1. Who is the speaker?
| A．A resident adviser. | B．A housing director. | C．The headmaster. |
| A．After the finals. |
| B．Before a summer vacation. |
| C．At the start of the school year. |
| A．$1. | B．$3. | C．$9. |
| A．The return time. | B．The phone number. | C．The condition of the dorms. |
1. On which floor is the outdoor pool at Hotel Posada Freeman?
| A．The 12th floor. | B．The 11th floor. | C．The 3rd floor. |
| A．It’s simply furnished but quite clean. |
| B．Each room costs only about $15 a night. |
| C．It’s across the street from Olas Altas Beach. |
| A．It is located in the west of Playa Madera. |
| B．It has a big bar on the top floor. |
| C．It has ancient red wood windows. |
3 . In Takoma Park, Maryland, in suburban Washington, people, adults or students, lined up at a pay phone outside a restaurant several times a week.
“Once I put the phone out there, it just took off,” said David Schulman, a Takoma Park violinist who created the Bird Calls Phone. Listeners push 1 to hear a yellow-crowned night heron (夜鹭), 7 to hear a pileated (红冠) woodpecker’s call and 9 for the distinct scream of a red-tailed hawk. Instructions about how to use the phone are in three languages: English, Spanish and Amharic — a reflection of Takoma Park’s Ethiopian community. In all, 10 birds native to the Takoma Park area are featured.
In addition to being fun, listening to Bird songs can reduce stress and anxiety, studies show. Even hearing recordings of birds can relieve negative emotions.
After noticing an abandoned, nonworking pay phone in town, Schulman wondered if he could turn it into something appealing. He said, “I really like the old technology of just picking up a receiver, pressing one button and having something happen.” Schulman thought bringing birds sounds to the abandoned phone was a way to add a bit of nature to the neighborhood.
Takoma Park city officials agreed, and they budgeted $5, 000 to complete the project. Schulman reached out to The McCaulay Library in Ithaca, New York, which agreed to send him a few dozen recordings of native birds. He then managed to gain the help of software engineer and artist Branden Hall to rewire the phone to play different bird calls. Schulman said he persuaded several of his friends to record short descriptions of each bird to go with the calls.
“One thing I like about the Bird Calls Phone is that it’s the opposite of a loud broadcast,” Schulman said. “Only one person can listen at a time, and each person will take away their own unique experience.”
1. What will listeners hear if they press buttons on the pay phone?| A．The calls of native birds. | B．Songs in different languages. |
| C．Descriptions of local creatures. | D．Instructions on reducing stress. |
| A．Observant and nature-loving. | B．Diligent and easy-going. |
| C．Serious and public-spirited. | D．Ambitious and kind-hearted. |
| A．It encourages art appreciation. | B．It presents the harmony among birds. |
| C．It turns loud broadcasts into private phones. | D．It receives broad support from the community. |
| A．A Violinist Specializes in Ecology | B．Pick up the Phone, Hear Bird songs |
| C．Close to Nature, Far From Depression | D．Turn Trash into Treasure in Washington |
4 . Lighting is a key design feature in your home and deserves consideration, whether it’s to brighten up a dull corner or you’re planning a full renovation (翻新). Here, we put the spotlight on four key lighting design layers and how you can use them to capture every room of your home in its best light.
General lighting
Think of general lighting as the background layer that casts an even illumination (照明) throughout a room, most commonly from your ceiling lights. As these are often the main source of light for a room, it’s wise to have flexible options depending on the time of day, or desired brightness to suit the mood and the room’s purpose at the time.
Ambient (氛围的) lighting
Ambient lighting is the layer that adds warmth and softness to your space. Think lamp belt under the kitchen bench, or floor lamps in the corner. Use ambient lighting where you want to encourage rest and comfort, such as living spaces and bedrooms.
Task lighting
The next layer to consider is task lighting for more practical uses. These are brighter and are designed to illuminate workplaces, and are also used for study areas, home offices, bedside tables and reading corners.
Accent lighting
Accent lighting is placed to create a specific light effect, such as downlights or spotlights to highlight artwork, and wash lights against walls. The layering of accent lighting can be used to highlight architectural details and is an artful way to create focus and play with light in your space.
1. What is the major function of general lighting?| A．Brightening a dark corner. | B．Refreshing the surroundings. |
| C．Lighting up the entire room. | D．Adding warmth and softness. |
| A．Beside the study table. | B．Under the kitchen bench. |
| C．In the middle of the ceiling. | D．On the wall of the hallway. |
| A．General lighting | B．Ambient lighting. |
| C．Task lighting | D．Accent lighting. |
5 . Four Libraries of Oxford University
Education Library
Located within the Department of Education at 15 Norham Gardens, the Education Library supports all members of the University studying and researching in the field of education. The books we hold are based around the Department’s teaching. We also have journals, online resources, study rooms and super staff to help you throughout your studies and research.
Opening hours: Mon-Wed: 8:30 a. m.-5:30 p. m./ Thurs-Fri: Closed
English Faculty Library
Established in 1914, the English Faculty Library (EFL) primarily serves all those reading and teaching English at Oxford. The EFL holds over 104,000 volumes to support the range of teaching, study and research in the English Faculty. Most of the EFL’s collections are borrowable. We offer borrowing services, IT and printing facilities and a variety of study lounges (自习室).
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs: 9 a. m.-5 p. m./ Fri: Closed
Social Science Library
The Social Science Library (SSL) is one of the University of Oxford’s busiest lending and reference libraries, supporting staff and students in the Social Sciences Division. We have around 250,000 books on a range of subjects and extensive collections of academic journals. We offer a wide range of individual study rooms, as well as printing and IT facilities and research support.
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs: 9 a. m.-7 p. m./ Fri: 9 a. m.-5 p. m./ Sat: Closed
Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library
The Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library is one of the Bodleian Libraries’ principal research libraries, with collections focusing on the study of archaeology and the ancient world, art and architectural history. We offer borrowing services, IT and printing facilities and study halls.
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs: 9 a. m.-9 p. m./ Fri:9 a. m.-5 p. m./ Sat-Sun: Closed
1. What is the right time for visiting the English Faculty Library?| A．Tuesday, 8:30 a. m. | B．Wednesday, 9:30 a. m. |
| C．Thursday, 5:30 p. m. | D．Friday, 10:00 a. m. |
| A．Education Library. | B．English Faculty Library. |
| C．Social Science Library. | D．Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library. |
| A．They offer learning spaces. | B．They serve outsiders and students. |
| C．They provide printing facilities. | D．They have archaeological journals. |
6 . City Hotels
Royal
It’s easy to miss this central hotel hidden away in a side street. Unlimited coffee, but nothing more, is available in the morning, but there are food stores a short walk away.
Windmill
This medium-priced hotel surrounded by artists’ studios, lively bars and interesting food shops is right in the middle of the city. The underground station outside will take you anywhere, including the airport within minutes. Help yourself to breakfast from 8 am downstairs.
Hi-Tech
All costs are kept low here. Guests book on the Internet, then check in and buy everything they need from machines. Breakfast comes in airline-style boxes. You sleep in a tiny cabin (隔间)for one and roll up your bed during the day. It’s a fun choice for backpackers, who get together in the lively club next door.
Stark’s
A leading designer has decorated the inside of this smart modern hotel with white bed covers and wooden floors. The ground floor has a top-class restaurant and gym. Reception is open 24 hours a day.
Mars
Hotel Mars is located on one of the main streets, a short walk from tourist attractions, theaters and restaurants. The luxury rooms are beautifully decorated. An excellent breakfast is served by waiters in the top-floor restaurant, which also offers breathtaking evening views over the city.
Haussman
The wonderful city museum is right next door to this friendly 19th-century hotel. The hotel games room will keep all ages entertained, and there’s plenty on offer at the self-service breakfast. Staff are always happy to supply information about what’s on.
1. What can be learned about Windmill?| A．It offers unlimited coffee. | B．It has an online-ordering service. |
| C．It is designed by a leading artist. | D．It is next to an underground station. |
| A．Comfort. | B．Security. | C．Price. | D．Service. |
| A．Royal. | B．Mars. | C．Haussman. | D．Stark’s. |
7 . When it comes to a public library, you usually think of books and computers for people to use. You can even think of educational lectures and concerts that are often held in the library. But few people would expect to have a farm in the library.
But why not? After all, with rising costs, food safety is a community-wide issue. The Cicero Public Library near Syracuse in New York solved this problem by building a farm on its land. When Meg Backus saw all the open space in the library across the street from the building, he realized it could be used to benefit the community.
The farm was created in 2011 and in the beginning, 40 members of the library brought seeds (种子), water, and supplies to see if they could grow food on the land. It turned out that they could. To get the needed supplies for a larger farm, the library began to work with the organization Syracuse Grows Agency.
The community farm donates (捐赠) over 200 pounds of fresh produce (农产品) to local food banks every year. Half of the growing area is used as the Food Educational Garden. The other half is used by growers themselves. During the year, there are educational programs held at the library to teach people how to garden. There are also a lot of gardening books that can be used at the library.
Lauren Rosenstein, a worker of the library, said that she felt like she was giving something back to the community. “You’re really making a difference as a local community because you’re growing the food that people are eating.”
1. Why did Meg Backus build the farm?| A．To earn money. |
| B．To attract more readers. |
| C．To improve food safety. |
| D．To teach readers how to grow food. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Stressed. | C．Hopeless. | D．Confident. |
| A．Farmers’ life. | B．Food donation. | C．Gardening skills. | D．Food banks. |
| A．Make a Farm Popular | B．Turn a Library into a Farm |
| C．Meet the First Library Farm | D．Find a Job on a Library Farm |
8 . In China, tea is a traditional drink, which is not only good for your health but can also enrich your mind. The following are some information of teahouses.
Guozijian Yicheng Teahouse
Run by two beautiful girls who play the seven-stringed guqin, this place is elegant and classic. Guests here not only enjoy fragrant tea but also the beautiful music of guqin.
Address: No. 8, Guozijian Avenue, Dongcheng District
Minghui Teahouse
Located in an old temple, this teahouse will provide you a place of serenity. The teahouses here are divided into six private rooms so guests can be fully relaxed in the comfortable environment. The workers are all dressed in traditional clothes of the Qing Dynasty. When enjoying a cup of tea, you may feel your troubles have disappeared.
Address: Inside Dajue Temple, Haidian District
Peng Chacha
Besides fragrant tea, this place is also famous for its entertainment equipment as it offers playing cards, chess and many other games. Guests here can enjoy tea while chatting and playing games. On the first floor, there are many kinds of nuts and snacks to try. And the second floor has many small rooms, which offer more privacy for conversation.
Address: No. 549, Jianhe Road, Changning District
Taihe Teahouse
Showing a lot of special furniture from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, this place attracts many people who appreciate traditional Chinese culture. As for the tea, its selection and quality may be beyond your imagination. Even the water for making tea is transported from the famous Hupao Spring in Hangzhou.
Address: No. 569, Pudong Avenue, Pudong New District
1. If you want to enjoy the music of guqin while drinking tea, you must go to_______.| A．Taihe Teahouse | B．Guozijian Yicheng Teahouse |
| C．Peng Chacha | D．Minghui Teahouse |
| A．calm and peace | B．anxiety and tiredness |
| C．noise and sorrow | D．joy and happiness |
| A．Enjoying tea. | B．Playing games. |
| C．Watching plays. | D．Chatting. |
| A．drinking tea is not good for your health but can enrich your mind |
| B．the workers in Peng Chacha are all dressed in traditional clothes of the Qing Dynasty |
| C．there are many kinds of nuts and snacks to try on the second floor in Peng Chacha |
| D．the water for making tea in Taihe Teahouse is transported from the famous Hupao Spring in Hangzhou |
9 . Four Best Hotels for Walking Holidays in the UK
As the autumn gets into full swing, what could be more glorious than walking? Here the Good Hotel Guide shares 4 top UK hotels for walking and hiking.
Cedar Manor
Cedar Manor, built in 1853,is a homelike hotel that has been highly praised for its eco-friendly facilities. The inn (客栈) recommends walks ranging from gentle walking to tougher hikes. Follow the Riverside Walk along the River Brathay, or the Coffin Road and revive yourself with one of delicious afternoon teas in the cafes of Grasmere.
The Rock Inn
The Rock Inn is a historic inn made of multiple cottages. They were built in 1820 and have become a much-loved four star resort. Guests enjoy comfortable rooms, considerate service, and excellent food in the cottage dining room. Staff recommend gentle routes from the doorstep, such as the delightful “bluebell (风铃草) walk” in spring.
Dolffanog Fawr
An 18th-century farmhouse turned B&B (bed and breakfast), Dolffanog Fawr brings contemporary indoor designs to a heritage property. Dining, meanwhile, is a feast of local seafood and the best beef. The inn recommends various pathways along Cader Idris, or the rather more challenging and less explored Tarren Hills.
Biggin Hall
A Grade II listed,17th-century house is now a three star hotel with an award-winning restaurant. Charmingly designed to honor its heritage but provide a contemporary stay. It’s also a splendid location for exploring the surrounding area.
1. What can we know about Cedar Manor?| A．It is environmentally friendly. | B．It provides a splendid restaurant. |
| C．It is made of multiple cottages. | D．It offers delicious afternoon teas. |
| A．They are both four star inns. | B．They supply excellent foods. |
| C．They have contemporary designs. | D．They recommend challenging routes. |
| A．Cedar Manor. | B．The Rock Inn. | C．Dolffanog Fawr. | D．Biggin Hall. |
10 . Homes filled with objects from nature are increasingly common, as a new book highlights. The New Naturalists — Inside the Homes of Creative Collectors by Claire Bingham features domestic interiors decorated with objects casually picked up in parks or on beaches or acquired at flea markets and fairs. “The book looks at homes around the world — different collections and aesthetics (审美) with each story bound to one person or couple’s passion for collection,” Bingham tells BBC Culture.
This fascination with natural history has its historical precedents (先例). She points out: “There’s a long history of collecting from nature. In the 16th Century, a craze for shells saw wealthy European landowners rent ships to the New World to bring back items of curiosity”. An early example of the phenomenon in the UK is the 17th-Century, shell-lined underground cave at Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire. “Collecting isn’t just driven by science or a desire to catalogue. It’s also about an appreciation of beautiful forms,” adds Bingham.
Owning natural objects that have changed little in centuries perhaps represents a desire to escape from modern life. Among some homeowners, a passion for accumulating these presents an opportunity to bring raw nature indoors. Bingham puts, “During lockdowns, we’ve all been limited in smaller worlds during the lockdown. By seeking out spaces where we’ve been able to, new relationships with nature have been essential.”
Artists who gather natural history in their homes often do so because it provides materials and inspiration for their work. Their organic, often fantastic artworks are frequently displayed alongside natural objects, forming a harmonious whole.
But regulations apply to collecting such objects. Bingham points out: “To gather sustainably and responsibly, stick to your garden or to items that have fallen to the ground or died. Only collect from plentiful populations. It’s illegal in the UK to dig up or remove plants in public gardens and parks. All samples should come from a licensed dealer.”
1. What’s the theme of the book?| A．Bringing nature indoors. | B．The ways to decorate homes. |
| C．Family stories around the world. | D．Appreciation of home collections. |
| A．By listing data. | B．By giving examples. |
| C．By making comparisons. | D．By presenting definition. |
| A．Desires to freedom. | B．Bonds with nature. |
| C．Passions for collections. | D．Inspiration of art works. |
| A．Gathering at all costs. | B．Choosing rare species. |
| C．Maintaining samples fresh. | D．Being legal and responsible. |
