A.There’s someone at the door. |
B.There’s a truck on the street. |
C.There’s another dog in the yard. |
2 . Two years ago, a blind person, Jorge Spielmann started the Blind Cow in the city of Zurich, Switzerland. Almost all the people who worked there, as the restaurant was named, were also blind. Now, not just the blind, but even people who can see with their eyes gather together in groups to this restaurant for the special experience it provides, apart from the good food it offers. The restaurant is so popular that all the tables are always booked ahead of time.
The idea came to Spielmann while he was working as bartender (酒保) in 1998 at a public exhibit, where people with normal sight walked through completely dark passages by feeling with hands together along with blind people. Then Spielmann changed an unused house into a 60-seat restaurant.
The Blind Cow enables customers who can see to “see” a different world through the eyes of people with no sight. Besides, as no one can see what the others are doing, something like these is common: People put fingers into the meat, the wrong forks are used and people even wipe their mouths on their sleeves (袖子) instead of napkins!
Before entering the dining area, the customers are told the rules of the restaurant: no walking around, no smoking and no flashlights. When arriving, the customers are led in by a waitress with bells tied to her toes. Forming a chain led by the waitress, with hands placed on each others shoulders, the customers walk inside. When the customers want something, they shout to catch the attention of the waitresses.
The bells on the waitresses’ toes help prevent them from bumping (撞) into each other while carrying dishes. Though they admit to some unavoidable bumps, the workers at the Blind Cow say that they don’t have more broken things than any other restaurant. Customers to the restaurant are extra careful not to knock things over.
1. Why do many people with normal sight come to the Blind Cow?A.To remember the past memories. | B.To show their hidden feelings. |
C.To have a taste of the good dishes. | D.To go through something different. |
A.The food price. | B.The table manners. |
C.The social skills. | D.The taste of dishes. |
A.Bells should be tied to the customers’ toes. | B.Flashlights mustn’t be used by the customers. |
C.The customers can’t touch each other’s shoulders | D.The customers shouldn’t shout to the waitresses. |
A.Enjoy Meals with Strangers | B.Experience the Blind’s Life |
C.A Special Dark Restaurant | D.A Blind Person’s Success |
A.They have built more buildings. |
B.They have built more parks. |
C.They have planted more trees and flowers. |
4 . A huge proportion of the world’s information and learning is still not available electronically, so libraries keep their importance for research and study. Here are FOUR libraries.
Bibliotheque Nationale de France (Paris)
It traces its roots to the library of King Louis XI, which he established in 1461. It became accessible to the public at the time of the French Revolution in 1792. Napoleon took a great interest in the library and enlarged its collection. At one time during the 19th century it was the largest library in the world.
British Library (London)
It was created in 1972; previously, the library had been part of the British Museum, where the famous circular reading room had accommodated researchers including Karl Marx, who worked on “Das Kapital” there, as well as Oscar Wide and Mahatma Gandhi. The British Library is now housed in a new building in St. Pancras, London, where its treasures include two Gutenberg Bibles, one of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks and so on.
National Diet Library (Tokyo)
It opened in 1948. Until the Second World War and the subsequent American occupation, Japan did not have a national public library. The Diet Library was established because public access to information was seen as a vital part of the post-war democratization process. It serves as a national library, holding copies of every book published in Japanese.
Russian State Library (Moscow)
Founded in 1862 as the Moscow public library and museum, this collection became the State Library in 1925. Like many national libraries, the Russian State Library has encountered repeated problems of space shortage, and has had to move sections of its holdings to repositories(贮藏处)elsewhere.
1. Whose real notes are currently collected in the British Library?A.Napoleon’s. | B.Karl Marx’s. |
C.Leonardo da Vinci’s. | D.Mahatma Gandhi’s. |
A.The British Library. | B.The Russian State Library. |
C.The National Diet Library. | D.Bibliotheque Nationale de France. |
A.The limited storage space. | B.The demand from the public. |
C.The reconstruction of the library. | D.The development of the electronic book. |
A.The speakers want to rent the Smiths’ old house. |
B.The man lives two blocks away from the Smiths. |
C.The woman is not sure if she is on the right street. |
D.The Smiths’ new house is not far from their old one. |
1. Why hasn’t the man been helping the woman?
A.He has a class at night. |
B.He’s been working late every day. |
C.He’s been eating at his friend’s home. |
A.American fast food. | B.Traditional Indian food. | C.Home-style Italian food. |
A.At 7:30 p.m. | B.At 8:00 p.m. | C.At 8:30 p.m. |
A.Friday. | B.Saturday. | C.Sunday. |
7 . During an interview for one of my books, my interviewer said something I still think about often. Annoyed by the level of distraction (干扰) in his open office, he said, “That’s why I have a membership at the coworking space across the street — so I can focus. ” His comment struck me as strange. After all, coworking spaces also typically use an open office layout (布局). But I recently came across a study that shows why his approach works.
Why does the interviewer prefer a coworking space?
A.It helps him concentrate. |
B.It blocks out background noise. |
C.It has a pleasant atmosphere. |
D.It encourages facetoface interactions. |
8 . Shopping in Paris, France
Every visitor to Paris goes shopping. Street markets, elegant passages, beautiful department stores, bookstalls along the Seine, fine museum shops―Paris is the perfect place for shoppers.
Covered Passages
You can combine shopping and sightseeing by visiting some of the beautiful covered passages of Paris. These 19th-century glass-roofed arcades (商场) were wildly popular for a while. Today about 20 remain, offering a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as interesting architecture and design.
Markets
Paris is best known for its wonderful markets. Open air markets, covered markets and market streets all offer fresh delicious food. They’re great fun and worth visiting, even if you’re not planning on cooking.
Flower Market
The Marche aux Fleurs (Flower Market) is just upstairs from the Cite station. Come any day of the week to enjoy the flowers, whether you buy or not. On Sunday, the flower market becomes a pet market.
Designer Shops
All of the great French fashion houses have shops in Paris, of course, and the great department stores sell all sorts of good French stuff. If you want to see a street full of top design, stroll down Avenue Montaigne.
Flea Market
For a real shopping adventure, take the Metro to Porte de Clignancourt station on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm for an adventure in the vast Marche aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, also known as the Clignancourt Flea Market, with several thousand stalls, shops, and vendors selling everything from used blue jeans to paintings and furniture.
Museum Shops
Most of Paris’ great museums have museum shops selling art, books and souvenirs of high quality at very reasonable prices.
1. What can the visitors learn about when visiting covered passages?A.The history of life. |
B.The style of buildings. |
C.The benefit of travelling. |
D.The development of cities. |
A.On Monday. |
B.On Friday. |
C.On Saturday. |
D.On Sunday. |
A.Designer Shops |
B.Flea Market |
C.Covered Passages |
D.Museum Shops |
9 . Rome can be pricey for travelers, which is why many choose to stay in a hostel (旅社). The hostels in Rome offer a bed in a dorm room for around $25 a night, and for that, you’ll often get to stay in a central location (位置) with security and comfort.
Yellow HostelIf I had to make just one recommendation for where to stay in Rome, it would be Yellow Hostel. It’s one of the best-rated hostels in the city, and for good reason. It’s affordable, and it’s got a fun atmosphere without being too noisy. As an added bonus, it’s close to the main train station.
Hostel Alessandro PalaceIf you love social hostels, this is the best hostel for you in Rome. Hostel Alessandro Palace is fun. Staff members hold plenty of bar events for guests like free shots, bar crawls and karaoke. There’s also an area on the rooftop for hanging out with other travelers during the summer.
Youth Station HostelIf you’re looking for cleanliness and a modern hostel, look no further than Youth Station. It offers beautiful furnishings and beds. There are plenty of other benefits, too; it doesn’t charge city tax; it has both air conditioning and a heater for the rooms; it also has free Wi-Fi in every room.
Hotel and Hostel Des ArtistesHotel and Hostel Des Artistes is located just a 10-minute walk from the central city station and it’s close to all of the city’s main attractions. The staff is friendly and helpful, providing you with a map of the city when you arrive, and offering advice if you require some. However, you need to pay 2 euros a day for Wi-Fi.
1. What is probably the major concern of travelers who choose to stay in a hostel?A.Comfort. | B.Security. |
C.Price. | D.Location. |
A.Yellow Hostel. | B.Hostel Alessandro Palace. |
C.Youth Station Hostel. | D.Hotel and Hostel Des Artistes. |
A.It gets noisy at night. | B.Its staff is too talkative. |
C.It charges for Wi-Fi. | D.It’s inconveniently located. |