1 . Sometimes the stress of work can get to be so high, so it’s nice to get away for a while. However, even on vacation, it can be hard to leave all your worries at the office-especially when you think about the mountain of emails.
Iceland now offers a solution with a service called OutHorse Your Email. The service encourages visitors to disconnect and enjoy the country’s beauty while one of several highly trained Icelandic horses replies to any email. “When visitors travel to Iceland we want them to fully experience everything our nation has to offer,” one official said. “Our OutHorse Your Email service lets them do just that.”
To use the service, you should fill in a form on its website and your personalized out-of- office email will be written by one horse and sent automatically (自动地). The email explains the sender is away on vacation and that they’ve given their email jobs to one of Iceland’s four- legged animals. It then includes the message created by the animal. But how do horses type an email? They’ve got their own specially designed horse-sized keyboards in the fields and are able to walk across the keys. However, that still doesn’t mean coherency (条理性). They’re horses, after all. The result is just meaningless collections of letters.
This might seem like a joke, but is actually meant seriously. Nowadays the line between private life and work has become unclear. The service draws attention to the fact that people have the right to be away from work during their holiday. It also sends a message that Iceland is a unique destination by helping tourists go on a real holiday. It’ll surely put a smile on their face and make them want to vacation in Iceland.
1. What is a problem that people face when they are on vacation according to the text?A.They prefer work to holidays. |
B.They’re required to send emails. |
C.They always keep their work in mind. |
D.They feel uneasy without work at hand. |
A.They do not make any sense. |
B.They will be reviewed by the sender first. |
C.They’re expected to make the receiver laugh. |
D.They’re created in the style the sender requires. |
A.Advanced. | B.Competitive. | C.Educational. | D.Meaningful. |
A.To show a way to develop the tourist industry. |
B.To describe the new role of horses in travel. |
C.To encourage people to travel in Iceland. |
D.To introduce a new tourism service. |
2 . Themysteriousworld is where you can explore unknown and most interesting facts about living planet, universe and lifestyle of people. We tried our best to cover all possible information about a particular subject within the posts on our site online. Here are some top unmissable festivals in the world.
Rio Carnival, Brazil
It is a five-day festival which takes place forty days before Easter. Rio de Janeiro has earned its title as the Carnival capital of the world with its famous samba dancing, colorful eye-catching costumes and live music.
Holi Festival, India
Holi is a Hindu spring festival, also known as the “festival of colors”. It is a sign of the victory of good over evil, the end of winter, and the arrival of spring. Starting with a nighttime bonfire where people gather, sing and dance, Holi is celebrated the next day by people throwing colored powder and water at each other.
St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland
Held on March 17 every year, it is a celebration to mark the death of Ireland’s patron saint (守护神) Saint Patrick. Since 1996, an entire festival of parades, fireworks as well as food and drinks has surrounded the celebration. Enjoy traditional song and dance, watch musical street theater shows and get decorated in all green as you celebrate Irish heritage and culture.
Burning Man Festival, United States
As a week-long event at the end of August in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, it attracts tens of thousands of people from all over the world each year. Tickets to Burning Man are not cheap. But once you’re there, you will surely have an unforgettable experience. The main event is burning a giant wooden statue on Saturday night, followed by a big dance party that lasts all night long.
1. Which festival lasts the longest in celebration?A.Rio Carnival. | B.Holi Festival. |
C.St. Patrick’s Day. | D.Burning Man Festival. |
A.There is no need to buy tickets. |
B.People are all dressed in traditional clothes. |
C.Dance is a generally accepted way to celebrate. |
D.They center on specific traditions of a religion. |
A.A guidebook. | B.A newspaper. |
C.A website. | D.A travel brochure. |
3 . Summer is coming. Are you looking for a part-time job? Here are some possible options.
Lifeguard
Are you a strong swimmer and a good communicator? Would you like a challenge? We are looking for lifeguards for our busy summer season. No experience is necessary as you will get two weeks of training before you start the job. As well as being physically fit, you need to be available for work Mon-Fri, 7- 11 a.m.
Store assistant
We are looking for store assistants for our busy gift store. Applicants need to be reliable, friendly, and enjoy speaking to customers. A second language is preferred as many of our customers are tourists from other countries. The positions are part-time and you need to work from Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Fashion designer
Are you interested in the latest styles? Are you creative and good at art? If so, Dresswise is looking for a young person to create new looks for our teen department. This is a great opportunity to gain experience in the clothing industry. You will need to work four days a week and we’ll pay you for each design we use. We’ll also give you samples of your designs to wear.
Game tester
Are you into technology and creative? Would you like to play and test educational games and get paid for it? This is an exciting part-time job for somebody who loves playing games. We offer flexible hours. If this is for you, write a description of your favorite game and why you like it in no more than 150 words.
If you are interested in any of the above jobs, please contact us at studentunrion @campus.com.
1. What is a shared requirement for lifeguard and store assistant?A.Communicative ability. | B.A second language. |
C.Professional experience. | D.A strong body. |
A.Lifeguard. | B.Store assistant. |
C.Fashion designer. | D.Game tester. |
A.Samples of the latest styles. |
B.Payment for each of your designs. |
C.Experience in the fashion industry. |
D.Chances to design clothes for adults. |
4 . Happy Campers Summer Retreat
As a parent, your child’s health and happiness are the most important things to you, which can be difficult to achieve. The Happy Campers Summer Retreat was developed to help parents with this challenge.
Founded in 1998 by Michael Gibson, our summer camp is open to children during the holidays, from May to September. We look after lots of children every single year. Our camp is based in the Colorado Mountains, and it offers a lot of different activities for children.
Our program helps improve:
• Physical fitness
• Problem-solving skills
• Social skills
• Sports ability and experience
The Happy Campers Summer Retreat can benefit all children. Some children are good at school, but rarely active. Our program will help encourage an interest in sports. Other children are mainly interested in sports. These children will not only play sports, but will also learn new skills, such as teamwork skills, social skills, and communication skills. Children will also have the chance to try new activities. Our program is designed to help develop a complete and fully active child.
At very affordable prices, our program is available to any family in America. Your child’s stay can be as short as a week or as long as six weeks.
Why not call us today or click here to join our camp? Take action now and give your child this great chance!
1. How long does the camp last every year?A.One week. | B.Five months. |
C.Six weeks. | D.One month. |
A.How to deal with people. | B.How to choose a strong team. |
C.How to avoid physical problems. | D.How to stay interested in something. |
A.To describe the history of the camp. |
B.To compare the camp with other activities. |
C.To encourage parents to send their children to the camp. |
D.To tell parents about the benefits of outdoor activities. |
5 . Kids’ birthday parties are wonderfully fun for all, but in the way that they are traditionally celebrated, they are the enemy of “zero waste living”. A kid’s birthday party can produce lots of waste, from the plates, cups, and uneaten food, to the gift wrap, present boxes, and disposable (一次性的) decorations.
It doesn’t have to be like that, though, as it is possible to hold a birthday party without waste. Here are some ideas on how to cut down on unnecessary waste and have a fun celebration.
InvitationsForget the themed paper invitations; they get thrown away almost immediately anyway.
Don’t overdo the food preparation.
The gift giving part of a birthday party can produce a lot of unappealing trash, which is why you should choose an alternative. My kids have gone to several “toonie parties (a toonie is a two-dollar coin in Canada), where each guest gives two dollars in their card and that money can be used by the birthday child to buy a single toy.
In my years of parenting, I’ve realized that kids mostly just want to play together.
A.However, most parents find it hard to hold a “clean” party. |
B.Decorations can usually make the party room more attractive. |
C.Try using a basic email or phone call to create your guest list. |
D.Decorations for kids’ birthday parties are almost always disposable. |
E.They will create a party feeling without much assistance from parents. |
F.Kids hardly eat anything at birthday parties because they’re so excited. |
G.It’s a great idea for reducing waste and making a child’s birthday wishes come true. |
6 . Some people take their holiday decoration very seriously. And some take it to the next level. The Griffith family in Kenova, West Virginia, is in this camp. They put on a display that shows they’re just filled with Halloween spirit.
Each year, this family displays 3,000 pumpkins (南瓜) in front of their home for the Halloween season. Yes, you read that right. Ric Griffith puts out one jack-o’ -lantern (南瓜灯) for every person who lives in Kenova.
Of course, he doesn’t do it all on his own. He has a lot of help from his family, and also from members of the community who are super-proud of what has become quite the tourist attraction over the years. More than 30,000 people stop by to see the amazing display, which includes jack‑o’ ‑lanterns cut to look like the faces of famous people, animals, cartoon characters, and other creative designs. It’s certainly a must-see as part of the area’s Ceredo-Kenova Autumnfest.
To fit in all 3,000 pumpkins, Griffith and his helpers spread them across the home’s garden and front porch (门廊), as well as on the roof!
Griffith began the tradition back in 1978 with just five pumpkins and, many years later, it’s much bigger and better. People can’t help but come to the area, walking along the sidewalk outside the house to get that perfect Halloween experience.
“Locals take great pride in it, and then there are people from around the country who plan fall trips and include it in their trips so they can see it,” said Tyson Compton, president of the Cabell‑Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s really something.”
“It’s become a tradition for many people in our area, and it feels good to keep that going,” Griffith said.
1. What does the underlined word “that” in Paragraph 2 refer to?A.The Griffiths selling 3,000 pumpkins a day. |
B.Ric Griffith giving 3,000 jack-o’ ‑lanterns to tourists. |
C.Ric Griffith teaching 3,000 people how to display jack-o’ ‑lanterns. |
D.The Griffiths decorating their house with 3,000 pumpkins. |
A.Ric Griffith’s idea has received support from his community. |
B.There are only two kinds of jack-o’ ‑lanterns. |
C.Ric Griffith dislikes asking for help from others. |
D.There are 30,000 people in Kenova. |
A.It began with 1,978 pumpkins. |
B.It has lasted more than 40 years. |
C.It includes five pumpkin competitions. |
D.It encourages people to do more exercise. |
A.Worried. | B.Uncaring. |
C.Favorable. | D.Uncertain. |
7 . Four interesting festivals
Grand Old Days:
Phone number: (651) 699-0029 E-mail address: fo@grandave.com
Grand Old Days is one of the Midwest’s largest one-day festivals. It’s held every year on the first Sunday in June. It starts at 7:45 am until 5:00 pm. You should pay $8 for a ticket to enter the live music festival gardens and you must be at least 21 years old. There are a lot of interesting activities for the whole family.
Uptown Art Fair:
Phone number: (612) 823-4581 E-mail address: info@uptownminneapolis.com
There is a wide variety of artwork you can buy from only a few dollars to thousands of dollars. There are also activities held by some artists. Uptown Art Fair starts on August 5th and ends on August 7th. It is free to attend. The opening time and closing time are Friday 11 am-8 pm, Saturday 10 am-8 pm, and Sunday 10 am-6 pm.
Minnesota State Fair:
Phone number: (651) 288-4400 E-mail address: fairinfo@mnstatefair.org
It is one of the most popular fairs in Minnesota. It starts on August 25th and goes through Labor Day on September 5th. Tickets for adults (aged 13-64) are $11, seniors (aged 65 and older) $9, kids (aged 5-12) $8 and children under 5 are free of charge. It opens at 6 am and closes at midnight. The State Fair has lots of fun activities, bands, games, and rides.
Nativity County Fair:
Phone number: (651) 696-5401 E-mail address: info@nativitycountyfair.com
The Nativity County Fair is a kid’s fair, but it has some fun things for adults as well. You can buy tickets for the rides and games, and the price depends on how many tickets you want to buy. It starts from September 16th to September 18th.
1. Which of the following lasts the longest?A.Grand Old Days. | B.Minnesota State Fair. |
C.Uptown Art Fair. | D.Nativity County Fair. |
A.17 dollars. | B.19 dollars. |
C.22 dollars. | D.30 dollars. |
A.(651) 699-0029 | B.(612) 823-4581 |
C.(651) 288-4400 | D.(651) 696-5401 |
A.compare the costs of different festivals. |
B.introduce some festival activities. |
C.give advice on kids’ festival safety. |
D.advertise some popular festivals. |
8 . How to plan a party for Mother’s Day
Planning a party for Mother’s Day can be exciting and fun, but if everything is put off to the last minute, it can be stressful. Therefore, we have come up a way to help you plan for it, without adding any more stress to your everyday life!
Four to six weeks before the BIG DAY!
Choose a theme first. Next, make a guest list and pick a date and time.
Three weeks before the BIG DAY!
ASK for RSVP’s(不能参加请回复) by a certain date and time. Place a list of those you invited next to the phone to record RSVP’s.
If you haven’t received any RSVP’s, call to make sure they are coming. Make it clear that your helpers can still attend and what their duties will be. Order the cake.
One week before the BIG DAY!
Call all confirmed(确认的) guests and remind them of the big day, double checking directions. Buy food and candies. Make up the goodie bags based on confirmations.
One day before the BIG DAY!
Prepare your foods ahead of time.
Day of the BIG DAY!
Pick up the cake. Blow up and set out balloons four hours before the event.
Week after the BIG DAY!
Send out thank you notes to all the helpers and those who gave gifts!
A.Two weeks before the BIG DAY! |
B.Decide if it will be indoors or outside. |
C.Have fun! |
D.Five days before the BIG DAY! |
E.If anything can be cooked and reheated, now is the time. |
F.Buy games and enough prizes. |
G.Send out invitations. |
9 . TOKYO (Reuters) Young women in colourful traditional costumes, masks and white stoles braved cold weather in lines and sat seats apart from one another in Yokohama on January 11, to mark Japan’s Coming of Age Day, even though the city is under a state of emergency.
The ceremonies, typically full of kimono-clad women and smartly-dressed men, were cancelled in many cities and parties were discouraged to stop a rise in COVID-19 infections (感染).
On the second Monday in January every year, people who have turned or are about to turn 20 take part in ceremonies in local event halls or other similar places to celebrate the rite(仪式) of passage to adulthood.
The occasion, which is observed with a national holiday, serves in effect as class reunions for some teens and represents one of the major milestones for parents.
“I came as I’ve got my kimono ready and am taking steps to prevent infection. I’m not that worried," Mei Ohno, a college student, told the reporter at Yokohama Arena.
“I’ve just met my old friends after a long time. I’m having a good time. After the ceremony, I’ll take photos with my friends at the station, and then go straight home.”
Of Tokyo’s 23 regions, all but one have cancelled or put off the ceremonies. Instead, mayors’ congratulatory remarks will be offered online. The government last week declared a state of emergency for the capital and three surrounding areas.
Yokohama city, south of Tokyo, went ahead with celebrations at Pacifico Yokohama North convention hall and Yokohama Arena event hall.
“I decided to carry out today’s ceremonies as I strongly hoped everyone takes part in celebrating this once-in-a-lifetime milestone,” said the mayor(市长), in a message read out to attendees who had to take measures to keep themselves from the infection of COVID-19.
Participants wore face masks, had their temperature checks and were asked just to listen to the national anthem, instead of singing it out loud.
1. When do Japanese celebrate Coming of Age Day?A.When they are 18 years old. | B.On January 11th every year. |
C.On the same date each year. | D.On the second Monday in January. |
A.A biography. | B.A news report. |
C.A travel journal. | D.A personal letter. |
A.You don’t have to wear face masks when attending the ceremony. |
B.Women celebrating the Coming of Age Day wear modern clothing. |
C.There was no Coming of Age Day Ceremony in Tokyo this year. |
D.The majority of mayors spoke online to offer congratulations. |
A.stopped | B.started | C.held | D.happened |
A.Celebrating Coming of Age Day is a milestone |
B.How to Protect Yourself against COVID-19 |
C.Celebrating the occasion under COVID’s shadow |
D.Tokyo’s celebrations of Coming of Age Day |
10 . Christmas Glow, RHS Wisley, Surrey
The garden is flowing with large lighted flowers. Some of the trees are brilliant, too. The glasshouse is decorated like a gingerbread house, and displays (展览) seasonal plants. There are lanterns around the lake. The cafe serves hot chocolate and apple juice.
●£9.90, adult £3.60, child
●20 Dec. to 2 Jan.
Festival of Light, Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire
Longleat is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Large lanterns take the shape of some of the park’s animals, and there are also lots of characters in Beatrix Potter’s book, such as Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle Duck, Squirrel Nutkin, to mark the 150th anniversary of the author’s birth. There is also a 20-metre-high birthday cake.
●£27.85, adult £20.65, child under-threes, free
●15 Dec. to 2 Jan.
Festival of Light, Enchanted Park, Gateshead
Enchanted Park is an interactive walk through Saltwell Park, just south of the town centre, along a trail of light with performances and sculptures. “The story being told is Midwinter Night’s Tale, inspired by the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death.” Visitors can join stories and songs with Santa, and attend decorating workshops.
●£8, adult £2, child under-fours, free
●11-27 Dec.
Christmas at Kew Gardens or London
Kew is a special place to visit at any time of the day or year, but the festive light show gives it a magical twist, as the mile-long trail through the garden is decorated with 60,000 lights. Some of the garden’s oldest and tallest trees are also beautifully lit along the way.
●£16, adult £10, child under-fours, free
●24 Dec. to 2 Jan.
1. Which of the following events last the longest?A.Christmas Glow, RHS Wisley, Surrey. |
B.Festival of Light, Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire. |
C.Festival of Light, Enchanted Park, Gateshead. |
D.Christmas at Kew Gardens or London. |
A.Learn to write stories. | B.Play with wild animals. |
C.Pay a visit to glasshouses. | D.Sing songs with Santa. |
A.£16. | B.£26. | C.£36. | D.£48. |