My wife and I moved into our home nine years ago. We have a yard a “rock garden”. There the rocks appear to be just thrown up onto the dirt as if someone were in a hurry to finish. Very often when we have more flowers, Denise or I would plant them between the rocks, just to bring some color to the area.
Last summer I found, in the rock garden, a tiny little plant that I could not immediately recognize. I knew I didn’t plant it and Denise said she didn’t either. We decided to let it continue growing until we could find out what it was.
Weeks passed and as I made my way back to the strange plant, it appeared to be a sunflower. It looked thin and tall with only one head on it. I decided to baby it along and weed (除草) around it. As I pulled rocks from the area to get to the weeds, I noticed something unusual. The sunflower had not started where I saw it begin. It actually had begun under a big rock and grown under and around it to reach the sun.
If a tiny little sunflower didn’t let a big rock stand in its way of developing, we too have the ability to do the same thing. If we believe in ourselves like that little sunflower, we can reach where we aim to go and get what we need for growth.
We need to believe in ourselves knowing we have the ability to achieve our goals. Like the sunflower, it knew it had the ability to get over the rocks because it had faith in itself that it would succeed. Stand tall like the sunflower and be proud of who and what we are, then other things will begin to support us. We will find a way to go under or around any “rocks” in order to realize our goals.
1. How did the yard in the author’s home look like at first? ( no more than 5 words)2. Why did the author let the tiny plant continue growing? (no more than 10 words)
3. What does the underlined word in paragraph3 mean? (no more than 3 words)
4. What made the author think the sunflower was unusual? (no more than 15 words)
5. How does the sunflower inspire you? Please explain it in your own words. (no more than 25 words)
2 . Max Du emerged victorious at the Canada-Wide Science Fair with an innovative project that could revolutionize emergency response: a drone designed to assist individuals experiencing cardiac arrest. His creative spark was ignited during the Christmas break of the previous year when he received a toy drone from his parents. Due to the snowy conditions, Max was unable to fly his new gadget outdoors, prompting him to explore its potential as an indoor robot that could be of service to people in need.
In Canada, approximately 35,000 individuals suffer from cardiac arrests annually, with the majority of these incidents occurring outside of hospital settings. Sadly, less than 10 percent of these individuals survive. Max was convinced that a drone could provide more rapid assistance and deliver life-saving medication, but he knew he had to construct one himself to validate his hypothesis.
The process of testing his drone spanned six months, during which Max’s parents had to tolerate their son’s persistent drone flights and mishaps within their home. Each innovative feature Max developed, such as a deployable arm, added weight to the drone, causing it to disintegrate. This necessitated the purchase of new components. Through experimentation, Max eventually discovered a more lightweight material, leading to a better-balanced design.
After a series of trials and adjustments, the 14-year-old successfully perfected his drone. It is now capable of opening door handles, navigating through the air, and landing gently on the ground. The drone features a new extendable arm designed to administer injections or deliver crucial medication to a patient. Additionally, an integrated camera allows for direct communication with an emergency response team, enabling remote monitoring of the patient.
Max is looking forward to filing for a patent to establish connections within the healthcare sector and bring his invention to fruition. He spent his summer acquiring knowledge in artificial intelligence at Stanford University in California, where he was one of only 32 students chosen globally. Following this, he will attend the University of Pennsylvania to enroll in a college-level robotics course before resuming his high school studies in September.
1. Why did Max Du design a drone by himself?| A．He had sympathy for those with heart attacks. |
| B．He had nothing to do in Christmas holidays. |
| C．He wanted use it to help his parents. |
| D．He tried to make it fly in the snow. |
| A．Most of the people with cardiac arrests in Canada can survive. |
| B．Max’s parents were unwilling to help during his drone design. |
| C．It’s very important to control the balance of the drone. |
| D．Max’s design of the extendable arm is very smooth. |
| A．The instructions for using the drone. | B．The reason for applying for a patent. |
| C．The process of Max’s success. | D．The functions of the new drone. |
| A．Considerate and brave. | B．Talented and creative. |
| C．Clever and honest. | D．Helpful and loyal. |
3 . You may have heard the name “Michelin” because it’s related to Michelin tires. The tire producers Andre and Edouard Michelin created something called a “Michelin Guide” in 1900. It was originally meant as a guide specifically for France, outlining all of the travel destinations and why you should visit them, and thus encouraging people to buy cars, which meant more tire sales.
This guide included gas stations, repair shops, and notable restaurants. The Michelin Guide began to cover all sorts of European and North African countries, but then, the First World War hit and production stopped. After the war, though, the Michelin brothers adapted the guide and began charging for it. This adapted guide included hotel listings. It removed advertising and then began to actually categorize and rate restaurants.
By the year 1936, they had finalized their three-star standards that they would award to restaurants. One Michelin star was classified as “a very good restaurant in its category”. Two Michelin stars meant “excellent cooking, worth a detour (迂回)”. And lastly, three Michelin stars meant “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey”.
Now, there are Michelin Guides for 23 countries. Michelin hires undercover reviewers called “inspectors” that travel to restaurants secretly and decide their category. These inspectors are not even allowed to disclose to their parents their actual line of work, since parents will likely feel honored and show it off. So the number of inspectors that actually exist is unpublicized.
To get a three-star rating isn’t always a good thing, though. A few restaurants have asked Michelin to take back their star rating. For example, Petersham Nurseries Cafe in London got a star in 2011, but people visiting expected a formal dining experience and unrealistic expectations of what the restaurant really was. Some restaurants in Japan also turned it down because they wouldn’t be able to keep up their quality of food with such a fierce jump in popularity.
Everything must be perfect. Not good, not excellent — perfect. These are the absolute bare basics of the Michelin star system: some history and some highlights.
1. What is the original purpose of making Michelin Guide?| A．To promote the company’s tire sales |
| B．To popularize some fascinating hotels. |
| C．To develop tourism industry in France. |
| D．To regularize the reference on restaurants. |
| A．The principles of Michelin charge. |
| B．The introduction of Michelin Guide. |
| C．The criteria of Michelin star ranking. |
| D．The distribution of Michelin restaurants. |
| A．Romantic. | B．Mysterious. | C．Respectable. | D．Promising. |
| A．They are fed up with the crowded customers. |
| B．The Michelin star rating ruins their reputations. |
| C．There are some drawbacks in the Michelin star system. |
| D．They can’t live up to the expectations of the customers. |
4 . Raymond had the fifth vertebrae (椎骨) in his neck broken as a result of a diving accident and could no longer walk or fully use his hands.
“I quickly learned that my life was going to be really different,” he says. “To call it a huge adjustment is an understatement.”
But that’s just the beginning of Raymond’s story. A year later, frustrated with the lack of wellness resources available for people like him in New Orleans, the former broadcast engineer decided that his hometown needed an adaptive gym to cater to those with similar injuries and other disabilities.
The properly named Split Second Fitness opened in 2021, with specially designed workout equipment and therapy programs that allow clients to grow physically and mentally stronger. Seated elliptical (椭圆的) bikes move paralyzed (瘫痪的) users’ legs; a yoga instructor helps stroke survivors increase flexibility and range of motion and mental health experts facilitate the hard transition to a new way of living.
“Anybody’s life can change in a split second like mine did,” Raymond explains. “What our organization is really centered around is ‘How do I give you hope? And how can I help you transform that hope into action steps for you to create a better tomorrow?’”
The idea came to Raymond as he spent three months at a state-of-the-art rehab (康复) facility in Sacramento that challenged the idea of what recovery could look like.
“I knew I had to get back home and figure out how to do that,” says the natural-born networker, who spent three years raising funds and learning how to run a nonprofit. “The goal is to increase the quality of life of those with a disability,” he says. “Because if I can give you something to look forward to, it will help that grieving process and help you get back on track to a happy, healthy life.”
1. What led to Raymond’s physical disabilities?| A．A sport damaging his hands. | B．A car accident damaging his neck. |
| C．A disease affecting his mobility. | D．A diving accident hurting his vertebrae. |
| A．He started his own fitness center. | B．He turned to a nonprofit organization. |
| C．He quit his job as a broadcast engineer. | D．He founded a rehab facility in Sacramento. |
| A．A type of sport. | B．A kind of rehab equipment. |
| C．A transport tool. | D．A test device. |
| A．To let the disabled live a better life. |
| B．To increase awareness about keeping fit. |
| C．To challenge traditional ideas of recovery. |
| D．To provide financial assistance to the disabled. |
5 . Mia, a pre-adolescent of twelve years, is currently embarking on an annual peregrination with her progenitors and trio of juvenile siblings, distant from their domicile in Quebec, Canada. The familial unit has partaken in equine excursions through the Mongolian steppes, navigated waterways in Cambodia via kayak, sojourned amidst the Namibian wilderness, and soared above the Turkish landscape in a hot air balloon, all in pursuit of a repository of experiences that may occur but once in their existence.
These reminiscences hold profound significance as, barring a scientific marvel in the near term, the progeny are destined to succumb to blindness in their maturation. They have been afflicted with a malady that lacks efficacious intervention and possesses an indeterminate schedule, progressively depriving them of the faculty of vision.
The revelations of their conditions emerged in 2015. In the face of sorrow, the parents were struck by Mia’s composure at the tender age of seven. She proclaimed the necessity to cultivate an environment of order within her chamber, ensuring that every object held its rightful place. “I shall require prescience of the location of all articles,” Mia articulated.
“She is autonomously devising remedies,” the parents remarked to one another. “We must adhere to her guidance.” Consequently, the concept of a yearlong expedition was conceived, one designed to expose the offspring to the panorama of the globe, in a manner both direct and intimate — whilst their visual faculties remained intact. For the subsequent biennium, the progenitors have amassed financial resources and investigated prospective destinations. “The disparity in the perspectival apprehension of the world by adults and children is vast,” the matriarch, Edith, remarked. “Our journey must eschew a focus on religious monuments and institutions of learning, instead gravitating towards whatever captures their gaze.”
As the odyssey commenced its conclusion in the nascent stages of 2023, the family had traversed 52,000 miles and traversed eighteen nations. Mia, elongated in stature and on the cusp of adolescence, sought greater autonomy. Her confreres in youth were transformed, exuding an enhanced air of assurance and sociability. The progeny were acutely conscious of the wealth of knowledge they had amassed. “Existence is replete with affliction and destitution, yet it is also abundant in virtue and intriguing phenomena. We ought to maintain a positive stance,” Mia pronounced.
1. What’s the probable function of the first paragraph?| A．To lead in the story behind. |
| B．To arouse the readers’ interest. |
| C．To provide background information. |
| D．To inform readers of a wonderful trip. |
| A．They are optimistic about the children’s disease. |
| B．They are surprised at their daughter’s creative ideas. |
| C．They are proud of their daughter’s courage to face difficulties. |
| D．They are open-minded enough to respect their children’s decision. |
| A．The details about the year-long journey. |
| B．The keen anticipation of Mia about the future. |
| C．The changes of the kids physically and mentally. |
| D．The impression Mia had of what she had experienced. |
| A．Seeing is believing. | B．Making the most of the vision. |
| C．Man who travels far knows more. | D．The eyes are the window to the soul. |
6 . Immersive Disney Animation Singapore
Since its inaugural unveiling in Toronto in the closing month of the year 2022, the Immersive Disney Animation spectacle has captivated throngs in thirteen urban centers across North America and has created a sensation overseas, making waves in Tokyo. Presently, this keenly anticipated voyage is on the cusp of extending its reach to South East Asia for the inaugural time on the 18th day of November in the year 2023 at the Sands Theatre, a prestigious venue within the Marina Bay Sands complex!
HIGHLIGHTS
As you cross the threshold, you are greeted by an awe-inspiring 360-degree panorama that serves as a portal into the realm of Disney’s narrative tapestry. Spanning from perennial favorites to contemporary cinematic juggernauts such as Frozen, Encanto, Zootopia, and Big Hero 6, you are invited to traverse through fabled scenes and encounter characters that have withstood the test of time.
The encounter surpasses the boundaries of mere ocular gratification. It is replete with a plethora of interactive components, including surfaces that shift in tandem with your movements as you traverse the exhibition spaces, a simulated snowy downpour of iridescent bubbles, bracelets that illuminate in a spectrum of hues, and further enchanting features. Naturally, when youngsters are partaking in the exploration alongside their progenitors, they will be outfitted with safeguarding apparatus to ensure their well-being.
Moreover, this venture is an immersive odyssey designed to kindle your creative spark and enhance your appreciation for the craft of animation. Within the confines of the exhibition hall brimming with seldom-exhibited artifacts from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, you are granted the opportunity to uncover drafts of animated personas crafted by animators and to delve into the stories of some of the prodigious talents responsible for Disney’s enduring legacy. Additionally, an interactive drawing station is at your disposal, inviting you to test your mettle at rendering your own animated figures and to imbue them with life through the magic of animation.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: From 18th Nov 2023 (Sat)
Opening hours:
Mon–Thu & Sun: 10 am – 10 pm
Fri-Sat: 10 am – 11:30pm
Duration: 90 minutes per slot (时间段)
Exhibition Time-Slots:
10 am; 11:30 am; lpm; 2:30 pm;4 pm;5:30 pm;7 pm;8:30 pm
10 pm (Only applicable to Fridays and Saturdays)
Tickets: From $41
CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW.
1. What can you experience in the Immersive Disney Animation Singapore?| A．Feasting your eyes on fantastic magic shows. |
| B．Interacting with Disney characters face to face. |
| C．Creating your own animated cartoon characters. |
| D．Enjoying a 90-minute newly-released Disney film. |
| A．10 am, 19th Nov 2023. | B．11 am, 17th Nov 2023. |
| C．10 pm, 20th Nov 2023. | D．11 pm, 18th Nov 2023. |
| A．A travel brochure. | B．An official website. |
| C．A local newspaper. | D．An online shopping platform. |
7 . As you're packing up your Christmas decorations, you might be wondering which type of tree is actually better for the environment; a real one or a synthetic (合成的) one made out of plastic? While the answer isn't as simple as you might think, one has slight advantages over the other.
Obviously, trees are good for the environment as they capture CO2, and store it inside of their branches, needles, and also roots. Christmas trees are the same. Christmas tree farming could actually have environmental benefits that you might not have thought of. It takes 10 years for Christmas trees to grow up to 6 feet. Over this decade, the trees house animals and also absorb CO from the atmosphere.
However, the way Christmas trees are planted can be difficult, especially when pesticides are used a lot and taking into consideration the fact that natural ecosystems (生态系统) are cleared out in order to make room for Christmas tree plantations.
If you prefer to have a real tree, you'd better find a local source in order to avoid shipping, which causes more carbon emissions (排放) . It's also really important to deal with them properly. If trees end up in landfills, they will have a negative environmental impact. The best way to deal with them is to cut them up and recycle them as wood chippings (木屑) .
So what about those synthetic trees? Of course, they can be used again and again year after year, but their major disadvantage is that they are typically made of PVC, which happens to be one of the most damaging plastics. It can also produce poisonous pollution, end up in animals' bodies and even affect all up and down the food chain. It is also quite difficult to recycle.
So who's the winner? It seems that getting a real tree is surprisingly the better deal for the environment. Meanwhile, make sure you deal with it properly once the holiday season is over.
1. What can we know about real Christmas trees from the text?| A．They are very difficult to find. | B．They can be recycled year after year. |
| C．They are damaged by too many pests | D．They have more positive environmental impacts. |
| A．Pack it up when shipping. | B．Deal with it correctly. |
| C．Make it end up in the landfills. | D．Find a reliable source to get one. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Satisfied. | C．Objective. | D．Sensitive. |
| A．To give ways of Christmas trees planting. |
| B．To tell how to protect natural ecosystems. |
| C．To offer suggestions on how to decorate Christmas trees. |
| D．To show which Christmas tree is more environmentally-friendly. |
8 . Bianca Valenti had an experience which nearly killed her. One day in 2007, when she paddled (划船) out at Ocean Beach in San Francisco, she met a wave the height of a two-story house.
“The moment I went under water, I was just getting knocked. And then my feet touched the sand bottom there. I swam to the surface. At this point my lungs were burning painfully. Luckily there wasn't another wave.” That was when Valenti knew she had the drive and skill to surf big waves.
By 2014, Valenti surfed and won her first big waves match at Nelscott Reef in Oregon. There, she met fellow professionals Paige Alms, Andrea Moller, and Keala Kennelly. “Two things got me fired up at that point,” she said. “I wanted to have the opportunity to win more events, but there weren't more events for women. Also I noticed that just the sight of women surfing big waves was opening people's minds… That's really annoying.” Luckily, Valenti, Alms, Moller, and Kennelly became a group and decided to stick together, support each other, and then fight together.
The four surfers formed Committee for Equity in Women's Surfing (CEWS) to fight for entrance at Mavericks—a match set in the surfing location of the same name, north of Half Moon Bay. Mavericks was invitation-only and was open to only men when CEWS was formed. Now, through the organization's hard work with the State of California, women are awarded 12 spots to surf.
When Valenti was young, there weren't many women represented in surfing culture. “I think it's important for young kids to have all kinds of role models. That way they know all the people who they see as superheroes are just normal people who have crazy dreams. And sometimes the dreams aren't even that crazy. If you work hard and you stick together with your friends, you can do anything You can move mountains.”
1. What inspired Valenti to surf big waves?| A．Her gift in learning surfing skills. | B．Her near-death experience in 2007. |
| C．Her desire to be the best role model. | D．Her courage to challenge men surfers. |
| A．Angry. | B．Excited. | C．Disappointed. | D．Confused. |
| A．It was named after Half Moon bay. | B．All surfers were admitted to it freely. |
| C．It opened 12 spots for women surfers. | D．Surfers could only attend it by invitation. |
| A．Tough and sensitive. | B．Emotional and passive. |
| C．Brave and determined. | D．Simple-minded and helpful. |
9 . Here are four of the most iconic places worldwide. Besides many incredible attractions, these landmarks also have great work exchange opportunities, for those looking to save money or have a unique cultural experience.
Golden Gate Bridge, USA
Known for its rustic red color, the Golden Gate Bridge was built in the 1930s and was the tallest and longest suspension bridge in the world. The bridge is one of the best iconic places in San Francisco, and you can stay in the city on a budget by volunteering at a yoga studio.
Banff National Park, Canada
Home to alpine peaks, glacial lakes, and the famous Icefields Parkway scenic drive, Banff is a heaven for lovers of natural beauty and adventure. A cool work exchange to try is this family-run ice cream shop in Twin Butte, just 3.5 hours away from Banff National Park. Stay in a local family home and help with running the shop as well as animal care.
Balboa Park, USA
The Balboa Park is one of the most visited tourist attractions in San Diego, USA. The park is full of history, architecture, art, and beautiful nature. You could spend an entire day exploring this oasis (绿洲) of culture in San Diego. Any experienced videographers visiting San Diego should consider this work exchange!
The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt
As the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one that still remains well-preserved today, the Great Pyramid of Giza is a truly fantastic sight. It’s the largest pyramid in Egypt and was built in the early 26th Century BC. You can actually work at a guesthouse in Cairo, where you can see the pyramids directly!
1. What can we know about the Golden Gate Bridge in the USA?| A．The longest bridge in the world. | B．The best scenic spot in San Francisco. |
| C．Many volunteers at yoga studios. | D．The bridge with almost a century of history. |
| A．Full of amazing natural views. | B．Home to glacial lakes. |
| C．Suitable for adventurous tours. | D．Ideal sites for videographers. |
| A．Its location and view. | B．Its culture and activities. |
| C．Its height and history. | D．Its history and preservation. |
10 . Four of the Most Beautiful Roads in the United States
Alaska Highway, AlaskaIn the early days of World War II, fears of a potential attack on the Territory of Alaska stimulated military officials to create the Alaska Highway.
Eagle-eyed motorists may spot caribou, moose and grizzly bears along the road. Those keen on eyeing bald eagles should plan a stop near the Canadian border at the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge. Its wetlands serve as a pit stop for 180 species of migratory birds, including America’s national bird, on their springtime journey towards the ice fields and glaciers at the road’s northernmost reaches.
Highway 101, California“The 101” is a drivable California postcard, taking motorists past the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The route offers a chance to not only see some of the best that California has to offer, but also smell and taste it when the road cuts through the heart of Sonoma’s wine country. Over 400 different wineries there produce varieties of wine.
Hana Highway, HawaiiThe Hana Highway dates to the 16th century, when Native Hawaiians first paved the road with lava blocks. Today, the route is one of Maui’s greatest tourist draws, with its 617 switchbacks hiding some of the island’s best attractions. The natural pools formed by waterfalls at Waikamoi Stream are a swimmer’s dream. Locals may be driving much faster. So if you see a local person driving behind you, you should pull over as soon as you can.
Going-to-the-Sun Road, MontanaMillions of years ago, the area around Montana’s Glacier National Park was submerged under ice a mile deep. The most striking reminders of the region’s prehistoric origins are the 25 glaciers that give the park its name. The glaciers have been shrinking for decades, and more than 50 have disappeared entirely since the mid-1800s. Visitors may be flocking to Glacier to see these natural wonders before they vanish.
1. Which one below was built for military purpose?| A．Alaska Highway, Alaska. | B．Highway 101, California. |
| C．Hana Highway, Hawaii. | D．Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana. |
| A．Appreciate glaciers. | B．See wild animals. |
| C．Swim in a natural pool. | D．Taste various wine. |
| A．They are repaving the road. | B．They block the road with lava stones. |
| C．They are driving very fast. | D．They are not friendly to the tourists. |
