1 . Old and unrestored theatres are all around us and yet so unnoticed. A new photobook unveils their often overlooked beauty.

Proctor’s Theatre, Newark, New Jersey

Although available outdoors from street sellers, food was banned in theatres to display respectability. In the late 1920s, however, the operators in Proctor’s Theatre in Newark began to set up stands to improve the economic situation during the Great Depression. Popcorn and Coke would become a significant part of the theatre’s income.

Proctor’s Theatre, Troy, New York

Originally opened as Proctor’s Fourth Street Theatre in 1914, it hosted famous comedians such as Jack Benny and Bob Hope. From 1929, it was successively taken over, renamed as Proctor’s Troy Theatre and switched to screening films. In the 1960s, it began playing second-run films before closing in 1977. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1979. In 2010, the theatre was repaired but is currently not being used today.

RKO Keith’s Flushing Theatre, New York

Originally opened in 1928, RKO Keith’s Flushing Theatre was designed by Thomas Lamb. In 1982, it was listed on the NRHP. In 1986, the theatre was bought and closed by its new owner who planned to build a shopping centre on the site, intentionally damaging the hall. In 2019, despite the preservation efforts, the hall was knocked down to make way for a residential tower block.

Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia

The theatre was originally opened as the Philadelphia Opera House in 1908. In the 1920s, it was renamed as the Metropolitan Opera House, showing silent films in addition to hosting various opera companies. In the 1940s, it became a sports arena. In 1954, it was turned into a church. In the late 1990s, the building was purchased by Mark Hatcher. The church and the developer came to an agreement on a repair for a music venue that was completed and reopened in 2018.

1. In the late 1920s, Proctor’s Theatre in Newark set up stands to ________.

A．show respect for the guests	B．increase the theatre’s income
C．promote newly released movies	D．compete with the street sellers

2. What can we know from the passage?

A．RKO Keith’s Flushing Theatre is well preserved.

B．Proctor’s Theatre in Troy plays second-run films now.

C．Metropolitan Opera House has witnessed changes in its function.

D．Proctor’s Theatre in Newark has been officially listed on the NRHP.

3. What is the purpose of this passage?

A．To rank the old and unrestored theatres.

B．To show the development of American theatres.

C．To encourage people to protect the old theatres.

D．To provide information on overlooked old theatres.

2 . Italy’s cheap old homes continue to appeal to hundreds of interested buyers, among whom was Roy Patrick, a 67-year-old British who deals in antiques in Italy. Patrick bought an old school house in the mountain village of Carrega for $16,500. It’s both an adventure and a joy.

Patrick bought the property quite by accident. When told about the wonders of the village, he toured there to take a look and was instantly struck by the 1930s school building. “The house is particular and the view is unique: The way the sun goes down over the mountains, you’d say ‘wow’. It’s a fantastic wonderland,” says Patrick.

The property was offloaded by the local government to boost the populations of communities in decline. Since the purchase, he’s been visiting every two weeks and finds it has many charms. “Top of the list is the friendliness of the local residents, followed by the breathtaking views I get out of the windows looking across the valley,” he adds.

Patrick’s initial encounter with his new home was less than promising. He had to climb through a window to open up the building, which had been shut for decades and whose door was jammed, with the keys nowhere to be found.

However, a later structural disaster turned into a positive story. When an unstable chimney (烟囱) collapsed due to a heavy snow, a neighbor volunteered to climb onto his roof to make it safe. The locals are so welcoming that they are ready to help newcomers.

During the restoration needed to make the old school habitable, Patrick unexpectedly unearthed a great many treasures: dusty piles of old text books, inkwells, pupil registers and other historical items.

Patrick has some advice for those with the thought of buying a house in Carrega: There is absolutely nothing, just great views, pure air and clean surroundings. No bars, supermarkets, or restaurants. A vehicle is essential to move around. However, Carrega does spring to life in the summer when vacationers arrive to relax. “There are nights when people throw a party with loud music,” says Patrick. “Otherwise it’s just singing birds and total silence.”

1. What led to Patrick’s purchase of the old schoolhouse?

A．The locals’ friendly attitude.	B．Its location and rising value.
C．Its uniqueness and surroundings.	D．The government’s housing welfare.

2. What was the government’s intention of selling the property?

A．To attract more settlers.	B．To boost local tourism.
C．To preserve village traditions.	D．To reform education system.

3. What’s one of Patrick’s added bonuses of getting the house?

A．Acquiring more personal space.	B．Digging up some historical finds.
C．Enjoying a more active social life.	D．Getting free home decoration service.

4. How does it feel most of the time living in Carrega?

A．Quiet.	B．Lively.
C．Modern.	D．Convenient.

3 . China’s first Universal Studios theme park opened this month in Beijing. Made up of seven themed lands filled with 37 rides, it is the world’s fifth Universal Studios theme park. It has many of the popular attractions found at its counterparts in Singapore, Osaka, Los Angeles and Orlando. But there are some Universal firsts as well, including the Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness.

The park has many attractions and restaurants designed to reflect the country’s cultural heritage. Guests who have been to the other Universal parks and want to experience something fresh will be most excited about the Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness. Attractions here include Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp, the Carousel of Kung Fu Heroes and the Kung Fu Panda Journey of the Dragon Warrior. And yes, it does feature a Mr. Ping’s Noodle House, modeled after the movie version, among the dining options.

Among the most popular attractions are the scream-inducing Decepticoaster inside the Transformers area, and all the Harry Potter rides. The Jurassic World Adventure and the Minions simulator rides also attract long lines.

Visitors to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter can experience the globally popular Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride inside the towering Hogwarts Castle, as well as the Flight of the Hippogriff. Transformers Metrobase is where guests will experience the impressive outdoor Decepticoaster, while the Minion Land and Jurassic World Isla Nubar have plenty for the little ones.

1. What special experience will guests attain in the Kung Fu Panda Land?

A．Chinese culture.	B．Thrilling rides.
C．Delicate western desserts.	D．The noodles cooked by real Mr. Ping.

2. Which of the following attractions has more rides for kids?

A．Mr. Ping’s Noodle House.	B．Jurassic World Isla Nubar.
C．Transformers Metrobase.	D．The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

3. What’s the purpose of writing the passage?

A．To make a contrast with other theme parks.	B．To persuade tourists to visit the theme park.
C．To enhance the reputation of the theme park.	D．To present a brief introduction of the theme park.

4. Which column is this passage taken from?

A．Lifestyle.

B．Entertainment.

C．Culture.

D．Society.

4 . Below is a list of the top and leading Chinese Restaurants in Los Angeles.

Hoy’s Chinese Restaurant

The restaurant is a family-owned and operated business that has been offering tasty servings in every table. Their family is proud to serve everyone always something like that.

Products/Services: Dim Sum, Vegetarian Menu, Specialty, Seafood

Address: 7105 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Phone: (323)850-6637

Reviews: “They manage their high-level service and the highest level of the food they serve.”—Francis

Phoenix Chinese Cuisine

For more than five decades, it has served tens of thousands of consumers in Los Angeles. The restaurant will not be tired of inviting you to truly experience authentic and remarkable dining.

Products/Services: Seafood. Coconut, Rice Noodle, Chicken Wings

Address: 301 Ord St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Phone: (213) 629-2812

Reviews: “Great place to go eat & the price is fair for the most part. It does get busy at times with all the online food orders.”—Julio

Dragon Chinese Restaurant

The Lees have cooked and served Chinese food for over 40 years, producing delicious Chinese cuisine that wasn’t accessible to the metropolis.

Products/Services: House Specialties, Appetizers, Beef, Seafood, Vegetables

Address: 8597 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035

Phone: (310) 657-7355

Reviews: “The restaurant is absolutely the tastiest place in the region.”—Tom

Little China Restaurant

It welcomes the customer as if in China, 6 days a week. For customers who do not have any time to go out, you can check out their menu online and order, for pickup and delivery.

Products/Services: Chicken, Pork, Vegetables, Noodle and Rice Dishes, Desserts

Address: 3535 Cahuenga Blvd w # 107, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Phone: (323) 969-8838

Reviews: “Wonderful restaurant, we came here after going to Universal Studios. The prices are super reasonable!”—James

1. If you want to order some seafood for delivery, you can call ________.

A．(323) 850-6637	B．(213) 629-2812
C．(310) 657-7355	D．(323) 969-8838

2. What do Hoy’s Chinese Restaurant and Dragon Chinese Restaurant have in common?

A．The price is fairly low.	B．They are family-run.
C．They provide vegetarian menu.	D．They are in operation for decades.

3. In which section are you likely to read the passage in a magazine?

A．Food.

B．Health.

C．Economy.

D．Entertainment.

5 . 阅读下面短文, 在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Shanghai Disneyland, Zhejiang's Hello Kitty Park and Dalian Discoveryland Theme Park are on the list,     1     grows quickly. Theme parks are becoming big business in China. China Wanda Group has built     2     (it) 11th “Cultural Tourism City" in Guilin, Guangxi. Carnival Group is planning     3     (build) ten more theme parks in China. And Dalian Haichang Group also wants to open four theme parks in the     4     (follow) five years.

China now has 300 theme parks or so nationwide. However, modern entertainment     5     (center) for family visits are still in short supply in many cities, so     6     number of large theme parks in China will still be     7     the increase. US-based company AECOM believes China will replace America to become the largest theme park market, having 221 million visits every year, twice as many as those in 2015.

But the industry is not     8     (universal) good. 70 percent of theme parks in China     9     (suffer) economic losses at the moment and 20 percent of them have nearly gone broke, according to a survey     10     (make) by Qianzhan Industry Research Institute,

6 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How long is the man going to stay at the hotel?

A．Five days.

B．Four days.

C．Six days.

2. When will the man begin to live in the hotel?

A．On September 28.

B．On October 3.

C．On October 4.

3. Where is the man going to stay?

A．In a hotel.

B．At his own home.

C．At his uncle’s home.

7 . Sydney is famous for popular attractions like Bondi Beach. With the lowest hotel rates in town, we offer many options a short distance away from the beach.

Hotel Bondi

Offering quality accommodations in the sightseeing, restaurants, beaches district of Sydney, Hotel Bondi is a popular pick for both business and holiday travelers. From here, guests can enjoy easy access to all that the lively city has to offer. With its convenient location, the hotel offers easy access to the city's must-see destinations. Top features of the hotel include free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, Wi-Fi in public areas.

Chee Bondi

Located in the heart of Bondi, just 2 minutes' walk from Bondi Beach and a variety of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops, Chee Bondi offers both free WiFi and free private parking. The accommodation is air conditioned and features a flat-screen TV and a seating area. Some rooms have a balcony. There is also a kitchen, equipped with a microwave and toaster. A refrigerator and kettle are also offered. There is a private bathroom with a bath or shower and a hair dryer in each unit.

Bondi Beach House

Just 3 minutes’ walk from Bondi Beach, this bed and breakfast features free WiFi and beautifully furnished suites and rooms. Guests have access to a lovely balcony with outdoor furniture. All rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, microwave, and refrigerator. Guests can prepare breakfast each morning in the dining room, homemade jams, tea and coffee provided.

1. Which of the three hotels will you choose if you want to prepare breakfast by yourself?

A．Hotel Bondi and Chee Bondi.

B．Chee Bondi and Bondi Beach House.

C．Hotel Bondi and Bondi Beach House.

D．All of the three hotels.

2. What can we learn from the text?

A．All private bathrooms in Chee Bondi don’t have a bath.

B．Suites in Bondi Beach House are newly furnished.

C．Rooms in Chee Bondi have a balcony with outdoor furniture.

D．Bondi Beach House is nearer to Bondi Beach than Chee Bondi.

3. What do the three hotels have in common?

A．They are equipped with a flat-screen TV.	B．They don’t offer free WiFi.
C．They are close to the beach.	D．They provide free private parking.

8 . A huge, 12-pointed star has been fixed on top of one of the towers of Antoni Gaudí’s famous Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona. This means the construction work, begun 139 years ago, nears completion. It is scheduled to be completely finished in 2026 — marking 100 years since the architect’s death.

When Gaudí died in 1926, less than a quarter of the exterior was complete. Since then construction has been stopped every now and then for various reasons from Spanish civil wars to funding problems. Though in 2005 the church was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the construction work was claimed to be illegal in 2016, and regained its building permit in 2019.

Born in 1852, Gaudí grew up fascinated by geometry and the natural wonders of the countryside. After studying architecture in school, he eventually formed his own style. In his opinion, form and function were inseparable: Beauty should be part of structure, which rules the natural world. “Nothing is art,” he concluded, “if it does not come from nature.” On his graduation ceremony, his director said the words that became famous later: “I do not know if we have awarded this degree to a madman or to a genius; only time will tell.”

Time has obviously given the answer. In fact, Gaudí’s work over the years has permanently influenced Barcelona architecture like none other before or after. The city is considered the best outdoor modernist Museum of Europe mostly because of Gaudí.

On the 10th of June 1926, Gaudí was knocked down by a tram (有轨电车) while he was doing his usual evening walk. He lost consciousness, and nobody recognized that this disheveled (蓬乱的) old man was the famous architect until he was taken to the hospital. He was buried two days later in the unfinished Sagrada Familia, following a funeral attended by thousands of people: most of the citizens of Barcelona came out to bid a final-farewell to the most universal architect that the city had ever known.

1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?

A．A 12-pointed star was set on a Gaudí’s church.

B．Barcelona is well known for Gaudí’s architecture.

C．Gaudí’s famous church will be finished at last.

D．The 100h anniversary of Gaudí’s death will come.

2. Why did the construction of the church last over a century?

A．It was to memorize Gaudí.	B．It suffered frequent delays.
C．It was a World Heritage Site.	D．It didn’t get its building permit.

3. What did Gaudí’s director really want to say on his graduation ceremony?

A．His style was too special in his time.	B．He was not qualified for the degree.
C．His attitude to others was crazy.	D．He was too talented to be taught.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．Sagrada Familia — Gaudí’s Unfinished Work

B．Barcelona — a City of Antoni Gaudí

C．Antoni Gaudí — a Genius Architect

D．Gaudí’s Architecture — the Beauty of Nature

9 . In today’s fast-paced world, comfort and relaxation are keys to a happy daily life. People want to have their tasks finished as quickly and as efficiently as possible. We all search for convenience.     1    . Here are the top Smart Home trends to follow this year. With these all by your side, you can transform your living.

Improved home security, safety, and privacy

    2    . Security firms are now offering some very next-level security systems that safeguard homes and protect privacy. Artificial Intelligence biometric authentication, robust protection against cyber-attacks, advanced cameras, and alarm systems are some examples of Smart Home solutions.

Voice-assistant smart technology

Voice-assistant innovative technology helps users do a lot like turning on music, computers, TVs and other devices inside their homes!     3    . An example of such technology is Amazon Alexa, which can assist you in better everyday living!

    4    

You can also use Smart Home technology to help you with everyday household chores! You can stay in bed in your pyjamas while your AI vacuum cleaner does all the work for you!

Smart healthcare technology

    5    . These can significantly help in case of emergencies. 5G technology is also coming up, allowing devices to function without any wires or connections. All of that can help in certain situations when a quick reaction is necessary.

A．Smart home cleaning

B．Smart touchless technology

C．We all want our homes to look nice and bright

D．That’s why more and more people are interested in Smart Home

E．These are always the most important things for every homeowner

F．It also helps in making a cosy atmosphere by adjusting temperature and lighting

G．Smart devices allow fast communication with medical professionals over the internet

10 . The idea of a “15-minute city,” in which residents can all reach work and leisure facilities within a quarter-hour walk of their homes, has gained significant popularity among urban planners during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, a group of architects are planning an even more ambitious neighborhood in South Korea’s capital, Seoul: a 10-minute city.

Named “Project H1,” the development is set to transform an old industrial site into an interconnected “smart” city. Combining eight residential buildings with co-working offices and study spaces, the 125-acre district is also set to house entertainment venues, fitness centers,swimming pools and even hydroponic urban farms.

Designed by Dutch architecture firm UN Studio and backed by Hyundai Development Company , the neighborhood will also be completely car-free. A press release for the project claimed that “all the conveniences of the city” will be within a 10-minute walk of people’s homes. The architects also said that clean energy will be generated on site,while systems to capture and store rain are being designed to reduce water use.

A spokesperson for UN Studio Moreno said, “The emergence of Covid-19 exposed the weakness of cities and the need for a radical re-thinking,where fresh measures need to be taken to ensure that urban residents are able to cope and continue with their basic activities, including cultural ones, to ensure that cities remain both resilient and livable in the short and long terms.”

1. What is the purpose of “Project H1”?

A．To balance people’s life and jobs.

B．To create a harmonious community.

C．To link old buildings with modern offices.

D．To establish an interconnected smart city.

2. What can be inferred about the “10-minute city”?

A．It will be an energy-saving community.

B．It will provide cars freely for citizens.

C．It will look like a green garden in nature.

D．It will be more convenient than the 15-minute city.

3. What is Moreno’ attitude toward the concept of “smart cities”?

A．Doubtful.

B．Favorable.

C．Neutral.

D．Indifferent.

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

A．Ideas Put Forward for “15-minute city”.

B．Weaknesses of Cities Exposed during Covid-19.

C．Plans Unveiled for High-tech “10-minute city” in Seoul.

D．Conveniences of Smart Cities Brought to Residents.