1 . The latest housing trend in America has nothing to do with decoration, but rather the rise of intergenerational roommates. Described as separated by at least one generation, intergenerational roommate arrangements are growing in the United States, and intergenerational houses have increased four times since 1971.

Pick your explanation — growing isolation among the elderly, rising rents, average life-expectancy increasing, an aging population, or rising college tuition, the fact of the matter is that older folks have space available, and tend to be happy to have a young person around.

In March 2021, there were 59. 7 million U. S. residents who lived with multiple generations under one roof.

“It was perfect-Judith has become like my family,” said Nadia Abdullah, a 25-year-old robotics student who in 2019 moved in with the 64-year-old lawyer, Judith. The arrangement of $700 a month plus help around the house has put her just 6-miles from Boston, and 30 minutes from her robotics job in Beverly Mass. Judith and Nadia were matched together thanks to Nesterly, a renting center specifically designed to create intergenerational roommates.

“Through Nesterly, I lived with Sarah while attending Harvard,” writes a young Nesterly reviewer named Kaplan who provided the exact sort of insight into the service one would imagine. “She provided the type of profound knowledge you just can’t Google-showing me how to garden, to cut a fish, and inject French Romanticism into life.”

Biologically-speaking, an arrangement such as Sarah and Kaplan is kind of the natural state of humanity. Scholars believe this is because our intelligence and life experiences, passed down to the next generation, acts as a secondary way to ensure our genetics are passed on; i. e. if you can live long enough to explain to your children and grandchildren exactly which mushrooms they can eat, which snakes are poisonous, how to hunt with a bow and arrow, those offspring will have a better chance of survival.

1. Which summarizes “intergenerational roommates” best?

A．Separated generations’ reunion again.

B．Mixed generations sharing houses together.

C．International older folks’ gathering.

D．Different generations living alone.

2. What contributes to the rise of the latest housing trend in America?

A．The elderly with houses desire for young guys’ company.

B．Isolation is growing sharply among the older folks.

C．The average life standard is increasing.

D．The college tuition is rising.

3. What can be learned from Abdullah and Kaplan’s examples?

A．They have a deep understanding of the service.

B．They live happily with the elderly free of charge.

C．The elderly provide more knowledge than Google does.

D．The housing trend actually benefits the young a lot.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The exact guidance about the living skills.

B．The way that intergenerational roommates live.

C．The latest study about intergenerational roommates.

D．The reason why intergenerational roommates exist.

2 . How to Make a Homemade Gift

Looking for a heartfelt gift that won’t leave you broke? Try making your own.     1     Such sorts of gifts can make a major impression.

    2     While cards can be purchased at nearly any supermarket or department store, making one yourself can make a statement about the time and effort you’re willing to spend on the recipient. The most important part, though, is the words you write on it. Try to be sincere and honest while writing something.

Create a scrapbook (剪贴簿). A scrapbook isn’t just a great gift.     3     To make a scrapbook, you’ll just need some paper, glue and photos of you and the gift recipient. Stick the pictures in any order you want on your sheets of paper. For example, you can begin with photos of your first meeting.

Prepare love coupons (礼券). These are fantastic gifts for family members and close friends. The basic idea is to make a small book of “coupons” from zero.     4     For example, if you’re giving the coupons to your mother, you might write “I will go to a movie with you” on one of the coupons.

Make a pack of cards.     5     For this gift, you take an ordinary pack of cards and turn it into something special by writing your praise for the gift recipient on each one. When you give the gift, offer to use the cards to play your favorite card game together.

A．Write a heartfelt card.

B．Make a piece of DIY art.

C．Write things they would like on each of them.

D．This is sometimes also called “The Things I Love About You”.

E．There are hundreds of affordable DIY projects that make great gifts.

F．It’s a way to remind your friend of all the great memories you have together.

G．Making something by hand is often more impressive than spending lots of cash.

3 . Day Trip to Tarangire National Park

Tarangire is one of those parks whose beauty is not fully recognized by people. It is often only visited for day trips because it is close to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. It is full of elephants, zebras and lions. It also has some superb scenery to go with it. You can also see sights such as the Tarangire River.

Tarangire has the second highest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania after the Serengeti and the highest concentration of elephants in the world. It has over 700 lions living there as well as a wide selection of other animals.

Itinerary(行程)

You will be picked up from your accommodation. After an approximate 3 hours’ drive, you will arrive at Tarangire National Park. The name of this national park originates from the Tarangire River that crosses the park. The park is considered as one of the best places to view elephants up close. From the open roof of the safari (野外观兽旅行) vehicle you will be able to absorb the landscape and see the animals wandering around. In the late afternoon you will have a hot meal, and then you will leave the park and drive back to Moshi.

Included in the price (US $620 per person)
☑Al l Tanzania national park fees                    ☒International flights to/from Tanzania
☑ Meals according to the itinerary for             ☒Alcoholic and soft drinks
each day                                                     ☒Personal expenses & tips
☑Bottle of mineral water for each day             ☒Travel insurance & visa fees
☑Professional English-speaking guide             ☒Extra activities within the park
☑Safari 4 ×4 jeep with all accessories            ☒ Hotel accommodation before and after the safari

Come and start your day trip! Click here and fill out the form to send a booking request immediately.

1. What do we know about Tarangire?

A．It offers day and night trips.	B．It owns the biggest lion population.
C．It’s better than people think.	D．It has more wildlife than the Serengeti.

2. What can visitors do in the park?

A．Wander along the river.	B．Watch animals in jeeps.
C．Interact with elephants.	D．Spend a night in the park.

3. What’s included in the price?

A．Guide services.	B．Travel insurance.
C．Meals and soft drinks.	D．Round-trip airfares.

4 . If you want to make a good first impression in that important business meeting, it is no longer about wearing the sharpest suit or the firmest handshake but about making sure that the little Zoom window with your face in it projects professionalism. But this isn’t always easy.     1     Here are some tips.

• Don’t hold your phone.

If you absolutely must join the meeting on your phone, then don’t hold it in your hand.     2     Your colleagues won’t see your picture swinging about wildly. And the camera won’t suddenly look up your nose when you naturally pull your phone closer to your face.

•     3    

How the light falls on our faces counts. So make sure that you don’t have a big, direct source of light behind you, because all it will do is make your face dark and hard to see — and that’s the most important part!

• A professional microphone makes up for bad video.

The built-in microphones inside our computers can be pretty good, but they’re never truly great.     4     What matters is that people should be able to hear what you’re saying.

• Don’t rely on the default (默认) camera.

    5     This could help create the illusion of eye contact. However, this isn’t always easy, especially if you’re using a laptop and are sitting at a desk, towering above it. It might be worth getting an external camera you can put on top of a monitor.

A．Lighting makes the difference.

B．Do put on make-up on your face.

C．Instead, obtain a phone stand to hold it.

D．The ideal position for your camera is at your eye-level.

E．What can you do to ensure a successful business meeting?

F．So it’s worth spending the money on a dedicated external microphone.

G．So what can you do to make sure your video calls project the right image?

5 . Welcome to the British Museum. You can experience cultures across the world, from the past of human history to the present. Here is some information about membership which you may be interested in.

Membership allows you to discover two million years of human history and enjoy 12 months of benefits while donating to the British Museum Friends in support of the work of the Museum. From just £69 a year (with discounts for those aged under 26), membership provides:

• Free, unlimited entry to all special exhibitions, such as Burma to Myanmar and Legion: Life in the Roman Army and a coming show on the later life and work of Michelangelo.

• A special program of Members’ activities.

• Use of a special Members’ Room.

• Regular mailings including the British Museum Magazine three times a year.

• A 10% discount in the Museum’s shops, cafés and restaurants.

• Members do not need to book for the regular collection or our exhibitions. You’ll only need to show your Membership card to enter.

• We also offer a discount for those who are disabled. And this will cover a personal Membership plus a free guest to help you get access to your Membership benefits and provide you the convenience when visiting.

If you have some questions about your visit, please read the Membership FAQs page or contact us at friends@britishmuseum.org. For more information or to arrange this Membership, please contact the Membership Office and we are very happy to help further.

1. How can you get a membership?

A．By doing volunteer work.	B．By paying a sum of money.
C．By exploring human history.	D．By offering fun information.

2. What is the special benefit for a disabled member?

A．Members’ Room.	B．Regular mailings.
C．A 10% discount.	D．A free guest.

3. Where is this text probably from?

A．A website.

B．A newspaper.

C．A library book.

D．A fashion journal.

6 . Ayung River Rafting

About the trip

Explore Ayung River Rafting, the longest river rafting in Ayung River, a white-water rafting! The river is classified to level II to III and your rafting trip will be approximately 2 hours. Our friendly and experienced raft guides will take you on a safe and fun trip. You’ll find a level of professionalism that offers unique insights into Bali’s natural wonders and memorable experiences through the rainforest. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable adventure that showcases the beauty of Ayung River and the excitement and thrills of tackling the rapids of the Ayung River.

        Prices

Ayung River Rafting Packages	Price
Ayung River Rafting Own Transport	IDR 350/Person
Ayung River Rafting Group of 2, including Return Hotel Transfer	IDR 550/Person
Ayung River Rafting Group of 3 – 4, including Return Hotel Transfer	IDR 485/Person
Ayung River Rafting Group of 5+, including Return Hotel Transfer	IDR 430/Person

Tips

●We suggest you bring short pants or a swimsuit, a pair of changing clothes, sunscreen and extra money for drinks and souvenirs (纪念品).

●Steep road lies at the beginning and at the end of the tour, please be ready to walk with reliable shoes!

●Plastic bags for wet clothes are available, but you are advised to bring your own to reduce plastic use.

●Single-use raincoats are available if it rains. However, please bring your own to reduce plastic use.

1. What do we know about Ayung River Rafting?

A．It’s an exciting guided adventure.

B．It helps to conserve the rainforest.

C．It offers unique insights into society.

D．It’s operated on the world’s fastest river.

2. What’s the charge for an Ayung River Rafting Group of 4 including Return Hotel Transfer?

A．IDR 430.

B．IDR 485.

C．IDR 1940.

D．IDR 2200.

3. What are the tourists advised to wear on a walk?

A．Swimsuits.

B．Strong shoes.

C．Raincoats.

D．Wet clothes.

7 . The design theory behind a pair of tiny robots may one day find its way into environmental monitoring, as well as search and-rescue tasks. Modeled after a water strider (水黾), an insect, the two robots each weigh in at 8 and 55 milligrams, and may mark the smallest, lightest, and fastest fully functional micro-robots in the world, according to Washington State University (WSU).

Developed by a team of WSU researchers, the robots’ tininess largely relies on a material known as a shape memory alloy (合金). Although shape memory alloys change form when heated, they can “remember” their original shapes and return to them after cooling. Because of this, the two micro-robots do not require standard motors, and they use light and small ones instead of bulky moving parts.

Both the robots’ motors are each made up of two shape memory alloys, allowing them to move their fins as fast as 40 times a second while also lifting over 150 times their weight. “They’re very technologically sound. The development of the very lightweight robots opens up new possibilities in micro-robotics,” said Conor Trygstad, a material engineering PhD student and study lead author. “Although the robots are impressive when compared to other robots, the pair still fall behind their biological relatives’,” Trygstad said. They can currently move at a speed of about six millimeters a second; a water strider, by comparison, speeds along at about a meter per second. For now, the robots also require wired (连线的) power sources, thus seriously preventing any real-world applications for the moment.

Going forward, however, the team plans to copy other small insect species while also creating a new water strider robot which can move at a higher speed. Depending on using small batteries could also greatly increase the robots’ areas of use, If the breakthrough designs continue improving, similar micro-robots could one day be employed to monitor hard-to-reachor dangerous environments.

1. What is the inspiration for the two robots?

A．A special monitor.	B．The lightest micro robot.
C．An insect species.	D．A search-and rescue task

2. What does the underlined word “bulky” mean in paragraph 2?

A．Cheap.

B．Huge.

C．Cool

D．Fast.

3. What might Conor Trygstad agree with?

A．Both robots can identify sound.	B．Both robots need wireless power sources.
C．Both robots work better than water striders.	D．Both robots have weaknesses besides strengths.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Robots Are Saving Environment	B．Shape Memory Alloys Are The Key
C．Human Beings Learn From Animals	D．Two Micro robots Can Play A Big Part

8 . How to Make Your Clothes Last Longer

We have to throw out some clothes that we love just because we’ve not taken good care of them. Four top tips can help you make your clothes last longer.     1    

●Reduce the times you wash your clothes. Washing your clothes less doesn’t mean wearing the same T-shirt tor a week. You can wear clothes like jeans and jumpers at least three times before washing. The exception, of course, is clothes worn for the gym. Besides, if you don’t wear clothes next to your skin, air them after wearing.     2     If they seem fine, you can wear them another day.

●Wash, our clothes inside out.     3     As the machine spins (旋转) the clothes around, they must each other. Turning your clothes inside out reduces wear on the outside surface of your clothes: This can help keep them from damage.

●Air your clothes dry if possible. Drying your clothes on a line is good for both your clothes and he environment.     4     When possible, just use the dryer at a low temperature.

●    5     Rather than throw something out because of a small hole or tear. Knowing how to use a needle and thread (线) and a few basic repairing techniques can be friendly to your clothes and your pocket. If the work is beyond your skills, you can find repair places nearby your houses.

A．Hang your jumpers on the clothes line.

B．Fixing your clothes is a wise alternative.

C．Use an app to find places for clothes repair.

D．Simply check your clothes for any spots or marks.

E．Your clothes are usually beaten hard during the wash.

F．In the meantime, it can also reduce the expense of the electricity.

G．They can also help save both your money and our environment definitely.

9 . Steve Davies, a 23-year-old board designer in Wales, is developing a surfboard made from mycelia (菌丝体) instead of plastic.

A 2022 report showed that more than 400, 000 boards are made each year. The global market for surfboards reached $2.2 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $3.2 billion by 2027. But about 80% of boards are made from plastic, which can take hundreds of years to break down. This will be a serious problem for the environment as the market grows.

“And even when it does break down, it can go into fish’s ecosystem (生态系统), which means that humans will end up eating this plastic,” Davies said.

Davies made his first surfboard in 2020, but the experience showed him many harmful materials were produced in making each board. During his final year at university, he started looking into mycelia and making his beloved sport more environment-friendly.

“My family owns a farm with horses, so I was quickly able to collect substrate material (基料) in the form of horse bedding, to allow the mycelia to grow in,” Davies explained. “This gave me an idea to start a surfboard business—growing surfboards on a farm near the beach and using waste materials from that very same farm, reducing the transport of materials, and therefore reducing carbon (碳) given out into the environment.”

“In the right conditions, we will grow a mycelium board in around 21 days,” Davies said. “The dream would be to make it the new standard. Connecting with nature would be the new design rules and that would be really cool. We’re using the sea and we should give back to the sea.”

1. What do the numbers in Paragraph 2 mainly show?

A．Going surfing costs a lot of money.	B．Surfing is popular with young people.
C．Designing surfboards is a good business.	D．Making eco-friendly surfboards is necessary.

2. Why does Davies mention “fish’s ecosystem”?

A．To explain a rule.	B．To present a reason.
C．To make a comparison.	D．To share an experience.

3. What is Paragraph 5 mainly about?

A．Why Davies loved to design surfboards.

B．What made Davies’ surfboard business possible.

C．Why Davies wanted to study mycelia at university.

D．How Davies collected substrate material to make surfboards.

4. What can we learn from Davies’ words in the last paragraph?

A．He supports environment-friendly products.	B．He hopes to succeed in selling surfboards.
C．He loves to get designing ideas from sea.	D．He dreams of creating cooler surfboards.

10 . Scotland’s landscapes, history, and culture offer a great variety of experiences. This summer, join our unique ranger programs to discover Scotland like never before!

Young Clan’s Highland Games (June 4 to August 22)

A delightful experience for children! Test their skills in traditional Scottish games and compare their abilities to the historical legends of Scotland. No prior experience needed. Fun and educational, this program is flexible to fit your schedule. Meet at the Highland Folk Museum.

Wild Highlands Exploration (May 25 to September 3)

Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Perfect for families, this program offers guided hikes through scenic trails, wildlife spotting, and camping adventures. Learn about Scotland’s native wildlife and how to responsibly enjoy the natural environment. Gather at the Glencoe Visitor Centre.

Loch Ness Legends and Lore (June 8 to September 3)

At the world-famous Loch Ness, this program combines breathtaking views with captivating stories about the Loch’s history and the mysterious Nessie. Ideal for families and photography enthusiasts. Meet at the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition for this engaging talk.

Photography Workshops in the Isles (June 18 & July 11)

Enhance your photography skills in Scotland’s picturesque landscapes. Join our expert photographers for hands-on workshops.

6/18—Isle of Skye Sceneries: meet at the Old Man of Storr parking area.

7/11—Capturing the Aurora: meet at the Shetland Isles Observatory.

1. What do we know about Young Clan’s Highland Games?

A．It combines education and pleasure.	B．It requires previous experience.
C．It offers scenic views.	D．It tests athletic skills.

2. What do Wild Highlands Exploration and Loch Ness Legends and Lore have in common?

A．Offering guided hikes.	B．Enhancing photography skills.
C．Being most suitable for families.	D．Learning about traditional Scottish games.

3. What is the main purpose of the Scotland’s programs?

A．To offer a variety of sport activities.	B．To provide natural and cultural experiences.
C．To focus on historical landmarks.	D．To teach about wildlife conservation.