1 . There are many unique festivals around the world. Here are some of them.
Las Fallas, Spain
Las Fallas is one of Spain’s strangest and craziest festivals. The focus of this festival is to create and destroy dolls. These dolls are lifelike and usually make fun of dishonest politicians and famous people in Spain. Many dolls are several feet tall. They remain complete until March 19th, after which men fill them with fireworks. All the streetlights are turned off and the dolls are set on fire on March 19th.
Day of the Dead, Mexico
Day of the Dead is traditionally celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of November in Mexico. This festival celebrates the lives of loved ones around you who have died. Celebrations can take a humorous tone as celebrants remember funny events about the dead. Toys are brought for the dead children and bottles of wine for adults.
Mardi Gras, USA
This day can occur any time between February 3rd and March 9th, depending on when Easter is held that year. It is also called Fat Tuesday, reflecting the practice of eating richer and fatty foods. Other practices include wearing masks and parades, etc.
Night of the Radishes, Mexico
It’s one of the most colorful and unique festivals of Mexico. It is celebrated on December 23rd. As crazy as it sounds, the festival lasts only a few hours due to the limited lifetime of vegetables as folk art.
1. What do we know about Las Fallas?| A．Politicians love it very much. | B．It is held mainly for the dead. |
| C．Dolls are the essential elements. | D．It’s celebrated on the 1st of November. |
| A．Those who enjoy drinking wine. | B．Those who love watching parades. |
| C．Those who are fond of sporting events. | D．Those who want to eat foods with low fat. |
| A．Because the artworks don’t last long. | B．Because Mexicans can’t afford the time. |
| C．Because vegetables will be sold at the market. | D．Because people aren’t interested in the festival. |
2 . The following are some of the most recognizable names in art history.
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci, born in 1452 in Tuscany, Italy, was a genius. His one-of-a-kind gift was expressing human emotions, which earned him a name from an early age. He kept painting until his death in France in 1519. His Mona Lisa is a painting that was originally left incomplete but has become the world’s most famous picture.
Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh, born in the Netherlands in 1853, is widely regarded as one of the finest post - impressionist painters of all time. He did not become an artist until he was in his late twenties. In 1886, he traveled to Paris, where he met Paul Gauguin, who encouraged Van Gogh to develop his own style. He died in 1890 after suffering from mental health problems. Van Gogh became famous after his death.
Claude Monet
Claude Monet, born in Paris in 1840, was a talented French artist who is widely considered as one of the most important painters. He was recognized for his talents when he was young and he was the first to employ oil and outdoor methods. The word “impressionism” was created after his picture Impression, Sunrise. Monet died at age 86.
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga, Spain, in late 1881. He began drawing at a young age and had gotten his first lessons in the use of oil paints from his father by the time he was seven. In 1900, he moved to Paris and sold his first painting there. He made significant contributions to the progress of modern art. He passed away in 1973.
1. Which of the following painters lives the longest?| A．Leonardo da Vinci. |
| B．Vincent van Gogh. |
| C．Claude Monet. |
| D．Pablo Picasso. |
| A．He inspired Van Gogh. |
| B．He was taught by his father. |
| C．He suffered mental health problems. |
| D．He led to the birth of impressionism. |
| A．They are all impressionists. |
| B．They liked painting outdoors. |
| C．They all had experiences in France. |
| D．They were recognized in their life time. |
3 . An outbreak of bird flu（禽流感） moved from Asia to Europe, and has now spread to North America, which has led to the deaths of tens of millions of birds.
The last time there was a bird flu outbreak was seven years ago. The 2015 bird flu caused the death of over 50 million birds in the US alone. Slowly, over time, that outbreak was brought to a close by itself. This version of bird flu was first noticed in Saudi Arabia in February,2020. All through 2020 and 2021, the disease continued to spread. Wild birds which caught the flu in one part of the world carried the disease to other parts as they travelled.
The current bird flu appears to be at least as deadly as the 2015 flu, and seems to spread more easily. As one expert put it, “A lot more birds appear to be affected.” In the US alone, over 40 different kinds of wild birds have been found to have the disease, and those birds are spread out over 30 different states. Among the wild birds hit the hardest are water birds like ducks and geese. Birds which eat other birds, like eagles, are also being heavily affected. To keep the flu from spreading, farms with a few infected birds often have to kill thousands of birds, even if they don’t all have the disease yet.
Some scientists think this virus will stick around in wild bird populations. “I hope that this is not the case. I hope that in the US this infection will go away soon,” says Ron Fouchier, a virologist（病毒学家） at Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands. “But there’s no guarantee for that, as we’ve seen in Europe now that this virus has remained present for several years.”
1. What do we know about the 2015 bird flu?| A．It was discovered in Saudi Arabia. | B．It had little effect on the birds. |
| C．It appeared in different forms. | D．It came to an end on its own. |
| A．The performance of the infected birds. | B．The killing of the bird flu. |
| C．The current bird flu’s consequences. | D．The tough choices for farmers. |
| A．Positive. | B．Uncertain. | C．Uncaring. | D．Disapproving. |
| A．A magazine about animals. | B．A novel about ordinary people. |
| C．A health guidebook. | D．A medicine book. |
4 . Our General English 20+ course is a practical course for motivated (积极的) adults who want to develop their confidence in communicating in English in a variety of situations. In small groups, you will develop your fluency and accuracy with realistic role-plays and real-life situations. Full-time or part-time choices are available to fit around your work, childcare or lifestyle commitments.
Our learners typically come from a wide range of backgrounds and an average of 70 nationalities per year.
For people who book 8 weeks or more, we have a special support system to ensure that your needs are met throughout your time with us and that you continue to see progress in your skills. This extra support includes extra free help and personalized feedback. We will communicate regularly with you so that any issues can be dealt with as quickly as possible.
Here’s more information about our course:
Maximum group size: 8
Minimum age: 20
Duration (时长) : a minimum of 1 week
Full-time: 24 hours per week; 9: 30-15: 45/16: 00 (Monday to Friday)
Part-time: 12 hours per week; choose morning or afternoon classes
Morning: 9: 30-12: 00 (Monday to Friday)
Afternoon: 13: 30-16: 00 (Monday to Friday)
At the end of this English course you can expect to understand the news and media better, use English more effectively for work or travel, deal with everyday. situations like meeting people or booking a hotel, and have developed your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
1. What’s special about the English conversations during the course?| A．They are academic. | B．They are natural. | C．They are informal. | D．They are easy. |
| A．Join a group of eight. | B．Choose full-time classes. |
| C．Give your personalized feedback. | D．Book at least an eight-week course. |
| A．They should be 20 or older. | B．They have to be on the job. |
| C．They should be free at weekends. | D．They must be native English speakers. |
5 . Four best thrift (节俭) stores in New York
Housing Works
•Address: NYC Multiple Locations
•Opening Hours: 11 am-7 pm Monday-Saturday; 12 pm-5 pm Sunday
Housing Works has locations offering many second-hand treasures all throughout the city, including the Upper East Side. It’s a great place for thrifters living in the area or visiting the neighborhood. Whether you’re looking for clothing, shoes, or even furniture, Housing Works is always worth the stop. The stores also support the unhoused and those living with HIV/AIDS, so you know you’re helping out a great cause by shopping there.
Chelsea Flea
•Address: 729 West 25th St, btw 6 Ave + B’ way•Opening Hours: 8 am-4 pm Saturday-Sunday
Open year round on Saturdays and Sundays, the Chelsea Flea market is truly a full weekend adventure! There are thrift shops selling everything from antiques to jewelry (珠宝), and even great food options. And of course, you’ll find many sellers offering some of the coolest and most unique vintage (老式的) clothing in all of NYC!
AuH20
•Address: 84 E 7th St, NY, NY 10003•Opening Hours: 12 pm-7 pm Tuesday-Sunday
This is definitely one of the best places to find a bargain on clothes. You can find tons of items priced between $5-$40, so you won’t blow your budget even if you pick out a few new pieces. This neighborhood store is a highlight of the East Village shopping scene, and should be on everyone’s list of the best thrift stores in NYC.
Celene’s Thrift Shop
•Address: 568 Grandview Ave, Queens, NY, 11385•Opening Hours: 9 am--7 pm Monday-Saturday; Closed Sunday
Definitely one of the friendliest thrift stores in New York, this is a small but crowded space that offers tons of cool and unique vintage clothes and items. It’s such a great environment to shop, and you can always find what you’re looking for or something you didn’t even know you needed!
1. What is special about Housing Works?| A．It is closed on holidays. | B．It supports charitable causes. |
| C．It is famous for its vintage treasures. | D．It is limited to a few specific places. |
| A．AuH20. | B．Chelsea Flea. | C．Housing Works. | D．Celene’s Thrift Shop. |
| A．They offer a friendly dining experience. | B．They are open every day all year round. |
| C．They have the same opening hours. | D．They sell special vintage clothing. |
6 . Alice, age 9:"Mom, do I have to brush my hair today?"
Me: Um, yes, it would be great if you could brush your hair every day!
In Alice's world, brushing her hair was an inconvenient nuisance(令人讨厌的事).I knew back then that this feeling would not last forever. One day I would pry (撬开) her hairbrush out of her hand and tear her away from the mirror. Five years later, my prediction has come true.
At age 14, there is no such thing for Alice as a spur-of-the-moment(一时兴起的) trip outside of the house. She is, indeed, obsessed with her physical appearance. Hair has to be brushed, makeup applied, and clothes changed many times before she can even think about leaving the house.
We have spoken at length about how looks don't matter and that being a good, kind and compassionate person in this world is way more important than any aesthetic(审美观).Each time we have this conversation, Alice reminds me that she knows technically looks aren't important. But when she looks good on the outside, she feels more confident on the inside. In turn, that makes her a kinder, more compassionate and more understanding person.
So while I will never be happy to see my daughter try on many shirts only to pick the first one she tried, or spend an hour getting ready for an event when the rest of the family were ready in 10 minutes, I know this is something she needs to do. Creating an identity for herself as an individual outside of her family unit is a natural and necessary part of the teenage process.
And just as she learned over the years that hair-brushing is probably a good idea, so will she hopefully learn that sometimes it's okay to go out in a less-than-perfect outfit or without makeup. Somewhere deep down,her freewheeling 9-year-old self still knows that.
1. What was the author's prediction about Alice?| A．She would avoid looking in the mirror. |
| B．She would refuse to stay at home all the time. |
| C．She would be very concerned about her appearance. |
| D．She would forget to brush her hair before going out. |
| A．To impress others. | B．To make herself feel better. |
| C．To display her unique personality. | D．To attract kind people as friends. |
| A．Worried. | B．Indifferent. | C．Disappointed. | D．Understanding. |
| A．She cannot meet everyone's needs. |
| B．She should learn some makeup skills. |
| C．She needs to learn a lot as she grows up. |
| D．She doesn't always have to go out with a perfect image. |
7 . Theatre shows for you
The Drifters Girl
Location: Garrick Theatre
Time: May 4, 2022-Jan. 26, 2023
Beverley Knight is back in the West End and she’s found an unlikely vehicle for her talents-anew musical about an all-male singing group The Drifters. The Drifters Girl centres on the woman behind the band, Faye Treadwell, who was the first African-American female music manager and helped push the group to be a hit over three decades.
Love’s Labour’s Lost
Location: Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Time: May 16 - Dec. 30, 2022
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has won applause for its production of Shakespeare’s lighthearted and funny play Love’s Labour’s Lost. With songs by Michael Friedman and directed by Kenneth Branagh, Love’s Labour’s Lost is about young love, with an unexpected ending.
Lost Origin
Location: Almeida Theatre
Time: May 21 - Dec. 4, 2022
This immersive (沉浸式) theatre show from Factory 42 and the Almeida Theatre is hard to entirely understand without actually seeing it. As an exploration of what the future of the performance might be, lost Origin sees audiences tasked with solving a mystery (奥秘) inside a dark web marketplace.
Samskara
Location: Fortune Theatre
Time: May 8-Nov. 26, 2022
Combining physical theatre, hip-hop dance with text, Samshara is a new play written and directed by Lanre Malaolu that describes the lives of four generations of African-Americans, trying to make their way in a world that tells them they must be strong.
1. Where can you enjoy a show on New Year’s Day?| A．Fortune Theatre. | B．Garrick Theatre. |
| C．Royal Shakespeare Theatre. | D．Almeida Theatre. |
| A．It’s about Shakespeare’s life. | B．It’s directed by Michael Friedman. |
| C．It’s likely to be a comedy. | D．It will be shown in the RSC. |
| A．Samskara. | B．Love’s Labour’s Lost. |
| C．The Drifters Girl. | D．Lost Origin. |
8 . Heritage sites of outstanding and universal value located along the African coast are at threat of rising sea levels, and increased climate change adaptation is urgently needed for the protection of the heritage sites, according to research.
The research, published last week by the University of Cape Town’s African Climate and Development Initiative, indicated that more heritage areas are exposed to flooding compared with erosion. Findings showed that 56 of 284 identified African heritage sites are at risk of a 100-year coastal extreme event. Furthermore, the researchers project the number of exposed sites to more than triple by 2050.
Michalis Vousdoukas, scientific officer at the European Commission and lead author of the report, said the Loss of forts and castles along the coast would have strong consequences not only for the people living in their neighborhood, but also the international community. He said many of the sites are deeply connected with peoples’ identity and tradition, and they are essential for social well-being, safe-guarding traditional knowledge and livelihoods.
The research findings highlight the urgent need for increased climate change adaptation for heritage sites in Africa, including governance and management approaches, site-specific vulnerability assessments, exposure monitoring and protection strategies. The findings also indicated that reducing greenhouse gas emissions would result in a 21 percent reduction of the median exposed area, as well as 25 percent fewer sites that would be highly exposed by the end of the century.
The National Museums of Kenya, a state corporation that manages cultural and natural heritage, is working with communities to conserve sites that are threatened by coastal flooding and erosion. Fatma Twahir, the chief curator （负责人） of heritage site Fort Jesus in Kenya’s coastal Mombasa city, told Kenya News Agency that the National Museums of Kenya has partnered with the cultural protection fund to train curators and communities living near the heritage sites to keep them safe.
1. What does the underlined word “event” refer to in the context?| A．the natural disaster | B．the loss of forts and castles |
| C．the international support | D．the environment adaptation measures |
| A．Those forts and castles are of great economic value in terms of tourism. |
| B．The loss of those sites would conceal the identity of the people living nearby. |
| C．If the sites got damaged, the whole world would be influenced as well as the local. |
| D．The protection of those sites is necessary for the safety of the whole continent. |
| A．Monitoring all the heritage sites. |
| B．Reducing greenhouse gas emissions. |
| C．Assessing the short-term climate change. |
| D．Developing new methods of governing their countries. |
9 . 
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Oak Tree Mobility At Oak Tree, we make beautiful products that help people live Your comfort is our strength independently. We believe everyone should be free to live a rich and fulfilling life and this belief affects everything we do. It is reflected in our range of handmade rise and recline chairs, adjustable beds and bath lifts, which have already empowered thousands nationwide to enjoy the independence they deserve.
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1. Who are most likely to be the customers of Oak Tree Mobility?| A．Senior citizens. | B．Adolescents. | C．Civil servants. | D．Professors. |
| A．deciding the size of your own chairs and beds. | B．choosing the fabrics and leathers that you like. |
| C．getting a discount when you buy another item. | D．trading in your old furniture to get a half price |
| A．they are the only company to suit people’s needs. |
| B．all their chairs and beds are handmade in Great Britain. |
| C．their furniture can offer positional relief from aches and pains. |
| D．the products receive good assessments from professional institutions. |
10 . Things you should never buy on planes, according to flight attendant
If you fly business class, you can usually save by waiting to upgrade at the airport
I know it might sound strange, but I always advise everybody to purchase an economy ticket at home and upgrade it at the airport. Opting for an upgrade will dramatically reduce the price of the ticket.
As soon as you purchase your economy seat, you may start receiving email deals to upgrade your ticket but don’t rush. Wait until you get to the airport and ask for an upgrade at the counter. Sometimes, if the plane is empty or you have a loyalty program with the airline, the gate agent can upgrade you to business class at no additional cost. But even if you have to pay, it’s still going to be much cheaper than buying online.
Just be extremely nice to the staff and arrive early so business seats are still available. But don’t wait until you get on the plane — flight attendants don’t usually have that much power.
Never waste money on bottled water at the airport
You can’t take liquids through security, but no one said you can’t take an empty bottle. Most airports are full of water fountains, and many even have a special pump to refill bottles quickly.
The same rule applies to airport food
For some reason, people have a fear of bringing food through TSA security. But it’s a great way to save money, as long as it’s solid, like a sandwich.
If you’re flying internationally, it’s best to finish any food from your first destination before landing since some countries don’t allow fresh foods through customs.
You can find better deals online than at the duty-free shop
Duty-free always attracts passengers at the airport, but the savings aren’t as good as they seem. Some airlines also have duty-free catalogs onboard where you can shop in the skies. But those prices are even worse. You can find much better deals online if you take the time to look.
It’s almost never worth it to exchange money at the airport
Too often, people land at an international airport and realize they don’t have the right currency. But the airport is the worst place to exchange if you want a good rate.
Most banks or shopping malls have currency exchanges with steadier rates if you remember before your flight. And if you forget, just get enough money for a taxi into the city and go to a local bank.
1. What does the author advise you to do if you want to fly business class?| A．Book a business class ticket on line. |
| B．Require the flight attendant to upgrade your economy ticket. |
| C．Agree to upgrade your economy ticket upon receiving email deals from the airport. |
| D．Purchase an economy ticket at home and ask for an upgrade at the counter. |
| A．Take a bottle of water through TSA security. |
| B．Finish your food after landing. |
| C．Think twice before shopping at the duty-free shop at the airport. |
| D．Exchange money at the airport. |
| A．Suggest what to take to those travelling by plane. |
| B．Offer advice on saving money for airplane passengers. |
| C．Recommend food and water suitable for flying. |
| D．Warm travelers not to exchange money at the airport. |
