1 . Alia found herself disappointed in the drawing studio after missing out on picking her classes due to illness. She had hoped for Biology, but it was ___________ by the time she got to choose. She loved everything about science, from the way it used facts to how it revealed the basic nature of things. But ___________ was so... un-scientific.

The first class project was self-portraits (肖像). Some students were drawing self-portraits using___________. Others were working from photographs. Alia___________the incomplete outlines, feeling like a cat in a dog show.

The teacher ___________ her. “Every portrait begins with a circle,” he said. “Then you create a series of lines.” To ___________, he drew a group of small, quick portraits. He began each one with a ___________ , some straight lines, and a triangle (三角形) to determine ___________ the eyes, nose, and chin (下巴) should go.

___________, Alia began her own self-portrait. She ____________ the basic form of a head, the way she had been shown. From there, she used lines to plot the ____________ of her face. The process took patience and ____________ . She had to take note of each detail. One wrong measurement could throw off the whole ____________.

Alia was surprised by the structure and discipline involved in drawing a portrait. Measuring, studying details and ____________ the basic nature of something ______________ her of what she loved about science.

2 . Best Online Exercise Classes

Online exercise classes are changing the way we think about fitness, and here are some of the best apps for online exercise classes for you to select.

Daily Burn

Daily Burn offers a 30-day free trial, so you can get a feel for the classes and instructors before you make the decision. It provides over 1,000 classes ranging from choices for beginners to advanced athletes, all taught by expert trainers. There are classes that are 10 minutes and ones that are an hour, so you can do a workout that’s perfect for your schedule.

Alo Moves

Through this app, you’re given the chance to connect with encouraging coaches and other hard-working members, and take more than 2,500 different yoga classes of all styles and all difficulties. You can even take classes or practice yoga with any of your friends online. At a price point of $20 per month, it’s surely one of the reasonable at-home choices.

Booya Fitness

Classes offered include cardio (有氧运动) kickboxing, sports conditioning, dancing, and even more. Even if that sounds like you’ll need much expensive equipment, Booya Fitness promises that 75% of their workouts can be completed with just an exercise mat (垫子). Booya Fitness is also very selective (严格挑选的) in the music they play because they know a good song can make your cardio workout motivating. It’s a best choice for the middle and upper class.

Peloton

Peloton’s service is based on live classes intended for anyone who has a bike, and they require the Peloton branded equipment to join in. There are new classes every day, and thousands of classes to choose from. What’s more, there is also a treadmill users can purchase for running- and walking-based classes, and a TV app for strength classes. However, it will charge you more for the convenient service.

5 . 36 hours of art course

with the New Arts Club — London

A good chance to learn under famous artist Oksana Leadbitter, and her New Arts Club.

Run according to your timetable, this part-time course is 36⁺ hours of painting that is fit for anyone from beginners to more experienced painters. You must sign up for no less than 36 hours, for which you need to pay $356.33.

All art materials are provided, including paints, brushes and more. All you need to do is bring yourself, and a wish to learn and meet new people. Oksana will guide you through a series of painting styles and skills, showing how a painting is done and offering frequent support to you. She gives special attention to the easiest ways of achieving the effects you want. She has her own style of teaching that allows people to make progress in a short period of time.

You will not need to attend every class. The course works on a by-hour basis, meaning you can use your hours as slowly or quickly as you wish.

Come and join us every Thursday at a spare room of the beautiful St Sofia Cathedral in Bayswater, London.

Courses:

10:00-12:00: Adult class

12:00-15:00: Children’s class

19:00-22:00: Adult evening class

The courses will begin on 15th May, 2024. Feel free to take part and say hello.

If you want more information, e-mail: newartsclublondon@gmail.com.

Should special situations arise, the organizers would keep the right to cancel any of the events, resulting in the refund (退款) of cancelled remaining classes.

10 . I was a rising high school junior in the summer of 2021, when I took Philosophy 101 at Lehmon College, a   ____that allows New York City public school students to earn credits. Why philosophy?________, I chose it on impulse (一时冲动). I expected this course to be interesting. I didn’t expect this class, which________me to the words and works of Socrates, Plato and other moral philosophers, to change my________to college education.

But that’s what________. During the second week of class, when we________the work of Socrates, I read Socrates’ words, “The unexamined life is no life for a human being to live”. My eyes________in surprise and my posture was fixed. I read these words over and over until my professor broke my trance (出神、发呆), “Could anyone in the class interpret the_______ of Socrates’ words?”

Then I did my best to explain that the wise philosopher was making a________on how we should live. To me, this meant getting________about all aspects of yourself, putting yourself in academic, social and cultural spaces that will_______ your world view, and being open to personal growth along the way.

After reflecting on the words even after the course was over, I realized Socrates was________meaningful life means a(n)________to exploration. Being immersed in ideas such as Socrates’________me to think about the person I am. I began to see college as a place to gain knowledge and explore my interests,________just fulfill classes.