1 . I’m a 22-year-old young man and came to China 4 months ago for the same reasons most people of my age do. They want to see the world and expand their minds. To explore more about China, I am currently teaching English in Guangdong.

China hasn’t been the expected. Before I came, I was an aware of the level of ongoing development within the country. High-rise buildings, flat screen televisions, well-equipped classrooms... I found myself pleasantly surprised. Like other foreigners, I saw the funny side of the language barrier and tasted the chicken feet. I gave in to the flow of Chinese culture and haven’t looked back since, but it wasn't until today that I realized how naturally similar it is to my own.

When the Chinese take a photograph, they won’t say “Cheese!” like we do back home in the U. K. Instead, they say the word “Eggplant! (茄子).” Amused at first, I suddenly realized that I had no reason to be critical. Cheese? Eggplant? Any difference?

China is home to one of the oldest and greatest cultures in the world. It is in this country that I have witnessed some of the most beautiful scenes that the human race can offer. We all share a way of life, no matter where we’re from or where we go. It’s my conclusion that though we shout random foods at a camera, at least, we’re all shouting words from the same category. How different can we really be?

So, instead of grasping onto your own culture, take a break and allow the culture of another country to embrace you. You may be surprised at the amount of similarities you find, just as I was this afternoon in sunny, southern China.

1. Why did the writer come to China?

A．To copy others.

B．To make a living.

C．To learn Chinese.

D．To satisfy his curiosity.

2. What makes a pleasant surprise for the writer in China?

A．The rich culture.	B．The way of taking photos.
C．The unexpected modern life.	D．The funny scenes in communication.

3. What lesson did the writer learn through his experience in China?

A．When in Rome, do as Romans do.

B．People should all shout “Cheese” at a camera.

C．People of different cultures share some similarities.

D．The more you travel, the more you appreciate home.

4. Which can be a suitable title for the text?

A．English or Chinese?	B．Cheese and Eggplants
C．The Importance of Travel	D．The Long Culture of China

2 . Chicago has all the offerings you would expect from a major city. If you plan to spend a wonderful time here, just see the followings:

Museum of Science and Industry

5700 S. Lake Shore Drive

Price: $21 for adults; $12 for kids 3-17

Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry shows more than 35,000 artifacts and a variety of hands-on exhibits. Displays here cater to all types of curious minds: feel the physics of a tornado in “Science Storms” and see baby chicks at the Genetics, etc.

Art Institute of Chicago

111 S. Michigan Ave

Price: $25 for adults; $19 for kids 3-17

Home to one of the country's most impressive collections of impressionist art, the Art Institute of Chicago features nearly 300,000 works from all over the world in its collection. Highlights include pieces from famous artists like Van Gogh and Monet.

Skydeck Chicago at the Willis Tower

233 S. Wacker Drive

Price: $30 for adults; $22 for kids 3-17

On the 103rd floor of the 110-story Willis Tower, the third-tallest building in North America, Skydeck Chicago is famous for breathtaking views of the city. Visit on a sunny day and you may be able to see 4 states.

Navy Pier

600 E. Grand Ave

Price: Free

Navy Pier offers a family-friendly entertainment. Kids enjoy their rides on a drop tower while grown-ups catch a show at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater or grab a drink at the Navy Pier Beer Garden. Beautiful fireworks displays light up the skies on Wednesday and Saturday nights.

1. Where can impressionist art fans go to appreciate works?

A．5700 S. Lake Shore Drive.	B．111 S. Michigan Ave.
C．233 S. Wacker Drive.	D．600 E. Grand Ave.

2. How much will a couple with a child aged 6 pay if they enjoy a bird view of Chicago?

A．$60.

B．$64.

C．$69.

D．$82.

3. What can people do at Navy Pier?

A．Enjoy a beer.	B．Make fireworks.
C．Observe baby chicks.	D．Discover secrets of tornadoes.

3 . Famous for its sunny beaches and natural wonders, Miyako Island welcomes many visitors during holidays.

Unique beaches

Yonaha Maehama Beach is the most famous beach in Miyakojima, where white sand stretches for seven kilometers. Sunayama Beach, known for its arch-shaped rock, is tucked away in a small cove, and is accessed by walking through a narrow tunnel of trees.

Diverse and colorful fish

Snorkeling is a must-try in Miyakojima. Dense coral reefs, schools of tropical fish, sea turtles and plenty of space to free dive to depths of 8 to 15 meters close to the shore are standout features. For beginners, Aragusuku and Shigira are a good choice but advanced snorkelers may see Waiwal Beach and Shimojishima as their ultimate spots.

Scuba diving

Miyako Island is a diving mecca, with a wealth of dive sites to explore, including many underwater caves and caverns. Even those without a diving license need not be held hack. Dive shops and tour operators also offer tours for beginners to explore Miyako Island’s abundant underwater environment.

Fresh island food

Delight your senses with juicy, melt-in-your-mouth Miyako beef, delicious Miyako soba (noodles served in broth), or fresh fruit. Okinawa prefecture boasts the highest mango yield in Japan, and Miyako Island’s warm subtropical climate is optimal for growing fresh, juicy mangoes.

1. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A travel report.	B．A travel guide.
C．A diary.	D．A text book.

2. What is a suitable spot to snorkel for beginners?

A．Miyako Island.	B．Waiwai Beach.
C．Shigira.	D．Sunayama Beach.

3. What contributes to the delicious taste of mangoes grown in Miyako Island?

A．White sand.	B．Blue ocean.
C．Enough rainwater.	D．Warm climate.

4 . It’s no secret now that the more time we spend on social media, the more we feel dissatisfied with ourselves. We tend to compare ourselves to influences and celebrities- so it’s easy to understand how that can affect our confidence.

But, how often have you found yourself comparing your life to your friends? Engaging with social media shared by our friends can be more damaging than looking at content shared by celebrities, new research has found.

The study looking at how social media affects body image found that any social media engagement was significantly associated with lower “appearance satisfaction”. Additionally, it found that engaging with content posted by people the participants knew was more than twice as damaging as looking at content posted by strangers, including celebrities.

Viren Swami, Professor of Social Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University, believes this is partly because we know it’s hard to attain the lives of celebrities or influences, but when we’re comparing ourselves to our friends, it feels like we should- or could-live the way they do.

“One possible explanation is that people may perceive a post showing appearance as being much more attainable if it comes from someone they know, adding expectation or pressure on the person engaging in the post, ” he said. “At the same time, people may be more critically engaged with posts by the likes of models and celebrities, and therefore perceive the images they share to be more unrealistic."

This is not just confined to body image though. We all have one area in our lives that triggers(触 发)us. Maybe you’ve been searching for a new job for months and you find yourself on social media, envying your school friend who just landed their dream role. Maybe. . .

All this is to say the obvious: we only see part of people’s lives -and if it’s getting you down, you’re probably comparing your insides to other people’s outsides. Everyone has their struggles and life is indeed not perfect for anyone. So, put down your phone, get offline, be thankful and try to live your own life.

1. What did the new study find?

A．Social media invites unfavorable comments.

B．Friends’ posts affect us more than celebrities’.

C．Celebrities have a negative influence on our life.

D．Body image causes more concern than social life.

2. Why are we more likely to compare with our friends according to Swami?

A．They serve as role models.

B．We know the way they live. ,

C．Their lifestyles are accessible.

D．We are curious about their life.

3. What does the underlined word in Paragraph 6 probably mean?

A．Restricted.

B．Related.

C．Devoted.

D．Exposed.

4. What does the author suggest people do?

A．Find your dream and fight for it.

B．Stop comparing and be yourself.

C．Be grateful and lead a perfect life.

D．Stop complaining and get down to work.

5 . A Clubs for Students in the UK

Charles Peguy Centre (CPC)

The centre provides advice, support and information to young Europeans aged between 18~30. Facilities include an information and advice service regarding education, work placement and general welfare rights. Moreover, the centre holds a database of jobs. Members may use a fax machine, a copier and computers for CVs. Monday: 14:00~17:00; Tuesday ~ Friday: 10:00~17:00. Membership fees: £35 per year, plus £5 per month.

YMCA London Central (YMCALC)

Facilities include photography, art, drama, pottery, language courses, badminton, exercise to music, sports clinic, fitness testing and other activities. Weekdays: 07:00~22:30; Weekends: 10:00~21:00. Membership fees: aged 16~17, 25 per year plus attendance charge of £1.30 per visit; aged 18~19, £213 per year; aged 20~25, £366 per year.

Royal Overseas League (ROL)

It opens 365 days per year, which is a club with facilities, restaurants, bars and accommodation. There are branches around the world. There are quarterly magazines, literary lectures, annual music and art competitions, and summer and winter programs of events for members. Membership fees: students aged 17~24 are £47 per year + initial joining fee £23.50; others are £70 per year + initial joining fee £35.

Kensington Committee of Friendship for Overseas Students (KCOF)

KCOF is the society for young people from all countries. Each month there are some parties, discos, visits to theatres, concerts, walks and other gatherings where you will be able to meet lots of people. A new program is sent each month directly to members (£5 to join in October, less later in the year). Events are free or at reduced prices. It opens during 10:30~17:30 weekdays only.

1. When is CPC open?

A．At 1:00 pm on Monday.	B．At 9:00 am on Tuesday.
C．At 4:30 pm on Friday.	D．At 10:00 am on Saturday.

2. How much should a 25-year-old person pay for joining the ROL?

A．£47.

B．£70.

C．£70. 5.

D．£105.

3. Which club sends a new program to its members per month?

A．KCOF.

B．ROL.

C．YMCALC.

D．CPC.

6 . Marvelous Scenic Walks Near London

There are plenty of walking routes in London. If you fancy something a bit more rural, then the green and pleasant land has plenty to offer.

Goring Gap and the Thames Path

If you’re in the mood for a gentle rural walk, the Thames Path is far from boring. The 5-mile footpath follows the curve of the river, winding past wildflower meadows (草地).

Post-walk pub: Pangbourne’s seventeenth-century pub The Swan serves high-end dishes. Bag a table on the riverside or keep toasty by one of its open fires.

Box Hill

To admire this spots rural views, first you’ve got to jump across 17 stepping stones and climb 272 steps to the top of Box Hill, where the path begins. The total distance is 6.8 miles.

Post-walk pub: The cavernous Tree on Box Hill has an attractive menu and huge beer garden, or sample a glass of Juniper Hill at Denbies Winerie.

A South Downs Ridge (山脊)

If you’ve already done the classic Seven Sisters clifftop walk or can’t face all those hills, this is a long but lovely alternative. The route covering 14.3 miles snakes along a ridge and a river valley.

Post-walk pub: There are always 10 real beers at the old-school pub The Wellington.

Chess Valley in the Chilterns

Chess Valley in the Chiltern Hills isn’t home to any chess masters, but it used to produce a kind of water plant. This walk of 4.9 miles follows the river, winding through rolling meadows and woods.

Post-walk pub: The George & Dragon is a simple old coaching pub on the High Street with a log fire, real beers and giant burgers.

1. Which of the following walks covers the shortest distance?

A．Box Hill.

B．A South Downs Ridge.

C．Chess Valley in the Chilterns.

D．Goring Gap and the Thames Path.

2. What do the listed scenic walks in the text have in common?

A．The pubs are pretty and old-fashioned.

B．Visitors can relax at special pubs after walks.

C．There are rivers winding through the meadows.

D．The food served there is expensive and of high quality.

3. Where is this text probably taken from?

A．A geography book.	B．A travel brochure.
C．A fashion website.	D．A science magazine.

7 . If you are a fan of medical films, then you will know there are emergency helicopter services that will take badly injured patients to hospitals long distances away. You probably also know that in these films most ambulances (救护车) are on wheels and go across city streets where there are fewer traffic jams than in real life.

But now, Israel’s Urban Aeronautics, announced that it made an agreement to work with Hatzolah Air to produce and develop its CityHawk aircraft as an emergency medical service. The CityHawk is small and can fly anywhere and land anywhere, making it able to work in cities above the traffic jam. It has no wings outside and can work even in bad weather conditions.

“We are excited to work with Hatzolah Air on the development of our CityHawk vehicle,” said Rafi Yoeli, CEO of Urban Aeronautics. “Its small size will enable it to land in the middle of a busy city street, making it a perfect fit for medical tasks by greatly reducing the time it takes to arrive on-scene, treat and transport sick or injured patients to medical facilities.”

“One of Hatzolah’s most important goals is to be somewhere within minutes. Unlike helicopters, we can land anywhere within minutes,” Yoeli said. “We will be able to improve the care of patients. They want to be equipped with the best aircraft.” Hatzolah Air’s president Eli Rowe said that he foresees (预测) the possible need for 800 CityHawks since it is a six-passenger vehicle that can carry a pilot, a patient and a team of professionals.

Urban Aeronautics is working on certification (认证) for emergency use of its CityHawk aircraft. The development of the flying ambulance is expected to take up to five years but a model will be ready sooner. A flying ambulance may be coming to a city near you soon.

1. What is the function of the first paragraph?

A．To give an example of medical rescue.

B．To lead to the topic of the flying ambulance.

C．To show the future market for aircraft medical service.

D．To tell the advantages of emergency medical helicopters.

2. What do we know about the CityHawk?

A．It makes medical tasks in cities more convenient.

B．It will take the place of ambulances on city roads.

C．It is difficult to operate in bad weather conditions.

D．It can carry enough medical supplies immediately.

3. What’s Rafi Yoeli’s attitude towards the development of the CityHawk?

A．Worried.

B．Doubtful.

C．Positive.

D．Surprised.

4. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．The CityHawk has got certification from the government.

B．The CityHawk faces great difficulties to become a reality.

C．The CityHawk draws great attention of hospitals.

D．The CityHawk will come into use in the near future.

8 . A study by a team of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) psychologists has found a link between extraverts (外向的人) and their word choices. The finding highlights the need for stronger linguistic indicators to be developed for use in online personality prediction tools, which are being rapidly adopted by companies to improve digital marketing strategies.

Today, marketing companies use predictive algorithms (算法) to help them forecast what consumers want based on their online behaviors. For example, an extravert consumer might be attracted to marketing messages that match their personality, and retail brands could then choose to target such consumers by using more extraverted and creative language to advertise their products. However, personality prediction tools available today that are used by marketing firms are not entirely accurate due to a lack of theoretically sound designs. This may lead to a weakness affecting the performance of the machine learning algorithms. This begs the question—how should we create robust and accurate personality predictions?

The study found a correlation between extraverts and their tendency to use certain categories of words. The results showed a small strength of relationship between extraversion and the use of “positive emotion words” and “social process words.”

Positive emotion words are defined as words that describe a pleasant emotional state, such as “love”, ”happy”, or “blessed”, or that indicate positivity or optimism, such as “beautiful” or “nice”. Social process words include words containing personal pronouns except “I”, and words showing social intentions, such as “meet”, “share” and “talk”.

Moving forward, the NTU research team will investigate the relationship between extraversion and other word categories. They hope their work will provide clarity on the types of words that can help guide the development of more accurate machine learning tools for personality prediction.

1. We learn from the passage the findings of the study can be used to help ______.

A．observe consumers’ behavior

B．forecast the need of companies

C．create practical personality predictions

D．find correlation between extraverts and ads

2. What does the underlined word “robust” mean in Paragraph 2?

A．Renewable.

B．Forceful.

C．Doubtful.

D．Variable.

3. Which of the following words may belong to extraverts’ commonly used vocabulary?

A．Dispute.

B．Interaction.

C．Disaster.

D．Loneliness.

4. What does the last paragraph focus on?

A．The direction of future research.

B．The theoretical basis of the study.

C．The strength of business strategies.

D．The development of machine learning tools.

9 . Two hours west of a perfectly sunny summer’s day in Clackamas, Oregon a foggy breeze awaited me on the Lincoln City coast. After a year of volunteering remotely with Ocean Blue Project, today is a long-awaited beach cleanup.

I didn’t expect to take away more than just trash from the beach cleanup. At first glance, the beach appears clean. However, beach cleanups require much more attention than a quick look over. Within just a couple of hours, 71 of us volunteers managed to pick up 171 pounds of debris. Actually, we’ve got much more than that.

Beach cleanups connect us to nature and provide an escape from the world for a little bit. They also provide a learning opportunity outside of the participation part. When you sit over a pile of—let’s face it—garbage, you pick out one by one the pieces left behind by others. You see first hand the impact we’re having on our environment and account for what is left behind the most. Each cigarette butt and plastic bottle sets the tone for how we should be approaching our everyday lives, which is to stop pollution.

Personally, the time spent by the ocean and away from my phone fills me with peace and calmness as I focus my attention only on the moment, looking for the little devils trying to pollute the ocean. With a pound or two less out of the ocean, I always feel a bit more optimistic about the world to come.

This boots-on-the-sand way of making a difference grants me a feeling of accomplishment and purpose. Rather than pondering the dire task of saving the planet or researching and writing ways to do so, I get to physically make a difference. And there’s nothing that can replace that instant gratification of making positive change for your community and your planet.

After the cleanup, my eyes are now expertly trained to spot loose trash and inorganic materials anywhere I step. Imagine what a huge difference we could all make collectively if we simply stopped and picked up that water bottle or wrapper off the ground instead of passing it by.

1. Which of the following can best describe the author’s first beach cleanup with Ocean Blue Project?

A．Effortless and far-reaching.	B．Annoying but rewarding.
C．Painstaking but fruitful.	D．Demanding and inefficient.

2. According to the text, which of the following is the benefit from our doing beach cleanups?

A．Maintaining good physical health.

B．Gaining great insight into oceans.

C．Developing researching ways to save the earth.

D．Improving our mental health.

3. What does the underlined word “gratification” in Paragraph 5 mean?

A．Satisfaction.	B．Gratitude.
C．Impression.	D．Curiosity.

4. What is the most suitable title for the text?

A．What I’ve Learned from a Beach Cleanup

B．How Well I Performed in a Beach Cleanup

C．How Much Attention a Beach Cleanup Requires

D．Why Volunteering with Ocean Blue Project Matters

10 . Mirthy hosts over 80 online events every month. You can enjoy them from the comfort of your home. All you need to do is visit our dedicated page on the Mirthy website.

Learning to rug hooking on a budget
Friday 4th and Friday 18th November at 2:30 pm

Participants will learn a brief history of rug hooking. Participants will also be encouraged to try their hand at this multi-generational art form, have two weeks to complete the small project and then come back to the second session to learn how to finish it off and prepare it for display.

The disappearance of Heneage Bloxham
Wednesday 9th November at 7:30 pm

In 2001, Sam Eedle was approached by an elderly woman in Tewkesbury. Her uncle, Heneage Bloxham, had disappeared on the Western Front and nobody in her family was able to tell her what actually happened to him. By accessing the available records, maps and war diaries, and by taking a diversion to the battlefield while on a trip to France, Sam was able to find out what happened to the woman’s uncle.

African dance
Monday 2lst November at 5:15 pm

African dance allows us to express ourselves individually while also being part of a collective. Creative expression is encouraged and our uniqueness is celebrated. Kenzi will be reminding you that movements can be adapted and explored to find a way that works for your body and movement style. Making a wild foraged wreath Monday 28th November at 2:30 pm

In this workshop, you will be learning how to make a wreath! Through winding twigs and vines to find forest textures into a festive sampling of nature, this will be an artistic nature-based experience. The wreath is free-form and adds a naturalistic winter atmosphere to your door with a minimal, organic style.

1. Where do the activities take place?

A．On the Internet.	B．In public places.
C．At school.	D．In a lecture hall.

2. Who was missing?

A．Sam Eedle.	B．An elderly woman.
C．Heneage Bloxham.	D．Kenzi.

3. When is Making a wild foraged wreath shown?

A．18th November at 2:30 pm.	B．9th November at 7:30 pm.
C．21st November at 5:15 pm.	D．28th November at 2:30 pm.