1 . Our backpacking trips are designed for those who begin to learn backpacking. We have a variety of trips to choose from.
Point Reyes Backpacking
04/28/2022-04/29/2022
Time:7:00 am — 6:00 pm
Come to walk on the “wild” side at Point Reyes National Seashore, one of California’s finest and most well-preserved wildlife areas. You might get a rare glimpse of a fox, a badger, or possibly the fallow deer. As an extra bonus, take a walk down to the beach where you can explore the wonders of tide pool life and possibly view seals or whales.
Tahoe Backpacking
08/17/2022-08/19/2022
Time:7:00 am — 6:00 pm
This section of the Tahoe Rim Trail parallels the well-known “Flume Trail”, which earns its recognition for the breathtaking views of the bright blue waters of Lake Tahoe. Of course, to be able to view all of the lake at once, you will need to hike up in height. The trail reaches a height of 9,000 feet and ends at Tunnel Creek Station, which is just under 6,500 feet. Peak Adventures has planned the daily mileage for this route to be manageable but challenging for beginning backpackers.
Lassen Backpacking
09/01/2022-09/03/2022
Time:7:00 am — 6:00 pm
Join us for a back-country tour of one of the most recently active volcanic areas in the United States. The park contains a great diversity of landscapes (地貌) including lush marshes, thick forests and lava beds. We will spend three days and two nights backpacking past several streams and lakes. The intensity of this trip is suitable for beginners, but backpackers of all abilities are sure to enjoy the great diversity that Lassen offers.
1. What does Point Reyes Backpacking attract backpackers most?| A．The cool coastal air. | B．The wonders of tide. |
| C．The variety of wildlife. | D．The well-preserved beach. |
| A．To hike up a trail of 9,000 feet. |
| B．To reach Tunnel Creek Station. |
| C．To finish challenging daily mileage. |
| D．To enjoy the scenery of Lake Tahoe. |
| A．Backpacking beginners. | B．The local people. |
| C．Volcano researchers. | D．Skilled adventurers. |
2 . Have you got tired of exercising? Here are some ways to make exercise exciting again.
Kickboxing
While kickboxing may not be the easiest exercise in the world, it does cause you to begin using a new way to burn calories. Not only is it a great aerobic exercise (有氧健身运动), but also it has been suggested that kickboxing actually can help improve your mental health.
Fitness classes
Fitness classes are no longer “your mom’s aerobic classes”. In fact, some fitness classes are harder than usual workouts. Check your local gyms to see what types of diverse classes they can offer.
Yoga
Yoga has continued to gain more and more popularity. Not only does yoga help you increase flexibility but it leads to a healthier mind. A new study done by the Yoga Journal shows that there are now over 50 million people in America who practice yoga on a regular basis.
CrossFit (混合健身)
We have made a promise that we would never try these impossible exercises at home. While there is still an ongoing debate about whether or not CrossFit is safe, there are still people actively running CrossFit gyms. Instead of sitting back and getting opinions about CrossFit from people who may have done it before, give it a try.
1. Why would people try kickboxing?| A．To do the easiest exercise. | B．To exercise anywhere they like. |
| C．To burn calories in a new way. | D．To increase the flexibility of their body. |
| A．Yoga is easy to practice. | B．Yoga is popular in America. |
| C．Yoga is well received by women. | D．Yoga should be practiced regularly. |
| A．Showing no interest in it. | B．Considering it dangerous. |
| C．Thinking it’s worth trying. | D．Considering it inconvenient. |
3 . At the Tate Modern gallery in London, an exhibition recently opened displaying more than 150 surrealist artworks from all around the world. Surrealism is an exciting but unusual type of art. It makes people see things in a different way and can be inspired by an artist’s dreams or by putting strange objects together in unexpected groups.
Surrealism started in the 1920s in Paris, the capital of France. A French poet called André Breton wrote about it. He was very interested in the thoughts, dreams and unusual ideas artists had, rather than just life-like recreations of everyday things. One of the most famous examples from this era (时代) is German artist Max Ernst’s Two Children Are Threatened by a Nightingale.
Some surrealist pieces are entertaining and perhaps even make people laugh. Many surrealist artists, though, wanted their creations to have a serious message and challenge what governments did or the way a society acted. Works have been inspired by terrible things such as wars and people being forced to leave the area or country they came from. A great example is Mayo’s Coups de Bâtons, inspired by police storming a café that was popular with artists.
Surrealism usually focuses on paintings but it also involves film, literature (books and writings), music, photography, sculpture and theatre. Surrealism’s influence is still with us today in things such as funny TV adverts, computer games and unusual film scenes. If something breaks from reality in a strange and challenging way, it could be considered a type of surrealism. Salvador Dalí, a Spanish artist who lived from 1904 to 1989, is the most famous creator of surrealist art. You’ve probably seen at least one of his pieces of art because he designed the logo (标识) for Chupa Chups lollies.
1. What do we know about surrealism?| A．It started with André Breton’s well-known painting. |
| B．It has been popular for over 150 years. |
| C．It describes daily things in a real way. |
| D．It has its origins in France. |
| A．One of his interesting dreams. |
| B．An attack on a café by the police. |
| C．A war starting in his motherland. |
| D．The life after he moved to a new country. |
| A．The introduction to famous surrealist artists. |
| B．The purpose of creating surrealist art. |
| C．The characteristics of surrealism. |
| D．The many forms of surrealism. |
| A．Step inside the fantastic world of surrealism |
| B．Surrealism: a window into art history |
| C．Surrealism: art without borders |
| D．Meet the great surrealist artists |
4 . Summer to autumn, with the winter approaching, is there a better way to spend a beautiful evening than by sitting in the warm room with a good book? Here are some recommendations (推荐) to get you started.
Census By Jesse BallHardcover $19.65 Paperback $ 30.53 Audio CD $ 16.37
Census is a sad but wise novel by US writer Jesse Ball. The hero in the book learns that he has a deadly heart condition and hasn’t long to live, so he has to decide what to do with the rest of his life. But he is not only responsible for himself – he has a son with Down syndrome (唐氏综合征). The father decides to take a job on the road and take his son along with him. On their journey, they soon meet a woman who is “undistinguished, unimpressive, gentle, wonderful”, who becomes an important part of their lives.
Feel Free By Zadie SmithHardcover $18.30 Paperback $ 19.36 Audio CD $ 33.37
British author Zadie Smith is most well known for her 2000 novel White Teeth, which was released when she was in her early 20s. This new book isn’t a novel, however, but a collection of the author’s essays and book reviews. They are very wide-ranging. For example, Smith writes about everything from gardens, bathrooms and philosophy to the Canadian pop star Justin Bieber.
Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress By Steven PinkerHardcover $21.00 Paperback $ 14.88 Audio CD $ 45.87
Steven Pinker, a world-famous Canadian-American cognitive scientist, is worried about how people think today, believing that we’re all too pessimistic (悲观). In this book, Pinker argues that the world is getting better. This is due to progress since the “Age of Enlightenment” (启蒙运动时期) of the 17th and 18th centuries and its spirit of reason. With intellectual depth and literary flair, Pinker makes the case for reason, science and humanism: the ideals we need to confront our problems and continue our progress.
1. Which book covers the widest range of topics?| A．Census. | B．Feel Free. | C．White Teeth. | D．Enlightenment Now. |
| A．It is an original novel by an American writer. |
| B．It is a collection of the author’s works. |
| C．It holds pessimistic attitude to man’s future. |
| D．It is written by a well-known scientist. |
| A．$ 58.95. | B．$ 64.77. | C．$ 95.61. | D．$ 69.83. |
5 . 
The new HSK test was launched by Hanban in an effort to better serve Chinese language learners. The new exam combines the advantages of the original HSK while taking into consideration recent trends in Chinese language training.
The new HSK is an international standardized exam that tests and rates Chinese language proficiency (水平). It assesses non-native Chinese speakers’ abilities in using the Chinese language in their daily, academic and professional lives.
Ⅰ. Test Levels
The levels of the new HSK correspond to the levels of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages (CLPS) and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF) as follows:
New HSK | Vocabulary | CLPS | CEF |
HSK (Level Ⅵ) | Over 5,000 | Level Ⅴ | C2 |
HSK (Level Ⅴ) | 2,500 | C1 | |
HSK (Level Ⅳ) | 1,200 | Level Ⅳ | B2 |
HSK (Level Ⅲ) | 600 | Level Ⅲ | B1 |
HSK (Level Ⅱ) | 300 | Level Ⅱ | A2 |
HSK (Level Ⅰ) | 150 | Level Ⅰ | A1 |
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level Ⅰ) can understand and use very simple Chinese words and phrases, meet basic needs for communication and possess the ability to further their Chinese language studies.
Ⅱ. Test Principles
The new HSK follows the principle of “test-teaching correlation”, bases the design of the test on the current trends in international Chinese language training, and is closely related to textbooks. The purpose of the test is to “promote training through testing” and “promote learning through testing”.
Ⅲ. Results Certificate
Test takers will receive the results for the new HSK issued by Hanban within one month after the test.
The HSK certificate has permanent validity, whereas the accompanying test report will only be valid (有效的) for two years (beginning from the date of the test session) as certification for foreign students to enter a college or university in China.
1. What can we learn from the first two paragraphs?| A．The HSK has been newly reformed. |
| B．The HSK remains unchanged for years. |
| C．The HSK is targeted at all Chinese learners. |
| D．The HSK is a standardized test held in China. |
| A．C1 (CEF). | B．C2 (CEF). | C．Level Ⅲ (CLPS). | D．Level Ⅳ (CLPS). |
| A．It consists of seven levels. |
| B．Its test report will be valid for ever. |
| C．Its certificate will be valid for two years. |
| D．Its results will be announced within one month. |
6 . Whether at school, college or work, most of us take some sort of lunch break. It’s a good time to have a rest, catch up with friends and eat some food — but here lies the dilemma — what to eat? There are a feast of options but because of limited time or money, many of us stick to what we know — usually the humble (没有特别之处的) sandwich.
Some of us make our own sandwiches in the morning before heading out, while those in a rush tend to grab something at a snack bar or a cafe or buy a meal deal at a supermarket. A packet of chips may be an additional part to our lunch. What we eat is usually the same every day. Sheila Dilon from the BBC Food Programme says more than a third of office workers have eaten the same midday meal for the last nine months.
In the UK, bread has become the mainstay of our lunchtime snack, sometimes eaten at your desk--a style known as “al desko”. Bread is cheap and fills you up, with average lunch hours now reduced to 25 minutes and 24 seconds. It’s quick and convenient to eat. But it’s also boring! Some people have broken the mould (模式) by bringing in leftovers from their previous night’s dinner, which they then heat up in a microwave but even that isn’t very exciting.
We are humans of habit, but philosopher Julian Baggini says, “We’re never going to break out of our midday malaise unless we think outside the box.” There are choices that will fill you up. With just a microwave and a kettle, there’re a number of hot satisfying meals that can be made such as soups and jacket potatoes served with a dollop of baked beans or cheese. And then there are the ubiquitous (随处可见的) instant noodles in a pot-although you may question how nutritious they are.
If you’ve got time for more exotic (异国风味的) snacks, then look out for trendy “Ottolenghi” style food such as fava bean salad wrap. There is also the healthy Japanese style “bento box” or lunchbox that normally contains a mix of carbohydrate, protein and vegetables. And of course another healthy Japanese treat is sushi.
But if I’ve got time for a proper lunch, I head to my local greasy spoon (低档小饭馆) and tuck into a firy-up. Not very healthy but delicious, it sets me up for an afternoon of hard work. Then it’s time for the next dilemma what to have for dinner?
1. What does the underlined word “dilemma” in paragraph i mean?| A．A situation that is difficult to deal with. |
| B．A situation that causes trouble for others. |
| C．A situation where something makes you anxious. |
| D．A situation in which you have to make a very difficult choice. |
| A．The humble sandwich. | B．The same midday meal. |
| C．The “Ottolenghi” style food. | D．The instant noodles. |
| A．It’s delicious and healthy. | B．It costs less and saves time. |
| C．It’s exciting and convenient to eat. | D．It’s cheap and can be heated up in a microwave |
| A．Sandwich is a common choice for lunch because of limited time or money. |
| B．You can use a kettle to make instant noodles. |
| C．Sushi is a delicious but harmful treat you can have for lunch. |
| D．The author enjoys less healthy but delicious food. |
7 . Life in Australian hospitals has been far from normal for most children, with many reporting heightened levels of anxiety. Because of COVID-19, patients on most children’s hospital wards (病房) across Australia are only allowed one guardian bedside.
Sydney mum, Donna Truscott, spent most of July and August in and out of the Westmead Hospital with her 15-year-old son Mason. “Being in a hospital with a kid is difficult enough, but being in there with coronavirus (冠状病毒) around, knowing that I can’t have family come in and I can’t have a break, it’s gruelling,” Ms Truscott said.
Ms Truscott said one thing that helped take some of the mental stress away was the Humour Foundation’s clown doctors.
The family was one of the first to experience the Clown Doctors on Call programme — a new way for clown doctors to virtually visit sick children no matter where they are.
“Mason’s playing with them and singing with them, and doctors and nurses walking by can see the joy that these people bring to children,” Ms Truscott said. “It was really important for him to have that humour and just those moments to mentally relax and not think about the pain.”
“We’ve been lucky to have the development of technology so it’s nice that we can chat with clown doctors using Zoom and I hope that all hospitals across Australia embrace that,” Ms Truscott added.
The Humour Foundation’s clown doctor David Symons said the new on-call programme was helping them visit hospitals and outpatients they could not physically get to.
“We can now zoom into rural (乡村的) and remote Australia and we’ve now got programmes happening in Townsville which we didn’t have before, and there’s a possibility of something happening in Armidale where we haven’t had work before,” Mr Symons said. “When we fully roll it out, we could be visiting 100 more kids a week.”
1. What does the underlined word “gruelling” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Highly dangerous. | B．Really surprising. |
| C．Extremely tiring. | D．Incredibly exciting. |
| A．To offer online clown doctor services to sick children. |
| B．To select professional doctors for rural hospitals. |
| C．To provide more wards for children’s hospitals. |
| D．To train parents in medical knowledge. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Supportive. | C．Unclear. | D．Curious. |
| A．It has changed his attitude to his job. |
| B．It has made him very famous worldwide. |
| C．It has inspired him to be a humorous doctor. |
| D．It has made his job more effective and helpful. |
8 . In the future, the Internet will be different from what it is now. There will be many more websites. It is predicted that in the year 2100, there will be hundreds of billions of websites. This means that the use of search engines will become much more important. And there will also be many more sites in different languages. This means that on every proper website, there will be links with the language you want.
Another prediction on the Internet is that data transmission (传输) speed will increase globally. According to Akamai Technologies, the average global data transmission speed in late 2019 was 26.7 megabits per second. Compare that to the record for data transmission speed set by Bell Labs: 100 billion megabits per second. At that speed, you could transmit 400 DVDs worth of data every second. That’s an enormous gap between what’s currently possible and what’s commercially available. But as time passes, the costs of producing super-high-speed networks will decrease.
In the future, people will live under the sea and the housing shortage will be solved. There will be lots of glass domes (穹状建筑物)under the sea, which allow people to look all around into the sea. Air will be provided via air pipes which lead to the open air. You can travel from one dome to another via a kind of submarine which will also be made of glass. The domes will be so beautiful and the view under the sea will be so impressive that many people will prefer to live under water, and less people will prefer to live on land. This will have a positive effect on the environment on land.
In the future we won’t use oil or gas as energy any more. We will make use of sunlight, water and wind. Cars will run on water. Just fill your tank with water, and you can drive further than you could drive with the same amount of gasoline. Also, the exhaust won’t be damaging to the environment, because it’ll just be water vapour. So the water cycle won’t change, we’ll keep the same amount of water on the earth, and we won’t run out of water. Also, all energy will be supplied by natural sources: sunlight, wind and water.
1. What can we know about the Internet in the future from the first two paragraphs?| A．It will be more important to use search engines. |
| B．Most of the websites will be designed in English. |
| C．People not knowing a foreign language will find it hard to surf the Internet. |
| D．There will be great gaps between developed countries and developing countries in Internet usage. |
| A．Because the costs are too high. | B．Because there are technical difficulties. |
| C．Because Bell Labs doesn’t want to sell its technique. | D．Because governments haven’t recognised their value. |
| A．oil product | B．waste air | C．solar energy | D．wind energy |
| A．The Internet is the most advanced invention in history. |
| B．Water will run out sooner than we have expected. |
| C．Houses under the sea will be made from metal. |
| D．Sunlight, wind and water will benefit people more in the future. |
9 . How to focus on today and do your best
If you want to be successful, then you must appreciate the importance of living in the present.
Be grateful for the little things. Start a gratitude journal.
Train yourself to do one thing at a time. Don’t work on too many projects no matter how big your ambitions (抱负) are.
Schedule some “me time” and make the most of it. Make some time out of your busy schedule to follow a creative hobby, enjoy the beauty of nature or simply some pop culture entertainment.
John Lennon once said, “Life is what’s happening while we’re busy making.” Practise keeping your attention on the here and now. The present moment is where you are always!
| A．Finish one task at a time. |
| B．Find the good in every situation. |
| C．Start to do what you enjoy doing. |
| D．Ask yourself questions to be in the present. |
| E．Believe in what you are really feeling at present. |
| F．Always remember that the best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today. |
| G．Not only will it help you to relax, but it will also aid you in focusing better on your tasks. |
10 . What might you expect to find at the bottom of the Antarctic Ocean? Surely not an icefish breeding ground twice the size of Paris!
The breeding ground was discovered in February 2021, but the findings were only published recently. Located in the Weddell Sea, the ground stretched across 92 square miles of the ocean floor. Using a remotely operated camera and several dives, researchers concluded there are over 60 million active nests (巢穴).
Each nest could contain anywhere from 1, 500 to 2, 500 eggs, although it isn’t certain how many of them survive to adulthood. Some nests were guarded by one or more icefish, while others were unguarded. Little is known about the icefish’s breeding behavior, and a project to carefully study their behavior over the next two years is underway.
These unique fish live in the cold waters around Antarctica. Their translucent (半透明的) body and their dark fins make them look like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. In fact, their translucence is actually caused by their clear blood! Icefish lack red blood cells and instead have an antifreeze protein (抗冻蛋白质) that prevents their blood from freezing in the Antarctica water. They have also adapted to be able to take in oxygen through their skin.
The breeding grounds were actually located in a slightly warmer part of the ocean, around 2℃ warmer than the surrounding water. This could suggest that icefish are attracted to warmer waters, especially for their nests.
The previously discovered largest icefish breeding ground only includes less than a hundred nests. Finding a breeding ground of this size blows away many scientists and researchers. The nests, which were about 2.5 feet in diameter (直径), have shaped the sediment (沉积物) at the ocean floor. Scientists believe the large gathering of icefish could lead to changes in many other ocean animals’ lives.
1. How many active icefish nests were discovered in 2021?| A．Over 92 million. |
| B．About 2.5 million. |
| C．Nearly 1,500 million. |
| D．More than 60 million. |
| A．How they guard their nests. |
| B．How they produce their young. |
| C．How they look after their eggs. |
| D．How they survive to adulthood. |
| A．The freezing ocean water. |
| B．Their body temperature. |
| C．Their blood. |
| D．Their skin. |
| A．The importance of research on icefish. |
| B．The reason why so many icefish come together. |
| C．The possible influence of the large icefish group. |
| D．The previous discovery of icefish breeding grounds. |
