2 . How to Hygge for the Holiday

Everyone is talking about “hygge” — the word used by Danish people to keep themselves mentally positive in the dark winter season and fill their homes with comfort and love. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? But how to realize at least some of hygge holidays?

Express your creativity. Take a step back from the pressures of everyday life and let your creative side out to play. Set aside paint, paper and an hour to yourself.     1    

Share good food with good friends. Friends and food are some of life’s simplest pleasures.     2     Invite friends round for coffee and cake away from the noisy distraction of a cafe, so you can really enjoy each other’s company.

    3     Empty your mind of thoughts and worries, and you can enjoy a little quiet time to yourself now and then. Choose one comfortable corner as a private place that you can hide in whenever you need to take time out and relax.

Make simple things special.       4     If you take to watching a film on Friday night, make movie night feel like a treat rather than routine, with your favourite snacks, good-smelling candles, and a comfortable sofa to throw yourself into.

It is possible to achieve hygge any time of the year nowadays.     5     But hygge is the most suitable for the winter holiday season because it is all about peaceful and warm surroundings that fill you with content. There is indeed something you can do to bring holiday hygge into your home this season.

A．Set a far-reaching goal.

B．Spend some “me time” occasionally.

C．Combining the two helps get the hygge feeling.

D．This way you can have hygge by expressing your talent out.

E．Here are some words for hygge: comfort, friends and laughter.

F．Hygge is all about letting your senses enjoy everyday moments.

G．A volleyball match on the sandy beach is a good example of summertime hygge.

3 . What do people associate with the Metropolitan Museum of Art called the Met? For most, this New York museum is a treasure trove (宝库) of beautifully-scheduled artistic expression. After all, its collections include 1.5 million works of art from prehistory to the present.

But since September 9, 2023, as Hyperallergic reports, the Met is also the setting for a new, super-creative center for kids aged 3—11 and their families, named“81st St Studio”, which sets out to help children understand the materials used to make art. Coming in through the entrance, visitors see tree trunks, cardboard and a carved wooden screen among other examples. Visitors can participate in activities such as woodblock carving and drum making.

According to Heidi Holder, Chai r of the Met’s education department, there’s no contradiction in this new attempt. She recently said the Met is a science institution. As she explains, “We have three big parts of ourselves: our scientific research, our conservation and our art.” As Holder explains, even when objects created hundreds of years earlier come in, a scientific understanding of the materials used will help people better understand the art itself.

The exhibit is rich with art and science activities to encourage self-expression. There’re no traditional glass exhibition cupboards here. Instead, the 3,500-square-foot center is filled with seven stations that encourage visitors to explore them using all their senses. As Holder said, “It’s an open space where you can create your own path. You can learn at your own pace. You can take risks, be curious, have fun, and discover things.”

A music installation (装置), for instance, helps kids understand how materials influence sound. It consists of several creative music-making devices. Curious young visitors can pull open small, drawer like boxes. For example, an accordion lets out an airy sound as the opening and closing motion compresses (压缩) the air inside it.

In agreement with its ambitions to serve as a community center, the 81st St Studio is free to enter for children and their caregivers, no museum ticket required, during regular Met hours.

1. What is the purpose of the 81st St Studio?

A．To encourage participators to be more creative.	B．To assist children in learning about art materials.
C．To help children to create some works of art.	D．To ask people to concentrate on conservation.

2. What is Holder’s attitude towards opening the 81st St Studio?

A．Approving.

B．Negative.

C．Uncaring.

D．Uncertain.

3. What can we infer from Holder’s words in paragraph 4?

A．The 81st St Studio has a limited space.	B．Kids will be faced with some difficulties.
C．Lots of exhibits are not easy to discover.	D．Kids are free to explore the 81st St Studio.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．The Met Is Best for Art Education	B．Scientific Activities Are Based on Art
C．Art and Science Can Meet for Education	D．Artistic Creation Comes from Inspiration

6 . Last Sunday, the famous Champs-Elysees street in Paris was turned into a giant outdoor classroom for a special spelling event called “The Big Dictation”. The event was a chance for people who love words to show off their listening and spelling skills in an unusual setting.

The Big Dictation of Champs-Elysees was organized by a writer named Rachid Santaki. He came up with the idea of large groups of people taking part in dictations back in 2013. Over 50,000 people asked to join the special spelling event on the Champs-Elysees, which turned one of Paris’s busiest streets into a classroom, with cars replaced by desks. In the end, around 5,000 people, aged 10 to 90, were chosen to take part.

Just like in school, a large “blackboard” was set up for the event near a famous building, the Arc de Triomphe. Several famous people were there to play the part of the teacher, and read the dictation texts out loud. After the dictation is read, the text on the screen lets people check their work.

Not everyone found it easy. Ten-year-old Samson thought the dictation was too quick and he couldn’t finish. Another young student agreed. “It was impossible!” he said. “The dictation was for adults.”

Even adults found it challenging, reporting that it caused stress and worry. One retired woman was pleased that she had only made two mistakes.

Marc-Antoine Jamet is in charge of the Champs-Elysees Committee, who brought the event to the famous street. He said the event wasn’t just about getting all the words right but also about bringing people together.

Another goal of The Big Dictation was to break the record for the largest dictation event ever. The previous record was set in 2018 at France’s national stadium, Stade de France, with 1,473 people taking part. That event was also run by Mr. Santaki.

1. How many people were chosen to take part in The Big Dictation last Sunday?

A．Around 1, 500.

B．Around 2,000.

C．Around 5,000.

D．Over 50,000.

2. What does Samson think of The Big Dictation?

A．Easy.

B．Exciting.

C．Boring.

D．Challenging.

3. What is a goal of The Big Dictation?

A．To break the record for the dictation event.

B．To introduce a famous street to the world.

C．To reduce the learning pressure of students.

D．To remember the founder of the competition.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．The Famous Scenic Spots of France

B．A Spelling Event Took Place on a Paris Street

C．The French Love for Spelling Competitions

D．An Outdoor Classroom Unique to the British

8 . The International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) holds around 50 events every year. Here is the information of some upcoming events.

Korea International Women’s Invention Exhibition (KIWIE)

KIWIE is truly one and only festival celebrating women inventors and inventions in the world, which has driven the growth of women inventors at home and abroad. This year, KIWIE 2023 will be held online and offline so that you can view the site and the online exhibition hall at the same time.

Date: July 20 (Thurs) — 22 (Sat), 2023

Place: Hall 4, Exhibition Center 1, KINTEX

International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada (iCAN)

iCAN 2022 last year featured more than 720 inventions from 81 countries around the world and was a true global stage for worldwide creativity and innovation. This year is a special online edition. You can send your application form and video file before 10th August 2023 by email.

Date: August 26 (Sat), 2023

Website: www. tisias. org

Macao (China) International Innovation and Invention Exhibition Expo (MiiEX)

MiiEX is the first and only contest showing various inventions and new products that are intended to go to the market. MiiEX offers a platform for communication among university students and inventors, through which students will get inspiration from interaction among participants.

Date: October 27 (Fri) — 29 (Sun), 2023

Place: Cotai Expo Hall D, The Venetian Macao (China) — Online and Offline Exhibition

Malaysia Technology Exhibition (MTE)

MTE focuses on recognizing inventions, programmes and ideas which contribute to sustainability, reducing poverty, improving area cooperation, protecting our planet, and building peace. The awards especially encourage the development of local solutions to local challenges.

Date: October 17 (Tues) — 21 (Sun), 2023

Virtual Event: www. mte. org. my

Place: Kuala Lumpur City Center.

1. Which of the following events is only available online this year?

A．KIWIE.

B．iCAN.

C．MiiEX.

D．MTE.

2. Who can benefit from MiiEX according to the text?

A．Macao people.

B．Market managers.

C．Women inventors.

D．University students.

3. What inventions are more likely to be awarded in MTE?

A．Low-cost inventions.	B．High-tech inventions.
C．World-wide inventions.	D．Local-related inventions.

9 . School is out and camp season is here! The followings are the most popular camps available for your teen.

Adventure Camp

Adventure camp gives children and teens a wilderness experience. The key purpose is to put the child in an unfamiliar environment, offering programs in hiking and trekking, mountain biking, and rock climbing among others. Children learn new skills from trainers. During the 7-day stay here, children grow in self-confidence and develop their team-building skills by working with a new set of friends.

Watersports Camp

The Watersports Camp is the newest way that we prepare for teens by providing another opportunity to grow in their faith. This camp will allow the campers to be on the water almost every day. They will be wakeboarding, tubing and more behind world class boats. Follow our professional trainers and spend an unforgettable week here on the water!

Specialty (特长) Camp

Whatever the interest of your child, there is probably a special focus camp for them. Specialty camps’ strength is their dedicated focus on the featured activity. Large parts of the day are spent on the specialty the camper is interested in together with skilled trainers. A wide range of different activities will be arranged in the evenings and at weekends to ensure the campers are busy and happy. You can sign up every Friday and a wonderful 4-day camp is waiting for you!

Leadership Summer Camp

Leadership summer camps, which last ten days, help students have a more positive and open attitude towards new and unknown things. Working with experienced trainers and using interactive workshops and outdoor challenges, students learn the value of hard work and how to make a positive difference in their schools, clubs and communities.

1. What will campers do in Adventure Camp?

A．Go trekking.	B．Learn leadership.
C．Learn a specialty.	D．Go wakeboarding.

2. What is the strength of specialty camps?

A．Being busy and happy.	B．Providing professional lessons.
C．Concentrating on featured activities.	D．Developing positive attitude to new things.

3. What do these four camps have in common?

A．They develop self-confidence.	B．They last for at least one week.
C．They all offer outdoor activities.	D．They provide trainers for the campers.

10 . Camping isn’t for everyone. That much is true.     1     Below we address some of the concerns you might have about going camping to help you decide if it is right for you.

You don’t have to be an “outdoors person” to enjoy camping.     2     You don’t need to be an outdoors type to appreciate the fun of being in the countryside and breathing fresh air. There are many different ways to camp and things to do when camping. You can choose what suits you. And you might be surprised by how incredibly comfortable a tent can be!

    3     Even though there is so much awesome camping gear (装备) on the market, all you really need to get started is a tent, something to sleep on and in, something to cook on and a few utensils (器皿). Most of these can be brought from home.

    4     These days camping gear and equipment is advanced and there is no reason why you can’t be very comfortable, clean and have all your essentials on hand when camping. Unless you want to rough it, which is still easy too. There are campsites available which offer as many or as few facilities as you like, including Wi-Fi, restaurants and hot showers.

Camping is not boring. There is an absolute ton of things to do while camping. Getting active, exploring the landscape, visiting local towns and attractions, playing games and sports or just chilling out with a good book.     5    

A．But camping needs a lot of preparations.

B．Camping is what you make it.

C．But most people really enjoy it if they give it a chance.

D．Camping doesn’t need much planning.

E．Camping doesn’t have to mean having a hard time.

F．Camping is enjoyed by all kinds of people.

G．You don’t need lots of expensive equipment to go camping.