2 . From unexpected colour to making clever environmental choices, Joanna Plant, an interiors specialist and tastemaker, shares her design intentions for the year ahead.

·What is your New Year design resolution?

I’d like to get out and look at things. The aim is to visit lots of houses and gardens for inspiration and see more exhibitions abroad. I love a house tour and try to find somewhere to go and look about whenever I travel outside London or abroad. I really appreciate seeing things first-hand these days.

·What was a highlight of 2023?

Selling my house of 22 years and having the improvement of a new property — very exciting to be doing a project for myself! What’s fantastic is to work with suppliers who have amazing collections to discover and those who allow us to change the colours or make changes to existing designs.

·What design ideas do you have that you hope to bring to fruition?

Happily, clients seem to be more responsive to having bolder paint plans and using more colours. We have been asking them to see how layering pattern can make a room more quiet and relaxing. I think that we are making our rooms look very nice by using a lot of decorative trims and accessories.

1. Where will Joanna prefer to go to get design ideas?

A．Houses in America.	B．Gardens in London.
C．Tastemakers’ houses.	D．Gardening exhibitions.

2. What will Joanna probably agree with?

A．That improving her old house is exciting.	B．That working with suppliers is very fantastic.
C．That clients are willing to paint more colours.	D．That layering pattern can make a room detailed.

3. In which section of a magazine may this text be?

A．New Property.	B．Home Decoration.
C．New Year Resolution.	D．Environmental Choices.

4 . The growing ice cream franchise(特许经营权) is the brainchild of Tom Landis, a restauranteur(餐馆老板), who wanted to create a safe space for people with special needs to work in the food industry, plus the flavors are great!

At the Dallas-based restaurant, employees serve large scoops of ice cream handed over with love. Tom Landis has hired people with special needs for many years. But he couldn't always provide a job for everyone who came to his fast-paced sandwich shops and pizza joints looking for work. Determined to create a business where friendliness   mattered and kitchens were safe, he landed on ice cream.

In 2015, he opened the first ice cream shop; there are now seven franchises in cities including Asheville, El Paso, Indianapolis and Denver. Each shop creates 15 jobs in a safe environment for people with special needs. He said two more franchises were opening soon.   “Our relentless mission is to employ all,”   he said while interviewed by the local media.

Employees are behind some of the best ideas at the ice cream shops, which boast(有) fun flavors like top-selling Dr Pepper Chocolate Chip, and other favorites like Cold Brew &Cookies and Strawberry Milkshake. In-store sampling events are leading to deal with some grocery stores in the coming months.

When Landis talked about the varieties of ice cream in his shops, he said,   “It just works. We sell out every time.”   In the sunny and brightly colored shops, employees spread kindness and happiness to their customers as they dish out extra ice cream and free sprinkles.

“That's what ice cream is,”   said Landis with joy. His employees are heroes. “They lead me,”   he added.

1. What does Landis intend to provide for people with special needs?

A．A kind boss.	B．Huge salaries.
C．A room to live.	D．Safe working places.

2. What do we know about Landis' sandwich shops?

A．They didn't suit all job hunters.

B．The customers there had special needs.

C．The food there was made in factories.

D．They had a novel space for customers.

3. What does the author mainly want to convey in paragraph 4?

A．The diversity of ice cream.

B．The employees’ creativity.

C．The popularity of ice cream.

D．The friendship between employees.

4. Which of the following can best describe Landis?

A．Mean but energetic.

B．Successful and determined.

C．Modest and responsible.

D．Conservative but practical.

6 . In 2016, I lost my long-term job. The company simply went through serious changes, and my position was no longer needed. They were great to me when I worked there, and they gave me a small severance package (辞退补偿). I was 55 at the time. I was more than a bit anxiety-ridden, as I wasn’t in a position to retire, and I was concerned about the prospects of being rehired at this age. The good news is that I was a saver, had no debt (债务) and always lived simply. My husband’s job carried the benefits.

I woke up every morning at 4 am to consider how best to use my resources, and ended up starting a small business. Once I started, I made mistakes and messed things up, but kept educating myself more and more. There were tough times that were not easy to get through, but I managed to keep going.

After about 18 months, it was working! Everything fell into place, and the train finally started going down the track! Now, I wake up each day and think, “I own a small business!” My husband even took early retirement to partner with me.

While we are not making $1 million, we have crossed over into six digits (数位) over the past few years. We run our business out of a home office. And I offer a service based on my knowledge from my previous job that I lost.

Now several times a month, friends and former workmates reach out to us to ask how they can also get started like what we do. Though we’re busy, we take the time to talk with them sometimes. I know they really need help.

Nowadays it’s easy to lose our jobs. Luckily, we’ve gained work experience, which can be really helpful if we want to start our own business. So don’t be too frustrated if you lose your job. It might be a new opportunity for you.

1. What can we learn about the author when she lost her job?

A．She regretted not having worked hard.

B．She was quite anxious about the future.

C．She was dissatisfied with the severance package.

D．She failed to get along well with her workmates.

2. What can we say about the author’s small business?

A．It was full of ups and downs.	B．It used up the author’s resources.
C．It lasted for one and a half years.	D．It forced her husband to retire earlier.

3. Which of the following words can best describe the author?

A．Brave and calm.	B．Creative and honest.
C．Independent and strict.	D．Determined and considerate.

4. What message does the author want to give us?

A．We should keep educating ourselves.	B．When one door closes, another opens.
C．People should start their own business.	D．When a friend asks, there is no tomorrow.

7 . Growing up, Danielle Belleny was always outdoors, picking up insects and investigating the animal world on her own. She hadn’t yet heard of wildlife biology, but that’s what she was learning about. She wanted to be a vet, a person who can treat sick or injured animals, at first. She said, “I always knew I wanted to work with animals, and as a kid，that was the only job I knew where I could do that.” But when Belleny was in college, her dad advised her to learn wildlife biology instead of veterinary.

Later, Belleny started working on research projects. One project involved placing trackers on a bird called the northern bobwhite. For another, she spent time herding goats, as a way to protect a grass habitat for endangered box turtles (龟) without hurting them.

Belleny’s working at Plateau Land &. Wildlife Management. “In the mornings, I’m usually out the door before sunrise,” she says. She surveys birds, keeping track of different species. And she searches for signs of what other animals in the area are doing. Around lunchtime, she’ll return home and write up a report. In the afternoon, she leaves for another site visit. Landowners can request her services. She advises people on how to protect the wildlife that lives on their farm. Her work takes her all around Texas.

Outside of work, young Belleny has been bird-watching for seven years. Her first book This Is a Book for People Who Love Birds was published in May, 2022. Now she’s working on a children’s book about birding, which is scheduled to come out in fall 2023. Belleny has some advice for young people thinking about careers. “Try everything you’re interested in through books and libraries. If you’re into wildlife biology, go to a library and find some field guides. After learning much information, you can do research work more easily.

1. What did Belleny want to do at the very beginning?

A．Working as a vet.	B．Protecting wildlife.
C．Watching birds daily.	D．Looking after goats.

2. What does Paragraph 3 mainly talk about concerning Belleny?

A．Her field work.	B．Her link with animals.
C．Her research reports.	D．Her services to farmers.

3. What does Belleny advise the young to do?

A．Love nature and animals.	B．Make good use of libraries.
C．Write more animal books.	D．Go into biological research.

4. What can we learn from the Belleny’s story?

A．Curious minds never feel satisfied.	B．It pays off to put theory into practice.
C．Interest is the best teacher in your life.	D．Career choices should be made earlier.

8 . Aleeda Rodriguez Pedrasa has one of the most unusual jobs in the world. She gets paid by the Cuban government to make sure that a statue of John Lennon, a famous British musician, always has a pair of glasses on when tourists come to take a picture with it.

In the year 2000, on the 20th anniversary of John Lennon’s death on December 8th,Cuba set up a bronze(青铜的)statue of the famous musician with his name carved(刻着)on it in the Havana Park.

The statue of John Lennon quickly became a major tourist attraction, but also a target for thieves who loved nothing more than to steal the artist’s symbolic round glasses. In the beginning, the government would replace the stolen glasses with new ones, but the new pair wouldn’t last long.

About two years ago, after seeing that Lennon’s glasses constantly went missing, Aleeda started placing her own glasses on the statue. One day, they were stolen as well,and then an-other pair. But the authorities noticed her devotion and hired her as the official guardian of the glasses. Today,Pedrasa receives 245 Cuban pesos a month which is more than what most Cu-bans make. Her job is to look after the glasses and make sure that they are on the statue of Lennon’s nose when tourists arrive at the Havana Park to take photos with him

72-year-old Aleeda has become known as the guardian of Lennon’s glasses. Even though it may not be the best job, Pedrasa is comfortable in her position after doing it for two years.

1. What is Aleeda Rodriguez Pedrasa’s job?

A．To prevent a bronze statue from being stolen by thieves.

B．To keep a statue in the Havana Park clean.

C．To make sure a statue always has a pair of glasses on.

D．To help tourists take photos with a statue.

2. What happened to the statue of John Lennon?

A．It was stolen by some thieves.

B．Someone put a pair of glasses on its nose.

C．It was broken soon after it was setup.

D．Its glasses were always stolen.

3. Which of the following is true about Aleeda Rodriguez Pedrasa?

A．She earns most every month in Cuba.

B．She would like to help tourists take photos with the statue.

C．She was chosen to be the guardian of Lennon’s glasses because of her devotion.

D．She has devoted her whole life to being the guardian of Lennon’s glasses.

4. What does Aleeda Rodriguez Pedrasa feel about her job?

A．Satisfied.

B．Bored.

C．Embarrassed.

D．Disliked.

9 . Do you love eating candies and chocolates? Are you passionate about sugary treats and exploring unreleased and existing products? If so, this is the PERFECT position for you! Canada’s Candy Funhouse is employing a chief candy officer. You might be able to eat candy for a living and make thousands in the process.

*Brief introduction of the position

•Annual Salary: 100,000 dollars.

•Working Location: The job can be remote or based in its Canada or New Jersey offices.

•Job: Serving as head taste tester, trying over 3,500 products each month, leading the company’s candy strategy, running candy board meetings, having a say in which products Candy Funhouse will carry, approving candy products and offering spotlight treats with an official stamp of approval.

*Requirements

•Applicants can be as young as 5 years old and must reside in North America.

•All you need is a passion for candy, pop culture, and a sweet tooth.

•Applicants will also undergo extensive training of their sense of taste.

•Applicants’ inquiries on the job are so high that the company’s usual response time is delayed, because nearly 6,500 people have applied to the job.

•The deadline is December 31. No previous experience is necessary.

Warning

Applicants should think twice and consult to some doctors for advice before applying. The position would involve excessive consumption of sugar, and too much sugar can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

1. What position is vacant in Candy Funhouse?

A．A candy policy maker.	B．A chief candy officer.
C．A candy taste tester.	D．A chief candy designer.

2. What do we know about the job according to the text?

A．It must be done in the office in Canada.

B．It offers extensive training of smelling skills.

C．Those with previous experience are preferred.

D．Only those living in North America can apply for it.

3. What are applicants reminded to do before applying for the job?

A．Ask the company leaders for suggestions.

B．Get permission from their personal doctors.

C．Consider the effect of eating too much sugar.

D．Develop a passion for candies and chocolates.

10 . Located in the rolling hills of Agoura, California, Camp Kinneret provides children aged 4-14 with a classic, outdoor day camp experience. Working at camp is an opportunity to be part of an intentional, growth-oriented community as a role model and leader of your campers.

Staff Work

Most staff will ride the bus to camp each day with their campers from various Conejo and San Fernando Valley cities. Summer camp jobs include:

•Day Camp Staff working in a specific group for the period of the summer participating in all activities throughout the day.

•Swim Instructors working in a team of 4-6 to ensure the safety of campers of all ages and abilities at the pool.

•Activity Instructors leading campers at activity areas that include horse riding, animal care, nature & ecology, wilderness play, farming & gardening, performing arts and more!

•Resident Camp Staff spending each week guiding kids through a variety of on-site and off-site adventure-based activities including backpacking, mountain biking, climbing and more!

Staff Benefits

Camp Kinneret allows you to gain a summer’s worth of leadership development that you won’t find elsewhere! Salaries are based on position and previous experience. The range for a first-year staff member is $5,100-$7,000 for a 10-week summer.

Staff Requirements

Applicants must be college-aged or older, have summer housing available in the Greater Los Angeles Area and be able to serve from Jun. 6th to Aug. 6th, 2022(Mon.—Fri., 8:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m.).

If you are interested in personal growth and development(for yourself and for others), fill out the online application and select a group interview to attend virtually or in person.

1. Who will be responsible for weekly adventure-based activities?

A．Day Camp Staff.	B．Swim Instructors.
C．Activity Instructors.	D．Resident Camp Staff.

2. Which of the following is a requirement for the applicants?

A．They must be college students.	B．They must work for two months at camp.
C．They must have enough camp experience.	D．They must have jobs in the Los Angeles area.

3. What type of writing is this text?

A．A notice of staff wanted.	B．A tourist guide.
C．A survey on camp marketing.	D．A summer camp poster.