1 . Anyone who has seen a waterfall up close will agree that their majesty(壮观)is almost indescribable. These are the four falls on the planet, each of which is wonderful in its own way.

Niagara Falls

At 3,950 feet wide, Niagara Falls is far from the largest waterfall around, but it is the falls with the largest volume of water traveling through it and is undoubtedly the best known waterfall on the planet. It receives somewhere between 14 and 20 million visitors annually. It has three separate parts: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe, or Canadian Falls.

Chutes Kongou

Also known as Kongou Falls, Chutes Kongou measures 10,500 feet wide, making it the world’s third largest existing waterfall. It’s part of the Ivindo River in Gabon, and is roughly 185 feet tall. Among the most powerful waterfalls in the world, roughly 31,800 cubic feet of water f low down it each second. It is located within the Ivindo National Park, which was set up to protect the biodiversity of the Ivindo River.

Salto Para

Salto Para, or Para Falls, is an 18,400-foot wide waterfall on the Rio Caura in the Bolivar region of Venezuela. These half-moon-shaped falls are formed where two parts of the river come together and drop down almost 200 feet, each side of which is a green jungle island.

Chutes de Khone

Chutes de Khone—also known as Khone Falls—is the largest waterfall in the world. At 35,376 feet wide, it’s almost twice the width of its next largest competitor. The falls are part of the Mekong River in Laos, and occur where the river divides into seven large channels and many more smaller ones. It’s made up of several different rapids and falls, pouring down from a height of 69 feet.

1. What is special about Niagara Falls?

A．It is the most famous waterfall.	B．It is next to a green jungle island.
C．It is made up of four separate parts.	D．It is a half-moon-shaped waterfall.

2. Where is Chutes Kongou?

A．In Laos.

B．In Canada.

C．In Gabon.

D．In Venezuela.

3. Which is the largest waterfall in the world according to the text?

A．Salto Para.	B．Chutes de Khone.
C．Chutes Kongou.	D．Niagara Falls,

2 . Nicholas Chorier is not a usual photographer. He is a kite aerial (航空的) photographer. He uses a kite to hoist (吊起) his camera into the skies and clicks photographs. As a teenager, Nicholas had two passions — photography and kite flying. During a trip to India to make a photo report on kite making, he learnt about this unique style of photography. Fascinated, he literally tied his two hobbies together for a living. Nicholas learnt to make strong kites modeled on the Japanese kites, Rokkaku that could stand high winds. A newbie in his chosen field, he then set out to train himself,

Today he is one of the most well-known kite aerial photographers in the world. The technique is to tie a basket containing the photography equipment to the string of the kite and then fly it, thus launching the camera into air. From the ground, Nicholas controls the angles of the camera with a remote. An air-to-ground video link enables him to see the view from the kite’s point. Once satisfied with the frame, he clicks a picture, However, the job does have its pitfalls, too. Once, his kite disappeared in the Yamuna River, with his expensive camera following it.

He is especially fond of India, having made a couple of trips and taken many spectacular photos. “India is a too vast and beautiful country to be captured through the cameras in one life,” he says. He recently released a book, Kite’s Eye View: India between Earth and Sky. Though it includes photographs of “No Photo” sites like the Taj Mahal, it shows them from a totally different perspective.

1. What were Nicholas’s two hobbies?

A．Design and reading.	B．Traveling and drawing.
C．Kite making and selling.	D．Photography and kite flying.

2. What is “Rokkaku”?

A．A technique.

B．A Japanese.

C．A kind of kite.

D．A beginner.

3. What does the underlined word “pitfulls” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Benefits.

B．Choices.

C．Secrets.

D．Risks.

4. Which word can best describe Nicholas?

A．Creative.

B．Honest.

C．Humorous.

D．Warm-hearted.

3 . Must-read New Fiction Books

We all have a few tried-and-true fiction favorites, but there’s something special about a brand-new, hot-off-the-press novel. Whether it’s your favorite author’s new release or a new writer’s first work, great fiction books make the perfect escape from ordinary life. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of the best new books released in February.

Age of Gold by Jerry Lapoor

Jerry Lapoor’s latest action-packed novel unfolds like a crazy movie. This thriller begins when a wealthy man’s car gets out of control. But when the dust settles, the rich man is nowhere to be found. How and to where does he disappear? With an exciting plot that will carry you from old-money houses to small agricultural villages, Age of Cold will take you on an unforgettable ride across a vast land.

City Under One Sky by Rachel Young

In the book, Young presents a crime story set in a small town. Detective Sara Kennedy has been sent to investigate a case. But soon after arrival, Sara gets snowed in with the 205 townsfolk living in the same apartment building. Who is hiding the key to the crime? And is there anyone she can truly trust? The appealing story, strange but distinctive characters and unexpected plot are just a few of the reasons why City Under One Sky gains its popularity.

Lady by Jess George

Lady is an irresistible fiction from Jess George. The story of Mary’s fresh start at adulthood is shot through with themes of family, race and discrimination, womanhood and the immigrant reality of feeling torn between cultures. Though struggling with life in London as an African, Mary jumps at every chance to stand on her own feet.

1. What will impress the readers in Age of Gold?

A．The thrilling plot.	B．Traditional cultures.
C．The family conflict.	D．Crazy characters.

2. What happens to Sara Kennedy in City Under One Sky?

A．She is trapped in the snow.	B．She is to investigate a case abroad.
C．She hides the key evidence.	D．She has trouble discovering the truth.

3. Which is likely to be the main theme of Lady?

A．Self-reliance.	B．Gender equality.
C．Domestic violence.	D．Cross-cultural communication.

4 . The diversity of Australian animals in NSW national parks is extraordinary. Some common species can be found across a range of parks, while others are endemic (特有的) to a specific area. Our national parks are also important shelters for threatened animals, many found nowhere else in the world. The following are some examples.

Albert’s lyrebird

The Albert’s lyrebird is much rarer than the superb lyrebird. Distinguished by its richer brown feather and less delicate tail feathers, it’s protected as a threatened species in NSW.

Cumberland Plain land snail

The endangered Cumberland Plain land snail is only found on the Cumberland Plain, west of Sydney. During drought it digs deep into the soil to escape severe conditions. Its brown shell is thin and fragile (脆弱的).

Australian fur seal The largest fur seal, Australian fur seals are found in isolated rocky outcrops and islands along the NSW coast. They come ashore to form breeding colonies (繁殖地) and can often be seen at Barunguba Montague Island Nature Reserve.

Australian brush turkey

The Australian brush turkey, also known as bush or scrub turkey, can be found in rainforests along eastern NSW. With a striking red head, blue-black feather and booming call, these distinctive Australian birds are easy to spot while bird watching in several NSW national parks.

1. What do Albert’s lyrebird and Cumberland Plain land snail have in common?

A．They live in the soil.	B．They hate dry conditions.
C．They have long feathers.	D．They are species in danger.

2. What can we know about Australian brush turkey from the text?

A．They breed on the sea shore.	B．They are red from head to tail.
C．They adapt to rainforest climate.	D．They are only seen on isolated islands.

3. Where can we read the text?

A．In a science report.	B．In a personal diary.
C．In a tourist brochure.	D．In an educational magazine.

5 . Right now someone is speaking or thinking in a language that is on the verge of disappearing. Of the world’s roughly 7,000 spoken languages, one dies every 40 days, according to one estimate — languages like Babanki, spoken in Cameroon.

And some of the places where rare languages are the most concentrated are also most vulnerable (易受影响的) to climate change. Especially, linguists call global warming the final nail in the coffin (致命一击) for more than half of humanity’s language disappearing.

Let’s take Vanuatu, a South Pacific island nation, for example. It’s very small, but it has 110 languages spoken there, which is the highest density (密度) of languages in the world. It is also one of the countries most at risk of sea level rise and climate change. There, you can often see perfect hurricanes.

So if rising seas or storms force people in Vanuatu to move to Australia, what happens to the language they speak? Well, what often happens is that they aren’t necessarily displaced with the same people in their community, and also, even if they are displaced with other people in their community, they and their children will often adopt the language of Australia, the dominant language there because it’s economically advantageous for them to speak the new language, the dominant language. And their language dies.

However, there is so much culturally lost when a language dies. It is because the language carries so much local knowledge and culture.

In fact, in the 1970s, it was something like 2,000 native speakers of Hawaiian remained. But activists launched some schools where children are taught from birth, usually by kind of grandparents, and now more than 18,700 people speak it. And the same thing happened in New Zealand in the 1970s. Only 5% of young Maori people spoke the language, but now something like 25% now speak it.

1. What do we know about Vanuatu?

A．Its most languages have died out.

B．It is sensitive to climate change.

C．It witnesses various disasters every year.

D．It is the highest density of population in the world.

2. What will happen to people who are forced to leave Vanuatu for Australia?

A．They lose their advantages in economy.

B．They have few chances to speak their own language.

C．They fail to contact people in their previous community.

D．They willingly teach their kids the language of Australia.

3. What is the author’s attitude towards language disappearing?

A．Favourable.

B．Concerned.

C．Doubtful.

D．Unclear.

4. What does the last paragraph want to convey?

A．More languages are faced with dying out.

B．It’s a must for kids to learn their mother tongue.

C．Grandparents play a vital role in passing down languages.

D．More efforts have been made to save endangered languages.

6 . Most Popular UK Destinations for a Staycation

Looking for a cheap stay cation to brighten up your winter? Here are the most popular destinations in the UK.

Blackpool

Whether you’re seeking the thrills of Blackpool Pleasure Beach or are keen to catch a glimpse of Blackpool Tower, the city’s most appealing attraction, the seaside town offers various amazing views. It’s no wonder the town has gained 980.8 million views on TikTok. With accommodation price £75 for a night, you’ll have a golden opportunity to enjoy Blackpool's Illuminations (彩灯) display and the Seaside Trail.

Searborough

North Yorkshire’s Scarborough sees 49,500 monthly searches and 686.4 million views on TikTok. One of the local highlights is the annual St Nicholas Fair. While a one-night stay in Scarborough costs £85, the town offers holiday-makers opportunities to experience ancient British culture at the 12th-century castle ruins.

Swansea

The Welsh town sees 27,100 monthly searches and has 622.4 million views on TikTok. Swansea’s Waterfront Wonderland brings with it the Alpine Village and various amusement attractions. Spending a night here costs just 10 pounds more than in Scarborough. But if you book a week earlier, you can get a 5 percent discount in total. With Cardiff only being an hour’s drive from Swansea, you have the perfect opportunity to catch a game of ice hockey.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth isn’t called Sunny Bournemouth for nothing, as holiday-makers can enjoy breathtaking views along the Jurassic Coast. With a World Heritage Site within its borders, it’s no surprise to see this town with the high number of views on TikTok (868.3 million). A one-night stay will cost you £105, giving you the perfect opportunity to get relaxed.

1. What is the most attractive in Blackpool?

A．Blackpool Pleasure Beach.	B．Blackpool Tower.
C．The Illuminations display.	D．The Seaside Trail.

2. How much will a tourist at least pay for a night in Swansea?

A．£ 70.

B．£ 85.

C．£ 85.75.

D．£ 90.25.

3. Which of the following has the second-highest number of views on TikTok?

A．Blackpool.

B．Swansea.

C．Scarborough.

D．Boumemouth.

7 . Wildfires are common nowadays. Lightning, campfires, power lines or other sources may lead to big wildfires.     1     But when they break out on populated places, wildfires can endanger human lives and property.

Still, wildfires have always been a part of some forest ecosystems.     2     For one thing, wildfires can get rid of trespassers(入侵者). The native animals often know how to escape a wildfire. But harmful species may not, so they could get wiped out.

Fires can prevent trees from overcrowding each other, which allows smaller plants and animals that need sunlight to grow below. Plus, wildfires burn up a lot of leaf litter, pine needles and other dead matter on the ground. This clears out junk that may stop new plants from growing and releases nutrition back into the soil.     3    

There are also species that have evolved (进化) to depend on regular wildfires. Banksia trees in Australia, for instance, only release their seeds in the heat of a wildfire.     4     And birds such as the black-backed woodpecker prefer to live in recently burned areas, because newly burnt trees may offer easy access to a feast of insects.

    5     They set these fires only in areas and under weather conditions where they're sure they can control the flames. Specific burns are meant to provide the benefits of natural, low-intensity fires. So, one important way to protect against fires is professionals setting them.

A．The leaf litter can fuel more dangerous wildfires.

B．These trees need fires if they are to produce more trees.

C．They might cause more fires that could threaten wildlife.

D．As a result, fire experts start fires in certain places regularly.

E．They mainly destroy natural areas, such as forests and grasslands.

F．And regular burns can be vital for keeping those ecosystems healthy.

G．Importantly, it also prevents the buildup of dead matter that catches fire easily.

8 . Imagine a world where anyone can learn how to do anything in multiple languages in ordinary and extraordinary ways. That’s the world we want to create. We’re looking for a few talented, cooperative, delightful employees to join our cause. Are you in?

Fast Facts

●wikiHow is the only company in the Comscore top 150 that has under 30 employees.

●wikiHow helps 100 million people every month, in 19 languages. We have ambitions to push our mission much further.

●wikiHow is completely remote-friendly. We have people working from far and near, but we love having a comfortable office to work in when we can.

●wikiHow is considered to be one of the Internet’s most influential websites.

Open Position.

●Staff Writer

If you’re applying for the Staff Writer position, please send a brief introductory email with the subject line “Staff Writer — City you live in — Topic area (Lifestyle/Tech/Both)” to writing@wikihow. com. The email should include your resume (简历), a short cover letter, one writing sample(if you have an example of published work intended for a broad audience, please share that), and a brief (4-5 sentences) sample introduction to one topic you are expert in. Please use this as an opportunity to show us your unique voice and style.

One Thing to Keep in Mind

We’re already profitable, financially stable, and we all love working here, so we aren’t in a rush to sell out. For 15 years, we’ve committed to our step-by-step teaching model, and we continue to refine our content to create the best how-to experience. We’ve helped millions of people solve problems, learn new skills, strengthen relationships, pick up healthy habits or try out a new hobby.

1. What quality is required for applicants?

A．Being willing to team up.	B．Speaking several languages.
C．Having work experience.	D．Achieving financial independence.

2. Which should be included in the application email?

A．A finished article.	B．A published book.
C．An introduction video.	D．A recommendation letter.

3. What is wikiHow?

A．A sales company.	B．A social app.
C．A language school.	D．An education website.

9 . Tours & Admission ｜Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

Explore the former estate (庄园) of F. A. Seiberling, co-founder of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.

Guided Manor House Tour

Experience the Manor House through the eyes of a trained tour guide and learn more about what life was like at the estate when the Seiberling family lived here. This tour lasts about 75 minutes.

Non-member Adult 18 +: $21                  Non-member Youth（ages 3-17）: $10
Children 2 & under: Free                         Stan Hywet Members: 50% off the non-member price
Nooks & Crannies Tour

Take this tour to learn more about the domestic staff who worked and lived at the estate. This tour lasts about 90 minutes. It includes several flights of stairs and narrow passageways and is not recommended for guests who are unable to stand or walk for long distances.

Non-member Adult 18+: $ 30                  Non-member Youth（ages 3-17）: $ 15
Children 2 & under: Free                       Stan Hywet Members: 50% off the non-member price
Gardens, Gate Lodge & Corbin Conservatory

Enjoy Stan Hywet's historic gardens and grounds at your own pace on this self-guided grounds tour. Purchase the ticket upon arrival.

Non-member Adult 18+: $ 15                 Non-member Youth（ages 3-17）: $7
Children 2 & under: Free                       Stan Hywet Members: Free
Guided Garden Tour

The Guided Garden Tour takes guests around the estate and focuses on how the Seiberlings worked closely with their landscape architect on the overall design of the property. This tour is offered at 11:30 am & 2:30 pm, May through September.

Non-member Adult 18+: $ 21                  Non-member Youth（ages 3-17）: $ 10
Children 2 & under: Free                         Stan Hywet Members: 50% off the non-member price
1. How much should a non-member married couple pay to explore the Manor House?

A．$ 10.

B．$ 20.

C．$ 21.

D．$ 42.

2. What is special about Nooks & Crannies Tour?

A．It runs seasonally.	B．It is physically demanding.
C．It offers a trained tour guide.	D．It is only targeted at members.

3. Which one allows you to tour at leisure?

A．Guided Garden Tour.	B．Nooks & Crannies Tour.
C．Guided Manor House Tour.	D．Gardens, Gate Lodge & Corbin Conservatory.

10 . It took an ill screech owl (鸣角鸮) to teach a scientist the value of up-close-and-personal study.

In his Harvad talk, Carl Safina, an ecologist and author of Alfie and Me: What Owls Know, What Humans Believe, recalled that the chick was found dying in his backyard. Safina took it in and planned to nurse it back to health and then perform release. But the owlet's flight feathers didn't grow properly. Safina delayed the release. Over those extended months, Safina got to know Alfie in ways that moved and changed him.

“An owl found me and then I was watching ‘an owl’,” he said. “It was no longer an owl after a while, it was ‘she’ because she had a history with me. This little owl, who was with me much longer than I thought she would be, became an individual to me by that history and all those interactions.”

The bond with Alfie strengthened to the point that, when she was finally released, she created a territory with Safina's home at its center. Safina was able to spend hours each day observing her in the woods as she learned to take care of herself in the wild, met two mates, and raised chicks of her own.

When he heard Alfie calling, Safina said, he'd call back and she'd land nearby. Their closeness allowed him to learn more things about screech owls. Field guides, for example, describe two known calls but he identified six, some of which you have to be quite close to hear. The relationship also opened a window for Safina onto personality differences between Alfie and her mates.

When pointed out that his approach to Alfie—including the act of naming her—ran counter to widespread scientific practice, Safina said he wasn't concerned about violating (违反) convention, particularly if something interesting like individual personality differences among owls could be learned.

The experience caused Safina to think more deeply about humankind's relationship with nature and the kind of personal connection he was able to feel with a wild individual. “What I learned from Alfie is that all sentient (有情感的) beings seek a feeling of well-being and freedom of movement,” Safina said. “That's a guide to what's right and what's wrong to me.”

1. What do we know about Alfie?

A．She developed a close bond with Safina.

B．She was a fictional character in Safina's book.

C．She intentionally landed in Safina's backyard.

D．She was dying because of the broken flight feathers.

2. What happened after Safina released Alfie?

A．Alfie chose to stay with Safina at his home.

B．They maintained a continous communication.

C．Alfie met mates and raised chicks by herself.

D．Safina kept his distance from her to prevent attachment.

3. What did Safina achieve in his study?

A．Recording six different calls of the screech owl.

B．Identifying different types of owls by their calls.

C．Learning how to release owls back into the wild.

D．Understanding personality differences among owls.

4. How did Safina's experience with Alfie impact him?

A．He became more focused on exploring nature.

B．He initiated his commitment to wildlife conservation.

C．He developed a deep appreciation for the welfare of living creatures.

D．He decided to guide readers to distinguish between right and wrong.