1 . Top 3 Best Museums in the World

Whether you are a fine art or historylover, the following three museums are sure to take your breath away.

Le Louvre, Paris, France

A visit to the Louvre and its collections lets visitors discover Western art from the Middle Ages to 1848 as well as a large number of ancient civilizations. The grand palace that houses the museum. which dates back to the late twelfth century, is a true lesson in architecture: from 1200 to 2011, the most innovative architects have in turn built and developed the Louvre.

●Official website: Louvre

●Highlight: Leonardo da Vinci`s “Mona Lisa.”

The British Museum, London, UK

The British Museum in London was founded in 1753 and opened its doors six years later. It was the first national museum to cover all fields of human knowledge, open to visitors from across the world. No other museum is responsible for collections of the same depth and breadth, beauty and significance.

●Official website: British Museum

●Highlight: the Rosetta Stone.

The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Russia

The second-largest art museum in the world, the State Hermitage Museum was founded in 1764(200 years later than The Uffizi Galleries, Florence, Italy), when Empress Catherine the Great acquired an impressive collection of works from the Berlin merchant Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky. Today, the collection of art works contains paintings, sculptures and so on.

●Official website: State Hermitage Museum

●Highlight: Golden masterpieces from Eurasia.

1. When was the British Museum, London, UK opened to the public?

A．1564.

B．1753.

C．1759.

D．1848.

2. What do the Top 3 best museums have in common?

A．They have exhibits from the Middle Ages.	B．They feature exhibits from ancient times.
C．They have exhibits concerned with kings.	D．They have both fine art and history exhibits.

3. Which is the largest art museum but one in the world?

A．Le Louvre, Paris, France.	B．The State Hermitage Museum, Russia.
C．The British Museum, London, UK.	D．The Uffizi Galleries, Florence, Italy.

2 . Rewards at West Exe School

West Exe School is a fully inclusive comprehensive secondary school. Listed below are the ways the school celebrate success with students, parents and staff during the academic year.

Merit Badges

Merit badges are awarded in line with the student qualities. E.g., when a student reaches 200 merits in a semester for being kind, they receive their kind merit badge. The West Exe shield is awarded to students who have achieved all six merit badges.

The Golden Ticket

Every two weeks, all members of staff have a ‘Golden Ticket’ which they can award to any student who has displayed what the student qualities stand for. There will be a bi-weekly focus on one of the student qualities as positive reinforcement. The golden tickets awarded are then placed in a prize draw, for prizes suggested by the student body.

Punctuality Award

Students who are on time for every lesson across the week will be entered into a prize draw. This is to promote the importance of punctuality in school and in life.

Headteacher Reward

Headteacher’s Reward is given to students who have been nominated (提名) by staff members every month for demonstrating the qualities, behaviors and values of what it means to be an exceptional West Exe Student. They are also awarded to students who have shown exceptional achievement, either in school or as part of an extracurricular activity. This includes a certificate and pen, with a letter going home to parents to share news of the young person’s achievement.

1. Which of the following rewards is given most frequently?

A．Merit Badges.	B．The Golden Ticket.
C．Punctuality Award.	D．Headteacher Reward.

2. What do we know about Headteacher Reward?

A．All staff members can be nominated for the award.

B．Students rewarded will receive a certificate and a letter.

C．Parents of the students awarded will be honored with a letter.

D．Only students making outstanding achievements in school can be awarded.

3. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A school website.	B．A news report.
C．A travel leaflet.	D．A book review.

3 . With a pair of glasses and mild manner, Siew Te Wong could be described as a Malaysian Clark Kent (a fictional character in Superman). This wildlife biologist is a Superman of sorts — a tireless defender of the world’s smallest bear species: the sun bear.

“I often call the sun bear a forgotten species,” Wong said. “When I first started, 20 years ago, no one had ever studied sun bears. Most people did not know that they even existed,” As he studied the animal and realized the threats it faced from deforestation and illegal hunting, he knew the bears were in serious trouble. “The more I learn about them, the more I care. The more I care, the more I worry,” he said. “I have to help them.” Today, Wong’s nonprofit, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center, is the only sun bear sanctuary (保护区) in the world.

Sun bears are found in the rainforests of South Asia, and the small bears play a big role in keeping these woodlands healthy. Many plants and animals depend on them to spread seeds, create nesting sites and control the termite (白蚁) population. Healthy rainforests provide clean air and water to the entire world.

But the sun bear population has decreased by 30% during the last three decades. In 2007, the bear was officially classified as vulnerable (易危的) to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Currently, 44 sun bears live at Wong’s center. All of them were orphaned by illegal hunting or rescued from captivity (囚禁). The center has also become one of the leading tourist destinations in the area. “They can see how special the sun bear is and learn about how their survival is important to ours,” Wong said, “so they can take some action when they go back home.”

For Wong, this work is simply his responsibility. “Sun bears have become part of my family. When they’re endangered, I care for them. When they are in trouble, I speak for them,” he said. “I want to be the voice for the sun bear, to fight for the sun bear, to ensure the survival of the sun bear. But my goal is to save the entire forest ecosystem and that is so important to the survival of mankind. I want bears to live in the forest and not in captivity.”

1. When Wong first started to study sun bears, ______.

A．they were paid little attention

B．they were a great threat to mankind

C．they were well protected by the local people

D．they were officially classified as rare animals

2. What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．The importance of healthy rainforests.

B．An introduction to the rainforests of South Asia.

C．A dependent living situation of all species in rainforests.

D．The role sun bears play in keeping a balanced ecosystem.

3. Why does Wong make his sun bear center a tourist destination?

A．To finance this center.	B．To protect species diversity.
C．To recognize the value of the center.	D．To raise awareness about sun bears’ situation.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．How to turn a sun bear center into a tourist destination.

B．An introduction to a great defender of the sun bear.

C．A call for stopping the sun bear hunt.

D．What we can do to save the sun bear.

4 . Making a Difference

In my 7th-grade year, we undertook a project focused on encouraging people to register to vote. I discovered that the registration process is quite simple, and I couldn’t understand why many individuals weren’t registered.     1    . I also learned that anyone who is 18 can vote.

    2    ; we would make a change in our community. The school set up a voter registration day. It was part of the school’s Open House, a day we knew many people would be there. My brother was 18. I asked him if he was registered, and he said. “Why should I register? I don’t think it is important.” I told him when people elected someone, that person would decide things that could help improve the city. I asked him to come to the Open House.     3    . I did not know what he meant.

My brother surprised me. He called the registrar’s office. He was calling to find out where he could register, but he learned more.     4    . He would have to go to a training session. Then he would be able to help others get registered. So he went downtown, and he not only registered as a voter but also began training to be a registrar.

My brother talked with his high school social studies teacher. He said he wanted to help other students get registered. The teacher set. up a voter registration table in the lunchroom. My brother sat there every day for a week. When students came in, if they were 18, they could go to register at his table.     5    . My brother had done all that himself. We both had made a big difference.

A．He didn’t come right away

B．He said he would do better than that

C．Our class decided to do something about this

D．He found out he could be a volunteer registrar

E．I wanted to find out why they refused to register

F．At the end of the week, 108 students had registered

G．I learned in social studies that voting is a crucial aspect of being a citizen

5 . People with special access requirements across Brisbane are finding homes that are easier to live in thanks to a home access information trial.

Started by the Queensland Department of Housing and the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, the trial encourages real estate agents to identify and promote homes for sale or rent which include access features for older people and people with disabilities.

The access listing includes homes that have at least one entry with no more than three steps. Alternatively, there may be a ramp (斜坡), elevator or lift that provides easy entry into the main living areas. The listing agent may also have information on door widths, bathroom space and other important considerations for those requiring wheelchair access.

Rosslyn Kennedy from Gateway Properties is one of about 70 agents who have elected to participate in the trial. Rosslyn says access features are a big selling point.

“While people may not necessarily come out and ask for these types of properties, when you mention it to them, they say ‘oh great’,” she says. “It’s like an unconscious thing that people are looking for.”

Gateway Properties is also promoting several new developments featuring lifts and easy access to local beaches and hospitals. People who wish to have a home that is accessible for friends or family with a mobility disability will also benefit from this trial, Rosslyn says.

“We’ve had success in talking to developers early to encourage them to consider access features, especially in ground level properties,” she says. “Making modifications (改进) to properties before they are completed is also a good way to introduce access features, and can often be cheaper than designing a home from scratch.”

Housing Minister Robert Schwarten says the trial will be held in the Brisbane area and is expected to run until later this year.

“The purpose of the trial is to work with real estate agents to test and evaluate the process,” he says. “Following the results of the evaluation, we may consider a state-wide release.”

1. Who can benefit most from the home access information trial?

A．Real estate agents.	B．Tourists and patients.
C．The old and the disabled.	D．The Queensland Department of Housing staff.

2. According to Rosslyn, homes with access features ______.

A．are hard to find	B．are well-received
C．are priced much too high	D．refer to those without steps

3. What’s Robert Schwarten’s attitude towards the trial?

A．Critical.

B．Worried.

C．Surprised.

D．Supportive.

4. What would be the best title for the text?

A．Homes sold in Brisbane	B．Homes get nod for access
C．Homes attract more agents	D．Homes available for everyone

6 . The long fishing pathway is a well-worn narrow road, about six feet across, covered in stones and dirt. I’m in Barranquilla, Colombia－a seaport city known for great fish.

I keep an eye out so I don’t trip on the rocky path. Along the way, I come upon a man likely in his 50s. I stop and watch him for several minutes as he stands on the rocks and fishes. Instead of a rod (钓竿), the man holds a large bunch of fishing line. On the other end, far off in the distance, the line is attached to a kite. The wind pushes the kite away from him and carries his long line out to sea with several hooks (鱼钩) tied to the line to catch fish. As the sun is setting, I silently reflect on his life. A life so different from my own but no less meaningful.

I’ve chosen not to live anywhere for the time being. I gave up my apartment in Toronto over two years ago, choosing to live and work remotely. I move around often and live permanently out of a suitcase, often staying with friends, family and in hotels. Toronto has become unaffordable, even more so since I’ve left, and I want a lifestyle where I can save some money while discovering unfamiliar locations and forming connections with individuals I’ve yet to meet.

I guess you could call me a digital nomad (数字游民). Work can be done from anywhere now. As a publicist in the film industry, the majority of my job involves meetings and emails and that can all be done virtually.

I learned about a new word recently: “sonder,” coined to define when you realize that each person around you is experiencing a life as vivid and complex as your own. I met the man from Barranquilla early on in my travels. Participating in that small slice of his life made me excited and curious about the world. The longer I’m on the road, the more my eyes are opened to see the world this way and seek out opportunities to understand others.

1. What might the author think of the man’s fishing method?

A．Unique.

B．Traditional.

C．Fruitful.

D．Risky.

2. For what reason did the author choose to Live a nomadic life?

A．Job requirements as a publicist.	B．Unaffordability of a settled life.
C．Inability to find a permanent residence.	D．Desire to explore new places and meet new people.

3. What do we know about people with a sense of “sonder”?

A．They are fond of traveling.	B．They do most of their work virtually.
C．They have experienced many ups and downs.	D．They are aware of the richness of others’ life.

4. In which section of a magazine does the text most probably appear?

A．Fishing.

B．Travel.

C．Life.

D．Technology.

7 . What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in September

Movie Matinees Are Back!
September l , 1:00pm: The Polar Express (2004)
September 7, 1:00pm: The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

We’re bringing our Movie Matinees back, and this month there’s trouble on a train! This is a drop-in program, no registration required. Come by for a movie on the big screen!

Art Journaling with Megan Jeffery
September 8, 6:30-8:00pm

Learn how you can get started in documenting your life with art journaling in this engaging workshop led by illustrator Megan Jeffery. Participants will create their own joumaling cards using a variety of supplies. Space is limited, so registration is required.

The Humane Gardener: Nancy Lawson (Online)
September 15, 6:30-8:00pm

Join author Nancy Lawson as our special guest speaker in an online presentation related to her book The Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife, which explains the importance of coexisting with the local wildlife. Registration required to receive a Zoom link one hour before the start of the program.

Preschool Storytime (Ages 3-5)
September 20, 10:00-10:45am

A program for preschoolers to learn through talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing! For children ages 3-5 and their caregivers. Registration: Cheshire residents may register beginning on September 6. Non-residents may register starting on September 13.

1. What is special about the movie-watching program?

A．It is held on a train.	B．It is an online program.
C．It includes hands-on activities.	D．It requires no advance registration.

2. What should participants do before joining the presentation by Nancy Lawson?

A．Click a Zoom link.	B．Read her latest book.
C．Bring their own art supplies.	D．Submit an art journaling card.

3. Who are most likely interested in the Sept. 20 program?

A．Movie lovers.

B．Gardeners.

C．Preschoolers’ parents.

D．Artists.

8 . If you’re looking for inspiration to get healthy and stay active, look no further than Edna Giordano.

Edna, who lives in Canada, has become famous for the fitness level she maintains at age 91. The mom of five, grandmother of twenty-one and great-grandmother of four still drives now. “I’ve always had a busy lifestyle because, let’s face it, with that many children, you have to be busy,” Edna said. “So, I never really thought about it. That’s just the way I live.” She said she only really began to focus on her fitness in her 60s, when she was forced to retire from her job at a local hospital. She had to face the fact that she was 60.

To keep herself busy, Edna began gardening again that she had to abandon due to her busy work. She said she also started going to the gym in her 60s, which she still does every other day. “I have to keep my feet to the fire because it’s cold in the morning in winter, and when it’s snowy or icy out there, I don’t really get enthusiastic about going outside,” she said. “But I make myself do it and mark it on the calendar. So I cannot take any shortcuts.”

Edna said she focused on walking at the gym for her cardiovascular (心血管) health and also included lots of weight lifting in her routine to maintain her bone strength. “When in the gym, I don’t try to break any records or compete with anyone else,” Edna said. “I only push myself to do better all the time, and I only compete with myself.”

When it came to her age, Edna said the people at the gym didn’t realize she’s 91. She prefers it that way, because when people do realize she’s in her 90s, they’ll surely demand to help her. “I know them well. But I don’t really want help,” said Edna. “It’s funny to say that, but I like to be independent.”

1. What made Edna leave her job in the hospital?

A．Her turning 60.	B．Her looking after many kids.
C．Her wish to live a busy life.	D．Her suffering from a disease.

2. What do we know about Edna after retirement?

A．She lives in a cold place all year round.	B．She manages to be a regular at the gym.
C．She develops a new hobby for gardening.	D．She likes to take shortcuts in her daily life.

3. Which of the following best describes the people at the gym?

A．Competitive.

B．Humorous.

C．Humble.

D．Caring.

4. What can we learn from Edna’s story?

A．The elderly also enjoy trends.	B．Experience beats youth.
C．A positive attitude extends life.	D．Fitness is fit for everyone.

9 . Organizations design courses to help you learn new skills or improve your current skill set. Here’re the best course providers of 2024.

Codecademy

It provides information technology (IT) and other technical users with courses in coding and other software engineering areas. You can choose from several subscription plans or choose a free option to explore the website’s course collection.

Memrise

It’s a website and an application created to help you learn another language. It’s free to use and offers up to 23 languages to pursue. It aims to work on developing your long-term memory to support your learning journey and make it more effective. Additionally, it provides video examples of individuals using the language’s terms and phrases in everyday life.

Pluralsight

It’s a paid subscription site but offers a free trial, so you can try a few classes to determine if it fits your needs. You can take a Skill IQ assessment to know your skill levels and help you determine a plan to improve your abilities. It employs certified experts as the course instructors, which benefits you as a learner.

Alison

It’s a free learning platform offering classes, including fields such as personal development, health, language, finance and science. It offers learners the flexibility of taking the courses anywhere and anytime, so users can fit it into their schedule. And the platform is for individuals with various skill levels, from beginner to expert. Additionally, the site has two types of courses, allowing you to choose between earning a certificate or getting a diploma.

1. Which is most likely to be the course provided on Codecademy?

A．Computer Science.	B．Drawing for Beginners.
C．Advanced Parenting Skills.	D．Civil Engineering.

2. Which website invites specialists to assist the learners?

A．Codecademy.

B．Pluralsight.

C．Alison.

D．Memrise.

3. What is special about Alison’s courses?

A．They are designed for adults.	B．They require learners to pay.
C．They offer no certificates.	D．They are self-paced.

10 . There is a mountain of great ski opportunities not too far from Boston. Road-trip to one of these fantastic ski mountains this winter.

Blue Hills Ski Area

A ski day trip doesn’t get any easier than the Blue Hills Ski Area. It is the only snow sports facility in the metro area. Skiing and snowboarding are spread over its 60 skiable acres, 90% of which are equipped for snowmaking. The vertical drop is 309 feet and there are four lifts serving the 16 trails, most of which are for advanced skiers. There are lessons for kids and adults to help you get there.

Crochet Mountain Resort

It’s famous for signature “Midnight Madness” events and daily night skiing. It has an 875-foot vertical drop and 23 trails across 75 skiable acres. A great mountain for skiers, half its terrain is graded for intermediates with the rest being split between advanced and beginner terrain.

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort

It’s the only one of ski resorts to be 100% powered by renewable energy sources. Skiers will find a 1,150-foot vertical drop, 45 trails, 3 terrain parks and 9 lifts across 167 skiable acres. The whole family can take lessons, enjoy dining or buy a ticket and go for a ride on the 3,600-foot Mountain Coaster!

Smugglers’ Notch

Smugglers’ Notch has a 2,564-foot vertical drop, 78 trails, 5 terrain parks and 8 lifts spread across 1,000 skiable acres. Known as a full-service family-oriented resort, it offers plenty to do off mountain like ice skating, arts and crafts workshops and an indoor swimming pool!

1. Which ski resort mainly targets advanced skiers?

A．Blue Hills Ski Area.	B．Crochet Mountain Resort.
C．Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort.	D．Smugglers’ Notch.

2. What’s the highlight of Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort?

A．Its trails.	B．Its location.
C．Its vertical drop.	D．Its green concept.

3. What can skiers do in Smugglers’ Notch?

A．Have a swim.	B．Ski with world champions.
C．Enjoy stone sculptures.	D．Ride a roller coaster.