1 . 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. |
| A．Easy. | B．Exciting. | C．Boring. | D．Challenging. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
2 . Are all your photographs good? Be honest with yourself. Aren’t some of your pictures too dark, and others too light? How many times have you thrown away a photo? We, the Fine Photograph Club, can help you. We meet every Wednesday in our comfortable club room in Bridge Street. At 7:30 p.m. a member of the club or a visitor would give a talk, and then we have coffee. Our members will advise you on all the latest camera and films. They will help you to develop your films or enlarge your pictures. What does it all cost? Only 5 pounds a year.
Photography is now a big business. Do you know, for instance, that there are 15 million cameras in our country? And that 700 million photographs are taken a year, more than one-third of them in color? Think of the amount of photography in television, the camera, newspapers, books, advertisements and so on. In morden life people learn a lot from pictures, so photography is more and more important. It is also more complicated and more expensive than it used to be. You may only want to take good photographs of faces and places. If so, we can help you to get better results. You needn’t waste any more money. If you want to learn more about photgraphy and how it is used, join the club please. You won’t be disappointed. Write now to the Secretary, Fine Photograph Club. Bridge Street.
1. The purpose of the passage is to ____________.| A．show people how to take fine pictures |
| B．tell people photography is now a big business |
| C．tell people the club can do many things for you |
| D．encourage people to join the photograph club |
| A．must be good at photography |
| B．must know about the latest cameras and films |
| C．must pay a little money a year |
| D．must be honest with yourself |
| A．say if your photos are good or bad |
| B．tell how much money you waste |
| C．help the Fine Photograph Club |
| D．know the latest development in cameras |
| A．coffee | B．amusement |
| C．advice | D．information |
3 . Wonderful trip around the Mediterranean
Days 1-2 Barcelona, Spain
Discover the interesting buildings, Catalan culture and Gothic Quarter in Gaudi’s city of Barcelona.
Day 3 Board Regal Princess
Day 4 Relaxing at sea
Day 5 Gibraltar
You’ve got a full day to get to know this British territory (领土), home to many cultures. Choose to ride the cable car (缆车) for great views of the Rock of Gibraltar or discover the beautiful lighthouse.
Day 6 Relaxing at sea
Day 7 Marseille, France
Enjoy a full day discovering all that Provence has to offer — flower fields, fishing boats or Roman ruins (遗迹). City or countryside, you decide.
Day 8 Genoa, Italy
Get to know this busy town by walking through the wonderful streets and piazzas (public squares, especially in an Italian town).
Day 9 Florence / Pisa
Choose to visit wonderful wineries (酒庄) in Tuscany or the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa on your last day in Italy.
Day 10 Disembark (下船) Regal Princess
Go to the airport for your flight home.
Your holiday includes
• Direct flights
• 2 nights 4 star Barcelona hotel incl breakfast
• 7 nights aboard Regal Princess
• Private guide
10 day holiday from
Single room £1,199
Mini double room £1,949
1. What can a visitor do on Day 5?
| A．See a lighthouse. | B．Go rock climbing. |
| C．Enjoy Catalan food. | D．Visit the English countryside. |
| A．One day. | B．Two days. | C．Three days. | D．Eight days. |
| A．A tour diary. | B．A business report. |
| C．A travel magazine. | D．A geography textbook. |
4 . Planning the perfect memory-worthy camping trip can be overwhelming and often quite frustrating. Everyone wants to have a great time but everyone also knows there’s a lot of planning to be done to make a successful trip.
Plan the time frame
Most people decide to go camping in summer as that’s when they can usually get time off work.
Have a meal plan
Once you’ve planned out when and where, you can move on to planning your camp meal as well as all the camp equipment you might need.
Making a good camping plan means reserving your campsite in advance. This is particularly important during the peak season when campgrounds are full. Also, some campsites have restrictions regarding the number of guests in an attempt to preserve the delicate balance of the natural environment. This means you might need to get a permit even months in advance.
Plan your activities
Going camping is a perfect opportunity to experience the outdoors. Hopefully, the tips listed here will help you cover all spots, from finding a perfect campground to bringing the right gear.
| A．Pick the location |
| B．Reserve your campsite |
| C．When it comes to cooking, it’s all up to you |
| D．There are lots of things you can do while camping |
| E．If you’re a first-time camper, the best way to go is to keep it simple |
| F．Here’s what you should do to have a memorable camping adventure |
| G．The weather is favourable then but crowds are also bigger, especially at popular locations |
5 . Where would you like to go for your New Year vacation? Here are the best ski resorts of comfort and joy during the holidays and the rest of the ski season.
Kitzbuhel, Austria
The most prized downhill on the ski racing calendar, Kitzbuhel also attracts a host of festive fans with its fairy lights, and performances of jazz bands. By day, you can enjoy 230 kilometers of runs over the Kitzbtihel Alps, and fill up on hearty Tyrolean classic foods.
Val Gardena, Italy
This attractive valley is a New Year present waiting to be unwrapped. The three towns that make up Val Gardena—busy Ortisei, peaceful Santa Cristina and the higher Selva—traditionally go big on the festive season, combining their Italian, Austrian and Ladin heritage. The 175-kilometer skiing takes place below the towering Sassolungo mountain.
Alpbach, Austria
Alpbach is often considered Austria’s prettiest village. Low at 1,00 meters, it may not always have snow on the ground. There are 91 kilometers of runs stretching up to 2,025 meters with a beautiful spread of mountain huts.
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe will celebrate its 85th winter of lift service this season and it’s a fine place to enjoy New Year. The skiing, up the road at Stowe Mountain Resort, offers options for all levels through forests from Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont.
1. What can visitors enjoy in Kitzbuhel?| A．Firework display. | B．Running race. | C．Spicy food. | D．Live music. |
| A．The new year gift. | B．The busy towns. |
| C．The diverse culture. | D．The traditional industry. |
| A．Alpbach. | B．Val Gardena. | C．Kitzbuhel. | D．Stowe. |
6 . Spring Break Camps for Kids
Treasure Trunk Theatre
Ages: 3-6
Tel: 718-210-1720
This year Treasure Trunk Theatre is holding several Outdoor Lion King spring break camps for kids. Kids will get the chance to learn choreography (编舞艺术), act out stories, work on art projects, and more. Everything will be inspired by the Disney classic movie. This camp will help kids build confidence and get them excited about theatre.
Aviator Sport
Ages: 5-14
Tel: 718-758-7510
Aviator Sports has created a safe space where kids can take part in small group activities that will keep them active all day long. Their activities include soccer, tennis, kickball, and other team-building exercises. It’s a chance for your kids to enjoy sports and activities without worrying about their performance, so instead they can just focus on having fun.
Ant Lab
Ages: 6-12
Tel: 718-447-8667
Your kids can practice their painting and other art skills here at Art Lab. It helps kids study some of the most influential artists, and gets them inspired to create their own work. It is offering courses both online and in person so kids can increase their art skills from anywhere.
The Brooklyn Strategist
Ages: 6-15
Tel: 718-576-3035
The Brooklyn Strategist has created a board game (棋类游戏) camp for kids to enjoy during their time off. Your kids will get the opportunity to play some of their favorite classics, learn new games, and even start creating their own. Playing these board games with other kids will help your kids increase their social skills and work through basic problem solving. It’s a unique camp that kids will remember for along time.
1. Which number should a parent call if his kid is interested in physical activities?| A．718-210-1720. | B．718-758-7510. | C．718-447-8667. | D．718-576-3035. |
| A．It offers online courses. | B．It connects kids to nature. |
| C．It is run-by influential artists. | D．It helps kids improve their social skills |
| A．Enter the world of Disney movies. | B．Create non-competitive activities. |
| C．Develop their thinking skills. | D．Learn the basics of painting. |
7 . After-hours Events in 2021
Join us after hours for a special programme of unique events throughout 2021 at Shakespeare’s Birthplace. When the crowds have left and our beautiful buildings are quiet, we invite you to try something different.
The Art of Design with Lee Lapthorne — 9 September
Join artist Lee Lapthorne for a private evening when he will show two pieces of furniture inspired by our collections and discuss his process of reinventing pieces of furniture to create something new.
Venue (举办地点): The Shakespeare Centre
Poetry with Punch — 8 October
Come and meet Matt Windle, the “Poet with Punch” and Birmingham’s Poet Laureate 2016-2018 for a unique workshop, full of tips and advice to help you get your poetry moving. Suitable for beginners, this workshop will get you thinking about taking the next steps to create writing!
Tickets: £10 per adult
Venue: The Shakespeare Centre
Over Throne — 9 November
The frequent changing of rulers is nothing new. Join us for an evening of performance and discussion as we take a look at the bad rulers that were overthrown in Shakespeare’s plays. This is hosted by our Senior Lecturer in Shakespeare Studies, Dr. Anjna Chouhan.
Tickets: £10 per adult
Venue: The Shakespeare Centre
Herbs for Health — 12 December
Growing in the Hall’s Croft garden are the secret recipes to natural good health. Find out more about the medicine used by the Tudors that still influences our well-being (康乐) today. Using herbs and sharing recipes, you will learn the theories behind natural medicine. Reserve your spot before availability.
Tickets: £10 per adult
Venue: Hall’s Croft
1. When can you see the reinvented furniture?| A．On 9 September. |
| B．On 8 October. |
| C．On 9 November. |
| D．On 12 December. |
| A．Enjoy a performance. |
| B．Learn to be a lecturer. |
| C．Visit the Hall’s Croft garden. |
| D．Perform in Shakespeare’s plays. |
| A．Poetry with Punch. |
| B．Herbs for Health. |
| C．Over Throne. |
| D．The Art of Design with Lee Lapthorne. |
8 . UC Berkeley Youth Recreation Summer Camps
UC Berkeley Youth Recreation will provide a wide variety of one-week outdoor experiences and activities for the youth on summer camps 2023. Here are four best summer camps.
Windsurfing Camp
This camp is designed to teach students the basics of windsurfing, including balance and self-rescues. Through a combination of classroom instruction, demonstration and water time campers are able to master the basics of the sport. A comfort with wind and water is strongly encouraged. Campers must be ages 10-17 to register. All campers must be able to swim and weigh 100 pounds or more to safely use public windsurfing equipment.
Price: $330. Those who have participated before can receive 10% off.
Sailing Camp
Campers learn and review the essentials of sailing at their experience level on the beautiful San Francisco Bay! 2023 brings exciting updates to the camp and helps sailors master new skills. Previous sailing experience is required. Campers must be ages 12-18 to register. All campers must have basic swimming skills.
Price: $255
Skateboarding Camp
In this camp, skateboarders will learn mechanics and basic riding skills such as balance riding switches, and dropping-in. Skaters will be assessed of the first day of the session and the lessons will be adapted to their ability. All participants are educated in skateboard safety. Campers must be ages 8-16 to register. Participants must bring their own skateboard, helmet(头盔) and knee &elbow pads(护具).
Price: $300. $240 per person for group registration.
Rock Climbing Camp
Learn climbing skills, knot(结) -tying, top-rope climbing and equipment care. Sites include Strawberry Canyon, Remillard, Indian Rock and Cragmont Parks. Campers must be ages 9-15 to register. All campers can enjoy the bus service to and from the campsites.
Price: $275.
1. What is a must for the participants of Windsurfing Camp?| A．Appropriate weight. |
| B．First aid knowledge. |
| C．Previous learning experience. |
| D．Personal protective equipment. |
| A．It acquires previous skateboarding experience. |
| B．It’ll issue certificates of excellence. |
| C．It gives a 10% discount for group registration. |
| D．It bases its lessons on campers’ levels. |
| A．Windsurfing Camp. | B．Rock Climb. |
| C．Skateboarding Camp. | D．Camp Sailing Camp. |
9 . Fantastic Fall Festivals You Won’t Want to Miss
Seymour Apple FestivalAdmission to the Seymour Apple Festival is free and so is the entertainment! More than 15,000 people from all over the region come out to take part in the activities, ranging from drawings, vendor booths, food, apple contests, bike decorating contests, and more.
Marionville Apple FestivalThe popular Marionville Apple Festival is home to countless activities and events. The carnival, pony rides, and games will keep the kids busy, while adults will enjoy watching the pie-eating contest and browsing dozens of craft vendor booths.
Humansville Fall FestivalThe Humansville Fall Festival may be hosted by a small town, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking big fun. Perfect for all ages, this fall festival is celebrating its 70th year and will provide three full days of fun. This year’s festival will feature live music from fantastic local musicians, which will definitely make it different from the ones in other years. You’ll also find fun carnival rides, talented artisans selling their goods, and an amazing parade to wrap up the event on Saturday.
Southside Fall FestivalThe Southside Fall Festival is perfect for family celebrations, with an alcohol-free environment and free admission. Enjoy a colorful parade and float contest, delicious food vendors, live music, karaoke, and more.
Fall Into Arts FestivalMake sure to bring the kids along for this festival that celebrates all things creative. The Fall Into Arts Festival features a host of kid-friendly activities like a lego build, sand art, bubble stations, chalk the sidewalk, a jump house, and more. Parents will have plenty to do as well, with an excellent variety of artists, festival food, a mini film festival, and much more.
1. Which festivals are free of charge?| A．Seymour Apple Festival and Southside Fall Festival. |
| B．Southside Fall Festival and Fall Into Arts Festival. |
| C．Humansville Fall Festival and Fall Into Arts Festival. |
| D．Seymour Apple Festival and Marionville Apple Festival. |
| A．Fun activities on Saturday. |
| B．The duration of the festival, |
| C．The area of the hosting town. |
| D．Musicians’ live performance. |
| A．families with kids | B．modern artists |
| C．visitors of all ages | D．Movie lovers |
10 . Pack the car and explore what New York State has to offer. Here are four family-friendly destinations where you and the kids can play, learn and have endless amounts of fun.
Sullivan Catskills
This year-round water park features 1l attractions, including an activity pool, a rope bridge challenge and slides. The room is kept at 84 degrees, which prevents any outside Cats- kill cold. It opens from Thursday to Sunday.
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
It's a nonprofit organization located at the historic 1969 Woodstock Music Festival site. Guests are welcome to explore the preserved site that held the famous festival. The center also has a museum that features artifacts from Woodstock.
Thomas Cole National Historic Site
The site has been additionally fitted with digital storytelling equipment intended to engage people of all ages, and while original artworks are on display, there are also things to touch and explore.
Vidbel Mountain Homestead
This fifth-generation nonprofit farm cares for several animals, many of which are res- cues. The farm works to teach children to care for the resident horses, goats, pigs and dogs. This season, the farm is open to anyone who would like to see the animals, with a special focus on child and adult visitors with special needs or dealing with illness. No admission fee.
1. Where shall the visitors go if they are interested in an influential festival?| A．Sullivan Catskills. |
| B．Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. |
| C．Thomas Cole National Historic Site. |
| D．Vidbel Mountain Homestead. |
| A．Buy a pet. | B．See a doctor. |
| C．Enjoy some artworks. | D．Visit some animals. |
| A．History. | B．Art. | C．Geography. | D．Travelling |
