1 . My son’s seventh birthday is approaching, so conversation at my house has naturally turned to organizing his party.

For his sixth birthday, we booked the local trampoline(蹦床) park. This worked out well. But the whole event cost us hundreds of pounds. This year, I’m trying to convince him that the dinosaur-themed park down the road offers just as much fun—and you don’t even need to wear special socks! This will be cheaper, because we aren’t required to hire a space—we can simply buy tickets for his mates.

But I still keep pondering over one thing—party bags. Why should a bunch of seven-year-olds, who have already been treated to a day out and a mountain of sugar, also be handed a bag full of pound-shop gifts for simply bothering to show up?

Party bags are an environmental disaster. I reckon my son attends 20 parties per year, and at each party there are 20 kids in attendance, which means 400 plastic bags in total. Within these 400 bags are perhaps 800 plastic toys, almost all of which fall apart on the journey home and then get binned instantly. The waste is shocking, and I don’t want to be part of it.

I know there are some party bag alternatives: one couple I know covered a table with Mr. Men books and got the kids to choose one each. At another party, I saw the hosts fill a bucket with soft toys and crumpled newspaper, and do a lucky dip (抽奖). Admirable efforts.

Even if that is a nice try, and even if the contents in the party bags don’t fall apart, so what? Will our guests think more highly of our child because of the party bags from our party? Will my child’s ability to make and keep friends be improved?

Well, the tradition for kid’s party bags ends with me, and it ends here, and it ends now. Who’s with me?

1. Why does the author recommend the dinosaur-themed park?

A．Because it’s more enjoyable.	B．Because it provides socks.
C．Because it can reduce cost.	D．Because it offers free tickets.

2. What may be put in party bags?

A．Gifts brought by guests.	B．Gifts prepared by hosts.
C．Gifts distributed by parks.	D．Gift a donated by charities.

3. What is the author’s attitude towards party bags?

A．Intolerant.

B．Objective.

C．Favorable.

D．In different.

4. What do the underlined words “get binned” mean in paragraph 4?

A．Be recycled.

B．Be repaired.

C．Be thrown away.

D．Be given away.

2 . It seems a bit strange to imagine ancient Egyptians celebrating their birthdays with layered cakes topped with lighted candles.    1    

The first birthday cakes were nothing of what they are today and weren’t even called birthday cakes.    2    At that time only they could afford to celebrate with something sweet. That is how cake became associated with special occasions.

Ancient Egyptians are credited with“inventing”the birthday celebration. And ancient Greeks borrowed the tradition but rightfully realized that a dessert would make the celebration all the more meaningful. So they baked moon-shaped cakes to offer up to the moon.    3    

It wasn’t just the ancient Egyptians and Greeks who celebrated with sweet cakes.    4    And it’s believed that the original birthday cake came from them. Rather than just celebrating birthdays, though,ancient Rome was known for celebrating all things with a cake including wedding,but there was an exception—the birthdays celebrated were only for men who were citizens,and they had to be famous.

Modern birthday parties are said to get their roots from the 18th-century German celebration. On the morning of a child’s birthday, he or she would receive a cake with lighted candles that added up to the child’s age plus one.    5    The birthday child would make a wish,try to blow out all the candles in one breath,and dig in.

A．Ancient Romans also had their traditions.

B．Rather,they were symbolic of the noble class.

C．Ancient Greeks made the first birthday cakes.

D．On birthday,children would eat cakes made by their mums.

E．They also decorated the cakes to make them shine like the moon.

F．This extra candle was called the light of hope for another new year.

G．However, they’re the ones who first came up with the idea to do so.

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.

2. Which job can you apply for if you can only work on weekends?

A．Lifeguard.	B．Store assistant.
C．Fashion designer.	D．Game tester.

3. What can you get from the job as a fashion designer?

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 . Auckland, New Zealand, Jan 29

A Chinese New Year gala, co-organized by the China Cultural Centre and the Huaxing Arts Troupe, was unveiled by Maori Haka. Contemporary dances, cross-talk, Peking opera, Qipao display and violin solo have featured the event, which won thundering applause from local audiences. “Tonight brings back familiar memories from my hometown,” said Sun, a Chinese born in Hubei.

Jersey, Britain, Jan 22

A traditional Chinese dragon dance was performed through St Helier street, which announced the start of Chinese New Year celebration. The event will last from Jan 22 to Feb 5, including tai chi performances, Chinese cuisine stalls and a photo exhibition. The local post office also issued a special stamp, featuring a rabbit holding a cabbage, illustrated by Chinese artist Wang Huming.

Paris, France, Jan 16

After a three-year interval due to the COVID-19, people gathered again to celebrate Chinese New Year. The French capital’s Chinatown has organized a series of celebrations that last from Jan 16 through Saturday including exhibitions of hanfu, music concerts and shows with Franco-Chinese comedians. Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, was present for a parade which attracted over 20, 000 people.

Suva, Republic of Fiji, Feb 5

A Lantern Festival gala was hosted in the Republic of Fiji on Feb 5, joined by about 300 government officials and representatives from Fiji’s Chinese communities. President Maivalili Katonivere, along with first lady, attended the event and gave a speech, in which he said the Lantern Festival is important as the lanterns play a vital role in lighting the path ahead, signifying hope and good fortune.

1. What gala performances could locals enjoy in Auckland?

A．Contemporary dances and music concerts.

B．Qipao display and comedy shows.

C．Cross-talk and tai chi.

D．Peking opera and violin solo.

2. When could locals taste the Chinese food at the celebrations?

A．On Jan 16.

B．On Jan 29.

C．On Feb 6.

D．On Feb 9.

3. Which column of China Daily is the passage probably taken from?

A．Travel.

B．Regional.

C．Culture.

D．Forum.

5 . Are you confused about what to do next when you plan a birthday celebration for your loved family member or try to help your family prepare for birthdays?     1     Here are some tips on birthday celebrations to get you started.

    2     Rather than making a birthday cake in the kitchen, ordering a handmade cake online is undoubtedly a better choice. You just choose a special theme, and then you’ll have a beautiful professional cake to present to your guests.

Form a band. If you want to fully enjoy yourselves, instead of turning on the music on the computer or phone, you can invite your classmates to form a band for your family member’s birthday. They can play a much music as you like.     3    

Find a meeting place. Many people like to hold their parties at home.     4     You can save a large amount of stress by finding a meeting place outside. Maybe an open park is good for a birthday party as long as it doesn’t disturb the people around.

Invite a special guest. Birthdays are often more memorable than the rest. To ensure your loved one’s party is special, besides gifts, think about someone you can invite that your family member will be happy and surprised to see.     5     If you take the time and care to plan or prepare for your family member’s party, you can make her or his day extra special.

A．Buy a special cake.

B．Make a cake at home.

C．It’s not always easy to know where to begin.

D．You extremely want to get special birthday gifts.

E．It can be a friend your family member expects to see.

F．All of you will enjoy you selves in the live music this way.

G．But not everyone’s house is big enough for a birthday party.

6 . In the United States and Britain, 70th wedding anniversaries are known as “platinum anniversaries (铂金婚)”.     1     For example, celebrating the first year of marriage is known as a “paper anniversary”. Fifty years of marriage marks a “gold anniversary”. And the term “diamond anniversary” is used to describe a marriage that has lasted for 60 years.

    2     In the US, people give gifts to couples when they reach certain years of their marriage. The first year anniversary is marked by giving the couple a clock.     3     And they can get musical instruments when they reach their 24th anniversary.

    4     In Canada, couples can receive a message from the country’s governor-general (总督) on their 50th anniversary, and on every fifth anniversary after that. In the US, the president himself will send a greeting to couples that reach their 50th anniversary,and for every anniversary after that.

    5     Or perhaps the truly cool thing is celebrating such a long life full of love and happiness with your special someone.

A．If two people reach their 10th anniversary, they can expect to receive diamond jewelry.

B．People in different countries have their own ways of celebrating wedding anniversaries.

C．The 25th wedding anniversary is popularly referred to as the “silver anniversary”

D．In Canada and the US, couples can even receive special congratulations from world leaders on certain anniversaries.

E．People often celebrate their wedding anniversary by having dinner at an expensive restaurant.

F．In fact, there are many different terms that are used to describe different marriage lengths.

G．How cool would it be to get a letter from the president?

7 . Harvest Celebrations

People around the world pick, or harvest food that grows. Then they have a holiday. Let's read about some harvest celebrations!

Every February, the people of Mendoza, Argentina, harvest their grapes. Then they celebrate for a month! There are parades (游行), shows, and fireworks. They always choose a Harvest Queen, too.	Chanthaburi, a town in Thailand, is famous for its tasty fruit. People celebrate the fruit at harvest time in May. The Fruit Fair begins with a parade of floats (游行彩车) made from thousands of fruits and vegetables.
The Argungu Fishing Festival began in 1934 in Nigeria, a country in Africa. It's a four-day festival held at the end of February to celebrate the end of all farming activities. On the last day there's a fishing contest. People have one hour to catch the largest fish. But it's not that easy. They can only use traditional fishing tools. But many use only their hands to catch the fish.	France's famous Menton Lemon Festival starts in February. There are big parades with floats decorated with lemons and oranges. More than 200, 000 people from around the world come to Menton for this festival.

1. Which of the following is celebrated in May?

A．The Harvest Festival in Mendoza.	B．The Harvest Festival in Chanthaburi.
C．The Argungu Fishing Festival.	D．The Menton Lemon Festival.

2. The Argungu Fishing Festival started in _____________.

A．Argentina

B．Thailand

C．Nigeria

D．France

3. What can be seen in the Menton Lemon Festival?

A．The big parades.	B．The Fruit Fair.
C．A fishing contest.	D．A Harvest Queen.

4. In which section of a newspaper may readers find this passage?

A．Sport.

B．Business.

C．Science.

D．Culture.

8 . Upcoming Events in New Jersey

Oktoberfest

Start Date: October 1, 2021

End Date: October 31, 2021

Pilsener Haus & Biergarten will host its annual celebration of OKTOBERFEST, beginning October 1 and will feature events and celebrations throughout the entire month. New menu items, fall cocktails, and special Oktoberfest beers will be served all month long.

Anna Deavere Smith

Date: October 21,2021

Start Time: 11:00 AM

End Time: 12:00 PM

As a part of the Visiting Writers Series, the actress, playwright, teacher, and author, Anna Deavere Smith will join us for a virtual speaking engagement. According to her website, Anna Deavere Smith “looks at contemporary issues from multiple viewpoints and combines the journalistic technique of interviewing her subjects with the art of interpreting their words through performance.” Among the topics she addresses in her presentations are the fragility of youth, inequality, and the criminal justice system.

Trio Solace

Date: October 22, 2021

Start Time: 2:00 PM

End Time: 3:30 PM

Trio Solace was formed at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic by long-time school friends Yukiko Kuhara (violin), Mark Serkin (cello), and Jacob Savransky (piano) as a way to spread a little bit of comfort by way of music. The trio consists of three graduates from Mannes School of Music, The New School.

Grain House Halloween Brunch

Date: October 31, 2021

Start Time: 11:00 AM

End Time: 3:00 PM

Trick or Treat at the Grain House annual Halloween Brunch and see our horrible decorations! The Grain House Witch will be giving out Halloween candy & souvenirs. Reservations required: 908-221-1150.

1. What will Anna Deavere Smith focus her program on?

A．Stage arts.

B．School education.

C．Social issues.

D．Language learning.

2. What makes the event to be held at the Grain House different?

A．It lasts for the longest of time.	B．You have to book it by phone.
C．You can buy foods at a discount.	D．It takes place once a month.

3. Which date is likely to be the favorite of music fans?

A．October 1, 2021.

B．October 21, 2021.

C．October 22, 2021 .

D．October 31, 2021.

9 . The British Library is holding a new exhibition named "Harry Potter: A History of Magic." The show coincides with the 20th anniversary of the publication of J.K. Rowling's first book.

The exhibit opened last Friday. It includes Rowling's outline for the book. It also includes her personal drawings of characters and a map of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

It also looks at magic and the nature of belief. It reveals that many of the things Harry Potter fans thought were imaginary were actually based in fact. Or they were based in folklore(民间传说). It includes rare books and manuscripts from around the world. It includes broomsticks and crystal balls. These offer insight into Rowling's inspiration and how the books came to be."I've taken liberties with folklore." That's what Rowling says in a video that opens the show.

The show is divided into rooms based on the subjects studied at Hogwarts. Hogwarts was the setting for Rowling's novels following the adventures of Harry. He is the orphan who learns at age 11 that he is a wizard. Each section touches on the legends and beliefs that Rowling wove into her stories.

Being hosted at the British Library meant the exhibition featured some amazing books. Their topics include palmistry(手相术) and tea leaf reading. And, of course, witches. Tanya Kirk, a curator, said working on the exhibit gave her a whole new appreciation of witches."I think all of the things I learned about witches is that they get quite a bad rap through history, and it was quite hard to find positive accounts," she said with a laugh. "The Harry Potter books have done a lot to change that."

The exhibition runs from Oct. 20 to Feb. 28, 2018 and has already sold some 30,000 tickets. The highest amount of advance tickets ever sold for a British Library exhibition. It will then travel to New York to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.” That is the book's title in the United States.

1. J.K. Rowling's first book of Harry Potter was published in ________

A．1996

B．1997

C．1998

D．1999

2. Many things in Harry Potter stories are based in ________

A．imagination	B．facts and rare books
C．legends and myth	D．all above

3. The sections are categorized by ________

A．different subjects in magic school	B．different beliefs
C．different books of Harry potter’s stories	D．different characters

4. The image of witches used to be ________

A．a mystery	B．negative
C．just like the character in Harry Potter’s stories	D．appreciated by many

10 . Although the first Fourth of July fireworks began more than 200 years ago in Philadelphia, the celebration never grows old. So whether you’re starting your family’s Fourth of July traditions or just looking for a new place to see great fireworks this Independence Day, check out our list of top places to catch magnificent fireworks displays.

Bristol, Rhode Island

Bristol is credited with having the oldest Fourth of July celebration in the country, with a 230-year history of patriotic festivities. The town’s first Independence Day celebration was held in the early 1800s, more than two centuries ago. The celebration features a concert series at Independence Park, a performance from the Drum Corps, a carnival and parade, and of course, a beautiful fireworks show over the Bristol Harbor.

New York City, New York

Macy’s annual show is the nation’s largest fireworks display with more than 40,000 fireworks and a 38-year record of extraordinary entertainment. You can view the fireworks from anywhere with open views of the sky above the East River. This fireworks show has become an American tradition, and even those who can’t make the trip out to New York City can tune into NBC at 8 p.m., July 4.

Gorham, New Hampshire

Gorham’s Fourth of July Spectacular is one of New Hampshire’s longest running Independence Day celebrations, with four days of exciting events. The fireworks show will begin after dark on July 4 in the skies over the carnival. But that’s not the end of the fun. Stick around for another day to see a classic car parade and get your fill of the carnival rides and even visit Concord enjoying the breathtaking scenery.

1. Who will be interested in the Fourth of July activities?

A．Children who mean to relax themselves with friends.

B．Volunteers who desire to do something to serve the people.

C．Teachers who want students to acquire the history of fireworks.

D．Parents who hope to develop the family’s Independence Day traditions.

2. Which place has the oldest celebration of the Independence Day?

A．Concord.

B．Bristol.

C．Gorham.

D．New York City.

3. Which of the following can be seen on TV?

A．Philadelphia’s fireworks display.	B．Gorham’s Fourth of July Spectacular.
C．Macy’s annual show in New York.	D．Bristol’s Independence Day celebration.