Nowadays, people are spending more hours on work. However, taking some time off is important for refreshing yourselves. If you’re having trouble making time for a break, the recent research by the UCLA’s Anderson School suggests that treating your weekends like a vacation can make you happier.
The findings are based on a series of experiments. In one study of 441 workers, half of the test subjects were instructed to have a normal weekend, while the others had to “treat their weekend like a vacation.” The next Monday, the weekend vacationers reported that they felt happier and were generally more satisfied than those who had had a normal weekend. The vacationers also reported they spent more money in vacation mode—about $ 130 compared to $104. But it wasn’t the money that bought them happiness. The researchers controlled for the amount of money both groups could spend. The vacationers were still happier than the ones who had experienced a typical weekend.
The reason the vacation approach may have worked wonders: The vacation mindset allows people to be more attentive to the present moment. “We’re always trying to get through things to check off our to-do lists and treating the weekend like a vacation pushes us out of our continuous ‘doing’ mode,” said Cassie Holmes, a professor at UCLA’s Anderson School.
The study showed that getting into a vacation mindset during the weekend is relatively easy. Even if you can’t take the entire weekend “off”, you can manage to steal a piece of the weekend to gain the benefits of a vacation mindset.
1. What does the research of the UCLA’s Anderson School suggest?2. Why may the vacation approach have worked wonders?
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
When the researchers controlled for the amount of money both groups could spend, the vacation group was unhappier than the other group.
4. What would you do to get into a vacation mindset at weekends? And explain why.(In about 40 words)
2 . The beaches on Mykonos’s southwest coast are among the Med’s best for parties, but head east to find a different atmosphere among a rocky, golden coastline dotted with sandy bays.
Fokos Bay
Park your vehicle in the dirt lot and walk over the low dunes to find perfect little Fokos Bay,where deep, sheltered waters offer delightful swimming for all ages. Once you’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, head on over to the renowned restaurant overlooking the sand for a lazy seafood lunch.
Agari Beach
If getting your own wheels isn’t an option, Agari is only a 15-minute walk east of the more famous Elia Bcach and on the south coast bcach ferry route. It’s one of the closest uncrowded beaches to Hora, Mykonos’s main town, and home to a lonely cafe that provides sunbeds and sell drinks and snacks.
Mersini Beach
Wander west around the headland to the next beach along - the gentle arc of Mersini beach, which is usually the least-crowded on Mykonos. Bring your own sun mat and even an umbrella as this beach is service-free: wild and raw, and perfectly matched to a sunbathing without being disturbed.
Kalafati Beach
In the far southeast, about seven miles from Mykonos town, the broad curving coastline of Kalafati Beach is beloved for its steady winds that blow the sails of windsurfers and kite surfers- perfect if you’re looking for sporting action. Rnt boards and get lessons right at the beach at Windsurfing Mykonos.
1. What can visitors do at Agari beach?| A．Try excellent seafood. | B．Rent boards for windsurfing. |
| C．Have a 15-minute ferry ride. | D．Rest undisturbed in sunbeds. |
| A．Its rental equipment for sunbathers. | B．Its undeveloped surroundings. |
| C．Its complex geography along the route. | D．Its free service of sun mats and umbrellas. |
| A．Fokos Bay | B．Mersini Beach | C．Agari Beach | D．Kalafati Beach |
3 . Strawberry U-Pick at the Boyd Farm
Strawberry U-Pick Season is starting! For now, we are open Monday to Friday from 10 a. m. to 3: 30 p. m. and every weekend from 9 a. m. to 5: 30 p. m. !
Not only do we have our u-pick strawberry fields, we also have fresh produce, prepicked strawberries, snacks and other farm goodies for you to buy. We also have lots of fun activities for the family—hayride with the cows, horse ride, animals to pet and feed, swings, slide, sand pile, corn hole, corn pile and more!
AdmissionAdmission is $5/person (3 and under free)
Admission includes:
◆Access to u-pick fields
◆Access to swings, corn hole, sand pile, slide, corn pile and petting zoo
◆1 pound of free-to-take-home strawberries
Admission does not include:
◆Hayride with the cows—$5/person
◆Horse ride—$3/person
◆Animal feed—$2/cup
Important information
★Please don’t leave children unattended in strawberry fields and please don’t walk on the plant beds.
★We recommend bringing something to carry berries home to cut down on waste, but we will have plastic bags if needed.
★Usually strawberry season runs through April. This is entirely weather dependent, however.
★We recommend sunscreen / hat / water / closed-toed shoes!
★Pets are not allowed in the fields due to Food Safety regulations.
1. When is the Boyd Farm open to the public in April?
| A．9 a. m. Monday. | B．5 p. m. Tuesday. |
| C．4p. m. Friday. | D．10 a. m. Sunday. |
| A．Hayride. | B．Horse ride. |
| C．Corn pile. | D．Feeding animals. |
| A．Bringing their pets. | B．Wearing open-toed shoes. |
| C．Playing in strawberry fields. | D．Taking their own strawberry containers. |
4 . Soothe the Sunday Scaries
Most of us look forward to the weekend as a time to relax. But as the weekend comes to an end, many of us are missing out on “Sunday Funday” and instead experiencing a sense of anxiety and even dread about the upcoming week.
That sense of dread on Sunday can come from many different sources.
Identify your anxiety sources.
Anxiety is a normal human experience, and one of the main ways to manage it is to identify your personal triggers.
Don’t forget to relax.
When structuring your Sunday, try not to cram in (塞进去) too many errands and chores.
Getting rid of the Sunday scaries isn’t just about minimizing the doom and gloom of the week ahead. Having something to expect gives you something pleasant to think about. Instead of focusing on the awful things from the upcoming week, build excitement over a coffee or lunch date with a friend or workmate. This gives you the opportunity to shift your thoughts to something fun and will help improve your mood.
| A．End your Sunday with the right energy. |
| B．Create excitement for the coming week. |
| C．Try to find out what’s really causing you to dread the week. |
| D．Structure can be a best friend when feeling the Sunday scaries. |
| E．Fear of failure, criticism at work, especially from high-pressure jobs. |
| F．It’s important to make space for relaxing activities to refresh yourself. |
| G．But even though the Sunday scaries are common, they are manageable. |
5 . Museums across Europe are currently rethinking the power of design to project into the future, far or near. These are the most forward-thinking exhibitions in Europe this winter.
MKG Hamburg
Hamburg’s applied arts museum presents Food Revolution 5:0 with the aim of helping us. to have a closer relationship with food and its origins, while also challenging our common sense and perception. Food Revolution 5.0 includes more than 30 design projects, aiming to raise questions about what can happen from the farm to the table.
The exhibition runs until December 10 at MKG Hamburg, Germany.
Helsinki Design Museum
Helsinki is consistently ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world, and its design museum might be the best place to discover their recipe for success. And its current exhibition, Enter and Encounter will be especially helpful. Enter the gallery and you will start to realize why the city keeps rising in the livability league table.
The exhibition runs until December 22 at Helsinki Design Museum, Finland.
Cube Design Museum
The Cube Design Museum will look into the future of cycling with a show called Fiets-Bike-Fahrrad. It presents the challenge that comes with balancing a bicycle’s engineering, form and safety through leading contemporary examples. If you’re concerned about our planet’s limited resources and are looking to add flexibility to your urban life. Fiets-Bike-Fahrrad might just persuade you to get cycling.
The exhibition runs until December 3 at Cube Design Museum, Kerkrade, Netherlands.
MAK Vienna
With more than 200 exhibits including graphic arts, speculative design, film, literature and machinery pieces, Hello, Robot, challenges our ideas about and expectations of robots with items such as a baby-feeder tool head, an AI chatbot and an automated scribe arm. If you feel clueless about robots, Hello, Robot is certainly a good place to start.
The exhibition runs until January 1 at MAK Vienna, Austria, and will next appear in the Ghent Design Museum on April 15 next year.
1. What is the common trend of the four museums this winter?| A．They change their designs. | B．They rethink about the future. |
| C．They display challenges in life. | D．They present historical exhibitions. |
| A．Food Revolution 5.0. | B．Enter and Encounter. | C．Fiets-Bike-Fahrrad. | D．Hello, Robot. |
| A．It is far from our daily life. | B．It is about advanced technology. |
| C．It will reappear in another museum. | D．It will be hosted by a design museum. |
6 . One of the most rewarding ways to plan a trip is by building it around a specific event connected to a deep passion. Here are some unmissable events worth travelling for 2024.
International Kite Festival—Gujarat, India
Kite-makers from around the world launch their creations at this cheering celebration of the return of sunshine after winter. You’ll enjoy traditional styles from Japanese rokkaku to Malaysian wau bulan. Locals and visitors get involved, too—so bring your kids and join in. The festival takes place in Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s largest city and a UNESCO World Heritage city.
Ride Africa Kenya—Rift Valley, Kenya
Wheeling from Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara, this 310-mile, seven-day route takes up to 60 cyclists through Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate and Narok. It’s held to raise funds for the Child.org Charity, which supports newborns’ care in the country. Run in combination with the Kenyan Wildlife Service, the event includes a large number of animal sightings.
Jungle UItra—Manú National Park, Peru.
With racers facing 143 miles of dense Amazon rainforest-and even denser heat and humidity-this is among the toughest ultra-marathons. Passing such terrain (地形) demands determination, but the friendship and trust of the trail team will keep you going. Peru’s four-million-acre national park comprises diverse tropical habitats.
Lakia-Jukola Relay—Kauhava, Finland
This is one for old-school hikers, as your team of six needs solid map-reading and compass navigation skills for the overnight. It’s among the world’s most celebrated challenges, during which you will enjoy Finland’s most dramatic scenery. Sign up for the later legs to see in the sunrise.
1. Which of the following is family-friendly?| A．International Kite Festival. | B．Ride Africa Kenya. |
| C．Jungle Ultra. | D．Lakia-Jukola Relay. |
| A．To compete with cyclists worldwide. | B．To explore the wild animals in Africa. |
| C．To enjoy the natural scenery of the valley. | D．To collect money for a charitable institution. |
| A．Specialized biking skills. | B．Passion for dramatic scenery. |
| C．Teamwork and cooperation. | D．Adaption to tropical weather. |
7 . Summer is here! Spark a new interest or find your favorite activity: CLICK HERE TC APPLY!
Golf Lessons
We aim to break down the barriers of entry into golf by teaching life skills through junior golf programming. Kids that participate will have between 1-2 official hours of programming each week to advance through the First Tee curriculum. ages 7-18
Monday-Friday, from 4-7 p. m.
June 5-July 28.
Dattilo Family Youth Leadership Center, 4700 Hill Ave.
Judo Summer Youth Program
Since 1991 we have taught 4,000 youths the sport of Judo. The practice of judo promotes teamwork, leadership, and buildsself-confidence, self-discipline and self-esteem; it can also help prevent issues such as bullying. ages 7-17
Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4:30-5:45 p. m.
Saturdays from 10-11 a. m.
June 3-August 26.
American Academy of Martial Arts and Judan Judo, 5020 Lewis Ave.
Football Camp
Learn football basic skills through defensive and offensive, as well as social skills. Registration is from 8-12 a. m. this Sunday. All participants must be accompanied by a guardian. Participants should dress comfortably in athletic wear. ages 8-14
Monday -Friday from 11 a. m. -3 p. m.
June 12 -June 16.
Scott High School,
2400 Collingwood Blvd.
Summer Basketball Camps
More than building great athletes, our week-long camps will help youth gain confidence and positive social skills. Well-trained coaches will encourage sportsmanship, good character and a healthier lifestyle. ages 9-16
Monday-Friday, from 9 a. m. -2 p. m.
Camp 1: June 12-16/Camp 2: July 10-14/Camp 3:August 7-11.
Wayman Palmer YMCA, 2053 N 14th St.
1. Where is this text probably taken from?
| A．A guidebook: | B．A brochure. | C．A web page | D．A sports magazine. |
| A．Golf Lessons. | B．Judo Summer Youth Program. |
| C．Football Camp | D．Summer Basketball Camps. |
| A．Registration this Saturday. | B．The company of a guardian. |
| C．A formal dressing style. | D．The positive social skill. |
8 . A home is a place where we feel safe and loved. The warmth of a home doesn’t depend on its size or decoration (装饰).
·Have an indoor picnic
You want to enjoy a small picnic with your family, but neither the weather nor your daily schedule allows you to go to enjoy a nearby park. How about having a picnic indoors? You can have ice cream or sandwiches made in your own kitchen. The best part is that you don't have to wait for a long weekend for this picnic.
·Role play
Give each family member a different role to play. For example, ask your youngest daughter to play the role of Daddy.
·
Family meetings are often held to discuss different matters with your family members, share happy memories and talk about interesting stories. It can be a meeting when the family is sitting together at the dining table talking on a Friday night.
·Watch a movie
| A．Plan a fun family meeting. |
| B．Video chat with family members. |
| C．Watching a movie alone can be boring. |
| D．It is because you can have it at any time you want. |
| E．See for yourself how your children view their parents. |
| F．It will be difficult for all family members to gather around. |
| G．It is the people in the house that make the home a place worth living. |
9 . How to Make the Most of Your Free Time of Holidays
While the holidays can be a fun time to relax and enjoy seeing family and friends, you can end up with a lot of downtime if you don’t plan ahead. If you want to get the most out of your holidays, schedule time for a mixture of fun activities and productive tasks.
Wake up early to get each day off to a good start. It can be tempting to sleep in during the holidays, but you’ll get more out of your time off if you wake up a little earlier than normal each day. Even setting your alarm 30 minutes earlier can help keep you from getting off schedule, and you’ll have more time during the day to get things done. If you do end up staying up late one night, try to get up as early as you can the next morning.
Spend time learning or improving a skill, craft, or hobby. If you think you’re going to have a lot of free time over the holidays, try using that time to learn something new. You might practice a new drawing technique if you love art, for instance, or you might try learning to play a new song if you play the guitar.
| A．Take time to read for fun or for study |
| B．The holidays are also a great time to improve cooking skills |
| C．But remember that frequent getting up early is harmful to your health |
| D．Then go to bed extra early the next night to help you stay on schedule |
| E．A well-scheduled holiday can make you more refreshed in the coming semester |
| F．If you have any assigned reading materials, you're supposed to do over the break |
| G．While keeping in mind that it's also important to spend some time relaxing yourself |
10 . Toy kitchen is hugely popular with young children. It can be a great base for creative and imaginative role playing for children and their parents.
Solo (独自的) freestyle play is what a child plays on their own with the toy kitchen. It is a source of amusement for parents to see their children imitate (模仿) many of their sayings and phrases during this sort of play. You may discover some phrases you didn’t know you had! Children will often cook and create food for their toys to eat. Joining in freestyle play while allowing the child to take charge is fun for the child as well as adults. There are many ways to turn this type of play into something more educational. Parents can demand a certain number of vegetables on their plate and the child can use their knowledge of what’s a fruit and what’s a vegetable, as well as their counting skills to carry out this simple task.
You can also play the sorting game. Asking a child to sort out the fruit and vegetables into different piles is fun and will get easier for the child each time. Always reward children with praise when they do well, and encouragement when they don’t do quite well.
Counting is an obvious game. You can start the basics of maths in the kitchen play with adding, subtracting (减) and even dividing! Your child can use the toy food to work out sums and enjoy counting! They will be picking up good basic number skills during this type of play.
You can also bring up healthy eating subjects asking them which fruit is their favorite and asking which ones they want to try for their next snack. This type of game can continue in the supermarket and be used as a method of introducing new foods to their diet.
1. Games using a toy kitchen can develop children’s ________.| A．health and habit | B．creation and imagination |
| C．counting skills and honesty | D．number skills and good manners |
| A．it difficult for children to sort out the fruit and vegetables |
| B．it fun for children to cook and create food for themselves to eat |
| C．some words and expressions you forgot using before |
| D．children pick up good basic number skills by using the real food |
| A．enriching healthy eating | B．training working ability |
| C．counting | D．sorting |
| A．Parents. | B．Teachers. | C．Children. | D．Experts. |
