1 . San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum’s Imagination area encourages creativity, language development, emotional skills, and artistic expression. Get into the rhythm with percussion instruments or become a storyteller in the Puppet Theater.

Money Sense

Explore San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum’s new Money Sense exhibit supported by PNC Foundation! Step into the world of financing and banking to introduce your little one to mathematics and finances!

Puppet Theater

The Puppet Theater is the ideal place for children to develop speaking and listening skills. Communicating with puppets gives children the confidence to express their ideas and feelings through the roles they take on. Parents let their kids take the lead and showcase their creation.

Thank you to Imagination area supporters: The Stanford Family, Price Philanthropies Foundation, The Linden Root Dickenson Foundation, KPBS, and the Jordan Ressler Charitable Fund.

Visit Us

320 North Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025

Museum Hours

Monday: CLOSED

Tuesday — Saturday: 9:30 am — 4:30 pm

Sunday: 12:30 pm — 4:30 pm

Admission

Members (and children under the age of one): Free

Children & Adults: $11.50 per person

Group Rate (10 or more people): $10.00 per person. Must book ahead.

1. What is the purpose of the Money Sense exhibit?

A．To teach history.	B．To introduce finances.
C．To improve kids’ physical health.	D．To help kids learn about animals.

2. What benefit can children get from the Puppet Theater?

A．Learning about nature.	B．Enhancing sports skills.
C．Understanding technology.	D．Developing speaking skills.

3. What is the admission fee for a group of 12 adults?

A．$100.

B．$115.

C．$120.

D．$138.

2 . Hit Chinese Variety Shows in 2023

The year 2023 saw a wide variety of TV and Internet shows in China, offering to audience not only amazing entertainment but also new insight.

The Big Band 3

Each week, bands competed in different groups, and via votes cast by the audience and six celebrity judges, five bands earned the title of the “Hot 5” by the end of the season.

Become a Farmer

The farming-themed reality show Become a Farmer took Chinese social media by storm in the first half of the year, shining a spotlight on agriculture — a crucial part of Chinese culture. The word “farming”, however, may be unfamiliar to many young urban Chinese citizens. In an effort to connect these individuals with the agricultural industry, the 50-episode variety show tackles the topic by inviting 10 young men from various fields to experience life on the farmland. It offers insights into farming practices and modern agricultural production.

Infinity and Beyond 2023

With a shocking viewership, the music cultural program Infinity and Beyond 2023 emerged as a resounding success both on TV and on the Internet in the first half of this year. Featuring a star-studded cast, the show improved cross-strait connection and covered classic and popular songs dating back to the 1970s.

Divas Hit the Road — Silk Road

This season saw some Chinese actresses and actors embark on a journey to Saudi Arabia, Croatia and Iceland. They explored the beautiful landscapes and diverse cultures of these countries and learned about the collaborative projects related to the Belt and Road Initiative. They have dipped into the local customs and traditions of the places they visited.

1. What is special about Become a Farmer?

A．It has cruel competition rules.	B．It focuses on agricultural industry.
C．It invited ordinary people as the judges.	D．It captured widespread attention online.

2. In which show can we appreciate the culture of other countries?

A．The Big Band 3.	B．Become a Farmer.
C．Infinity and Beyond 2023.	D．Divas Hit the Road — Silk Road.

3. What can we learn from the text?

A．Become a Farmer got the highest mark.

B．The Big Band 3 performed pop music mostly.

C．Infinity and Beyond 2023 made a contribution to cross-strait connection.

D．Divas Hit the Road — Silk Road offered collaborative projects related to WHO.

3 . Cloud “engineering” could be more effective for climate cooling than previously thought, because of the increased cloud cover produced, new research shows.

In a study published in Nature Geoscience, researchers at the University of Birmingham found that marine cloud brightening (MCB), also known as marine cloud engineering, works primarily by increasing the amount of cloud cover, accounting for 60% — 90% of the cooling effect.

The practice of MCB has attracted much attention in recent years as a way of offsetting the global warming effects caused by humans and buying some time while the global economy decarbonizes (脱碳). It works by spraying tiny particles, or aerosols (气溶胶), into the atmosphere where they mix with clouds and with the primary aim of increasing the amount of sunlight that clouds can reflect.

However, the ways in which MCB creates a cooling effect, and the ways in which clouds will respond to aerosols, are still poorly understood. To investigate the phenomenon, the researchers created a “natural experiment”, using aerosol injection from the effusive eruption of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii to study the interactions between these natural aerosols, clouds, and climate.

Using machine learning and historic satellite and meteorological (气象学的) data, the team created a predictor to show how the cloud would behave during periods when the volcano was inactive. This predictor enabled them to identify clearly the impacts on the clouds that had been directly caused by the volcanic aerosols.

They were able to show that the cloud cover relatively increased by up to 50% during the periods of volcanic activity, producing a cooling effect of up to — 10 W/m² regionally.

Lead author, Dr Ying Chen, of the University of Birmingham, said, “Our findings show that marine cloud brightening could be more effective as a climate intervention than climate models have suggested previously. Of course, while it could be useful, MCB does not address the underlying causes of global warming from greenhouse gases produced by human activities. It should therefore be regarded as a ‘painkiller’, rather than a solution.”

1. How does MCB help global cooling according to the study?

A．By decreasing the amount of sunlight.

B．By boosting the volume of cloud cover.

C．By reducing the amount of cloud cover.

D．By removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

2. What does the underlined word “offsetting” mean in paragraph 3?

A．Weakening.

B．Destroying.

C．Ignoring.

D．Suspending.

3. What does Dr Ying Chen think of MCB?

A．Perfect.

B．Ineffective.

C．Valueless.

D．Fruitful.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．The Mechanism Behind Marine Cloud Brightening

B．Understanding The Impact Of Aerosols On Clouds And Climate

C．Enhancing Climate Cooling Through Marine Cloud Brightening

D．Marine Cloud Brightening: A Solution To Climate Cooling Strategy

4 . 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?     1    

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.     2     They can offer information to your thinking, which would help you have a better understanding of the whole issue.

Find common ground. Before you share your thoughts, understand the goals of your boss.     3     It may be the reputation of the team. It may be to get a project done on time. You’re more likely to be heard if you have a shared goal with 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.     4     Thus your boss will have to choose which signals to read. Do whatever you can to remain calm.

    5     Emphasize that you’re only offering your opinion, not absolute truth. It may be a well-researched opinion, but it’s still an opinion. Instead of saying: “If we set an end-of -quarter deadline, we will never make it,” say, “This is just my opinion, but I don’t see how we will make that deadline.” Tell your boss that this is your point of view, and be open to other views.

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.

5 . 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.

2. What is one phenomenon discovered by the study?

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.

3. What does Dr. Ozimek suggest?

A．Abandoning social media platforms.	B．Keeping a balance among various activities.
C．Assessing social media posts objectively.	D．Searching for potential interventions.

4. Which can be the best title for the text?

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

6 . The months of July and August are often known as the “dog days of summer”, bringing in longer, hotter and sunnier days for you to throw the perfect dog birthday party.

Choosing the right spot

If you’re lucky enough to have a garden big enough, that couldn’t be better.     1    . If not, then dog - friendly parks, beaches and cafes can also make for great alternatives. Consider how many guests you’ll be inviting, both humans and animals, and make sure the space is big and secure enough to accommodate.

Picking the menu

    2    ! Some bakeries and pet stores will provide treats perfect for the occasion. However when in doubt, homemade is always better. Take a look online and you’ll find a ton of recipes and take a look at the ingredients to make sure they’re good for the dogs.

Setting up activities

Dogs love to socialise and play together, so why not bring a few activities into the mix. From frozen lick mats, tug of war to even a mini swimming pool, there are plenty of options to keep the guests of honour entertained.     3    . It can show off their dogs’ best skills.

    4    

Photos of your puppy party will give you memories to look back on forever, and who doesn’t love showing their pup off online? Add some props (道具) and a special backdrop to make your pictures even more double-tap worthy.

Don’t forget the humans

While the puppies are undoubtedly the real stars of the party, you can’t forget about your fellow human guests. Consider dog-themed treats, drinks and music. And finally, don’t send your guests home empty-pawed.     5    .

A．Set up a photo spot

B．Record more memorable moments

C．All your furry friends can run around freely there

D．The owners would be also interested in getting involved

E．A little gift with a thank-you note and an extra toy go a long way

F．Arguably the most exciting aspect of any puppy party is the treats

G．A trick contest is also a great way for the humans to get involved

7 . 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.

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

A．Encourage.

B．Share.

C．Create.

D．Control.

3. What is paragraph 3 mainly about?

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.

4. What is the author’s attitude to adult play in knowledge-based economy?

A．Supportive.

B．Cautious.

C．Unconcerned.

D．Neutral.

8 . 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.

2. The underlined part “to get on the property ladder” in Paragraph 3 means “______”.

A．to print objects	B．to purchase a house
C．to predict disasters	D．to accumulate wealth

3. The new construction technology can satisfy the needs of ______.

A．low-income residents	B．people at different income levels
C．middle-income people	D．wealthy immigrants

4. What influence will Contour Crafting have on construction industry?

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.

9 . Imagine the sound of a dog walking across a tile floor, the “click, click, click” of its claws tapping against the ground. Now, imagine a cat walking across the same floor — the difference is the cat moves in total silence. Cats can fully retract (缩回) their claws, giving them superior ability to remain silence.

But why do cats have retractable claws, whereas dogs do not?

It all comes down to how cats and dogs use their claws. Cats use their claws primarily to attack their target, said Anthony Russell, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. They use their front claws to grab and hold on to their target and their back claws to cut open the target’s belly.

Cats need to keep their claws sharp to secure that next meal. Extended all the time, their claws would get less sharp as they scrape the ground, much like how a nail file deals with sharp points on a human fingernail.

Dogs, on the other hand, are social hunters. They work in groups to take down larger animals, wearing their target out over longer distances. For dogs, “if you’re hunting a moose or something, you wander along for kilometres and bite it until it is fatigued, and then you all jump on it,” Russell said. “Whereas cats essentially have a short burst, and then it’s over. Either the target gets away, or the target is captured.”

With more hunters working together, it’s less important for dogs to be able to grab and hold onto their target, so they don’t have to keep their claws as sharp. Sheer numbers are enough to give them the advantage.

But dogs’ claws aren’t completely useless. Dogs’ claws help them stand firmly on the earth and change directions quickly — a useful adaptation for pursuing target over long distances.

In nature’s silent dance, cats’ retractable claws are knives for quick attacks, while dogs’ strong claws make them good chasers. Each claw tells a tale of adaptation made to their unique hunting styles.

1. Where is the text most probably taken from?

A．An animal novel.

B．A scientific report.

C．A zoology magazine.

D．A pet keeping guide.

2. What does the underlined word “fatigued” in the 5th paragraph mean?

A．Hungry.

B．Scared.

C．Wounded.

D．Exhausted.

3. Which statement would Anthony Russell probably agree with?

A．Cats use front claws to grab and kill the target.

B．Dogs use claws to attack and wear their targets out.

C．Cats stop hunting if the target escapes from the first attack.

D．Dogs work together to capture their targets in a shorter time.

4. What does the author want to show by comparing animals’ claws?

A．Cats are better adapted to hunting than dogs.

B．Claws are more important for cats than for dogs.

C．The sharper the claws, the more efficient the hunt.

D．Cats and dogs find different ways to survive in nature.

10 . Four best day trips from Amsterdam: the ultimate travel guide

Zaanse Schans: a picture-perfect town of windmills

A trip to the Netherlands would be incomplete without seeing windmills-and there’s no better way to see them than in the historical town of Zaanse Schans. This quaint village gives visitors an accurate impression of Dutch living in the 17th and 18th centuries. From cheese and dairy factories to traditional windmills and historical museums, you’ll live, breathe, and experience the old Zaan style of living. Classic!

Travel time by car: 21 minutes

Transport fees: €4 for adults, €1.5 for children

Marken: a former island in the Zuiderzee

Residents of the town built wooden houses on artificial hills to prevent more flooding damage. To this day, these picturesque homes remain a popular cultural attraction. On your walk, you can visit the cosy town harbour or enjoy the scenic route of fields, forests, and the lakeshore.

Travel time by car: 27minutes

Transport fees: €4.5 for adults, €1.5 for children

Dordrecht: a historic trading port

Dordrecht is the oldest city in Holland (we mean the old province of Holland and not the so-called “country”!). There are plenty of cultural spots, including seven churches and several historical monuments-turned-museums.

Travel time by car; l hour and 5 minutes

Transport fees: €9.5 for adults, €2 for children (2-6 years old)

Schiedam; home to the world’s tallest windmill

While there are windmills all around the Netherlands,Schiedam has the tallest traditional windmills of all, standing at 26.6 metres. Schiedam is also known for being the Netherlands’ gin (杜松子酒) capital, with the city producing the most jenever (also known as Dutch gin) in the country. There are multiple bars museums where you can check out the production process.

Travel time by car: 55 minutes

Transport fees: €9 for adults, €3 for children

1. How much should a couple pay for a trip at least?

A．€3.

B．€8.

C．€9.

D．€9.5.

2. Which trip leads to the oldest city in Holland?

A．Zaanse Schans.	B．Marken.
C．Schiedam.	D．Dordrecht.

3. What do Zaanse Schans and Schiedam have in common?

A．They’re both islands.

B．They both produce Dutch gin.

C．They’re both featured in windmills.

D．They’re famous for wooden houses,