Stackworth Museum tells the history of the famous Stackworth family, and gives information about other well-known local people. These include poets, artists and writers. There is an excellent café.
Scotwood ManorThe rooms in Scotwood Manor are furnished as they were 100 years ago. The staff spend the day as people did then and are happy to explain what it was like. There are activity sheets for children and shop with books, gifts and cards, as well as a good café and car park.
Woodlands MuseumSet in beautiful countryside, the Woodlands Museum is arranged like a village of 100 years ago. To learn more about this period, visitors are encouraged to spend time doing practical things such as making pots and cooking. There is playground with picnic area.
Westerleigh MuseumWesterleigh Museum is near the bus station and contains exhibitions showing the town's development. In a separate room there are works by some well-known artists. The museum has café and is near the bus and railway station.
Freshwater MuseumFreshwater was once an important fishing port. Freshwater Museum, inside the old harbour office, shows how the town developed and later became a tourist centre. There is an activity room for young children with DVDs, a large picnic area, and good bus service.
1. If you are interested in famous people in history, you can visit________.| A．Scotwood Manor | B．Stackworth Museum |
| C．Westerleigh Museum | D．Woodlands Museum |
| A．Read books at a shop. |
| B．Appreciate paintings by famous artists. |
| C．Do some hands-on activities. |
| D．Learn about the Stackworth familys history. |
| A．Both are art-centred. |
| B．Both offer attractive gifts. |
| C．Both tell the local history. |
| D．Both are near a railway station. |
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1. What is New Malden Airport Transfers probably?| A．A taxi producer. |
| B．A small start-up. |
| C．A transfer station. |
| D．A taxi company. |
| A．It charges the lowest price. |
| B．It can only be booked online. |
| C．It is available around the clock. |
| D．It can be enjoyed all over London. |
| A．To advertise the New Malden taxi service. |
| B．To show the benefits of New Malden taxis. |
| C．To attract visitors to tour around New Malden. |
| D．To stress the necessity of airport transfer service. |
3 . What do you say when your boss propose a programme you think is impractical? How do you decide whether it’s worth speaking up? And if you do, what exactly should you say?
Decide whether to wait. Consider whether it’s best to wait before expressing your opinion. Maybe you haven’t fully thought through the problem yet. Maybe you want to know what other people think.
Find common ground. Before you share your thoughts, understand the goals of your boss.
Stay calm. You might feel your heart racing or your face turning red. When you seem anxious, it weakens the message you’re conveying.
| A．Stay humble. |
| B．Consider the risks. |
| C．Ask permission to disagree. |
| D．You may even send a mixed message. |
| E．Seeking opinions from others is helpful. |
| F．Think about what your boss cares about. |
| G．Here are tips on how to show your disagreement. |
4 . In the digital world of endless comparisons, a thought-inspiring study by a team at Ruhr University Bochum reveals a surprising truth: materialism (物质主义) on social media adds stress and reduces happiness. This research, conducted through an online survey of over 1,200 participants, highlights the unique way social media causes materialistic attitudes and the subsequent impact on mental health.
Conducted with a diverse group of participants, the survey analyzed the social media behaviors and psychological states of individuals, focusing on their materialistic posts. The study employed six questionnaires to understand the participants’ materialistic attitudes, social media habits, stress levels, and life satisfaction. The participants, averaging over two hours a day on social media, revealed a clear pattern: higher levels of materialism on social media are associated with lower life satisfaction, increased stress symptoms, and a higher risk of social media addiction.
The study’s implications extend beyond numbers and charts. It suggests a worrying trend where individuals seeking validation (肯定) through materialistic displays on social media might be sacrificing their mental peace and happiness. Social media addiction is characterized by frequent use of social media platforms, often at the expense of other activities. Stress symptoms can range from anxiety to physical signs like headaches or tiredness. What’s clear is that social media may cause far more harm to users than good.
While the study acknowledges the risks associated with social media, especially for materialistic individuals, Dr. Ozimek, a psychologist, advises against completely abandoning these platforms.
Instead, he suggests a balanced approach of various activities to avoid comparison. Researchers also propose incorporating materialism and social media usage assessments in mental health treatment. Recognizing these factors as potential starting points for interventions offers new methods for addressing modern-day mental health challenges.
1. What does the survey find about the materialistic posts?| A．They produce high life satisfaction. |
| B．They help to ease stress symptoms. |
| C．They lead to social media addiction. |
| D．They bring about high consumption patterns. |
| A．Some people avoid too much use of social media. |
| B．Some people try to seek the good of online displays. |
| C．Some people undervalue mental peace and happiness. |
| D．Some people pursue recognition through online material shows. |
| A．Abandoning social media platforms. | B．Keeping a balance among various activities. |
| C．Assessing social media posts objectively. | D．Searching for potential interventions. |
| A．Turn to Rich Life for Growth |
| B．Assess Real Life for Mental Health |
| C．Materialism on Social Media Decreases Happiness |
| D．Understanding of Materialism Differs among Individuals |
5 . A rare snowstorm blanketed our city and transformed it into a magical scene: the square resembled a moonscape, monuments took on an alien appearance, and buildings appeared like castles in the clouds. When I awoke to this sight, I immediately ran outside to build a snowman. Exhausted, I fell onto the ground with my arms and legs spread out. Then I noticed I had an audience—a well-dressed couple observing me with their unspoken question: Don’t you have anything better to do?
A middle-age woman playing by herself in the snow seems strange, but perhaps it shouldn’t be. Recent research suggests that modern adults suppress their human desire to play, and that’s causing all kinds of problems. “The opposite of play isn’t work; it’s depression,” says psychiatrist and play researcher Stuart Brown. “The lack of playfulness is becoming a public health crisis.”
Last summer, scientists found that for mammals, play may be as essential as the need for sleep. The play drive starts in the brain stem—one of the oldest parts of our nervous system. Moreover, adult play has been linked to important discoveries throughout history. Deep in our evolutionary history, a playful early human came up with the concept of stone tools. Even today, the urge to play inspires most of humanity’ s greatest inventions, artworks, and scientific breakthroughs. “When I interviewed Nobel winners, I was struck by how most of them didn’t separate work and play. Their labs were their playgrounds,” says Brown.
Unfortunately, social norms (准则) hold back our urge to let loose. “Being a playful adult is shameful in our society,” says Brown. “You don’t want to feel irresponsible. You don’t want people to think that you’re childish.” Yet, there is hope that playfulness could make a comeback in modern society as we are shifting to a knowledge-based economy. At companies like Apple, workers are encouraged to chat freely during coffee breaks. They understand the value of encouraging adults to play. In the face of global challenges such as climate change, having a playful mindset may be crucial for creative problem-solving and cooperation.
The next time I’m caught playing, I know exactly what I’ll say: “I am not wasting time, or acting immature. I’m playing around for the benefit of all humanity. You’re welcome.”
1. Why does the author mention her personal story in paragraph 1?| A．To introduce the topic of adult play. |
| B．To illustrate her deep affection for snow. |
| C．To talk about how unfriendly the couple were. |
| D．To highlight the city’s magical transformation. |
| A．Encourage. | B．Share. | C．Create. | D．Control. |
| A．Different attitudes to adult play. | B．The significance of adult play. |
| C．Ways to balance work and play. | D．The reasons for adults lacking play. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Cautious. | C．Unconcerned. | D．Neutral. |
6 . There are robot cleaners and robot mops to help us around the house, so why not a robot to build our houses? Wait no longer. Now there is a set of electronics to do just that, build a house from scratch, and fast.
Forget weeks to find a builder and months for house construction; a machine developed in the United States can build a 232 sqm house layer by layer in a single day. University of Southern California’s Professor Behrokh Khoshnevis has designed the giant robot that replaces construction workers with a mouth on an arm of crane, which spits out concrete and can quickly build a house according to a computer pattern. The technology, known as Contour (轮廓) Crafting, could revolutionise the construction industry.
Contour Crafting could greatly decrease the cost of homeowning, making it possible for millions of displaced people to get on the property ladder. It could even be used in disaster relief areas to build emergency and replacement housing. As Prof. Khoshnevis points out, if we look around almost everything is made automatically these days—shoes, clothes, home appliances, cars. The only thing that is still built by hand are buildings.
The Contour Crafting system is a robot that automates age-old tools normally used by hand. These are applied by a robotic crane that builds a three-dimensional object. The nature of the technology means it will also be possible to create curved walls and architecture that is both “exotic (异国情调的) and beautiful” according to Prof Khoshnevis. As a result, it could be ideal to print out expensive houses according to customers’ demands.
Furthermore, Prof. Khoshnevis believes that the technology could be applied beyond our planet. “Contour Crafting technology has the potential to build safe, reliable, and affordable structures, habitats, laboratories, and other facilities on the moon and Mars before the arrival of human beings,” his website reads.
According to the International Labour Organisation, construction employs nearly 110 million people worldwide and “plays a major role in fighting the high levels of unemployment and in absorbing extra labour from the rural areas”. What the implications are for builders is, of course, a major concern. But Khoshnevis says “the reality is that a lot of new jobs can be created in this field as well”. Instead of building the house, workmen are used to maintain the machine.
1. Which advantage does the giant robot have for the consumers?| A．It saves a great deal of time. | B．It decorates houses beautifully. |
| C．It provides energy-saving apartments. | D．It builds environmentally-friendly houses. |
| A．to print objects | B．to purchase a house |
| C．to predict disasters | D．to accumulate wealth |
| A．low-income residents | B．people at different income levels |
| C．middle-income people | D．wealthy immigrants |
| A．Many construction workers will lose jobs. |
| B．Professionals will be hired to make robot builders. |
| C．More rural people will engage in construction. |
| D．Construction workers will update their skills. |
7 . Jack London, one of America’s major writers of adventure tales, was born in California in 1876. During his life, London worked at many jobs. His broad life experiences would become the background for his writing.
London, loved to read. As a teenager, he spent many hours educating himself at the Oakland, California, public library. He attended college at the University of California at Berkeley, but he stayed for only six months. He though Berkeley was “not lively enough” and wanted to do something more exciting.
London wrote stories about working people and the hard times they had making a living. He knew their problems first hand. He worked as a sailor, farmer, factory employee, railroad worker, and gold prospector, to name just a few of his many jobs.
London grew up near the waterfront in Oakland. He loved the water. When he was fifteen years old, he bought a small sailboat called a sloop. Later he sailed to Japan on a schooner, which is much large sailing boat. Like many people of the time, London caught the Klondike Gold Rush Fever. In 1897, he headed for Alaska. He didn’t find gold, but he discovered something even more valuable. He discovered that people enjoyed listening to the stories he made up with his vivid imagination. London entertained the miners with story after story. Later, using his experiences during the Gold Rush, he created many more colorful stories.
London resolved to live a full, exciting life. He once said, “I would rather be a superb meteor (流星), every atom of me in magnificent glow,than a sleepy and permanent planet.” Each day, he pushed himself. Once London determined that he was going to be a writer,nothing could stop him. His goal was to write at least one thousand words everyday. He refused to stop even when he was sick. In eighteen years, the writer published fifty-one books and hundreds of articles. He was the best-selling and highest-paid author of his day. Many people also considered him to be the best writer. White Fang and The Call of the Wild are his most famous stories and are about surviving in the Alaskan wilderness. Readers can enjoy Jack London’s energy and his talent for telling wonderful stories each time they open one of his novels.
1. Why was Jack London able to write on many topics?| A．He pushed himself to reach goals. |
| B．He had a variety of experiences and jobs. |
| C．He was drawn to the Klondike Gold Rush. |
| D．He was the best-selling and highest-paid author. |
| A．That he was hired to sail to Japan. |
| B．That he traveled to Alaska in 1897. |
| C．That he spent much of his time writing. |
| D．That he was not interested in college life enough. |
| A．is expert at universe. |
| B．aims high and strive to succeed. |
| C．is excited about life of the wildness. |
| D．face a choice between life and death. |
| A．To support the statement that London was the “best writer”. |
| B．To describe life during the Klondike Gold Rush. |
| C．To provide information on Jack’ s life. |
| D．To identify books written by Jack London. |
8 . Hope to have a cultural trip? Why not try these biggest and best exhibitions around the world?
Acts of Creation
The pains and joys of motherhood are not always described with as much care and detail as in this exhibition. With over 100 artworks by over 60 artists, three themes of motherhood — creation, maintenance and loss — will be explored through paintings, photographs, sculptures, sound and films.
Time: Until November 12
Location: Midlands Arts Centre, Bristol
From the Other Side
An exhibition on horror? It might not sound a good one for those who are not brave. However, you needn’t worry: this collection is far different from scary paintings. Instead, these artworks of 19 Australian artists aim to raise questions about horror in the women’s views.
Time: Until December 23
Location: ACCA, Melbourne
Modes and Characters
This museum exhibition is taking a look at the history of modern graphic design and explores how computer-based publishing technology has changed the world of design. Special focus is given to the work of Japanese designers and Japan’s different graphic culture, with individual exhibits ranging from magazine covers to the posters seen on trains.
Time: Until October 30
Location: 21 Design Sight, Tokyo
Hip Hop and Contemporary Art
Hip hop has had an influence on culture over the last 50 years, and this exhibition is taking a deep dive into its history. It ranges from fashion and photography to video and sculpture. Highlights include a large-scale installation from Lauren Halsey, the work of artist Hank Thomas, and photographs from Deana Lawson.
Time: November 5
Location: Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto
1. Where do the artists for the exhibition on horror come from?| A．England. | B．Australia. | C．Japan. | D．Canada. |
| A．The technology of computer. | B．The contribution of Japanese designers. |
| C．The history of modern graphic design. | D．The importance of magazine covers. |
| A．Acts of Creation. | B．From the Other Side. |
| C．Modes and Characters. | D．Hip Hop and Contemporary Art. |
9 . “Never give up! Never give up!” sang my two young children, Max and Charley, as they marched barefoot behind their grandmother Mimi on another adventure, off the beach where they had spent the day building sand castles and beating the waves. This time, they were seeking the ice-cream truck.
Over the years, Mimi had become our family’s source of positivity through her effort. My father’s death left her to raise me and my ten-year-old brother alone at forty. She faced tragedy that is powerful enough to cloud just about anyone’ s outlook. Instead, she challenged herself to find joy every day. She was always up for a new challenge, whether parasailing over the Gulf of Mexico, or signing up for tap-dancing classes at fifty. Leading by example, Mom taught us how much one could accomplish with a positive attitude.
She has taken the same approach in her relationship with her grandchildren. Prior to starting her adventure with Max and Charley that hot July afternoon, Mimi heard the familiar sound of the ice-cream man’s bell from her beach chair. The ice-cream man’s visit is a daily occurrence at the beach, but one must be quick to catch his truck. Max and Charley were disappointed when they didn’t catch him in time that day, until Mimi’ s eyes sparkled and explained that they could rush to find it at its next stop.
They walked block after block. My kids’ tiny legs were tired, but they went on. After about twenty minutes’ walking, Max spoke out loud, “Maybe we should give up.” Charley responded with a quick “No way! Never give up!” and resumed her singing with Mimi.
Just two blocks later, they found it. Max and Charley screamed with excitement, “Never give up!” Simple though it was, that phrase has become our battle cry (口号) for the challenges we face. Upon hearing those words, they are instantly transported to a positive state of mind—where the next ice-cream truck is just around the corner.
1. Why were Max and Charley marching barefoot?| A．To get some extra exercise on the beach. |
| B．To meet their grandma’ s special request. |
| C．To run after the truck for an ice cream. |
| D．To build sand castles and fight the waves. |
| A．She was optimistic despite misfortune. | B．She once had a bright prospect in life. |
| C．She was dominant in her community. | D．She developed an interest in adventure. |
| A．She blamed him for being loud. | B．She took the chance to be outstanding. |
| C．She turned to Mimi for some advice. | D．She opposed him and went on seeking. |
| A．Self-trust is the first secret of success. | B．Remain positive in times of difficulties. |
| C．Seize a chance in life before it disappears. | D．Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. |
10 . For eight years, Sophie created realistic-looking limbs (肢) for those who wanted to fit in. But she longed to work on more odd designs that would stand out. Then she met Pollyanna Hope, a young amputee (被截肢者).
“She wanted something a little different on her leg: pictures of a cartoon she loved, Peppa Pig,” said Sophie, who is now based in London. So she designed a unique leg covered in tattoo-like images of Peppa and other pigs riding a bicycle and eating ice cream. Working with Hope made Sophie realize there was a potential market for limbs.
Since then, Sophie founded the Alternative Limb Project (ALP) to make artistic limbs. Her work includes an arm wrapped in sculpted snakes and a leg that looks like porcelain (瓷器) covered in a painted flowery vine. She makes about six limbs per year, always including clients’ ideas so that they receive a personal piece they can celebrate rather than hide.
Of course, a fancy-looking limb won't suit everyone. For Sophie, the basis is that each limb must satisfy a combination of comfort, beauty and functionality, and pushing too hard in one direction can weaken other areas. But for amputees who appreciate novelty, Sophie has some amazing ideas.
“I’d really like to make a candy-dispenser leg with colorful candies inside it” she says. “Or a cuckoo-clock leg with a wooden bird that pops out every hour.” Her goal is to fashion a striking limb.
“It’ll transform the limbs from an elephant in the room into a conversation piece.”
1. Why did Pollyanna Hope come to Sophie?| A．She hoped to have a tailored limb. |
| B．She intended to design a cartoon figure. |
| C．She longed to expand the market for limbs. |
| D．She expected to sell Sophie some odd ideas. |
| A．boost users’ confidence | B．sharpen users’ creativity |
| C．improve Sophie’s sculpture skills | D．extend Sophie’s art business |
| A．The novelty of the pattern tops the list. | B．The balance of multi-needs comes first. |
| C．Fashion is the best policy. | D．Functionality is the key. |
| A．Sophie resolves to lead the fashion of limbs. |
| B．Sophie plans to further transform artistic limbs. |
| C．Amputees will feel at ease to talk about limbs. |
| D．Amputees will have easy access to artistic limbs. |
