first traditional summer camp in Ohio

2. Which of the following is included in Adventure Camp?

A．Overcoming the fear of swimming.	B．Collecting plants species in the open air.
C．Learning volleyball in professional stadiums.	D．Riding mountain bikes to waterfalls and caves.

3. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A travel brochure.

B．A news report.

C．A book review.

D．An online website.

8 . Frosty Ridge Resort (FRR) is a popular tourist attraction with a long history. Do you want to join the proud tradition of service at FRR? Welcome to join us!

Parking Host

The responsibility of a parking host is to help guests properly park their vehicles (交通工具), informing guests of parking steps and answering questions. You must be at least 18 years of age. A driver’s license (执照) is required. It’s necessary to have a team player attitude and be able to work with people of diverse cultures. The ability to work with different groups of people in a calm and professional manner is also a must.

Child Care Provider

Previous child care experience is preferred. You should provide quality child care, by meeting the needs of various age groups and guest demands in a positive way. Show positive communication skills, and offer children funny activities. Climb stairs to work space and work at a desk or computer work station for one or two hours.

Ski Instructor

Teach ski lessons to guests with the specific focus on students’ goals while emphasizing (强调) safety, fun and learning. You should be able to ski or snowboard. Great customer service skills and good adaptability are required. In particular, unlike the two positions above, you must work during the Christmas week.

1. What should people in the parking host position do?

A．Teach ski lessons to guests.

B．Help guests park their cars.

C．Look after guests’ children.

D．Answer questions from FRR director.

2. What is specially required for a ski instructor?

A．Being communicative.	B．Providing fun for guests.
C．Working during Christmas week.	D．Having related working experience.

3. Who is the text intended for?

A．Job hunters.

B．Project managers.

C．Local visitors.

D．College students.

9 . This free night of music is a must-attend for jazz fans and music lovers alike! It is presented in association with the American Jazz Museum.

For the first time on stage in an ongoing cooperation, theoretical physicist Stephen Alexander and NEA Jazz Master Donald Harrison, a New Orleans-based saxophonist, explore their theory of quantum improvisation (量子即兴创作). They will also be joined by composer and bassist Santi Debriano along with other famous musicians for a night of jazz and its poetic link to the universe.

Time

7:00 pm—8:30 pm, December 22,2023

Event

6:00 p. m.—Doors open

7:00 p. m.—Lively conversation on jazz and quantum improvisation with Library President Lisa Browar, Stephen Alexander, and Donald Harrison

7:30 p. m.—Jazz concert—seven to eight songs, including two original pieces—starts!

8:30 p. m.—Jazz concert concludes

Venue

Please note that this event will be held at the Folly Theater, 300 W 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64105. The program will be free and open to the public, but advanced registration will be required. Attendees can also purchase the souvenirs such as T-shirts and caps linked to the event as well as the magazine signed by these famous musicians.

Parking

Parking is available in the garage next to the Folly Theater for $10-$15. The garage only accepts credit cards.

1. What does the concert mainly focus on?

A．The modern science.	B．The popular music.
C．The musical instruments.	D．The jazz of physics.

2. How long does the Jazz concert last?

A．Half an hour.

B．An hour.

C．One and half an hour.

D．Two hours.

3. Which of the following is free of charge?

A．Parking in the garage.	B．A T-shirt worn by a musician.
C．Admission to the event.	D．The magazine signed by musicians.

10 . The Best Caves in The World

Hang Son Doong, Vietnam

Natural caves don’t come much larger than Hang Son Doong, close to the border between Laos and Vietnam. This cave possesses the largest cross-section of any known cave on the planet, a vast area that is difficult to describe. Supposedly, a Boeing 747 could fly through without damaging its wings, but that doesn’t really do justice to the vastness of Hang Son Doong. The stalactites (钟乳石) here are pretty massive too, with some reaching up to 80 metres.

Waitomo Caves, New Zealand

Glowworms (萤火虫) are there, as far as the eye can see. Okay, not literally, but the Waitomo Cave system on New Zealand’s North Island is best-known for the fluorescent fauna that light up the walls, giving it the not-particularly-creative but completely acceptable “Glowworm Caves” nickname. They are more accessible than other caves on this list, with rafting and adventure tours available to those looking for something a little more thrilling.

Mammoth Cave, the USA

If you have certain expectations from somewhere called “Mammoth Cave”, that is entirely understandable. Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is the world’s longest known cave system, an incredible 420 miles of underground wonder. That’s twice as long as the next longest, by the way, although it isn’t unusual for the USA to go all out on such things.

Reed Flute (芦笛) Cave, China

Named after the reeds that grow outside, which are used to make flutes, obviously, the Reed Flute Cave’s walls are covered with inscriptions from centuries gone by—if evidence was needed that people have been paying attention to this place for a long old time. The inside part of the cave is also lit up by multicoloured lights, giving it a real otherworldly theme that adds weight to the nickname.

1. What is special about Hang Son Doong?

A．It was once a base of a factory.

B．It is the deepest cave in the world.

C．It has the highest stalactites in the world.

D．It owns the largest cross-section in the world.

2. Which of the following can be much easier to enter?

A．Hang Son Doong.	B．Waitomo Caves.
C．Mammoth Cave.	D．Reed Flute Cave.

3. Which country probably has the longest cave system in the world?

A．Vietnam.

B．New Zealand.

C．The USA.

D．China.